Clark County employment falls again

Clark County continued to lose jobs in June. Seasonally-adjusted employment fell a revised 1,000 jobs in April, another 100 in May, and 300 more in June, according to Scott Bailey, regional economist for the state department of Employment Security.

Unadjusted nonfarm employment declined by 200 to 131,200 jobs. Since last June, the county has lost 5,300.

Construction employment dropped by 200 jobs in June, when a gain of 100 jobs is typical. The total of 9,600 was 2,900 jobs less than a year ago (-23 percent), and 3,200 jobs off its peak two years ago. Through May, 206 housing permits have been issued in the county, a third of last year’s pace. For the 1997-2006 period, the average was 1,600 units by this time of the year. At this rate, the total for 2009 will be less than 600 units, below even the 1982 recession.

Manufacturing slipped by 100 jobs in manufacturing. The total of 12,500 was 1,100 below the year-ago level (-8 percent), including a loss of 500 jobs in electronics and 200 each in machinery and transportation equipment.

Trade, transportation and utilities employed 24,900 in June, the same as in May and 400 below year-ago levels (-1.6 percent).  Wholesale trade was unchanged at 5,300 jobs, 100 below a year ago. Retailers employed 15,500, down 400 from last June. Transportation was estimated at 4,100, up 100 from a year ago. Taxable sales at retail outlets in the first quarter of 2009 were 14 percent below the first quarter of 2008, after adjustment for inflation.  This marked the eighth straight quarter of year-over-year declines. Auto-related sales, home furnishings, electronics, building materials, and clothing all had double-digit downturns.

Information services slipped 100 jobs down to 2,500 jobs, 200 less than a year ago.

Financial activities was unchanged at 6,200 jobs, 300 lower than a year earlier. Banking and insurance was down 100, real estate and leasing was off 200.

Professional and business services rose by 300 jobs in June, due to seasonal hiring by temp agencies. Professional services lost 100 jobs due to seasonal layoffs in the accounting industry. Note that the industry total was revised downwards by 300 jobs in April, and so is now estimated at 6,500 jobs, 700 less than a year ago. Business services added 400 jobs, and at 6,700 jobs, was off 400 jobs from last June. Overall, professional & business services employed 14,500—900 less than last June, a loss of 5.8 percent.

Education and health services inched down by 100 jobs to 18,500 in June, due to seasonal declines at private schools.  The sector has added 700 jobs over the year, all in health care.

Leisure and hospitality employment stayed at 13,100 jobs, 600 (4.4 percent) below last June.  Art, entertainment & recreation services employed 200 fewer over the year, while food services were down 400.  Taxable sales at restaurants were down 3 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same quarter last year, while receipts at hotels and motels were off by 16 percent.

 Other services – personal services, repair services, community organizations – employed 4,500, up 100 over the month but down 100 over the year.

Government employment slipped 100 jobs down to 24,800 in June, 500 more (2.1 percent) than a year ago. Both federal and state agencies cut payrolls by 100, while K-12 education inched up by the same amount. Compared with a year ago, federal employment was unchanged, state government has added 100, K-12 was up 600, and other local governments were down 200 jobs.

The county’s jobless rate was estimated at 12.6 percent in June, more than double the rate from a year ago (6.1 percent). An estimated 27,560 county residents were jobless and looking for work.

Governor Chris Gregoire supports Mayor Royce Pollard for re-election

Gov. Chris Gregoire will be in Vancouver to support Mayor Royce Pollard in his bid for re-election at an informal reception and fundraiser at Nautilus, Inc. "I am honored to have Governor Gregoire's support and her personal endorsement in this race" said Mayor Pollard.

The event is being held on Thursday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m., 16400 S.E. Nautilus Drive (164th Avenue just south of Mill Plain). Those interested in attending may RSVP by emailing MayorRoyce@gmail.com, or by calling 360-609-3527.

Vancouver Police NOW Patrol and local dignitaries in the neighborhood

On Saturday, July 18, 2009, the Vancouver Police Department Neighbors On Watch (NOW) citizen volunteer patrollers will be conducting a foot patrol in one of Vancouver's neighborhoods. What makes this particular patrol special is that U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, Mayor Royce Pollard and Vancouver Police Chief Clifford Cook will be joining the patrollers.

The NOW volunteers have completed training on observation skills, crime prevention and radio communication and work closely with the Vancouver Police Department to help reduce crime in their neighborhoods. Rep. Baird, Mayor Pollard and Chief Cook will be going out with the volunteers to show their appreciation for the support that these citizens give to the Vancouver Police Department and their community as part of VPD's community policing plan.

