Kelso Longview Chamber August 2017 Newsletter

August

2017

Business Connection

Volume 9, Issue 8

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

The Lower Columbia Professionals St. Patrick's Day bingo event has been a successful scholarship fundraiser.

Chamber hot to find winner with summer bingo event T

he Kelso Longview Chamber is heating up its third-quarter fundraising with a hot new plan – Island Bingo.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team Bill Marcum, CEO Lindsey Cope, Project Manager Amy Hallock, Visitor Information Center and Office Manager Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400 kelsolongviewchamber.org To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or email bmarcum@ kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline: 20th of each month

For the past two years the Chamber hosted the Color Run at Three Rivers Mall. According to Chamber Project Manager Lindsey Cope, the Chamber was looking for an event that would continue to bring people to the mall and Kelso while getting everyone out of the August heat.

Bingo.

“It’s creating a buzz,” Cope said. “It’s something different, but it’s something familiar.”

The Lower Columbia ProfesBrandy Keys-Olinger knows what it feels like to be a bingo winner. There sionals have been hosting will be plenty of winners at Island Bingo August 10. the well-known game as a fundraiser for its scholarship program. This event, like the Color Run, will continue to support scholarships. This spring, the Chamber and LCP awarded $19,000 in scholarships to local graduating high school seniors.

Cope believes the event can successfully generate funds for the scholarships as well as draw smaller busiFor more Bingo, see page 3

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce presents:

Island Bingo in partnership with:

Thursday, August 10, 2017 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm (in the old Macy’s building - must be 21+)

Beat the heat with some hot Island Bingo!

Help support the Chamber and raise funds for our annual scholarships!

Win Prizes!

Food! Drink! Lots of Fun! Regular Tickets – $20

Includes 20 Bingo game cards and heavy appetizers.

VIP Tickets - $35

Includes 40 Bingo Game Cards, heavy appetizers, a personalized dauber and a drink ticket.

Special group rates available for groups over 15!

Contact Lindsey at the Chamber: 360-423-8400.

Tickets available at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Like us on Facebook and keep up with our events! www.facebook.com/kelsolongviewchamber

Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/ kelsolongviewchamber

Chamber Island Bingo, continued from page 1

Bingo Sponsors

nesses into participating as sponsors.

Each of the 20 games has a sponsor, who provides a winning prize with a value of more than $100. There will also be two special games – one black out and one black diamond.

NW Innovation Works is sponsoring the black out game with a paddleboard as the prize. The Gallery of Diamonds is the sponsor for the black diamond game with a black diamond going to the winner.

“We’ve tried to make it affordable to smaller businesses,” Cope said. “We want them to get their names out and bring people into their stores.”

It’s also affordable to play – $20 buys 20 bingo game cards and appetizers. There’s also a VIP option, sponsored by American Workforce Group – $35 purchases 40 bingo game cards, appetizers, and a personalized dauber and drink ticket.

This is a 21 years old and older event. Special rates are also available for groups of more than 15. To register, call Cope at 360-423-8400 or go to kelsolongviewchamber.org Registration has taken off. Cope said they are halfway to their goal of 200.

“People on Facebook are tagging their friends,” she said.

With the event fast approaching, August 10, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Cope and her small army of volunteers is turning the former Macy’s at Three Rivers Mall into an island paradise. The empty Macy’s location is just another reason why, Cope said, the partnership with Three Rivers Mall is important.

“We want to bring people into the mall and into Kelso,” she said.

The island theme keeps it light and goes with summer.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Cope said.

Three Rivers Mall American Workforce Group NW Innovation Works The Gallery of Diamonds Longview American Legion Kelso Longview Elks Lodge Ecological Land Service Law Office of Meredith Long Tina Hart with Life Mortgage Vintage Square on Broadway Accent Ink Bigfoot Screen Printing Lifeworks Teague's Interiors Banda's Bouquets Posh on Commerce Mythic Escapes Sportsman's Warehouse Bricks & Mini Figs 8 to 28 Women's Clothing Exchange AT&T Connet Wireless Global Images Advocare by Brigette Rodan & Fields by Brigette KUKN/KLOG/The WAVE Foster Farms PeaceHealth BiCoastal Media C's Photography

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Lance Welch, President

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Nick Lemiere Edward Jones

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Chris Roewe Woodford Commercial Real Estate

Neil Zick, Treasurer

Ken Botero Longview City Council

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/Weyerhaeuser

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Julie Rinard, Past President

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

Steve Taylor Kelso City Manager

Joel Hanson, Past Past President

Wendy Kosloski Teague's Interiors

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

PeaceHealth

Linda DiLembo, President Elect Three Rivers Mall

Frank Panarra, Vice President Foster Farms

Twin City Bank

Walstead Mertsching

Community Home Health & Hospice KLOG/KUKN/The Wave

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 3

PORT TALK PORT OF LONGVIEW NEWSLETTER

BP and the Port of Longiew have a unique partnership spanning four decades.

PORT CELEBRATES 35 YEARS WITH BRITISH PETROLEUM The year was 1982.

operations at Berth 5 consist of non-blended calcined coke being exported to countries around the world.

The Port of Longview had already been in operation for 61 years and owned a mere 186 of its current 835 acres. Seven of the Port’s nine berths made up the waterfront. You could purchase a new home for $82,200 and the average cost for a gallon of gas was $.91.

Laurie has been with the Port since 2008.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: LAURIE NELSON-COOLEY, MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT What aspect of your job do you think people would find most surprising?

Importantly at the Port, 1982 marked the year the Port of Longview signed BP as a new tenant at Berth 5. The Port and BP, formally known as British Petroleum, began expansion of the facility.

BP’s primary operation at the Port is exporting calcined petroleum coke, a by-product of oil refining, used in the aluminum smelting industry. Occassionally, different grades of this cargo are shipped to the Port of Longview and blended with other grades of the cargo to meet customer needs before being exported. More commonly,

Building relationships with our business partners, customers and potential customers is one of the most important aspects of my job. They all need to know they can trust our team to be an integral part of their logistic chain.

...817 jobs are generated directly by activity at the Port of Longview’s marine terminals?

•

...the Columbia River is the #1 West Coast bulk mineral export gateway, the #1 US wheat export gateway and the #1 West Coast timber export gateway?

Our Summer Tour Series was designed not only to showcase our facility and talented staff, but to educate our community on the important role the Port of Longview plays in the regional economy.

The Tours offer an up-close look at operations on the dock, as well provide plenty of time for community members to ask questions to really understand the Port’s role in the community.

“Having only lived in the area for two years, it was great to learn about all the Port does and the vital role it plays in our community,” said one tour attendee.

Port staff guides tour delegates through our expansive facilility.

COMMISSION MEETINGS

Jeff Wilson / District 1 Doug Averett / District 2 Bob Bagaason / District 3

Regular meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am and are open to the public. Meeting times are subject to change. For more information, visit portoflongview.com.

Norm Krehbiel

PORTOFLONGVIEW.COM

2018 tour dates will be announced soon, stay tuned!

COMMISSIONERS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

17_08

As BP continues to operate at Berth 5 the local community will benefit from their productivity.

For a fourth consecutive year, the Port of Longview Summer Tour Series yielded record crowds. More than 200 community members signed up for a unique, behind the scenes look at Washington’s Working Port.

