Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Community Celebration to Honor Mayor Pollard
The public is invited to attend a community celebration for Mayor Royce E. Pollard, 3:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Program will begin at 5 p.m. The event is free. Light refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
County gears up for winter, expands road news on Web site
Vancouver, WA – With the forecast calling for colder temperatures and possible snow, Clark County Public Works is ready to respond to a weather emergency.
County road crews have reviewed snow emergency plans during the past few weeks. Forty plow trucks, plus four trucks that can spread salt brine deicer, are ready for the first snowfall of the season.
“We have done a complete inventory and we are all geared up,” said Denis Ryan, the county’s rural operations superintendent. “Crews are ready to go if we get called upon.”
As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting a 20 percent chance of snow for Sunday and colder temperatures that will remain below freezing across much of Clark County Sunday and Monday, with overnight temperatures in the teens. More significant snow accumulation could occur later in the week.
For more information on the county’s winter weather response, go to: www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/engineering/winter.html.
The Web site offers answers to common questions about snow and ice removal, snowplows and salt brine deicer, as well as a snow route map that shows which roads will receive priority during winter storms.
During a winter storm, the site will provide a place for county residents to get the latest news about road conditions, garbage collection delays and other information, along with Web links for monitoring travel conditions in other parts of the Northwest.
You also can use the Web site to sign up for news alerts from the county about road closures and other developments during winter storms.
County road crews have reviewed snow emergency plans during the past few weeks. Forty plow trucks, plus four trucks that can spread salt brine deicer, are ready for the first snowfall of the season.
“We have done a complete inventory and we are all geared up,” said Denis Ryan, the county’s rural operations superintendent. “Crews are ready to go if we get called upon.”
As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting a 20 percent chance of snow for Sunday and colder temperatures that will remain below freezing across much of Clark County Sunday and Monday, with overnight temperatures in the teens. More significant snow accumulation could occur later in the week.
For more information on the county’s winter weather response, go to: www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/engineering/winter.html.
The Web site offers answers to common questions about snow and ice removal, snowplows and salt brine deicer, as well as a snow route map that shows which roads will receive priority during winter storms.
During a winter storm, the site will provide a place for county residents to get the latest news about road conditions, garbage collection delays and other information, along with Web links for monitoring travel conditions in other parts of the Northwest.
You also can use the Web site to sign up for news alerts from the county about road closures and other developments during winter storms.
Make a greener holiday: Reduce, reuse, recycle
Vancouver, WA – The last few weeks of the year are often unusually heavy garbage weeks. Plan ahead to reduce your holiday waste, and let your new blue recycling cart help with the recycling.
· Reduce waste when shopping. Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags. Try to avoid buying items with bulky or non-recyclable packaging, such as block foam and blister packs. Look for recycled content in cards and gift wrap, and buy wrap that can be recycled.
· Give good experiences. A gift of your time spent with friends and family members may be the gift they appreciate most. Consider giving tickets to movies, concerts, ball games or other events, along with club memberships.
· Make the package part of the gift. Place holiday goodies in a reusable candy dish or cookie tin or wrap a handmade brooch or pin in a scarf.
· Reuse or recycle that gift wrap. Save gift bags, ribbons and bows to use again. Cardboard boxes and most wrapping paper (but not foil-covered paper) can be recycled. Remove ribbons, bows and plastic from paper to be recycled. Put recyclable paper boxes and gift wrap in with other mixed paper in your blue cart for easy curbside pickup.
· Recycle your Christmas tree. Remove tinsel, lights and other decorations. Residents with yard debris collection can cut up trees to fit in yard debris carts (5 foot maximum length). Boy Scouts will collect trees (Scouts suggest a $7 donation taped to your door, and trees should not be placed next to your curbside carts). Trees also can be dropped off wherever yard debris is recycled for a charge.
· Recycle your phone books, catalogs and calendars. Place them in the blue recycling cart.
· Recycle your household batteries. Put dry-cell batteries in a sealed clear plastic bag and place on top of your blue recycling cart.
For more waste prevention and recycling ideas and information, please visit www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/holidaywastereduction.html or call Clark County Solid Waste Program at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4352.
· Reduce waste when shopping. Don’t forget your reusable shopping bags. Try to avoid buying items with bulky or non-recyclable packaging, such as block foam and blister packs. Look for recycled content in cards and gift wrap, and buy wrap that can be recycled.
· Give good experiences. A gift of your time spent with friends and family members may be the gift they appreciate most. Consider giving tickets to movies, concerts, ball games or other events, along with club memberships.
· Make the package part of the gift. Place holiday goodies in a reusable candy dish or cookie tin or wrap a handmade brooch or pin in a scarf.
