First Independent board of directors adds national utility expert

The Bonneville Power Administration’s former chief operating officer, Ruth Bennett, has joined the board of directors of First Independent, the region’s largest privately owned, locally managed bank.

“Ruth is respected throughout the region for her combination of operational and managerial leadership and her integrity,” says William J. Firstenburg, chairman and president. “We are delighted that she has joined our board. As a former executive with the federal agency that manages the largest electricity transmission system and markets wholesale electrical power in the Northwest, she brings a supremely well informed perspective on this region, and she understands the opportunities we have to build vibrant, sustainable communities here.”

Bennett joined BPA in 1973 and for more than 30 years held increasingly responsible positions in various parts of the agency, from marketing and customer relations to staff development and strategic planning. She has national experience in the U.S. Department of Energy, and international experience in India, Bangladesh and Mozambique on behalf of the United States Energy Association. Today, Bennett is an energy consultant serving clients through the United States.

Bennett serves on the SW Washington Medical Center board of directors and the board of trustees of the YMCA of the Columbia-Willamette. She is a graduate, magna cum laude, of Azusa Pacific University.

RSV wins two Building Industry Association awards

RSV Building Solutions, a Vancouver-based construction company that specializes in new construction, remodeling, facility maintenance and tenant improvements, recently won two 2009 Building Excellence awards from the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Clark County. RSV won awards in the categories of new commercial/industrial under $3 million for Agave Jeans and new commercial from $3 million to $10 million for Alan Webb Mazda/Dodge.

“We are very excited to receive these awards as they are a reflection of what we do best, which is providing solutions to complex problems and delivering exactly what our clients need to be profitable,” says Ron Frederiksen, president of RSV.

The 22,000-square-foot Agave Jeans project included 16,000 square feet for Agave’s new warehouse and shipping center, 4,000 square feet for offices and a retail outlet space, and 2,200 square feet for a design studio and executive office.

The Alan Webb Mazda/Dodge project consisted of constructing two new auto dealership buildings. The new Mazda and Dodge buildings occupy 13,600 and 33,000 square feet, respectively.

The Building Excellence Awards is an annual program designed to honor contractors and architects/designers for building projects that are innovative, challenging and unique, and incorporate quality and a safe workplace.

Washington’s unemployment rate up slightly in October

Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.3 percent in October, from a revised rate of 9.1 percent in September, according to the state Employment Security Department.

The state lost an estimated 5,100 non-agricultural jobs in October, seasonally adjusted.

The estimated unemployment rate for September had earlier been reported as 9.3 percent, but that rate was revised downward after more analysis. The previously estimated job loss of 16,000 in September also was revised to 11,100.

Year over year, Washington had 120,000 fewer jobs last month than in October 2008, a 4.1 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined by 4 percent over the past year.

Leisure and hospitality was the industry with the largest decline in October, down about 2,900 jobs. Other industries that showed job declines in October were as follows: manufacturing, down 2,300; retail trade, down 1,400; aerospace product and parts manufacturing, down 700. Three other industries–transportation, warehousing and utilities, professional business services, and construction–each dropped about 600 jobs.

The biggest October jump came in the government sector, up about 900 jobs. Other industries that gained jobs were as follows: information, up 700; financial activities, up 600; education and health services, up 200; and wholesale trade, up 200.

An estimated 310,984 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in October. Nearly 229,000 people received unemployment benefits from Washington state that month.

Unemployed workers can inquire about assessment and training opportunities that are available through their local WorkSource career centers.

Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which offers a variety of employment and training services, including free help with interviewing skills or résumés and with job referrals.

Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com, along with 13,300 job postings. Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627.

County seeks applications for one-year opening on planning commission

Clark County is accepting applications and nominations for an appointment to the Clark County Planning Commission to fill an unexpired term through December 2010.

The Planning Commission is a seven-member group that makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on land-use planning, zoning and development, in rural areas and other areas outside of any city limits. Topics include growth management, roads, public facilities plans, development regulations, and county ordinances.

To be considered, applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Clark, Clark County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000, or email jennifer.clark@clark.wa.gov no later than Dec. 1, 2009.

H1N1 vaccine clinics set for Saturdays at Westfield Mall, Vancouver

The H1N1 vaccine will be offered to priority groups at vaccine clinics from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22, inside the Westfield Vancouver Shopping Center, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive. The clinics will be directly across from the food court in the upper level of the former Mervyn’s Store.

Vaccines will be offered free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. People will be vaccinated whether or not they have insurance. However, those with insurance will be asked to show their insurance cards so that public health can be reimbursed for administrative fees.

For more information, visit www.FluNewsSWWashington.org or call 397-8021.

News Briefs

Business After Hours, sponsored by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, is being held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Hamilton Hall, 605 Barnes Street. Cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Click here to RSVP. <> Members from various local rotary clubs are selling Texas Ruby Red grapefruit by the truckload now until the grapefruit last. The proceeds will support many nonprofit organizations. The grapefruit are straight from the orchard and cost $16.50 per case, which consists of 18-20 grapefruits. To buy a case or for pick up locations, call the Mitchell residence at 892-6897 or Warren Swanson at 695-7132.

Calendar

Parks Advisory Board meets at 7 p.m. tonight, Nov. 17, at Battle Ground Community Center, 912 East Main Street. For more information, call 342-5385.

Tuesday on the air

 

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (11-15)—4:30 p.m. CVTV

Vancouver Planning Commission (11-10)—6:30 p.m. CVTV

VPD All Access: Neighborhood Police Officers—11:30 p.m. CVTV

Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Job fair aims to woo highly skilled--Columbian, Libby Tucker

Washougal council requires finance director to obtain $2.5M insurance bond--Columbian, Marissa Harshman

Vancouver budget woes may spur 'new normal'--Columbian, Andrea Damewood

Gift shop gives back--Columbian, Scott Hewitt

Pakistani army eager to show progress in fight against Taliban--Washington Post, Pamela Constable

U.S. lags in paid sick days, work benefits, study says--USA Today, AP

IRS: Offshore tax crackdown should produce 'billions'--USA Today, Kevin McCoy

Apple Macs no safer than PCs from computer phishing attacks--USA Today, Byron Acohido