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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
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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!
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p
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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.