Kelso Longview Business Connection April 2024

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Business Connection

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Board hires new director to lead Chamber into future

Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

President Jason Gentemann is “extremely excited” to announce the hiring of Bonnie Delaney as Chamber CEO.

The board anticipates Delaney’s record in leadership, strategic planning and community engagement will continue the growth and success of the Chamber and its influence to help the Kelso-Longview community create a strong and successful business environment.

“She has a background in business ownership so she understands the issues that are important and will create value to members,” Gentemann said. “She also has the skills necessary to manage the Chamber activities and ensure its long-term success.”

kCONTACT US 360-423-8400 kelsolongviewchamber.org

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“I love business,” Delaney said.“I’ve lived, breathed and been a part of it my entire life.”

Delaney, who holds a certificate of completion from Harvard Business School in Organizational Leadership, brings more than 25 years of experience in revenue growth, marketing, budgeting, financial management and community and government relations to the job. She grew up in a decades-old, still-operating Pacific Northwest family business, and she is also a business owner. More recently she served as national marketing director and vice president of sales and marketing at NPW Companies and Baxter Auto Parts / Performance Warehouse.

“I am adept at articulating the value of the Chamber to diverse audiences, rallying people around a vision and transforming ideas into action,” Delaney wrote in her application. Attributes which align with the Chamber board’s goal for membership recruitment, retention and relationship building. Delaney also noted an “ability to build consensus, create highfunctioning teams and work collaboratively with stakeholders” toward continued success.

As a resident of Rainier, Ore., Delaney enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her blended family that includes seven children, five grandchildren, a “super goofy” goldendoodle and a “super sweet, unbelievably loud” beagle.

For more CEO, see page 3

The Lower Columbia Professionals Decade Dance was a success in raising money for local high school senior scholarships.

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Jason Gentemann, President Foster Farms

Sean Kiffe, President Elect NORPAC

Pam Whittle, Vice President Realty One Group Pacifica

Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Marlene Johanson, Past President Heritage Bank

Rich Coleman Bicoastal Media

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Duane Dalgleish Cowlitz PUD

Kristin Gaines Alcoa

Kelly Godden Specialty Rents

Rich Gushman Gibbs & Olson

Keenan Harvey City Council, Kelso

Sabrina Kochprapha United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties

Jason Meunier Fibre Federal Credit Union

Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth

John Paul KUKN-KLOG-101.5 The Blitz

Ted Sprague

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

MaryAlice Wallis City of Longview Mayor

Dennis Weber

Cowlitz County Commissioner

CEO from page 1

Delaney begins her role with the Chamber April 1. Karen Sisson, who has been the interim CEO since Bill Marcum retired in February 2023, will remain with the Chamber through May in a resource role to ensure a smooth transition, Gentemann said.

“The board is very grateful to Karen Sisson for her dedication,” Gentemann said. “Because of her leadership the Chamber has remained strong and relevant to our members.”

Hazel Street overpass leads project list

At recent council meetings, project status and costs were discussed. The Community Development/Engineering Department is presently working on 22 projects with 17 of those in the design phase and five in the construction phase.

The most significant project is the Hazel Street overpass. All required documentation has been received. The design is complete, and the project is expected to go to bid in the next six to eight weeks. Cost estimates are still within the available funds.

The spray park project has the most public interest. The restrooms portion has been approved at will add about $100,000 to the project costs for a total of $1.4 million. All the parts for the spray park portion have been received. We are still awaiting the state health department permit. Unfortunately, the project will not be completed until late summer.

A contractor walk through of the senior center was completed last week. Bids should be open in the next couple of weeks and work

should begin this summer – $600,000 has been budgeted for this project.

There are a variety of water system, sewer system, street, road and lighting improvement projects in various phases all of which are fully funded. The most important one is the $200,000 that was approved for two wells to find an alternate sources for the potable water.

One project, which is not on the above listing, is the Catlin/Main Community Center. This project has not been fully funded yet. City staff are meeting with our federal delegations to get funding.

Recently, the council had a half day retreat to review and discuss the city’s Statement of Values and talk about the council’s priorities. There was some agreement on improving downtown, economic development and housing improvement as important priorities. Downtown branding and additional events, road improvements, and additional funding for road and street improvements were also discussed.

