Vancouver, Wash. – With fireworks sales beginning Thursday, June 28, Clark County reminds residents to comply with local and state laws and use fireworks safely and responsibly.

In unincorporated areas north of Northwest/Northeast 219th Street, fireworks can be used from noon to 11 pm June 28, 9 am to 11 pm June 29-July 3 and 9 am to midnight July 4. In unincorporated areas south of Northwest/Northeast of 219th Street, fireworks can be used from 9 am to midnight July 4.

Earlier this month, the Clark County Council voted to eliminate that dividing line and restrict fireworks use in unincorporated areas to Independence Day, but that change won’t take effect until 2019.

Fireworks also can be used from 6 pm Dec. 31 to 1 am Jan. 1 in unincorporated areas.

Vancouver has banned fireworks within its city limits. Clark County provides a handy online chart and interactive map that allows anyone with an online device to quickly determine the rules for fireworks based on their address.

Clark County will have patrols out enforcing the fireworks laws. People who illegally use fireworks, such as curfew or device-type violations, are subject to a $500 civil fine for first offenses and $1,000 for subsequent violations. Residents can report illegal fireworks use by calling 311.

Safety first
Residents and visitors are urged to celebrate the Fourth of July with extra caution because of the dry conditions throughout Clark County. An outdoor burn ban will take effect on Sunday, July 1, two weeks earlier than the typical July 15-Sept. 30 period when outdoor burning is prohibited.

If you plan to buy fireworks, the best option is to purchase them locally from a stand inspected by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office. Fireworks purchased outside the county may not be legal locally.

A few important safety reminders:

• Always have a bucket of water and water hose ready to douse any fire.
• Assign a responsible adult to supervise fireworks use.
• Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from buildings, vehicles and dry vegetation.
• Never aim fireworks at people or structures.
• Never attempt to alter fireworks or relight “duds” that fail to ignite.

Proper cleanup, disposal

Responsible fireworks use doesn’t end when the revelry is over. Residents need to clean up their debris and properly disposed of used and unused fireworks.

Fireworks debris should not be left in the street because it is considered littering, a violation of Washington law and Clark County Code. Clark County Public Works does not provide extra street sweeping after Independence Day.

If not properly cleaned up, fireworks debris can be washed into storm drains that lead to streams, rivers and other waterways. Fireworks contain a number of heavy metals and other chemicals that can build up in fish and wildlife. Residents can reduce this contamination by sweeping up fireworks debris as soon as possible and not using fireworks near waterways.

Even after the Fourth of July is over, fireworks remain potential sources of fire and worker injury. Improper disposal of fireworks puts garbage and recycling workers at increased risk of injury from fires in their trucks and at transfer stations.

Fireworks and fireworks debris are not recyclable. Do not put them in recycling carts because they will contaminate recyclable materials.

All used fireworks should be treated as garbage. Put used fireworks in a bucket of water overnight. Remove them from the water and put them in a garbage bag and into your garbage can. Dump the water onto grass, dirt or other landscaping where it won’t flow into storm drains. Do not pour the water onto pavement or into the street.

Never put unused fireworks in your garbage or recycling. They are explosives and can cause serious harm to workers and cause fires. Do not take unused fireworks to transfer stations because they do not accept explosives.

Some fire and police stations in Clark County will accept unused fireworks. Residents should contact specific stations to see if they accept unused fireworks during their business hours or visit the Recycling A-Z website to search for disposal locations.

Vancouver, Wash. – Jim Rumpeltes has tapped Mitch Nickolds to be the director of Clark County’s Community Development department. Nickolds has been serving as interim director since April.

Nickolds was hired as the county’s assistant building official in February of this year. Prior to that, he worked for the city of Portland as Inspection Services Division manager. He served as the Inspection Services Division manager for the city of Pasco for more than 16 years. Nickolds is a Certified Building Official and has more than 26 years of work experience in community development.

“Mitch is taking the lead of Community Development during a busy and challenging time,” said Rumpeltes. “I’m confident that his leadership skills and breadth of experience will serve our community well.”

