What's buzzing about the Port?

Ospreys at the Marina

jackhardy — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:13:02 +0000

Every spring bird enthusiasts come to the port to see Fred and Ethel. Nicknamed by our harbormaster, these raptors return each year to raise their young. Perched high atop the last piling at the end of the breakwater, adjacent to the fuel dock, they few visitors with a wary eye. Commonly known as sea hawks or fish eagles, these grand birds feed almost exclusively on fish. You will note the large wingspan of their brown colored wings and their graceful aerial maneuvers as they glide high above the Columbia searching for their next meal. Here’s a snapshot of the parents guarding their nest and anxiously watching the photographer take their picture.

Osprey at the Marina

Summer Aviation Camps at Grove Field

jackhardy — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:42:23 +0000

Summer scholarship are now available for the annual summer camps offered by the Camas Washougal Aviation Association based at Grove Field in Camas. The two camps are divided into age groups consisting of ages 10-14 June 22 to June 26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m and ages 15 and older June 29, July 1 and July 3 fro 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both groups teach aspiring aviators about aerodynamics and flying using simulation software. The capstone of each course is real flight time–and time at the controls–in a real aircraft (with supervision of course). Registration is $300 with a limit of 10 students per class. Last day to register is June 1. For more aviation camp information, contact Lincoln Westdal, flight instructor at 360-833-9792 or for scholarship information, Sally Luse at 360-834-6178. More info is found at www.cwaagrovefield.com.

Otto Schell with son Jonathan

Jonathan flying the plane!

Earth Day Beach Cleanup

jackhardy — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:25:42 +0000

A big Thank You! goes to the more than 50 volunteers who helped the port celebrate Earth Day with a clean up project at Cottonwood Beach. It was a fun and productive time for all! Along with donuts and drinks, the sun actually made an appearance and the clouds resisted dropping any water on us. It’s estimated we gathered several hundred pounds of trash using good old fashioned elbow grease, trash bags, latex gloves and unique trash pincers. Volunteers included many youth from Washougal High School, port staff members and a mix of volunteer citizens who scoured the walking paths, beach and picnic areas removing trash. What a great tradition we’ve started. See some of the photos below:

Beth and Ben Short of Camas

Dave and Sue Ripp of Camas

Scot Walstra of Vancouver

Strategic Planning

davidripp2009 — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:43:25 +0000

I just want to thank everyone who attended the Strategic Planning meeting on April 13, 2010 at the Port offices. The meeting went well with another great public turnout and well rounded input. The next phase will be for Berger Abam to compile all of the input from the Commission and public and develop a Draft Goals and Policy document. They feel they could have this completed in the next 30-days and be ready to present back to the Commission.

Airport hangar construction moving quickly

jackhardy — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:28:48 +0000

It seems like it has only been a few months since construction begin on the new hangars being built by Immelman Hangars and now the infrastructure is in place. The foundations are laid, the beams are being put in place and the sheet metal walls will be overlaid quickly. Before you know it, they will be open for lease. Get your reservation in quickly! See the progress in the photos taken just last week!

High Efficiency Lighting

jackhardy — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:22:23 +0000

Just one small example of the port’s continued leadership in sustainability is the new high efficiency lighting installed in building #4 in the port’s Industrial Park.

Here’s a few photos from the building housing Micro Machinging, LLC.

New High Efficiency Lighting in building #4 in the Industrial Park

Strategic Planning: Looking ahead

jackhardy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:32:15 +0000

The port is at an historic juncture in 2010. This years marks 75 years since the port has been in existence in our community. As we pause to look back as well as look forward at the purpose and benefit of the port district, we invite the community to participate. We invite local historians, long term residents and others with memories of port district happenings to share their memories and insights. Over the course of this year we will use this blog as an important tool to gather information about the past, as well as to solicit comments from citizens who want to contribute to the dialogue and provide input for our commissioners. To this end, it’s also timely that the port began the Comprehensive Plan update process in 2009 and will continue the strategic planning process throughout this year. We invite everyone to join us at the next Strategic Planning meeting on March 9, 2010 at the Court House building across SR-14 from 6-9 p.m.

