Skamania County Pioneer by Jeanette Foster

Re:

Entries in Category 309 – Comprehensive Coverage

By:

Joanna Grammon, News Editor, Skamania County Pioneer

Skamania County Auditor J. Michael Garvison was breaking news the week of last year’s WNPA convention, when a Superior Court Judge found the county at fault and imposed a fine plus attorney fees for his failure to release public records in a timely manner. However, we were aware of problems in the Skamania County Auditor’s office as far back as the previous election, when a stack of more than 30 outstanding vouchers were deliberately held up for payment to the newspaper for legal notices and ads. Garvison had taken umbrage at our printing a letter to the editor favoring his opponent. We bent over backwards trying to be fair during the election. We were only one of his victims. He selectively put various county entities through the wringer if they incurred his displeasure. The commissioners passed a resolution requiring timely payment, and he still managed to withhold checks. His actions toward his employees resulted in a $100,000 judgment in one case, and there have been two other suits, one still pending. His expense vouchers have come to light exposing his expensive trips, unnecessary electronics, $8,000 for a long distance degree, fraudulent per diems, thousands of dollars in upgrades to a county surplus Jeep he used against county policy, and more. The state Auditor’s Office and criminal investigations have found what may be the tip of the iceberg, as there are missing records he claims were mistakenly destroyed by his employees. We are still awaiting word from the state Attorney General’s Office on criminal filings. The Board of Commissioners have sworn they will go after him in a civil suit for the $87,000+ that has come to light so far, plus possibly recouping part of the cost of the extra audit. A Portland TV station has been investigating him and managed to obtain a few pages from the personnel files at his present job in Clackamas County as CFO of its Soil & Water Conservation District. As recently as today, I was able to print out a document obtained by the KATU reporter, an exchange between Garvison and the board at his new job. I am sorting through its nine pages and have found many inconsistencies, including what he says happened at the Inauguration. I was there. Among other things, he injured himself while jumping over the security barricades. He calls it all a politically motivated investigation based on “erroneous and misconstrued information.” This is his stance in spite of the adverse findings of both the Skamania County Sheriff’s Department and the State Auditor’s Office. We will likely be continuing to report this story for some time. No one ever said this job was boring.

Joanna Grammon

office." The county is also paying $4,015 in attorney's fees to reimburse Howell for Andersen's time, plus, $260 for filing and ex-parte fees and $225 service fees. Brad Andersen, a former Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney, also filed a declaration in the case, 09-200152-1. In it, he said he had made a public records request June 24, asking "for certain documents to find out how much money the county has reimbursed Mr. Garvison for various expenses since 2002." On July 7, Garvison sent a letter "asking me to clarify one of my 10 requests," Andersen stated in his declaration. Garvison's reply states: "In your number #10 bulleted

request, you are asking for any documents for advertisements, press releases, or announcements by the Auditor's office. Do you want the actual press releases, newsletters, newspaper ads, and the vouchers paying for all of these items, or do you just want the actual press releases and advertisements themselves?" Andersen's declaration said he asked Garvison for the other documents, then received a July 8 letter "stating that he would need until August 20th to produce any documents." On July 15, 113 pages were made available to Gloria Howell, but "they did not include any of the documents pertaining to Mr. Garvison's expense account, reimbursement or vouchers," Andersen

stated in his Anderse Weisfield t requested were to incl son1 s time i unable to earlier than has a six-y tion rule. An att G, is a Pub struction Lo ports from 1 disposed of On Aug a former employee, went to th "some more for inspecti her declarati the motion, with the Cle "This ti the Auditor

Artists of the Gorge opening, p. 8 Damaged forest roads repaired, p, 6 Carson Fire Department 50th open house, p. 7 Crow's Shadow contemporary art showcase, p.

Inside:

Calling it " a very important case," Superior Court Judge Robert Weisfield signed a stipulated motion and order Monday, Sept. 28, in which Skamania County is to pay Gloria Howell $1,000 for the failure of Skamania County Auditor Michael Garvison to produce requested records within the time limit set by law. The Public Disclosure Act "requires your office to 'promptly respond1 to any request to view or copy public records," stated Andersen in a July 7 letter to Garvison. "In addition to the minimum five-day requirement, the law requires you as a public agency to work in a cooperative spirit to prove (sic) citizens' meaningful and timely access to documents maintained or stored in your

Failure to produce requested recor

The Stevenson-Carson School Board increased Stevenson High School athletic fees from $35 to $85 per sport this school year. Some sports did not disappear as a result; the increase covers officials' costs. Some have stepped up to help, including Beacon Rock Men's Club, Columbia Gorge Running Club and A & J Select. SHS has an ASB account set up to accept donations. Call 509-427-5631 for information.

The White Salmon Arts Council will hold its annual membership potluck Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Inn of the White Salmon, at 5:30 p.m. This event is a chance for artists, members, and community to reunite with old friends and meet new people. The evening is also the opening of the Inn's October gallery show, "Building Community." A benefit auction on Oct. 24 will raise money for the artists who lost work in the summer fire. Preview the art pieces, visit with Arts Council members and artists, and bring a potluck dish to share.

Arts group has potluck

day. September 30. 2009

Skamania County Pioneer

Records... Continued from page 1 request." She added, "Although we were never provided access to the file cabinets or banker boxes, it appeared to me that the Auditor simply made copies of all the documents that were in the file cabinets and banker boxes pertaining to travel and made us have to separate out the specific doc-

uments we had requested. "We then had to earmark those documents we had actually requested so that they could be copied. The County then charged us to make an extra copy." Said Andersen in his declaration, "In other words, most of what Mr. Garvison produced was unresponsive to Ms. Howell's request.

"And I believe that this was done to try and frustrate Ms. Howell's attempt to find what she was looking for." According to the law, the fine for failure to produce requested records is between $5 and $100 per day. Weisfield asked Andersen how the $1,000 figure was arrived at, and he replied that Prosecutor Peter Banks had agreed to it.

