City Info Weekly - 2012/02/01 (Archive)

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James McNamara named as new Longview city attorney

The City of Longview is pleased to announce the appointment of James McNamara as city attorney effective March 1.  McNamara serves as a board member on the Washington State Growth Management Hearings Board.  McNamara succeeds City Attorney Marilyn Nitteberg-Hahn who was appointed a Superior Court Judge this past October.

“I’m very excited to become the new City Attorney for the City of Longview,” stated McNamara.  “During my interview I was very impressed with the quality and dedication of the City’s management team and department heads.  I’m looking forward to working with them, as well as becoming a part of the community.”

“James has a broad background in various law disciplines that will make him a great asset to our Longview team,” stated City Manager Bob Gregory.  “His current expertise in the area of growth management and shoreline management will be invaluable as the City faces some important issues in these particular areas.  I was also very pleased that James had over ten years of experience as the assistant city attorney for the City of Vancouver before his current position.  His range of knowledge will be invaluable to the City, and we are very happy to have him join us!”

Since 2006, McNamara has been serving as a board member for the Washington State Growth Management Hearings Board, a six-year position appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire, where he hears and decides appeals relating to comprehensive plans, shoreline management plans, and development regulations for cities and counties within the jurisdiction of the Board.  From 1990 – 2006, McNamara served as assistant or deputy city attorney for the cities of Vancouver, Federal Way, and Bremerton.  He also served as an associate attorney for the law firm of Hansen, Leonardson and Associates in Woodinville for an additional two years. 

McNamara received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in 1980, and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Polytechnic in Blacksburg, Virginia.  His law degree was earned in 1986 from University of Washington Law School in Seattle.

McNamara is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and has bar admissions from the State of Washington, the United States District Court (Western District of Washington), and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He also holds a private pilot license, with an instrument rating.  His wife Kathy is an occupational therapist with the Kelso School District.  They have two teenage children, Philip, who is a pre-med student at the University of Washington, and Anne, who is a sophomore at Saint Mary’s Academy in Portland. 

Flag to be flown at half-staff

Governor Chris Gregoire has directed flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Thursday, February 2, 2012, in memory of U. S. Army Private First Class Neil I. Turner, 21, of Tacoma, who died January 11, in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from a training accident.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, February 3.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Recap of Council Meeting for January 26

• Resolution No. 2013:  Held a public hearing and approved the resolution to continue the moratorium on permitting new liquor stores until the planning commission and city council approve zoning amendments to regulate the location of new liquor stores.
• Held a public hearing and approved an amendment to the Consolidated Plan, and approved a float loan with the Longview Housing Authority to resolve an issue regarding timely expenditure of CDBG funds due to delays in constructing the Highlands Trail.
• Resolution No. 2014:  Amended the 5-year Capital Improvement Program to include additional projects.
• Directed staff to prepare a resolution creating a small business advisory committee that would review and make recommendations to the city council regarding city legislation, policies, rates, etc. that may affect small businesses.  Details will need to be worked out; there was concern about how this committee would work in conjunction with other committees and how much staff time and expense would be necessary to support this committee.
• Rejected a councilor request to amend the LMC to require keeping dogs on leashes while in a public place.
• Accepted the Civic Center Circle Traffic Improvements project as complete.  Several councilors and citizens complained about the Washington Way entrances and exits and lane configurations.
• Set a public hearing for February 9 to consider amending the 2012 – 2016 Transportation Improvement Program.
• Discussed a proposed ordinance concept to increase regulations related to keeping animals in Longview, including the number of animals a person is allowed to keep.  No action was taken.
• Directed staff to prepare an ordinance reducing the gambling tax to a sliding scale based on revenue, with 1% tax owed until gross revenue exceeded $10,000 per day being the low end of the scale.

Exhibit of new Leon Lowman paintings at the Koth Gallery

Beginning January 26, the newest paintings of local artist Leon Lowman will be on display at the Koth Gallery in the lower level of the Longview Public Library.  The exhibit will continue through 15 and be on display during regular library hours. 