Carson Winter Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Training funds available for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx owned or operated businesses

WorkSource is funded by state and federal grants with one goal: to help people return to work. We do this through a plethora of means, by providing job seeking resources like a free-to-use computer lab, career guidance, resume reviews, mock interviews, childcare assistance, transportation assistance, training, and more.

We do a lot. And we’re proud of the work we do.

But not everyone knows that WorkSource helps employers just as much as job seekers. In fact, we have an entire Business Services team whose job it is to meet with businesses, assist with their staffing needs, and help them qualify for tax breaks and other incentives.

By investing in local industry, our job seekers can benefit as well. That’s because we view our local job market holistically—as a

each depending on the other to thrive.

In this spirit, WorkSource is proud to announce that we have funds to support the staff training of Black, Indigenous, and Latinx owned or operated businesses!

This is an incredible opportunity for eligible employers, as training is a large and often unavoidable expense. Everyone needs people, but ultimately—you need people who can do the job. The Association for Talent Development reports that organizations spend an average of $1,252 on employee training

With these training funds, WorkSource can help offset the cost of doing business. But it’s important to remember that with these funds at your disposal, training is more than just getting new hires up to speed. It also can support the upskilling of employees you already have.

In a world where the market is facing constant disruptions— both economic and technological—it’s easy for businesses to stagnate in the face of change. But with the support of WorkSource, you can take steps to future-proof your business and support your employees’ professional development.

But how much can an eligible business save on training when working with WorkSource?

Right now, we’re able to offer $2,500 toward your employees’ training More than double the reported average spend!

WorkSource is one of our region’s best-kept secrets. But it doesn’t have to be. Reach out, talk to us. Business is better with WorkSource in your corner.

All our services are free of charge and language assistance is available upon request. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Karin LaValla at karin.lavalla@esd.wa.gov or call at 360-735-4957.

WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum is located at 305 S. Pacific Ave., Kelso. Office hours are Monday through Friday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) for virtual and in-person services. The center is across the street from the Kelso Theater and next door to the Kelso Police station. Language services are available upon request.

WorkSource is a network of nonprofits, community-based organizations, and local and state agencies working in partnership to provide an array of employment and training services to job seekers and businesses in Washington state. WorkSource is funded through the local workforce development board, Workforce Southwest Washington. For information, visit www.WorkSourceWA.com

Josh Carter President

Work continues on kicking downtown parking issue to the curb

Downtown Longview has, in recent years, been almost entirely consumed by the conversation of parking. The Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) talks about parking. We talk about parking. For a long time, parking was the No. 1 nuanced conversation eating us alive. Fortunately, at the January DAC meeting we saw a break in the clouds.

Police Chief Huhta advised we won’t have parking enforcement downtown, except in more extreme cases, until approximately June. The day-to-day burden to business owners that like to park in front of their building or can’t get a permit is going to be handled differently, temporarily.

So, what’s next? Recently the city paid a consultant for a very

thorough parking study. Rick Williams Consulting provided heat maps and studied traffic trends, based on the footprint of downtown as provided by the city manager. In my view, Rick’s team did a stellar job providing actionable data and ultimately lead us to the larger conclusion that we’ve all been thinking: The real parking problem in downtown Longview, can’t be solved by writing tickets. It’s going to take us reshaping and remarketing to change consumer and business owner parking habits. Longview is becoming a medium-sized city, and with our new growth, parking directly in front of where you want to shop shouldn’t be expected. We all want the same thing. For downtown to grow, thrive and for us as citizens to have a landing pad that’s worth its weight in gold.

Longview Public Schools

Dan Zorn Superintendent

Planting the seeds for summer and fall student success begins in the spring

Spring is a pivotal time at Longview Public Schools, when our commitment to supporting academic excellence continues, while we prepare for both the summer and upcoming academic year.

In March, we embarked on our “March into Kindergarten” initiative, aiming to enroll 5-year-old students for the 2024-25 school year. On March 21, our kindergarten enrollment event was a big success, was very well attended and facilitated meaningful interactions between families and our dedicated staff.