"You don't have to explain it," he said. It was built as a pristine marble tomb for a favorite wife who died in childbirth. It became the builder's tomb after becoming his prison, put into captivity by his sons. "There are beautiful marble tombs, his and hers," said Harry, "but they are not buried there. You go down steep stairs, and there are two plain cement coffins where they are buried." Last year, 90-year-old Harry did an amazing thing with the caregiver, Jessica Calkins, who helps him in

and out of his wheelchair he built a replica of the Taj Mahal using 5,954 Legos. His daughter, Sherri Conn, and her business, Granny' s Gedunk, donated $500 for the Legos and case. His grandson build a beautiful glass case with wooden trim for the model, which was completed in 2008, and was on display at the 2009 Skamania County Fair. If you want to see it, it has now been donated to Stevenson Community Library, where a special table is being built for it, said grateful librarian Chris Hughey.

Taj* Mahal. Continued from page 1 Delhi, where he and a buddy had visited the palace the day before Indira Ghandi was killed. All hell broke loose. They were spirited away to a safer village. While traveling in a posh private railcar belonging to a maharajah, the contrast with the adjacent railcar carrying 240 people was too obvious. They had beggars rapping at the window panes, only to be driven away by a man with a whip. Then they saw ,the Taj Mahal. To Harry, it's like Mt. Hood looming over Portland .

Inmate crews keep our roadsides clean, train as wildland firefighters There's less trash along the roadsides, thanks to inmates housed at correctional camps operated by the Department of Corrections and supervised by the state Department of Natural Resources. They removed 100,687 pounds (about 50 tons) of illegally dumped Utter from roadsides, forest roads and other areas between July 2007 and July 2009. "The litter patrols help keep DNR correctional camp crews productively busy in

which supervises the department's camps program. Working in 10-member teams under the direction of trained DNR forest crew supervisors, the inmates put in a combined 52,289 hours over the past two years picking up litter, household and construction trash, old tires and other items dumped along state and local highways or along forest roads. They removed: • 506.6 cubic yards of illegally dumped trash I • 528.7' cubic vaitfe rif1

Lava Canyc Trail reoper

This year's Sept. bration of National Lands Day at Mount ens included the long reopening of Lava Trail on the south Mount St. Helens. R< the trail, closed by e? flood damage, inclu< placing a washed-out constructing new ste walkway, and replacir aged railings. Completion mar end of a two-year e nanced by an $185,OC in 2008 for'bridge ment and a $54,000 2009 to complete th .ways, railings and approaches. Funding ceived from federal pa to counties

Part of a closed tc

The north segmen Gibbons Creek Wild! Trail, which opened at Steigerwald Lake I» Wildlife Refuge nei shougal, will be through April 30, 20K Throughout the s this new trail has r moderate to heavy use. However, a var waterfowl are begini use the refuge fields a land areas adjacent tht ern segment of the trai Canada geese u short grass fields for ing, and ducks such lards, pintails, Ameri<

more than 700 DNR employees and 375 seasonal workers working on fires on DNRprotected public and private lands. In addition to litter removal, the inmate crews in DNR camps also plant trees, clean up streams, maintain recreation sites and forest roads, and help other state and local agencies with labor prpjects. DNR participates in four adult correctional camps and one for juveniles. DNR is re"Embracing a imbursed by the Washington Lifestyle," a free corr Department of Ecology for ! forum, is offered frcrr.

Free c\a,

vpmiw -^_^^^^^^^^^^^^______

Eye of the storm... By Joanna Grammon Two and one-half inches of paper. There went a tree or two. A notebook was delivered to me last week, "In re Skamania County Auditor John Michael Garvison," prepared by attorney Brad Andersen. It is definitely not light reading. I know because I have been lugging it around, including perusing it while home sick with a fever, which gave reading its pages a certain hallucinatory quality. Primarily consisting of photocopies of expense claim vouchers, it is prefaced by a letter outlining Andersen's findings. So far, the notebooks have been delivered to the Board of Commissioners, the Sheriffs Office and the State Auditor's Office. There may be others in line for copies. I have yet to absorb it all, but there are many troubling pages. • Why did the county pay for his Masters in Business Administration degree from Upper Iowa University? County policy is that the training must "benefit the county," and "has the appropriate budget authority already established for this purpose." Neither is obvious. The tuition vouchers I totaled came to more than $8,000, plus more than $700 for books. His classes? "Organizational Culture." "Managerial Statistics." "Organizational Diagnosis and Intervention." "Team Building Technique." The last two do seem relevant, given the reportedly tense working atmosphere within the Auditor's Office. • Travel was constant, and many times higher than budgeted amounts. Several trips total $5,000 to $7,000. Why so many trips to Olympia and Washington D.C. to lobby or attend hearings? And what was he doing at a meeting of the Performance Institute — a private non-partisan think tank — in Las Vegas in April 2008, days after he had returned from a meeting of the Government Finance Officers Association in Reno? Why was he in San Diego in December 2006 attending an immigration seminar, listed on the monthly voucher sheet as an "elected officials event," and how does that relate to his office? • There are numerous mileage and per diem claims for attending local events. Meals are claimed for such happenings as the Fire District Six pancake breakfast, or swearing in a North Bonneville official. A $22 dinner to attend a Home Valley Water District meeting? Why did we pay for him to attend multiple meetings of a Young Elected Officials group held in Vancouver? • How could he wear out multiple laptops, electronic devices like Blackberries and GPS units. • And that Jeep, purchased surplus from the Sheriff's Office. This July, he paid Mastertech in Vancouver $1,120 to repair the brakes, a month after another $1,011.98 for "repairs." It was supposed to be used for elections. The gas charges alone would pay for a lot of schlepping ballots back and forth. Goodbye, Mr. Garvison.

^•^^••••••^••••^••^

Letters to the Finding a $1.4 trillion target

our anger. What windfall? otic thing port one o of the US ing well, a or stimulus I'll pro gun.