Business travel is not as exciting as most people think, but if I had to choose - Houston, Texas, is my favorite. I can best utilize my time by seeing multiple important decision makers all in the same city. If I had to choose based on beauty of the landscape, it would be Sydney, Vancouver BC, Huntington Beach CA, Shanghai or Amsterdam. We have business partners in all of these amazing places!

•

This is one of the longest partnerships the Port has had with a customer. In 2016 alone, BP moved more than 800,000 metric tons of cargo across the docks, creating jobs for the community and diversifying the Port’s cargo portfolio simultaneously.

ANOTHER GREAT YEAR OF TOURS

Your position requires frequent traveling, where is your favorite place you’ve visited for business?

DID YOU KNOW...

BP is able to execute their operations from the Port of Longview without having a single boot on the ground. The entire facility is maintained and operated by a steady labor force of building trades and ILUW on behalf of BP.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PORT Is there information you would like to see in Port Talk, or do you have questions related to a story that was featured? Please email info@portoflongview.com, or call 360.425.3305

T. 360-425-3305 F. 360-425-8650

10 PORT WAY LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON 98632

Workforce Southwest Washington

By Julia Maglione

Communications Manager

Public-private training program leads to candidate pipeline and jobs Longview-based Northwest Motors Sales & Service (NWMS) recently partnered with Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region and developed an Industrial Training Program.

When Tori Skinner from Goodwill approached NWMS owner Spencer Wiggins with the idea of creating a program to address the skills gap in the local job market and make use of grant funds, they came up with a design that played to the strengths of both organizations. NWMS would provide its depth of industry knowledge and high standards of quality and service, and Goodwill would enrich the experience with recruitment, training, case management and transitional supports services.

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3

The collaboration paid off. NWMS and Goodwill recently completed a three-month Industrial Training pilot program that resulted in NWMS hiring three new employees.

NWMS provides installation, repair, sales and maintenance of electric motors to pulp and paper mills, oil and gas, steel mills, marine, mining, power plants and other industries in the western United States.

“Our business continues to expand and the additional volume presents a new set of challenges,” Wiggins said. “One of our goals as an organization is to support the local economy and provide youth a chance to participate as we experience this growth while allowing us to meet our increased staffing needs.”

“When companies drive development of training programs by partnering with the public workforce system, it ensures they have the skilled workers they need and residents have the skills to fill available jobs,” said Jeanne Bennett, CEO of Workforce Southwest Washington.

For the program, Goodwill recruited and screened applicants. More than 70 applications were received.

NWMS selected three candidates for the 10-week internship. Wages for the interns were paid under a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant provided through Workforce Southwest Washington.

Participants spent four days on the worksite under the mentorship of key NWMS personnel and one day per week at the Goodwill Work Opportunity Center learning from an industry-specific training program.

They completed the 17-volume EASA Mechanical Repair Fundamentals, earned certifications in OSHA 10, forklift and CPR/First Aid, at-

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1. Spencer Wiggins with the three Industrial Training Program interns learning about the various types, models and functions of electric motors during an interactive tour of Northwest Motor’s warehouse.

2. Intern Tanner Willman working with the Northwest Motor’s maintenance crew to re-assemble an electric motor. 3. Intern Jessica White assisting in the cleaning and maintenance of an electric motor.

tended courses in financial literacy and received coaching in career path planning.

Upon graduating the training program, the three interns were hired

by NWMS. Because of the pilot’s success, Goodwill and NWMS will provide this training multiple times a year to area youth. Interested candidates should call the Goodwill Work Opportunity Center of Cowlitz County.

“The leadership and mentorship I witnessed from the staff at Northwest Motors is incalculable,” said Skinner, Goodwill Business Development manager. “The NWMS team is inspiring a new generation of local youth to look at themselves in new ways, explore career options they never knew were in their own community, receive critical feedback and build professional confidence. It is powerful to see how much impact can be achieved through complementary partnerships.”

Businesses interested in exploring opportunities to create on-the-job training programs and connections to develop skilled employees should contact Skinner at Victorias@goodwillwa.org or 360-501-8359.

“Employers are at the heart of what we do and we strive to complement their needs and make hiring a positive, even enriching experience,” Skinner said. “Everyone wins when talent is grown and supported, and opportunities are treated with respect.”

Julia Maglione is communications manager at the Workforce Southwest Washington. Reach her at jmaglione@workforcesw.org or 360-567-3176.

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 5

City of Kelso

City of Longview

By Mayor David Futcher

By City Councilman Ken Botero

Making the city better – for free Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the challenges we face. I took a minute to consider the things I’m thankful for as they relate to my council work. It was easy to identify some of the positive aspects of the job, like having a strong and knowledgeable staff, and fellow councilmembers with a passion for improving the city. But one that struck me as particularly important was the role that volunteers play.

Coming up in September is a fun, free family event at the Highlander Festival in Kelso. That’s an event that would not take place were it not for a cadre of volunteers that plan, organize, operate and clean up after the festivities. These folks have helped turn our event into one that is the second largest of its kind in the state.

That may be the most-timely evidence of the good work our volunteers provide, but it’s far from the only one. I appreciate the contributions of our volunteer board members, like the library and parks boards, the planning commission, and the folks who put on events like our Christmas tree lighting. These integral parts of our city would not function as well without their participation.

Without volunteers, you would have no skate park, spray park, softball fields, baseball fields, downtown events…and the list goes on and on. We even have a significant pool of volunteer reserve police officers. These officers are walking into dangerous situations for free, just because they care about making the city safer. Volunteers keep the city cleaner, too, whether it’s a Rotary club or Foot Patrol that cleans an adopted street, or one of the dedicated citizens who pick up trash as they take their daily walks.

At any time of the year, it’s a good idea to turn our thoughts to gratitude. I want to give a big thank you to each of the helping hands that make Kelso a better place.

1157 3rd Avenue, Suite 218

1157 Longview, 3rd Avenue, WA Suite 98632 218 1157 3rd360.952.3100 Avenue, Suite 218 Longview, WA 98632 Longview, WA 98632 www.amadaseniorcare.com 360.952.3100 360.952.3100 www.amadaseniorcare.com www.amadaseniorcare.com 6 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

Does society hold positive future?

Reading an interesting article recently made me stop and take a look at some very positive thoughts, so I thought this would be a great time to bring up some of the issues facing our society today and tomorrow.

As life becomes more and more complex, how can we make technology, employment and the environment work for everyone? For centuries technology has significantly improved our way of life. So why are we now suspicious of new technology and afraid of what the future may bring? One of the obvious reasons is the fear of mass unemployment.

Various studies say that up to 50 percent of all people might lose their jobs due to technology. Some think we are creating a self-destructive force.

Nobel Laureate Robert M. Solow believes even though 80 percent of the U.S. economy’s growth is driven by technological progress people will still play a vital role if they have the right skills. So, even if the modern technological revolution is transforming the way we do business, humans can stay in the driver's seat.

“We’ve allowed for substantial amounts of our workers to be inadequately educated for modern industrial work. The responsibility is on us to change that, to see we educate our youth,” he noted.

