City Info Weekly - 2009/09/23 (Archive)

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Collaboration Talks Continue this Wednesday

Local leaders will meet this Wednesday to continue discussions about potential mergers or ways to combine services.  Participants include Cowlitz County, Longview, Kelso, and other incorporated cities in Cowlitz County.  The meeting is being held at the Cowlitz County Expo and Event Center, 1900 Seventh Ave. in Longview at 6 p.m.  The goal of the group is working to find ways for collaboration that will help reduce costs or improve services.  Wednesday’s meeting will allow subgroups to report back their findings.  A ballot measure will be placed before voters this November, and Longview City Council has appointed citizens to prepare pro and con statements for the measure that will gauge community interest in whether or not to pursue merging the cities of Longview and Kelso.  Persons appointed to prepare statements are: 

“PRO” statement:  Don Lemmons, Rick Winsman, and Cathy Zimmerman
“CON” statement:  Larry Peterson, Veryl Anderson, and Bill Kasch

September is National Preparedness Month

During the month of September there will be activities around the country promoting emergency preparedness. Over 1,800 national, regional, local, private and public organizations are encouraging Americans to get prepared.  Sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security, the goal is to educate the public about how to prepare for emergencies such as natural disasters, mass casualties, biological or chemical threats, radiation, terrorist attacks and more.  Taking these simple steps can make a big difference in ensuring your safety and well-being and that of your loved ones in an emergency.

Make a Plan

1. Be aware of what kinds of hazards occur in Cowlitz County.
2. Plan in advance what you and your family will do in an emergency.
3. Your plan should include a communications plan, a meeting point, and instructions on sheltering-in-place or evacuating. 
4. Go to www.ready.gov for more information and templates to get you started.

Build a Kit

1. Prepare a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for at least 3 days following a major disaster. 
2. The kit should include basic items like water, food, battery-powered radio, matches, flashlights and first aid kit. 
3. Include foods such as protein bars, granola bars, beef jerky, canned and vacuum packed foods and other non-perishables. 
4. Unless otherwise labeled, food and water should be changed every six months. 
5. Make sure you have at least one gallon of water per person, per day.  Do not forget water for pets.
6. You can also purchase ready-made emergency preparedness kits from a variety of places including camping supply stores and your local Red Cross.

Get Involved

1. Take a course in CPR and basic first aid. 
2. Volunteer with your local Red Cross.
3. Get trained in emergency response with the Community Emergency Response Team. 
4. For more information, contact the Dept. of Emergency Management at (360) 577-3130.

More information:  Visit the City of Longview’s emergency pages for more information about local emergencies and preparedness.

Banned Books Week Celebrity Readout

In recognition of Banned Books Week, the Longview Public Library will have a Celebrity Readout on Tuesday, September 29, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.  Celebrities include Washington Legislative Representative Dean Takko, Lower Columbia College President Jim McLauglin, Cowlitz County Superior Court Judges Jill Johanson and Stephen Warning, The Daily News journalist Leslie Slape, Longview Public Library Director Chris Skaugset, Kelso High School Drama Teacher David Crayk, Mark Morris High School Librarian Patti Tjomsland, and R.A. Long High School Associated Student Body President Colin Cardwell.  Short excerpts from banned books will be read, including Alice in Wonderland, And Tango Makes Three, Captain Underpants, Catcher in the Rye, Diary of Anne Frank, Fahrenheit 451, The Golden Compass, Huckleberry Finn, In the Night Kitchen, King Lear, The Lord of the Rings, Peter Rabbit, The Rabbit’s Wedding, Scary Stories to Read in the Dark, and To Kill a Mockingbird.  Come find out why these titles have been burned, banned, or challenged!  Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week is an annual event sponsored by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. It celebrates the freedom to read and reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. 

More information: contact the Longview Public Library at 360.442.5301.

Questions about Longview programs or services?  Don’t forget to check with ASK Longview!