Cheers: To the Bonneville Power Administration. After nine years of studying the issue, BPA officials have scrapped plans to build a power line that would run from Castle Rock in Cowlitz County to Troutdale, Ore. Along the way, the line would have passed near residences in east Clark County, leading to concerns about the impact upon property values and the health of residents.
A reliable supply of electricity is a necessity, and BPA officials must plan for growing communities and growing demand. But BPA administrator Elliot Mainzer noted that the change of plans demonstrates the power authority is “embracing a more flexible, sociable, and economically and operationally efficient approach to managing our transmission system.” By heeding the concerns of citizens and being open to new ways of doing things, BPA officials reached a conclusion that will best serve Clark County residents for generations to come.
Jeers: To zombie houses. As an article from Columbian reporter Jake Thomas recently detailed, abandoned houses are problematic in Clark County and current law leaves officials with little recourse. Colloquially known as “zombie houses,” these properties have absentee ownership that leads to overgrown lawns, vandalism and squatters taking up residence. The homes are an eyesore, and the squatters can create a danger for local residents.
A bill that would make it easier for counties or cities to deal with zombie houses stalled in the Legislature this year, and we urge lawmakers to revisit the issue as quickly as possible. Responsible homeowners should not see their property values and quality of life diminished because of negligent property owners.
Cheers: To Vancouver’s waterfront. While a large private development is receiving much attention, the Port of Vancouver’s nearby Terminal 1 project also has potential for invigorating the local economy. Vancouver City Council members this week heard details of a plan for the former site of the Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay, including 355 residential units, 62,000 square feet of retail space and 200,000 square feet of commercial space.
By reclaiming its waterfront, Vancouver is positioning itself for a robust future. Multiple projects to the west of the Interstate 5 Bridge will be transformational, modernizing the downtown core and providing economic benefits that benefit the entire county.
Jeers: To negligent driving. At least 37 cows were killed when the truck that was hauling them crashed early Tuesday morning south of La Center. Police said the driver was traveling too fast and failed to negotiate a curve before going off the road, shearing off a power pole, and coming to rest in a ditch. The driver sustained minor injuries and faces a citation for negligent driving.
The cows were headed to a wholesale meat company in Woodland to be slaughtered. The crash resulted in a lengthy road closure and utility repairs while also proving costly to the meat company. In the end, it is another reminder of the need for caution and responsible driving.
Cheers: To a new library. Trustees for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District have approved plans to purchase the site of a funeral home for a new library in Woodland. There is no timetable for the construction of the library, but the decision is good news for local residents.
Woodland, Ridgefield and Washougal have been targeted as cities in need of expanded and modernized local libraries to better serve residents. As famed newsman Walter Cronkite is credited with saying, “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.”
