Klc biz 3 16

Business ConnectionK e l s o L o n g v i e w C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

Volume 8, No. 3 March 2016

At its recent meeting, the Port of Longview Board of Com-missioners directed the Port’s Interim CEO Norm Krehbiel to discontinue all discussions with Waterside Energy LLC, related to its proposals of both Riverside Refining LLC, (the oil refin-ery) and Washington Energy Storage and Transfer LLC, which is also known as WEST (the liquid petroleum gas facility).

For several months, the Port has worked with the project pro-ponent Lou Soumas to negotiate a non-binding term sheet on the WEST project, outlining key project information and finan-cial documentation needed to move negotiations forward in a timely fashion.

“We have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure project propos-als are viable,” said Commission President Bob Bagaason. “This decision is based on the proponent’s failure to demonstrate the

WEST project’s financial wherewithal, plain and simple.”

In this instance, the proponent missed the deadline to supply financial information and the information provided post-dead-line was heavily redacted and failed to communicate financial support of the project.

“This isn’t about fossil fuels, I want to make that clear,” said Commissioner Doug Averett. “The Port of Longview is open for business and all project proposals will be evaluated on their individual merits, not the commodity.”

*Documents related to the Commission action can be found at http://www.portoflongview.com/AboutThePort/ProjectsPro-posals/WatersideEnergy.aspx

Commission passes on proposed projectsPort remains open to energy projects with sound finaincial support

Now Accepting Nominees 2016 Pillars of Strength & Crystal Apple

Business & Education Awards Please take a moment to nominate educators,

businesses and individuals who you feel should be recognized for their outstanding work in our community

Education Categories LCC: ªHigher Education Teacher of the Year

ªHigher Education Classified/Support Person of the Year K-12: ªAdministrator of the Year ªTeacher of the Year

ªClassified/Support Person of the year Workforce Best Practice

ªCompany Best Practice ªIndividual Achievement Business

ªBusiness Person of the Year ªSmall Business of the Year ªLarge Business of the Year ªSmall Non-Profit of the Year

ªLarge Non-Profit of the Year

Go to: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org under “Applications” tab for nomination forms and criteria

Deadline for nomination submissions: March 23, 2016

Kelso Longview Business Connection March 2016

3

Every MondayLegislative Briefing Breakfast – 7 a.m.Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center

214 Pacific Ave. S., Kelso

TuesdayMarch 1 – 11:30 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting – Country Financial1555 3rd Ave., Suite F, Longview

WednesdayMarch 2 – 7:30 a.m.

Education Foundation CommitteeLCC Student Center 210A, Conference Room

FridayMarch 4 – 7:30 a.m.

Boot Camp – BoardmanshipRole of the Board vs. the CEO

LCC Heritage Room

TuesdayMarch 8 – 4:30 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting – Life Vantage, Inc.Chamber Office

WednesdayMarch 9 – 3-8 p.m.

Building Bridges Business & Tourism ExpoCowlitz Regional Conference Center

ThursdayMarch 10 – 7:30 a.m.

Ambassador CommitteeCanterbury Park

March 10 – 5:30 p.m.Lower Columbia Professionals

St. Paddy’s Bingo NightAmerican Legion

1250 12th Ave., Longview


Boot Camp – BoardmanshipHandling Conflict

LCC Heritage Room

TuesdayMarch 15 – 5:30 p.m.Business After Hours

Three Rivers Christian High School2441 42nd Ave., Longview


Boot Camp – BoardmanshipFinancial Accountability

LCC Heritage Room


Boot Camp – BoardmanshipWorking as a Team

LCC Heritage

March 25 – 4:30 p.m.Room Ribbon Cutting – Bateaux Cellars

288 Smokey Valley Rd., Toledo

ThursdayMarch 31 – 11:45 a.m.

Quarterly Membership MeetingState of Education

Cowlitz Regional Conference Center

Every Wednesday Chamber Connections

KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 p.m.Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com

Local guest and current events

Calendar

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Chamber March 2016 issue

www.cowlitzcobras.com [email protected]

4


By Bill Marcum CEO – Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

The Leadership Academy was at one time an event hosted by local business people through the Kelso Longview Chamber. Nearly two years ago I was talking with several board members of the Leadership Academy about the Academy and how the Chamber could possibly get it started again. One of the discus-sions that came out of those talks was the need for a series of classes on Boardmanship.

The Academy, as part of its curriculum, had a series centered on the expectations for those sitting on a nonprofit board. The Academy had not hosted a class in several years, and in our discussions many thought this was an essential missing piece for our local nonprofits that are run by boards and for the local citizens and business people who are called to serve on these boards. Last year we hosted our first Boardmanship 101 series and more than 30 people from 16 nonprofit agencies attended. It was so popular several organizations asked us to continue again this year because most nonprofit organizations cycle through

two to three board members a year. So, once again this year we are offer-ing Boardmanship 101.

In November I started working on the 2016 Boot Camp Se-ries. I contacted the facilitators from the 2015 series and asked if they would be interested in Round 2? With only one excep-tion, they all agreed to facilitate again this year. We had so much positive feedback from our first group it only seemed natural to bring them back if they could make that happen.

I am sure you have heard this before... I sure have. “Would you be interested in being on the XXXX Board of Directors, it is only one hour of your time each month?” Speaking from expe-rience, that is NOT true. Your responsibilities go much deeper than an hour of your time.

The Chamber has more than 70 nonprofit members, each with their own board ranging from 5 to 40 members who help lead the organization. It is important to know the role of the board versus the role of the executive director or CEO. How does the board handle conflict? How do they work as a team? Oh, no! I’m now the board president, how do I facilitate the meetings? And what is Robert’s Rules of Order? How do we as a board plan for the future of the organization, both strategically and for succession of board members and staff? And, last but certainly not least, what is your responsibility and accountability for the financial health of the organization as a board member, to the people who donate to the organization, and according to the legal system?

We can take about 35 total in the Heritage Room at the Lower Columbia College Admin Building, the classes start March 4 and continue each Friday morning 7:30 to 9 a.m. through April 8. The full class schedule is on page 5. If you are interested please call us right away, 360-423-8400, or go to our website, www.kelsolongviewchamber.org and secure your three spots in the class for $100. Learn to know your fiduciary responsibility.

Series designed to build stronger nonprofit board leaders

CEO’s Message

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

Bill Marcum, CEOKaren Sisson, Project ManagerAmy Hallock, Bookkeeper

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400

To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or e-mail [email protected] Deadline: 20th of each month.

BOOT CAMPSmall Business

2016 Series begins Friday, March 4

Friday Mornings ★ Lower Columbia College7:30 am - 9 am ★ Heritage Room at LCC - Admin. Bldg.

The Boardmanship Boot Camp is perfect for those boards who want to go to the next level. From basic board principles to finances to strategic planning, it has everything your board needs to make the next year what you want it to be. If you’re sick of just getting by and want to be an active board of directors to help your non-profit, I highly recommend this Boot Camp for you. Gary Chapin KLTV Board President

❝

❞

ALL

NEW FOR

2016!

360-423-8400 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Pricing same as 2013! $100 Members ★ $160 Non-Members

2016

BUSINESS BASICS 201 Six Pack

Starts May 6

March 4 Strategic and Succession Planning Facilitator: Erin Zeiger, Executive Director LCC FoundationMarch 11 Handling Conflict Facilitator: Jennifer Leach, WSU Extension Faculty and

President of the Longview School Board.March 18 Financial Accountability Facilitator: Scott Davis, CPA, Davis and Associates, CPAs March 25 Working as a Team Facilitator: Frank McShane, Cascade NetworksApril 1 Facilitating and Leading Meetings Facilitator: Terry McLaughlin, Cowlitz County AssessorApril 8 Role of the Board vs the CEO Facilitator: Gary Healea, PNE Corp.

BOARDMANSHIP six pack

6


By Chris Bailey President – Lower Columbia College

Through a partnership with the Longview School District, Lower Columbia College Head Start/EHS/ECEAP will open a new facility in west Longview by the time school starts in Sep-tember.

The facility, formerly known as the Structured Learning Cen-ter or SLC, will serve approximately 100 children from west Longview neighborhoods. The new space provides for much needed growth, and will result in an increase in the total num-ber of children served through the program. The combined pro-gram (including Head Start, Early Head Start and Early Child-hood Education and Assistance) currently serves 527 children in Cowlitz County.

The SLC previously served as an alternative high school, and is undergoing major renovations to meet the needs of its new learners – low-income 3 and 4 year olds. According to LCC Head Start Director Sandy Junker, funds have been raised to

cover approximately half of the $450,000 renovation. That leaves an unmet need of about $225,000, a gap Junker hopes will be filled by a few small grants, but more importantly from contributions made by community members.

“Community partnerships are the key to our Head Start pro-gram’s success. There are a lot of people who believe in our mis-sion of making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children. We need your help now more than ever to increase our capacity to serve children and families in our community,” said Junker.

The easiest way to contribute to the Head Start expansion is through a designated, tax-deductible gift to the Lower Colum-bia College Foundation. “Many people don’t realize they can donate directly to Head Start through the college, but 100 per-cent of donations will go to support the project,” said Erin Zei-ger, Executive Director of the LCC Foundation.

The new center is a dream come true for the program and for

Lower Columbia College

New Head Start Center to open in west Longview

Julie Rinard, President Community Home Health & Hospice

Lance Welch, President Elect PeaceHealth

Linda DiLembo Vice PresidentThree Rivers Mall

Neil Zick, TreasurerTwin City Bank

Michael Claxton, Legal CounselWalstead Mertsching

Diane Craft, Past PresidentKoelsch Senior Communities

Joel Hanson, Past Past PresidentKLOG/KUKN/The Wave

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Clayton J. Bartness, DCLongview Chiropractic Clinic Ken Botero Longview City Council

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

Michael JulianKelso Theater Pub

Bianca LemmonsCowlitz County Title Company

Frank PanarraFoster Farms

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/WeyerhaeuserTed SpragueCowlitz Economic Development CouncilSteve TaylorKelso City Manager

Dennis WeberCowlitz County Commissioner

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Please see LCC, page 7

7


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Junker, who is retiring in June after 12 years at the helm. Dur-ing Junker’s tenure, the program has expanded to include Early Head Start, which supports pregnant women and infants/tod-dlers, and dental care through the ABCD program. The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program has connected nearly 10,000 Medicaid eligible children under the age of 6 who reside in Cowlitz or Wahkiakum counties to a dental provider.

In addition to growing the program, Junker has also raised the bar for quality standards during her 12 years on the job. Due to her leadership, the program has received exemplary recogni-tion from both Washington State and the federal government for meeting more than 2,000 regulations in four clean audits.

Although leaving behind big shoes to fill, Junker is hopeful that a new director will be hired before June. Lower Columbia College is currently accepting applications for the position.

LCC, from page 6

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce recognizes that the skills required of businesses today typically demand post secondary education, and has identified that many students in our area are in need of financial assistance in acquiring additional education after completion of high school. As a business organization, benefiting from the contributions the educational system has provided us; we need to assist students in their endeavor to improve their skills for the workforce of tomorrow.

Students can apply for the Maria Harris Scholarship or the Lower Columbia Professionals Scholarship on the Kelso Longview Chamber website:

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org/applications/scholarship-information

AMOUNT It is the intent of this program to award scholarships in the amount of $500 or more. As the funds for these scholarships are based upon the voluntary contributions of our members, the actual amount is dependent upon the level of contributions to the scholarship fund. CRITERIA The scholarship is to be used at a post secondary institution for tuition

(includes trade schools). The student/applicant must be a resident of Cowlitz County. The student/applicant must demonstrate financial need (Marie Harris only). The student applicant must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.25 or better. The student applicant must submit 3 letters of Character Reference from a parent

or family member, a friend or community member and one educator. Letter should address character, personality, and academic or community involvement.

The student applicant must describe future education goals, plans for financing your education and community involvement.

The scholarship award must be used within one calendar year of the following term.

Apply Now! Deadline March 23rd!

9


By Julia Maglione Communications Manager – Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

To be successful in the workforce, teens and young adults need to participate in a variety of activities to learn not only about the skills they’ll need to get a job, but also the types of job and career opportunities available locally.

One way the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) is trying to give young people these oppor-tunities is through the Business After School (BAS) program where local businesses host events for teens and young adults ages 16-24.

The goals of the BAS program are to:1. Expose teens and young adults to local companies, career

opportunities, industries and jobs they might not know exist.

2. Provide companies an opportunity to showcase their busi-ness, make connections with potential future employees, spark career interest in a young person and connect with possible interns or future employees.

Engineering Week was February 22-26 and Gibbs and Olson and Cowlitz PUD hosted students. Thank you for your support!

Health care Week is coming up May 9-13. For companies in the health care field, this is an excellent opportunity to open a dialogue with youth and young adults and let them know about your business.

Health care companies are invited to host a two-hour after-noon event at their location. Participating businesses provide company tours, hands-on activities and discuss types of jobs available, education and training requirements, salary ranges and, if applicable, opportunities at their company for job shad-owing, summer employment, apprenticeships, internships and/or mentoring.

Businesses interested in participating in Health care Week should submit an application by April 8 to SWWDC. The form

can be downloaded at www.business-after-school.org by click-ing the “Sponsor Business After School” link.

Our young people and our community would benefit from your company’s involvement. I hope you will participate!

Companies interested in learning more should contact Justin McDaniels, SWWDC’s Regional Work-Based Learning Coor-dinator, at [email protected] or 360-567-3172.Julia Maglione is Communications Manager at the SWWDC.

She can be reached at [email protected] or 360-567-3176.

Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

Health care companies sought for youth program

Business After School Industry Weeks 2016

• Engineering Week: February 22-26

• Health care Week: May 9-13

• Manufacturing Week: October 10-14

• Computer Science Week: December 5-9

TUNE IN every WednesdayYour Chamber Connection

KEDO AM 1400 – 3 to 4 p.m.Contact the Chamber to

schedule YOUR 10-minute business spotlight

‘

Enhancing your four-legged sales call

10


By Chuck Nau Retail Consultant and Sales and Management Trainer Murray & Nau, Inc.

“Care to Dance?” Remember those moments in your life, when you may have asked that question of a friend, new acquaintance, or total stranger? In many instances that question was being asked to open a two-way dialogue and to accomplish a simple, yet enjoyable goal...to dance! Very often those first few moments were somewhat awkward until one of you elected to take the “lead” and the two of you talked through, albeit quickly, your dancing style and pace (... probably direction, too!).

A similar awkwardness may exist between your sales staff and you, as the manager or owner, when it comes to making joint sales calls on new or existing clients. Bridging that mi-nor hurdle will be easily accomplished if you remember the aforementioned analogy of “wanting to dance” – someone has to take the INITIATIVE, someone has to ask. I always find it amusing when an owner or senior manager responds to my question about making “team sales calls” with “I have never been asked.” Uneasy as you may be...sometimes, if you want to dance, YOU have to do the asking.

Once you’ve asked, or for that matter been asked (by your sales staff), the following strategies will serve you well in maximizing your business’ “team sales call” efforts.

• The “team sales call” originates with the salesperson, therefore, the sales call is THEIRS, not yours. Don’t appropriate the call, thereby frustrating, if not humili-ating, your salesperson in the process.

• Set the stage for your “team sales call” by asking your salesperson to give you a brief overview (ideally the day PRIOR) of the current client’s activity AND what “we” hope to accomplish before, during, and possibly, after our “team sales call.”

• In some cases, the goal of a “team sales call” is to advance the sales cycle by bringing the appropriate

company individual into the sales discussion with a new or existing customer. In other cases, the goal may simply be one of education...for the salesperson to observe and learn different selling and situational styles, and for the manager to understand and observe the salesperson’s selling style in action, plus interacting with clients. The “team sales call” is NOT an exercise in the hard sell!

• As in any learning situation, dialogue and feedback are essential. Coaching or conversations with your sales-person are important as you develop a concept of team and teamwork, plus fostering an open door attitude to give support and encouragement...tell her how she is doing. Coaching is not talking to your salesperson. Rather it is a two-way dialogue or discussion looking at performance, identifying performance obstacles or problems, and developing solutions and action steps.

• A key benefit of a “team sales call” is availability, YOUR availability to one of your salesperson’s clients or potential clients. Don’t overlook or underestimate the value of YOUR presence. In many cases, clients may not have had many opportunities to interact with a member of your company’s management team. This is your opportunity, too, to learn more about their business, the value they place in your product or ser-vice, plus minimizing some of their concerns or ques-tions that your salesperson may not be in a position to answer for them. Remember...don’t tell to sell. Ask questions and listen!

• An additional point worth mentioning...involving an-other individual, particularly someone with a different selling style can be very beneficial in reinforcing key selling points AND lending credibility to both of you and your company as you support each other’s state-

Please see Nau, page 11


11

ments.• Speaking of feedback...pause for a moment during a

“team sales call” and ask your salesperson for theirs, it’s important to them and should be important to you. Just as she might ask you, “How am I doing, coach?,” don’t hesitate to ask her how you are doing.

• Last, but not least, follow-up is not a luxury it is an expectation. ALWAYS send an informal (e.g. handwrit-ten) thank you note to the clients and potential clients you meet. Sit down and review each “team sales call” with your salesperson, summarizing the meeting and review-ing issues, proposals discussed and planned follow up, assigning responsibilities and action steps.

Be sure to deliver what was promised to your clients in a timely fashion, keeping them informed of progress if numer-

ous steps and procedures are necessary.Good luck as you develop your “team sales call” strategy.

Remember, as the old adage goes, a strong sales team Teaches, Encourages and Motivates.

© Murray & Nau, Inc.Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based

publishing consultant and sales and management trainer. He has been a speaker for and conducted advertising, marketing, man-agement and sales training workshops with newspapers, niche publishers, publishing groups and press associations, throughout North America. Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via e-mail: [email protected]. or at 425-603-0984.

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Nau, from page 10

12


PeaceHealth

By Jennifer RichardsPatient Concierge Lead – PeaceHealth Medical Group

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) leaving you feeling confused? Type in health savings account in your browser and you are likely to find more than 1 million results. With all of the infor-mation available there are a few basics to know that can help you answer the question, “Is an HSA right for me?”

So what is a Health Savings Account (HSA)? An HSA com-bines high deductible health insurance with a tax-favored savings account. Money in your HSA account helps pay the

deductible and expenses that are not paid by your medical plan. Health Savings Accounts offer many benefits – affordabil-ity, control, flexibility and convenience are just a few.

Affordability. HSA accounts are affordable and are triple tax savings. Contributions are tax-free, earnings are tax-free, and

Managing health care expenses? Consider a Health Savings Account

Keep yourheart happyWho do you love with all your heart? Turns out the same people who warm your heart can help keep it healthy too. They inspire us to stay heart healthy. If you need more support in your pursuit of heart health, PeaceHealth is here with screenings, nutrition advice and teams of specialists who never miss a beat.

Learn more at peacehealth.org/heart.

#hearthappy

Please see PeaceHealth, page 13

13

withdrawals are tax-free when made for eligible medical care expenses. You can invest the funds in your HSA. The same types of investments permitted for IRAs are allowed for HSAs including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and CDs.

Control. You own your account, which means you take your money wherever you go even if you change jobs, health plans, or retire. There is no “use it or lose it” penalty like a flexible spending account has. You decide what type of investments are used to grow the account and which medical expenses to pay from the HSA or to save for future use.

Flexibility. Having an HSA account gives you more flexibil-ity and control over your health care costs. It empowers you to make your own health care decisions by offering a wider

network of health care providers than an HMO.

Convenience. Most HSA plans provide a debit card and online bill payment. You can also pay for qualified medical ex-penses for your spouse or other dependents you claim on your tax return. To qualify as a medical expense the expense must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness, including dental and vision. For a full list of qualify-ing medical expenses you can visit the IRS website www.irs.gov.

A health saving account is one of several options for manag-ing your health care expenses. Whenever choosing how to save for your family’s health care needs remember to do your research, explore all of your options, and reach out to local resources for more information on the best fit for you.

PeaceHealth, from page 12

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14


Council of Governments

Regional planning’s latest Word of the Day – resilience

What is trending currently in your industry? Is it personnel issues, safety, supply chains, the Internet of things or something more unique and exciting? What is that trend you are seeing more often and with better clarity? What is your word of the day?

In regional planning the word of the day is resilience. The word is coming down from the federal level and the applica-tions of the term are broadening.

I first heard the term used several years ago when working on a hazard mitigation planning process. The idea was that plan-ning and mitigation efforts should be focused on efforts that will allow a region to quickly bounce back and recover from a wide variety of of possible natural disasters that could impact the region and its individual cities, towns and counties.

Since then, resiliency has been slowly working into the main-stream of federal policy. The US Housing and Urban Develop-ment Department (HUD), the Department of Transportation (USDOT), Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and others are pushing and promoting regional resilience with the goal of building unstoppable communities. We are seeing discussions of resilient housing, roads and overall economies.

Resilient governance includes an awareness of relevant issues through strategic planning. An integration of functions to im-prove system durability and planned redundancy to ensure ca-pacity to meet needs in case of disaster. Relationships between governments result in engagement on issues and coordination and alignment with external plans. Finally, the regional ap-proach should support self-correction and adaptability with knowledge and power to act when necessary.

Resiliency measurements and assessments are on their way and will have wide-spread implications. The focus of the resiliency movement is to limit the financial, social and environmental costs of disasters. These disasters can range from weather events to the loss of a major regional employer. A financial crisis or outbreak of disease would also qualify. Regional planning to manage the possible costs of dealing with one of these disasters could greatly reduce the losses to governments, business, and the overall community that will impact all residents.

The CWCOG is beginning the process for the 2016-17 Com-prehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) based on the Economic Development Administration direction. The Southwest Washington Economic Development District with the CWCOG as its lead agency will be exploring the steps nec-essary to prepare for a variety of disruptions that might impact our communities, our transportation systems and the overall economic stability of the region. If you are interested in engag-ing in the process, please send an e-mail to me at [email protected].

By Bill Fashing Executive Director – Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments

Residential & [email protected]

16

By Dennis Weber County Commissioner

On Guard Against Unfunded Mandates – With the state Legis-lature in session, Commissioners Dennis Weber and Mike Karnof-ski, Sheriff Mark Nelson, Auditor Kris Swanson, Superior Court Judge Steve Warning, and Assessor Terry McLaughlin have all travelled to Olympia to speak to legislators and state agencies on a variety of bills, some designed to give local governments more flexibility and save state dollars. But we are also careful to watch for unintended consequences that add burdens (and increased expenses) to cities and counties. For ex-ample, a “Justice Reinvestment” Act would reduce sentencing guidelines for non-violent offenses by shifting prisoners from state prisons (longer terms) to county jails (shorter terms). An affordable housing incentive law would exempt low-rent facili-ties from property taxes. A marijuana tax reduction would also reduce the local share of those revenues. A service fee increase for registering motor vehicles would raise revenue for counties and end a subsidy to 11 small counties that costs the state more than $600,000. Another proposal to eliminate tax breaks for in-dustrial development bringing in new jobs threatens methanol projects like Port of Kalama’s NW Innovations but doesn’t touch Boeing.

New Citizen Liaison Manager – When citizens feel ignored or treated unfairly by county staff or when they request help resolving animal noise, restaurant permitting, and right-of-way issues, or when they see code violations that threaten public health and safety, we now have a specific employee to focus on conflict resolution. Former Building Inspector Charlie Duncan has been named Citizen Liaison Manager and will be respon-

sible for assisting county residents to deal with these issues and, ideally, come into voluntary compliance when code violations are reported. He will be reporting to the Office of Financial Management.

Working with Cowlitz Nation – Sheriff Mark Nelson recently led efforts to honor the tribe by calling on the State Transporta-tion Commission to name a new ferry, the Cowlitz. Commis-sioner Dennis Weber and HHS Director Carlos Carreon met recently with tribal leaders to discuss their role in the Great Rivers Behavioral Health Organization (GRBHO), a new five-county consortium that be will providing mental health and chemical dependency treatment for low income enrollees in Medicaid. The tribe currently provides mental health services for local youth, both Indian and non-Indian. The Cowlitz Na-tion also provides a health clinic in Longview for members and employees plus a rural transportation service available for all.

Clean Drinking Water Alliance – The County has agreed to allow the City of Longview to drill test wells at Riverside Park for a new source of drinking water for its customers, including the Beacon Hill Sewer and Water District. One of three test sites in the Lexington area, the park location is in a very under-utilized area on the north side next to the dike. So far test results indicate that at 60 feet, the well is a viable source. Additional tests are still under way as part of a larger water improvement program adopted by the Longview City Council late last year. Parks Director Dan Bean is convinced that the testing is having minimal impact on the park.

Kelso Airport Wins and Woes – Late last year the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded the Kelso Airport full-funding for three important safety improvements totaling more

Potpourri to stay in tune with Cowlitz County


County Commissioners

Please see Commissioners, page 17


17

than $700,000 to be spent in 2016. The county agreed to pro-vide the required 5 percent local match from Rural Economic Development funding. These projects are crucial in the further completion of the 20-year Master Plan that will lead to airport expansion of services including being available for small com-pany jets to take off fully loaded and for locating new businesses there. Unfortunately, plans for hiring a new airport manager have been stymied by the reluctance of Longview Port commis-sioners to support this pro-jobs growth plan.

Carreon Retires, DesRosier Hired – For the past nine years award-winning Carlos Carreon has led the county Department of Health and Human Services through tremendous changes in health care, increasing poverty, and a lingering recession. In particular, he has been instrumental in seeking the best mental health and chemical abuse treatment for our Medicaid enrollees (now 35,000 in Cowlitz County). But in April he will be retir-ing. The Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce his re-placement: Chris DesRosier, a 20-year veteran of public health in Wisconsin, Texas, and, most recently in Clark County. Chris has been serving as Carlos’ deputy for Human Services for the past year. Congratulations Carlos; Welcome aboard, Chris.

Reynolds History Project Under Way – As part of the clean-up program at the former Reynolds Aluminum Reduction

Plan in west Longview, Millennium Bulk Terminals (MBTL) –

Longview has been developing a history program to recognize

the invaluable contributions made to the County by the men

and women who worked there from 1942-2001. MBTL with be

working with the Cowlitz County Historical Society and the

City of Longview on a variety of projects, including extensive

oral histories from former employees. Although the final details

haven’t been determined, ideas being discussed also include an

interpretive panel for the Reynold Aluminum Footbridge at

Lake Sacajawea, an aluminum sculpture honoring the workers,

and lectures and history articles, and a museum-quality exhibit

of artifacts.

Homeless Collaboration Making Progress – The Board of

Commissioners recently renewed contracts for a variety of

programs addressing homelessness in this area, following posi-

tive reports from staff on improvements in security, safety, and

service delivery by the major providers: Love Overwhelming

(LO) and Community House on Broadway (CHOB). In a major

breakthrough, LO has opened a neutral location (Lower Co-

lumbia CAP) for processing client assessments in order to best

allocate services to those in highest need. Although most pro-

grams faced about 10 percent cuts, one LO program was elimi-

nated completely – the Urban Rest Stop. County employees and

Kelso Police have reported a significant decline in vagrancy and

trespassing in the neighborhood. Staff also reported significant

improvement in CHOB service delivery which may lead to re-

newed funding from the county. Hundreds of families and indi-

viduals have escaped homelessness because of help from these

organizations, along with Emergency Support Shelter, and CAP.

Unfortunately, with our local economy still struggling and pov-

erty increasing, homelessness continues to plague an estimated

300 to 400 people, figures that would have been worse had these

programs not been in place.

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18


Kelso

Construction paves the way into springBy City Administrator Steve Taylor

Kelso is anticipating a busy construction season as numerous public improvement projects get under way this spring and summer. Visit http://budget.kelso.gov to view the City’s 2016 Capital Improvement Program including the location and authorized budget for each project.

The long-awaited West Main Revitalization Streetscape project will get started this May with the installation of new sidewalks, crosswalk bulb-outs, street trees, lighting and storm drainage facilities. West Main Street itself will shed its asphalt veneer and sport a refurbished concrete surface. Businesses will be open during construction, so don’t mind our dust as we help create a pedestrian-friendly retail cor-ridor in west Kelso.

South Kelso Drive will see congestion this spring due to the installation of a 16-inch water main in the right-of-way in preparation for the shutdown and replacement of the 90-year-old Minor Road reservoirs. Demolition of the structures will occur this fall with estimated comple-tion of the new 2-million gallon tank by the close of 2017. This project replaces key fire flow infrastructure and water service capacity while removing a substantial seismic hazard to Interstate 5.

Three FAA and WSDOT-funded safety projects will be completed at the airport this summer including security fencing along Talley Way, a new rotating beacon tower, and demolition of obsolete hangars along the runway’s north end. We are grateful to Cowlitz County and the Port of Longview for providing $60,000 of additional funding for the required local match.

On the heels of last year’s successful pavement preserva-tion projects, the City will complete the next phase of Talley Way resurfacing and repair deteriorating intersections at 8th Avenue and Allen Street and Sunrise Street and Miller

Longview

Don’t judge a city without visiting itBy City Councilmember Ken Botero

Don’t judge someone or something until you walk a

mile in their shoes.

If you really want to see what a community has to offer, visit that community and see for yourself. A recent social media article and the way some recent statistics were re-ported about Cowlitz County and the Kelso/Longview area, I believe, are way off base.

The towns of Kelso and Longview sometimes have been described as the physical expression of Cowlitz County’s civ-ilization. The physical form of our town does in many ways reflect fairly accurately the social condition of the citizens who live here, our mode of life, our cultural achievements, our economic status, and the kind of government we have available. Our cities reflect those characteristics because we rise above the negative and move up with the positive. And, it is because of this that the towns of Kelso and Longview have developed on our own individual lines.

One only has to look at the positive achievements and op-portunities of our communities – the educational system, especially with our own college program at Lower Columbia College, the Kelso and Longview K-12 school system; our running start programs; our cultural achievements with the Columbia Theatre, Stageworks Northwest and Lower Co-lumbia College theatre; our beautiful landscape projects for entry way into the cities; and our art culture in the down-town core section of Commerce Avenue.

Our employment rate is down, however our efforts to pro-vide jobs for the community will keep expanding with the hiring of Longview’s new economic development director.

Our crime rate has taken a good decline over the past year with our efforts of law enforcement activity. And yes, our community leaders have their hands full trying to fix what

Please see Longview, page 19Please see Kelso, page 19

19


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Mother Nature has stirred up, but it is happening. Take a look at the strong programs moving the community busi-ness district in a positive direction through the efforts of our local Chamber of Commerce.

It is quite evident that those who judge us have never been with us, to see the positive side of our community. We must give our own culture today a chance. That culture is based on the ability to question everything constructively and not accept things just because they are there. It is a question of attitudes, not style.

So for those who have not visited a very positive commu-nity, and who are looking for that Quality of Place in their lives, and businesses, I invite you to spend some productive time in our forward-moving community. We would even appreciate your positive ideas for moving ahead, as we wel-come all to our home.

Drive. The Minor Road “dip” will be repaired this summer as a precursor to the resurfacing and installation of sidewalk along Minor from Allen Street to Mt. Brynion Road next year. Adding lighting and pedestrian facilities will improve safety for motorists and patrons of Kelso Rotary Skate Park.

At long last, south Kelso’s embattled, pock-marked Yew Street will be rebuilt this year to the relief of residents and their automobiles’ suspension systems. The City had ex-hausted its options in obtaining grant funding for the east-west arterial, but the Council gave the nod last month to issue bonds during this period of favorable interest rates.

Finally, small diameter water and sewer main replace-ment will occur on Kelso’s North Hill between 7th and 12th avenues, and various storm drainage projects will be com-pleted at identified “hot spots” around the City.

While traffic delays may be a little frustrating, the City of Kelso appreciates your patience in accommodating the addition of integral investments to our built environment. Improved public facilities help support our economy and enhance the quality of life for our residents.

Kelso, from page 18

20


How much is employee turnover costing your business?By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

Recently, I have heard more employers talking with me about how challenging it is for them to fill open positions in their companies. The challenges range from recruiting issues (candidate quality, skills availability, etc.) to em-ployee morale, to losing employees to competitors.

Now that the economy has been more stable and jobs have become more available your most talented people are likely to test the water to see what other options maybe out there for them. As a business owner you are the one responsible for the tone and culture of your firm; is your business a fun, respectful, and rewarding place to work? Are your people feeling appreciated and listened to? How do you know?

One of the best things to do is to understand the realities of turnover in hard dollars – knowing the ‘true’ costs of employees leaving can help you make better, more wise investments in training, wages, benefits, and employee development.

Most of my clients are shocked to discover what the fi-nancial impacts are when one of their employees leaves and the position needs to be refilled. I know there are a number of intangible factors that go into the decisions people make to stay with your company or leave; how-ever, the opportunities business owners have to make in-vestments in their people versus paying the costs of hiring and replacing people might present better options.

To the right I have provided you a quick tool to estimate the costs to your business when an employee leaves and has to be replaced. I encourage you to take 5 minutes to complete the worksheet for the job that has the highest/most frequent turnover.

Business Toolbox

Please see Petrick, page 21

CostofEmployeeTurnoverCalculator

Examplefilling1positionforafulltimepersonpaid$15/hour

Instructions:

1. IntheShadedBoxesonly,enteryourinformationusingonlynumbers(nocommas,decimalpointsorothercharacters).

CALCULATECOSTOFTURNOVER NOTES

EmployeeCost

AnnualBaseSalary $ 30000

BenefitsCost $ 9000 Estimatedat30%ofbasesalary

MonthlySalary+Benefits $ 3250

DailySalary+Benefits $ 165 Basedon235workingdays

LossofProductivityfromOtherEmployeesFillinginforVacantPosition

DailyCostof"Covering"Position $ 54 33%ofDailySalary+Benefits

#ofDaysPositionVacant 15

TotalCostto"Cover"Position $ 810

CostToHire

HRorHiringManagerSalary $ 50000

HourlyRate $ 213 Basedon235workingdays

ResumeScreening(Hours) 2

Interviews(Hours) 8

TotalHourstoFillPosition 10

CosttoFillPosition $ 2130

TrainingCost

TrainerorManagerSalary $ 60000

DailyRate $ 255 Basedon235workingdays

TotalTrainingDays 10

TotalTrainingCost $ 2550

DaystoProductivity Timerequiredforthenewhiretoreach100%Productivity

DailyEmployeeCost $ 165

Daysto100%Productivity 20

50%ProductivityLoss $ 1650 Priortoreaching100%,assumeindividualworksat50%Productivity

TotalCost

TotalCostofTurnover $ 7140 *Note:TheCostofTurnoverCalculatordoesnotaccountfortheaddedcostofadvertisingjobopenings,recruitmentservices,etc.

CostofEmployeeTurnoverCalculator

Examplefilling1positionforafulltimepersonpaid$15/hour

Instructions:

1. IntheShadedBoxesonly,enteryourinformationusingonlynumbers(nocommas,decimalpointsorothercharacters).

CALCULATECOSTOFTURNOVER NOTES

EmployeeCost

AnnualBaseSalary $ 30000

BenefitsCost $ 9000 Estimatedat30%ofbasesalary

MonthlySalary+Benefits $ 3250

DailySalary+Benefits $ 165 Basedon235workingdays

LossofProductivityfromOtherEmployeesFillinginforVacantPosition

DailyCostof"Covering"Position $ 54 33%ofDailySalary+Benefits

#ofDaysPositionVacant 15

TotalCostto"Cover"Position $ 810

CostToHire

HRorHiringManagerSalary $ 50000

HourlyRate $ 213 Basedon235workingdays

ResumeScreening(Hours) 2

Interviews(Hours) 8

TotalHourstoFillPosition 10

CosttoFillPosition $ 2130

TrainingCost

TrainerorManagerSalary $ 60000

DailyRate $ 255 Basedon235workingdays

TotalTrainingDays 10

TotalTrainingCost $ 2550

DaystoProductivity Timerequiredforthenewhiretoreach100%Productivity

DailyEmployeeCost $ 165

Daysto100%Productivity 20

50%ProductivityLoss $ 1650 Priortoreaching100%,assumeindividualworksat50%Productivity

TotalCost

TotalCostofTurnover $ 7140 *Note:TheCostofTurnoverCalculatordoesnotaccountfortheaddedcostofadvertisingjobopenings,recruitmentservices,etc.

Were you surprised? Most business owners discover it doesn’t take much turnover to

cost you tens of thousands of dollars to fill. If that is the case for you, perhaps you can justify addressing the root cause of employee turnover (it’s not always pay) and make changes; investments that are much less expensive than turnover and achieve higher job satis-faction, customer satisfaction and eventually higher profitably. But you have to know what your costs are NOW.

All of these actions can position your company to be an ‘employer of choice’ in your industry – thus improving your odds of having access to the best talent and the lowest turnover in your field. Both

of which improve your profitability and grow your business.Something to think about – let’s take a look at your situation and

see what opportunities you have in your business. If this or any other business challenge has your attention, we can help. Set up a confidential appointment by e-mailing me today. Our services are provided at no cost to you – your Federal (SBA) dollars at work for you and your business.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Adviser for the Washington State University Small Business De-velopment Center (SBDC) in Longview. He provides confidential, business advisory services by appointment. He can be contacted [email protected]

21


Petrick, from page 20

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Connect with Legislators Legislative Briefing Breakfast

Begins Monday, January 25, 7am, RED LION and continues each Monday throughout the Legislative Session

Each week contact is made with our local legislators, either in person or by conference call, for an update on the bills and issues currently under consideration. Gary Chandler from the AWB is our main source of information as to what is going on in Olympia from a business perspective.

As a business, you often feel the impact from some of the decisions made by our State Legislators on your ability to do business in Washington State. These breakfast briefings give you an opportunity to discuss personally with your elected officials issues that impact your business and seek options that provide for better business operations in Washington.

Two major issues to be addressed during this session that WILL affect your business: Statewide Minimum wage ($12 - $15) and Predictive Scheduling. What is that? Come find out! Be heard!

January - April Legislative Update Breakfast

Mondays RED LION, Birch Room

7:00 a.m.

May - December Legislative Committee Meetings

First Monday of each month Location for 2016:

Teri’s Restaurant - 12:00 Noon


23

Government Affairs Committee

By Ken Grams Chair – President/CEO, KinetiQ Group

I was reminded of this being an election year when on Day 42, in Olympia, Rep. Hans Dunshee, Appropriations Chair said House Democrats aren’t planning to cut funds to reduce class sizes in the ear-ly grades. He said he put the cuts in the proposal to bring attention to how much money is needed to fund McCleary, as well as the current system of projecting budgets four years in ad-vance, which he called “voodoo economics.”1 Voodoo politics? Or a legislator who’s simply been on the hill for way too long?

OK… since your business wouldn’t survive too long with voodoo budgeting, let’s go down another trail.

European female hares (not to confuse with rabbit of a different genus) have six, weekly reproductive cycles and are receptive for only a few hours in one day. Thus competition among local bucks is intense. This phenomenon is known as “March madness,” as it is observed in March as the nights, the bucks’ preferred time for ac-tivity, are shorter and thus forces them to be active in the daytime. In addition to dominants subduing subordinates, the female will fight off her numerous suitors if she is not ready to mate. Fights can be vicious and can leave numerous scars on the ears. Hares will stand upright and attack each other with their paws, a practice

known as “boxing,” and this activity is usually between female and male.2

➢ TASK (replace/substitute)… • hares = legislators; reproductive = legislative; hours = weeks; day

= year; daytime = committees; dominants = majority; subordinates = minority; suitors = lobbyists; mate = vote

• female = either Democrat or Republican, then remaining for buck and male

o extra credit… ears = careers or egos… and… paws = words or bills

• NOW, the FUN… re-read about “March madness.” While we anticipate robust play and compelling success stories

for the NCAA Basketball Championships during the other March Madness, it appears the Washington state legislature will bench full funding of education (McCleary decision) for next season and simply leave minimum wage and predictive scheduling in the stands for the fans to decide (via a referendum). These important topics, including carbon limits and regulations, will impact you, your business, your families, and our community for generations. So, get involved, and be loud and strong to cheer or jeer your leg-islator!

1http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/state-house-democrats-seek-teacher-pay-raises/

2Wikipedia (online), Retrieved on February 16, 2016: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hare

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Kelso School District

Facilities needmodernizing for futureBy Superintendent Dan Zorn

A committee of staff mem-bers and citizens-at-large has studied the current conditions and the future facilities needs of the Longview School District for the past several months.

The Facilities Advisory Committee gathered information about enrollment projections, school capacities, and the physical and educational condition of the district’s schools. The group of staff and citizens identified elementary schools as the area of greatest needs.

On February 8 the committee reported to the school board that, despite maintenance, many of the district’s buildings are in either poor or unsatisfactory condition. In the pre-sentation to the board, the Facilities Advisory Committee explained that several of the elementary schools need to be modernized or replaced.

While our student enrollment is expected to be relatively stable through 2021, the state mandate for smaller class sizes will push our current elementary schools to 26 percent above their present capacity. The information collected by the committee also suggests that Mark Morris and Discov-ery high school are among other district facilities in need of modernization. Additional information about the group’s findings can be found at http://tinyurl.com/lpsbuildings

The board has authorized the committee to begin a six-month staff and community conversation about how we might address the district’s identified facility needs. Mem-bers of the committee have begun a process of collecting input from staff members. This process will be completed next month. The committee will then reach out to the com-munity to gather their feedback during April. There will be many opportunities for input, and we hope that you can help us with that process.

If you or a community group in which you are involved

Longview School District

Keeping more students in school By Superintendent Glenn Gelbrich

It seems obvious that educators can help students achieve more

if students are in school on a regular basis. To that end, several of our schools – led first by the efforts at Barnes Elementary School – have undertaken a variety of efforts to work along-side families to help students attend more regularly. At Barnes, chronic absences have been reduced by 30 percent in just one year. These efforts are yielding impressively positive results for students and families.

Following up on that attendance effort, school staff mem-bers are working to keep students in school, even when their behavior may have gotten them suspended in the past. By using alternatives to suspension, staff members have helped students accept responsibility for their behavior, learn new behaviors, and stay in school. Some of the alternatives include in-school suspension, mediation, restitution, restorative conversations and more.

Specific programs that teach students the behaviors expected schoolwide and that help students practice those behaviors regularly have made a significant difference. School climate specialists in the elementary schools teach students specific strategies for problem-solving conflicts and other areas of concern. Overall, student suspensions out of school are down significantly at every level since 2013.

• At the elementary school level, student suspensions from school have declined 54 percent.

• At the middle school level, student suspensions have de-clined 76 percent.

• At the high school level, student suspensions are down 72 percent.

• Overall, that’s a decline of 72 percent.

There are some circumstances by which students are sus-Please see Longview Schools, page 25 Please see Kelso Schools, page 25

25


is interested in reviewing the facilities information and providing input to the committee, please let me know. We’d be happy to include you on our community input session calendar. From the input gathered, a Facility Master Plan will be created with an anticipated adoption of the plan by the Board of Directors in August.

Longview Schools, from page 24

pended or expelled. If students are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, possess a weapon or are threatening to the safety of others, then they are more likely to be suspended. The goal remains to return them to school as soon as possible, within the limits of safety.

Kelso Schools, from page 24

Business After Hourshosted by

Tuesday, March 15, 2016 • 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm2441 42nd Avenue, Longview

Join us at the Three Rivers Christian School as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary!

Come on out for a fun evening including:• Tour of the New High School

• Music • Awesome Appetizers • Coffee Bar• Door Prizes! Win a Fabulous Weekend in Leavenworth

or Dinner Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants!

$15 in advance / $20 at the doorRegister online today at

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

27


Business After Hours

Something to Cluck AboutNo photos, thank you, said Dave McNiel with Foster Farms. The Kelso-based business hosted the Chamber’s February Business After Hours event February 9 at the Kelso Red Lion, but 40 lucky guests received a VIP tour of the plant prior to the start of festivities. Thank you Frank Panarra, Toni Cooper and the Foster Farms team for hosting and providing an overview of the family-owned business, product samples and a number of drawing winners like Michele Alward, who went home with a frozen turkey, stuffed Foster Farms Imposter Chickens and a hat, from Stephinie Bjerke.

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

Foster Farms Human

Resources Manager and

Chamber Board Member Frank

Panarra and Chamber

Ambassador Carrie Medack.

28


By Chris Skaugset Director – Longview Public Library

I’m writing this column on a beautiful February day. It’s not often that I have ever written that sentence before. Nevertheless it’s true. A couple of new business-related books have come into our library recently, and I think that you might just find them as interesting as I did.

The first title that I present to you this month is Adam Grant’s “Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World.” Grant, professor at the Wharton School of Business and the author of the New York Times bestselling book “Give and Take,” discusses how to improve the world through becoming original. Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook says that, “Orig-inals is one of the most important and captivating books I have ever read, full of surprising and powerful ideas. It will not only change the way you see the world; it might just change the way you live your life. And it could very well inspire you to change your world.”

He isn’t talking about the next iPhone, which is how he believes most people now determine originality and success. Instead, Grant describes originals as those business leaders/investors that choose to champion new ideas and values that go against the usual, battle conformity, and stand outdated traditions on their end. You don’t have to be a cliff-jumping, sky-diving risk taker to be original and the trait is far more common than most of us would believe. However, it does take verve and conscious choice to avoid inertia and to avoid taking the path of least re-sistance. He specifically points out some skills/tactics that an original might need to have/take including patience, the ability to find and rally supporters and fans, the ability to avoid those aspects of corporate culture or group think that quashes origi-nality, and even the value of procrastination. Grant finishes the

book up with concrete, specific steps that allow everyone the opportunity to become an original. This is a fas-cinating look at the idea of originality and how each of us can embrace it in our lives and in our business.

“All In: How Our Work-First Culture Fails Dads, Families, and Businesses – and How We Can Fix it Together” by Joseph Levs is the second book I wanted to mention this month. CNN in-vestigative journalist, and fatherhood columnist, Levs calls for men to stand up and fight against the laws, policies and stig-mas preventing them from fully participating in their home life. While the realities of family’s lives have been changing as men and women share child-rearing and household responsibilities, it still hasn’t changed enough. Levs found this first-hand when after the birth of his first child that CNN had a generous pa-rental leave policy for pretty much any kind of parent except the biological father. He eventually won that battle, and CNN changed their policy, and this book tells what he learned along the way and what we can do make the system work for all of us. He discusses concrete issues such as parental/family leave and tax system as well as societal issues such as the “doofus” dad stereotype, the fear of men as predator, and the stigma against men taking time off work for family-related events. Through ex-cellent investigative reporting and frank discussions, Levs lays out the problems and some of the solutions that will hopefully allow a balanced view of the modern family and the modern workplace and how we can make it happen.

Two very interesting, and thought provoking, titles that you can find at your Longview Public Library along with many, many more. Come in and see what you can (do, learn, experi-ence, etc.) at your Longview Public Library today!

New titles may have you thinking about the workplace in another way

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

Quarterly Luncheon Cowlitz Regional Conference Center

1900 7th Avenue, Longview

Thursday, March 31, 2016

11:45a.m. -1:30 p.m.

$25 advance/$35 at door

Register at: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Please join us for our first 2016 Quarterly! Hear from Longview and Kelso School Superintendents and Lower Columbia College President on the current

progress, challenges and opportunities with our local education system.

Kelso Schools Superintendent Glenn Gelbrich

Longview Schools Superintendent

Dan Zorn

Lower Columbia College President

Chris Bailey

30


Ambassador of the Month

Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Month for February is Chris Roewe.

Roewe, a partner/broker at Woodford Commercial Real Estate, is a familiar name in the community and a repeat Ambassador honoree. He last was an Ambassador pick in November 2015.

He joined the Chamber Ambassador program a few years ago as a way to become more involved in the local business commu-nity and to help bridge the gap between local business and the Chamber.

As an Ambassador, Roewe said he enjoys meeting new people and seeing the new businesses that are coming into the area.

Roewe is also a member of the Kelso Rotary. In his spare time, he enjoys football, working on houses and spending time at ac-

tivities and at home with his family.Chamber Ambassadors, known as

The Red Coats, are an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Am-bassador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsi-bilities 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.

Back in the Chamber spotlight

FebruaryChris Roewe

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31

Security for Downtown visitors a priority

Longview Downtown Partnership

By Marcel Goulet President – Longview Downtown Partnership

For as long as I can remember there has always been this pervasive “rumor” that Downtown Longview is not very safe, especially after dark.

Many folks, often many of whom have not been anywhere near Downtown in quite some time, talk about transients in the alleys, drug deals being transacted in the open, and “strange” people roaming up and down Com-merce Avenue (some speaking to themselves in not such hushed tones). Others, just looking a bit “off ” in how they are dressed, their appearance, or personal style, and so on.

The reality is that, yes, some or all of this is actually seen from time to time in some degree in our Downtown or in the Down-town of virtually every city, town, or hamlet throughout the world.

The key here is “to some degree.”

The reality is also that, according to reports from the Longview Police Department, incidents of crime and vandalism are actu-ally down in the past few years.

Yes, we do have homeless, transient, folks who do “dumpster dive” in the alleys, but many shop owners and residents in the Downtown district have been very vigilant in trying to discour-age and re-direct these folks to other resources that might be able to help them.

In my last contribution to this newsletter, I spoke about the new Streetscape renovations and how the question to be ad-dressed is “now what?”

One of the things the Longview Downtown Partnership has revived is taking a closer look at the safety concerns that have often been voiced by the residents of the city and also by the residents of the Downtown district as well.

In the past couple of months, meetings have taken place be-tween members of the Downtown Partnership and Chief Jim Duscha of the Longview Police Department.

Chaired by Doug Harvey, president and owner of COLSEC

Security, Doug has been in the security business

for more than 40 years. Many of the readers of this

newsletter have seen the COLSEC security patrol

cars all over the city. Many of the members of Kelso

Longview Chamber, I'm sure, are clients or have en-

gaged the services of Doug’s firm for many years as

well.

Doug has been overseeing discussions and possible

strategies that are in the works to make Downtown

not only look, but actually be safer.

The Downtown Partnership is considering re-instating the

Block Captain Program that will allow storeowners and resi-

dents in each block of Commerce Avenue to help each other

with a modified block watch program.

The Police Department is planning on being more visible on

the streets with foot patrols, bike patrols, and also assigning

participants of the police cadet program to patrol the alleys and

to report any issues that are observed.

Bottom line, Downtown is not only looking “refreshed” and

cleaner than it has in many years; it is also much safer and more

enjoyable to visit than at almost any time in recent memory.

With the help of the community who come to shop, eat, enjoy

the entertainment, and those who call the area home, it IS “safe

to go back in the water”. It is a good time to come back and see

what “our Downtown” has to offer and how there is a new ex-

citement in the air about the possibilities to come.

Come on down to Longview’s new living room and find out.

