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County jobless rate hit 8.7 percent in October

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:19 PM PST

By The Daily News

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Cowlitz County’s unemployment rate rose nearly half a percentage point in October to 8.7 percent, nearly three full percentage points higher than a year ago.

The jobless rate is up from 8.3 percent in September and 6 percent in October 2007, the state’s Employment Security Department reported Tuesday.

Despite the jump in its rate, Cowlitz County dropped to the second-highest jobless rate statewide, behind Grays Harbor County at 8.9 percent.

Cowlitz County’s nonfarm employment fell in October by 100 jobs, which is typical for this time of year, according to Employment Security. Total nonfarm employment — 37,900 jobs — was 800 fewer than a year ago.

Cowlitz County’s manufacturing sector held steady from September at 6,500 jobs, about 500 fewer from last October. Wood products and paper have shed 300 jobs over the past year.

Longview Fibre Paper & Packaging announced the layoffs of 90 employees at the end of October, and the company also is in the middle of temporary, rolling shutdowns of its five remaining paper machines.

Puget Sound Trucking, based in Seattle, shut down its Longview operations, eliminating about 50 jobs. Cowlitz County commissioners said Monday they expect to cut as many as 35 positions by the end of the year, though the number of layoffs is unclear.

Neither the Fibre layoffs nor the Puget Sound Trucking cuts are reflected in the October numbers, said Scott Bailey, regional economist for the employment agency.

Cowlitz County also saw good employment news last month. Cameron Family Glass, a Pennsylvania-based wine bottle manufacturer, started operations at its new Port of Kalama facility and has started hiring. The company expects to fill all 80 jobs by the end of the year.

Wal-Mart also announced it will build a new superstore in Longview on California Way at the site of the former River City RV and Trailer Park. The store will bring about 250 jobs to the area, but Wal-Mart has not announced when the new store will open.

The October strike of Boeing workers fueled a jump in the state’s jobless rate of more than a half point to 6.3 percent, according to the agency.

However, not counting the striking workers, who returned to work this month, the state gained 800 non-farm jobs since September, when the jobless rate was 5.7 percent, according to Employment Security.

Washington’s October rate is more than a point and a half above the 4.6 percent the previous year.

In October unemployment news, joblessness:

• Rose to 7.6 percent in Wahkiakum County from 7.2 percent in September and 6 percent in October 2007.

• Rose to 8.3 percent in Lewis County, up from 7.7 percent in September and up from 5.9 percent in October 2007.

• Rose to 8.6 percent in Pacific County, up from 7.5 percent in September and up from 6 percent in October 2007.

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funnyone wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:02 AM:

" Why the heck does this always come out the same day the paper runs a story about another place closing? "

moorejl wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:15 AM:

" my could it be cuz every thing is laying off so they can pocket more profit. companys need to stick it out the answer to the problem isnt lay offs. just like the hilander closing did it help the economy any no it layed off 60 plus peaple with familys. same with fibre there all about profit.its just gona get worse "

Lucky7 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:17 AM:

" 'Sign O The Times' bleak, bleak, bleak! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:28 AM:

" Thank you Governor. You are so good to us down here outside of the Seattle-Tacoma corridor. We really think you are special. "

lastchild wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:35 AM:

" It's only going to get worse. Boise Cascade in St. Helens are shutting down number 1 and 4 machines. People are set to lose their jobs as of January 17. "

scratch007 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:31 PM:

" If less people would look for work then unemployemnt would go down... sheesh! There is an easy solution here people! "

Truthiness wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:38 PM:

" TDN "Bad Boy" , Is everything the governors fault? Do you think she is the one solely responsible for the business plan & execution of these international companies? Why not elevate your blame to the next level... the federal government? Oh, let me guess! You will do that once Obama is sworn in. Your partisan bias has you looking at the world through a straw. The sooner you open your eyes and see the forest for what it truly is, the better this country will be for having another informed citizen. Until than, you are just another partisan hack spewing hate. It's your choice. "

Proud Teacher wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:59 PM:

" Thanks Truthiness! I too wish TDN Bad Boy would grow up and learn a few basic facts about economics. We wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for the not ended soon enough reign of King George the 2nd. He's been in charge of the whole country for eight years, and it's gotten worse. Care to explain that, R. Bad Boy? "

CRfisherman wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:59 PM:

" You have to remember that economies are cyclical. You can't continue to grow and grow without periods of downtime, it's just how it is. There are jobs being lost and businesses closing doors, but the world won't stop turning. We've had similar downturns in the past and the economy and the number of jobs always goes back up after a low period. "

Kelso Parent wrote on Nov 18, 2008 1:27 PM:

" Okay Kathleen, Christine, Barrack

You said you could do a better job "fixing" things. You convinced the majority.