In addition to the paintings, the exhibit will feature the artist’s new music CD Flow with It.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of the CD will go towards buying art supplies for the library’s arts and crafts programs for children and teens.

More information: Contact the Longview Public Library at 442-5300.

This week at Longview Public Library

Thursday, February 2, 10:30-11 a.m. - Snowy Days and African Americans Preschool Storytime
Thursday, February 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Teen Reader’s Theatre Book Club
Friday, February 3, 10:30-11 a.m. - Toddler Time
Friday, February 3, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. - Teen Writing Club
Saturday, February 4, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. - Teen Film-making Club
Saturday, February 4, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. - Salsa Children’s Snowflake Tortillas - Make and eat snowflake tortillas.  Take home a crystal art craft  The Day it Snowed Tortillas.  Soto, Gary.
Monday, February 6, 10 a.m. – noon - Fun Hour (5 and younger)
Monday, February 6, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. - Teen Game Club; Xbox Kinect
Tuesday, February 7, 10 a.m. – noon - Fun Hour (5 and younger)
Tuesday, February 7, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. - Teen Craft Club
Tuesday, February 7, 6-7 p.m. - Teen Tuesday; TeenScreen; Restless - 2011, PG-13, 91 minutes.  A terminally ill teenage girl falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII.  Blu-ray, 8’ screen, big amplifiers, free popcorn!
Wednesday, February 8, 10:30-11 a.m. - Mother Goose Time (0-18 months)
Wednesday, February 8, 3:30-4:30 - Cupola Kids, Building with Snow & Ice

Father & Daughter Ball

Register now for this popular family event as tickets will sell out quickly! This memorable annual dance is held at the McClelland Center.  The Saturday session is sold out, but there is still room on the Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. session   This year’s theme is “America Bandstand” and the cost is only $13.75 per person which includes snacks, drinks, crafts, music, dancing and much more.  Photos are available.  Pre-register now as tickets will not be sold at the door.  You may register online at www.mylongview.com/reconline, or by phone through Longview Recreation at 442-5400.

Kiwanis Heart & Sole Run

Bring the entire family to the Longview Kiwanis Heart & Sole 5K/10K Run & Walk on February 11 to improve your health through physical activity and promote happy healthy families.  The run and walk starts at 9 a.m. with check in from 8to 8:45 a.m. at the Elks Memorial Building, 2121 Kessler Blvd.  The course is around Lake Sacajawea Park, with a free mini K Run & Walk for kids 12 years and under. Please register online at www.mylongview.com/reconline by February 1 if you want a shirt.  The cost is $15 per person, or $30 for the race and shirt.

More information: This community event is a partnership between Longview Recreation and Longview Kiwanis to benefit teen recreation programs. For additional information or to register by phone, please call 442-5400.

Happenings at the Longview Public Library

A new season of family and teen events begins at the library in January.  See all the current programs on the library’s website at http://www.longviewlibrary.org/calendar-kids.php. 

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to Volunteer?

Let Project READ, the volunteer adult literacy program of the Longview Public Library, help you! We need committed, responsible, and caring individuals interested in volunteering their time as literacy tutors to help an adult in the community improve literacy skills.

Our next tutor training session will be February 7, 9, 14, and 16 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Longview Library Auditorium.

Our learners need to learn or improve reading, writing, English conversation and pronunciation, preparing for U.S. citizenship, and/or math skills.  Tutors work one-on-one in the library with a learner two times a week for an hour each time.  Volunteers are asked to make a six-month commitment, but are welcome to stay longer!

Share your love of learning.  Make a difference.  Become a volunteer tutor at Project READ.

More information: Contact Elizabeth Partridge in the Project READ Corner, or call her at 442.5321, to pick up a tutor application. You can also visit http://www.longviewlibrary.org/pr.php and download an application.