Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 2012)
4 community bulletin board/letters to the editor october23 2012 Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor, The Levenseller family would like to express our profound gratitude for the outpouring of love and support we received from our Vernonia family at the time of our Jacob’s passing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Cari Levenseller and family To the Editor, I have known Tony Hyde for more years than I care to count. I first met him when he was the Mayor of Vernonia. At that time I was a State Representative and Vernonia was in my legislative district. Tony would visit with me in Salem or Vernonia and talk about the issues important to his community. Then Tony became a County Commissioner and his advocacy expanded to include all of Columbia County. Two years later I became a Commissioner in Tillamook County and now we work together on issues important to our counties. I know Tony very well and consider him to be one of the very best Commissioners in Oregon. I say this as a Democrat. Look what Tony did to bring the people of Vernonia together in their effort to build a new school. That effort was remarkable! Look around and you will find Tony has been very active in his efforts to improve the economy of Columbia County. The governor recognized his effectiveness and appointed him to the State Economic Development Commission. A vote for Tony Hyde should be one of the easier decisions you will make this election season. Tim Josi Tillamook County Commissioner To the Editor, Twenty days from the date I am writing this letter voters will be making some extremely important decisions - nationwide, statewide, countywide, and citywide. It is so very important that you be well informed when you mark your ballot. Tammy Maygra has been a positive influence for our county for over 20 years. She has never previously run for a paid political position. She is currently chairperson of the Columbia Health District (CHD), a member of CPAC (Citizen Advisory Planning Committee) and a member of the newly formed Clean Columbia County (CCC), a quickly growing organization hoping to prevent train and river barge shipments of coal from passing through or past our county. She is the only county candidate to come out against coal shipments. She fought against LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) being piped through our county for shipment to foreign ports. Upcoming Events She is the person instrumental in stopping the 38 cent per thousand tax collected for a hospital which was never built. Over 8 million dollars of your tax money has disappeared. One tangible asset remaining is the Millard Road property. That property is now held in a warranty deed by the trustees for CHD who are attempting to sell it and credit the tax payers with over 3 million dollars. Tony Hyde and his fellow commissioners want to turn the property over to the City of St. Helens for free with no tax credit to the taxpayers. Maygra has collected a fraction of the amount of her opponent, mostly from small local individual contributors. She is opposed to asking for money for her campaign. In contrast, her opponent, Tony Hyde, has collected almost $20,000 this year, much of it from large companies which have been granted huge tax abatements by the county. Ms. Maygra is running in opposition to incumbent Tony Hyde. Hyde has already been in office for 16 years. It is definitely time for a new commissioner, someone with fresh ideas and new energy. You need to ask yourself if you are better off now than you were 16 years ago. If the answer is no - vote for Tammy Maygra. Benefit Poker Night, October 26, 6:00 PM at the Vernonia American Legion. Texas Hold ‘em Tournament to benefit the Cutright Family, sponsored by the Freewheelers and the American Legion. Potluck dinner. Winner receives a “Redneck Gift Basket.” For more information contact Joe J. 503-621-2414 or Melanie 503-550-6785. Nancy Whitney St. Helens The Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia, December 1 HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Vernonia’s Voice welcomes and requests your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Please include your name, address and phone number, limit your letters to 300 words or less. Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted. We will print letters space permitting. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Email: scott@vernonias- voice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064. To the Editor, Marie and I have been members of the Columbia County community of Vernonia for the past twenty- one years. During this time period we have been involved in the community and schools. continued on page 16 Vernonia Connects invites you to join your neighbors in a series of discussions designed to create change within the community and engage citizens through frank and open dialog. 2 Youth and Education Oct 22 at 7 PM & Oct 27 at 2 PM will feature conversations about: • Activities & Civic Responsibility for Youth • Quality Education • Drug & Alcohol Prevention All events will be held in the Vernonia Schools Library Dessert will be served Mark your calendar for the entire series 1 3 Community Development Nov 10 at 2 PM & Nov 12 at 7 PM 4 Business and Economic Development Dec 11 at 7 PM & Dec 15 at 2 PM Community Livability October 8 at 7 PM & October 13 at 2 PM ed! t e l p m Co Vernonia Connects aims to strengthen community vitality by building communication, connectivity and collaboration among local leaders, organizations and community members. Find us on Facebook. “Community Conversations,” Saturday, October 27, 2-4 PM at the Vernonia Schools Library. Community members are invited to participate in discussions about topics of current interest and concern. The topic for this session is Youth & Education and will include conversations about Activities & Civic Responsibility, Quality Education, and Drug & Alcohol Prevention. This is the second of four sessions. Dessert will be served. “Community Conversations” is organized by Vernonia Connects. The next “Community Conversations” will be held on November 10 and 12 and feature conversations about Community Development. Halloween Parade, October 31, 4:00 PM Starts at Vernonia City Hall. American Legion Spaghetti Feed, November 3, 1:00 PM at Vernonia American Legion Post 119. All Veterans and families are invited, all donations benefit local Post 119. Games, raffle and good food. Vernonia Volunteer Appreciation Night, Nov. 3rd, 5:30-7:30 PM at the Vernonia School Commons. Individuals, businesses and organizations will be recognized for outstanding service to the community. Potluck - bring a salad or main dish, dessert and beverages will be provided. Christmas in the Country Bazaar, December 8, 10-5; December 9, 11-4 at the Vernonia Schools Commons. Handmade holiday items and much more. Contact Corrie Smith at vernoniabazaar@ aol.com or 503-429-1052 or see their Facebook page. Artisan Holiday Market, November 10, 1:00- 4:00 PM at Cedar Ridge. Many unique pieces of art from various artists including Glass Cast jewelry and woodwork. Great holiday gift ideas and more. Public Certification Test and Drop Sites for the Primary Election to be held Tuesday, November 6, 2012 The Public Certification Test of the counting equipment for the General Election to be held on November 6, 2012 will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. The testing will begin at 10:00 AM in the County Elections Department. The public is welcome to attend. Drop sites for the election will be as follows: VERNONIA LIBRARY 701 Weed Ave. Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, During Library Hours Nov. 6, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM RAINIER CITY HALL 106 B St. West Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, During Office Hours Nov. 6, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CLATSKANIE LIBRARY 11 Lillich St. Nov. 5, During Library Hours Nov. 6, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM SCAPPOOSE CITY HALL 33568 E. Columbia Ave. Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, During Office Hours Nov. 6, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM MIST BIRKENFELD RFPD 12525 Highway 292 Oct. 30 - Nov. 5 During Office Hours Nov. 6, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM COUNTY COURTHOUSE ELECTIONS DEPT. 230 Strand St. St. Helens, OR 97051 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mon. – Thu. Election Day - Nov. 6, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM A drive-by drop box is located in the lower parking lot.