Dear Editor: It's truly becoming a target-rich environment. We learn that the current budget deficit is $1.4 trillion; in simple terms, that's $44,000 per second. Future projections are for trillion- Dennis J. C dollar annual deficits as far as North Bom the eye can see. The President's top economic adviser informs us that most of the beneficial effects of the stimulus bill have already occurred, but less than 20% of the money has actualI was ly been spent and the unem- the Coun ployment rate has risen to today whih nearly 10 percent and is pro- official le jected to stay there. from the G Congress insists on ramI could ming through a so-called der as the "health care" system contain- browsing ing a "public option" for could poss which the Democrats can get their co neither a majority of Ameri- proclmatio cans nor a majority of Demo- recently de crats in Congress to approve. You k The question (not yet asked) ends with of whether this nation can wish to sa^ produce a huge new bureau- carry on."* We ha cracy to handle health care with skill and motivation is this modus challenging. Think Amtrak, just a coup Homeland Security, the when anotf opted to pi USPS. Congress is about to in- local famil troduce legislation concern- summer bu Then ii ing the production and taxato work for tion of greenhouse gases. and a simp! Whatever this winds up costing, and it will cost plenty, eight colun will be passed on to the end by your ta users of energy. Us. All this massage to in the face of eleven years of resounding evidence that the only place chorus of man-caused global warming Man," and exists is in the computer county wa; models designed to predict it. someone a But what is Congress tion of Bud So, m) worried about? The Consucommissioi mer Price Index flattened out this past year, so our senior resist any citizens, myself included, heap prais: won't get a cost-of-living in- county go> crease in next year's Social controvers: beset by Security check.

Good old b\

r.~ir__e! Hospital

•A"as lef: ot the boat ~-e:ed '-\- Sheriffs

ht hunger od drive *r.e

;:. J _v L Farrr. .x Carsir.. and :he C:_-;;. Chamber : :;.er.-:-. Mone-

- -r:- G;:ge Ac-• -"- ^~-~ > rc ;z 3a~ks s distributed food or als to 663 Skamania -r.ty residents each month;

at previous levels. The number of boxes ;d with food and supplies distributed through Aut 2009 is 2,475 in SkamaCounty and 8,195 in :kitat 559,410 pounds ood equaling $839,115. For more information tact Casey Roeder at the mania County Chamber Commerce, 509-427-8911 asey@skamania.org.

ted Living's newest resirkenfeld and Aria Obias.

.ide:

inursaay morning, uct. ^y. A contractor working at :he corner of Vancouver and Russell streets accidently dug into one of Avista's threeinch steel mains. Youngsters were evacuated from Wee Care of Stevenson, a daycare housed in the basement at United Methods: Church a: 11 School

b:e-.er.s:r. hiemenrary School wen: in:o its lockdown procedures, and people were cautioned not to smoke or stan their cars. The courthouse parking lot was full because Superior Court was in session, and people were asked not to leave until vehicles could be started safely. Downtown restaurants Fire District closed, including Big River Grill. Joe's El Rio. Mark's

to close.

"Safety is our biggest concern, especially when it's blowing," said Laurine Jue, a spokesperson for Avista in Spokane. "We work closely with emergency responders because they are able to get to the scene much more quickly. We hold regular training and keep in communication to secure a situation." Continued on page 5

State audit document already noted problems in 2006-2007 During a KATU televi• "Expenses for educa• "per diem received sion interview last week, re- tion the county paid for "while not in travel status signing Skamania County an official to take post- we identified several instancAuditor J. Michael Garvison graduate colleae classes es where per diem was paid :c individuals when the}' •;'r:e not in travel status, as school'." defined by the travel policy." Added :he decu—en: r • "Extra mileage received tor's Office report for the pe- "mere is no basis for deter- for use of a personal vehicle nce from Jan. 1. 2006 mining if these expenditures elected officials receive a through Dec. 31, 200~ aid are authorized." $400 monthly allowance for "not include any findings." • "Fees and finance usage of their personal vehian addendum to the exit con- charges The county paid cle while on county businessference document containing numerous late fees to vendors within the Columbia Gorge observations and recommen- due to the inability to process National Scenic Area. Travel dations was submitted to the the claims timely. In addition, outside the area on officialBoard of County Commis- the county paid numerous fi- business is eligible for milesioners on Nov. 5, 2008. nance charges and over-limit age reimbursement. We noted During a meeting with fees on procurement card instances of elected officials state auditors, the following statements. These fees are not claiming mileage for travel areas were noted, among the allowable under the county's within area covered by their disbursements: procurement card policy. monthly allowance." "Our review of disburse• "Expenditures for small • "Valet parking - valet ments focused on testing of and attractive equipment (lap- parking is not allowed under travel reimbursements and tops, cell phones, printers, the county travel policy. We purchases made by procure- otherelectronic^ devices) - noted several instances where ment cards. We noted several The county paid for numer- valet charges were paid by areas where the county's in- ous electronic devices and the county, either through ofternal controls over these dis- other "theft sensitive" equip- ficials'/employee reimbursebursements could be im- ment (through reimbursements or direct charges on proved, including the ments to officials, employees county procurement cards." following; and use of county procure• "Room service charges • "Expenses related to ment cards). not itemized - room service cellular phone plans (person"The county has no pur- charges are allowable up to al and county) The chasing policy addressing the applicable per diem limit, county paid for cell phone such purchases. As a result, but purchase of certain items plans and reimbursed individ- there is no basis for determin- (such as alcoholic beverages) uals for use of their personal ing if these expenditures are are not allowed. Room sercell phones for county busi- authorized." vices charges were paid by ness. The county has no poli• "Travel reimbursements the county without an itemcy over cell phone usage. As The county paid a variety ized receipt. As a result, we a result, there is no basis for of travel expenses that do not were unable to determine if determining which uses are comply with the county's room service expenditures travel policy, as follows: Continued on page 5 authorized."

Weather Submitted by: Brian Bavnes. Carson

Rock Cove goes to Oz...

