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.