vernonia’s
voice letters to the editor
may
2009
Have You Heard
About...
An Opinion: In Vernonia,
Is The Glass Half Full Or Half Empty?
By Sharon Parrow
By Scott Laird
Hey, have you heard about the new blog in town?
Yes... the Vernonia Chamber of Commerce
(otherwise known as the Chamber) has a blog. All
you have to do is go to the Chamber site and click
on “blog.”
The idea behind this is so all of Vernonia, and
anyone else, can go there and communicate in one
place about our community. Actually, it is set up
so you can give ideas, get information, and ask
any questions you might have about what is going
on in and around Vernonia. If you have heard of
something that might be going on, you can put that
question on the board, and hopefully someone in the
community will have an answer.
Advertise a garage sale. Post a concern, or get
an interactive discussion going by commenting on
other posts. Ask for help on a project. Find some-
one right here in Vernonia with skills you need.
Communicate directly with others in our commu-
nity about what is good, bad, ugly, great or stupid!
Don’t like a decision that was made by City Coun-
cil-- tell everyone. Heard a good rumor? (Not in
Vernonia?!) Have it clarified or dispelled. Discuss
the conditions of the public restrooms, local side-
walks, pocket parks, or crosswalks.
The blog can also be used for businesses. Give
a review of a local restaurant or complain about cus-
tomer service you received from a store clerk. Let
everyone know someone went above and beyond
the call of duty for you. Is a business carrying a
new item that you found useful? Know of a busi-
ness owner that is looking for a good employee with
a certain skill set? Is there something you can’t get
in Vernonia that you think businesses should be car-
rying? Talk about it on this new site.
The site allows you to ask any question or to
give any opinions that you might have, whether the
opinions are kudos or complaints. The only thing that
they will block is profanity or abusive language.
I think this is a great opportunity to get to know
a little bit more about Vernonia and what is happen-
ing here. Did you know that there is an Economic
Development Committee that is working on im-
proving downtown? Did you know there are people
working to save the July 4th fireworks? Heard any
new information about new schools in Vernonia?
Need to know how to make a reservation for your
family to stay at Anderson Park when they come to
visit in July? Go to the site and check it out! And
get to know Vernonia better!
Age old questions: Which came first, the chicken or the
egg? If a trees falls in the woods and there’s no one there to hear
it, does it make any noise? Tastes great or less filling? (OK, that
one’s not age old, just age appropriate.) Is your glass half full or
half empty? Questions... Lots of questions these days.
Here in Vernonia, we are wrestling with some very serious
and tough questions-- Questions about whether or not to build a
new school campus and how to pay for it. Questions about how
to meet a major shortfall in the school budget. Questions about
how to fund necessary upgrades to our wastewater treatment fa-
cility. Questions that may highly impact the future of our com-
munity and determine it’s survival.
How people view the future and answer the tough questions
is often part of their chemistry. We are often told to “Look on
the bright side,” or “Have a positive attitude.” But some people
aren’t wired that way. Many people look at the world, and see
what is wrong. See things that need fixing. See problems, con-
cerns, and things that need improvement. These same people
often roll up their sleeves and get to work looking for solutions,
ways to fix the problems, and try to find answers to what isn’t
working.
Other people approach things differently. These people try
to see the positive in most situations. They see a problem as an
opportunity. They try to find what is already working and build
on it. They look for solutions, offer options, and try to find an-
swers. They look for what is positive and want to talk about how
everything is going to work out and be OK.
I (in case you haven’t noticed) like to look for the positive,
although I think there is room and a place for both. Sometimes us
sunny-siders need to be reminded that everything isn’t so rosy.
Like here in Vernonia. Right now, there are a lot of positive
things happening. Even after a devastating flood eighteen months
ago and a very poor economic outlook, we have a lot to look forward
to in this community. At least from my viewpoint.
Right now, the transformation of Vernonia is on the short list
of projects that Governor Kulongoski is touting to receive Federal
Economic Stimulus Funding. Rebuilding the Vernonia school
campus in a safe location, rebuilding our wastewater treatment
facility-- a project that has been dragging on for years--, finding
ways to produce inexpensive electricity, building a Community
Center complex to house our food bank, senior center and medi-
cal clinic-- all are on the table as projects that may get funded and
become reality. That is positive news.
Even through the bleak recent economic downturn, local
businesses are surviving and our downtown still appears vital and
full of life. A new restaurant opened, First Friday celebrations are
starting again and the Open Air Market is getting ready to kick
off another season. A new courtyard is being constructed at the
Vernonia Community Learning Center, our city government ap-
pears to have weathered the storm of 2007 and the last few years,
Readers lend their voices…
To the Editor:
Help Vernonia build a new school. The timing for building
couldn’t be better. It seems strange to say something like that with the
current economy, but it’s true. The availability of Federal funding due
to the relief program will allow us to build the long overdue new school,
out of the flood plain.
Our schools, just like most small towns across America, are the
hub and lifeblood of our community. It is a sense of pride to students
and a place where lifelong friendships for young adults and parents are
born and nurtured. If the schools don’t thrive, neither does the town. Is
it wise to wait to see if we flood a third time? Then what will we do?
It will require good leadership and experienced professionals to
guide us through the bureaucracy that accompanies such funding. I
would urge everyone to elect Jim Krahn to the school board. His pro-
fessional experience, and both nationally and internationally recognized
leadership skill, is critical during this process. To have someone of
Jim’s ability, at our community’s disposal is priceless.
Pat Stacklie
Vernonia
To the Editor:
I am always so glad when new faces step up with conviction to
serve our community. It is often unseen and unappreciated. So when we
had two wonderful young mother’s throw their hat in the ring to serve
on the school board, I thought bravo! Unfortunately, I do not think that
this is the time to change “horses”. Jim Krahn has the connections at
the state level that we need to see this project through. His dedication is
such that even after having major surgery last year he did not miss any
meetings but attended them via phone when needed. That is The type of
dedication we need to see our new schools built. I do sincerely hope that
both young ladies continue to participate and be invested in the process
but my vote is for Jim Krahn for school board.
With best regards to rebuilding our schools and community,
Heather Lewis
Vernonia
Dear Supporters,
The Board and Staff of Vernonia Cares Food Bank (VCFB)
would like to clarify how your donations are handled. Checks and cash
received are issued a pre-printed, numbered receipt. This document
indicates VCFB’s nonprofit EIN number along with the donor informa-
tion. This EIN number proves that we are a nonprofit, and you may
deduct your donation on your taxes. We would recommend that cash
be brought to our location during our regular business hours (Tuesday
and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM). This way your cash
donation can be processed properly and given a receipt right away. The
and seems to be on the right track. Participation in community
activities is high and people seem engaged in what is going on.
To me, the glass appears to be half full.
On the other hand, our schools are facing that severe budget
shortfall this year. We are being told cuts are coming to all aspects
of education and the programs that are offered-- big, painful cuts.
Our city government is still struggling with a tight budget, and
a lack of resources. The timber industry continues to struggle.
The economy, though starting to show signs of recovery, is still
very weak, and many Vernonians have ben laid off and are out of
work. For many people, times are tough and money is tight. Half
empty.
In order to receive those economic stimulus funds that are
on the table, Vernonians are going to be asked to pay a portion
of the cost to rebuild our schools. That means a bond measure,
estimated to be around $13 million dollars. That means increases
to our property taxes of around $2.00 per thousand-- probably a
little less. Financially, this community is facing some very tough
times, and it’s only going to get harder.
Which brings us back to those tough questions. The ques-
tion isn’t, “Is Vernonia going to survive?” We all know this is a
town made up of a bunch of survivors who always find a way.
But is just surviving good enough? To me, the question is re-
ally, “Is Vernonia going to thrive?” --which raises a whole slew
of follow-up questions. What happens to this community if we
don’t build a new school campus? What happens if we don’t pass
that bond?
I recently asked those questions to four candidates running
for the Vernonia School Board, and not one of them had a good
answer. There doesn’t appear to be a back-up plan if we don’t
build new schools. Right now, the school district is paying around
$14,000 a month to rent the modular trailers. That expense is tak-
ing away funding that could be used for educational purposes-- to
fill some of those holes in the budget. Is it possible that the Ver-
nonia school district could cease to exist if changes don’t hap-
pen soon? Yes, quite possible, even likely. They can’t afford to
continue the way they are now. If we don’t have any schools in
Vernonia, who is going to want to stay and live here? Not most
families. But what will they do, sell their homes and move? Who
will they sell them to? What happens to our property values if
we don’t have schools in this community? I expect the value will
decrease much more than the anticipated hundreds of dollars in
yearly property tax increases that are being proposed.