· Reuse or recycle that gift wrap. Save gift bags, ribbons and bows to use again. Cardboard boxes and most wrapping paper (but not foil-covered paper) can be recycled. Remove ribbons, bows and plastic from paper to be recycled. Put recyclable paper boxes and gift wrap in with other mixed paper in your blue cart for easy curbside pickup.
· Recycle your Christmas tree. Remove tinsel, lights and other decorations. Residents with yard debris collection can cut up trees to fit in yard debris carts (5 foot maximum length). Boy Scouts will collect trees (Scouts suggest a $7 donation taped to your door, and trees should not be placed next to your curbside carts). Trees also can be dropped off wherever yard debris is recycled for a charge.
· Recycle your phone books, catalogs and calendars. Place them in the blue recycling cart.
· Recycle your household batteries. Put dry-cell batteries in a sealed clear plastic bag and place on top of your blue recycling cart.
For more waste prevention and recycling ideas and information, please visit www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/holidaywastereduction.html or call Clark County Solid Waste Program at (360) 397-6118 ext. 4352.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Moeller’s plan renews round-up of license scofflaws
Legislator says cheats must stop ignoring Washington’s rules
CLARK COUNTY – “Whether we were born in the Evergreen State, moved here a long time ago, or came here more recently to put down new roots,” according to state Rep. Jim Moeller, “law-abiding Washington motorists keep a driver’s license and renew it when the time comes. We also make sure our motor vehicles are kept properly registered.
“In fact, however, thousands of vehicles in Clark County are licensed in Oregon instead of Washington,” said Moeller. “Their owners snub our state’s law so they can get out of paying our state’s sales-and-use tax.”
Upward of $1 million in revenue is lost every year.
The Vancouver Democrat (49th Legislative District) said today (Thursday, Dec. 3) that he’ll sponsor a vehicle-license-fraud bill in the upcoming 2010 session. Moeller’s measure will re-establish the Vehicle License Task Force that was eliminated in budget-cuts in the legislative session earlier this year.
He explained that his bill would send revenue from the fines for failure to license or register to the Vehicle License Fraud Account in the state treasurer’s office. If it’s passed and signed into law, the bill takes effect July 1, 2010.
Moeller noted that some people do register their vehicles in Washington, but continue to keep their out-of-state driver’s license “so they can purchase goods and services without paying our state’s sales tax.
“These folks are using our state=s services, but they’re not helping pay for them. We’re talking about our schools, our roads, and our public-safety services that are paid for by the taxes the rest of us pay.”
Current Washington law directs that when a person establishes residency here, he or she must register his or her vehicles – and reregister the vehicles every year – if the vehicles will be operated on public highways. The person must pay all required licensing fees and taxes. While the law is on the state’s books, its enforcement isn’t funded due to the aforementioned budget-cuts.
Failure to register a vehicle is counted as a traffic infraction with a fine of $529, further states the 2005 legislation that also set up a Vehicle License Task Force. The Clark County task force has received assistance from a good many southwestern Washington volunteers.
The cost of the task force is approximately $325,000 per year, said Moeller, “and so the program can actually more than pay for itself.”
To make sure that folks are not just registering their vehicles in Washington and then keeping their Oregon driver’s license to buy products and goods tax-free, owners of a vehicle must have a Washington driver’s license in order to license the vehicle.
“In fact, however, thousands of vehicles in Clark County are licensed in Oregon instead of Washington,” said Moeller. “Their owners snub our state’s law so they can get out of paying our state’s sales-and-use tax.”
Upward of $1 million in revenue is lost every year.
The Vancouver Democrat (49th Legislative District) said today (Thursday, Dec. 3) that he’ll sponsor a vehicle-license-fraud bill in the upcoming 2010 session. Moeller’s measure will re-establish the Vehicle License Task Force that was eliminated in budget-cuts in the legislative session earlier this year.
He explained that his bill would send revenue from the fines for failure to license or register to the Vehicle License Fraud Account in the state treasurer’s office. If it’s passed and signed into law, the bill takes effect July 1, 2010.
Moeller noted that some people do register their vehicles in Washington, but continue to keep their out-of-state driver’s license “so they can purchase goods and services without paying our state’s sales tax.
“These folks are using our state=s services, but they’re not helping pay for them. We’re talking about our schools, our roads, and our public-safety services that are paid for by the taxes the rest of us pay.”
Current Washington law directs that when a person establishes residency here, he or she must register his or her vehicles – and reregister the vehicles every year – if the vehicles will be operated on public highways. The person must pay all required licensing fees and taxes. While the law is on the state’s books, its enforcement isn’t funded due to the aforementioned budget-cuts.
Failure to register a vehicle is counted as a traffic infraction with a fine of $529, further states the 2005 legislation that also set up a Vehicle License Task Force. The Clark County task force has received assistance from a good many southwestern Washington volunteers.
The cost of the task force is approximately $325,000 per year, said Moeller, “and so the program can actually more than pay for itself.”
