Vernonia's voice., May 24, 2011, Image 1

may24 2011
V E R N O N I A’ S
reflecting the spirit of our community
DPSST Policy Committee
Recommends Revocation of
Kay’s Certifications for Life
Kay Faces Due Process Hearing in Vernonia

The Police Policy Committee
of the Oregon Department of Safety
Standards and Training voted
unanimously on May 19, 2011 to
recommend the revocation of the Basic
Police Certification for Vernonia Police
Officer Michael Kay for life based on
violations of moral fitness standards.

The recommendation now
goes before the full DPSST Board
of Directors for approval before it
is finalized. According to DPSST
Director Eriks Gabliks, the Board of
Directors next meets on July 28, 2011.
Gablics said Kay also has the option of
requesting a Contested Case Hearing in
front the Board.

According to Gabliks, it takes
a two-thirds vote by the Board of
Directors to overturn a recommendation
by the Police Policy Committee (PPC).
“It is very unusual for the Board to
overturn a recommendation by the
Committee,” stated Gabliks after the
decision was announced. “I won’t say it
never happens, but it would be unusual,
especially after a unanimous vote by the
Committee.”

The PPC had the option of
revoking Kay’s certification for five
years to life but chose to recommend
the strictest punishment.

In addition, it was announced
by Vernonia Mayor Josette Mitchell and
City Attorney Alexandra Sosnkowski
that the City has completed its own
inside
11
investigation into Kay’s conduct and
has tentatively scheduled a Due Process
Hearing in front of the Vernonia City
Council on June 13, 2011.

Reports released by the
Oregon Department of Police Safety
Standards and Training have revealed
additional information concerning the
investigation into the conduct of Kay.

The complete DPSST Report,
over 900 pages long, was made available
on May 12, 2011 through public records
requests. Vernonia’s Voice received
a copy of the fifty-six page Staff
Summary Report which outlines the
investigation that DPSST conducted in
an attempt to answer questions that had
been raised about Kay’s conduct while
serving as officer in the Vernonia Police
Department. Vernonia’s Voice also
received a thirteen page DPSST memo
to the DPSST Police Policy Committee
(PPC) outlining the allegations against
Kay. Both documents were prepared by
Theresa M. King, DPSST Professional
Standards Investigator/Coordinator.

The DPSST investigation
focused on three separate areas: 1)
that Kay was untruthful in a letter he
submitted at the request of Judge Wally
Thompson concerning the performance
of community service work; 2) that
Kay misrepresented K9 certifications
for himself and his dog “Krueger” to
the City of Vernonia and to DPSST
staff; 3) that Kay was untruthful on pre-
application questionnaire
when hired by the Vernonia
Police Department.
vhs
spring sports
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student
protest
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shave
the due
continued on page 5
volume5    issue10
2nd Annual Logging
Exhibition Held at Camp 18

For the second year in a row,
Camp18 played host to a Logging
Exhibition that helped raise funds for
the Camp18 Loggers Memorial.
raise $4,000 for the Loggers Memorial,
but we also helped the new Vernonia
Forestry Program.”

The Vernonia High School
is starting a new program
for students next year
that will teach forestry
skills. Standley has been
instrumental in gathering
resources for the upcoming
program in Vernonia.
At the Camp18 Logging
Exhibition,
Vernonia
volunteers sold food to
benefit their new program.

“The industry has
really stepped up to help get
this program going,” said
Standley. “We’re going
to have a lot of local folks
going over to Vernonia next
year to help the kids learn the
skills. I expect their team to
be a major contender next
Bo Clark of the Vernonia Logging Team competes at year at this competition.”
the Camp 18 Logging Show in Choker Setting

“This is something

The Logging Exhibition, Vernonia has needed for a long time,”
organized by Mark Standley, featured added Standley.
local logging crews and high school
Standley said the funds raised
teams competing in events like Ax for the Loggers Memorial will be used
Throwing, Choker Setting, Cable to pay for staff to keep the Memorial
Splicing, Log Rolling, Tree Climbing, open. “We are always looking for
Hand Bucking and more.
volunteers to help us out so we can save

Members of the Vernonia High on costs,” said Stanley.
School Team, which was formed just
The Camp 18 Loggers
a few weeks earlier, competed in their Memorial offers a history of logging in
first organized competition. Members the region through the men and women
of the team included Bo Clark, John who have worked in the industry.
Dass, Dillon Dethlefs, Cole Harbour, Plaques recognize individuals and
Tyler Kent, Brandon Potter, Gabe several walls are dedicated to those
Ramirez, and T. John Wolf.
taken too early--men killed in logging

“The day and event went really related accidents.
well,” said Standley. “Not only did we
for more photos see page 9
Hudson Recall Ballots in
the Mail

Recall elections ballots
were in the mail on May 23,
2011 to recall Vernonia City
Councilor Kevin Hudson.
Hudson chose to force a recall
election rather than resign his
position after 203 signatures,
over one-quarter of the
registered voters in Vernonia,
were collected in three days by
chief petitioner Sharon Bernal.

Bernal informed the
public and City Council at their
May 16, 2011 meeting that she
has collected over fifty more
signatures since submitting the
initial petitions. “To this day
I am still getting people asking
me, ‘where do I sign,’” said
Bernal. “Please know that the
free
citizens are speaking up loud
and clear, they will not put up
with a Council member that does
not listen to the majority voice,
who does not separate personal
from business and who does
not have the integrity to abstain
from voting when it becomes a
personal matter,” stated Bernal.

A recall takes place
when 15 percent of registered
voters sign a petition and those
signatures are verified. The
recalled elected offical then has
a choice of either resigning or
forcing an election.

The City of Vernonia
will pay for the cost of the
recall election. Ballots must be
returned by Friday June 10 th .
Memorial
Day
Service
Monday,
May 30th at 11 AM
Vernonia Cemetery
2080 Bridge St.
Services provided by
American Legion
Post 104