Klog

Current Longview Mayor Dennis Weber is setting his sights higher, formally filing for the Cowlitz County Commission seat that George Raiter is vacating. In his candidacy announcement, Weber says that he’s responding to “many requests” from family and friends on both sides of the political aisle. He says that Cowlitz County government is facing significant financial challenges, requiring “creative and energetic solutions.” Weber points to his “rich experience” in local government and community groups. Weber recently retired from a career of teaching government at R. A. Long High School, and still serves as President of the Longview Education Association. Along with his service on the Longview City Council, Weber serves on a number of governmental boards and panels, in addition to working with local community groups, many dealing with preserving local history. Earlier this month, Raiter announced his retirement from the County Commission, after having served three terms on that panel. So far, Weber is the only person who has filed for the position, but the filing period remains open through Friday afternoon.

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The only other significant update in regard to filing week is the emergence of two candidates to challenge incumbent 20th District Senator Dan Swecker of Rochester. John Braun of Chehalis followed through on his previous announcement to challenge Swecker in the GOP primary, and they’re now being joined by Rae Lowery of La Center. This year’s redistricting not only pulled in much of north and east Cowlitz County, but also dips into the northern part of Clark County. Little is known about Lowery, other than she’s listed as a substitute teacher and is a writer of children’s books. An internet search shows that she testified in a La Center City Council public hearing, opposing the Cowlitz Casino Project. She has also filed as a Republican, setting up what is now a three-way primary race.

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Cowlitz County is pulling the plug on the public gun range that’s been proposed for an area north of Castle Rock. Today’s Daily News reports on the result of a County Commissioners workshop, where Parks and Facilities Manager Ron Junker said that the project is simply becoming too expensive. The total cost of the project is now put at somewhere between $600,000 and $900,000, with the county on the hook for at least half of that amount. Junker says that it’s not realistic for the county to put up that kind of money during these “austerity times.” Junker also says that a requirement to have both phases of the range complete by May of 2014 was also a major impediment. The project had been suggested and strongly backed by the Cowlitz Game and Anglers, who initially said that they’d raise the money to pay for construction and operation. As things moved along, and the CGA was unable to raise the cash, the county’s expected obligations continued to grown. CGA President Dick Miller tells the paper that yesterday’s decision “is a disaster,” and he predicts that a number of people are going to be very angry. The decision is a relief to some, especially a vocal number of people living in the area where the proposed range would have been built. In the end, Commissioner Mike Karnofski says that the potential obligation for Cowlitz County taxpayers simply grew too large.

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Members of the Kelso City Council are now reviewing the information gathered from yesterday’s interviews with the five finalists for the City Manager position. After a full day of meetings, interviews and tours, the finalists wrapped their day up with presentations on leadership, training and team building. Mayor David Futcher says no decision has been made as of yet, but he’s hoping that some action could be forthcoming. Steve Taylor of Connell, Scott Somers of Reedsport, John Spencer of Washougal, Thomas Steele of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Pat Haley of East Wenatchee all discussed their principles of leadership, and outlined the steps they would take to prepare and guide city staff. Under the proposed timeline that’s been set up, the council will now review the input received yesterday, followed by background and reference research later this month. It’s hoped that a successor to Denny Richards can be named by the end of this month, with a goal of having the new City Manager start by June 26th. This morning, the Kelso City Council announced that they’ll be holding a special executive session at 2 pm tomorrow afternoon, with a goal of “Examining & Evaluating Qualifications of City Manager Finalists.” That meeting will

not

be open to the public, but any decision on the selection of a new City Manager

will

be made in an open meeting.

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The Longview City Council meets in a workshop session this evening, to review some possible options for additional modifications to the Civic Circle. In September of last year, a project to improve safety and traffic flow around the Civic Circle was completed, installing “speed tables” to slow cars, along with pedestrian improvements, and lane changes that make the Civic Circle into a true roundabout. Since the Circle re-opened, staff and Council members say that they’ve received many comments about the changes, some favorable, others not. Based on the complaints, the City Council is directing staff to evaluate additional modifications, primarily focused on restoring two through lanes of traffic on Washington Way. Three options have been developed, and will be presented at tonight’s workshop, starting at 6 pm in the City Hall Training Room. That meeting is open to the public.

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In connection with National Police Week, Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson is inviting you to take part in the department’s 2nd annual Candlelight Vigil, honoring law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Vigil is scheduled to take place between 8:30 and 9:30 pm in the parking lot of the Kelso-Longview Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located at 77 Solomon Road, just off West Side Highway in Lexington. Nelson is inviting law enforcement agencies from all around the region to come by and take part, planning to have those units turn their spotlights to the sky, and to turn those on sometime between 9 and 9:15 pm. Everyone is invited to come by and be a part of this event.

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On the eve of the 32nd anniversary of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, the Mount St. Helens Institute is bringing its “Views and Brews” series to Longview, in an event that’s being held this evening at The Brits restaurant on Commerce Avenue. The keynote speaker will be Susan Saul; she’s a leader in wildland protection, and was a key contributor in the push to get the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established 30 years ago. You’ll also be asked to share your thoughts on the question “What does the Monument mean to you?” Things get started at 5 pm; it’s open to anyone interested, with food and drink available for purchase from The Brits.

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The 2012 Cowlitz County Regional Business Expo steams into the Cowlitz County Regional Conference Center today, with a theme of “Cruise to Success.” This runs from 10 am to 4 pm today, and is billed as a “Business 2 Business” event, with more than 200 local and regional businesses expected to participate. Organizers says that this is a business networking event, reaching across city lines to create a unified future for local commerce. Following the Expo, the Business After Hours event will be held at the Expo Center, with a Hawaiian theme planned. They’ll be giving away at 25 hundred-dollar Paradise cruise at tonight’s event, along with prizes for best Hawaiian shirt or dress, along with several gift baskets. For more information, contact the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce at 423-8400.

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Local FFA clubs are showing off their handiwork conducting plants sales that will start today and will run into the weekend. The Kelso FFA Chapter is opening its Greenhouse Plant Sale today, running from 8 am to 5 pm today, tomorrow and Saturday. They’re trying to raise money to support student projects and activities in the agriculture department at Kelso High. Follow the signs off of Allen Street to find the sale location in the back of Kelso High School.

The Castle Rock FFA program is also holding a plant sale today and tomorrow, featuring all kinds of hand-grown plants, including geraniums, petunias, hanging baskets and other beautiful plants. Hours are 2:30 to 6:30 pm today and tomorrow; they’ll also re-open on the 26th. The sale is being conducted at Castle Rock High School.

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After being passed by the County Commissions in Lewis and Skamania Counties, the Cowlitz County Commissioners are declining to take action on a joint resolution in regard to management of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. After about 90 minutes of input and discussion yesterday morning, it was agreed that great strides have been made in management of the Monument. Concerns were also raised about the wording that directly opposes designating the area as a National Park. Commissioner Jim Misner says that shouldn’t be taken off the table. It was noted that much progress has been made since the congressional study that was done several years ago, and work is continuing to address other issues brought up in that study. Opponents of the joint resolution, which supports continued management by the Forest Service and opposes designating the area as a national park, still say that there’s still no consistent funding plan in place for the monument. They also complain that the north side of the mountain is “locked up,” while the south side is open for recreation. In the end, the Commissioners decided that there’s no real downside to decline taking action on the resolution, and will wait instead for a decision by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler in regard to backing another study regarding management of the monument and surrounding areas. Her decision on that is due out some time this summer.

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