Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2015)
4 letters to the editor/community bulletin board august6 2015 Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor, We were very pleasantly surprised when a nice man drove up our driveway and handed out energy saving devices for our household. He was from WOEC and he gifted us with energy efficient light bulbs and shower heads. We were very appreciative, even more than usual, because we had been having trouble with the barn lights mysteriously being turned on any and all hours of the day and night. It seems that we had a frisky calf who loved playing with the light switch! Now problem solved and even our barn is energy efficient! Thanks again to WOEC. We appreciate your caring. Jim and Marie Krahn Vernonia Committee had looked into becoming a Special District prior to Thelma Bonar’s Depletion Fee Initiative. The Transit Advisory Committee asked Commissioner Fisher if a Special District could/would be supported by these businessmen. He asked the Committee to put in writing why they would prefer Special vs Service, and he would discuss this with the commissioners. Here are some of the points the Transit Advisory Committee made: A Service District would continue to operate under the control of the county commissioners as a department of the county. The county would continue support services such as fiscal and legal services, the same as it does now, the charges are established by the county. As a Special District, those needs could be provided for by people/ services geared towards the needs of transportation and the fees negotiated accordingly. A Special District is an independent unit of government with its own tax base and elected board of directors (911 is a Special District). The Special District Board of Directors would be held responsible by the voters; their one mission - transportation. A support structure (administration) and funding would have to be established. CCRider is largely supported by state and federal grants (matching funds) and community contributions, which will remain the same and is not enough to provide the service needed (since the commissioners’ support was withdrawn). That would increase with more established funding. At this time fares only cover about 20 percent of operation cost. During the next meeting, Commissioner Fisher told us the commissioners wanted to run a survey to see which of the local businesses would be more likely to support Service or Special. I personally believe it is time for a change and the public that actually uses and depends on public transportation needs to have a voice. A Special District could make a difference. I see no value in spending the time or money for more of the same. To the Editor, In response to the article regarding the Commissioner’s Survey – Service District vs Special District, that I read in the Spotlight. I attended both public meetings with Commissioner Earl Fisher and the Columbia County Citizen’s Transit Advisory Committe, plus all the group discussions. Commissioner Henry Heimuller did not attend any of these meetings. Commissioner Fisher made it clear that since the depletion measure came so close to winning (within 375 votes) the commissioners realized how important transportation is to Columbia County. Commissioner Fisher pointed out by establishing a Special District the commissioners would be freed up to focus on the wide variety of other issues that are often a higher priority (time sensitive) than transit. Commissioner Heimuller indicated transportation has always been the commissioners’ second priority (after the jail), yet we lost 64% of our service about 2 years ago due to the commissioners’ decision to stop their support, knowing CCRider would then not have the local “match dollars” to obtain grant funding available. This announcement was made at a meeting with all three commissioners and ODOT. Commissioner Fisher said there are local businessmen willing to financially support an initiative to create Sharon Evinger a Service District. The Transit Advisory Scappoose, OR Columbia Humane Society Featured Pet Aloha! I’m Argyle! I am a super sweet, 6 year old, Boxer mix. I was rescued from Hawaii, where I had very little chance of finding my forever home. Here in Oregon, I know my family is coming for me; I’ll be patiently waiting and storing up lots of love and affection for you! My dream in life is to be your loyal companion; sitting in a kennel at the shelter is not my thing. I want to go for walks, hikes, or just lounge around with you watching movies. When we meet, I’ll most likely jump up for a little kiss, but I can quickly sit down and mind my manners too! I just love people so much! Come take me home, you won’t regret it! Web: www.columbiahumane.org Phone: 503-397-4353 2084 Oregon Street Email: animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org St. Helens, OR 97051 Upcoming Events Vernonia Friendship Jamboree Weekend - August 7, 8 & 9. Friday: Concert on the Creek 3:00 pm. Saturday: Spencer Park Grand Opening Ceremony 9:00 am; Parade 11:00 am; Pat Curl Memorial Sports Benefit, featuring Tony Pace 6:30 pm. Sunday: Volunteer Fire & Rescue Golf Benefit 7:00 am; Horse Gaming 8:00 am; Logging Show 12:00 pm. Senior Center Picnic - Friday, August 14, 12:00 at Anderson Park. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. The band will be there, too! Contact the Senior Center for more details. 503-429- 3912 The Old Timers Picnic - Sunday, August 16, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Anderson Park. Coffee provided. Little Guy Football Sign-ups and Camp Sign-ups for Little Guy Football will be held on August 10 at Greenman Field from 4:30-6:30 pm. Sign-ups will take place during the Vernonia Boosters sponsored Football Camp with new high school head coach Thor Ware. Football Camp runs from August 10-14 for Little Guy Football and Middle School age players. 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 permitting. Dead- line is the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Email: scott@vernoniasvoice. com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064. Hot dog lunch available or bring your own. Vernonia’s 2nd Biggest Reunion - Sunday, August 16, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Email: vernoniareunion@hotmail.com or find them on Facebook. Bear Creek Run - Saturday, August 22, at Anderson Park. Contact: kelliem@westoregon. org or register online: http://www. signmeup.com/108401 Community Wide Garage Sale - Saturday, August 22, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. To sign up contact Helen Bateman at 503-429-6203. West Oregon Electric Co-op Annual Meeting - Saturday, August 22, register 10:00 am; meeting 11:00 am at the Cabin in Vernonia, 901 Park Drive. 1st Cross Country practice August 17th 9:00 am meet at the Grandstands. Participants are required to have had a physical exam within the last two years, provide proof of medical insurance, running shoes, and appropriate clothing for long distance running. WOEC Annual Meeting August 22nd The West Oregon Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, at the Cabin in Vernonia (Scout Cabin), 901 Park Drive. Registration starts at 10:00 am; meeting begins at 11:00 am. BBQ lunch will follow the meeting. District 1 (Elsie, Jewelll, Necanicum area), District 4 (Vernonia area), and District 6 (Scappoose, Chapman area) are up for re-election. Volleyball Skills Clinic No experience required For more info: All incoming 6th-9th graders call Head Coach Mon-Thr, August 10th-13th Teresa Williams 9:00AM-12:00PM 503-799-3424 or at the VHS Gym twilliams@vernonia.k12.or.us $40 per player, free T-shirt. Sign up early - T-shirts are limited Need Help? Call for meeting times and locations Columbia Community Mental Health Call 503-397-5211 -or- 1-800-294-5211 For after hours Crisis call: 1-866-866-1426 http://ccmh1.com/crisis.html Narcotics Anonymous NW Region 503-345-9839 http://portlandna.com/ Alcohol Anonymous NW Region 503-366-0667 http://www.pdxaa.com/
