Blind school fitness
center to be dedicated

Dedication of the new Kennedy Fitness Center at the Washington State School for the Blind will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 21. This event will be held in conjunction with the school’s annual tri-state track meet.

The Kennedy Fitness Center is a 29,000 square foot building housing a full-sized gymnasium, saline pool, fitness center, recreation room, office, and classroom/meeting space. The school has applied for LEED Gold certification. For the building. This building will also be home of the school’s award winning powerlifting and goalball teams.

For further information, call Janet Merz, 696-6321, extension 120. 

Memorial service for former Vancouver
mayor pro-tem Bill Demme is Friday

A memorial service for former Vancouver mayor pro-tem Bill Demme, who died April 27 at the age of 95, will be at 3 p.m. Friday, May 8, in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Mr. Demme was a consummate salesperson, turning a profit on nearly every venture. Mr. Demme sold nozzles, wire stretchers and for years owned Demme’s Paint Store in Vancouver. He also raised chickens for the eggs he provided to friends. He was a member of Vancouver’s Liar’s Club.

Mr. Demme was a graduate of Oregon State University and a first lieutenant veteran of World War II.

Mr. Demme is survived by his wife, Lore, and sons Bo, Jay and Jock. Contributions may be made to Hospice Southwest.

Clark County gets $354,000
energy rebate from utility

Clark County has received a $354,000 rebate check from Clark Public Utilities for energy efficiency improvements that the county has made over the past year.

The check was presented to County Commissioner Steve Stuart by Carol Curtis, president of the utility’s board of commissioners, in a ceremony at the recent Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair.

The rebate rewarded such measures such as building controls upgrade, heating and cooling upgrades, installation of variable speed drives, efficient lighting and solar panel installations. The county invested about $7.8 million to develop 35 individual energy conservation and renewable energy

“I would like to thank Clark Public Utilities for their support of our renewable energy efforts,” said Stuart. “This is just the first installment on a project that will reduce the county’s energy use, reduce pollution and save taxpayer dollars.”

Curtis said the county should be commended for its aggressive conservation efforts. “I’m pleased we’re able to support the county’s energy efficiency plans. This is a great example for other utility customers to follow.”

Clark Public Utilities estimates that the county will save an estimated 1.9 million kilowatt-hours per year in the lighting upgrades alone, or about $100,000 at current electric rates.

Curtis says that the utility offers a wide range of rebates, loans and grants for various energy efficiency projects, for business and residential customers.

Workshop for political candidates
to hone their winning ways

While voters might wish for help on how better to scrutinize the appeals that political candidates already make, the Clark County Auditor’s Office is passing the ammunition to the other side instead. It is sponsoring “Winning Ways to Run for Office—A Candidate/Campaign Worker Workshop.” This free workshop is Wednesday, May 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clark County Elections Office, 1408 Franklin Street.

Among those who will describe what is necessary for an effective (and legal) campaign for a candidate or an issue in Clark County are the following: Tim Likness, Clark County elections director; Lori Anderson, Washington State Public Disclosure Commission; Jane Van Dyke, League of Women Voters; Jaime Herrera, 18th District state representative; Marsha Manning and Marissa Madrigal, campaign consultants.  

An informal reception will follow the program.

People

Students from the Clark County Skills Center pre-engineering & design technology program have won the three top spots in the Architectural Drawing Competition, advanced division, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects. The three high school seniors are Alex Stepanyuk, Union High School, who won the grand prize, Julian Blakely, Skyview High School, who won for best presentation, and Jesse Sutton, also Skyview, who won for best design. Each won a Google Sketchup Software License and cash.

Calendar

Port of Camas-Washougal commissioners meet in regular session at 4 p.m. this afternoon in port offices at 24 S A Street. <> The Clark County Public Facilities District meets at 4 p.m. today in conference room C in the Public Services Center. <> The Vancouver City Council meets in workshop session at 4 p.m. today. <> The Vancouver City Council meets in a regular session at 7 p.m. this evening. <> The Vancouver Planning Commission’s First Tuesday event is at 4 p.m. in City Hall. Under discussion is the current recession.  

 Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber Community 

• City of Vancouver Calendar