august23 2011
V E R N O N I A’ S
reflecting the spirit of our community
Conner Promoted
to Interim Chief
9
bear
creek run
9
birkfest
2011
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camp
wilkerson
volume5 issue16
WOEC Dedicates New Headquarters
At the August 15, 2011 Vernonia City Council
Meeting, Mayor Josette Mitchell and Councilor Randy
Parrow approved a proposal to begin restructuring the
Vernonia Police Department. Mitchell and Parrow are
the only current Council members after the recall of three
Councilors.
Mitchell and Parrow first passed a motion that
calls for staffing to consist of a Police Chief and three
officers. The new staffing levels would eliminate the
Sergeant position and require the hiring of two entry level
officers. Council then passed a motion that: 1) promoted
current Sergeant Michael Conner to Interim Chief; 2)
authorized Conner to begin the recruitment process for the
two new officers; 3) instructs Interim City Administrator
Jim Johnson to return to Council in September with a
recommendation for considering Conner for the permanent
Police Chief position. Council authorized Johnson to sign
an employment agreement with Conner as Interim Chief.
The proposal adopted by Council meets staffing
levels suggested by the city insurance carrier, and
provides a projected cost savings to the City of over
$40,000 from the approved 2011-12 budget.
According to Mayor Josette Mitchell, Conner
does not currently possess all the qualifications to be a
Police Chief in Oregon, but the Oregon Department of
Police Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) does
allow for a police officer to be hired as an Interim Chief
while working towards achieving those qualifications.
According to Mitchell, DPSST gives an officer hired as
an Interim two years to meet state requirements. Mitchell
said the City of Vernonia intends to bring in a third party
to review Conner’s current certifications which will assist
the City in developing a work plan to help Conner qualify.
Conner had previously served as the Vernonia
Interim Police Chief from September 7, 2010 until May
4, 2011. Conner resigned as Interim Chief and voluntarily
stepped down to Sergeant after Interim City Administrator
Bill Haack’s contract was abruptly terminated.
inside
free
West
Oregon
Electric
Cooperative staff and Board of Directors
welcomed their members to their new
headquarters in Vernonia on Saturday
August 20, 2011 at the Coop’s Annual
Meeting. The meeting was held inside
the truck bays and was followed by a
ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the
office facility. General Manager, Marc
Farmer and Board Director President
Robert Van Natta dedicated the building,
along with Clint Jackson and Greg
Henes, owners of Five Star Builders,
the general contractor for the project;
Dennis Beyer, the project architect; and
Ed Bouma, project manager.
The move to the new
headquarters will take place during the
week of September 5-9, and a separate
open house for the public is being
planned for later in September.
“This new building belongs to
the community,” said Farmer on several
occasions during the meeting and
dedication ceremony.
Community Town Hall Scheduled
A Community Town Hall will be held on
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 PM in
the Vernonia School Cafeteria. An update will be
given on the new school campus construction project
and staff from Oregon Department of Transportation
will be present to discuss road improvements related
to the school project. Planning for the demolition
of the old school campus and construction of the
new Spencer Park will also be discussed.
Vernonia Logger Memorial Carving
Arrives
Many of you may have
noticed a new addition to the front
lawn of the Vernonia Pioneer
Museum. A chainsaw carving,
honoring the Logging Heritage of the
Nehalem Valley, has been installed.
Carved in the image of local
logger Mike Pihl (complete with blue
eyes), the Vernonia Logger Memorial
will soon have a plaque with the
names of everyone who contributed
to the project along with a cover to
protect the carving from the elements.
The project is being
spearheaded by Shirlee Daughtry and
Donna Webb, with assistance from
Vernonia Hands-on Art.