Community Health. People who are 65 and older are at a lower risk of getting H1N1 flu than the other groups. Wnshinpton nils and caretnvers of chilFluMist is only recom-

While a limited amount Healthcare workers of H1N1 vaccine is available, with direct patient contact Skamania County Communi• Children ages 6 ty Health is working with months to 19 years and par-

Priority explained for scarce vaccine

The "Wizard of Oz" theme could be seen at Rock Cove Assisted Living Oct. 30, with Scarecrow, Bob Williams, conversing with the Good Witch of the East, Ginny Rellihen.

cards." Other item the state auditor • "During the board me we note that t not always co tion showing th vening in exec the presiding o announced' the excluding the p meeting place when the exe will be conclud "Specificall that the board 'personnel issu son for enteri sessions. How personnel-relate be discussed in sions. As a res mend that the more appropr when entering session related reasons that wo

Gas leak...

Continued from page 1 were allowable." • "Unsupported travel claims travel reimbursements were made to employees where the purpose for the travel was not clearly identified on the claim. In addition, we also noted travel reimbursements often lacked receipts or other documentation in support of amounts claimed." • "Extra days in travel status with no clear business purpose we noted instances where an official was reimbursed for extra days at a travel site without explanation of the benefit to the county." "Based on our review, we recommend that the county improve its internal controls over expenditures for travel, individuals' expense reimbursements, and purchases made by county procurement

Audit...

Skamania County Pioneer

Volume One Hundred-Eighteen, Number Thirteen, Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Single Copy 50 Cents

Publication No. 497720

Stevenson, Washington

News State report finds $87,380 in ‘questionable use Clips of public funds’ by the former county auditor Garden space is available

How does your garden grow? Not well, if you lack dirt or space. The Skamania County Community Garden project has raised bed spaces at Rock Creek Park in Stevenson. The spaces will be open April 3 to get them ready for planting.There are still approximately six raised beds available for seasonal rental. One 4’ x 10’ garden space is available, and can be rented for $10; it’s $8 for seniors over 55. There are two 4’ x 15’ for $15 each; the cost for seniors is $12. There are still three 4’ x 20’ spaces open for those those who like to grow those really large plants, like pumpkins or cucumbers. They are $24 each. For more information, call 509427-3980.

Free weekend for the locals Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum is free to Skamania County residents all day Saturday, April 3, and is open Easter Sunday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A new art exhibit has been installed featuring scenic and still life watercolors by Bonnie White of White Salmon. The museum is at 990 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson. For more information, call 1-509-427-8211.

The long-awaited Washington State Auditor’s Office report released to the public Monday morning is direct: “The former Skamania County Auditor violated state law and county policy by engaging in conduct that resulted in questionable uses of public funds.” The audit report will be combined with the Skamania County Sheriff’s Department investigation report concluded earlier this month, going to the state Attorney General’s office. The complete report can be seen at www.sao. wa.gov/AuditReports/AuditReportFiles/ar1003311. pdf. Last year, attorney Brad Andersen and his client Gloria Howell contacted the state Auditor’s Office with copies of expense vouchers and supporting documentation filed by the Skamania County Auditor over several years. The Skamania County Board of Commissioners also got involved, sending an Oct. 20, 2009 letter requesting an audit of Skamania County Auditor expenses. Then Michael J. Gar-

vison resigned Nov. 8 to take a position with the Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District. The state Auditor’s Office was already doing its regular audit, and decided to incorporate a review of the former auditor’s travel expenses, equipment purchases and other uses of county funds. They were able to review vouchers from January 2005 through November 2009 but were unable to review 2004 “because records had been destroyed, in violation of a state law requiring payment vouchers to be retained for six years,” says a copy of the state’s findings. The state Auditor’s Office concludes that “the former County Auditor made questionable expenditures of public funds that violated state law and county policy. In addition, the former County Auditor circumvented state law when he approved his own expenditures. The county is unable to demonstrate, and other county officials question, whether these expenditures provided a benefit to the county.” According to what

they were able to prove, Garvison “took 23 trips out of state at a cost of about $38,850 from June 2005 through September 2009,” traveling to “Washington D.C., Florida, California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts and Canada.” The auditors added, “The former County Auditor appeared to have traveled at his sole discretion. We did not find documentation to show these trips were approved in advance by any county official. We were unable to determine the benefit to Skamania County for 13 of those trips totaling $20,816.86.” He received a $450 monthly car allowance from May 2007 through October 2009, although he also had the use of a county-owned vehicle. He did not receive a car allowance in October 2007, but actually got two $450 car allowances in May 2007 and May 2008. When the vehicle was returned to the county just prior to Garvison’s resignation, the odometer showed it had been driven 37,440 miles since being purchased by the County

Have a Hoppy, Happy Easter!

They also found that the mileage totals were incorrect on 27 of his travel vouchers from May 2007 through October 2009, estimating the “excess miles totaled 2,898, resulting in overpayments of approximately $1,507.81.” Over 32 months, Garvison spent $13,910.25 in county funds on parts and repairs for the surplused

The following summarizes issues found: Travel Out of state travel Car allowances Gorge area mileage Excessive Mileage Jeep expenses Other Social events Master’s Degree Equipment purchases

$ 1,313.18 $ 15,829.34 $ 16,310.63

Total

$ 87,380.80

allowance from claiming mileage within a defined area around the Columbia River Gorge, actually ranging from The Dalles Dam to I-5. The auditors estimate he claimed mileage of 7,164 within the gorge area, resulting in overpayments of $3,742.73.

$ 20,816.86 $ 13,950.00 $ 3,742.73 $ 1,507.81 $ 13,910.25

Jeep, including a fourinch lift kit, a transmission rebuild, manifolds, radiator, shocks and weather stripping. The work was primarily performed by Mastertech, a shop in Vancouver, 39 miles from Stevenson. “We found this investment of county Contimued on page 5

Democrats hold nominating, county conventions April 10 The Skamania County Democrats will be holding nominating and county conventions Saturday, April 10, in the Stevenson High School cafeteria. The nominating convention begins at 9 a.m., and the county convention follows at 10 a.m. The nominating convention is the time for any candidate interested in running for local county partisan offices to announce their intent to run

Easter egg hunts Sunday Easter finery may need to be augmented with a raincoat or those colorful rubber boots this year, but the kids usually manage to have a fine time at one of the two locally sponsored Easter egg hunts. When the clock strikes noon on Sunday, April 4, children from toddlers through grade three can participate in the annual Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt on the courthouse lawn. The grassy expanse of the Wind River Middle School lawn provides the backdrop for Sunday’s American Legion Easter Egg Hunt in Carson, which begins at 1 p.m.