Our “Kinder Bridge” recruitment efforts for the next academic year will begin immediately after spring break April 8. This pre-kindergarten program, designed to prepare 4-year-olds for a positive transition into kindergarten, is entering its third successful year. Encouraged by its promising outcomes, we are expanding Kinder Bridge to reach more children by adding two more classrooms bringing our district total to eight classrooms.

Looking ahead to summer, we are excited about our continuing

collaboration with the Longview Parks and Recreation Department. This partnership, indicative of our commitment to serving local families, utilizes school facilities to host summer program opportunities. The addition of a new program this year promises even broader engagement of local kids. Furthermore, our schools’ nutrition services team will continue to provide healthy lunches to participants.

Our plans also extend beyond immediate educational programs to include substantial maintenance and upgrades of our facilities over the summer. These critical projects, essential for extending our buildings’ lifespan and enhancing safety, learning environments, and athletic facilities, will prioritize work with local contractors wherever possible, reflecting our commitment to our local business community.

Your unwavering support for Longview Public Schools is deeply valued. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of our children and shaping a brighter future for our community.

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www.cascade-title.com 360.425.2950

April

CALENDAR

2 Ribbon Cutting

The Cooks Creations

11am, 351 Three Rivers Dr, Ste 221, Kelso

3 Ribbon Cutting

Silver Lake Resort

4pm, 3201 Spirit Lake Hwy, Silverlake

4 Chamber Ambassadors

7:30am, Canterbury Park

Ribbon Cutting

Cowlitz Junk Removal

11am, 105 Minor Rd, Kelso (Chamber Office)

16 Business After Hours & Open House

Sleep Inn

5pm, 250 Kelso Dr, Kelso

18

Ribbon Cutting

Five Star Painting

11:30am, 105 Minor Rd, Kelso (Chamber Office)

20 Lower Columbia Professionals

Bands, Brews, Bites

5:30pm, Roxy Theater, 1101 Commerce Ave, Longview

Your Chamber Connection Radio Show

Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17 and 24, 6pm

KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM

May

2 Chamber Ambassadors

7:30am, Canterbury Park

Pillars of Strength and Crystal Apple Awards

5pm, Cowlitz County Event Center

14 Business After Hours

Umpqua Bank

5pm, 1225 Washington Way, Longview

27 Memorial Day

Chamber Office closed

Your Chamber Connection Radio Show

Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 6pm

KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM

Your Chamber Connection

Radio Show

Wednesdays at 6 pm

KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM

Contact Karen Sisson at 360-423-8400 or ksisson@kelsolongviewchamber.org to schedule your interview

Katie Keaton, guest co-host, Realty One Group Pacifica and The Rocket morning DJ

Access a commercial-free recording of this show at https://soundcloud.com

Search AM KEDO

Click on the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce show with the date

Dr. Shelley Rice and Deb Jones, New PeaceHealth Hospice

Mark Parcel, Fraternal Order of Eagles Longview Aerie #2116

Lindsey Cope, president, Kelso Business & Community Association

Kelly Godden, guest co-host, Specialty Rents & Events

KBCA Shamrock Shuffle 2024: A golden success!

The streets of Kelso were sparkling gold with excitement March 16 as Tam O’Shanter Park and The Station Pub and Grub played host to the highly anticipated Kelso Business and Community Association (KBCA) Shamrock Shuffle. With 225 participants in attendance, this first year’s event was a resounding success, bringing together community members for a day of fun, laughter, and giving back.

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, including local businesses and organizations, the Shamrock Shuffle exceeded expectations. These incredible sponsors went above and beyond to ensure the success of the event, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to our community:

Location Sponsors and Partner Organizations:

City of Kelso

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

The Station Pub and Grub

Longview American Legion Post 155

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Pot O’Gold Sponsors:

Fiesta Bonita

Longview Kelso Building Trades

Lower Columbia Contractor’s Association & Call 811

Rainbow Sponsors:

Penny Parvi American Family Insurance & The Basement on Allen

Barbara Stephenson, Realtor, Windermere Northwest Living

Kathie’s Clutters & Crafts on Commerce

Media and Print Sponsors:

KUKN, KLOG and The Blitz Radio Stations

Copies Today

Bigfoot Screen Printing

I Got TOO Lucky Sponsor:

Kelso Theater Pub and the Backstage Café

Bag O’Gold Sponsors:

Antidote Tap House

Jessica Wade State Farm

Shamrock Sponsors:

Habitat for Humanity

Noelle McLean P.S.