Clark County’s Community Development department has more than 100 employees who work in a wide variety of divisions including Animal Protection and Control, Building Inspections and Permits, Code Enforcement, Land Use and the Fire Marshal’s office.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead and work with the great people who are Clark County’s Community Development department to ensure the delivery of excellent and highly efficient service to our customers, both internal and external,” said Nickolds. “I am committed to ensuring all residents, property owners and business owners and operators in Clark County are equitably served and enjoy the highest probability of success with all our services.”

For more information about Community Development, go to the county’s website at www.clark.wa.gov/community-development.

Vancouver, WA – Effective Sunday, July 1, all land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be restricted due to increased fire danger. Cowlitz and Skamania counties also will impose bans for lands in their jurisdictions.

Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway is canceling all burning permits issued in Clark County for this year. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

Clark County typically bans outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 each year. However, a ban can begin sooner or end later depending on conditions.

“After talking with the county’s Fire Chiefs and looking at the current conditions as well as the extended forecast, we are all in agreement that the ban should be implemented earlier this year,” said Dunaway.

At the same time, the Pacific Cascade Region of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, DNR, will impose restrictions on both permitted and rule burning on DNR protected lands within these three counties. Permits that have been issued are suspended until the fire danger subsides in the fall. The fire danger in the three counties will be set to moderate, which prohibits rule burning. In effect, all debris burning is prohibited on DNR protected lands and fire district protected lands in the three counties until further notice.

Creating a defensible space around homes is important to prevent a grass or brush fire from reaching your home. Dunaway recommends these actions in both rural and urban areas:

• Remove fuel:
  • Within 3-5 feet of foundations, outbuildings, garages and sheds
  • Within 10 feet of your house
  • Under decks and porches
  • From gutters, eaves, porches and decks

• Cut your lawn if it is brown. Dispose of debris and cuttings.
• Prune trees so lowest branches are 6-10 feet above the ground.
• Landscape with native and flame-resistant plants.

Recreational campfires are still allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as commercial campgrounds and local, county and state parks. On private land, recreational fires are permitted when built according to the following regulations:

• Recreational fires must be in metal-, stone- or masonry-lined fire pits in improved campgrounds or purchased from home and garden stores.
• Size may not exceed 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height.
• Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels such as tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
• Fires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability and tools to extinguish the fire. Tools include a shovel and either five gallons of water or a water hose connected and working.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces, also known as patio fireplaces, should not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. They must always be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Completely extinguish recreational fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch.

Self-contained camp stoves are a safe and easy alternative to camp fires for cooking.

For more information, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 360.397.2186 or visit the county’s website at www.clark.wa.gov/development/fire/burning.html.

Vancouver, Wash. – An exhibition of Erika Bartlett’s artwork 7 Loves is on display at the Rebecca Anstine Gallery in the Clark County Public Service Center through August 2018.

The 7 loves: storge, philia, agape, ludus, eros, philautia and pragma, are ancient Greek concepts. Respectively, they describe the love between the family or parents and child, close friendship, the love for strangers and the greater community, playfulness and flirtation, sexual love, the love towards ourselves, and the cultivation of long term love.

Artist Erika Bartlett has created seven images and seven poems based on the 7 loves. The images are abstracted photographs of the sky, light, and other passing situations. The exhibition has a calm and meditative quality. Bartlett’s art practice focuses on art as a tool for health and wellness.

You can learn more about Erika Bartlett at her website www.erikabartlett.com.

The Rebecca Anstine Gallery is named in honor of Rebecca Anstine, a local artist and founding curator of the public exhibit space in the Public Service Center. She served as a Clark County Arts Commission board member.

The Anstine Gallery is located in the Clark County Public Service Center sixth floor, 1300 Franklin St. The Anstine Gallery is open 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

boy_in_puddle.jpg

Vancouver, Wash. – Starting this summer, Clark County drivers will have additional help maintaining their vehicles and reducing water pollution caused by vehicle leaks.

A new program, Don’t Drip and Drive, aims to reduce vehicle leaks by working with participating repair shops to offer free visual leak inspections, along with a 10 percent discount for repairs, up to $50. 

In addition, the Watershed Alliance will hold “leak check” events where residents can find out if their vehicle has a leak and learn about repair options from an third party auto technician.

