area news
An Opinion: The Power of Listening
I understand that it is hard for people to stay
informed and up to date on current projects. I know
everyone doesn’t have time to attend meetings, read
minutes or serve on a city committee because of com-
mitments to family and work.
The City has made a commitment to try to be
more proactive in getting information to the public, but
it takes two for communication to work. The citizens
need to take the time to read and listen to the informa-
tion being provided and give feedback.
Which brings me to my final point-this is a
community that obviously cares. That was shown to
me in the passion expressed by the writers in that re-
cent conversation on the Vernonia Community Bulletin
Board. People were frustrated; others wrote long ex-
planations trying to help the group understand the is-
sues. There seems to be a willingness to listen to other
points of view, express personal concerns and in the
end try to come together to find solutions
I am not sure if there is a good outcome to the
wastewater issue and the cost of that problem. The
City is getting ready to begin their annual budget pro-
cess and, like many of us, they do not have any extra
resources. The City Budget is similar to yours and my
household budgets, only on a larger scale. They have
limited income that comes in, and expenses that go out.
010412
2245 Baseline St., Cornelius
(Across from Fred Meyer)
503-530-8119
State Licensed PB-0388
Open
everyday
at 9 a.m.
7
continued from page 3
in the agenda and you don’t have to stay for the entire
meeting for your chance to address your elected offi-
cials. If you can’t attend a meeting, send your com-
ments ahead of time and ask that they be read into the
record. Band together with others who have similar
concerns and send a representative who is able to at-
tend. If you do attend, report what happened so others
can also be informed.
Join a committee. Several city committees
have openings right now. This is a great opportunity
for citizens to influence what is happening. At least
one spot on the Planning Commission was recently
filled because someone who was part of the conversa-
tion on Facebook was encouraged and got involved.
Run for elected office. Our mayor and two
City Councilors ran unopposed in the last election. If
you are unhappy with the way our city is being run than
step up and do something about it.
We now have so many ways to communicate
with each other, which gives us an opportunity to share
our views, provide each other with more information so
we can stay informed and work together to try to find
solutions to our issues. We are not powerless if we are
willing to get involved and listen to each other.
CAT Offers Veterans Services
Rainier 1, Rainier 2, West Rainier,
East Rainier, Yankton, South Deer
Island, North Deer Island, Prescott,
Columbia City
Zone 3 (4 year term) – South Milton,
North Milton, St. Helens 1-9, South
St. Helens
Zone 5 (4year term) – Scappoose
VERNONIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
1-4, South Scappoose, Canyon,
47J
Positions 1, 4, 5 and 6 (4 year term) East Scappoose,
- Vernonia 1-3, Vernonia 4, Vernonia West Scappoose, Sauvie Island
5, South Mist,
Each candidate for an office listed
North Mist and portion of
above must file a declaration of
Washington County
candidacy accompanied by a
filing fee of $10.00 or a petition
MIST-BIRKENFELD RFPD
Positions 2 (2 year term) 3, 4 & 5 (4 for nomination signed by at least
year terms) - South Mist, North Mist, 25 registered voters residing in
portion of Vernonia 5 and portion of the election district for the office,
with the Elections Department of
Clatsop County
Columbia County beginning on
February 9, 2013 and no later than
VERNONIA RFPD
Position 1 and 5 (4 year terms) -
5:00 p.m. on March 21, 2013.
Vernonia 1-3, portions of Vernonia 4
and Vernonia 5
Filing forms are available on-line
at the Secretary of State, Elections
COLUMBIA 9-1-1
Division http://www.sos.state.or.us/
COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT
elections/publications/district.html.
- Candidates must live in, be
The forms are also available at
nominated and elected by zone
Columbia County Elections Dept.,
230 Strand St., St. Helens, OR.
Zone 2 (2 year term) – Goble,
For fast
cash!
2013
Like many of us, the City has already tightened its belt
and cut the fat in many areas of expenses. I’m not sure
how much more there is to be cut.
So what can a citizen do who feels powerless
about increasing utility rates? Well, there may be more
than you think.
Stay informed. Read the information the City
provides you in your utility bill and in the newspaper.
Go to the City website and read the minutes from im-
portant meetings. Talk to your City Councilors and
your neighbors about the issues that concern you. Fol-
low and join conversations on Facebook that relate to
those issues. Knowledge is powerful.
Learn about the process. Governmental opera-
tion is complex and complicated. There are rules about
the way the City works that need to be followed. If
you understand the processes you will feel more em-
powered. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t
be afraid to ask for more information. You may not
always like the answers you receive, but at least you
will know what is happening.
If you are really concerned about something,
speak up. Your elected officials need to hear from you
if you disagree (or agree) with their direction. Send
a Letter to the Editor. Go to City Council and speak
during Topics From the Floor-that opportunity is early
NOTICE OF ELECTION OF
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
Notice is hereby given that on
Tuesday, May 21, 2013, an election
will be conducted by mail for the
purpose of electing board members
to the following districts (positions/
zones and terms) as follows:
february21
Community Action Team will
be hosting an interim Veteran’s Service
Officer at the Family Resource Center
(125 N. 17 th Street, St. Helens) for the
next few months. Katie Pereault will see
clients from 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday; and 8:30 AM
-4:00 PM on Saturday.
Ms. Pereault has been a Veterans
Service Officer since 2003. She worked
in Columbia County until 2005 when
she was transferred to Washington
County, and later to Multnomah County
in 2007 where she currently serves.
Ms. Pereault has six and a half years
of honorable service with the United
States Army. She served with the 82 nd
Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North
Carolina, as well as Fort Richardson,
Alaska.
To schedule an appointment
please call Community Action Team
at (503) 397-3511 ext. 275 or contact
Katie directly at (503) 366-6580. You
may also e-mail her at katiep@cat-
team.org.
IT’S TAX TIME
Call your LOCAL tax preparer
R
Y
OLL
A
P
PLUS LLC
Edi Sheldon 503-429-1819
edisheldon@gmail.com
Licensed tax consultant • Full service payroll
Personal & small business bookkeeping • QuickBooks assistance
CORPS, S-CORPS, LLC, Partnerships • Personal one-on-one service
LTC #29629 - Oregon licensed tax consultant
RTRP #P00448199 - designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service
The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information
on tax return preparers, go to www.IRS.gov.
Need body work?
At Meyer’s Auto Body
we’ll take your
order and give
you great service.
Meyer’s Auto Body
493 Bridge Street,
Vernonia
503-429-0248
VERNONIA
E
C
I
V
SER PAIR
& RE
Warranty on all parts and labor
Now offering
2 and 4 wheel
alignments
58605 NEHALEM HWY. S.
Next to Storage, Too
503/429/7972
