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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
vernonia’s voice letters to the editor november 2007 Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor: Had enough division? It is time for a breather. The only Vernonians who don’t understand that the publishers of The Indepen- dent don’t like Dick Kline must be either small chil- dren or blind, deaf and dumb. We all get their points. The City Council blew the hiring process. The city staff, including Kline, is not perfect. There are people in Kline’s past that definitely do not wish him well (or so the rumor mill runs.) At this point, with Kline run out of town, the only thing missing from this story is the tar and feathers. Personally, I try to talk with everyone who will share their opinion on civic matters, particularly when we disagree. In that spirit, I have had a couple of frank talks with Noni Andersen, Clark and Rebecca Mc- Gaugh about Dick Kline. I believe that they genuinely feel a weight of responsibility as newspaper people to probe, explore and explain to the public the real work- ings of their city government. I welcome such vigor on the part of Vernonia’s Fourth Estate – we could have used more of that during the last several years. Nevertheless, there comes a time when all those who are paying attention have already been thoroughly sen- sitized to the issue(s) at hand. Once that has happened, the press has done its job, and it is time to move on to different news. I believe that we passed that point some time ago. Unfortunately, The Independent con- tinues to look for fault, any possible fault, with Kline and his administration. In fairness to The Independent, I think the City Gov- ernment (lock, stock and barrel) has clammed up in response to the barrage of criticism leveled by The In- dependent, in person and in the paper. I believe this strategic error has inflamed The Independent; however, I certainly understand the City’s frustrated response. What do the Vernonia Community Learning Center, the OA Hill Bike/Pedestrian Project, our historically pathetic budgeting system, and the $15 million sewer project proposed in May of 2006, all have in common? They are projects and systems started by previous ad- ministrators that have become lightning rods for deliv- ering criticism against Dick Kline. With this kind of political memory at work, Vernonia will surely join the rest of America in blaming the next President for los- ing in Iraq. The latest example is the “Dumpster Scandal.” Appar- ently, a dumpster overflowed at Anderson Park during Jamboree. It was a topic of considerable finger wag- ging at a recent City Council meeting and was a lead story in The Independent. Surely, miscommunications and staff oversights in any organization are never a good thing. However, one of our Council members said it best, “If this is all there is to complain about, we must be doing pretty well.” Hear, hear! I believe that Kline has worked very hard for Vernonia. My support for him is actually a reaction to what has seemed like an attempt to railroad him out of his job. Sadly, that train has left the station. It is now a little late to ask what caliber of person is likely to apply for Kline’s job. City Administrator/ Manager positions are notoriously insecure and hard to fill. Why would someone risk coming to a community where the press drove the predecessor from office? The saddest part of this story is the profound discon- nect between the staff of The Independent and those who object to its focus on finding fault with the admin- istration. It was truly sad to see Noni, Clark and Re- becca make the case that they are only the messenger in this saga. Frankly, that argument rings false when one compares the litany of negative press with the complete absence of any serious error or wrong-doing. Holding our leaders accountable is an essential role of the press. However, it must be leavened with wisdom, something that has been conspicuously absent this last year. The focus was on the trees, not the forest, like so much of our public debate this year. Vernonia’s staff, its volunteer Council and committee members work hard to make our town a better place. They all deserve to be treated with respect even when they are wrong. Occasionally, according that respect will involve looking past the occasional overflowing dumpster to the larger work that staff and volunteers are trying to do on our behalf. I will always opt for a free press with full access even if it leads to the absurd negativity we have recently seen in Vernonia. How- ever, a little forbearance in calling out imperfections can go a long way toward building community. -- Annonymous To the Editor: Dick Kline--A Fine City Manager I wanted you folks in Vernonia to know