The VA system is broken--vets know it, congress knows it and the public should know it. No single person is going to "fix" the system; it will take a committed effort from the public and both major parties. However, the elite of our country profit millions off of war while protesting any taxes that would pay for the care of vets. The sad reality is that while vets believe they are fighting for their country, they really are fighting to protect the profit margin of the military industrial complex, hence why congress is okay with using multi-million dollar missiles to blow up mud huts, but can't find pennies to pay for proper care for veterans.
I don't get it. The city is okay with the guy selling bikes at of a storage unit in downtown (on the vacant lot @Millplain and Main) but isn't okay with food carts?
Harris thinks the city isn't responsible for an city employee failing to comply with state law? Does she think she could Gavel Down the facts to suit her needs?
Had the person been arrested, as required by state law, he would have been in jail or under an automatic no-contact order (standard with all DV cases) instead of being able to kill someone.
The issues with the hotel have nothing to do with the zoning and everything to do with the hotel management and property owner not meeting basic standards. Go pick up a copy of The Vancouver Voice article and look at the pictures of the place. Falling down stairs, vomit on the floor, and fleas are not acceptable ways to run any business, let along a hotel. The Columbian has covered the county efforts to entice the property owner to make improvements and still the place rots.
Bob, I agree both the SS Davy Crockett could have been addressed before they became immediate hazards to the public. Why they weren't is a question that public officials need to answer.
As far as I am concerned, the county should bill the property owner for every tax dollar spent on dealing with his mess.
The "proof" you said didn't exist about the illegal activity at The Value Motel last year seems to have finally made the paper in this morning's article about the wide spread drug and prostitution issues with the hotel.
The chicken and the egg argument! Hazel Dell can't incorporate without a tax base to pay for city services, but can't clean up with the limited oversight offered by the county.
As far as most of Clark County is concerned, Hazel Dell is the anchor that is bringing the entire county down. How many tax dollars are taken from east county residents just to pay for the law enforcement issues with the HD corridor?
County government has granted every developer's wish the last few decades and HD neighborhoods are poorly designed, unsafe to walk and will rot for decades to come. Good thing the developers and politicos made their buck up front, leaving the tax payers and residents to pay for the mess.
And its not like the county commissions care too much either. Marc Boldt lives in Brush Praise, Steve Stuart lives in downtown Vancouver, Tom Mielkle lives in Battleground. Granted developers wishes in HD made sure their campaign coffers will stay full and they don't have to live in the mess.
In Our View: In Service to Vets
The VA system is broken--vets know it, congress knows it and the public should know it. No single person is going to "fix" the system; it will take a committed effort from the public and both major parties. However, the elite of our country profit millions off of war while protesting any taxes that would pay for the care of vets. The sad reality is that while vets believe they are fighting for their country, they really are fighting to protect the profit margin of the military industrial complex, hence why congress is okay with using multi-million dollar missiles to blow up mud huts, but can't find pennies to pay for proper care for veterans.
February 15, 2011 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Oregon AG sues veterans charities, founder
About time. Too many "help veteran" charities are just scams that prey on the public's support for veterans.
February 15, 2011 at 7:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Red tape snares food carts
I don't get it. The city is okay with the guy selling bikes at of a storage unit in downtown (on the vacant lot @Millplain and Main) but isn't okay with food carts?
February 15, 2011 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Vancouver to pay $383,000 in 2009 death
Harris thinks the city isn't responsible for an city employee failing to comply with state law? Does she think she could Gavel Down the facts to suit her needs?
Had the person been arrested, as required by state law, he would have been in jail or under an automatic no-contact order (standard with all DV cases) instead of being able to kill someone.
February 14, 2011 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sheriff to spearhead community task force on Value Motel
What harm has been caused to anyone by this article? HD residents seem to be rallying around the Columbian's coverage, not panicking from it.
February 14, 2011 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
In Our View: Value? You’re Kiddin’
The issues with the hotel have nothing to do with the zoning and everything to do with the hotel management and property owner not meeting basic standards. Go pick up a copy of The Vancouver Voice article and look at the pictures of the place. Falling down stairs, vomit on the floor, and fleas are not acceptable ways to run any business, let along a hotel. The Columbian has covered the county efforts to entice the property owner to make improvements and still the place rots.
February 14, 2011 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
In Our View: Value? You’re Kiddin’
Bob, I agree both the SS Davy Crockett could have been addressed before they became immediate hazards to the public. Why they weren't is a question that public officials need to answer.
As far as I am concerned, the county should bill the property owner for every tax dollar spent on dealing with his mess.
February 14, 2011 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
County adds incentives to redevelop Highway 99
This article really flush out the back story to the 2/09/2011 article.
February 9, 2011 at 10:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
artimus
The "proof" you said didn't exist about the illegal activity at The Value Motel last year seems to have finally made the paper in this morning's article about the wide spread drug and prostitution issues with the hotel.
February 9, 2011 at 10:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sheriff to spearhead community task force on Value Motel
The chicken and the egg argument! Hazel Dell can't incorporate without a tax base to pay for city services, but can't clean up with the limited oversight offered by the county.
As far as most of Clark County is concerned, Hazel Dell is the anchor that is bringing the entire county down. How many tax dollars are taken from east county residents just to pay for the law enforcement issues with the HD corridor?
County government has granted every developer's wish the last few decades and HD neighborhoods are poorly designed, unsafe to walk and will rot for decades to come. Good thing the developers and politicos made their buck up front, leaving the tax payers and residents to pay for the mess.
And its not like the county commissions care too much either. Marc Boldt lives in Brush Praise, Steve Stuart lives in downtown Vancouver, Tom Mielkle lives in Battleground. Granted developers wishes in HD made sure their campaign coffers will stay full and they don't have to live in the mess.
February 9, 2011 at 9:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )