Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2013)
4 letters to the editor january22 2013 Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor, Domestic and sexual violence service programs save lives - literally. Intimate partner violence is responsible for 25% of all homicides in Oregon. We can, and must, do something about this. Providing domestic violence victims with access to shelter, safety planning, and legal advocacy reduces re-assault by up to 70%, says a Johns Hopkins study. Access to services reduces homelessness, saves millions in medical costs, helps children succeed in school, adults stay in jobs, and breaks cycles of violence. Current funding for these services is less than half what our Departments of Justice and Human Services found necessary to meet core needs--in 2006. The demand for services has increased dramatically. In Columbia County over 1500 calls came in to our crisis line last year. The Oregonians who lost their lives to intimate partner violence deserved so much more. Domestic and sexual violence programs help victims become survivors. We must stabilize access to lifesaving services in Oregon. The opportunity cost is simply too great. Columbia County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC) is the only agency in our county serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We empower our community to live safe healthy lives, free from abuse. Rachael Barry-Dame, Executive Director CCWRC To the Editor, On behalf the VHS Junior Class of 2014 I would like to personally thank the community of Vernonia for your support! On December 8 we had the Harlem Crowns come to town for a fun filled family night of entertainment! When I was told earlier in the fall that a traditional fundraiser for the juniors – donkey basketball had come to an end, I went to work finding something new to bring to town. You came & supported the kids by watching the game, buying points during ½ time and cleaning out almost all the home baked goodies for sale. It was a busy weekend with the bazaar and the game, but a great bunch of the kids and parents stepped up to make this all happen! This couldn’t have happened without The Mighty Vernonia Scepters team which include: Jeff Ely, Zachary Ely, Paul Whiteman, Jerrid Johnston, Derek Handegard, Ron Maldonado, Aaron Miller, Tanner Faber, Mario Castro, Matthew Tesdall (was still part of the team, despite not being able to play due to a travel snafoo), Austin Edgar, Jerry Butcher, Chris Bamburg, Todd Sullivan, Brandon Eyrrick and Nate Underwood . We had support from the Coach Dee & some of the Vernonia Cheerleaders, Karen Roberts (scorekeeper), Matt Blair & Justin Ward (referees who were such great sports!), Corrie and Jessica Smith (stat gals) and of course our coaches Steve Whiteman and Larry Steele (who also came to practice with the team for several weekends). Thanks to Ronda Lennen, Dana Hyde and Kathi Fetch at Vernonia School District for all your “behind the scenes” help. All the local businesses for allowing us to hang posters in your business for advertising, Vernonia’s Voice and Scott Laird and Karen Roberts and Vernonia Sentry, Randy Parrow and employees who helped with pre-sale tickets. As a result of this event the Scepters have even decided to continue with their community team and are practicing on Sunday nights. Way to go Brandon for keeping it going! I look forward to bringing the antics of the Harlem Crowns back to town the spring of 2014 and for anyone who missed it in December you’ll want to make sure you can attend! Mark your calendars for Friday night March 15 at 6:00 PM in the school commons for spaghetti dinner, BINGO and raffle. More details to come soon. There will be gluten free and vegetarian options available for dinner. Kinnell Steward 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. • Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry • Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction • Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements Jim Morrison, Jr. General Contractor CCB# 112057 Ph: (503) 429-0154 MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net Vernonia, OR 97064 • Licensed • Bonded • Insured To the Editor, This is why I live in Vernonia- I feel a little like the hair-brained uncle in “It’s a Wonderful Life” because about a week ago I had cashed an $84.00 check at Wauna and put the cash in my pocket, then walked to City Hall and then off to West Oregon then down the street to Cornerstone Naturals and finally to my office where I locked up, got in my car and drove to Forest Grove where I stopped in Safeway to pick up a few things on my way to a friend’s. When I got to the counter, I had only $4.00 and the $80.00 was gone! The next day I ran over to Cornerstone to retrace my steps but no $80.00. Back at the office, Allison called West Oregon and asked if they had found any cash money and they said no, BUT someone had turned in money at the library!!! I went to the library and asked if they had gotten $80.00 turned in and they had!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Victoria and Hannah Guerrero who found it in the bark dust by the sidewalk and brought it into the library, all $80 dollars! What a wonderful honest thing to do! Again, Thank you! Sharon Bernal Vernonia Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Board of Directors Regular Meeting Thursday, January 24, 2013 9:00-11:00 AM Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District Meeting Room NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Vernonia is requesting approval of a Condi- tional Use Permit and Site Design Review in order to build a utility equipment building and associated facilities. SITE LOCATION: The subject site is located on a vacant parcel adjoining the wastewater treatment plant headworks south of California Ave. further described as Tax Lot 711, Map T4N R4W Section 04 Index. Said Public Hearing will be held by the Vernonia Planning Commission on Thursday Feb- ruary 07, 2013 Information about the application can be obtained by contacting Joann Glass at City Hall 503-429-5291 ext. 106. If you receive this notice in error you shall promptly forward it to the owner or purchaser. The Public Hearings will be held at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064. Public testimony is welcome, and written statements will also be received before the hearing. A staff report will be available to the public at City Hall one week before the hearing, and may be copied for a nominal fee. Failure to raise an issue in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision-maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes ap- peal to City Council or the State Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA, or to seek damages in circuit court due to a condition of approval. Chapters of the Vernonia Land Use and Development Code applicable to this application is as follows, and can be found on the City’s web site www.vernonia-gov.org. Chapter 9-01.03-70 Public Recreation Zone Chapter 9-01.06-10 Conditional Uses Chapter 9-01.10-40 Type III Procedures Chapter 9-01.10-70 Site Development Type III All meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing to the City Recorder at 503-429-5291, ext. 104; TTY 1-800-735-2900 or at City Hall, 1001 Bridge St. Vernonia, OR 97064. The City of Vernonia is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer February 2nd March 2nd April 6th May 4th