that Dick Kline has a whole army of support and I am one of them. Mr. Kline came to our economically disadvantaged town, Cornelius, in 2001. He fired up everyone’s confidence and enthusiasm. He streamlined city staff, organized the budget and turned business and civic leadership to- ward a healthy future. He earned respect and invest- ment for this town and help us pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Dick oversaw a staff team that raised over $10 million in federal, state and county grants for public improve- ments. He supported planning and strong partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, Metro and the State. Dick and Mary, his wife, helped rejuvenate the Cham- ber of Commerce, Booster Club, Nut’n Berry Festi- val, and even a visitors center. He trained city staff in business friendly customer service and succeeded in attracting commitments of over $100 million in private development investment. Like hundreds of people in Cornelius, I count Dick as a good friend. I was very sorry to see him go as a result of our political turmoil in 2005. our local rivers and streams, while raising money to give back to local charities. Salmon Festival makes money from the following ac- tivities: T-shirt sales, Knee Deep In Salmon Auction, Vendor Fees, and the traditional trout pond, scarecrow stuffing, and pumpkin carving. Salmon Festival proceeds go to: Pay expenses; trout for fishing pond, scarecrow making supplies, live musical acts, tent rental, Scout Cabin rental, electricity, and advertising. We set aside contingency money for next year’s festival, and the remainder is given back to local charities. Past recipients of Vernonia Salmon Festival monies: - Vernonia Cares Food Bank - Hands On Art - VHS Boosters FYI: Knee Deep In Salmon Auction In the Knee Deep In Salmon Artist Competition, artists pay an entry fee to enter the competition; they pay for all materials/supplies used to decorate their fish. Then they graciously donate/hand back their completed fish (in its entirety, no artists rights retained) to the Vernonia Salmon Festival for auction. All reserve price decisions on fish to be auctioned are made by Vernonia Salmon Festival Committee. Many artists have many hours and dollars into their pieces. All fish entered in the competition start with a 50.00 reserve price, some fish were previously bid upon at the “Knee Deep In Salmon Fish Opening” held at the VCLC on September 28th. So fish come to the auction on Saturday with reserve price already attached. How- ever there was a misunderstanding during this year’s auction, the bidding on “My Old Chum” should have started at the 350.00 reserve price placed on it by Ver- nonia Salmon Festival Committee. The bidding began at the base reserve of 50.00, we realize this caused frus- tration in our community, we apologize. In all further auctions, all bidding will start at set reserve price (Re- serve price set by pre-bid/ KDIS Committee). We are working to remedy issues that came up this year. However we can’t know all issues and are looking for suggestions for next year. Please join us for a Salmon Festival Solutions Meeting, Tuesday, November 6th, at VCLC, at 7pm. Many thanks for your participation in this local festival. -- Salmon Festival Committee Josette Mitchell Shawn Baker Rosemary Curtis Paula Hansen Casey Mitchell Judy Stefan Keep him if you can. Dick Kline will help Vernonia become healthy and sustainable. -- Steve Heinrich Cornelius City Council and Former Mayor Also supported by: Mayor Bill Bash, Former Mayor Ralph Brown, and Former Mayor Norbie Chartrey Dear Community, Many questions have arose as to just what is Salmon Festival and where does the money go, for your infor- mation. Salmon Festival started 5 years ago, when a small group of Vernonians had an idea. The idea was to have a harvest type festival that our community could enjoy, that celebrates the magnificent return of the salmon to 05 To the Editor: My name is Sue Jenkins. On September 11th, 2007. Helping Hands came into my house and gave it a much needed face lift! My family and I would like to thank everyone who lent a hand. We do not know who all of you are, what we do know is that a lot of time, energy, devotion and kindness was poured into our house and we bless each and every one of you who stopped by at 1139 Birch street. Thank you so much. -- Sue, Sara, and Michael Jenkins Vernonia HOW TO SEND LETTERS Vernonia’s Voice welcomes and requests your thoughts, opinions, and ideas. Please include your name, address, and phone number; limit your letters to 300 words or less. Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted. We will print letters, space permitting. Deadline is the 15th of the month. Email to: news@vernoniasvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia 97064.