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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2014)
january2 2014 VERNONIA’S volume8 issue1 www.vernoniasvoice.com free reflecting the spirit of our community “Cash Mob” Helps Local Businesses Some time in the early morning hours of December 22 a lone burglar smashed the doors of three local businesses in downtown Vernonia, gaining entrance to two of the buildings. Although it doesn’t appear that this holiday “grinch” got away with anything of value, they did cause extensive damage to the front door of Vernonia Florist and Treasures Galorist, 736 Bridge Street; Made in Vernonia, 805 Bridge Street; and True Value, 834 Bridge Street. The suspect was only able to gain access into the Vernonia Florist and Made in Vernonia stores. After hearing about the break-ins on Sunday, a group of around twenty local citizens, organized by Rietta Behnke, created a “Cash Mob” on Monday, December 23. This group visited the affected businesses to shop, spend money and show the business owners their support. The crowd gathered at 10:00 AM in front of the True Value store, went inside and made their purchases, before moving on to Vernonia Florist and Treasures Galorist and finally Made In Vernonia, spending money and spreading good cheer at each stop. “I woke up Monday morning feeling very emotional about what happened, feeling sort of violated,” said Lisa Edger, co-owner of Vernonia Florist and Treasures Galorist. “I had to put it back into perspective, remembering how our community always comes together. I had to have faith that was going to happen, and it was minutes later that the group came in. It was just overwhelming, the response that came in our door. They didn’t have to do that and I feel really blessed for it. I’m really thankful for being here because this community definitely cares about us.” Kathy Larsen, owner of Made In Vernonia, inside 7 8 9 10 15 celebrating families vernonians care spirit of christmas contest winners vhs winter sports valley vet says goodbye echoed Edgar’s sentiments. “It was very heartwarming to see so many people show up and want to help. It is very inspiring to know that people care.” Larsen pointed out that the group of shoppers helped push her seen going through the store, opening cash registers, and rummaging through numerous other areas. Larsen stressed the importance of supporting local businesses. “It means so much to small, local businesses when anyone comes in and makes a purchase, no matter how big or small. It would be so store to the best day of sales in her history. great if everyone could commit to coming downtown The term “Cash Mob” is based on the currently and spending an extra ten or twenty dollars every week popular “Flash Mob” concept. A flash mob is a group of or month. If people make a concerted effort to support people who seem to assemble local businesses, it makes a suddenly in a public place, huge difference.” perform an unusual act for a Larsen explained brief time and then disperse; that Made in Vernonia has they are often for the purpose over one hundred local of entertainment, satire, or vendors, including local artistic expression. Flash non-profits, who sell items mobs are organized ahead of in her store, with forty-three time through social media, who regularly sell items and emails or other forms of receive the benefits of local communication. shoppers every month. Video surveillance Any information cameras at one of the about any of these cases businesses shows the suspect should be directed to the in the burglaries pull a mask Vernonia Police Department over his face, break the glass at (503) 429-7335 or their in the door, and enter the 24-hour dispatch (503) 397- building. Upon entry, he was 1521. Changes to County Dog Licensing A few changes have been made to Columbia County dog license fees for 2014, including an increase in the licensing fee to $15. This is the first increase in licensing fees in more than 8 years. The fee for unfixed dogs and senior citizen remains the same. Dog licenses may now only be obtained by contacting the County Clerk’s desk at the Columbia County Court House, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, Oregon 97051. License applications may be downloaded from the sheriff’s web site (http://www.co.columbia.or.us/ sheriff/images/CCSOanimalcontrol/ cc_doglicenseform.pdf) and mailed to the clerk with proof of rabies vaccinations and the appropriate fees. Licenses issued after March 10 will be consider late and assessed a $25 late fee. ALL dogs residing in the State of Oregon are required to be vaccinated for rabies–a deadly disease for both humans and dogs. State law also requires dogs to be licensed in the County in which they reside. The license requirement applies to all dogs, whether or not the dog is an inside or outside dog. The fees collected from the licensing of dogs provides for County services directly related to dog issues. The fees also provide for the sheltering of lost, abandoned and/or neglected animals. Columbia County is no longer providing staffing at the Lomar Holshimer Animal Shelter located at 2084 Oregon Street in Saint Helens, and thus, licenses are no longer issued at this location. The County currently contracts with the Columbia Humane Society to provide shelter services for lost and found dogs. License application may however be picked up at the shelter. The Columbia Humane Society staff might also be able to assist the public with other animal related services. Another new aspect to the County’s dog control program is that owners who failed to license their dogs will be subject to a citation being mailed to the owner. Fines for unlicensed dogs have been reduced from $250 to $75. Continued violations can result in fines being levied up to $500 per dog. A late fee of $25 may also be assessed to any dog owner who fails to license their dog by the due date. Owners who vaccinate their dogs but failed to obtain a license will be sent a 30 day notice by the County Clerks Office advising them of the requirement to license their dogs. Failure to obtain the license would then result in a citation being mailed to the dog owner and a $75 fine being assessed. If you have any questions about the requirements to license a dog, you can contact the County Clerks office at 503-397-3796.