32


Flood ReliefGary Colton, Public Information Officer for

the Small Business Association, stopped by the studios during February to tell Lonnie,

Carey and listeners how he was in town administrating federal disaster loans for

victims of recent flooding and wind storms.

Karinsa Holme-Solo and DeDe Brill from the Dino Doozer Foundation talked up the 6th annual Phantom of the Opera Masquerade Ball, scheduled for March 5.

Tickets are still available at www.dinodoozerfoundation.org

or at Red Lion Hotel.

Chamber Connection

John Engelgau, account manager for Ricoh USA, Inc., talking about the many produces and services they offer.

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Chamber Connection

On TourNikkol Nagle with Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park made a whistle stop to share information on all the amenities, services and activities offered to their residence. Call them for a tour!

Stream live at www.threeriversradio.comLocal guest and current events

“Your Chamber Connection”EVERY Wednesday Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union ; Lonnie Knowles, Stewart Title, and Karen Sisson, Kelso Longview 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 Karen at the Chamber 360-423-8400

Tammy Davies, Manager at Grounds for

Opportunity was promoting their first

Valentine’s Day Dinner.

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Cowlitz County Board announces Health and Human Services Director's retirement

The Board of County Commissioners has announced Carlos Carreon LICSW, ACSW, BCD, HMHS will be retiring from his position as Director of Cowlitz County Health and Human Ser-vices (HHS). His last day will be April 29.

During Carreon’s 9-year tenure, he has served on many state and local boards and has chaired the Washington State Depart-ment of Health’s (DOH) licensing board for Social Workers, Counselors and Marriage Therapists. Carreon has also been a part of the state Agenda for Change public health transforma-tion work group. He was instrumental in bringing to this com-munity the Nurse-Family Partnership program as well as the Office of Healthy Communities with strategies to improve the overall well-being of the people of Cowlitz County. He has re-ceived a number of awards during his tenure including Public Health Leader of the Year in 2014 and most recently the Life-time Achievement Award for 2015 at the Co-Occurring Dis-order Conference sponsored by Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR).

Fortunately, Cowlitz County is able to provide continuity of leadership by appointing Christine DesRosier, MS, as Carreon’s successor effective May 1. DesRosier brings a wealth of experi-ence in systems redesign. She has more than 20 years experi-ence in the state of Wisconsin developing community systems reform for children and adults. In Texas, DesRosier served as the executive director of an accredited agency delivering a comprehensive network of prevention and direct services to 11 counties. She was responsible to many entities within these counties including county commissioners, judges, law enforce-ment, department of corrections, council of governments, pri-mary care, homeless service providers, hospital and health dis-tricts, school systems, faith based organizations, local business communities, and cities.

DesRosier has served in lead roles with state agencies in sys-tems redesign and her experience has been enhanced by serv-ing on multiple boards and task forces including the Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force for Medicaid reform. She has experience in public health matters and has an appreciation of chronic disease management as it affects many vulnerable populations. DesRosier has been in ongoing contact with Washington’s De-partment of Health and other public health agencies to ensure a smooth transition as HHS moves toward a more integrated community based approach to address the health issues faced by the community.

Check Out Classic Music, Forbidden Love, or Catch a Fever!

The Longview Library invites you to use your Longview Library card to check out a pair of tickets to attend one of these amazing local shows for free. The Longview Library Culture Card program will have tickets available for the following venues:

Stageworks Northwest, Longview Theater: HMS Pinafore, April 8 - May 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. On the proud ship HMS Pinafore, the dashing young seaman Ralph Rackstraw loves Josephine, daughter of the courteous and respected Captain Corcoran, despite class disparity and Josephine’s unwilling betrothal to Sir Joseph Porter, the haughty First Lord of the Admiralty. Their plans to escape ashore and elope are thwarted when the wretched Dick Deadeye betrays them to Captain Corco-ran.

The Columbia Theatre: Best of Broadway: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber, March 12, 7:30 p.m. The Best of Broadway presents an unforgettable musical journey through Andrew Lloyd Webber’s greatest hits. Revisit the powerful musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, the thrilling strains of Evita, the playfulness of CATS, the passion of Phantom of the Opera and many more! Each of these amazing performers has actually starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber shows on Broadway. With their extraordinary talent and music of Webber, you are assured of a memorable evening of entertainment!

Hotel California, April 21, 7:30 p.m. Hotel California is com-prised of five respected, multi-talented top music industry profes-sionals that present a dynamic exciting show saluting the music of The Eagles.

Longview-Kelso Community Concert Association: Stringfever, April 21, 7:30 p.m., LCC Rose Center for the Arts. Brothers Giles, Ralph and Neal Broadbent and their cousin, Graham are four world class musicians playing five and six-stringed electric violins, viola and cello in a truly original show. Stringfever’s unique, ac-claimed version of Ravel’s ‘Bolero’ has all four playing on one cello simultaneously. Their helter-skelter 007James Bond medley is an absolute killer.

Southwest Washington Symphony: Spring Concert - Young Artist, April 26, 7:30 p.m. at the LCC Rose Center for the Arts. The concert will feature Epic March – John Ireland, Magnificat – Pergolesi, and Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish” – Schuman.

Tickets are limited and first-come, first-served. Come to the in-formation desk or call 360-442-5300 with your library card num-ber ready to check out your tickets today. See the complete rules and restrictions at http://www.longviewlibrary.org/tickets.php.

In The News

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Welcome Back!

*American Medical Response*Beacon Hill Sewer District*Cascade Title Company*CCS*City of Kelso*City of Longview*Comcast Spotlight*Costco Wholesale*Cowlitz County*Cowlitz County CASA*Cowlitz County P.U.D.*Cowlitz County Title Company*Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments*David E. Houten, DDS*Diamond Showcase*Document Management Archives*Dorothy Bain Hanson*Emerald Kalama Chemical*Express Employment Professionals*Freddy’s Just for The Halibut*Gordon Sondker*Interwest Benefit Consultants*KapStone*Koelsch Senior Communities*L.G. Isaacson Company*Longview Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory*Lower Columbia College*Miller Paint*Pacific Tech Construction, Inc.*Port of Longview*Rodman Realty, Inc.*Steel Painters/Railco*Swanson Bark & Wood Products, Inc.*The Golden Palace*The Red Hat*Three Rivers Eye Care*Walstead Mertsching, PS*Watkins Tractor & Supply Co.*Columbia River Carpet One*Compendium Consulting

*Cowlitz County Guidance Association*Estetica Day Spa*State Farm Insurance – Scott Fischer*Diamond Residential*Applied Application*Broderick Gallery*American Legion*Coleman Cellular*Port of Woodland*Cowlitz Credit Union*Industrial Packing*Pacific Fibre Products*Errand Girl*American Family Kari-Ann Botero*Guild Mortgage*Interstate Wood Products, Inc.*Lower Columbia CAP*M & R Painting, Inc.*Mint Valley Federal Credit Union*Newrock Homes, Inc.*Northwest Auto Specialist, Inc.*Retirement Strategies*Simpson Timber Company*Superior Tire Service, Inc.*The OM Home*Triangle Bowl*Cowlitz County Chaplaincy *Biggs Insurance Services*Clay Bartness*Comcast*Dick Hannah Toyota*Fred Meyer, Inc.*Heritage Bank, Kelso*Heritage Bank, Longview*Hometown National Bank*Island Sun Tanning, Inc.*Kemira Water*Longview Engineering and Design*McCord Bros. Nissan Dodge*Millennium Bulk Terminals*Minuteman Press*Professional Communications Services

*Servpro of Longview/Kelso*Sierra Pacific Mortgage*Sterling Insurance*Twin City Bank*U.S. Cellular*Waste Control Recycling, Inc.*Woodford Commercial Real Estate*United States Army*Lexi’s Pizza*B & B Air Conditioning & Heating – Entek Corp.*Bicoastal Media dba KLYK/KRQT/KEDO/ NEW COUNTRY*Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts*Community Health Partners/Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic*Craig Stein Beverage*Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes*Frontier Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center*Gibbs & Olson, Inc.*Humane Society of Cowlitz County*Life Mortgage*Music & More D.J.s*Noelle McLean PS*Pacific Lumber & Shipping Co.*Papé Machinery*PNE Corp*Pro-Caliber Longview Motorsports*Red Canoe Credit Union*Red Canoe Credit Union 30th*Red Canoe Credit Union Washington Way*Safway Services, Inc.*Searing Electric & Plumbing*Steel Chapel Longview Memorial Park*The Dog Zone*Utilize I.T., Inc.*Wal-Mart

We at 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.

