vernonia’s
voice letters to the editor
december
2008
Readers lend their
voices…
To The Editor
Your article by Erika Paleck in the November issue on
Alice Zimmerman was great and a great artist she truly is.
I’ve had the greatest opportunity to get to know her better
just after the December 07 Flood when she with open arms
took my family in (and Dogs) and let us stay in the base-
ment of her house. To me I see her as a great woman with
a strong will and abundant courage to see things through
in life. If you do not succeed one way you just try another
route. The Lord has really blessed this earth and Vernonia
with a wonderful artist that is willing to share her talents
with others.
Thank you for the fine article.
Kerrie Constance
Owner-Pretty Gifts & Things
786 Bridge Street
Vernonia
To The Editor:
I enjoyed your article on reasons to get rid of the electoral
college, but I think our founding fathers did the right thing
by allocating electors somewhat skewed to smaller popu-
lation states. In our current world, if we were to use the
popular vote only, elections would be decided by the most
heavily populated cities and rural voters wouldn’t need to
bother to vote in close elections. In fact, you could just have
NY, Boston, SF, Chicago and a few other cities vote. In
2000 or 2004, I found the red/blue divide map of the US by
county especially interesting. Practically the whole country
was red with a few blue pockets even though the popular
vote was closer. This time, it was more evenly spread.
Tobie Finzel
Vernonia, Oregon
To The Editor:
A friend in Medford sent me this link:
http://planetashland.net/buyinashland.html and after read-
ing what Ashland is doing I began to think about what
Vernonia has to offer and wonder why the residents don’t
keep their money local as much as possible. With the Holi-
day Season soon upon us I’d like to encourage my fellow
Vernonians to spend their dollars where they will mean
something. Instead of running off to Wal-Mart or some
other “big box” to buy the latest shiny doo-dad for a loved
one this Christmas or Hanukkah, use your imagination
and find that special someone a gift locally, right here in
your own community. I personally guarantee you that you
can find something for everyone on your list right here at
home, without spending any extra on gas and all within
walking distance.
Your neighbors and your friends own the businesses
on Bridge Street.
These are businesses that are struggling to stay alive
and that will go above and beyond to give you good cus-
tomer service and they know your name when you walk in
the door. Does the “greeter” at Wal-Mart know who you are?
Do they know whom your kids? No, they don’t and wake
up! That’s just Wal-Mart’s way of trying to pose as what our
local businesses truly are. Don’t let Wal-Mart fool you into
thinking that they care about you or your hard-earned money
just because they have someone “greet” you when you come
in the door. They’re greeting your wallet, your pocketbook,
and your hard-earned cash. Your neighbor really does care
because they are sitting in the same boat.
Many are still trying to recover from last’s year’s di-
sastrous flood and those who weren’t flooded out are just
trying to deal with the current economy. So please, please
when you’re making out your gift list this Holiday Season
put another list next to it that lists the Vernonia businesses
and what they offer and match them up. Don’t forget the
services and the gift certificates they will be glad to issue.
How about a gift massage? A gift hair cut? Use your imagi-
nation and let’s boost Vernonia’s economy and help our
neighbors and friends in the process. I promise that you’ll
feel better for having done that.
I can also promise that if you don’t support your lo-
cal businesses they will soon be gone. You won’t need to
wonder why.
Alice Foster Zimmerman
Vernonia, Oregon
To the Editor:
With the election completed, I want to take the op-
portunity to thank all of those people involved in my cam-
paign. I cannot list everyone who supported me. You
know who you are and Jill and I thank you from the bottom
of our hearts. We are grateful for the hard work, calls and
kind words of encouragement we received. I would like to
also thank the citizens of Columbia County. I knocked on
many doors throughout the County and was greeted with
warm hospitality.
Happy Holidays!
NO JOINING FEE!
Expires 12/31/08
(503) 429-0196
Earn HOLIDAY BUCKS here!
Vernonia Grange Hall 375 North Street
05
I do feel the need to clear up an issue that developed
from Jenefer Grant’s campaign in the week preceding the
election. Most of the women in Columbia County received
a flier from Jenefer Grant’s campaign that referred to Shane
Stephens and asking the readers to vote for Jenefer because
she cared and I did not. Nothing could be farther from the
truth. In fact, most of what was contained in the flier is not
truthful. I did represent Mr. Stephens for approximately 6
weeks. I filed a modification case on Mr. Stephens’ behalf
because Mr. Stephens had particular allegations that Ms. Da-
vis’ significant other was physically abusing Shane Stephens.
I did not know if Mr. Stephens had an extensive criminal re-
cord or a violent criminal background. Most importantly, I
did care about what was happening with Shane Stephens.
The citizens of this County need to be aware that I was
not the only attorney who ever represented Mr. Stephens.
Jenefer Grant represented Mr. Stephens from approximate-
ly April 24, 2002 until January of 2003. This seems to call
into question the appropriateness of Jenefer Grant issuing
a restraining order against her former client, Rockland Ste-
phens, in January of 2008. Jenefer’s involvement, how-
ever, did not cease because she then issued a stalking order
on behalf of her former client, Rockland Stephens, against
Shannon Davis’ significant other. It should be noted, also,
that Jenefer’s order still allowed Rockland Stephens one
overnight visit, (he was allowed two overnights previously)
the first and third weekends of each month, so her order
would not have prevented this tragedy, and Judge Reed’s
subsequent order did not cause it. Court records show that
neither the attorneys, Judges, law enforcement nor Shannon
Davis ever alleged that Mr. Stephens would harm his son.
If I had known any harm would come to Shane I would
have alerted authorities. For Jenefer to suggest that I was not
concerned for the safety of a child is reprehensible conduct.
I can appreciate Shannon Davis’ grief; however, I cannot ex-
cuse the mischaracterization of my role in this tragic case.
Once again, thanks to all of you who supported me in
my campaign.
David B. Herr
St. Helens, Oregon
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