AFSCME endorses Tim Leavitt for Vancouver mayor

The American Federation of State, County and Local Employees (AFSCME Local 307VC) has endorsed Vancouver City Councilman Tim Leavitt for mayor of Vancouver. Local 307 is the labor union that represents 154 employees working in the city’s water, streets, traffic, and public works departments, as well as the city’s law department’s clerical unit.

Ron Fredin, president of Local 307VC and vice president of the Executive Board of Washington State AFSCME Council 2, says of the endorsement, “Leavitt is truly committed to collaboration and relationship-building, has respect for labor issues, and boasts an unmatched record on advocating for jobs that pay family wage.”

Leavitt joined the Vancouver City Council in 2003 and served on the city’s Planning Commission before that. During his time as a councilman, Tim has regularly attended Labor Roundtable meetings, met individually with union leadership, and held frank discussions about issues affecting both sides of the table.

AFSCME reps cite Leavitt’s dedication to fostering relationships of substance and to the future of Vancouver. “We’re supporting Tim because he walks the talk,” says Local 307VC member Joe Devlaeminck. “Tim is the candidate who has been building respectful and effective working relationships with us and throughout our community. He is never too busy to listen to our concerns, and he then works with us to try and find solutions that meet everyone’s needs. We intend to work diligently to see him become the next mayor of Vancouver.”

“Our city employees are passionate about the future of Vancouver,” says Leavitt. “We are in absolute agreement that the City must stop cutting budgets for core services like roads maintenance, traffic control and street light repair, and utility services. It’s time to re-prioritize at City Hall. That is what I’ve been fighting for and one of the reasons why I have received support from the city employees.”

Leavitt has also been endorsed by Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 757 (C-Tran employees) and has received the informal support of Unite Here Local No. 9 (Hilton Vancouver employees).

Persons interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more may contact the campaign office at 360.609.4846, via email at leavitt4mayor@gmail.com, or by visiting the campaign website at www.leavitt4mayor.com. The campaign also has a Facebook page and group at “Leavitt4Mayor.”

August 18 primary and special election voter registration deadline

The deadline for submitting a mail-in voter registration form or for registering online for the August 18, 2009, primary and special election is Saturday, July 18, 2009. Mail-in voter registration forms must be postmarked by July 18 or before. Online registration applications must be submitted by 12:00 midnight on July 18. Visit the Elections Office website at http://clarkvotes.org and click the Online Voter Registration button to register electronically.

All changes of address by currently registered voters must also be submitted by July 18 in order to apply to the August 18 primary and special election, done by mail, online or by telephone.

Citizens who are not currently registered to vote anywhere in the state of Washington have an additional time period, running through Monday, August 10, to register by appearing in person at the County Elections Department, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver.

BPA expects lower increase

The Bonneville Power Administration yesterday said its proposed October rate increase would be smaller than previously expected. The federal power system released a draft proposal that calls for an increase of 6.8 percent, down from the original 9.4 percent increase. BPA also said it would let customers split the increase, with a hike of 4.4 percent on October 1 of this year, and an additional 4.4 percent next October. Working with Seattle City Light and Industrial  Customers of Northwest Utilities, BPA proposed that option because of current economic conditions and because BPA doesn’t need as much additional revenue in 2010, compared to 2011.

Energy Resourcers Director Pat McGary said it’s too early to know what impact the BPA decision will have on our retail rates, but noted that any reduction in BPA’s proposed spending is good news.

Closures on northbound I-205 may alter your drive this weekend

Beginning friday., July 10 at 10 p.m., drivers on northbound I-205 will encounter a right lane closure between the Glenn Jackson Bridge and NE 9^th Street (mile posts 27.10 to 28.83), and full closure of the off-ramps to Mill Plain Boulevard (Exit 28). Work is scheduled for completion by 5 a.m. Mon., July 13.

Closures will allow crews to pave and stripe the interstate and new off-ramp. WSDOT recommends motorists use SR 14 as an alternate east-west route.

Third annual Summer Science and Engineering Camp

Southwest Washington Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) will
host its third annual Summer Science and Engineering Camp in partnership
with Saturday Academy at Washington State University Vancouver from July
13 to July 17. Classes will be offered to seventh - through - ninth grade
students from Jason Lee, McLoughlin, Cascade and Wy'East Middle Schools in
marine biology, chemistry, engineering, robotics, Game Maker and forensic
science. For more information about MESA, go to http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ends/mesa/.

Events

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce will host an update and Q&A luncheon with Governor Chris Gregoire, Thursday, July 23, 2009, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., hosted at the Pearson Air Park Hangar. Cost is $45 per person, $320 per table of 8.

Evergreen School Board members will host a coffee and conversation with the community at Frontier Middle School, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the media center. Frontier Middle School is located at 7600 NE 166th Ave., Vancouver.

Calendar

La Center City Council meeting-Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Wednesday on the air

PDX Airport Futures public meeting (6-4)—5:30 p.m. CVTV 21

Vancouver health care reform panel discussion(7-1) —5:45 p.m. CVTV 23

KIRO Eyewitness News—6 p.m. CVTV 21

Vancouver City Council (7-6)—7 p.m. CVTV 21

Seattle Mariners (at home) v.s. Baltimore—7:10 p.m., 710 ESPN, FSN-SAP

Columbia River Crossing Vancouver working group (6-28)—7:15 p.m. CVTV 23

City minutes-Columbia River Crossing update (6-28)—10 p.m. CVTV 23
 

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Headlines

Links to news of local & national significance

Chinese troops blanket strife-torn western city, Washington Post, Ariana Eunjung Cha

Kim Jong II, looking gaunt, makes rare public appearance, Huffington Post, Filed by Hanna Inber Win

G-8 Nations fail to agree on plan to fight climate change, The New York Times, Peter Baker

Key lawmakers warn of Boeing ultimatum, The Seattle Times, Dominic Gates

Work begins on Washougal tunnel, Columbian, Howard Buck