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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 2014)
october2 2014 VERNONIA’S volume8 issue19 www.vernoniasvoice.com free reflecting the spirit of our community Students Attend Logging Congress Vernonia middle school and high school stu- dents took a field trip and spent the day on Thursday, September 25 at the 105 th Pacific Logging Congress’ “In the Woods” show. The event was held on the Port Blakely Tree Farm in Molalla, OR. The Pacific Logging Congress provides techni- cal education about forest industries to politicians, edu- cators and students, and the general public. It is also an opportunity for those in the logging industry to see new equipment. The Pacific Logging Congress provides a forum for loggers to discuss changes and new innova- tions in the industry. The Vernonia students did a walking tour of the site of the “In the Woods” program in groups of about twenty-five and learned about the logging and forest products industries and markets as well as viewed a live demonstration of a logging operation. This was the 7 th “In the Woods” program, which is held every four years and brought over 2,000 regional students out to the site. “What you’re going to see today, is what happens ev- ery day out in the woods,” said Eric Metcalf of Pacific Lumber and Shipping Company, who, along with Ray Liebe, acted as guides for one of the Vernonia student groups. Students attended demonstrations at several stations. Students learned about the makeup of a for- est, watched logging equipment in action, tried their hand at some logging competitions, and learned about replanting laws and techniques. For more photos turn to page 12. Witt and Johnson Win Approval of Grant Towards Fundraising for Vernonia Schools Representative Brad Witt and Senator Betsy Johnson have teamed up to deliver $212,500 for the Vernonia School District to support the final fundraising efforts for the relocation and construction of the Vernonia Schools. Witt (D-Clatskanie) and Johnson (D-Scappoose) worked with House and Senate leadership to win approval of the grant in a unanimous vote of the 20-member Legislative Emergency Board. inside 3 voices from the crowd 7 dial “m” for murder 9 meet the exchange students 11 vhs fall sports report Funding for the grant will come from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management’s Local Disaster Assistance Loan and Grant Account. “This grant is an investment in Vernonia’s future,” Witt said. “It will allow this remarkable community to move ahead with the amazing fund- raising effort that literally began before the flood waters in Vernonia receded seven years ago.” Serious flooding in December 2007 destroyed the Vernonia schools. A replacement K-12 school facility, built on higher ground, opened in 2012. The $40 million school project was funded by private donations, local, state and federal funds. A small amount remains to be raised. With the recent help from the Legislature and continuing private philanthropy, the goal of “closing the books” is within sight. “Vernonia’s resilience and resolve continues to serve as a shining example of the true meaning of community. I am proud of Vernonia and happy that I could team up with Representative Witt to provide some of the remaining pieces of funding for the schools,” said Johnson, who carried the request before the full Emergency Board Wednesday morning. In addition to winning approval of the most recent state grant, Witt has worked recently with Portland Community College to secure new computers for the school and Johnson has worked with city leaders on completing the fund raising. Kay Lawsuit Dismissed A lawsuit filed by former Vernonia police officer Michael Kay has been dismissed. The lawsuit, filed in Oregon District Court, claimed Civil Rights violations and Employment Discrim- ination. In a letter received by the City of Vernonia dated August 26, 2014, the City was informed that Presiding Judge Paul Papek had granted all motions for summary judgment and dismissed the case be- fore it went to trial. According to the letter, Kay did not file any objections to the Findings and Recommenda- tions. The suit named as defen- dants: the City of Vernonia; cur- rent Vernonia Police Chief Michael Conner; former Vernonia City Ad- ministrator William Haack; Teresa King, an investigator with Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Stan- dards and Training; Dian Rubanoff, a lawyer with Peck Rubanoff & Hat- field PC who was hired by the City of Vernonia to investigate Kay; for- mer Vernonia Police Chief Matthew Workman; and Columbia County Justice of the Peace Wallace Thomp- son. Michael Kay was employed by the City of Vernonia for nine years as a police officer, Sergeant, acting Chief and Captain. He was terminat- ed by the City in 2011 following sev- eral investigations into his conduct. He was later decertified by DPSST for ethics violations. In 2013 he lost an employment arbitration hearing that reviewed his termination. The lawsuit claimed that, as result of various due process viola- tions and breeches of law, Michael Kay was unfairly terminated and decertified by DPSST and that he lost wages, his retirement and his career. The lawsuit further stated that Kay was intentionally deprived of his rights by the defendants who engaged in illegal, malicious and wrongful conduct together and indi- vidually. The lawsuit claimed that Kay had suffered physical, emotion- al and financial harm and had been placed in an untenable position of believing his life was in danger and that he had suffered from anxiety and extreme emotional distress. The lawsuit asked that Kay be awarded economic damages of no less $250,000 and noneconomic damages of no less than $1.5 million.
