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Back to planet earth:
Depression? No, said Parks.
Recession? Absolutely. How long will it last? Good question. Parks presented his forecast at the Columbia River Economic Development Council’s (CREDC) Annual Meeting today, during which CREDC president Bart Phillips announced the “successful close” of its 12-month fundraising campaign that raised more than $4.5 million in public and private sector commitments from community investors in the CREDC’s efforts to “support our aggressive economic development efforts.” In his remarks, Parks made several key points, including cautioning against excessive gloom, saying that while this economy represents uncharted territory. "I have not seen this movie before. I do not know how it ends,” Parks said, but added, "We are returning from planet finance to planet earth. It appears we have avoided a catastrophic global banking collapse.” “This is not your father’s or grandfather’s global economy,” Parks said, explaining that there are policy tools that can now deal more effectively not only with the troubled U.S. economy but the global financial crisis as well, and that they are being put into place. He also said, “The American economy is resilient…and bad times can make for good entrepreneurial activity.” A Powerpoint presentation outlining Park's forecast with additional details and charts, including data specific to Washington State, is available at the CREDC website: www.credc.org. For more information about Marple’s Pacific Northwest Newsletter go to http://marples.com/.
'Local Hero' honoree Tommy Owens (Right) with Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard. (File photo) Community leader and restaurateur Tommy Owens of Tommy O’s received the honor of being named one of five “Local Heroes” last night. Owens was awarded during the Bank of America’s 2008 Portland/Vancouver Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards. Owens’ son, Joshua Owens, accepted the award for his father, who was out of town. In recognition of their dedication to serving Portland/Vancouver area neighborhoods, each "Local Hero" has the opportunity to direct a $5,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to the eligible nonprofit organization of their choice. Owens directed his contribution to The Children’s Center. The organization nominated Owns for his “unparalleled giving of time and money in the local area” and his support of “many service and community organizations,” including The Children’s Center and many others. “’The Spirit of Aloha’ is not just something he says, it is how he lives,” commented Owens’ nominators. “Tommy has a special effect on the people and the agencies that he touches.” Port of Vancouver
commissioners The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the 2009 final budget during today’s regular meeting, rescheduled from Tuesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. due to observance of the Veteran’s Day holiday. Commissioners offered the opportunity for the public to comment on the port’s $59,635,843 budget during a public hearing, but no comment was offered. The final budget was presented at a reduced amount from the preliminary budget approved in October. That reduction came when the port had the opportunity to make the second payment on its purchase of a second mobile harbor crane in November, due to favorable exchange rates. That second payment had been scheduled to be paid in 2009, but when exchange rates allowed the port to save nearly $280,000 by making the payment in 2008, the budget was amended. Commissioners also approved Resolution 11-2008, which authorized an increase in the port’s tax levy in the amount of $94,394 – which is a 1 percent increase over the 2008 tax levy. The total property tax allotment the port will receive in 2009 is expected to be $9,561.300. For more information, go to the Port’s website: www.portvanusa.com. Vancouver budget ready for approval The Vancouver City Council is poised to adopt the city’s 2009-2010 budget following the second reading and public hearing at 7 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 17 at City Hall. The proposed budget, said Vancouver City Manager Pat McDonnell, continues the city’s commitment to public safety and core services while allowing for economic opportunity. “We have found a way to live within our means while planning for the future, with minimal impact to our citizens,” McDonnell said. General fund reductions of $1.6 million outside of public safety programs and services are reflected in the budget. The recommended budget also includes more than $1 million in reductions to the city’s Development Review Services Department. The city is recommending a 4% increase in the utility tax on water, sewer and stormwater utilities. The current rate is 16% to help offset public safety budget cuts. McDonnell said that the city has cut more than $14 million over the past eight years to balance the general, street, and fire operating budgets. At the beginning of the current budget process, the city focused on addressing the city’s $6 million annual “structural deficit” in the core funds. A third quarter financial forecast anticipates an additional $2.5 million annual revenue shortfall for the 2009-2010 biennium, primarily from a reduction in revenues from sales tax, real estate excise tax, and a higher-than-anticipated delinquency rate in the payment of property taxes. Budget documents and additional information is available at: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/. Commissioner Boldt recognized
as During the recent 15th Annual City/County Diversity Development Conference, the group presented one of its 2008 Diversity Champions awards to Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt. Clark County combined with the city of Portland, Multnomah County, Clackamas County and the Portland Development Commission to present the one-day conference with the theme: United We Stand – Divided We Fall: Creating Common Ground. Commissioner Boldt was one of seven award winners from several jurisdictions honored at the conference. Recently elected to a second term as a Clark County Commissioner, Boldt previously served five terms as a Washington state representative from the 17th legislative district prior to taking office as a Clark County commissioner on January 3, 2005. Boldt is a member of the Clark County Diversity Advisory Committee, which was started in 2007, and played an integral role in adopting the county’s diversity policy in 2006, proclaiming July as Diversity Awareness Month in 2007 and supporting the Clark County anti-hate crime and discrimination resolution in 2008. Vancouver extends Housing Authority board application deadline The City of Vancouver is seeking applicants for two seats that will be vacant in early 2009 on the Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) Board of Commissioners. The six-member volunteer board is appointed by the mayor for terms up to five years to establish policy for the operation of various assisted low-income rental housing programs and low-income homeownership programs offered throughout the City and Clark County. Regular meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon, with executive sessions often beginning at 8 a.m., customarily at the VHA office at 2500 Main St. Occasionally, the chair of the board calls special meetings and work sessions with a forty-eight hour notice, and from time to time public meetings are held elsewhere. Housing Authority commissioners are identified as public officials under Washington State Law. Therefore, people with personal or business conflicts of interest may not be eligible to serve. The following would constitute conflicts of interest: landlords with rental assistance contracts, vendors, and lenders or developers doing business with the VHA. For applications or further information, contact: Myk Heidt at the City Manager's Office, 210 E.13th St., Vancouver, WA 98660,(360) 696.8181; send email to myk.heidt@ci.vancouver.wa.us. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12. To apply online or learn more about City of Vancouver boards and volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.cityofvancouver.us/boards/. Kiwanis grapefruit fundraiser in full swing Today's the day. Clark County's six Kiwanis clubs launched their 26th annual "Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Sale" fundrasier today. Orders are guaranteed. Many buyers are on a repeat list, but orders can be arranged by calling Bill Corey at 256-1143, or Gregg Butts at 694-1306, or Nita and Bill at 892-6897. People Tim Cross was promoted by First Independent to the position of Vice President of Small Business Banking Group. He will manage clients as well as assist banking centers develop full financial relationships with current and potential clients. Cross joined the bank in 2007. He has nearly 12 years' experience as a business development officer, cash management expert and branch manager. He has also trained and mentored retail managers in assisting clients with scored loan products. Calendar
CVTV
programming on demand:
http://www.cityofvancouver.us
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Michael
J. Parks
