The Watchdog Magazine Feb 2024 : simplebooklet.com

CORNEREditor’s The newsletter started as a two page“Call to Action” during the period ofdenial by the city of Longview to whatthey had done to our community withtheir lax policies around the “homeless”issue. Readers took an interest and keptwanting more. Now we have grown intothe “Watchdog of Cowlitz County” withcirculation over the entire county. We walk door to door through theentire county passing out ournewsletters and gradually informing you,our readers, on the local political scene. Most people are no different from mein my earlier life, little time, but aninterest in what’s going on and a thirstfor real information, knowledge, andunderstanding. First of all, we'd like to thank youfor reading our magazine, we aregrateful. Many of you have been reading ourcontent for a long time, others arejust beginning to see it available forfree around town. For those of youwho don’t know us, it is time tointroduce ourselves. My name is Larry. I have lived in thelocal area since 1972. I have had aninterest in politics. However, I did nothave the time to get involved. I didpay attention but the more I paidattention the more I suspected it wasa dirty game. Thus – I observedand ignored. A couple of years ago I was lookingover the political landscape andrealized how far the founding idealsand values of our republic have fallen. I am a really old guy (80) and I decided I had better spend a few ofmy remaining years trying to make upfor my lifelong inattention andinaction. Thus, my introduction tolocal politics. Attending County CommissionerMeetings is how I started. Before longI received an invitation to help withCamp Alabama from the residents inthe Highlands. Over the past two years, we've spokenwith thousands of you as our neighborsand friends. We met you as we walkedyour neighborhood and now you receiveour publication in your email. You can also find our newsletter atlocal businesses. We’ve spoken withprominent business leaders, publicemployees, and elected officials too. The topic on everyone’s mind is“homeless”, but in a broader senseit is about “Public Safety”. PublicSafety covers a lot of ground. In the following pages, you’ll find thecommon sense ideas that we will bepresenting to our local leaders, officials,and the community at large. Thiscomprehensive, and well-documentedroadmap is a targeted plan on how toapproach this broad topic. Consider this a strategic startingpoint. It is well researched and it’s basedon what has worked in various societiesover the last 300 years. Today’s problems are nothing new.We do not need to reinvent the wheel. We hope you enjoy your reading andenjoy learning more. Please alsosubscribe so that you are kept up todate, and this 80-year-old man doesn’thave to get out in the cold and rain tobring you your personal copy, as muchas I like seeing you, our responsibilitiesare growing and our volunteers aretaxed. (Pardon the Pun)Larry That led to more and more exposureand involvement in local politics. To saythat I was appalled with the entiresystem in our community would be anunderstatement. Each experience opened anotherdoor, behind it was usually somethingunpleasant. Now just a couple of years later wehave an active volunteer base with ourorganization attending and writingabout most of the city, county, andschool board meetings in CowlitzCounty.The Watchdog February 2024Page 2Reach an active,engaged , andinterestedaudience Advertisewith theWatchdogWatchdogAds@protonmail.com126 Huntington Ave NorthCastle Rock, WA 98611(360) 274-8131 * (800) 974-8131Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 5:30pmSat: 9am - 1pmSun: Closedwww.CastleRockBuildingSupply.comCome see usCome see usCome see ustoday!today!today!cattleequinedogs and catssmall animalsreptilesgoatswild birdsdomestic birds 360-225-59801501 Guild Rd * Woodlandhttps://remnantfarms.com

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~ K5 News * January 29, 2023I’m out of here! ~Jeff B.The People spoke: the current program’s major advocate was defeatedin the election despite having an 8x funding advantagePolice shorted $600K for 6 new officers in Longview City's budget lastyearDowntown Mainstreet Washington, a profit maker via state sales taxrebates, was not fundedPark maintenance was deferred and not funded; the failed solutionwas a tax levy that the voters handily voted downThe police ballot issue will likely fail as well. This has postponed theneeded expansion of Longview's police force by 2 yearsCommunity House's Proposal would save $700K/year. This fundingcan be diverted to police, downtown, parks, etc.The goal is to get every person back to gainful employment and private housingHelp our own, not “transfers” from Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Olympia, or who knows whereHelping those down on their luck is the best use of the program’s charityMentally ill need a mental facilityCriminals need jailDrug addicts need rehabPioneers need to be working to receive aidRequire continued sobrietyRequire participation in classes and betterment groupsNeed ordinances against Public Camping, Panhandling, etc. Need enforcement re: misdemeanors as means of getting offenders into either treatment or jailData documenting the effectiveness of Longview’s CompassionRealization that not everybody can be fixedOn the following pages we explore these topics in depth Miserable failure; traps people in povertyNo longer the “darling” of progressivesVery expensive Low success rate Does not get people back to self sufficiency Community Leader ThoughtsSeattle is spending $80K/year per homeless personMost $$$ goes to social service agencies (SSA)SSA data documents failures, but they just re-organize and re-fundFree food and free rent attracts people who are unwilling tocontribute to the betterment of the community Tragedy of American CompassionThe disabled and mentally ill are being victimized too! They werepushed out of Hope Village.They’re living on the streets.Criminals are free to prey upon them and others!The Watchdog February 2024 Page 3Our policy ideasstart on the next page

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The word compassion is often misused and misunderstood Many talk about compassion, yet showlittle to no compassion for the taxpayerFamily Owned &OperatedExpert TechniciansFull Service Repair& ReplacementProfessionals340 Oregon WayLongview When does compassion becomecruel? When does it enable thedestruction of self or others? When does it do more harm than good?What then is compassion? Often compassion is seen as an actionon impulse such as handing a dollar to abeggar with a cardboard sign and astory. Is it compassion when we removeresponsibility from that beggar? There are expectations of adults -sobriety, maintaining of public order,and providing for oneself and theirsurvival. Is handing someone a dollarcompassion, or do we give to protectour ego? Can we repeat, “I am good; I didsomething”, or have we insteadprolonged the misery and essentiallyexacerbated the problems? Is handingthem a dollar today noble, will it benoble in the end? Is compassion better placed bymaking harder choices that stimulateindependence and dignity? Oftenpeople must fall before they can look upand notice the distance they must climbback. The old saying "The sky looks smallwhen standing at the bottom of thewell" is as relevant to the conversationas any. Do we want to keep people at thebottom of the well seeing a bleak andsmall sky for eternity? Unfortunately,some see that as compassion. We seeself-reliance and dignity as compassion. We cannot help people grow if weallow them to ignore theirresponsibilities. They must beresponsible for their actions, theirchoices, and their own personal care. When we treat other adults as infants,we gain power over them and diminishtheir inner core and being. We are allborn with a divine spark towardindependence. When that is stifled ourself-worth crumbles. As we respond to these problems, wemust keep in mind the adage that “theroad to hell is paved with goodintentions.” We have limited resourcesand must make sure our roads are well-paved before undertaking such costlyand burdensome tasks. In the 20th century, the socialistmodel of means-tested welfare began.Today no expectations of effort orvirtue are demanded, the only qualifieris income. This has created generations ofdependent people mired in povertywith countless negative outcomes.Poverty has clearly won the war. Recipients are not taught self-sufficiency nor pride and dignity inaccomplishments. They often languishbecause strict regulations prevententrepreneurship and effort at workingand saving. The system is self-serving and notgeared for the success of the individual. What is one of the greatest giftsprovided to our fellow men andwomen? In one word – Dignity. Without it life becomesmeaningless, there is no will toimprove or succeed. We are nowseeing the results of generations offalling standards of behavior andexpectations. We want all citizens to thrive and beproductive; we need to createindividual relationships with thosewho need help, not turn it over toagencies. Relationships with unknownbureaucrats are fleeting andtemporary. Professional resources willbe needed – those resources areavailable and should be allocated onlytowards those who are not able tohelp themselves or to those who areable-bodied and willing to make theeffort to get themselves back to self-reliance. There is a responsibility to protectthe entire population of CowlitzCounty. Those who are not willing tobe responsible have no place here.They should not have been allowed todisrupt entire sections of the city –lowering the standard of living,victimizing families, individuals,and/or local businesses; while causingless prosperity for the future.When independence is stifled self-worthcrumbles It destroys from within. Resentmentbuilds as the human soul, even in adegraded state, the human spirit cravesbalance and harmony. We must keep the same expectationsof all citizens; it is the best way tomaintain the trust and cohesionnecessary to prosper and thrive as asafe community. Many citizens are not content withtheir dollars funding degradation andidleness. If public funds are used forcharity, they must know that therecipients of their generosity areactively working on sobriety, are notengaging in crime or social disorder, andare willing to be identified, monitored,and held accountable for their dailytasks of living. We deserve to know that every dollaris accounted for and audited forefficiency.The Watchdog February 2024Page 4

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1107 North Pacific AveKelso, WA 98626 Everything made from scratch!The Watchdog Page 5February 2024Marvin Olasky, in his brilliant book on charity called “The Tragedy of AmericanCompassion,” lays out seven fundamental principles of charity:Affiliation and building community whether family,church, or some other social groupOne-on-one efforts with a sponsor buildcommitment and faith, which in turn leads tosuccessCareful triage to determine needs, expectations,and deficitsDiscernment in the intake process and continuousevaluation along the road to recoveryRequire work or effortRemove barriers to success and self-sufficiencyEncourage faith and nurture spiritual developmentWe have strayed far from earlier Christian models of charity. Upuntil the 1930s, recipients of charities were short-term stopgapsand not permanent. There were always expectations that, ifpossible, the recipient must work toward self-care.Sobriety was mandatory and there was support to achieve it.Clearly, our modern model is not working as conditions and socialexpectations have only worsened as more and more dollars havebeen thrown at the problem. TEAR-OFF/RE-SHEETSTORCH DOWN/TPOROOF CLEANINGROOF COATINGSROOF CLEANINGREPAIRSWE ALSO OFFER:SKYLIGHTSGUTTERSFINANCING AVAILABLE OACLicensed & BondedContractor Reg #ROOFDI*168N8CCB# 18447110% OFF NEW ROOFSLongview ~ Kelso ~ CathlametAlso serving: Scappoose ~ St Helens ~ Rainier ~ Clatskanie360-423-2206360-423-2206Longview@TheRoofDoctor.com “WE MAKE HOUSE CALLS” Since1959EMERGENCY SERVICEhttps://www.TheRoofDoctor.comDoor SlabsFlooring MoldingLumberLive Edge Wood Slabs& MorePre-hung Doors Stock or CustomBUILDERSBUILDERS1329 Industrial WayLIQUIDATORLIQUIDATOR360-501-6539

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BuySell TradeConsignGunsmithingTues - Sat: 9a m - 6pmWWentz@gatorscustom.netPhone: 360-353-5244 * Fax: 360-353-5245 GATORS CUSTOM GUNS109 Allen St * Kelso, WA 98626 Page 5Criminal Problems – current and activeCriminal Problems – previously rehabilitated and nolonger an issueLifestyle choice or voluntary homelessnessNewly homeless due to unforeseen circumstances orsystemic failures, such as inflation, taxes and fees,health care costs, etc.Living with addiction but demonstrating a willingnessto changeLiving with addiction but unwilling to changeChronic mental health condition, crisis, unresolvedtraumaComplex combinations of issues that may require moreintensive care management The Watchdog Page 6 February 2024 How do you eat an elephant? – onebite at a time. Just like the wholeelephant, we cannot successfullytackle a broad category called“homeless,” “unhoused” or any othername of the day and expect toswallow it whole. We must specifically identify thevarious causes, each of which willrequire a specific remedy or series ofremedies. Some parts of the elephant will notbe eaten because they are simplyunpalatable from a moralperspective or are not adequate forsolving the problem. The only objective way to identifythose bite-size pieces is to evaluateeach individual to determine theirneeds. Those doing this evaluation must becertified professionals withcredentials in the appropriate fields –beginning with licensed Social Workand Psychology counseling degrees. They must be completelyindependent of any of the serviceagencies (nonprofits, for-profits, andcity or county government agencies)that provide the services required. The administration of thesefunctions must be at the highest level– in this case, Cowlitz County. Theymust report directly to the CountyCommissioners. Without a thorough andcomprehensive evaluation process, itis utterly impossible to gauge thetrue scope of an individual’sobstacles and deficits. It is impossible to offer theappropriate services if thebackground and historical identity isunknown. It is also impossible toguarantee the safety of staff, otherclients, and the public if the fullhistory is not known. A troubled history would notpreclude one from services, but itwould weigh on the process. Wemust, if we are accountable, spendwisely on those wishing to trulyreintegrate and rehabilitate theirlives.

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Voluntary homelessness, unrelenting criminality, and continuing substance abuse must be clearly stated as barriers toservices. Housing first policies will have no place with any social service provider receiving city or county fundsThose who are housed must demonstrate that they can maintain standards of decorum as tenants. They must be able todo the daily tasks of living, keep a hygienic environment, have stable relationships with other tenants, and not be addictedto or be using altering substancesA medically staffed inpatient mental health and drug treatment facility is required. We already have underutilized countyfacilities (Juvenile Center) that could be converted to spaceDrug court judges would have a new tool and addicts would have a better chance of recovery removed from their priorenvironment long enough to break the chains of habit and sever ties with toxic relationships and other influencesThe Jail would be relieved of housing mentally ill convicts and “normal” convicts would have a better chance of attainingstabilityAnother key component is inter-local coordination between the prosecutors, police, and judiciary to maintain strongenforcement of existing laws and regulationsIf a transient desires no obligation aid, other localities will provide that for them. Cowlitz County should notSome may feel that this is unjust or unfair. The Guardian program has been suggested for that very reason. Guardiansshall undertake responsibility for their sponsored individual’s public behavior and costs to the city, private citizens, orbusinesses if destructive behavior occurs. This program will require a legal agreement with the appropriate governmentaljurisdictionWe do not advocate for unaffordable, blank-check programs that siphon public funds while the problem worsens. Werecognize demanding more from the taxpayers than they can afford is detrimental and perpetuates more homelessnessand social ailsProgram qualifications apply to anyone participating aseither a recipient of care or anyone applying to be asponsor under a legal guardian contract.Must have a State or Federal ID. Must have proof of US citizenshipMust go through fingerprint and background checkMust undergo drug and alcohol screenMust have a 5-year minimum tie to the community Must be free of active warrants or felony criminal encumbrances. i.e.,recent arrests, trial dates, or convictionsMust meet with a licensed mental health provider for assessment andtriage of servicesThe licensed provider must be independent and be contracted only toassess people seeking services and not be financially compromisedWe must define the needs, determine the numbers in each category, and then allocateresources. We have many physical resources in Cowlitz County which might be adequateto serve the needs of our citizens. Below are several discussion points for consideration. The Watchdog February 2024 Page 7Flowers & Gifts477 Oregon Way * Longview(360) 578-7673Same DayDeliveryAvailableFuneral Arrangements for All Faiths1105 Maple St * Longview * (360) 636-4211Complete * Professional * Affordable

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Love Busy Bees!They’re my extrahelping hand!!Busy Bee's CleaningKeeping your space neat and tidy weeklybi-weeklymonthlyone time10% discount for Seniors, Veterans, and Front Line Responders (Police, Fire, EMT’s, DOC officers, Doctors and Nurses)For all your cleaning needs ~ call on the Busy BeesHeather Pinkerton ~ 360-431-4229 Email: BusyBeesCleaningWA@gmail.comExperienced and ProfessionalResidentialCommercialDeep CleaningMove OutAir BNB Establish and set up an independent professional intake process, which would include at a minimum licensed SocialWork and Psychology counseling degrees Develop and implement a performance matrix for all categories. Assign independent professional monitorDesign and implement a legal guardian program for those who might be displaced by categories 1 or 3 and wish toremain in this community and for whom there is a sponsor Develop, design, and assign responsibility for a safety net for category 4. Including a reporting matrixImmediately announce and begin work on a system for mental health care. Move as quickly as possible to create anenvironment to professionally help the mentally ill and relieve pressure on the jail system. (This will take months,but we should create a target date of 6 months.)Discourage low-barrier programs – require agencies to have legal guardian contracts for each individual withintheir program(s)Document all homeless in all other existing programs using city or county resources. Require a professional intakefor the record. Do not displace these people now regardless of independent assessmentDefine and begin regular audit processes for all programs using city and county resources.Give immediate notice to the public that there will be zero tolerance for public camping, vandalism, theft, open druguse, violence, or threats of violence or any other threats to the public at any time. Notify the public that thesepolicies will be strictly enforced. Streets are to be clear, safe, and clean at all timesPanhandling and public participation in ad hoc food giveaways and other acts that enable transience and publicdisorder will be discouragedDraft the most practical and loosest interpretation of the 9th Circuit Court Boise decision The Watchdog February 2024Page 8Announce strict enforcement of Camping and Vagrancy Ordinances. Refine ordinances if needed. Adjustcity resources to perform these tasks and announce the implementation date. (no more than 30 days)I just wanted to tell youhow much weappreciate thisnewsletter and all yourhard work informing usabout what all ishappening in our cityand neighboring towns.Keep up the good work!Thank you readers(360) 425-3010721 Commerce Ave LongviewLocally Owned * Family Owned

