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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2009)
community july 2009 15 New Kiwanis Club Organizes in Vernonia Columbia County Fair Continued from Front Page A new Kiwanis club is organizing in Vernonia and is seeking men and women to become part of the global organization of volunteers dedi- cated to changing the world one child and one com- munity at a time. The club will further the Kiwanis International mission of responding to global issues while also serving the needs of the Vernonia com- munity by performing valuable service projects. “The needs of the world are great, but together, Kiwanis members in 8,600 clubs and more than 90 countries and geographic areas ac- complish remarkable things for the children of the world,” said Emil Nyberg, Pacific North- west District Chair of Kiwanis International. The new Vernonia Kiwanis club will fo- cus on service projects addressing a variety of com- munity needs. For example, other Kiwanis clubs and Kiwanians participate in activities such as re- vitalizing neighborhoods, organizing youth-sports programs, planting trees and erecting playgrounds. who will run for a specific office in their barn. For example, the horses will be running for Sheriff, the goats for County Commissioner, and the pigs for Mayor. A panel of local politicians will judge and choose winners for each office-- the winners receive a ribbon and $100. Campaign managers will try to show why the personality of their animal fits the description of the office. Campaigns will be judged on creativity, humor and originality. This year’s fair also features the return of many fair favorites, including Entertainment by Brandon Cash on Wednesday and the “Dancin’ in the Dirt” concert with the Concrete Cowboys following the Rodeo both Friday and Saturday nights. Wednesday will be Senior Citizen Day, with free transportation provided from all communities and the “My Fair Lady Pageant.” Thursday will feature baby and kids’ events including the Baby Gala, Preschool Party, Junior Rodeo and entertainment by “Recycle Man and the Dumpster Divers,” who feature educational music with environmental themes. Also returning this year are the Talent Show, the Chili Cook-off, the ATV To the Editor: continued from page 5 we should show this appreciation by giving them a sense of safety and security of another Officer in the department. Third, are City Council members bias in their decisions concerning VPD because of any relationships with Mike Kay. I do not know the council members that were attacked, and I want to make this clear. I do know that the community elected them. Regardless of their relationships outside of work, these people are making decision based on what they think is best for Vernonia. Maybe they are not bias, but are instead supporting issues that concern the VPD because they truly believe in them. Obviously people in the community trusted in the ability and character of these individuals or they wouldn’t hold the positions they do. Fourth, should 19 year old, 135 pound Elliot have been tased? The experts have already made their decision, “yes” the actions of VPD were justified and within the law. Regardless of age or size, Elliot was being placed under arrest. All the opinions, or dislikes of Mike Kay, City Council members, or bashing of anyone else cannot change that. That being said, as a parent I can understand Mr. Johnson’s position, as Elliot is his son. He wants to protect Elliot. If it was my kid, I might react emotionally as well. But I think if my child acted in a manner that prompted the Police to use force on him, the police better get him before I do. I try to teach my kids respect for the law and truly believe that if they are caught breaking it, they will have the good sense to be respectful and cooperative with law enforcement. “We understand the changing needs of today’s busy volunteers, and encourage mem- bers to give time on their own terms while con- tributing to notable causes and meaningful proj- ects,” said Alice Robertson, Lt. Governor Elect, of Longview WA. Kiwanis club. “We hope that men and women of all ages, races and re- ligions, will join the Vernonia club and make a difference for children in our community.” The Kiwanis District Secretary, Cleave Parker will make a presentation at the Cham- ber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday July 8, at the Blue House Cafe at 12:00 PM. We urge you to attend and find out more about Kiwanis. For details on joining the Vernonia Ki- wanis club, or for more information about Kiwanis International, please contact Emil Nyberg at 503- 338-7400 or Alice Robertson at 360-560-3301 visit www.kiwanisone.org. The last question I would like to address is why citizens don’t police themselves? In a perfect world there would be no crime, but this world is far