*Red Leaf Coffee*BA Design*American Red Cross*Animal Health Services*Suzanne Arnitz*Baxter Auto Parts*Behrends Body Shop*Bob’s Sporting Goods*Burger King*Collins Architectural Group*Country Village Nutrition Shoppe & Café*Day Wireless Systems*Esteem Salon*Ethnic Support Council*Fiesta Bonita Mexican Grill & Cantina*Foster Farms*Gallery of Diamonds*Global Images Graphic Design & Marketing*Hilander Dental*Hydraulic Service, Inc.*Kelso Rotary*Les Schwab Tire Center*Northwest Motor Service*Overhead Door Company of Southwest *Washington*Peter C. Wagner, D.M.D., PS*ProBuild*Propel Insurance*Shamrock Tavern*Shirley L. Smith*Stirling Honda*Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt*Taco Time*The Daily News*The Roof Doctor*Twin City Glass Co.*Twin City Service Co.*Weatherguard, Inc.*Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company*Workplace Wellness*WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum*B & R Mini Storage*Banda’s Bouquets*Be Cause Business Resources, Inc.*Best Western Aladdin Inn*Busack Electric

*Calportland*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*P. T. Northwest*Pacific Office Automation*Papa Pete’s Pizza – Longview*PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center*Pets, Pawns & Imports*SW Washington Symphony*The UPS Store*TSYS Merchant Solutions*Washington State University Vancouver*Zip Local*Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance*Corwin Beverage*Cowlitz River Rigging, Inc.*Educational Service District No. 112*Emergency Support Shelter*Employers Overload*Fairway collections*Futcher Group*Kelso School District*Kelso Theater Pub*Kelso-Longview Television, Inc.*KeyBank*Longview Early Edition Rotary*Longview Eye & Vision*Longview Physical & Sports Therapy*Longview Self Storage*Northwest Hardwoods, Inc.*Opsahl, Dawson & Company, P.S.*Renaud Electric Company, Inc.*Reprographics, Inc.*Solvay

*Southwest Washington Blood Program*United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties*Willamette Dental*Anderson & Anderson Advisory, LLC*Berkshire Hathaway*Better Business Bureau*C's Photography*Cowlitz County Museum*Cowlitz Economic Development Council*Cowlitz Indian Tribe*Cowlitz River Dental *Epson Portland*Erickson Glass Co.*Estetica Day Spa*Fibre Federal Credit Union - Castle Rock *Branch*Guesthouse Inn & Suites*Kellogg Supply, Inc.*Longview Country Club*Lower Columbia Economic Development Council*Motion Industries, Inc.*Mt St Helens Creation Information Center*N. W. Deli Distribution, Inc.*Pathways 2020*Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park *Progress Center*Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center*Riverview Community Bank*Sessions Plumbing & Heating, Inc.*Three Rivers Christian School*Timothy E. Nelson, DDS*Weyerhaeuser*Advanced Message & Dispatch*Beacon Hill Rehabilitation*Bob Beal Insurance Agency Inc. – State Farm*Building Industry Association of Clark County*Cascade Networks, Inc.*Cascade Select Market*Columbia River Reader*Davis & Associates, CPAs, PS*Eldon Robbins Auto Sales, Inc.*Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier


Welcome Back!

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Welcome Back!

Region*Longview Downtowners*Longview Pawnbrokers & Bail Bonds*North Pacific Paper Corporation/NORPAC*Performance Sheet Metal, Inc.*Prographyx*Snap Fitness*Stageworks Northwest*Stewart Title*Super 8 of Kelso/Longview*Three Rivers Mall*Youth & Family Link*Altrusa International Inc. of Longview-Kelso*Be Cause Business Resources, Inc.*Canterbury Inn*Columbia Ford Hyundai Nissan*Ecological Land Services, Inc.*Eoff Electric Company*Fibre Federal Credit Union - Main Branch*Jansen Flowers & Gift Gallery*KLOG/KUKN/the WAVE Radio Stations*Longview Radiologists, P.S., Inc.*Omelets & More*PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation*Suburban Propane*Take Shape for Life with Brenda Courser*Teri's Restaurant*Dream Dentistry*Reality Homes*Longview Eagles*Service Master*Ricoh*Planet Fitness*WA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation*Acupuncture Northwest*Budget Blinds of Longview*Columbia Bank - Longview Branch*Columbia Funeral Service*Columbia River Mill Outlet*Columbia Wellness*Continental Investors Services, Inc.*DeFrancisco Lampitt and Brado PS*DSU Peterbilt*Fire Mountain Grill & Summerland Catering Services*G L

Booth ~ J G Davis & Associates*Green Hills Crematory - Cascade NW Funeral Chapel*Kay Green*Lower Columbia Contractors Association*Signature Transport, Inc.*State Farm Insurance - Scott Fischer*Teague's Interiors*ASAP Business Solutions*My Agency*Area Agency on Aging Disabilities of Southwest Washington*Dino Doozer*Windemere Kelso-Longview

OUR LATEST RENEWING MEMBERS*Advanced Dental Services, LLC*All Out Sewer & Drain Service, Inc.*Baker Lumber Company, Inc.*Brusco Tug and Barge, Inc.*Carl's Towing Service & Repair, Inc.*Carlson's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.*Cascade Natural Gas Corporation*Coldwell Banker Bain*Cole's Appliance Repair*Comfort Inn*Community Home Health & Hospice*Cutright Wholesale Plumbing Supply*Family Health Center*Interiors Plus*Life Works*Longview Housing Authority*Longview Orthopedic Associates, PLLC*Longview Public Schools*Masthead Restaurant*McDonald's of Longview*McDonald's of Longview II*Nipp & Tuck Inc.*Ocean Beach Animal Hospital*Pacific Fibre Products, Inc.*Paperbacks Galore, Inc.*Rush Insurance/Financial Services, Inc.*Schlecht Construction, Inc.*Somerset Retirement Home and Assisted Living*T.C.'s R.V. & Mini Storage, Inc.*United Finance

*Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company*Wasser & Winters Company*William (B. J. ) R. Boatsman

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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

Meetings• Civic Representation• Monthly Business After Hours

Business Services include marketing for your business, refer-rals 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

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

• Legislative Representation

• Issues Tracking and Information

• Task Forces

• Candidate Forums

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Demographics Publication

PackagesBasic 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.

Celebrate new Chamber members with us* Representative JD Rossetti

* Country Financial

* Cool Scoops

* Cowlitz Cobras

Welcome New Members

Join today! Call 360-423-8400

Chamber membership has its privileges

2016 VISITOR & MEMBERSHIP GUIDELet businesses know about your business!

✔ Used year round by hundreds of local and out-of-area companies.✔ A resource guide for the community.✔ To provide resources and leadership for business success.

Space is limited - Call today! 360-423-8400Ad Rates

Full Page ...................................$2,2302/3 Page ...................................$1,5951/2 Page ...................................$1,2351/3 Page ......................................$9351/6 Page ......................................$7151/12 Page ....................................$505Additional listings in directory .......$55

All ads are full color at no extra charge.

Premium placement including back cover, inside cover, page 2, 3 and 4: add 15%

Ad Sizes

Mechanical Specifications

Electronic Files• Should be emailed to [email protected]• Please include your company name and publication in the subject line.

Logos, Images, Photos• Formats: JPG, EPS, TIFF, PDF• Resolution must be 300 dpi. Images from the internet cannot be used.

Full Files• PDF format, 300 dpi, with fonts embedded

Images for Scanning• Photographs (up to 8.5” x 11”), stationery, menus, business cards, etc.• Artwork for scanning must be clear and unmarked• Digital artwork is preferred as this will give a higher quality result.

If you have any questions regarding acceptable artwork, please call 360-423-8400 or email [email protected]

105 Minor RoadKelso, WA 98626360-423-8400

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Deadline

March 15th!

Kelso LongviewChamber of Commerce Visitor Guide & Directory

2015

Visit Play Work

Stay

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1/12 Page

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Lower Columbia Professionals

Sweet!Tom Hayes, a partner in Five Dons Brewing Company and Joy Snead from Columbia Bank - Woodland, participated in Lower Columbia Professionals' Caps, Corks and Cupcakes February 18 at Five Dons Brewing. The evening, which paired cupcakes from Kristi’s Custom Sweets with Roland Wines and craft brew from Five Dons raised money for the scholarship fund.

Kimmie Cramer and Julianna Dunning toast to sweet eats.

Stephanie Douglas, Jessica Kullman, Jason Meunier, and Pam Whittle.

Hosted by:

Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016 Location: American Legion (1250 12th Ave., Longview) Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm (First game starts at 6p.m.) Cost: $20

Register at: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Get lucky at our festive Spring event filled with food, beverage, prizes, 50/50 raffle, and of course 10 games of BINGO! 100% of the proceeds go to the Lower Columbia Professionals Scholarship Fund to benefit local graduating high school seniors in Cowlitz County.

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