Clark County to discuss revisiting home rule
Commissioners may vote May 29 on first step
Clark County commissioners are scheduled to decide next week if they will begin the process of crafting a home rule charter for county government.
Clark County, CREDC begin to rebuild relationship (with video)
Agency will receive pass-through funding, Commissioner Madore will get a seat on its board
Two months after the split between the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Clark County appeared permanent, the two sides say they will give it another go.
Whipple Creek Park group fights to protect old mill
Committee asks county to include park in master plan
Anita Will has worked for years to keep a historic mill near Whipple Creek from tumbling down.
Madore says he won't request to move public comment
Crowd of about 100 denounce recent actions, but some supporters heard, too
A crowd of about 100 people attend this morning's Clark County commissioners meeting, with many apparently wanting to talk more about the appointment of state Sen. Don Benton to be the county's environmental services director.
Public time to comment loses appeal for Madore
A compilation of recent blog posts from the All Politics is Local blog.
Overflow crowd meets to discuss recall, other options of Madore, Mielke
Those who want to rein in county commissioners also consider home rule
An overflow crowd spilled from a union hall in Vancouver's Fruit Valley neighborhood as hundreds gathered to discuss recall and other options against Clark County Commissioners David Madore and Tom Mielke.
Madore proposes change to commissioner meetings (with video)
He wants public comment at end, to ensure 'county business done first'
Thirteen hours after being bombarded with public comment over the appointment of state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, to the job of Clark County environmental services director, one commissioner wants to talk about changes to county meetings.
Benton critics stew, vent after public comments delayed (with video)
UPDATE AT 12:30: When the meeting ended at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart said he will ask the board to reconsider the appointment of state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, as it broke the board rules the three of them signed in January.
Commissioners quarrel on Facebook on Benton's first day (with video)
Stuart chastises Madore, says he's pushing blame on Barron
State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, was all smiles as he walked into work Monday morning.Sen. Don Benton arrived at the Clark County Public Service Center just before 11 a.m. today to begin his job at county director of Environmental Services.
Benton predecessor forced out
Former environmental services director Gray alleged Mielke targeted him over probe of pal
In 2011, Clark County's director of environmental services launched an investigation into Vegetation Management Department employees misusing county time, resources and funds.
County administrator announces early retirement
Bill Barron says final day will be Sept. 10
Bill Barron, 68, announced his decision Thursday afternoon, saying commissioners have agreed to let him out of his contract, which was to run through 2014.
County shocker: Benton tapped for top environmental job (with audio)
Commissioner Stuart storms out of meeting, alleges cronyism
State Sen. Don Benton was tapped to become Clark County's director of environmental services Wednesday in a surprise move by commissioners David Madore and Tom Mielke. Commissioner Steve Stuart stormed out of the meeting, alleging cronyism.
Clark County Commissioners approve budget update
More will be needed from reserve fund to cover shortfall
Clark County commissioners unanimously approved a budget update Tuesday morning that answered some lingering financial questions that cropped up in the past few months.
Juvenile bolts out of court, into officers on lunch break
3 sheriff's workers walking back from afternoon meal find at-large youth
A juvenile male, who decided he’d rather not attend his court proceeding any longer, sprinted out of the courtroom and into the path of three sheriff’s officers returning from lunch.
Clark County expects to pull $6.2M from reserves
Official says spending plan anticipated need to cover expenses
If the financial trend seen in the first quarter of Clark County's 2013-14 budget cycle holds true, the county will pull a total of $6.2 million from its reserves to cover operating expenses — and that's exactly where the county expected to be.
Judge's decision puts light-rail vote back in play
City of Vancouver may still resist a public vote
Striking at the heart of a city of Vancouver argument against a citywide vote on light rail, a Cowlitz County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that when people sign their names to a petition, the original signature should be counted, no matter how many times they sign it again.
Vancouver is moving to parking meters in district
Through 2013-14, free parking will disappear across 49-block area
The city of Vancouver has a plan to eliminate free on-street parking in downtown's newly formed "government parking district."
Clark County works out a way to refund parks parking fees
More than 600 people also have option to donate
Clark County will send refunds to 623 people who paid for annual parking passes at the county parks. But first, they're going to see if the pass holders want to donate the money.
Madore shakes things up, as promised
Amid controversy past 3 months, commissioner sticks to beliefs
Freshman Clark County Commissioner David Madore says his first three months in office have produced exactly the works he promised to voters.
Madore's promises, outcomes
Here is the status of some of the promises listed on David Madore's campaign website, and where the issues stand.
Humane Society agrees to contract with county
Clark County and the Humane Society for Southwest Washington have an accord on a one-year contract to operate animal shelter services.
Clark County commissioners scrap parking fees at parks, boat launches
Madore, Mielke vote in favor, with Stuart opposed; general fund will make up for lost revenue
It's free to park at Clark County's parks and boat launches after Clark County commissioners approved the removal of the fees by a 2-1 vote Tuesday night.
Vancouver is leery of county's plans on parks pact
Council hesitates to consider changes before commissioners more clearly set out intentions
The Vancouver City Council expressed concerns Monday night that its pact with Clark County to provide parks and recreation services may be coming to an end.
County may link development fees, jobless rate
Plan would waive costs until unemployment below state average
Clark County Commissioner David Madore said he'd been "chewing" on the idea of linking fee reductions to unemployment numbers for a while.