Auditor’s Office for “election purposes” for $3,288 in October 2006. Auditor’s Office employees told investigators the vehicle was used only a few times by someone other than Garvison, who sometimes kept it at his home. A county policy --- actually formulated by Garvison --- prohibits county officials who receive a car

and to seek the nomination of the Democratic Party. For more information on this process, please call Honna Sheffield at 509427-5031. The county convention is the time to select delegates to the Washington State Democratic Convention in June, as well as to discuss and to vote on resolutions to help to establish the party platform and the guiding principles Contimued on page 5

A ﬂagger directs traffic at Dog Mountain as work gets underway on the rock removal project. Check website, as the schedule changes daily.

Morning closures set for Dog Mt. The closure schedule for S.R. 14 just east of Dog Mountain at milepost 54 has been changed to two-hour morning closures. Crews will close the highway between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday through Friday for blasting work through June 14. S.R. 14 near Dog Mountain is sandwiched between a vertical rock wall to the north and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks just 25 feet to the south. Because the tracks are so close to the work zone, there is significant poten-

tial for rocks to fall on the tracks during blasting work. The Washington State Department of Transportation has been coordinating closely with BNSF to avoid impacting more than 40 Amtrak and freight trains that pass by the work zone daily. The blasting schedule has been changed to help ensure the safety of train passengers. This schedule change also reduces impacts to drivers on S.R. 14 by shifting full closures out of the afternoon commute. Changing from after-

noon to morning closures does not impact the overall project timeline. The project is on schedule for completion in September. From March 31 to April 2, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Dog Mountain, (excluding the 9 to 11 a.m. full closure at milepost 54) there is a singlelane closure in alternating directions with ﬂaggers for construction activities. At White Salmon at milepost 64 through April 2 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., there is a full closure of S.R. 14 for rock Continued on page 4

Port Commissioner Judy Teitzel, (center), watches as grandchildren, Luke, 9, and Kaitlyn, 4, cut the ribbon for the Teitzel Building.

Weather

Inside:

• New map highlights sustainability, p. 5 • Families raise Guide Dog pups, p. 6 • David Douglas film premieres, p. 6 • Broadband workshop held, p. 8

Submitted by Brian Baynes, Carson

Date

Mar. 22 Mar. 23 Mar. 24 Mar. 25 Mar. 26 Mar. 27 Mar. 28

Precip. 0.04 0.00 0.08 0.49 0.46 0.01 1.77

Temp.

H 62 H 62 H 66 H 59 H 54 H 65 H 55

L 40 L 33 L 40 L 43 L 36 L 35 L 44

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Skamania County Pioneer

Page Five

Garvison...

Anna Williams shows off the new NatGeo map of the Central Cascades region.

Map highlights our mountains, the gorge That simple yellow square means a lot. The National Geographic logo is adding its imprimatur to a map, “Central Cascades: Washington and Oregon.” The map covers a region straddling both sides of the Cascades from Ashland to north of Mt. Rainier, with many colorful photos and descriptions of local attractions. In addition to the obvious --- Mount St. Helens, Beacon Rock and the Bridge of the Gods --- there are local entries for Bigfoot and the Gifford Pinchot huckleberry fields. However, the website that accompanies the map has that entry, number 67, somewhere north of Cashmere, a glitch that will be fixed. The emphasis of the Geotourism Project is sustainable tourism. One side of the map covers the entire length of the region. The other side emphasizes three aspects: The Columbia River Gorge Region, Three Sisters to

Crater Lake, and Mt. Rainier to Mount St. Helens. Geotourism is “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place --- its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the wellbeing of its residents,” according to Anna Williams. As director of operations for Sustainable Tourism for the National Geographic Central Cascades Mapguide Project, Williams is spreading the word for Sustainable Travel International, administrative lead for the project, which also has offices in Boulder, Colo.; London, England; and Valencia, Spain. She spoke during a March 31 meeting of the Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association. “Communities have a clear idea on what they love about their area, what makes them unique,” Williams said. The project included participation by an advisory committee and a Geotourism Stewardship

Council. There were community forums, including one in Stevenson, and sites were nominated. There were 200,000 nominations --- special destinations, festivals, archaeological sites, geological and scenic features, food and wine. More can be found on the interactive website at www.thecentralcascades.com. Now 62,000 maps are being distributed through Washington State Tourism, 40,000 by Oregon-based organizations, and another 21,000 through Travel Oregon. The map will be inserted in National Geographic magazine. Copies are at the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce and other visitor centers. The map received funding and technical support from the two states and several regional tourism organizations, the Forest Service, BLM and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, among others.

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Continued from page 1 resources in a vehicle that had 137,000 miles on it upon purchase to be a questionable use of public funds, particularly in light of the former County Auditor also receiving a car allowance and mileage reimbursements,” the findings state. The auditors also determined Garvison claimed meal and mileage expenses of $1,313.18 for attending 25 meetings not directly related to county business, mostly networking sessions in Vancouver for young professionals. The county paid at least $15,829.34 for tuition, textbooks and travel for Garvison to receive a master’s degree in business administration through Northern Iowa University, although he had no approval. A county policy requires that reimburseable educational expenses and training must be for “a countyrelated purpose.” The Auditor’s Office purchased at least $16,310.63 in equipment from December 2006 through June 2009. More than $8,600 of the purchases were reimbursed through travel vouchers. The remaining purchases were made with a Skamania County credit card, and included four laptop computers, two printers, three cell phones, two hand’s free devices, a global positioning system, an LCD television, a camcorder and several electronic equipment accessories. The Skamania County Sheriff’s detectives who investigated the case were able to account for most of the equipment. “The television is on the wall,” said Detective Sergeant Monty Buettner. “I’d be curious to know what they mean by the term ‘accounted for.’ We know where a lot of the items are.” On his departure, Garvison paid $2,834.46 to the county for a laptop and cell phone, which actually should have been surplused through regular county procedures. The auditors warn they may still contain “sensitive information.” “The county is trying to try to get back what never should have been allowed to go to begin with,” said Buettner. The detectives’ report released earlier this month focused on “only the criminal liability we felt he was culpable for,” he added. “Their numbers include

misappropriation, violations of county policy and civil liability. Even though they are not a criminal issue, it should be an easy civil issue.” “The previous auditor violated the public trust in many ways,” says a Skamania County Board of Commissioners reponse included in the findings, “not the least of which was the misappropriation of the aforementioned monies.”