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302 E Scott Ave * Woodland https://www.interstatepest.comFamily owned * Locally Owned * Kelso Proudly Serving you Since 1963(360) 636-0560 Cowlitz County Concerned CitizensAn informative publication for the people, by the peopleCounty, Longview, K elso, Castle Rock, Toutle, Woodland & KalamaThese goals are achievable and, in the end, more humane goals than open-ended programs without metricsand cost-benefit analyses. Every step a client would take toward independence and self-reliance is salvationfor them and a relief for our social fabric that is continually strained to the breaking point.Let us move forward with common sense, vision, and an open creative mind. The people deserve as much.Public Safety is the number one goal. The degree of Public Safety is dependent on the overall emotional and mental stability of the population atlarge. Continuing down the path of pretending that our culture and society can be left to unrestricted whimsand destructive patterns is causing the problem to spiral out of control.Basic human nature values independence; Independence = dignity. There must be guard rails on behavior.Insisting on consistent behavior standards when in public or when impacting the freedom and lifestyle of ourneighbors is a necessity for fostering a civil society without fear.The Watchdog February 2024 Page 9What do you think? Join theWatchdog on FacebookIf Cowlitz County continues down the same path we couldbecome a cesspool like Portland and Seattle.We will all lose! 4Cs will present these common-sense policy ideas to ourlocal decision-makers soon. We will work with them tochange the downward trajectory of our community. Itstarts now; before it’s too late to change course! Thank youfor joining us as we embark on this very important journey.Please continue to read our magazine, purchase productsfrom our advertisers and support the local officials as theymake these tough choices.GET STUFFED AT STUFFY'S!Knight Insurance AgencyServing all Cowlitz County360-975-0055Amanda Knight Goulet

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Meet Cowlitz County CommissionersCowlitz County CommissionersMeet Longview City CouncilLongview City CouncilArne MortensenCommissionerDistrict 1Dennis WeberCommissionerDistrict 2Kalei LaFaveMayor Pro-TemRuth KendallCouncil MemberAngie WeanCouncil Member Keith Young Council MemberMaryAlice Wallis Council MemberErik HalvorsonCouncil MemberSpencer BoudreauMayorRichard Dahl CommissionerDistrict 3CITY COUNCILMeetings6:00 p.m.2nd and 4th Thursdays of the monthLongview Council Chambers1525 Broadway StreetSecond FloorLongview, WA 98632Longview City Council meetings will beheld in person and via ZOOM. Please seethe agendas posted on our website forconnection details.Workshops are scheduled on variousThursdays of the month if there is a need.Please call 360-442-5004 if you’d like toschedule a meeting with the Mayor.The Watchdog Page 10 February 2024Tuesday Meetings9 a.m. Regular Meeting10 a.m. Board of Health (Last Tuesday of each month)1:30 p.m. Commissioner Conference (1st-3rd of each month)1:30 p.m. Liaison Reports (4th of each month)Open Public MeetingWeekly Schedule:Monday Business Meetings10 a.m. Human Resources,Office of Financial Management11 a.m. Public ServicesWednesday Meetings1:30 p.m. Work Session (2nd of each month at 5:30 p.m.)Cowlitz CountyAdministration Building207 4th Avenue N,Commissioner HearingRoom, Kelso, WA

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WatchdogAds@protonmail.comMeet Castle Rock City CouncilCastle Rock City CouncilReach an active,engaged , andinterestedaudience Advertisewith theWatchdogMayor Paul HelenbergCity CouncilArt Lee, Position 1Lee Kessler, Position 2John Whalen, Position 3Paul Simonsen, Position 4Ellen Rose, Position 5City of Castle Rock, 141 "A" Street SWPO Box 370, Castle Rock, WA 98611Phone: (360) 274-8181 CASTLE ROCK CITY COUNCILMeetings7:30 p.m.2nd and 4th Mondays each monthCastle Rock Senior Center222 2nd Avenue SWCastle Rock, WA, 98611For further information, please contact Clerk-Treasurer Carie Cuttonaro, (360) 274-8181,7:30a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday.To join this meeting from your computer, tablet orsmartphone:https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/201632365 To join this meeting using your phone: +1 (646) 749-3112 Access Code: 201-632-365 (Press *6 to speak) New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and beready:https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/201632365Lee Kessler Not PicturedMeet Kelso City CouncilKelso City CouncilMike KarnofskiCouncil MemberBrian WoodCouncil MemberKimberly Lefebvre Deputy MayorKeenan HarveyCouncil Member Lisa AlexanderCouncil MemberJim HillCouncil MemberVeryl AndersonMayorCITY COUNCILMeetings6:00 p.m.1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the monthKelso City Council Chambers203 South Pacific AveKelso, WA 98626Most meetings are available to view live on KLTVGovernment Access Channel 29: http://www.kltv.orgIf you would like to participate in the publiccomment portion of the meeting via Zoom, pleaseemail Jessica Bronstein, Executive/Legal Assistant,no later than noon the day of the meeting, atjbronstein@kelso.gov for more information.If you wish to provide public comment at an upcomingCity Council meeting, please fill out this form.The Watchdog Page 11February 2024

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Meet Kalama City CouncilKalama City CouncilMeet Woodland City CouncilWoodland City CouncilJon Stanfill Council Member Mike Reuter MayorGabe HustonCouncil MemberDouglas Freimarck, Sr.Council MemberMelissa DoughtyCouncil MemberCarol RoundsCouncil MemberJohn "JJ' BurkeCouncil MemberMonte Smith Mayor Pro-TemTerry HallCouncil MemberKalama City CouncilMeetings7:00 p.m.1st and 3rd Thursdays of each monthKalama Council Chambers320 N 1st StreetKalama, WA 98625The public is encouraged to attend. Kalama City Council conducts hybridmeetings (a virtual attendance optionthrough Zoom) for all regularlyscheduled meetingsWoodland City CouncilMeetings7:00 p.m.1st and 3rd Mondayof every monthWoodland CouncilChambers200 E Scott AvenueWoodland, WA 98674City council business includes review and approval ofcontracts, agreements, to present and to pass newpolicies (ordinances and resolutions), and to hearcommittee and departmental reports. Todd DinehartMayorScott MoonCouncil MemberWendy ConradiCouncil MemberSteve KallioCouncil MemberThe Watchdog Page 12February 2024

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Page 13The WatchdogSchool Levy TimeBallots Mailed: January 26, 2024Participating Jurisdictions: Longview School District No. 122, Toutle Lake School DistrictNo. 130, Castle Rock School District No. 401, Woodland School District No. 404, KelsoSchool District No. 458.“The Watchdog” is neither for nor against the school levies. All government entities insistthey need more money. You know how you feel about your schools, the amount ofproperty tax you pay, and whether you are willing to continue paying it or not. Informationon the levies is everywhere if you want it. What we encourage you to do is vote. Everyelection counts. Please cast your yes or no vote on February 13th. Could it be thatour schools arefailing because wehave the wrongleaders making thewrong decisionsand focusing onthe wrong things?February 2024What will have an everlasting effect on the kids is not the levies - it is the superintendent. Ifyou’ll recall in December’s issue we reported five local superintendents are retiring. Longview,Woodland, Kalama, Toutle, and Ridgefield. As of this printing, other than Toutle, there has beenvery little movement forward. Toutle is a unique school district as they are a communitywithout a community. Other than a handful of small businesses, they don’t have a business baseto rely on and their community gathering center is the school. As small as Toutle is, itscommunity outreach and communication have been far superior to the other districts. Wecommend the Toutle Lake School Board for their timely and consistent forward movementwhile keeping the community involved and informed as they advance in their search. As we learn more about the district's process, it’s astounding that they’re all searching withinthe same pool of applicants that every school district vets year after year, district after district.We’re hearing the same names come up again and again. Isn’t it about time our school boardsdid something different? How about searching within the business community to find theschool district's next CEO? Where is it written that only someone who’s come up through theranks step by step within the school administrative and established hierarchy are the only onesqualified for the job? The five districts all said they hope to have qualified applicants ready forinterviewing by February of this year. We hope they deliver quality candidates for thecommunity to vet. Five Local School DistrictSuperintendents Retire February 13, 2024Special ElectionIs your school coming up aces? We haveexcerpts here, but you can find your schoolscomplete official state report card here