With this vision of the future and the advanced technology that is on the horizon our local Chamber of Commerce provided an opportunity to listen, and ask questions, with our Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal concerning education and accountability for the future. With the new state law in Washington, with a bipartisan agreement from the Washington State Legislature, Mr. Reykdal mentions the bill, which passed both houses unanimously, “will open up multiple pathways and will build on the momentum to tie education to our workforce needs. Students need and deserve multiple ways to show they know the state learning standards and have those competencies tied to career or college opportunities. Student success should not be tied to passing a single test.” He also noted, “Our current standard excludes thousands of bright students and, for some, serves as a road block when it should be a checkpoint. These assessments can have a chilling effect on a students’ future.”

A very positive direction for creating our Quality of Place here in Longview. It is our opportunity to form the partnerships with schools, businesses, and most importantly, each other to have a successful future.

At my age technology is scary, but for my grandchildren, it is the wave of their future, and that future will be inclusive.

Calendar Thursday August 3 – 11:30 am Ribbon Cutting Cowlitz County Veterans Service Center 1005 Fir St, Longview Friday August 4 – 11:30 am Ribbon Cutting Antidote Tap House 716 Triangle Shopping Center, Longview Monday August 7 – 11:30 am Ribbon Cutting Heartland Payroll Solutions Chamber Office 105 Minor Rd, Kelso Wednesday August 9 – 11:30 am Ribbon Cutting Connect Wireless AT&T Three Rivers Mall 351 Three Rivers Mall Dr, Kelso Thursday August 10 – 5-8 pm ISLAND BINGO! The old Macy’s Suite Three Rivers Mall 351 Three Rivers Mall Dr, Kelso Purchase tickets in advance Doors open at 5 pm First Bingo called at 6 pm Monday August 14 – Noon Government Affairs Meeting Teri’s Restaurant 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview Tuesday August 22 – 5:30-7:30 pm Business After Hours Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center 510 Kelso Dr, Kelso $15 in advance $20 at the door Thursday August 24 – 11:30 am Ribbon Cutting Advocare by Brigette Chamber Office 105 Minor Rd, Kelso Every Wednesday Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 pm Stream live at www.kedoam.com

Chamber CEO’s Message

By Bill Marcum

Fall Boot Camp zeros in on financial questions Wow, hard to believe it is August! And what a heat wave we are anticipating this week.

Can you believe it...106 degrees on Thursday?

We have had a beautiful summer and autumn is coming fast. That means Boot Camp and our fall series of classes is around the corner.

All classes are at the Lower Columbia College Admin Building in the Heritage Room from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Do you realize we have conducted 89 Boot Camp classes since it started in 2013? Each class providing information that helps businesses to be more successful. More than 1,300 local business people have attended, representing nearly 100 businesses. The series of classes continues with our Fall Boot Camp – below is a brief description.

September 8th – As the Owner, How Can You Plan for Retirement? (90). Scott Jenson, Country Financial, will be on hand to talk with owners and potential owners about ways they can own a business, put your life and soul into that business and still prepare for the day you can sell the business and retire.

September 15 – Planning for Your Business Transition to Family or Sale (91).

Again Scott Jenson, Country Financial, will join us to help you better understand and plan for the day you will sell your business or transition it to your children. As the old adage goes...take time to plan and then work the plan for success.

September 22 – Fraud, Counterfeit, Scams and Flimflams (92). Paula Jacobsen, Red Canoe Credit Union, will be facilitating a discussion on how to protect your business from many of the scams being run today by people trying to take advantage of business owners, managers and employees who are not prop-

erly trained to recognize a possible scam. This will be a fun, entertaining and most of all an informative discussion to protect your business.

September 29 – Understanding Your Business Taxes (93). David Futcher, Futcher Group CPA, will be facilitating a discussion to help you better understand the business taxes you are paying, changes coming from the 2017 legislature, how B & O taxes are calculated and what is a B & O Tax? October 6 – How to Generate Higher Profits (94). Jerry Petrick with Small Business Development Center will facilitate this class on finding ways to grow your profit. The two basics sell more products and cut expenses, right? But how do you do that? How do you sell more products? What expenses do I cut?

Jerry will lead this discussion and help you answer those questions.

October 13 – New paid family leave bill: How Will it Affect Your Business? What Will it Cost My Business? (95) The new paid family leave bill passed the legislature this past month and will go into effect collecting the tax with the roll out of the family leave plan in 2019. This gives each business a year to figure how who to pay for this new employee benefit. Our facilitator for this class is still undetermined at this time.

Cost of the Fall Boot Camp series is $100 for Chamber members and $160 for nonmembers. You can bring up to three people from your business making the cost to attend about $5.50 per person, per class. You can select individual classes for $25 members and $35 non-members. Sign up today at kelsolongviewchamber.org or call the Chamber at 360-423-8400.

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 7

2017 Small Business

BOOT CAMP Fall Series begins Friday, Sept. 8 Friday Mornings ★ Lower Columbia College

7:30 am - 9 am ★ Heritage Room at LCC - Admin. Bldg.

FALL 2017 six pack

September 8 As the Owner, How Can You Plan for Retirement?

Facilitator: Scott Jensen, Country Financial.

Sponsored by:

September 15 Planning for Your Businesses Transition to Family or Sale Facilitator: Scott Jensen, Country Financial.

September 22 Fraud, Counterfeit, Scams and Flimflams Facilitator: Paula Jacobsen, Red Canoe.

September 29 Understanding Your Business Taxes Facilitator: David Futcher, Futcher Group.

October 6

How to Generate Higher Profits Facilitator: Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Advisor, SBDC.

October 13

New Paid Family Leave Bill: How it Will Affect Your Business Facilitator: TBD.

$

100 Members

★

$

160 Non-Members

Chamber’s Business Boot Camp sessions were very beneficial – provid❝ The ing useful and current information, great examples of lessons learned, and

a very engaging and positive environment. I highly recommend the boot camps to anyone wanting to broaden their business knowledge on any of the topics covered. I commend the Chamber for its commitment to helping local businesses become better.

Rich Gushman, PE • Gibbs & Olson

❞

360-423-8400

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Cowlitz County Commissioners

By Dennis Weber

Bitter disappointment over House failure to solve water and capital budget issues I was bitterly disappointed in the decision by House leaders to stonewall common-sense solutions on water rights and the capital budget after achieving several milestones in other areas such as mental health treatment and education funding.

The political games being played by some so-called leaders in Olympia once reveals a disdain that urban liberals have for the working men and women in Southwest Washington. In fact, their action was a huge slap in the face of our own Democratic State Representative Brian Blake, whose compromise on the water rights issue attracted bipartisan support and provided a voice for tribes on water issues.

The leadership’s decision to prevent a vote on Blake’s proposal as a meaningful solution to the Hirst decision betrays a secret agenda to control water resources in rural areas of the state. Without a legislative fix like the one Blake offered, that state Supreme Court decision will lead to stricter controls on the issuing and monitoring of private wells by the state Department of Ecology. Typically, household wells are exempt from close scrutiny simply because their domestic use is such a miniscule proportion of available water resources.

But urban liberals seem to have no appreciation of the cultural importance of exempt wells to rural residents, believing instead that the bureaucrats in Olympia should dictate who gets water and who goes without. It makes no sense west of the Cascades where flooding and storm water is a more significant problem than running out of water. Take water away from property owners, their property values tank, and they can’t build rural homes for their children’s families.