Crime prevention is a critical component of community policing; and in light of Vancouver Police Department budget constraints and staffing shortages, the NOW program offers additional "eyes and ears" in the community. Thirty-nine citizens from seventeen neighborhoods are currently trained to provide high visibility patrols and report suspicious circumstances to police. Citizens wishing to participate in an upcoming NOW training academy should contact Vancouver Police Department volunteer coordinator Kelly Mott at 360-487-7467.

County seeks volunteers for key appointments on health council

The Clark County Board of Health is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Clark County Public Health Advisory Council:

Veterinarian: This vacancy is open to doctors of veterinary medicine practicing in Clark County.

Public health consumer: This vacancy is open to anyone living in Clark County who has a general interest in public health but is not a health care professional. Because the council already has strong health care representation, it is seeking someone to represent a lay person’s perspective on public health issues.

Youth representative: This vacancy is open to representatives from the Clark County Youth Commission, the Clark County Youth House, and students from local high schools and colleges. The new appointment will fill an unexpired term through September 30, 2011.

The council provides a direct link between the Clark County Board of Health and the community to provide a local focus on public health. Access to care, health inequalities, obesity, sustainability/food system, violence prevention, climate change and healthy growth were among the council’s leading concerns in 2008. As a result, the council benefits by including people with a wide range of life experiences and perspectives.

The council meets the third Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. in the main conference room on the second floor of the Center for Community Health at 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

Applicants should submit a resume and/or a letter of interest by August 14 to Jennifer Clark, Clark County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. Commissioners will also accept applications by fax at (360) 397-6058, and by e-mail at jennifer.clark@clark.wa.gov.

Please describe why you are interested in serving, what unique perspectives you will bring to the council, and any experiences or activities you have had that will support the council’s efforts. The Board encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds.

County commissioners move Tuesday evening meetings to 6 p.m.

The Board of Clark County Commissioners holds an evening business meeting on the first Tuesday of each month to make it easier for working people to follow county issues and speak with the commissioners. Starting on Tuesday, August 4, the meetings will start at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.

Board Chair Marc Boldt said the commissioners will continue to hold business meetings at 10 a.m. on those Tuesdays that fall later in the month. The weekly meetings, which are open to the public, are on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Saturday Academy manufacturing camp at WSU Vancouver this summer

Washington State University Vancouver will host the Saturday Academy manufacturing summer camp workshop. The week-long manufacturing camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 27-31.

Students entering grades 8 through 12 will explore manufacturing and mechanical engineering. At the camp

Mechanical Engineering: Metal Fabrication," students will design, fabricate, and test a Stirling engine while learning metal fabrication techniques working with WSU Vancouver instructor Dave Kim.

Students will explore the world of manufacturing and mechanical engineering, working with state-of-the-art research labs and professional manufacturers in the community.

Funding came from a $5,000 grant from Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs (founded by actor John Ratzenberger), the Foundation of the Fabricators and the Manufacturers Association International.

Registration and Academy information is available at http://www.saturdayacademy.org.

Events

Tomorrow at Esther Short Park enjoy the Terry Lee, Attorney Noon Concert, featuring Justin Klump. Justin Klump is the grandson of a symphony conductor and was raised with respect for music and a love for performing. Whether playing solo or with his band, Justin displays a "certain mastery of the guitar." The concert is from noon to 1 p.m., July 15, 8th and Esther Streets. Additional info: www.cityofvancouver.us/concerts.

Make your own bug and more! Join Water Resources Education Center for fun hands-on science and nature activities before and during the Terry Lee, Attorney Noon Concert series. Tomorrow, July 15, 11a.m. to 1 p.m., 8th and Esther Streets. Visit www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter for more information.

Vancouver Community Concert Band performance at Leverich Park, July 15, 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Traditional American town band performs marches, Broadway tunes, classical transcriptions, pop tunes from the (50s), (60s) and (70s). Bring a picnic. Leverich Park is located on 39th and M Street.

Calendar

Urban Forestry Commission meeting, Wednesday, July 15, 6 to 8 p.m., Esther Short Building, 610 Esther Street.

Tuesday on the air

Transportation concurrency, growth management, and community development (6-2)—4:30 p.m. CVTV 23

Vancouver Planning Commission (Live)—7 p.m. CVTV 23

  Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Headlines

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