Red Leaf Coffee

White’s Cleaning

Scheurich Family

Red Canoe Credit Union

A & J Fence Company

Kelso Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary

Shamrock Bar and Grill

Kirby Drake and Family

Guses Coffee

Cornerstone Flowers

JoJo + CoCo Boutique

Poncho Sponsor:

Cowlitz County Event Center and Cowlitz County Tourism

Their contributions not only helped make the event possible but ensured success in raising funds for Kelso’s budding flower program. Every step taken during the shuffle was a step toward a more beautiful Kelso.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! As we gear up for the 2024 spring season, we’re excited to announce Kelso Clean Up and Plant Day at 9 a.m. April 20, in partnership with Wilcox and Flegel, the City of Kelso, and more. This is an opportunity for the community to come together and make a tangible difference in Kelso. Whether you’re a green-thumbed enthusiast or simply passionate about giving back, we need your help to make this event a success.

Mark your calendars and join us as we kick off the season with a day of action and camaraderie at Kelso City Hall. Together, we can make Kelso bloom brighter. If you’re interested in lending a hand or becoming a sponsor for the Kelso Clean Up and Plant Day, please reach out to us at www.letsgokelso.com. Let’s work together to keep Kelso beautiful for generations to come!

New Members

Add your business to our growing membership Call 360-423-8400 Today!

Membership packages to fit your needs 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, referrals 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 forums and up-to-date action alerts.

• Legislative Representation

• Issues Tracking and Information

• Task Forces

• Candidate Forums

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Demographics Publication

Membership Packages

Diamond

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze Standard

Nonprofit

Look Who Joined in March

Longview Kelso Earlybird Lions

Cindy Fickett

P.O. Box 3

Longview, WA 98632

360-749-0258

onthego@scattercreek.com

Fire Mountain Travel

113 SW 1st Avenue

Castle Rock, WA 98611

360-975-7883

www.firemountaintravel.com

Cowllitz County Commissioners

Arne Mortensen County Commissioner, District 1

With legislative session closed: History, an inconvient truth

History, an inconvenient truth:

The recent session of the legislature now is closed. It went as always, much like the panels of “Spy vs. Spy” in Mad Magazine.

In that panel of irony, we, the readers, never see any objective beyond the black cloaked character and the white cloaked character trying to dominate each other. They accomplish nothing useful; in fact, we don’t even know whether there was a goal for either one, beyond domination.

Did we need to consider yet another one thousand new laws? The presumed focus of laws is to correct a problem. The reality is starkly distinct from that, from ancient history to modern failed states such as the Soviet Union (FSU).

The problems typically fall into two bins:

1. Deficiencies in fairness, caused either by man or nature.

2. Correct the problems caused by previous laws.

“Rulers, statesmen and peoples are primarily referred to the lessons of historical experience. But what experience and history teach is that nations and governments have never learned anything from history and have never acted in accordance with the lessons that could have been drawn from it.”

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

For a lighthearted digression read this short article: https:// www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2018/02/05/indianasstate-legislature-once-tried-to-legislate-the-value-ofpi/?sh=8f93c46260a5

It seems to me that most of us today have accepted that government has a strong and dominating role to play in business and morality. Apparently, Hegel was correct, because in the face of immense historical evidence of the damage done by trying to alter the laws of economics, physics, and human character we see our business and special interest people genuflecting before a legislature, hoping to curry favors. The sophistry in the arguments to support one position or another is quite impressively discouraging and disconcerting.

“But you are a great sinner, that's true," he added almost solemnly, and your worst sin is that you have destroyed and betrayed yourself for nothing. Isn't that fearful? Isn't it fearful that you are living in this filth which you loathe so, and at the same time you know yourself (you've only to open your eyes) that you are not helping anyone by it, not saving anyone from anything?”

Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment

Most who curry favor from the government will argue that it is futile to take the high road and fight, so they advocate “go along to get along.” I’ll just state, that is how we have destroyed American greatness.

What we can do instead of asking for new protections via new laws, just ask for the problem laws to be removed.

We do not need more laws.

