Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 22, 2011)
community march22 2011 Agency Allocations From United Way of Columbia County United Way of Columbia County Board of Directors approved the 2011 allocations at the March board meeting. We have reached 80 % of our projected goal. The amount raised was 9.25% less than last year. This meant there was less money to allocate to our community partners. Most programs received a smaller allocation this year. Twenty seven partner programs received a combined total of $163,451 an additional $7,040 in donor directed funds went to seventeen other non profits for a total of $170,491. It is always a difficult job to allocate the available funds and much thought and work, by the United Way Board of Directors, goes into making these decisions. The task was even more difficult this year because we received approximately 9.25% less than last year. Basic Human needs—food, shelter, utility assistance were given the highest priority. As always, the Board of Directors and staff continue to work diligently to maintain a low overhead by leveraging in- kind donations, supplemental grants and volunteers to help support the many needs in our community. “We sincerely thank all those who help support United Way of Columbia County in our efforts to work for the common good of this community. Whether you are a donor or a volunteer or both we could not provide the support we do for this community without you. We appreciate your continued help and dedication to making a difference in Columbia County,” said Executive director Kathye Beck It is not too late to give. We accept donations and or pledges at any time, for more information call 503-556- 3614 or email uwcc@hotmail.com UNITED WAY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 2011 Final Allocation Totals Community Partners Total American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter 1,536 Boy Scouts, Cascade Pacific Council 1,262 C.A.T.: Emergency Housing 7,887 C.A.T.: Energy Services 9,650 C.A.T.: Kid Care 3,124 15 C.A.T.: Life Span Respite 3,166 C.A.T.: Parenting Education 197 C.A.T.: Transitional Housing 8,639 Chehalem Youth Services 2,500 Columbia Community Mental Health, Drug Prev./Inter. 7,689 Columbia Pacific Food Bank 40,293 Community Access Services 2,265 Emergency Support Shelter 2,278 Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington 372 H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Eat) 13,887 Progress Center 2,831 R.S.V.P., Foundation (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) 2,732 Riverside Training Centers 12,127 Turning Point Community Center 14,432 Vernonia Cares 12,791 Women’s Resource Center 11,293 Senior grants 2,500 TOTALS 163,451 CHD Looks to Move Health Services to Private Non-profit The Columbia Health District Board of Directors voted Monday to begin the process of moving public health services to a private non-profit agency since voters ended work on the CHD hospital in November and left the District with no mission. The motion, made by vice-chair Gary Heide at the work session on March 14, directed staff to begin work on a three-way contract between the CHD, Columbia County and the Public Health Foundation to move public health to the Foundation. It passed unanimously with the addition that there be a meeting with Columbia County Mental Health to investigate working together. Chair Jay Tappan said in his introductory comments the Columbia County Commissioners have encouraged him to look at moving public health services from the CHD public board to a private nonprofit board because of the public vote in November 2010 to end work on the CHD hospital project and end the tax rate of 38 cents per $1,000. The District has filed a petition for a court judgment on the legality of Measure 5-209, but either way, Tappan said, the public voted to end the hospital project and the hospital tax. “We need to continue our strong public health services,” said Tappan, and transferring employees and services to a nonprofit will ensure that. He said that the mission to build a hospital that voters approved for the District in 2004 ended. Heide agreed, saying that the district tax rate for the hospital is permanent, “and people say they don’t want it.” Heide said that putting the public health services under a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization could work smoothly because the Public Health Foundation of Columbia County was formed in 2003, and could accept the transfer of public health services. “It would require a three-way agreement between Columbia County, the Foundation and the Columbia Health District,” said Heide, “to transfer employees, assets and liabilities.” Board member Diane Hutson said that Columbia Community Mental Health is interested in working with Public Health. “I’d like to explore both options -- the Public Health Foundation and also Mental Health.” She said the State is headed toward combining service providers. Tappan said he would look at setting up a meeting with the Board of Commissioners, Mental Health and Public Health to investigate the possibilities. Public Health Administrator Karen Ladd said that changes at the Federal and State levels have put Public Health into a great deal of flux. “I hope that Public Health can stay a separate entity during the transition,” she said. Board member Lisa Galovich suggested a structure for non-profits that gave one board’s agency an “umbrella” position over another board. Then, she said, each organization stays intact and doesn’t dissolve into the other. The petition for judgment on the legality of 5-209 is still in the court system, said Tappan. He said it is necessary for that to work through because it defines a liability for CHD. The Board had considered putting a measure on the May ballot that would lower the tax rate to 7.71 cents per $1,000, but agreed not to do that because it didn’t solve the problems with the District long-term. 2011 Plant, Book and Art Sale for the Banks Library The Friends of the Banks Public Library are gearing up for their Annual Plant, Book and Art Sale. The sale will include local crafts and garden art, in addition to a broad selection of plants and used books. The sale will be held at Schlegel Hall in Sunset Park on Friday, May 6 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This sale is a perfect opportunity for last minute Mother’s Day shopping. Plants are coming from local nurseries and gardeners, and will include vegetable starts, annuals, perennials, planters, herbs and trees. The Friends always strive to have some unusual varieties available. Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Look for our next issue in three weeks on April 12th. All are offered at reasonable prices, and the Friends receive a portion of all sales. Books for all levels of readers will be offered for sale as well as some videos and other materials. Items for sale will include private donations as well as withdrawn library materials. If you wish to donate plants or books for the sale, please contact the Banks Public Library at (503) 324-1382. The Plant, Book and Art sale is a major fundraising activity for the Friends of the Banks Public Library. The Friends’ funds are used by the library to purchase bestsellers and current titles, CDs, DVDs, equipment and programs for the library throughout the year. The Friends fund a weekly Story Time for preschool children, a summer reading program for early readers through teens, and provide books for the Banks Community Auction. Location: Schlegel Hall, Sunset Park, 485 S Main St, Banks, Oregon 97106 Dates: May 6, 3 to 7 p.m. and May 7 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: Banks Public Library 503 324-1382 VERNONIA E C I V SER PAIR & RE LUBE, OIL & FILTER WHILE YOU WAIT STARTING AT $29.95 UP TO 5 QT. 58605 NEHALEM HWY. S. 503/706/9409 Fishing Supplies and Sporting Goods Everything you need for the Lake and the River! Rods - Reels - Nets - Tackle - Lures Licenses - Power Bait - Eggs Family owned & operated for over 40 years 834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364