New Commissioners in 2010

jackhardy — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:34:55 +0000

January 4, 2010 brought Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey to the Port of Camas-Washougal to officially administer the oath of office to Bill Macrae-Smith and Mark Lampton. These two newly-elected commissioners stood, raised their right arms and repeated the oath of office as follows:

“I, (Bill Macrae-Smith and Mark Lampton), do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States and of the State of Washington; that I will support the Constitution and Laws of the United States and the Constitution and Laws of the State of Washington, and will to the best of my judgment, skill and ability, truly, faithfully, diligently and impartially perform the duties of the office of Commissioner (District 3/District 1) Camas-Washougal Port District in and for Clark County, Washington as such duties are prescribed by law, so help me God.”

Their signatures, along with a notary seal, appear on scanned copies of the original documents found below. A photo of the actual event is also below.

Macrae-Smith Oath of Office

Oath of Office - Mark Lampton

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey Administers Oath of Office

Survey results are in!

jackhardy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:56:08 +0000

Before port supporters jump for joy or port naysayers weigh in on the quantity of surveys or question the methodology of the process, let’s discuss what the survey is and what it isn’t. First, a little background. As some port district members are aware, the port comprehensive plan is a strategic roadmap that the port staff and commission periodically update in order to fulfill the mission of the port and adjust direction and focus as the community, economy and demographics shift over time. It is an ongoing process with continual updates as needed. Think of it like a ship adjusting its rudder to steer its course safely and efficiently through the channel of a river. That said, the recent survey results, announced yesterday, are an important part of this information gathering process. However, the survey itself is just one of the tools and outreach efforts the port uses to gather citizen input. To be sure, citizen input is always welcome and necessary as part of the public process. That’s one reason for creating this blog! However, gathering citizen input, on any subject is an ongoing process. Often citizens will communicate via e-mail, letters, verbal conversations, meetings, interviews, focus groups, public forums, community group presentations, bi-weekly commission meetings, phone calls, open houses, particularly when there is an issue or a concern. Rest assured that there will be more surveys and research efforts designed to encourage and solicit citizen input, since it is a never ending process. It requires a constant effort to reach out to local citizens–as most politicians know. Consider the recent election results: of the 23,000 registered voters in the port district, only 43 percent of voters participated, approximately 8,500 people voted in the port district races. The voter turnout percentages closely match the rest of Clark County and the State of Washington. While we may not be able to solve the problem of voter apathy or the general decline of citizens engaged in the public process, we are using new tools and techniques to encourage and strengthen the public process, through surveys, open houses and public meetings. And we will continue to do so. Your feedback, as always, is welcomed and encouraged! Now, if you want to see the full results of the community survey, click on the port Web site at www.portcw.com and follow the links! If you would like to comment, do it right here!

Fall Food Drive

jennyjennjen — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:01:15 +0000

The leaves are falling and the holidays are quickly approaching us, the port of camas/washougal is kicking off the Fall Food Drive this week. This food drive will support the Inter-faith Treasure House. I am asking that employees and the local community get involved to support Camas/Washougal families! Food Collection barrels are located in the ports main lobby at 24 South A Street, Washougal WA.
Below is a list of much needed items provided by the Treasure House:
*Peanut Butter
*Dry Pasta ( all types and shapes)
*Rice (Boxed and Packaged)
*Boxed Dinners (Mac&Cheese, Hamb. Helper, Stuffing etc.)
*Canned Foods
*Juices (Canned, Bottles, Capri-Suns)
*Seasonal/Holiday Treats (Cookies, Cereals, Hot Cocoa)
*Everyday Items (Laundry Soap, Soap Bars, Shampoo/Conditioner, Toothpaste, ToothBrushes, Deoderant, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Storage Bags)
**Deadline for collection is Thursday November 19th
Call Jennifer for Info @ 360-835-2196 ext. 103