Young families are forced to move to expensive urban areas which already have significant affordable housing problems. It’s as if urban liberals are conducting a stealth war to depopulate rural Washington while increasing urban homelessness.

Cowlitz County gets hit with a double whammy. First, the potential loss of water rights means a loss of property values in our rural areas and that could mean an increase in property taxes for everyone else, including major employers. Lawyers disagree whether Hirst impacts the entire state. Consequently, such uncertainty may make it more difficult to obtain financing to develop beyond municipal water supplies available from places like Beacon Hill S & W District and the cities. Our Building and Planning Department will continue to process development applications but that uncertainty remains problematic.

(The Hirst decision technically affects so-called Grown Management Act (GMA) counties, which refers to those counties experiencing rapid growth (more than 1.7 percent a year) that led to stricter land-use laws under the GMA. Because Cowlitz County’s annual growth rate has been less than .4 percent since 1980, we are not a GMA county yet. Nevertheless, any of the major economic devel-

opments undergoing permitting processes here in Cowlitz County could trigger a jump in population to force us into GMA compliance. All it takes is for new construction jobs to attract enough families to add around 1,700 new folks. That might be as few as 400 new jobs.)

The second hit for Cowlitz County is the punitive denial of promised grants for capital projects. These include funding for the muchneeded regional law enforcement firearms training facility that Longview Police Department has proposed, critical water tank repairs for Kelso, development of the Scott Hill Park in Woodland, safe access for disabled citizens at Longview’s Shay Locomotive Display, vital expansion of mental health facilities statewide, and crucial funding for school construction projects proposed throughout the county.

In another tragic consequence of the failure to lead is the shutdown of salmon recovery efforts across the state. Habitat restoration projects worth more than $18 million dollars in construction and heavy equipment jobs will be stopped in their tracks if the capital budget is not restored by August 31. The Lower Columbia region alone has 20 projects on the line. Perhaps the counties ought to join in the inevitable federal lawsuit most likely to be filed by Native American tribes and fish enhancement groups.

Urban liberals are attempting to accuse state Senators of doing the stonewalling because of their linkage of the Hirst fix to the capital budget. Since the capital budget involves a bond issue, its passage requires a 60 percent majority. Rural interests knew that since they are outnumbered by urban legislators they had to be willing to compromise on the capital budget to gain leverage for a Hirst fix. Senate Republicans announced their willingness to make such spending compromises back in January. The proposed capital budget which did pass the House almost unanimously reflects those compromises.

But the most that House leaders would offer on the Hirst fix was in State Rep. Jim Walsh’s words “kick the can down the road two years” – which is certainly not a solution for our rural neighbors. Blake’s proposal would have been the best solution.

If these matters haven’t been resolved by the time you read this, I urge you to call Governor Jay Inslee to work with legislative leaders to call the legislature back into a one-day special session to finish the job we sent them to do. Tick-tock, Governor. Time’s a’wasting.

Weber, a former mayor of Longview, is serving his second term on the Board of County Commissioners and represents the county on the Washington State Association of Counties’ Legislative Steering Committee, similar to a role he played during two decades of service on the Longview City Council.

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 9

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

By Chris Skaugset

Director – Longview Public Library

Shine some light on upcoming historic eclipse with these reads Of course one of the biggest stories of 2017 is the total eclipse that will occur on the morning of August 21. While Cowlitz County is outside the 100 percent band that’s crossing central Oregon, we are still in the 90 percent band (for more information go to the following site https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-who-what-where-whenand-how). The Library will be hosting the local NASA Ambassador Greg Cermak on August 16. At 5:30 he will be set up outside with solar filtered astronomical binoculars so people will have the opportunity to look at the sun with them. His presentation “Eclipse 101” will begin at 6 p.m. and he will talk about how to enjoy a partial eclipse; what’s the big deal about a total eclipse; resources for viewing the eclipse; the sun and space weather; 1859’s: the week the sun touched the Earth; and NASA’s STEREO mission and highlights. The Library will be distributing special eclipse-viewing glasses following his presentation. Come and join this exciting scientific event. Below are a few of the titles that we have, and one we are getting very soon, that talk about eclipses both scientifically and historically.

The book that we should be getting very soon is David Baron’s “American Eclipse: A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World”. In this excellent narrative, Baron tells the tale of three pioneering scientists – planet hunter James Craig Watson, astronomer Maria Mitchell and inventor Thomas Edison – who gathered in the west with an extraordinary cast of supporting characters on a day when the sun hid and far more was revealed. He explores an untold tale of ambition, failure, and eventual triumph, and brings to life the intellectual and technological flowering that occurred in late-nineteenth-century America, a period that showed America’s quest to be a scientific leader and that laid the foundation for the country’s eventual rise to scientific greatness.

science behind them, their role throughout human history and, ultimately, in the human mythos. The author has written a very good introduction to this fascinating subject.

Astronomer and physicist Tyler Nordgren is the author of our next book “Sun, Earth, Moon: The History of Solar Eclipses, from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets”. Nordgren has written another wonderful book about the history of eclipses both as a scientific occurrence and as an omen of doom. Where he separates himself is where he discusses Arthur Eddington’s 1919 experiment using an eclipse to prove Einstein’s special theory of relativity. Long before “Star Trek”, Nordgren relates a humorous account of the 19thcentury “discovery” of the hypothesized planet Vulcan (which based upon 19th century science was believed to exist between Mercury and the Sun). That particular eclipse led to profound changes in science, language, and worldview, including proving Einstein’s theory and ultimately causing Vulcan to vanish, at least until 1960’s television.

Finally, I give you Louis Masur’s “1831: A Year of Eclipse”. While Masur’s work is really a history about the United States as it really began to realize, due to large unresolved issues such as slavery, statesrights, and changing technology, that it was no longer the uncomplicated republic, if it ever was, that it thought it was but a conflicted and increasingly dynamic state that was inching towards cataclysm.

Going back to the belief that an eclipse was an omen or a portent of doom, Masur uses the total eclipse that occurred on February 12, 1831, as a metaphor for this time of turmoil and an unknown future in our young nation’s history. So, while this last book isn’t really about eclipses it is an interesting, and well-researched history and uses the idea of the eclipse as an apt metaphor of the early republic.

“Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses” by John Dvorak is the next book I offer you this month.

Dvorak’s work is a much broader look at eclipses in terms of the

You can find all of these, and much more at your local library. Visit us in person, or online, and see what we can help you discover/learn/ do today.

We’ll fill your HOT JOBS!

Locally Owned, Family Owned and Here to Stay!

Offering the best in quality and selection.

Full & Part Time / Flexible Positions Let us simplify your hiring process.

Light Industrial • Clerical Accounting • Human Resources Engineering • Manufacturing Just to name a few.....

360.414.1200 • www.expresscowlitzcounty.com 10 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

Chamber August 2017

1413 Commerce Ave.

360-575-9804

www.elamshf.com

PORT OF KALAMA

Family Fun and Community

Day trips and picnics in beautiful parks Enjoy beach front access and world-class fishing Explore our shops and family dining options The Port of Kalama strives to balance the economy, environment and quality of life to make Kalama the best possible place to live. www.portofkalama.com 360.673.2325

Business Toolbox

By Jerry D. Petrick

Certified Business Adviser

How much do you work ON versus working in your business?

Working ON your business… IN your business… who cares?

