Boldt says county positioned
to come through recession

Clark County as a governmental agency has to be in pretty good shape for Marc Boldt, chairman of its board of commissioners to report how he and his family coped with prior recession days.

The carpet was always spotless and clean, commissioner Boldt declared at the opening of his State of the County address yesterday in Camas High School. It was that way, he said because it was kept rolled up until company came, rolled out for the occasion and afterward put away.

“It’s how we handle life that counts,” Boldt said.

Boldt concluded his talk by presenting his friends Craig Barton, and daughter Annie Barton, performing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” They all got a standing ovation.

“As elected men and women of our county and our cities, we serve as trustees to manage your money, your assets and your government,” Boldt said.

“For these reasons, I would like to create something like a council of governments. This would consist of representatives from the county and all our cities. Currently the mayors of our cities get together to discuss topics. So this should follow that path that has already been set.

“A benefit of that can be regional services such as sewer, stormwater, parks and other services. It is amazing to me that we have come so far in many, many inventions and we haven’t changed how we treat sewage, solid waste or stormwater except to create thousands of rules from federal, state and local governments.

“Clark County has survived the Great Depression, the silver thaw, the Columbus Day storm, tornadoes and the 2008 snow storms, and with God’s Help, we can survive this economic crisis. We will do it together, be it elected servant to elected servant or neighbor to neighbor.”

Boldt also said, “I ask sincerely ask that you shop in Clark County. Remember, our sheriff’s deputies and city police officers are paid from the sales tax we collect here. We get nothing from Portland to pay for the services they provide.”

Boldt concluded, “At times, we all look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I say to you the rainbow was created for a promise and it is really made up of different colors of service. I leave you with a song performed by my friends, Annie and Craig Barton.

“Thank you and God Bless.”

Volcano Views & Brews to host landscape photographer

A visual feast will ensue February 17 at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall as Volcano Views & Brews presents professional photographer and Mt. Adams expert, Darryl Lloyd. He will share his breath-taking photos of both current and historic geologic events on Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood.  Darryl's slide show begins with a comparison of the very different eruptive histories of these two great stratovolcanoes.  In the past 15-20,000 years, dacite dome collapses on Mt. Hood produced pyroclastic flows, lahars and ashfall, while effusive eruptions of andesite lava characterized Mt. Adams eruptions.  As recent as about 200 years ago, lahars swept down the White and Sandy River drainages of Mt. Hood, as well as the White Salmon River drainage of Mt. Adams.  

Volcano Views and Brews is held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Lucky Labrador, 1945 NW Quimby in Portland, Oregon.  Tickets are $5 and available at the door.  Food and beverages are available separately for purchase.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the speaker will begin at 7:00 p.m. All ages are welcome.  Space is limited.

The event is a program of the Mount St. Helens Institute. For a full program listing and more information go to www.mshinstitute.org or Email info@mshinstitute.org. 

Monday is President's Day Holiday

On Monday, February 16, The Daily Insider will not be published in observance of the President's Day Holiday. Federal offices, schools, the U.S. Post Office, and banks will also be closed.

Lunch and Learn About Skills Center

Clark County Skills Center director Dennis Kampe opens the Skills Center doors to the public and invites all Clark County parents, businesses, elected officials, community volunteers, educators, economic development participants and interested citizens to the next VIP Tour and Luncheon, Friday, February 27, at the Skills Center, 12200 NE 28th Street in Vancouver.

The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. beginning with an all-campus tour of 13 programs, visiting classrooms and observing students. Following the tour, students from the Skills Center Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts Program will host, prepare and serve a gourmet lunch in the Skills Center Restaurant. Cost is $5.

For more information and to make reservations, call Jan Strickland at
360-604-1050 by Friday, February 20. Opened in 1983, the Clark County Skills Center is owned and operated by ten southwest Washington school districts provide technical and professional training programs that prepare Clark County high school and college students for the workforce.

WSU Vancouver opens Distinguished Woman nominations

Washington State University Vancouver's Office of Student Involvement will recognize the 2009 Distinguished Woman of the Year. WSU Vancouver invites the community to nominate women who have made a difference in their lives.

For more information or to make a nomination go to, http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/distinction .

Nominations are due by February 23.

The Women of Distinction program is designed to celebrate Women's History Month and will honor women who inspire, mentor and empower others.

Festivities include a keynote by Patricia E. Smith, President and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union, hors d'oeuvres and music.

This event is sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement and Unitus Community Credit Union and the ASWSUV.

County accepting applications for Spay/Neuter Assistance Program

Clark County and the City of Vancouver have provided $15,000 to the Community Spay/Neuter Assistance Program to assist local organizations with programs dedicated to spaying and neutering domestic animals. The Clark County Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board is now accepting applications for these grant funds through March 31, 2009.

Those interested in applying can get an application on the Clark County Web site at www.clark.wa.gov/commdev/documents/animal/sn-prgm-app-2009.pdf. Applications may also be requested by contacting Adrienne Willows at 360-397-2375 ext. 5852 or adrienne.willows@clark.wa.gov

The application deadline is 5 p.m. on March 31, 2009.

The City of Vancouver is seeking applicants to fill a mid-term vacancy on the Design Review Committee which will expire November, 2012.  For applications or further information, contact Myk Heidt in the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, P.O. Box 1995, Vancouver, Wash., 98668 or call 360- 487-8612; emailmyk.heidt@ci.vancouver.wa.us or FAX 360-696-8049. To apply on-line visit:www.cityofvancouver.us/boards.

Eastern to offer degree program information meeting

Recruitment is now underway by Eastern Washington University for its bachelor and master degrees in social work on the Clark College campus.  Both degrees are offered on an evening and part-time academic schedule. The next program year begins in June 2009. An information session will be held on Monday, February 23 for prospective students. The session, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Room 112 of Joan Stout Hall, will focus on the social work profession and EWU educational opportunities at Clark College. 

Clark College’s main campus is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.  Maps and driving directions are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

For more information, please contact program director Karmel Shields at 360-992-2082.

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar