Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current, October 02, 2014, Page 4, Image 4

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    4
letters to the editor/community bulletin board
october2
2014
Readers Lend Their Voices...
To the Editor, 
 
I am a former client of Cathleen 
Callahan  and  I  want  to  let  the  voters  of 
Columbia  County  know  that  she  is  the 
best choice for judge.  I met Cathleen in 
July  2010  when  I  hired  her  to  represent 
me  in  a  divorce.    I  knew  the  process 
would  be  difficult  as  I  knew  my  ex-
husband very well.  Our children had an 
attorney  appointed  to  them,  there  were 
several  pre-trial  conferences,  a  first  trial 
and  settlement  conference  that  took  two 
days, a restraining order trial, an order of 
psychological  testing,  he  was  in  jail  for 
two  weeks  in  jail  for  contempt  against 
the  Court,  he  refused  to  physically 
appear  at  numerous  court  proceedings, 
including the trial he requested and then 
too  many  status  conferences  and  follow 
up  to  count  before  the  divorce  was 
finalized.  He  argued  over  every  word.  
He  filed  numerous  documents  and  did 
not  provide    copies  to  Cathleen.  Many 
of  his  documents  were  nonsensical  and 
were  clearly  a  product  of  him  venting 
and his anger.  He hired and fired or was 
fired by at least four attorneys.  Cathleen 
was with me the entire time. Not only as 
an  experienced  and  dedicated  advocate 
for  me  and  the  law  but  as  my  educator 
and  guide  to  the  legal  process.  She  was 
always  calm  when  speaking  with  my 
ex-husband  and  no  matter  what  he  did 
or  said,  she  never  gave  up.  My  ex  has 
even  begrudgingly  admitted  respect  for 
her.  This is the type of judge Columbia 
County needs.
management,  to  dealing  with  difficult 
family  situations.    She  is  compassionate 
and  understanding  in  every  situation.  
My case began in Columbia County but 
quickly  spread  outside  the  county,  and 
involved the custody of my granddaughter 
after her parents were found to be deeply 
into drugs.  I did not know which way to 
turn  to  help  her,  but  Cathleen  did.    She 
handled everything discreetly and quickly 
so there was as little turmoil as possible 
for my then 8 year old granddaughter.  
 
I’m voting for Cathleen Callahan 
for Circuit Judge because mine is not the 
only story.  She has helped many citizens 
of  this  community  through  some  rough 
times, always with the most competence, 
compassion  and  respect.  The  example 
above  was  Cathleen  wearing  her 
“attorney”  hat.    I  can’t  wait  to  see  her 
bring  her  many  years  of  experience  as 
an  attorney,  and  City  Prosecutor  to  the 
bench.
residents.  He has continually avoided the 
issue  and  will  not  even  talk  about  how 
seniors and others who need public transit 
will  fare  if  he  is  elected  in  November.  
Why doesn’t he support those who have 
no  way  of  even  getting  to  the  grocery 
store  or  those  needing  to  get  to  doctor 
appointments?    If  the  only  vulnerable 
spot he sees in his opponent is his stance 
on the oil trains, what does that do for the 
rest of the many important issues facing 
our quality of life in Columbia County?
 
I am tired of politicians avoiding 
discussions that don’t seem to fit in with 
their  own  ideas  of  what  is  good  for  our 
county.    How  can  I  place  my  faith  in 
Mr.  Mayo  if  he  doesn’t  ask  what  types 
of  services  are  needed  or  have  any 
discussion  about  all  of  the  issues?    The 
officials we elect must represent all of us 
and be willing to talk to all of us.  
 
Even  though  I  support  and 
will  vote  for  Heimuller  in  November,  I 
feel  even  he  could  benefit  from  a  wider 
Jo Boge
perspective.   I would hope when I show 
Rainier, OR
my support for Heimuller that  everyone 
understands that I think Heimuller is the 
To the Editor,
best candidate that is running and that he 
 
It seems strange to me that while  is not beholden to me.
Mr. Mayo provides us with his ideas for 
how our democratic system should work,  Thelma Bonar
he  doesn’t  seem  to  have  any  idea  about  Warren, OR
continued on page 13
how  county  government  really  works.  
What  I  see  is  that  he  is  throwing  out  a 
bunch of “hot button” issues that he thinks 
will stick in order to get elected.  If he is 
successful  with  this  strategy,  what  will 
happen if he does get elected?  Anything?  
Tina Blixt
Or  will  we  face  the  same  mess  we 
Yelm, WA
continually  hear  about  everywhere  else 
Friday, October 3, 11:00 AM
in this country?  No action, road blocks, 
To the Editor,
confusion  and  no  direction  that  anyone 
Nature Journaling
 
Cathleen  Callahan  has  lived,  can figure out.
on the Timberbeast Trail
worked  and  contributed  her  time   
At  least  I  know  where  I  stand 
Join us for a journey of mind and
and  energy  to  Columbia  County  for  with Henry Heimuller.  He is continually 
body down our freshly cleared
many  years.    She  is  well  known  in  the  trying to do his best to inform me when I 
Timberbeast Trail. You’ll take
community for her volunteer work and her  ask questions.
in the natural sights, sounds, and
commitment  to  the  justice  system.    She   
Over  the  last  months  I  have 
smells then log the splendor in a
has been proven to be a strong advocate  tried  to  talk  with  Mr.  Mayo  regarding 
journal to reminisce about for years
for  the  average  person  in  the  county  his  position  on  public  transit  and  other 
to come. Delight in your time at
dealing  with  everything  from  business  important  issues  for  Columbia  County 
Stub Stewart State Park and capture
the experience to share. Meet at
the Welcome Center.
HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vernonia’s Voice welcomes and requests your thoughts, opinions and ideas.
Please include your name, address and phone number, limit your letters to
300 words or less. Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit, omit, respond
or ask for a response to letters submitted. We will print letters space permit-
ting. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Email: scott@
vernoniasvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064.
Columbia Humane Society
featured Pet
They say with age comes
wisdom. Don't overlook me at
my age, I have a lot of great
years left in my life. I like
other dogs, however I find
large male dogs to be a
challenge. I recently moved to
CHS and I would like to find a
permanent home. If your
interested in me, please ask.
My adoption fee is $165, and I come neutered, microchipped and current
on my vaccines. Please come see me at the shelter Tues, Wed, Thurs &
Sat from 10- 7 and Sundays from 12- 7.
Email: animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org
2084 Oregon Street
Phone: 503-397-4353
St. Helens, OR 97051
Web: www.columbiahumane.org
Upcoming
Events
Salmon Festival - Saturday,
October 4, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
at Hawkins Park.
Car Seat Clinic - Saturday,
October 25, 11:00 AM - 12:30
PM at the Vernonia Fire Station,
555 E. Bridge St. For more
information call 503-556-3736.
Nob Hill Nature Park Volunteer
Work Party - Saturday, November
1, 1:00-4:00 PM at Nob Hill
Nature Park in St. Helens.
Preregistration is requested, call
503-397-7904.
Timberbound Concert & Swing
Dance, Saturday, November 15,
8:00-11:00 PM at the Vernonia
Grange, 375 North St. Historic
Keasey slide show by Cory
Colburn 7-8 PM. Tickets $10 at
the door or call 503-396-2046
Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia -
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 AM
- 6:00 PM
Events at L.L. Stub
Stewart State Park
Saturday, October 4, 11:00 AM
Birding Basics
Come learn how to go Birding like a
pro. We provide the binoculars and
field guides and basic tools to spot
our feathered friends. The course
includes a hike down to the Beaver
Pond to discover various nests and
signs of birds. Bring water for the
hike and of course sturdy foot wear.
All ages welcome, but children must
be accompanied by an adult. Meet
at Dairy Creek Amphitheater.
Saturday, October 4, 6:00 PM
Vernonia:
Growth, Prosperity, Obscurity
This is a story about the upper
Nehalem Valley and the small
town that was home to the largest
lumber mill. Hear about the little
railroad that served the valley and
the creepy crawly tunnel that was a
problem right from the start. Meet
at the West Meeting Hall.
CAN YOU FILL
THESE BOOTS?
VOLUNTEERS
WANTED
Call Dean Smith
for more information
on free training
(503)429-8252