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community bulletin board/letters to the editor
november27
2012
Oregon Clean Indoor Air Act Still in Effect Upcoming Events
Now that the weather
has turned rainy, smokers might
be less likely to stand away from
buildings when using tobacco
products, but Ashley Swanson,
tobacco prevention coordinator
for the Public Health Foundation,
wants to remind everyone that the
Oregon Clean Indoor Act is still
in effect, and complaints from the
public will be investigated.
“Oregon’s Clean Indoor
Air Act, which went into effect in
January 2009, is a celebration of
clean air,” said Swanson. But there
are always some who don’t know
or who forget or who don’t think
clean indoor air is important. In
Columbia County 28 businesses
have been reported through
citizen complaints for violations
since 2009. Problems are usually
resolved easily with educational
materials.
“Generally employers are
required to provide employees
a smoke-free workplace,” said
Swanson. That includes keeping
smoke from drifting in doors,
windows and ventilation systems
by keeping smokers ten feet away.
It is pretty straightforward,
said Swanson. “The only
exceptions are certified smoke
shops, cigar bars and hotel rooms
that are specifically for smokers.”
Complaints begin the
enforcement process. The public
reports possible violations of
the law by completing an online
complaint form from the Oregon
Health Authority website or by
calling 1-866-621-6107. When a
complaint is received, the wheels
are in motion to investigate,
provide education about the
law, visit the business to assess
compliance and over time,
possibly levy a fine for continued
violations. Fines can reach a
maximum of $4,000 in a 30-day
period.
More information is
available online by searching
Oregon’s Smokefree Workplace
Law. The Oregon quit line is
available to anyone interested
in
quitting,
call
1 - 8 0 0 - Q U I T- N O W
( 1 - 8 0 0 - 7 8 4 - 8 6 6 9 ) ;
Spanish: 1-877-2NO-
new school with decorations FUME (1-877-266-
and would like your help. 3863); Website www.
Bring an ornament and for quitnow.net/oregon/
VHS Senior Class Fundraisers
Quilt Raffle
Nov 30- Dec 21
a $1.00 donation, you can
Starting
December
3 hang your decoration in the
Vernonia School teachers and hallways and help brighten
staff will Deck the Halls at the the school for the holidays!
Christmas Ornaments
rd
Readers Lend Their Voices...
To the Editor-
We would like to extend
our sincere thanks and gratitude to
all those who helped us when our
property on Timber Road was flooded
on Monday, November 19. Thank
you to the Vernonia, County and
State law enforcement agencies, the
Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District,
the Vernonia Ridge Riders, the Free
Wheelers Club and all our friends.
Randy and Bonnie Sage
Vernonia
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.
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.
Business and Economic Development
Dec 11 at 7 PM &
4
Dec 15 at 2 PM
will feature conversations about:
• Health Care • Parks & Open Spaces
• Development of a Retirement Center or Assisted Living
All events will be held in the Vernonia Schools Library
Dessert will be served
1
Community Livability
October 8 at 7 PM & October 13 at 2 PM
2
Youth and Education
October 22 at 7 PM & October 27 at 2 PM
3
Community Development
Novemer 10 at 2 PM & November 12 at 7 PM
d!
ete
Compl
Vernonia Connects aims to strengthen
community vitality by building communication,
connectivity and collaboration among local leaders,
organizations and community members.
Find us on Facebook.
The Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia, December 1, 11:00
AM to 7:00 PM Something for everyone! Lighted Parade,
Live Nativity Scene, Victorian Carolers, Cookie Baking
Contest, Chili Cook-off, Storytelling, Home Decorating
Contest, Tree Lighting, Spaghetti Feed, Vernonia Ballet’s
Carnival of the Animals, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Fruitcake
Fling and more!
Weather Spotter Training, December 5, 7:00-8:30 PM
at the Vernonia Community Learning Center, 939 Bridge
St. The National Weather Service welcomes volunteers
with an interest in severe weather spotting to take the
Skywarn Weather Spotter training. The training is free
and open to the general public. Please register for this
class at VernoniaSpotter.DoAttend.com or 503-366-3934.
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.
Harlem Crowns Basketball, December 8, 7 PM at
the VHS gym. Comedy in motion! Advanced tickets
available at the Sentry Market. This is a fundraiser for
the 2013 Prom.
