community
may22
2012
Lawyer for Kay Says They Will Sue Vernonians
The lawyer representing former
Vernonia Police officer Michael Kay
says she intends to add several names to
a notice of Tort Claim.
In a letter addressed to the
City of Vernonia and Mayor Josette
Mitchell dated April 14, 2012, Michelle
R. Burrows, attorney for Kay, states that
they are amending their earlier notice
of Tort Claim to include the following
individuals: Vernonia City Councilor
Randy Parrow, Jim Tierney, former
Vernonia City Councilors Brett Costley
and Shirlee Daughtry, former Vernonia
Police Chief Matt Workman, Linda
Graf, former Interim Vernonia City
Administrator Jim Johnson, Vernonia
City Recorder Joann Glass, Vernonia
City Attorney Alex Sosnkowski and
Mitchell. “An explanation of their
involvement in the termination and
destruction of Michael Kay will be
forthcoming in a complaint we are now
drafting to be filed in the United States
District Court, Portland Division,” states
the letter. Costley, Daughtry, Graf and
Glass’s names were all misspelled in the
letter.
Notably absent from the list are
former Vernonia City Councilors Kevin
Hudson, Willow Burch and Marilyn
Nicks. Both Burch and Nicks were on
the City Council and voted to terminate
Kay’s employment in June of 2011.
VRFPD Graduates Eight
from Explorer Program
Burrows sent the original notice
of Tort Claim to the City of Vernonia on
November 4, 2011.
Burrows April 14 letter goes on
to state: “We have uncovered enormous
irregularities in public finance, public
meetings and land use regulations
within your city—some of which may
be connected to actions taken against
Kay and some are simply inexplicable.”
The letter states that Burrows intends
to call for an investigation into these
issues and the involvement of Columbia
County Commissioner Tony Hyde,
State Senator Betsy Johnson, Bud
Dow, Sharon Bernal, Mitchell and her
husband Casey, Bill Haack and others.
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Mark Brown
Chip Bubl
Mackenzie Carr
Nate Izzett
Sonia Spackman
Tickets for the Last Chance Dance
Dinner are available only through
June 10. They can be purchased at
Vernonia Auto Parts and Vernonia Florist
or online at www.VernoniaSchools.org.
Photography
Tracy Easlon
Jon Steward
Vernonia
Veterinary Clinic
Small and Large Animals
On May 14, 2012 the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District
graduated eight from their Explorer Fire Recruit Academy program. New
Explores are: (from left to right) Alyssa Loggins, Patrick Morgan, Kelly
Smith, Samantha Morgan, Brandon Krause, Kasoma Moss, Jake Bringman,
Kendrick Leaverton. Also pictured are Dan Hanson and Dawn Moss.
School District Identifies Funding
continued from front page
across all eligible projects.
According to the letter
received by Vernonia School District
Superintendent Dr. Ken Cox dated
April 24, 2012 from Ed Dennis and the
ODE, over the last five years Facility
Grant awards have averaged 5.22%
of eligible construction costs. “...
estimated information indicate that 5%
payout rate for the 2011-13 biennium
is likely,” says Dennis in his letter.
That 5% rate would translate to a grant
award of $1,819,142.25 to the Vernonia
School District.
“It was wonderful to hear how
the Vernonia Community has pulled
together supporting this school,”
said Dennis. “This is just one more
illustration that Oregonians all over the
state value public education. It especially
demonstrates that the biggest support
comes from smaller communities who
understand that success is defined by
every student reaching their highest
3
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According to Dr. Cox, the
700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
district is currently negotiating for an
interim loan until the district
receives the Facilities Grant
early in 2013.
The district is continuing
For your mortgage purchase and refinancing
their efforts to raise additional
needs look to U.S. Bank Home Mortgage!
funds. One already secured
source of funding is the Quality
Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home or
Schools Construction Bond for
improve your existing home call me today!
$3.3 million that the district
• Conventional Mortgages
• Primary, Secondary Homes and
is using as interim financing.
Investment Properties
• Government FHA and VA Loans
“Existing medium and long
•
Construction
and Lot Loan Financing*
• First Time Home Buyer Programs
• Jumbo Loans up to $2,000,000*
range fundraising activities are
• Home Equity Line of Credit
intended to reduce the amount
Ron Cole
Ask me about our competitive interest rates!
of this bond indebtedness and, as
Mortgage Loan
Originator
a result, reduce the debt service
(541) 265-2983
pressure on the District’s general
ron.cole@usbank.com
fund,” said Dr. Cox in notes
*Borrow up to $3,000,000 in California only. Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program
NMLS # : 222045
guidelines. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Not all loan programs
provided to the Vernonia City
are available in all states for all loan amounts. Mortgage products are offered through U.S. Bank National
Association. To learn more about U.S. Bank products visit usbank.com Member FDIC 022112-16154
Council at a special meeting on
April 23, 2012.
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