Set Some Basic Goals

What difference does it make?

Actively look for daily activities/processes you can make more effective/efficient. Would it be smart to outsource your bookkeeping services? Engaging an expert to perform your routine accounting functions – providing you with timely, accurate data and reporting with which to make business decisions could free your time to actually take action based on what the financial information is telling you.

When it comes to business, there is a HUGE difference. A business owner needs to work ON their business about as much as they work IN their business.

How can you tell if you are working IN your business or ON your business?

In the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy, I’ll put forth the hypothesis: You may be working IN your business if…

•

You make sales calls all day long

•

You spend most of your afternoon fulfilling orders and responding to customer questions/issues

•

You spend at least one night a week or an entire weekend day doing bookkeeping, payroll and other record keeping tasks

AND… You are likely working ON your business if…

•

You invest mornings adjusting your business model to best fit your ideal customer profile

•

You spend your afternoons scouting for talent, developing your current team, and providing the tools they need to thrive

•

You dedicate part of one evening a week reviewing your financial reports, scanning for new business opportunities and markets, and ensuring your business is growing per your plans

I imagine some of you may be thinking, “I am a one person business. I do not have time to work ON my business – I have to work IN the business to keep the money coming in.” I get it!

Here’s some good news: working IN and working ON your business are not mutually exclusive. In fact, most successful business owners have to work IN their business while they’re working ON it (particularly in the beginning of transitioning from selfemployment to creating a business). It might be out of necessity; your organization might just be too lean for you to step out of the daily activities. Or you may need to go back “IN” for a period of time when it’s time to improve your existing operation to stay competitive. Or you may love the technical work of your business so much that you don’t ever want to give it up completely.

How can you shift to working ON your business versus being focused only on working IN your business? (You don’t have to dramatically change overnight)

12 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

Are there software tools that would help your sales and customer management processes more impactful and consistent? The key is to start with some good ideas to get the ball rolling.

Spend Time Everyday Working ON Your Business No matter how busy you are, you can carve out 5 to 10 minutes at the start or end of your day to take action to make your business stronger and more successful long-term. This could be doing some research on products, prospects, customers, competitors, industry trends, etc. You could refine your process for invoicing customers to speed cash flow. It might be reviewing resumes for the new part-time customer service role you are instituting.

Whatever it is, in a short period you will find you have more time to commit to working ON your business AND your time working IN your business will be more effective and efficient.

Engage An Adviser Even Michael Jordan had a coach – someone to help guide and reinforce the actions and behaviors leading to outstanding performance. If you don’t already have someone beyond yourself or your family members to discuss and strategize your business with you are likely limiting your success and that of your business.

Most new businesses are started by technicians – people who are skilled at what they enjoy doing, and who figure they would rather work for themselves than for someone else. (These folks are also known as “self-employed” – they have essentially created a job for themselves). Most technicians assume that because they are proficient in the technical work of the business, they naturally understand how the business works. In truth, these are two very different issues, and the entrepreneur MUST understand the distinction between the two.

Building your business takes three distinct skill sets: 1. The entrepreneur – captures the vision 2. The manager – provides systems and processes For more Petrick, see page 13

Petrick continued from page 12 3. The technician – supplies the output of goods or services Over years of study, we have learned the following: •

•

•

The entrepreneur looks at every issue as a huge commercial opportunity – entrepreneurs are dreamers that focus on the future.

Managers are practical – they design systems; they bring order and efficiency to the operations. In general, managers focus on the past and hold on to the status quo.

Technicians like doing things. They live in the present. They are hands-on people who like to get work done without interruption.

AND… The typical business owner personality is:

✓ 10 percent Entrepreneur

✓ 20 percent Manager

✓ 70 percent Technician

o 33 percent Technician

Ultimately, working ON your business is about your perspective.

We’ve always advocated that if you want to change your business, the first thing you need to do is to change the way you think about your business. So don’t worry about the work you have to do in your business, just remember to approach it with an entrepreneurial perspective and learn from every experience.

Because this particular issue is highly personal it may be very helpful to engage an objective professional to help you improve your own performance. This is what your local Small Business Development Center Adviser can help you with.

This article is based, in part, on the book E Myth Revisited by

Sound familiar? Does this describe you…your business?

Michael Gerber and was prepared by Jerry Petrick, MBA, CGBP,

Consider this…

SPHR, PMP and Certified Business Adviser with the Washington State

Research indicates that a Very Good Business Builder would be:

University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Longview.

o 33 percent Entrepreneur

Jerry provides no-cost, confidential business advisory services by

o 33 percent Manager

appointment. He can be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

LeeRoy Parcel Manager/LPO leeroy@cascade-title.com

alize peci ng s e W movi in os pian Alison Peters Bonnie Woodruff Diane Kenneway Dennis Bird Escrow Officer/LPO Escrow Officer/LPO Escrow Assistant Senior Title Officer alison@cascade-title.com bonnie@cascade-title.com diane@cascade-title.com dennis@cascade-title.com

Residential & Commercial

360-992-8702 ancmovers.com

Lindsey McTimmonds Marketing/Recording recording@cascade-title.com

1425 Maple St. Longview, WA 98632 360.425.2950 www.cascade-title.com

Connie Bjornstrom Receptionist/Typist connie@cascade-title.com

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 13

In The News

Free resume writing help at library

• OJTs can be processed quickly

Are you looking for a job? Do you need a change in your employment?

Would you like some help writing a resume or cover letter?

Please call 360-578-4219 or stop by 305 S. Pacific Ave., Suite B in Kelso if you would like information on the program.

The Longview library offers free, one-on-one assistance to write resumes and/or cover letters to help you get that job. Help is available in the Project READ area every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. or by appointment.

Business record keeping and taxes seminar

For more information, contact the Longview Public Library at 360442-5300, www.longviewlibrary.org, or visit the information desk.

Employers are you hiring?

As an employer do you find yourself in need of hiring additional employees? WorkSource knows that the people a business hires is its greatest investment and developing competent, productive employees takes time and effort. The On-the-Job Training (OJT) program provides companies with one of the most cost effective ways to train employees.

What you need to know about the OJT program • 50 percent of employees wages up to $5,000 during training are reimbursed to you, the employer • OJT is an employer focused program: You determine the type of training needed, the length of training needed and measure of success for that training • Selected candidates must be eligible for available funding, determination must be made before first day of work

This August 12 seminar explains why business record keeping is important and clears up questions regarding taxation and the type of business formation you choose. During the course, leaders will review various business accounting methods and explain which best fits your situation and answer questions about those pesky records themselves both manual and computerized, how long should they be retained and things like, “Do I really need a CPA, a bookkeeper or can I do it all effectively myself?”

Leaders will review the four major business reports that make up a financial statement and how they relate to each other. They will also have a few in-class discussion questions and, along the way, cover some accounting terms and offer some special tax tips. Participants will learn the differences between sole-proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs. This free seminar is offered 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Longview library auditorium by the Friends of the Longview Library and the volunteers of SCORE Vancouver. Seating is limited. Additionally, you can followup with SCORE’s always-free individual business mentors. To register, call the library at 360-442-5300. You can learn more by visiting our page at www.longviewlibrary.org

We look forward to handling your next real estate transaction.

Our Escrow Team…

Why Our Service is the Difference!