“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”

Tacitus

We need the courage to be the leaders that history tells us we should be. If humanity is to prosper, and the human spirit is to flourish then we must be free from government tyranny.

"I regret that I am now to die in the belief that the useless sacrifice of themselves, by the generation of 1776, to acquire self government and happiness to their country, is to be thrown away by the unwise and unworthy passions of their sons, and that my only consolation is to be that I live not to weep over it."

Thomas Jefferson

Climate change, an example of ignoring history, science, and economics:

Recently, Washington state government has subjected its citizens to two serious violations of human rights (aka Constitutional rights) in the Covid shutdown and the Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA). Both violations exhibit the very heavy hand of a government, which claims that government can supersede any constitutional rights. And perhaps worse, that government can overrule the laws of economics and physics.

For brevity, let me focus only on CCA. Let’s look at some simple historical facts that should make us rather skeptical that, say, Greta Thunberg is wiser than you and any other set of researchers who are truth seekers not grant seekers nor glory seekers.

About five years ago, I went to the UK and just happened to wander into the British museum. I took a snapshot of the exhibit that gave us historical records of temperature in London. The beauty of this is that we could compare London temperatures to London temperatures not some vague concept that refers to the temperature of the Earth. (I suspect that very few of us can even define what the temperature of the Earth is. Where do we put the thermometer? Please do not ask my Mom; her answers when I was a little guy were not fun.)

Notice where we are today on the curve of temperature. To think that our emission of carbon dioxide is the one factor to explain the temperature cycle is utterly ridiculous.

We can also look at the historical records of atmospheric carbon dioxide alongside with temperature. There are many unanswered questions about global

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to THANK the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us this month.

Bob's Sporting Goods

Columbia Theatre

Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes

Entek Corporation

Kelso Taco Time

Papé Machinery

Red Canoe Credit Union

Red Canoe Credit Union - 30th Avenue

Stirling Honda

Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt

The Dog Zone

Twin City Glass Company

Woodland Chamber of Commerce

16

climate change, but, so far, the destruction of our society (via the many laws that impoverish us normal people and enrich those making the laws) is well ahead of any damage done by climate change and monstrously ahead of any claimed climate catastrophes.

Some like to refer to the union of concerned scientists, not realizing that REAL scientists do not care about unions. They care about facts/truth; unions are political tools.

Summary:

The point of these two graphs is not to say that burning fossil fuels is good; the point is to say that it is immoral to destroy our society on such flimsy assertions by such luminaries as Al Gore, Jay Inslee, or Greta Thunberg. Each of whom has prospered (greatly) over this issue, while we pay $4/gallon for gasoline. The coveted funding stream, a government tool, of science is highly polluted by grant seeking and the pursuit of power.

Fortunately, the Washington CCA is likely to be removed by a vote by the people for the people’s Initiative 2117. In the face of such duplicitous ignorance in the legislature, this gives us hope.

“Your

Mortgage Consultants pictured left to right:

• BRANDON NICKEL, Loan Officer NMLS #2042243,

#1576918,

Business After Hours

Cowlitz Wahkiakum Bar Association

Thank you Cowlitz Wahkiakum Bar Association for hosting a fantastic turnout and program at J Squared Barrel House for our March Business After Hours event. Our membership was able to network with featured guests Judge Marilyn Haan, Drug Court Program Manager Adam Pithan, Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen, Director of Public Defense Ian Maher and Meredith Long, owner and attorney, Longview Law Group. In addition to networking opportunities, there was plenty of great food and fun prize giveaways.

Ribbon Cuttings

Welcome New Members

Thank you to these Ambassadors who participated in ribbon cutting celebrations during March!

Josh Carter Carter Venture Solutions

Peter Clarke ANC Movers

Diane Craft Koelsch Communities

Jeni Dow KLOG/KUKN/The Blitz

Kelly Godden Specialty Rents and Events

James Hoyt Heritage Bank

Elisha Jolma Sho'me Real Estate

Nick Lemiere

Edward Jones

Eric McCrandall Family Health Center

Shylah Tapani Axecutioner

Betsy Wyatt RE/MAX Premier Group

Vancouver Granite Works Headstones and Engraving

Kiwanis Club of Kelso Longview

Jae Mac Menswear

Sunbelt Rentals

First Choice Medical Center