To make sure that folks are not just registering their vehicles in Washington and then keeping their Oregon driver’s license to buy products and goods tax-free, owners of a vehicle must have a Washington driver’s license in order to license the vehicle.
Clark County awarded $2.72 million for energy conservation efforts
Vancouver, WA – Clark County home- and business-owners could receive free energy audits, heating duct inspections and incentives for energy conservation work under a $2.29 million federal grant Clark County received late last month.
The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is one of two energy-related awards the county received recently. It will improve energy efficiency and conservation in the community and create jobs to boost the local economy. The money comes from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
About half of the two-year grant will go for energy audits and heating duct inspections in homes and businesses. Eligible property owners who schedule an appointment will receive conservation tips, referrals to area heating and cooling contractors able to seal ducts, and a coupon for a building permit and inspection. Details about how to sign up for the program will be announced early in 2010.
The grant also will pay for: “smart” computer power strips in the county’s Information Services Department; LED bulbs for county traffic signals; a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Washington State University’s Clark County Extension Research Station at 1919 N.E. 78th St.; biomass power at county facilities; and, energy improvements for moderate-income families and small businesses in the Hazel Dell area.
Also, the county this week received the last portion of a $435,000 incentive payment from Clark Public Utilities. It will help pay for nearly $7.78 million in energy improvements made to county buildings this year. The incentive money, which was about $79,000 more than originally estimated, recognizes the county’s contribution to keeping overall energy consumption down.
The money will help pay for solar panels, solar water heaters, software for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and other improvements.
“In this austere time, it is great to not only save energy but also to see a return on our investments,” said Mark McCauley, General Services director.
The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is one of two energy-related awards the county received recently. It will improve energy efficiency and conservation in the community and create jobs to boost the local economy. The money comes from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
About half of the two-year grant will go for energy audits and heating duct inspections in homes and businesses. Eligible property owners who schedule an appointment will receive conservation tips, referrals to area heating and cooling contractors able to seal ducts, and a coupon for a building permit and inspection. Details about how to sign up for the program will be announced early in 2010.
The grant also will pay for: “smart” computer power strips in the county’s Information Services Department; LED bulbs for county traffic signals; a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Washington State University’s Clark County Extension Research Station at 1919 N.E. 78th St.; biomass power at county facilities; and, energy improvements for moderate-income families and small businesses in the Hazel Dell area.
Also, the county this week received the last portion of a $435,000 incentive payment from Clark Public Utilities. It will help pay for nearly $7.78 million in energy improvements made to county buildings this year. The incentive money, which was about $79,000 more than originally estimated, recognizes the county’s contribution to keeping overall energy consumption down.
The money will help pay for solar panels, solar water heaters, software for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and other improvements.
“In this austere time, it is great to not only save energy but also to see a return on our investments,” said Mark McCauley, General Services director.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
County commissioners to consider stormwater accord with state
Vancouver, WA – After months of detailed negotiations, Clark County and Washington Department of Ecology staffs have drafted a tentative agreement that could bring the county into full compliance with the state’s stormwater regulations and the county’s Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit.
The agreement also would support implementation of the county’s updated stormwater ordinances, which were adopted last January.
County commissioners will discuss the proposed agreement during a 10 a.m. Wednesday work session. They may then set a Dec. 15 public hearing to consider testimony and take action on the agreement. Both meetings would take place in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
The Department of Ecology already had accepted the county’s stormwater approach and updated ordinances, except on the issue of managing the quantity of runoff during a major storm, an issue commonly referred to as flow control.
The proposed agreement could resolve the March 17 violation notice the state issued to the county regarding flow control.
“There were some tough discussions between the county staff and Ecology,” said Kevin Gray, the county’s environmental services director. “In the end, the county was able to show that we have a system for providing an equivalent amount of flow control, thereby achieving the state’s goals but in a different fashion than was prescribed in the original permit.”
“Despite our different approaches, the county and state always were united around a common goal: protecting the environment through improved stormwater management.”
The agreement also would support implementation of the county’s updated stormwater ordinances, which were adopted last January.
County commissioners will discuss the proposed agreement during a 10 a.m. Wednesday work session. They may then set a Dec. 15 public hearing to consider testimony and take action on the agreement. Both meetings would take place in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
The Department of Ecology already had accepted the county’s stormwater approach and updated ordinances, except on the issue of managing the quantity of runoff during a major storm, an issue commonly referred to as flow control.
The proposed agreement could resolve the March 17 violation notice the state issued to the county regarding flow control.
“There were some tough discussions between the county staff and Ecology,” said Kevin Gray, the county’s environmental services director. “In the end, the county was able to show that we have a system for providing an equivalent amount of flow control, thereby achieving the state’s goals but in a different fashion than was prescribed in the original permit.”
“Despite our different approaches, the county and state always were united around a common goal: protecting the environment through improved stormwater management.”
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