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
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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
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