Since 1982, Cowlitz County Title has been the trusted company the community turns to when buying, selling or refinancing a property.

Whether you need title, escrow or property search information, come in for our exceptionalservice. Leave with the secure confidence that your real estate investment is properly insured and protected.

Title Insurance Escrow Service ■ Residential & Commercial ■ 1031 Exchange ■ Locally Owned

Bianca Lemmons VP/Manager/LPO

Deanna Cornelison Escrow Officer

Shelby Caufman Escrow Officer

Linda Comley Escrow Officer/LPO

Leah Stanley Escrow Assistant

Rita Lawrence Escrow Assistant

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1159 14th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632 ■ Phone: 360.423.5330 ■ www.cowlitztitle.com 14 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

Lower Columbia College

By Chris Bailey

President

LCC is working hard to meet the needs of adult learners It might surprise you to learn that the average age of students at Lower Columbia College is 31. More than half of our students are 25 and older, and nearly a third are 35 or older.

Many adult students have responsibilities, such as work and family obligations, which can make going to college more challenging.

At LCC, we have options and resources in place to help alleviate barriers to receiving an education. Most importantly, we are actively growing our variety of online classes in order to provide a high degree of flexibility for our adult learners.

Many of our classes are fully online, and many more are something we call “hybrid.” Hybrid classes are a combination of in-class and online learning, with in-person meetings happening weekly or even less often. Online and hybrid classes provide our adult students with the opportunity to customize their schedules to minimize work and family interference.

Sometimes even students who have retired from successful careers come to LCC to learn something new. Take Steven Hogg. As a Marine Corps Colonel (Senior), Steven ran boot camp operations out of South Carolina for many years. After retiring from the Corps, Steven and his wife relocated to Longview to be closer to family. Not ready to slow down, Steven took up a second career in juvenile detention.

Then he met Liz Engel, head of LCC’s medical assisting program. Liz convinced Steven to give healthcare – and LCC – a try. So he took the plunge, and graduated with highest honors from LCC in June.

At LCC, age really doesn’t matter. Whether you are just out of school or have been working for many years, let us help you start your next chapter. Visit lowercolumbia.edu to learn more, and get started today.

Nearly half of our students are pursuing transfer degrees, with the goal of eventually obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher. In order to make it easier for our adult learners to pursue a transfer degree, LCC offers a fully online Associate in Arts – Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA). This is our most popular degree, and fully transfers to any public college or university in the state.

We also provide a wide variety of services to help all students, including our adult learners, be successful. We provide free tutoring, including evening and weekend hours. We have a number of special opportunities for people who have financial challenges in addition to traditional financial aid. We have multiple programs designed to help students from all walks of life learn how to navigate college and stay on track to graduate.

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August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 15

By Chuck Nau

Retail Consultant and Sales and Managment Trainier – Murray & Nau, Inc.

Are you lonely?

In a recent visit to a general manager’s office the following framed question hung prominently on her wall …

Are You Lonely? Hold a Meeting!

You can see people, draw organizational charts, feel important, impress your colleagues, eat donuts. All on company time!

Meetings, the practical alternative to work!

Does some of this ring true for your staff meetings or sales meetings?

Meetings, whether for a small business or retailer, a service organization, or for your company’s management or sales team, are major investments of time (yours and theirs) and money (salary, benefits... not to mention LOST selling time and revenue opportunities for your business, your staff, and you).

If you are a small business or retailer with less than 50 employees, consider instituting a regular and timely staff meeting to focus on positive goals and identify what needs to be accomplished during the day or work period ahead. Likewise, follow up those staff meetings with a regular feedback session (e.g. monthly or quarterly) with ALL your employees, remembering that they ALSO represent the community! Identify the good, the bad, and the ugly and encourage suggestions and new ideas.

Even if you are a very small business, as small as three to five individuals, a structured meeting can be very helpful inasmuch as it helps your group develop focus and direction beyond what takes place during informal conversations, no matter how often they occur.

If you are part of a larger organization remember that in this age of the Internet, the sharing of information may no longer necessitate the need to call a meeting. Information sharing, in many cases, is accomplished more practically and in a timelier manner through your company’s email system.

On the other hand, getting individuals together is a business necessity and a vital communication tool, particularly when a collaborative effort is needed. Regular meetings boost morale plus they help to teach, encourage and motivate (e.g. TEaM) your staff.

When was the last time you took a serious look at your return on your use of your meeting time investment?

Let’s briefly revisit and explore some old and new ideas to enhance your staff or sales meetings.

First and foremost, the question ALWAYS needs to be asked – what will be the primary focus of your staff meetings?

Problem solving? Communication? Training or ongoing TEaM development? Motivation? Opportunity for the staff to give and take, to ask questions, to challenge themselves, each other, and management...to collaborate? All of the aforementioned?

16 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

As you begin looking at the format and agenda of your meetings, consider this...they should be people focused NOT task focused. Be careful and work hard to keep “tasks” out of your meetings – going through past special projects, identifying selling opportunities or promotion efforts, reviewing the competition’s collateral information in your market, all of these “tasks” should ideally be done PRIOR to the meeting itself. Instead strive to help your team grow their selling skills; both collectively and individually, enhance their time management or decision-making process.

Just remember, one or all of your staff or sales meetings cannot cover ALL of them. It is important that you identify one or two areas of focus (e.g. training and motivation) that you will build your meeting around.

It is also important to remember to ask yourself, particularly with a sales staff, where is the teaching element in your sales staff meeting... what action steps need to happen? Teaching element, you say? A good sales staff continues to grow, fine tune, and enhance their selling skills if they are allowed to practice...when does your TEAM practice and coach each other?

Before you begin, pause for a moment and reflect on the current status or structure of meetings at your business. Regardless of the size of your staff or sales team, the following elements consistently surface as benchmarks of a productive, fun (!), and rewarding meeting structure.

To help you get started, let’s briefly review some meeting elements to enhance your meetings and increase the likelihood of you success.

• Scrap the so called traditional meeting agenda format, and much like your time management strategy where you have eliminated a “to-do” list for an “action” list, route through your staff, ideally a day or two PRIOR to your meeting, a list of “desired outcomes” for your meeting.

• Consider these four areas of focus as you begin developing your meeting strategy and vision...

• Status (Where are we? What do we want to move to? What do we want to move away from in relation to our team goals and vision?)

• Sales Training (Topics that you have identified or sales team has requested to learn, fine tune, or enhance such as digital selling skills).

• Sales Opportunities (Upcoming opportunities in your market, community, or within your business category...Don’t forget, overlook, changes or revisions to an existing market, community, or business category competitor or business.

• Housekeeping (items that need to be discussed for the good For more In The Nau, see page 17

Nau continued from page 16 of your team. What decisions will you and your team make regarding others, both internally and externally?)

• Give your staff a warm welcome...celebrate, have fun at the beginning of your meeting to deflate some of the anxiety, stress, and discomfort.

• Outline your meeting vision for your staff. Articulate that your meetings will be people focused and NOT task focused. Encourage them to look for, embrace and enhance the “teaching moment” in each of your meetings.

• Ask for their ideas and encourage their contributions for subsequent meetings.

• Expect the Best! Early on establish clear and consistent expectations for each and every one of YOUR meetings, whether you are the leader or a participant. Expect the best and you will get the best!