Vehicle leaks often are a sign of larger problems. Ignoring them can lead to inconvenient breakdowns, major engine damage and more expensive repairs. Vehicle leaks also are a significant source of water pollution. A 2013 Puget Sound study estimated that 66 percent of oil pollution entering Puget Sound comes from small vehicle leaks and drips.

When it rains, storm runoff picks up leaked fluids and carries them to storm drains, and on to streams, rivers and lakes. Some fluids are transported in liquid form, creating the notorious rainbow sheen, but most attach to sediment that accumulates in estuaries, stream beds and lake bottoms. Based on the Washington State Department of Ecology’s computer model used in the Puget Sound study, more than 600,000 quarts of oil leak into Clark County watersheds each year.

When this pollution reaches waterways, fish, other aquatic life and their habitat are degraded. Leaked motor oil contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, engine metals and various additives.

“Motor oil is one of the most toxic components of stormwater runoff that we have studied to date,” said Jen McIntrye, a Washington State University aquatic toxicologist. “Even brief exposures cause heart problems in developing fish.”

While direct effects of vehicle leaks on human health are difficult to estimate and few studies exist, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are known carcinogens. Vehicle leaks also contaminate puddles where children play and dogs drink.

Stormwater Partners of SW Washington, a coalition of jurisdictions, agencies and nonprofit organizations working to improve water quality, is sponsoring Don’t Drip and Drive. A Clark County Clean Water Restoration Fund grant from the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board is paying for the program.

“Don’t Drip and Drive will be a win for drivers and our waterways,” said Eric Lambert, Clark County Clean Water Outreach staff and facilitator for Stormwater Partners.

For more information on Don’t Drip and Drive, including a list of participating repair shops, upcoming leak check events and other details, visit www.FixThoseLeaks.org.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is accepting applications from local organizations for grants that encourage historic preservation and programs, including preservation of historic documents.

The Historical Promotion Grants program is designed to increase awareness and education to better preserve, exhibit, and/or interpret local history and historic preservation.

Applicants must be either a non-profit organization or public entity within the boundaries of Clark County that promotes our local history. Applicants also must either operate or own a museum or similar historical institution or perform educative, interpretive, or similar activities.

Applications, grant guidelines and other information are available online at www.clark.wa.gov/community-planning/historical-promotion-grants-program or by emailing icpreservation@clark.wa.gov">historicpreservation@clark.wa.gov.

The deadline for submitting completed applications is 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14, 2018.

The Historic Preservation Commission will review applications in the fall and submit recommendations to the county council in November. Grants will be awarded in December and grant funds will be available in January 2019.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is coping with an unexpected, temporary reduction in Animal Protection and Control and Code Enforcement service levels.

The county continues to provide animal licensing and is working diligently to restore previous levels of animal control service.

The county is focused on meeting the immediate demands of summer weather and Independence Day activities, both of which can be stressful and harmful for animals. Over the next several weeks, Animal Protection and Control officers and an after-hours service provider working for the county will increase enforcement and outreach activities.

Summer weather and July 4 activities also can heighten fire danger. Code Enforcement officers will make it a priority to respond to complaints about accumulated dried weeds. 

“It is our hope to have full service levels restored by mid-August,” said Mitch Nickolds, interim Community Development director.

Vancouver, Wash. ??' The Clark County Audit Oversight Committee will meet at 2:30 pm Tuesday, June 19, to consider a recent performance audit of overtime use at the Juvenile Detention Facility. The meeting will be in County Council Conference Room 683B on the sixth floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The audit is available on the county website at www.clark.wa.gov/auditor/audit-reports.

The audit focused on Juvenile Court overtime use in 2013 through 2015 to staff the detention center. Auditors said it was a “challenging environment” as three dynamics pulled the organization in different directions: the county was seeking budget cuts; overtime use and cost were rising; and employee availability to work was decreasing. During this time, management did not collect or use performance data to manage staffing levels.                                                                                 

The audit found efforts to staff the facility did not follow best practices in management and training, resulting in a higher cost of operation. The audit also found management’s actions decreased availability of agency provided temporary staff, a source of lower cost and effective personnel which provided a means for qualified interns to become juvenile detention officers.

Overall, management’s processes to determine staffing needs, schedule resources, measure results of improvement efforts, and manage detention officer overtime were not effective. The lack of a single, consistent process to regularly collect data, evaluate success, and identify problems increased the cost of operations. Auditors noted that some conditions improved beginning in late 2015 under different management.