Adding more burden to already struggling families in a poor
economy is not a choice most administrators, board members,
or community members take lightly, nor relish. But the choices
appear very limited. Can the members of this community afford
to pass a bond and build new schools? Or is the question, can we
afford not to?
food bank is located within the Legion Building (627 Adams Avenue,
Vernonia).
Checks may be delivered in the same way, or they can be mailed
to Vernonia Cares, PO Box 126, Vernonia, OR 97064-0126. No VCFB
staff or representatives directly solicit funds. (Over the holidays, we
did ask Vernonia businesses for turkey donations, and some gave cash
towards that project.) If you are in doubt regarding any person seeking
a donation on Cares’ behalf, please contact VCFB executive director
Sandy Welch at the food bank (503-429-1414) or Barb Ervin (503-429-
1625).
We work hard to be a service agency in which you can place your
trust. We want you to be confident your donations are handled respon-
sibly. Thank you for your generous support. We are currently providing
emergency groceries to over 400 people per month. Thank you for
allowing us to be your hands extended to the hungry in and around
Vernonia.
Sincerely,
Rosie McCoy, Vice President
VCFB Board of Directors
Sandy Welch, Executive Director
Letter to the Editor:
Jim Krahn, 19 year Vernonia resident, is currently running for po-
sition #1 on the school board. The experience Jim brings to our district
is immeasurable. Jim has served over five years on the Vernonia school
board and eight years on a Wisconsin school board. Mr. Krahn has
extensive experience and knowledge of the legislative process. With his
experience, Mr. Krahn has the ability to provide the district with fund-
ing and grant avenues to assist the district in building a new facility. His
contacts with elected officials are numerous and invaluable, including
Senator Betsy Johnson. Mr. Krahn’s philosophy is that we all had adults
that sacrificed and gave their best to ensure the finest education possible
for us. Now the time has come for all of us to collectively give back to
today’s children. A bond, combined with federal funding and grants,
will provide the financial support necessary to secure our children’s
education and safety. It’s a small investment that will benefit and protect
our property value, business owners, economic status, and most impor-
tantly, today’s youth. As a community member and educator, I ask that
you vote on experience and optimism, vote for Jim Krahn.
Kim Oblack-Morrison
Teacher/Jewell School Dist
47J Citizens,
This year the school board election is occurring at an extremely
critical point. Jim Krahn has been an invaluable 47J board member.
Please acknowledge his contributions and commitment by voting for
Jim.
After the flood of 2007 there was a vacancy on the board. Jim
had previously served on the Vernonia School Board, he knew what
was involved. Undaunted by the amount of work that the term would
05
present, Jim knew he could help the district get through this devastating
period. He put his name in and was appointed to a position ready for
the huge task of getting our schools back on track after the flood.
Experienced in managing publicly funded entities, Jim knows
the importance of keeping himself connected with what is happening
in state government. This helps our small town stay on the minds of
legislators.
Jim does not pretend to know it all. He will listen. He also will
admit that not every decision is perfect, but he learns from what has
happened in the past and moves forward with better knowledge.
Shortly after being appointed in 2008, Jim experienced a very se-
rious personal issue. Many would have resigned at that point, however
Jim made sure that he attended every meeting possible either by phone
or in person. He is committed to seeing the schools through this period.
Jim’s children are grown and his motive is not in one particular
area of the school district, it is purely for the greater good of the whole
community. Right now the school board is at an extremely critical
point in a process that will take a couple of years to complete. Please
don’t throw away his valuable investment. Let him finish the job he
came on board to tackle. Vote for Jim Krahn for Vernonia School
Board and confirm that his dedication and hard work are recognized
and appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dr. Phyllis Gilmore
Vernonia
.
To the Editor:
Not very often do I laugh out loud. It’s more like a quiet chuckle,
but P.J. O’Leary’s column has made me laugh out loud since the very
first column. I just don’t even know what to say about his humor but
I love it and can hardly wait for the next edition. It’s like dessert at the
end of a meal. We try to read every article and appreciate the positive
attitude and well written articles. And we don’t even live in Vernonia!
Tell everyone on the staff thank you for a great paper.
Barbara Compton
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