• Ask for, encourage and support rotating leadership responsibilities for your meetings to help your team members grow and to encourage new ideas and input, as you coach them along.

all that you had hoped to or not.

Starting and ending on time assures that everyone knows, understands and respects that there is a beginning and an end...eliminating those out of control, “when will this end?” sessions!

One last point in closing. As you facilitate the meeting, keep things on track as you teach, encourage, and motivate (TEaM). Work to accomplish the primary focus of your meeting, don’t let that offbeat idea or creative suggestion get lost or derail your meeting. Instead build a “parking lot”...introduce to your staff the idea of a parking lot where you will park the idea, question, or inquiry until next meeting, allowing you time to research or further qualify it.

Good luck! I am confident that you will find this process fun, challenging and rewarding. © Murray & Nau, Inc.

• Later that day, or early the next morning, ask for and encourage (again) feedback. How did we do in (yesterday’s) meeting, did we meet our outcomes, what did we do well, and what would we change if all things were the same?

Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based consultant and sales and management trainer. He is a 25-year veteran of advertising, sales, media and management, who knows and understands the everyday challenges of starting up, growing, and surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate. He has spoken to and conducted workshops for a number of local retail and chamber organizations, national publishing groups, national retailers and manufacturers, state press associations, and newspaper groups.

Guard your meeting time judiciously and always, always, start on time and end when you said you would end, whether you have accomplished

Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via email: murnau@nwlink.com or at 425-603-0984.

• Don’t forget to follow up in writing...detailing decisions, next steps, assignments (responsibilities and accountabilities) and timeline.

Business & Corporation Law

Attorney Michael Claxton Licensed in WA & OR

Attorney Brian Brault LL.M. in Taxation

Walstead Mertsching serves businesses of many sizes and in various stages of development. Whether your company is a small sole proprietorship or a large corporation, we can provide assistance and guidance. Utilizing a solutions-oriented approach toward achieving defined objectives, our goal is to allow our clients to successfully execute their business plans.

• Formation, Reorganization, and Dissolution • Mergers and Acquisitions • Purchases and Sales • Succession Planning

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(360) 423-5220 Longview www.walstead.com August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 17

Kelso School District

Longview School District

Kelso High CTE Director Mellisa Boudreau

Superintendent Dan Zorn

CTE curriculum receiving redesign Career and Technical Education (CTE), formerly referred to as vocational or occupational education, has been a staple in our local area schools for years. Now more than ever, industry is seeking a skilled labor work force; yet today’s skilled labor looks much different than that of previous decades. Current CTE courses focus on industry trends and combine hands-on curriculum embedded with math, science, technology and technical skill to prepare students for post-secondary success. CTE programs across the state are now at the forefront of change as a result of recent legislation and a strong vision for educational system redesign from Chris Reykdal, Washington State superintendent for public education. This system redesign will include a rebirth of CTE curriculum pathways with a focus on internships, job shadows, pre-apprenticeships, dual credit opportunities and more.

Kelso School District is excited for this system redesign as it will further strengthen our existing industry relationships as well as broaden our opportunities to grow new partnerships. Kelso High School has consistently offered CTE courses that speak to the needs of our local economy. While this system redesign may cause significant challenges for some, it is directly in line with our existing CTE program goals and initiatives. Currently, CTE students are able to earn industry recognized certifications and dual credit while still in high school. In many cases, these certifications can lead to direct employment upon graduation and/or advanced placement in post-secondary training. Our goal is to increase these types of opportunities for our students by working closely with our local area industry experts within each pathway. Kelso High School currently offers eight CTE pathways: agriculture and natural resources, automotive technology, industrial technologies, business/marketing and communication technology, health and human services, family consumer sciences, and emergency services. Under each pathway are approximately five to 10 different course offerings. Each pathway is supported by a community advisory board made up of Cowlitz County educators and business professionals. Our advisory boards are key to our current successes and always welcome new membership.

As a result of the additional funding focused on the system redesign, we will have the opportunity to enhance our middle school programs to better align with high school pathways as well ensure that all facilities and equipment meet industry standard. We will continue to facilitate events that allow us to work side by side with industry professionals and create exposure for our programs and career opportunities for our students. Kelso School District is a leader for Career and Technical Education program offerings in Cowlitz County, and we look forward to the positive results this system redesign will bring to our schools – specifically our CTE programs and our local economy.

18 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

School finance and budget update When the legislature passed a new state budget at the end of June, Longview, and other Washington public schools, began experiencing a sea of change in the way our education system is funded.

It’s still early, and many parts of the legislation won’t take effect for a couple of years, but Longview is continuing to learn about the immediate- and long-term changes coming.

For the coming school year, the district will see some funding increases for smaller class sizes, vocational classes, special education, extra help for struggling readers, and cost-of-living raises for employees who are paid for by the state – not those paid by local levy taxes. These are positive changes, but it is worth noting that Longview continues to serve students requiring special education services in numbers beyond the current or projected state allocations. Also, all state salary schedule increases for employees beyond those included in the state funding models will continue to be paid for by local levy money.

Fast forward to the 2018-19 school year, and additional changes to the way the state funds our employee salaries. At that time, the state will begin a two-year transition to a new statewide average salary allocation replacing the existing education and years of service formula for teachers. While this change does not take effect until the 2018-19 school year, the contract negotiations currently under way with our teachers must comply with the new law.

The allocation also provides adjustments for regional cost-of-living differences – which could further impact our local schools’ ability to attract and retain teachers to work in our reasonably-priced area.

All of this is based on a revised funding model which puts the cost for basic education onto state-level taxes and restricts local school levies to “enhancements” which must be approved by the state starting in 2019.

Initial and rough calculations using current tax collections figure that Longview School District taxpayers stand to save roughly 95 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation for state and local school taxes starting in 2019.

The district’s current local “maintenance and operations” levy expires at the end of 2018. The school board of directors will weigh its actions as it moves into next February’s replacement levy election and determines its request to be put on the ballot for voters to consider as an enhancement levy. Enhancements might include extracurricular activities, courses beyond what is considered basic or minimum, and additional professional development.

Meanwhile, the district is moving forward with crafting its 2017-18 school year budget with the best information we can get in this time of dramatic changes. While a preliminary budget is currently available for public review, we are expecting more information forthcoming from the state and the ability to refine the budget in time for our August 14 public hearing and August 28 formal adoption by our board of directors.

We’ll continue to work hard to continue to be the best stewards possible of the public dollars entrusted to us to focus our financial priorities on our students and the district’s main goal to increase our students’ achievement levels.

2017 January 10: Teri’s Restaurant February 7: Columbia Theatre March 14: Engraving Emporium April 11: Jessica Wade, State Farm May 9: Amada Senior Care June 13: Hearth Coffee July 8: Silver Cove August 22: Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center September 12: Red Kitchen October 10: Steele Chapel Longview Memorial Park.

November 14: Stewart Title December 12: TBA (Holiday Mixer)

PeaceHealth St. John – Wellness in the Workplace Susie Griffin

Wellness Services Coordinator

Improve your posture and stress less Last month I referenced Amy Cuddy’s Top 10 Ted Talk “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are”.vIn her talk, Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist, shares that power postures make physiological shifts in testosterone (the power hormone) and cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. These hormone levels have a direct correlation to the feelings of confidence and insecurity, or fear. Amy’s research has shown that by “faking” power poses, one can immediately affect their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.