from perfect. I choose to believe that most people are good in nature. Realistically there are some that just aren’t. For this reason our government created laws and a group of individuals held to a higher standard of ethics to enforce those laws. The police are governed by those same laws and kept to an expected standard of public service through a series of checks and balances. Give me one day without crime in the state of Oregon and I’ll say maybe there is hope, otherwise I say, “ thank you to local law enforcement for keeping me and mine safe.” People might ask who I am and why I even care about the people being attacked in previous articles. I will tell you this, I was a soldier, and I have seen combat, the dead, depraved, and lawless society. I defended my country because I believe in the United States and all we stand for. I come from a family that has police officers that protect and defend my family, my community, and me. I am also a mother that wants her children to grow up safe, and see officers in the public, giving a visual definition of right and wrong. I have addressed the issues that as a citizen gave me concern. I support the Vernonia City Council, the VPD, and Mike Kay. These opinions are my own and I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. Thank You. Iwalani K. Leininger Vernonia, Oregon HAPPY 4th of July! March right over to SPORTY’S! We carry high-quality, new & used merchandise , with “recession prices”! SPORTY’S! Hunting Camping Fishing New & Used Buy & Sell Trade & Consign 275 West Columbia River Highway, Clastkanie • 503-728-2712 Rodeo, and the Plant Sale which benefits the Fair Grounds. “The fair is really about participation,” said Courtney. “We really like to encourage people to get involved, to enter a competition. If you bake or make jams or grow flowers, enter as an exhibitor. That’s what makes it fun. The fair is as good as the community makes it.” Also returning are the Columbia Emergency Preparedness Expo, 4-H Competitions, Livestock Auction, and, of course, the NPRA Rodeo Programs with the full fair schedule should be arriving by mail shortly, or go to the Columbia County Event Complex website for more details. Tickets are available at local outlets, including branches of Wauna FCU and St. Helens FCU. A new option this year is the Fair Stimulus Package-- 25 tickets for $125. Save three dollars on a daily ticket by grouping together with co-workers or friends. Employers-- makes a great gift for your employees and their families. So pull out those bell bottoms, put on some beads and patchouli oil, and head over to the 2009 Columbia County Fair and Rodeo. Dig it, man! Loggers Memorial Continued from Front Page region. He has worked as a logging safety consultant with many of the local logging outfits for the last twenty-five years. He saw a need and wanted to commemorate the life and work of some of the many people he has known and worked with in the area. “Over the years, I’ve done the majority of the fatality investigations around here, and many of my friends have died of natural causes,” said Standley. “And as time goes by, your memories of those guys fade. We still talk about them-- we laugh and joke, but our memories have faded. And I thought, ‘There’s got to be something we can do.’” Standley initially planned on an outdoor memorial, with plaques attached to large log rounds. But the enthusiasm of donors made him realize he needed to do more. Thousand dollar donations were followed by $10,000 donations. “Now I have to build something nice-- these people are serious,” laughed Standley. They are currently finishing construction of a timber-frame building with a cedar board and bat finish and cedar shingle roof. The building will house large Douglas Fir slabs that will hold the individual plaques. The centerpiece will be a large bronze sculpture of a timber faller falling a tree. It will also hold displays and memorabilia from individual loggers on the walls; as Standley explains it, “...something special about each of them that people would remember them by.” The building has been built from donated lumber for the beams and the siding, and other donated building materials, and with donated labor. It has been a collaboration of many logging outfits, families, and donors. Standley noted that almost no one he has asked for help has turned him down, which is somewhat surprising in these tough economic times-- times that have been especially tough on local logging outfits. “Everyone has found a way to help,” said Standley. Standley has raised almost $100,000, but is coming up just a little short. “We need about $5,000 more to finish it out,” he said. To get an application for a bronze plaque or for more information about the Camp 18 Loggers Memorial Project, contact Mark Standley at 503-434-0148 or Denise Dethlefs at Bighorn Logging at 503-324-2422.