Mike Garvison Garvison’s personnel interactions were also noted: “During interviews, County Auditor’s Office employees stated they had been concerned about retaliation should they not follow the former County Auditor’s direction. The employees chose not to question the actions of the former County Auditor. County personnel policy provides a means and direction for employees to register concerns regarding possible misconduct of other employees. However, the policy does not address a situation in which an employee has concerns about an elected official violating law, rules, policies, procedures or standards of conduct.” The auditors also question why the Skamania County Commissioners “only monitored the expenses of the Auditor’s Office as a whole. The Board did not adequately review individual expenses of the County Auditor’s Office. State law requires commissioners to audit and allow all claims made by the county auditor. We found the Deputy Auditor (Heidi Penner) reviewed and approved most claims by the former County Auditor.” The auditor’s conclusions: Adequate documentation was not established “for at least $87,380.80 in expenditures of county funds. County-owned equipment was lost and any sensitive data contained on them may be unsecured. In addition, the premature destruction of county records limited our ability to fully investigate the expenses incurred by the former County Auditor.

The state auditors are recommending the county: * Improve internal controls over disbursements of public funds, in particular expenses of the County Auditor’s Office. * Provide ethics training to all officials and employees. * Develop a policy on how county employees can communicate concerns regarding elected officials. * Implement controls that ensure adherence to the records retention schedules * Attempt to recover the lost equipment retained by the former county auditor, some of which may contain public records and sensitive information. * Consult with legal counsel regarding its options to recover the questionable use of public funds. A response from Skamania County is included as part of the findings, and it acknowledges “a squandering of public resources by a single elected official. The County wishes to acknowledge the recommendations and further indicate that while much has been done, we will continue to develop systems to ensure that this does not occur again. “The Board of County Commissioners acknowledges its failure to aggressively monitor the previous auditor’s expenditures. The current auditor has indicated understanding and agreement that he will present all auditor expenditures to the BOCC for approval and will have his expense reimbursements approved by the Board of County Commission Chair; all of which shall be incorporated into policy.” The commissioners also state they will “pursue every legal authority to recover the $87,380 of public money squandered by the previous auditor.” The 2010 county budget also requires immediately reporting to the commissioners when a travel budget is exceeded by any office or department, and notification of certain types of travel before they occur. The county is also completely rewriting the personnel policy manual, which at the draft review stage, that will incorporate the auditors’ policies and recommendations. The last sentence of the state audit report warns greater scrutiny during the next audit.

Democrats...

Continued from page 1 of the Democratic party. All who consider themselves Democrats can participate in the process. The Democratic Party’s April 19 meeting will be a special endorsement meeting in the Skamania County Courthouse Annex basement

meeting room for candidates for the Third Congressional District seat. Candidates will have an opportunity to speak; then there will be a discussion and vote. The vote does not have any official weight, but may give candidates some idea as to their viability; and is also in-

tended to inform delegates to the State Convention in June as to Skamania County’s preferences. Questions about either process can be directed to Honna Sheffield at the above number, or to Paul Spencer by emailing pgspencer@embarqmail.com.

Did you know…. Only 6% of rapist will ever spend a day in jail April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month To learn more about what you can do to end sexual violence in our community please call: Skamania Co. Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (509) 427-4210

OUR ENERGY COMES THROUGH

The helpful place.

Volume One Hundred-Eighteen, Number Seven, Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Single Copy 50 Cents

Publication No. 497720

News Clips

Auditors ask about the Homeless Fund

Update is February 25

A Skamania County Community Growth Update meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the meeting room at Stevenson Community Library. The following public agencies will present segments: Skamania County Community Development; the cities of Stevenson, North Bonneville and Cascade Locks; the ports of Skamania County and Cascade Locks; Stevenson-Carson School District, Skamania County Public Utility District and Skamania County Economic Development Council. The forum is an opportunity to reﬂect on highlights of the past year’s growth and discuss the future, and gives each presenter 10-12 minutes to speak and three to five minutes for questions. The Skamania County Chamber of Commerce sponsors the update. For more information, call 509-427-8911.

Local calls reach county

The Skamania County Board of Commissioners has announced new local dial-in numbers for three sections of the county, two of which have required a long distance call. The local access numbers are: 360-837-2888 for West County; 509-4272888 for Central County; and 509-538-2888 for East County. You can still direct dial county offices using the numbers listed on published materials.

Trail Day 2/27 Spend a day in the outdoors as spring makes its first appearance. Volunteers are wanted Saturday, Feb. 27, to help finish construction of the multi-use section of the Hardy Creek Trail at Beacon Rock State Park. Washington Trails Association is providing tools and instruction. No experience is necessary. There will be an optional pizza dinner afterward in Stevenson. To register, visit www.wta. org or contact Ryan Ojerio by emailing ryan@ wta.org, or call 360-7222657.

Stevenson, Washington

Predation, poaching and lower breeding populations are resulting in changes to sport fishing rules, and as much as a 45% reduction in catch. Here, Herman hangs out in his pond at Bonneville Hatchery.

Sturgeon decline means sport fishing changes

As the sea lions arrive earlier each year, there are concerns they will make further inroads into Columbia River white sturgeon broodstock. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission tightened conservation guidelines for Columbia River sturgeon and approved a new two-year package of sport fishing rules during its Feb. 4-6 meeting in Olympia. The commission adopted a new management policy that would reduce the harvest of Columbia River white sturgeon by up to 45 percent this year. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday supported a 35 percent reduction in the white sturgeon quota. WDFW staff will now work with fishery managers from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a joint sturgeon management agreement for the 2010 season.