In addition to the power poses in last month’s article, here are some quick and easy-to-do tips (an illustration can be found on the next page) to help you improve your posture, sharpen your focus, increase mental acuity and stamina to crunch those numbers, complete those reports, meet those deadlines and get through that forth meeting of

the day.

1. Go outside and move.

2. Find some stairs and walk.

3. Jam out to your favorite playlist in your car.

4. Roll your bare foot on a golf ball.

5. Walk an imaginary tightrope.

6. Walk backward.

7. Read a funny story/joke. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/22/how-the-outdoorsmake-you_n_5508964.html

Leave your joint pain behind You’ve got more important things to do with your time. Joint replacement can help you leave the painful ache of arthritis behind.

Don’t wait, take the next step today.

peacehealth.org/ortho

20 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

PeaceHealth, continued from page 20

Developing Strong Business Partners.

“After going from these other banks to Fibre, I finally got to experience what personal service in the banking industry REALLY means. Each branch you visit always treats you like their business partner.“ -Don Cianci, Owner C’s Photography, Inc

Bring your business to Fibre Federal for Business Plus Checking, Business Online Banking, remote deposit, low-cost loans, and incredible member service.

360.423.8750 1.800.205.7872 www.fibrecu.com Residential & Commercial gro.n.control@gmail.com Federally insured

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August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 21

July Ambassador of the Month Marlene Johanson Heritage Bank

Familiar face lights up July calendar July’s Ambassador of the Month Marlene Johanson is a familiar face to those who attend Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce events or who have lived in the community for any number of years.

Marlene is Heritage Bank’s vice president, Community Banking Manager, where her primary focus is business development and community outreach. The perfect combination for her because she enjoys meeting with customers and prospective customers to learn more about the business owners and their business. Her curiousity invites her to ask everyone she meets, “How did you come to the decision to move to Longview?” Or if they grew up here she asks about the history of their business and family.

"I love to hear the history and I have found people love to talk about it," Marlene said.

She has been an Ambassador for seven years and often mentors new members. When she is not sporting her red coat, she is involved

with a variety of organizations, including KLTV, CAP, LeTip of Longview and Meals on Wheels. She has been married to her husband, Keith, for 27 years. They have three adult children and three beautiful grandbabies. Her favorite vacations are Mexico and camping off grid in Pacific Northwest forests.

Thank you, Marlene for all that you do!

Chamber Ambassadors, known as the Red Coats, are an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities include meeting and greeting at Chamber events, welcoming new members and assisting at ribbon cuttings and community events. Ambassadors juggle busy professional careers while making time to assist the Chamber at a variety of events year long. If you would be interested in wearing a red coat and representing the Chamber, contact CEO Bill Marcum at the Chamber office.

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There’s a Difference.

22 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

Ribbon Cuttings

All in the Family

Ralph Lessante and Kevin P. Wasson, American Family Life Insurance agent, cut the ribbon on their office for the Longview area.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 23

Tuesday, August 22 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Appetizers  Door Prizes  Beverages

It’s never too early to book your holiday party! Come see all that the Red Lion can do to make your event special while networking!

Cost: $15 advance / $20 at door Register at : www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Business After Hours

Diane Lough with Lipsense won a Silver Cove coffee mug.

Business After Hours Camp Out Thanks to Silver Cove Resort the Chamber took its July Business After Hours on the road for some R&R. Good food, good friends and a gorgeous sunset that led into movie night.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 25

Chamber Connection

Working for You

Frank Meza with WorkSource Vancouver and Cowlitz/ Wahkiakum – serving Southwest Washington came to discuss the programs they have to help employers find and train employees at generally no cost to the employer. Call 360-957-1075 ext. 11 to talk to Frank about what he can do to help you today. Alice Dietz with the Cowlitz PUD came to talk to us about the new e-bill program. Sign up today to receive a one-time $5 credit for yourself or you can contribute to the Warm Neighbor Fund.

Kevin P. Wasson – American Family Insurance Agent for Centralia and Longview came in to talk about his ribbon cutting and what he and his team can do to help you fill the gaps in your insurance coverage and save money all while providing exceptional customer service.

“Your Chamber Connection” EVERY Wednesday Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union ; Brooke Fisher-Clark, United Way, Karen Sisson, NORPAC, and Lindsey Cope with the Chamber.

Would you like an opportunity to be on Your Chamber Connection or to have more information about the qualifications of an open house or ribbon cutting? Contact Bill or Lindsey at the Chamber 360-423-8400 26 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | August 2017

Chamber Connection

Money Talks

Carey and Brooke met Marc Silva, the new manager of Columbia Bank Longview and discussed all the great things going on with Longview City Councilman Kenneth R. Botero. And, later, they talked payroll services with Laura Matthews from Heartland Payroll Services.

Stream live at www.kedoam.com Local guest and current events

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 27

New Members

Add your business to our growing membership – Call 360-423-8400 Today!

Cowlitz Valley Moose Lodge BJ Macklin 921 Washington Way Longview, WA 98632 360-423-5940

Bigfoot Screen Printing Sam Reid 1253 Commerce Ave. Longview WA 98632 360-560-9119

Elfin Services Jennifer Dowiot 7305 NE Fourth Palin Blvd., Suite B Vancouver, WA 98662 503-610-8720

Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

• Annual Meeting and Banquet • Networking Events • Committee Participation • Business Contacts • Quarterly Membership

Representation through action committees, candidate forums and up-to-date action alerts.

• Legislative Representation • Issues Tracking and Information • Task Forces • Candidate Forums • Legislative Update Breakfast • Demographics Publication

Meetings • Civic Representation • Monthly Business After Hours

Business Services include marketing for your business, referrals and access to Chamber publications and research data.

• Mailing Labels • Membership Window Decals • Member Referrals • Ribbon Cutting • Website Links • Member to Member Discounts • Membership Directory • Tax Deduction • Newsletter • Business Card Display • Use of Chamber Logo

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Packages Basic Membership Package – $275 or $26 per month.

Bronze Membership Package – $500 or $46.66 per month.

Silver Membership Package – $1,000 or $86.33 per month.

Gold Membership Package – $2,500 or $211.33 per month.

Platinum Membership Package – $5,000 or $416.66 per month.

Diamond Club Membership Package – $10,000 or $834 per month.

Nonprofit Package – $180 or $18 per month.

Welcome Back!

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to give a SHOUT OUT and a big THANK YOU to the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us.

Amada Senior Care B & R Mini Storage Banda's Bouquets Best Western Aladdin Inn Busack Electric. Inc. Calportland - formerly Glacier Northwest Columbia Security Copies Today Speedy Litho, Inc. Cowlitz Container & Diecutting Edward Jones – Nick Lemiere H & S Enterprises Habitat For Humanity - Cowlitz County Hart Radiator Heartsong Massage J. L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc. Kaiser Permanente Les Schwab Tire Center Longview Timber Corp Longview Urology Ocean Beach Self Storage Pacific Office Automation Papa Pete's Pizza – Longview PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Pets, Pawns & Imports Roland Winery and Tasting Room SW Washington Symphony The UPS Store No. 3052 TSYS Merchant Solutions Washington State University – Vancouver Zip Local August 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 29