The report made nine recommendations and recognized Juvenile Court’s efforts to address deficiencies since the management change.

“Juvenile Court management is focused on reducing costs with improved staffing practices,” said Auditor Greg Kimsey. “As they expand their use of performance reporting and analysis we expect to see continued improvement.”

Vancouver, Wash. – In a meeting before the Clark County Council yesterday, Mitch Nickolds, interim director of Community Development, presented strategies for implementing recommendations from a recent performance review of the county’s building permitting and review process.

The review was performed by Citygate Associates, LLC and outlines 36 recommendations for updating the county’s construction permitting process.

Nickolds suggested creating a Functional Oversight Team comprised of permit process stakeholders who will identify and eliminate permit processing impediments.

“Our goal is to streamline the overall process,” said Nickolds. “We are looking at all the touch points of the permit process in order to remove duplicate or non-value added steps.”

Nickolds discussed other top priorities including:

• Actions have been initiated to make immediate permit process and review improvements
• Setting up permit customers for success with permit applications and inspections on the first attempt
• Establishing performance measurement for accountability and quality assurance and control during Citygate implementation
• Monitor and facilitate continuous permit process improvement on an ongoing basis.

For more information on the building and permit process, visit the county’s website at www.clark.wa.gov/community-development.

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Historic Preservation Commission has listed the Blair Building to the Clark County Heritage Register. The building is located at 1801 Main St., Washougal.

Built in 1925, the Blair Building is one of the oldest structures remaining in Washougal’s traditional downtown core. It also is the most intact of all remaining older brick commercial buildings in the nearby vicinity.

The building was originally used as a meat market and butcher shop, which was once considered an essential business in a city or town’s downtown. Stand-alone meat markets began to disappear from neighborhoods as the grocery business evolved into larger supermarket stores. 

The Blair Building is a rare example in Washington state of a brick structure with a meat market, additional street level commercial space and second story rental housing.

For more information about the history of the Blair Building or the Clark County Historic Preservation program, please contact Community Planning at 564.397.4909. Information also is available on the county’s website at www.clark.wa.gov/community-planning/historic-preservation.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County will host the 13th annual Recycled Arts Festival, presented this year by McCord’s Vancouver Toyota, in Esther Short Park later this month. The popular two-day event showcases artwork made of recycled materials.

The free festival runs 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, June 23, and 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday, June 24. Attendees who show their reusable mugs or water bottles at the information tent will be entered in a special drawing.

More than 130 artists will sell items, such as metal and glass garden art, sculptures, mosaics, jewelry, clothing, furniture, birdfeeders and wall art made of at least 75 percent recycled material.

The family-friendly festival also will include:

• Music on the stage, beginning at 9:30 am Saturday and Sunday.
• Children’s Craft Tent, hosted by Art ala Carte, with recycled materials to create art and masks for the Procession of the Species.
• Sculpture garden displaying large pieces of recycled art.
• Robot demonstrations by high school robotics teams.
• Tossed and Found display, showcasing items gleaned from the landfill that could be reused or repurposed.
• A tiny house, showing how it’s possible to live in an 8-foot-by-20-foot space.
• Foot carts offering a variety of delicious food, including Banh Mi sandwiches and jambalaya.

“The Recycled Arts Festival celebrates creativity while promoting environmental sustainability,” said Sally Fisher, Clark County Public Health environmental program coordinator. “I’m always amazed at the novel ways these artists turn trash into art.”

Additional festival features

The Falconer will bring live birds of prey to educate the public about wildlife conservation. Human habits, from toxic chemicals used in gardening to throwing litter on highways, directly affect the wellbeing and survival of these majestic animals. The Falconer’s feathered friends and team of experts will be in the northeast section of the park on Saturday and Sunday.

Repair Café Clark County will provide demonstrations 10 am to 2 pm Sunday, June 24, and information about free repair events throughout the year. Attendees can bring garden tools (pruners, loppers, hedge clippers, trowels, shovels, mowers and weed eaters) for free sharpening. Limit two per person.

Returning this year is the Procession of the Species, a parade that celebrates the natural world through art. The parade begins at 11 am Sunday, June 24. Registration opens at 10:30 am. The free parade is open to people of any age.