While sport fishing rules are intended to spare breeding-sized sturgeon, sea lion predation doesn’t discriminate. Observers reported that 103 sea lions ate more than 4,243 salmon and steelhead in the tailrace area below Bonneville Dam in 2008, according to the Washington department’s website. That same year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers saw 17 Steller sea lions eat 606 sturgeon in the one-quarter mile area below the dam, 98 percent of the predation documented by sea lions on sturgeon in 2008. In 2009, the number of Steller sea lions feeding in the area continued to increase. And who knows how many California sea lions will arrive as the largest spring chinook run since 1938 is expected to move upriver? The plan is to continue efforts to trap and remove California sea lions this year.

Hazing does not keep them away. Steller’s sea lions are protected, listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, and are exempt from the recent decision to euthanize repeat offenders or transplant them to zoos or aquariums. In 2009, 15 California sea lions that met the criteria for banishment or euthanasia as outlined by NOAA Fisheries were trapped at

The state’s fiscal crisis could result in dissolving the Columbia Gorge Commission, if House Bill 3132 passes. It is sponsored by a Democrat, state Rep. Kevin Van De Wege. The bill passed the General Government Appropriations Committee Feb. 5. Van De Wege, who is from Sequim, sits on that committee. He told the Pioneer, “The only reason for 3132 is fiscal. No other reason exists.” The General Government Appropriations Committee oversees 80 state agency budgets. Members are assigned a list of agencies. Van De Wege has seven; one is the Columbia River

Gorge Commission. “The state is in a true financial crisis,” he said. “We cut all of last year. This year we are cutting more and more. Everything is in play.” In December, Gov. Chris Gregoire said that of about 400 state agencies and commissions, she proposed to eliminate 165. She eliminated all that were legally feasible by executive order. The remaining were created by statute and would have to be removed through an action of the Legislature. A year ago, she said she would reduce the size of government by eliminating 154 boards and commissions, and merging and

consolidating agencies. Nine employees --- administrative staff, planners, a GIS specialist and an attorney --- work for the Gorge Commission, directed by Jill Arens. Under the federal scenic area legislation, if one state does not fund the commission, the other state has no obligation. The bi-state compact would be repealed under Van De Wege’s bill, and the state would buy out the commission’s lease on its White Salmon office space. He said he is “looking toward the feds” as a potential solution to the commission’s non-existence.

the dam. Four were relocated to zoos and aquariums. The other 11 were found to have a communicable disease, and were destroyed. The more numerous California sea lions are smaller, and are apparently not targeting sturgeon, but they did account for 96 percent of the predation on salmon and steelhead in 2008. Continued on page 5

Just as a state audit is winding down, more problems have come to light. Former Skamania County Auditor Michael Garvison and his attorney were to sit down Thursday, Feb. 11, to talk about vouchers that paid for his travel, continuing education, a Clark County election expense billing, purchases, and amounts spent on a surplus county Jeep, plus destruction of two years of vouchers. The appointment was cancelled. Now it seems there is may be more to explain. All counties in the state collect a $30 surcharge for documents recorded in the Auditor’s Office. Under state law, the auditor keeps 2 percent for collecting the fee and 60 percent is “deposited into a fund that must be used by the county and its cities and towns to accomplish the purposes of Chapter 484, Laws of 2005,” to carry out a homeless and transitional housing plan. The money can be used as a match to leverage other funding for homeless families and transitional housing for the mentally ill, young people aging out of foster care, and people exiting jail, prisons and hospitals. Last week, the Washington State Auditor’s office was in communication with the county over findings that first came to light late last year during an in-house audit of money in the Auditor’s Operations and Maintenance fund. “For at least two years we had battled with Mike over Homeless Housing money being managed in the Auditor’s O&M, ,”

said Commissioner Paul Pearce. “In the 2009 budget we created a separate fund, but he refused to transfer it, telling us we had $120,000 in the account.” The real state of the fund is taking some sorting out by the county and state Auditor’s Offices. Explained Pearce, “We did a housing project called ‘White Cap,’ and paid it out of Auditor O&M directly in the amount of $50,000. We later realized it was an Affordable Housing project, not Homeless Housing.” After Garvison’s departure during budget preparation, due to the internal audit of monies in the O&M fund, discrepancies were discovered. The balance of the Homeless Housing Fund is listed in the 2010 preliminary budget as zero; it should have been $143,410. “We knew we needed to transfer $50,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund to the Homeless Housing Fund to reimburse for ‘White Cap,’” Said Pearce. Then a further problem came to light. Wednesday, Feb. 10, they discovered that Garvison had allegedly been commingling O&M money with the Homeless fund, which went to pay an $50,000 annual fee for the OnCore recording system contract, plus the salary of a fulltime position in the Auditor’s Office, $36,000. The county purchased the Live with Aptitude Solutions OnCore recording system March 31, 2008. According to a Continued on page 5

Bill could eliminate Gorge Commission

SHS School Inside: Connections: • Seven wrestlers head to state, p. 12

Go back to school for a day, Wednesday, Feb. 24. For more information call 509-427-5631.

• Big tree program at museum, p. 8 • Gorge land $ in budget, p. 3 • Boys bball seeded #1, p. 12

The eagle has landed...

The eagles have a new perch to oversee the ducks and geese swimming at Rock Cove.

Weather Submitted by Brian Baynes, Carson

Date

Feb. 08 Feb. 09 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 Feb. 12 Feb. 13 Feb. 14

Precip. 0.00 0.00 0.83 0.55 0.20 0.24 0.35

Temp.