Now get to it. No more Republicans to blame. "

crowsfeet wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:23 PM:

" There should not be any illegal aliens working or need to be working with all these able bodied citizens now needing some money. Take back the work, my unemployed friends. "

spete98611 wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:25 PM:

" CR Fisherman hit the nail on the head. The economy works in a cyclical motion. Everyone who has worked the market and hasn't been skewed by rumors saw what was coming. Those who were smart knew that this would be just like the 70's and pulled out waiting for it to hit. A lot of people are making a killing right now on the market while others are flailing. The only difference between then and now is how much personal debt is out there due to the influx in credit issued over the past twenty five years. People over-extended themselves instead of living within their means. Those who planned for this to happen are living quite well. This is the game of life and you will always have many losers and many winners. I'm sorry people are losing jobs but it's your choice whether or not to eat that apple (credit) when walking through the garden (economy). "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:46 PM:

" Truthiness, this is local and state issue not a federal government issue. How many of these were federal jobs? I'd wager .... none. Proud Teacher has their head so far up .... well I can't complete that thought. But their bias is simple. Take the money the liberal gov gave them and run. Those of us who have to make a living in the real world understand just how bad this state is being run. Let me ask you. When Fibre was being sold did you hear anything out of the liberal gov? As jobs disapear from this county everyday, do you hear anything from the liberal gov? No the election is over so she could care less. This is a state government issue, plain and simple. Bad state government usually is reflected in two areas -- state revenues and state employment figures. Sinking and sinking, and our gov doesn't know the first thing about stopping it. About cutting business taxes so businesses can add jobs, about cutting spending so she doesn't have to tax so much. But hey I'm sure the union members like proud teacher all love the liberal gov. They got theirs. All you out of work people here news for you -- they don't give a darn about you. "

RAL Alum wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:58 PM:

" TDN Bad Boy, I understand that Cowlitz Countys unemployment rate is very high but the state's average is 6.3% while the national average for the month of Oct. was 6.5%. Why is it the fault of the liberal government here in Washington if it is below the national average? Not looking to start a fight or be a smart guy, just seeking knowledge. "

coach wrote on Nov 18, 2008 5:31 PM:

" illegal aliens is not the issue. These guys or gals are willing to go out and do work that alot of us have put our nose in the air to. Befor our economy went bad how many of us would have went out and did farm work such as picked berries, vegtables or fruit??? We all could learn alot from The hispanic comunity ,legal or not. They live within their means and work longer hours for less pay. "

1980mustang wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:41 PM:

" This is to TDN bad boy! I am writing from the other end of I-5 than you. I have seen the local city goverments and the State and County are cutting personal also. King county is giving to give up 10 days without pay to keep there jobs. Western State Hosp do you know that place? They are having lay offs also. Guess what they are all union jobs. I do belive you were the one who was against the state empolyees going to a 4 day 10 hour work week. For some of us we have been waiting for the rainy days of the economy to make the circle once again. Save your money and pay cash. You know that old GREEN STUFF! "

coco wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:57 PM:

" if our elected officials would start marketing we could get new jobs here in town, i vote we don't re-elect anyone next time...or send gregory to marketing school. "

grams wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:11 PM:

" spete98611. the cylical motion of the market in regard to LNG is very interesting too. I would say that the speculators who have backed it till now here in the pacific Northwest are about ready to jump ship. That is unless they decide to hang on for the export of their foreign import because the prices are so high abroad. Of course there are always those few jobs that were promised. Those who planned for this to happen don't give a damn about local jobs. They just manuver , cash in and run. Of course this is an extention of the previous conversation we had about FERC and LNG but how many jobs will be lost from that project remains to be seen. First they have to find someone to buy Bradwood. That does not make good market sense right now. "

golfer wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:30 PM:

" tdnbb. So our governor is at fault for all the lost jobs, so she must have been responsible when the state was healthy, but we don't hear any words to that affect from RWNJ'S like you. Here's a thought. I wonder how well California is doing with their Republican governor, & all the other states with Republicon governors? Have they also let their citizens down, & do they have all the criticism coming there way also? "

coco wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:02 PM:

" ok people, the problem is simple, greedy stock holding corporate officials sell their companies while the selling is good, illegal aliens drive down wages and drive out many local trades, and the government taxes us to death, whild doing nothing to market our area, well, at least we will have a plentiful labor surplus. maybe that will attract something. "

hispview69 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:56 AM:

" "coach"you are way out of line on your comment.For starters they are illegal.they don't just want agriculture jobs.They are trying to take over the construction trades as well.Maybe you should get out of that county for a couple minutes and look around the rest of the state.they are illegal, and our government does nothing.They worry more about pot smokers than illegal aliens. GO FIGURE "

hispview69 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:22 AM:

" just can't do it UH! "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:54 AM:

" To all you governor lovers. It's funny how you all want to compare Washington to other states or the national average. Those are meaningless comparisons. We live in Washington. Our unemployment rate is on the rise. Our state deficit is on the rise, and our governor is asking us for suggestions. What we need are ideas and it is clear that she doesn't have any. There are only two ways out of this tax cuts and reduction of the government she has overspent to build. Simple as that. She does get the blame for the bad mess we are in. It was not in this shape when she took office. Simple as that. You can defend her all you want. Fact is we are sinking and I don't see any action from her that says we have an executive who can alter this course. She handled out raises with money she didn't have. She is not creating jobs, she is appeasing political groups that are killing jobs like with the natural gas terminal. Now is not the time to fighting growth but fight the Liberals do. Jobs are jobs and we need everyone we can get. Because in case you haven't noticed, Cowlitz County is very close to 10 percent unemployment. If it goes passed 10 percent, this county will move to deeper stages of a recession or worse. So keep defending your liberal governor. What was that saying about Nero, Rome and fiddling? She is playing very badly. "

country gal wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:10 AM:

" Yea, I sent Gregoire an email when she asked for our input. I told her paycut and politicians reductions. Haven't heard hide nor hair from her. "

skeezix wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Bad Boy, the reason some of us bring up comparisons to other states and issues on the Federal level is because we have educated ourselves and recognize that this economic downturn is a National phenomenon, not a local one. Personally, I don't consider myself liberal nor conservative. However, if I was to consider myself as a conservative, I would consider changing based on your rants as you are the poorest example any group would ever want to be associated with. You are an embarassment to your political party. "

TDN Bad Boy wrote on Nov 19, 2008 11:36 AM:

" skeezix, keep on attacking me but why don't you try to focus on the issues here. Cowlitz County unemployment. It's not the Fed. Gov. problem. It is this this county and this state's. That puts the responsibility solely on the shoulders of liberal governor. She wanted the job. Now she needs to lead us. You think she will. I know she won't. Big difference there. Her only solution will be more taxes and more taxes are going to kill the creation of any jobs. But to be honest with you, I don't see the state creating any new jobs in our county, do you? She claimed in her campaign that she created more than 200,000 new jobs in first four years. Rossi said jobs were disappearing. I would say from the continued rise in unemployment under the liberal governor that he was closer to the truth than she was. Still, all I want to see now is action from her. What are you seeing that I am not? "

Kalama Dude wrote on Nov 19, 2008 11:47 AM:

" The Sad Boy comments will be silent we can assume after this. Crickets chirping. "

coach wrote on Nov 19, 2008 12:02 PM:

" your opinion is your own. Why are they all illegal?? I have hired tons of people for good paying jobs and I would say that your quote "ILLEGALS" work hard and complain way way less!!! "

coach wrote on Nov 19, 2008 12:03 PM:

" Also sounds to me that you would be one of the complainers!!!! "

country gal wrote on Nov 19, 2008 12:10 PM:

" Remember, Gregoire wasted taxpayers money by welcoming many illegal immigrants to our state; the renovations of the Capital Bldg (she put a hold because it exceeded way over the budget limit which should've been halted immediately if it went over 1 penny but she waited until it was I believe over $200 million and I haven't heard anything more on that). "

crowsfeet wrote on Nov 19, 2008 1:05 PM:

" Yo coach, back before Johnsons Great Society ramped up in the late 60's there were less Mexicans in the orchards east of here than rattlesnakes. When easy street fades as it seems it might, you may see a change back to the 'good old days' when families worked together instead of taking a hand out from the system. Take back the jobs my able bodied friends. "

skeezix wrote on Nov 19, 2008 3:03 PM:

" Bad Boy, I am focusing on the issue here. Were you to live in any other county, the rants you put forth would be the same. Why? Because the economic problems are nation wide. To answer your question as to what I'm seeing that you are not....I'm seeing beyond my own front porch. Maybe if you ever are able to get your head dislodged from wherever it is you have it stuck, you might be able to see further as well. "

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