Free workshops are available to help participants create masks and costumes to represent animal species or elements, such as fire, earth and water. Repurposed materials will be supplied, and participants are welcome to bring their own materials, as well.

Costume workshops are scheduled for:

• 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Friday, June 15, at Vancouver Community Library, Skamania Room, 901 C St.
• 10 am to noon Saturday, June 16, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E. 18th St.
• 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Friday, June 22, at Vancouver Community Library, Skamania Room, 901 C St.
• 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, June 23, at Recycled Arts Festival Children’s Craft Tent, Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St.

Register for workshops at www.recycledartsfestival.com/pots.

Free parking will again be available in the garage at northeast 14th and Franklin streets. A shuttle bus will run regularly between the gazebo in the plaza at northeast 13th and Franklin streets and the north side of Esther Short Park, providing a good option for people carrying purchases. Heavier items can be left at a secure loading area at the northeast corner of the park and picked up later.

Additional information

The Recycled Arts Festival, organized by Clark County Public Health, emphasizes the importance of reducing and reusing discarded materials. Limited edition 2018 festival T-shirts will be available for $16 at the information booth. For more information, visit www.recycledartsfestival.com.

Volunteers are still needed. Volunteer at the festival and get a free T-shirt and lunch.

The Washington Festival and Events Association recognized the event with the Community Impact and Grand Summit awards for benefitting the community and being the best overall event in Washington

Vancouver, Wash. – Earlier today, the Clark County Council approved a contract with Shawn Henessee, who has been hired to fill the county manager position.

The contract is for three years and states that Henessee’s starting salary will be $170,000 annually. His anticipated start date is Monday, July 23.

The councilors selected Henessee as county manager after conducting an extensive nationwide search.

“I look forward to starting as county manager at Clark County,” said Henessee. “It is an exciting opportunity with great employees and located in a beautiful area.”

Henessee currently is the city administrator of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, a position he has held since 2017. He served as county administrator for Marinette County, Wisconsin, from 2015 – 2017. He has extensive experience with county and local government departments and functions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wichita State University, a master’s degree in political science from University of Kansas and a law degree from University of Missouri.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council approved changes to county fireworks law Tuesday, including raising money for enforcement and other activities by adding a $156 permit fee on retailers who sell fireworks in tents.

The council also promoted fireworks consistency by removing Northwest/Northeast 219th Street as the dividing line for when fireworks can be used in unincorporated Clark County. Since 2016, fireworks use south of that line has been limited to Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. North of the line, fireworks can be used for six days before Independence Day and on the Fourth of July itself, as well as on New Year’s Eve.

By eliminating this dividing line, fireworks can be used during the same period in all of unincorporated Clark County: 9 am to midnight July 4 and 6 pm Dec. 31 to 1 am Jan. 1.

This change, however, won’t take effect until 2019 since state law mandates a one-year delay in implementing restrictions in local fireworks law.

The council opted not to change when fireworks can be sold. Sales in unincorporated Clark County can begin at noon June 28 and continue until 11 pm July 4. Fireworks cannot be sold before or on New Year’s Eve, although they can be used during a seven-hour period before and immediately after the start of the new year.

The council also approved a code change allowing the Clark County Council Chair, after consulting with the Clark County Fire Marshal, to prohibit the sale and discharge of fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger. Several thresholds for fire danger, as determined by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, must be met before the chair can consider a fireworks ban.

The council also decided not to restrict sales to “safe and sane” fireworks, which would have prohibited fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than 1 foot into the air or more than 6 feet on the ground.

The changes approved Tuesday affect only unincorporated Clark County. Cities can and have enacted tighter restrictions on fireworks than those in state law. Vancouver and several other large Washington cities have banned consumer fireworks altogether.

Tuesday’s decision came after nine months of discussions that included two county council work sessions, two meetings of a fireworks stakeholders group and several hours of testimony before the county council.

Vancouver, Wash. – Residents can learn more about current construction on Northeast 10th Avenue, west of Interstate 5, and a future project on the same corridor during an open house later this month.

An ongoing project is improving and connecting Northeast 10th Avenue, from Northeast 154th Street to Northeast 164th Street, which includes building a 450-foot-long bridge over Whipple Creek.

