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Volume 107 No. 38 Camas-Washougal, Washington, Tuesday, September 22, 2015
10 Sections, 66 Pages
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75 Cents
Camas Planning Commission recommends support of retail marijuana sales City Council will make the final decision on the issue By Heather Acheson Post-Record staff writer
P hotos
courtesy of the
Camas -Washougal Fire D epartment
A fire broke out Sunday afternoon at a house located at 20709 S.E. Evergreen Highway in Camas. The two-story structure was destroyed, but there were no injuries. The cause is being investigated.
Fire destroys Camas house No injuries are reported
A lack of hydrants initially hampered firefighters’ efforts to put out the blaze.
By Heather Acheson Post-Record staff writer A house in Camas was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon. At 3:46 p.m., Camas-Washougal Fire Department crews were called to 20709 S.E. Evergreen Highway, where they found a two-story residential fire fully involved. Initially, a lack of available hydrants hampered firefighters’ ability to fight the fire, while exploding ammunition kept them from getting too close to the structure. All occupants escaped; there were no injuries. Firefighters from the Vancouver Fire Department and East County Fire and Rescue assisted, and according to CWFD Chief Nick Swinhart both departments also contributed water tenders. The house and its contents are considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team provided the one adult that was impacted with food, clothing and bedding. According to Clark County records, the property is owned by Paul T. Egan.
This was the second fire call in Camas on Sunday. At 6:06 a.m., CWFD responded to a two-alarm fire at 5205 N.W. Astor Court. The blaze was limited to the third story. No injuries were reported
City Council limits fireworks in Camas “I am worried about a trend of following what other people are doing, versus us setting a standard and being the leaders of what we want to do in the city.” — Brian Owens, Camas resident
Period when Independence Day fireworks can be discharged is reduced to two days By Heather Acheson Post-Record staff writer The Camas City Council on Monday re-approved an ordinance that shortens to two days the time period in July when fireworks can be discharged. The ordinance also states that the mayor can prohibit the discharge of all fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger. An ordinance was originally approved following a public hearing on Sept. 15, but had to be approved a second time due to a procedural error, according to Camas Mayor Scott Higgins. The vote was 5-1, with Melissa Smith voting no and Greg Anderson abstaining because he was not present for the public hearing. Under the new guidelines, Independence Day holiday fireworks can be discharged on July 3 and 4, from 9 a.m.
to midnight. They can be purchased and sold July 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight, and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. According to state law, the changes will not take effect until September 2016 — one year following adoption of the ordinance. Currently, within city limits fireworks can be discharged July 1 through July 4. They can be sold July 1 through July 5. Two of the jurisdictions immediately surrounding Camas — Washougal and Vancouver — currently limit the discharge fireworks to July 4. Clark County’s unincorporated areas will follow suit beginning in 2016. On Sept. 8, a public hearing was held on the issue. At the time, the fire marshal’s office was proposing allowing fireworks discharge on just one day — July 4. Local citizens spoke about the precedent the ordinance could set. “We are aware of the sort of implications that this sort of ordinance is going to have,” said Cameron Vega, a student at Camas High School. “Not just right now on fireworks sales but later on, on the business environment that we are
See Fireworks, page A2
The Camas Planning Commission has forwarded a recommendation to the City Council supporting the establishment of retail marijuana sales in certain zoning districts. On Sept. 15, following a public hearing, the Planning Commission voted 3-2 to allow retail marijuana sales in portions of the city zoned community commercial and regional commercial. Commissioners Jim Short, Troy Hull and Lloyd Goodlett voted yes, while Bryan Beel and Jamaia Johnson voted no. Frank Hood and Tim Hein were absent. Currently, retail marijuana sales are banned within Camas city limits in all zoning districts due to an ordinance passed by the City Council in October 2014. That action has a sunset clause that expires Nov. 30. The moratorium was implemented to provide time for some of the issues surrounding legalized marijuana to be addressed. During the Planning Commission’s public hearing, a handful of people spoke in favor of allowing marijuana retail sales in Camas; one person spoke against. Camas resident Dan Duringer said legalization of marijuana has a negative impact on the social, economic and physical heath of communities. “It’s not going to solve a problem to legalize drugs
Obituaries............ A2 Public Record...... A3 Around Town........ A5 Hometown........... B1 Schools...............B3
Sports................. A6 Opinion................ A4 Fall Fix-Up........... B2 Classified ads......B5 Public Notices..... B8
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HELP FOR HEROES Army veteran and his family receive mortgage-free home in Washougal: Hometown, Page B1
See Retail, page A2
Camas School Board approves land sale Property was purchased by a real estate investment group By Danielle Frost Post-Record staff writer The Camas School Board has approved the sale of a 49.56 acre site for $5.8 million. The property, which the board declared as surplus in 2006, was purchased by Holt Opportunity Fund 2013 LP, a Vancouver based real estate investment group. The property is located approximately one-quarter mile south of Camas High School. It is bounded
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for society, it’s going to create problems,” he said. According to Duringer, the issue has the potential to threaten the public’s health and safety. “I like the model we have around here that ‘Camas cares,’ he said. “I just recently saw on the news that as far as the homeless crisis in New York City, that Rudy Giuliani said the reason there is a homeless crisis is that New York doesn’t care. That was his opinion. I don’t want to see that happen here. I want us to look carefully at the consequences of legalized marijuana and increasing the prevalence in our community.” Richard and Roxanne Renton, of Washougal, own a cannabis farm in Raymond, Washington. He argued that marijuana sales benefit the local economy. The sales bring tax revenue and jobs and also support a need. “To turn around and make a comment that by Camas saying no means there is going to be less marijuana in this community, I think is putting your head in the ground,” Richard Renton said. “They just go into Vancouver to bring it in.” Roxanne Renton said currently existing marijuana retailers operate their businesses professionally. They are subject to stringent rules and regulations, and a set of procedures required by the state’s Liquor Control Board. “It is very safe, and very regulated,” she said. “If that is a concern, it should not be concern to you. The Liquor Control Board is going to control every aspect of this, I can tell you that. They are doing a good job.”
CAMAS THUMPS ROGERS IN RETURN HOME Papermakers begin league play at Evergreen Friday: Sports, Page A6
by Lacamas Park to the south; vacant land for future phases of the Hills of Round Lake to the east; and Waterleaf and Lacamas Summit subdivisions to the west. It was initially acquired by the Camas School District in 1997 as a potential site for a new Camas High School. However, the school was built on a different nearby site. In the fall of 2014, the property was again declared surplus by the board, and it was authorized to be sold. Closing occurred on Sept. 16. The district intends to use the proceeds to buy parcels to accommodate future schools in other parts of the city.