Business, human rights activist to run for Vancouver council
He is seeking seat currently held by Jeanne Stewart
Ty Stober, who describes himself as a business, human rights and neighborhood advocate, says he will run for Vancouver City Council.
Humane Society weighing its options
All plans being looked at involve continuing to work with Clark County
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is still weighing its options for responding to Clark County commissioners' counterproposal of a one-year contract for animal shelter services.
Vancouver light rail petition hearing delayed
Stricken signatures at heart of dispute
The fate of a Vancouver petition looking to put light rail to a citywide vote will have to wait a few more weeks.
Clark County-Humane Society deal still not done
Commissioners again backing 1-year contract after considering 2 years
A contract between Clark County and the Humane Society for Southwest Washington for animal shelter services remains unfinished as commissioners have gone back to favoring a one-year contract, and are waiting for the Humane Society to respond.
Sharing the road on MacArthur Boulevard
As Vancouver prepares to re-stripe the busy, four-lane roadway, local bicyclists voice concerns, offer ideas for improvement
MacArthur Boulevard has residents debating how it can best be used.
Mielke, Madore vote in favor of prayer at county meetings
Clergy of all faiths invited to offer invocations
Clark County commissioners will allow members of the community to pray before county meetings.
Madore changes course on Humane Society contract
After seeing salary information for the organization, Madore says he supports a new agreement
Clark County Commissioner David Madore says he met with representatives of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington in the days after he declined to approve a contract for shelter services between the animal group and the county, and he now supports the agreement.
County commissioners might again study home rule charter
Clark County is considering making another attempt at creating a home rule charter.
State of the County: 'We're in the best shape we can be' (with video)
Commissioner Steve Stuart lists challenges that threaten county's character, then lays out a rough plan for success
Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart said the state of Clark County is as strong as he could hope, given a stagnant economy and myriad challenges facing the current commissioners.
Public to have say in parks' parking fees
Madore vowed to nix $3-per-vehicle charge at four county parks
Clark County commissioners will move to a public hearing to discuss the removal of parking fees at county parks. But what will be agreed on as policy still appears undecided.
Clark County holds off on animal shelter deal
Humane Society says costs are up, doesn't state wages
Clark County's contract with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, over shelter services for those with paws, is on pause.
Pair of poets honored as laureates (with video)
First in county to hold post plans to focus on building community
If you go to listen to Clark County's first poet laureate speak at 7 tonight at the Vancouver Community Library, you'll likely hear some poetry. But you should also expect a talk focusing on the importance of community.
Rewards of living a model life (with video)
Community of hobbyists say hands-on approach to history enriches them
In the era of electronic everything and readily available online simulation, a palpable hobby holds on in Clark County.
County's staff comb rules for 'silliness'
Commissioners want to cut needless paperwork
After hearing how Clark County's community development department intends to make building permits and inspections easier to acquire, Clark County Commissioners asked staff to take their work a step further.
UPDATE: ILWU supporters rally in downtown Vancouver
Protest related to labor dispute at grain terminal
Several hundred people rallied Friday morning at Esther Short Park to support the 44 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union who are locked out from work at the United Grain export terminal at the Port of Vancouver.
BPA declines to meet with county
Proposed power line would have been discussed
Clark County was looking to have a sit-down with the Bonneville Power Administration before the public comment period ends on a 500-kilovolt line proposed to run through Clark and Cowlitz counties.
Clark County website back up after virus scare
It appears to be more annoying than harmful
Clark County's website is back online after a virus scare brought the site down Wednesday afternoon.
Clark County told it owes economic development group
Lawyer: Not paying $100,000 would be breach of contract
Clark County's legal counsel says if the county doesn't pay its bill for $100,000 to the Columbia River Economic Development Council by March 29 it will be in breach of contract.
Clark County websites down due to computer virus
Infection could have spread to users
If you accessed Clark County's website between 11 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Wednesday you may have caught a computer virus from the site.
County gets CREDC bill for $100,000
Commissioners voted to stop payments to group
Clark County Administrator Bill Barron held up an invoice from the Columbia River Economic Development Council during a Wednesday meeting of Clark County commissioners.
Clark County mulls language on pot gardens
Madore asks about wording allowing them, with disclaimer
Clark County commissioners are trying to find a balance between state and federal law over collective gardens for medical marijuana.
Clark County extends development-fee holiday
Policy clarifies that it doesn't apply to residential projects
Clark County commissioners are extending a holiday on several county development fees for another year.
‘Rural centers’ add to county’s unique character
Hamlets have distinct personalities, history
North of Clark County’s riverfront cities lies the hinterlands, seven “rural centers” nestled in unincorporated Clark County with a unique country tone.
Judge wants time to consider law on multiple signatures
He'll review Legislature's history of renewing rule regarding petitions
KELSO — A Cowlitz County Superior Court judge wants to do a little extra homework before deciding if he will overturn a state law regarding multiple signatures on municipal petitions.
UPDATE: Hearing on Vancouver light-rail petition extended
A Cowlitz County Superior Court judge wants to do a little extra homework before deciding if he will overturn a state law regarding multiple signatures on municipal petitions.
Court, legal briefing to address efforts to force light rail vote
Residents of Clark County may gain clarity over the potential for a citizen vote on the Columbia River Crossing come Wednesday afternoon.
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