H 53 H 57 H 42 H 49 H 53 H 53 H 54

L 36 L 38 L 29 L 37 L 40 L 40 L 42

Page Five

Skamania County Pioneer

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sturgeon...continued from page 1

Brigadeer General John McMahon, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Northwestern Division, presents Bonneville Lock and Dam rigger Jason Hill with an official commendation for his leadership of the dam’s Confined Space Rescue Team and Water Passage Safety Improvements program. Hill lives in Stabler and is a Fire District One volunteer. (Photo by Scott Clemans, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Historic barns sought for listing in state preservation program

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking nominations to its 2010 Most Endangered Historic Properties List. Nomination forms can be obtained through the Trust’s website at www.watrust.org/mostendangered. Threats to historic properties statewide include demolition, neglect, incompatible development and insensitive alteration. Inclusion in the Most Endangered List can be an important initial step in advocacy campaigns designed to bring attention to significant historic resources. Properties selected the list receive assistance from the Trust, which will support efforts to remove any threats facing the historic resource while working to raise awareness of preservation in general.

Through its partnering, the Trust’s Most Endangered List program has resulted in many success stories across Washington since it began in 1992. The statewide listing in 2006 of Washington’s Historic Barns resulted in a legislative effort to address the unique threats facing these iconic structures. Passed in 2007, the Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative established a Heritage Barn Register while setting aside funding to provide stabilization and rehabilitation grants to help barn owners with preservation projects. Created as a program within the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, the initiative has resulted in 408 barns being designated as official

RIVER ROCK

Washington State Heritage Barns. Through the grant program, 31 barns across the state have received funds to assist with rehabilitation projects. The Washington Trust rallied agricultural-related and heritage-minded advocacy groups to support this legislation --- a loose knit coalition that has kept up momentum and remains committed to historic barns. Nominations to the Trust’s 2010 Most Endangered Historic Properties List are due on Monday, March 15. The 2010 list will be announced at a press conference in May. For more information, including a nomination form, please visit the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation website at www.wa-trust. org.

Subscribe to Pioneer Call 509-427-8444

The website states, “Another estimate, based on California sea lions’ metabolic needs, suggests that 100 animals feeding in that area consume at least 13,000 salmon each spring. That estimate applies to predation only in the tailrace of Bonneville Dam; it does not consider predation that has been observed farther downriver in the lower Columbia River or its tributaries.” Upper Columbia spring chinook are listed as “endangered” under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Snake River spring/summer chinook, are listed as “threatened” and are also possible prey for sea lions downstream from Bonneville Dam. Lower Columbia Chinook and steelhead, middle Co-

lumbia steelhead, Snake River Basin steelhead, and upper Willamette River chinook and steelhead are listed as “threatened.” At the Feb. 4-6 meeting, WDFW fishery managers outlined their plans for the spring chinook fishery on the Columbia River. Although this year’s upriver spring chinook return is expected to be one of the strongest on record, commissioners supported reserving a portion of the catch until there is clear evidence the run is as large as expected. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has also indicated support for reserving part of the catch. Washington’s commission asked staff to maximize fishing opportunities

Auditors...continued from page 1 company press release on Skamania County’s usage, “OnCore utilizes upfront scan technology that completely digitizes the official record indexing and recording process, thus reducing internal paper ﬂow and expediting the document recording process.” The board had been told the OnCore payment was coming out of the O&M fund, said Pearce. The county will be “demanding repayment” and restitution, based on state audit findings, he added.

The complete report will not be available until March or early April, said Skamania County Commission Chair Jamie Tolfree, who said that until it comes out, she has no comment. To remedy the situation, the commissioners are proposing transfers of $55,000 from Current Expense, as outlined in a Feb. 9 letter to County Treasurer Cherie Flood, and $38,140 transferred from Auditor’s O&M to the Current Expense column.

for spring chinook on the Columbia River and ensure more salmon return to upriver fisheries, while meeting conservation measures. Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon will meet Feb. 18 to set fishing seasons for Columbia River spring chinook. While a number of fishing rules were adopted earlier this month, a new rule that requires anglers to use barbless hooks when fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River from the mouth of the river to McNary Dam does not take effect until Jan. 1, 2011. Summaries of the 2010-12 rule changes, as adopted, should be available this week or next on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ fish/regs/rule_proposals.

The $50,000 payment for the software purchase commitment is included in the 2010 Supplemental Budget, which will go to public hearing March 2. The $50,000 transfer from the Affordable Housing Fund to the Homeless Fund will also be part of the Supplemental Budget. “This will effectively close out the Auditor’s O&M fund,” said Pearce. The fund will start fresh to repay the $55,000 from Current Expense.

OF NOTE: The White Cap Apartment affordable housing project is under construction across from Stevenson High School. It includes 16 apartments for physically disabled and low income people, and also includes a remodel of existing apartments. It was funded through the Columbia Gorge Housing Authority. A memorandum of understanding was on the commissioners’ consent agenda March 31, 2009, an agreement with Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation for the county to provide some of the funding for the White Cap project. The Columbia Gorge Housing Authority was formed by Skamania County, Klickitat County and the City of Goldendale. It contracts with the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority/ Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation to administer the programs. A request for $1.5 million for the project was made to the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, which develops and coordinates the state Homeless Grant Assistance Program (HGAP), which also receives a portion of the money collected for document ﬁlings in the Auditor’s Ofﬁce. In 2007, the statewide wording was changed from “homeless housing account” to “home security fund account.” HGAP eligible projects include homeless and transitional housing, including domestic violence shelters.

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DINNER, BREW, AND A VIEW. Enjoy casual dining dining with Northwest inspired cuisine Enjoy casual weeknight with Northwest inspired cuisine at Skamania Lodge’s River Rock. Cozy up to our at Skamania Lodge’s River Rock. Cozy up to our massive stone massive stone fireplace with a cold draft beer, fireplace with a cold draft beer, and take in the spectacular and take in the spectacular wintertime wintertime views of the Columbia River Gorge. views of the Columbia River Gorge. Call 1.800.221.7117 / Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA www.cityofstevenson.com

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SR 14 closures start next month Rockfall work along SR 14 near Dog Mountain and White Salmon starts next month. Work will close the highway for up to two hours at a time. Come to the open house for closure schedules and alternate routes, and to learn about other projects along the corridor.

Feb. 18, 2010 4 - 7 p.m. (stop by anytime) White Salmon Valley Library 77 NE Wauna Ave White Salmon, WA 98672 For more information, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/southwest/events

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