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.