Public Works’ contractor has finished pouring the road deck for the two-lane bridge. A subcontractor is improving Northeast 10th Avenue on both sides of the bridge to one travel lane in each direction, along with a center turn lane, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and facilities to collect and treat polluted storm runoff. The bridge and improved roadway are scheduled to open in fall 2018.

Public Works is designing a second project to improve Northeast 10th Avenue, from Northeast 149th Street to Northeast 154th Street. Construction on this project is scheduled to begin in 2020.

Public Works will host an open house on both projects from 4-7 pm Tuesday, June 19, in the commons area at Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th St. Residents can stop by anytime during the three-hour event to discuss either project, ask questions and offer comments and suggestions.

More information on the county’s projects to improve the Northeast 10th Avenue corridor is available on the county’s website, www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/ne-10th-avenue.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Community Planning will host an open house later this month on proposed updates to the county’s manufactured housing and mobile home code.

The open house will be held 6-8 pm Thursday, June 28, in Building B-1 at the county’s 78th Street Operations Center, 4700 NE 78th St. County staff will present an overview of the project at 6:30 pm.

The updates were discussed as part of the Housing Initiative project, a communitywide effort to provide more housing choices. The Clark County Council recently adopted amendments to the Unified Development Code to support a diversity of housing choices, increase the variety of housing types for smaller households, and promote housing affordability. 

Due to the complexity of the project, the manufactured housing and mobile home code changes are being handled separately from the rest of the 2017 Housing Initiative project. The work is to be completed in 2018.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this item at 6:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 16. The commission will make a recommendation to the county councilors, who will hold a hearing on the code update at 10 am Tuesday, Sept. 18. Both hearings will be in the sixth-floor hearing room at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

More information on the update is available on the county’s website, www.clark.wa.gov/community-planning/manufactured-housing-and-mobile-home-code-update.

Vancouver, Wash. – The county manager is seeking applicants to fill several vacant positions on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board.

Positions are based on county council districts. Open seats include elected officials from the county’s second and third districts, low-income representatives from the county’s second and third districts and community representatives from the county’s first and fourth districts.

Term periods are three years, ending on a staggered basis. Incumbents have the opportunity for re-appointment to two additional three-year terms. Board members of agencies receiving money administered by the advisory board are not eligible to apply.

The twelve-member board makes recommendations about local government funding for basic needs, self-sufficiency and housing programs. Members also advocate for services supporting low-income communities, families and persons.

Clark County is looking to diversify the board composition and encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, especially those from historically underserved communities.

Interested residents must submit an application and résumé to Rebecca Royce, Clark County Community Services, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or ebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov">rebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov.

Application information can be found at www.clark.wa.gov/community-services/community-action-advisory-board or by calling Rebecca Royce at 564.397.7863.

Deadline is Friday, July 6.

Series of free community workshops available to create costumes

Vancouver, Wash. – The Procession of the Species is returning to this year’s Recycled Arts Festival. The festival will host a series of free workshops to help participants get their costumes ready for the Sunday, June 24, parade.

The free event is open to people of all ages.

The procession, which originated in Olympia in 1995 and debuted in Clark County at last year’s festival, is a celebration of community and the natural world through art.

The Recycled Arts Festival runs 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, June 23, and 9 am to 4 pm Sunday, June 24, in Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St. The Procession of the Species, which is open to all ages, begins at 11 am Sunday, June 24, with registration beginning at 10:30 am. The cast of costumed characters, led by the Brazilian beats of MARACATUpdx, will wind through Esther Short Park.

“We are excited to bring this event back to our annual festival,” said Sally Fisher, Clark County Public Health program coordinator. “It's another way to bring the community together to celebrate our environment, which is what the weekend is all about.”

Procession participants can attend free community workshops to create their costumes representing animal species or elements, such as fire, earth or water. Repurposed materials will be supplied, and people are welcome to bring their own materials, as well.