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FIGHTING FORFIGHTING FORFREEDOMFREEDOM It looks like the batting cages at TamO’Shanter Park are a no-go. Aftermonths of discussion, the city has yetto designate a building site. Council Member Jim Hill said he hassolid bids for $160,000. Kelso’s BabeRuth President, Travis Keele, said hehas people ready to volunteer and putin sweat equity, but nothing canadvance and decisions cannot be madeuntil the city itself specifies a site. There are $426,081 in unallocatedSLFRF Funds. So far $1,300,000 hasbeen allocated for the Spray Park and$600,000 is allocated to the SeniorCenter for repairs. Both worthyprojects, but why the foot dragging onthe batting cages? There wasn’t a clearanswer to that question at the last citycouncil meeting. Tam O’Shanter Park makes moneyfor the city. It brings in people from allover the region, the batting cageswould make it even better.Updates ~ Kelso’s Batting Cages, Gators & Stuffy’s II Batting CagesGET STUFFED AT STUFFY'S!Lawyers FeesCourt costsAppeals The WatchdogPage 14February 2024 The state filed an emergency requestasking to push the case back severalmonths. Thankfully, they didn’t get their way. Thejudge did give them a bit of a reprieve bymoving the January 22nd trial date to March11th at 9 A.M. Here it seems Bob Furgeson, the StateAttorney General is trying to make theprocess the punishment for Gators. Thelonger it drags out the more money it costshim and his small business. The state'sunlimited supply of tax-payer dollars makesit an unfair playing field. It doesn't sound like the judge will allowany more delays. It seemed pretty clear thatthis was a one-time courtesy.TrialBeginsMarch 11, 2024 9 am If you like our workand would like to helpus continue, pleasesend your $5 suggested monthlydonation to:Artemi, LLCPO Box 1303Castle Rock, WA986112024 will be a big election year. We will be reporting only on our local races. We willbe interviewing candidates and sharing with you our honest assessment. We wanttruth, transparency, and accountability in our local government. That doesn’t meanwe always get what we want, that means our elected officials make tough decisionsand do it in public where the community can be part of the process. We will be givinga heads up or a heads down on candidates based on policies, especially the oneswe’ve laid out here in this month’s edition of “The Watchdog.” It’s pretty simple, ifthey advocate for the same policies being pushed in Seattle or Portland we will notsupport them. The flip side of that ... all of this information does not do you, your family, or ourcommunity any good if you don’t take action. Now is the time to get registered tovote. If we don’t want our community to become a cesspool like Seattle or Portlandwe have to elect the right policy makers. We can supply information, but only youcan elect the decision makers.Click here: Cowlitz County Elections Office Register to VoteCowlitz County Concerned CitizensAn informative publication for the people, by the peopleCounty, Longview, K elso, Castle Rock, Toutle, Woodland & Kalama

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Call 911 for emergencies or if a crime is in progress Important contact informationCity of Longview360-442-5000P.O. Box 1281525 BroadwayLongview, WA 98632Cowlitz County Commissioners360-577-3020207 4th Ave. N.Room 305Kelso,WA98626Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office360-577-3092312 SW 1st AvenueKelso, WA 98626Kelso City Hall360-423-1371203 S. PacificP.O. Box 819Kelso, WA 98626City of Castle Rock360-274-8181141 "A" Street SWPO Box 370Castle Rock, WA 98611City of Woodland360-225-8281230 Davidson AvenueWoodland, WA 98674City of Kalama360-673-4562195 N First StPO Box 1007Kalama WA 98625Clerk of Superior Court360-577-3016312 SW 1st Ave.Room 233Kelso, WA 98626Non-emergency dispatch:Sheriff (360) 762-6800Longview Police (360) 577-3098Kelso Police (360) 423-1270Castle Rock Police (360) 274-4711Woodland Police (360) 225-8981 or (360) 577-3098Kalama Police (360) 673-2165 or (360) 577-3090 February 2024The Watchdog Page 15This image is a filtered snapshot of some ofour higher-priority calls for service during thepast 7 days around the center of town, wherewe experience our most dense demand forpolice service. Calls of a sensitive nature, suchas those involving children or sexual assaultsand some others, have been removed toprotect privacy.Year to Date: The Longview PoliceDepartment has responded to 38,584 calls forservice in 2023. A call for service is anincident that a police officer is called toinvestigate (assaults, domestic violence, carprowls, robberies, etc.) and/or any incidentthat an officer observes while on patrol (opendrug use, DUI cases, disorderly conduct. Longview Police DepartmentNovember 16, 2023A TYPICAL WEEK FOR THE LONGVIEW POLICE November 16, 2023 Longview Police Press Release. “The Watchdog” backs the blue!

The Watchdog Magazine Feb 2024

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