Here’s the workshop schedule:

• 3-5 pm Thursday, June 7, at River HomeLink, 610 SW Eaton Blvd., Battle Ground.
• 3-5 pm Friday, June 8, at River HomeLink, 610 SW Eaton Blvd., Battle Ground.
• 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Friday, June 15, at Vancouver Community Library, Skamania Room, 901 C St.
• 10 am to noon Saturday, June 16, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St.
• 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Friday, June 22, at Vancouver Community Library, Skamania Room, 901 C St.
• 9 am to 5 pm Saturday, June 23, at Recycled Arts Festival Children’s Crafts Tent, Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St.

Registration for the workshops is required. Go to www.recycledartsfestival.com/POTS for information and to sign up.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council unanimously approved a motion today authorizing Council Chair Marc Boldt and Interim County Manager Jim Rumpeltes to develop a contract with Shawn Henessee to become the next county manager.

“We believe Shawn’s strong background in local government and his character make him a good choice for county manager,” said Boldt.

Henessee currently is the city administrator of City of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, a position he has held since 2017. He served as county administrator for Marinette County, Wisconsin, from 2015 – 2017. He has extensive experience with county and local government departments and functions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wichita State University, a master’s degree in political science from University of Kansas and a juris doctor from University of Missouri.

Henessee, along with finalists Keith A. Regan, managing director of the County of Maui, Hawaii, and Rick Rudometkin, county manager of Eddy County, New Mexico, participated in a moderated forum yesterday. The forum can be viewed on the CVTV website, www.cvtv.org/.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Human Resources Department will not post new job notices or accept job applications from June 1-25, in order to accommodate a software update.

The county is updating its recruitment software to Workday. The current system will not be available for potential job applicants during the transition.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience while we make this upgrade to provide a better, more efficient experience for job applicants,” said Kathleen Otto, Human Resources director.

The county also will use Workday for employee timekeeping procedures and accounting processes.

Vancouver, Wash. – The ACEs Action Alliance, in collaboration with Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, is kicking off a series of community conversations about childhood trauma and resilience with a book discussion.

The book, Becoming Ms. Burton by Susan Burton and Cari Lynn recounts Burton’s childhood, which was impacted by poverty, racism, sexual abuse and emotional neglect. As a teenage mother, Burton started using drugs and eventually served six sentences in the California penitentiary system. After receiving substance abuse treatment and leaving prison, Burton became an advocate for other women with criminal records as they re-enter society.

“This book teaches many lessons about multi-generational trauma, racism and poverty and how we stigmatize those who are dealing with addiction or who have served prison sentences,” said Cyndie Meyer, chronic disease prevention program coordinator at Clark County Public Health. “Our systems and approaches in Clark County today are a far cry from South Central Los Angeles in the late 1900s, but there is more we can learn together that makes this a critical conversation for our community.”

The community book discussion is 6-8 pm Monday, June 18, at the Cascade Park Community Library, Community Room, 600 NE 136th Ave. Clark County Council Chair Marc Boldt will be a discussion facilitator.

Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library. Excerpts from the book are available on the ACEs Action Alliance website, www.acesactionalliance.org.

The discussion is the first of several upcoming community conversations about adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, childhood trauma and resilience. Adverse childhood experiences are potentially traumatic events that take place before a child is 18 and may impact long-term mental, physical and behavioral health.

The ACEs Action Alliance is a collaborative of public and private organizations and individuals who promote a trauma-informed, resilient Clark County.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County STASHA, Strong Teens Against Substance Hazards and Abuse, Peer Education Program is recruiting youth to fill vacant positions for the 2018-2019 program year.

STASHA peer educators advocate for healthy lifestyles and are dedicated to addressing alcohol and other drug issues among youth in Clark County. The young volunteers in this group strive to represent the diverse populations and variety of neighborhoods in the county.

Peer educators range in age from 12 to 19. They include youth who have never used drugs or alcohol, those with past experimentation or use, and those who have completed treatment and are now in recovery. Members serve a one-year term with the opportunity to stay on the program until age 19.

To be eligible, youth must be Clark County residents and have an interest in sharing their opinions and perspectives about substance abuse prevention. Training is provided.

Interested youth must submit an application. Finalists will be interviewed. Applications and directions are online at www.clark.wa.gov/community-services/stasha-peer-education-program.

Application deadline is Friday, June 15.

For more information or to request an application, please contact Alaina Green, STASHA peer education coordinator, at 360.397.2130, ext. 5841 or een@clark.wa.gov">Alaina.green@clark.wa.gov.