city news
At the February 16, 2016 City Council
Meeting:
Council
Approves
Adjustment
in Sewer Rates – Council gave a
consensus approval for new sewer rates,
based on a report from FCS Group and a
recommendation from the Public Works
Committee. A public hearing will be
held on March 7, 2016 before Council
votes on a final approval. (See full story
on front page.)
Council Discusses Draft Marijuana
Ordinance – Council discussed a
draft ordinance that would provide
regulations for the location and operation
of marijuana facilities in city limits.
Council agreed on most of the ordinance,
but could not agree on hours of operation
restrictions; two of the Council wanted to
approve hours of operation from 8 am to
10 pm and two of the Council questioned
why this commercial business should
be restricted any more than others in
the City and thought they should allow
hours of operation that are the same as
bar hours, from 7 am to 2:30 am. Mayor
Randy Parrow was not in attendance
at the meeting. The Ordinance will be
brought back to the next Council meeting
for further discussion.
Vernonia City News...
Based on a recommendation from the
Parks Committee, the Council gave
consensus approval to changes in fees for
exclusive use of sports fields within the
City Park System. Fees that were changed
include: the Season Rate for Youth
Sports teams changed to $150 per sport;
Tournaments for Youth Sports changed
to $150/ up to two days; Tournaments
for all other groups changed to $150/
day; exclusive use of Spencer Park for
all other groups changed to $100 for first
four hours, $50 for each additional four
hours. Council approved the suggestion
that the City retain the right to hang
sponsorship signs and collect fees for
field and facility improvements. Final
approval will be part of a change to the
Master Fee Schedule to be voted on at a
future meeting.
Council Reduces Fees for Library –
Following a report from Library Director
Shannon Romtvedt, Council approved
the reduction of fees to $25 per year
per family for nonresident patrons of
the library. Romtvedt told the Council
residents seeking a library account
pay for membership through their city
property taxes. Nonresidents pay $40
per year, which Romtvedt says can be
a hardship for some potential members.
By lowering the rate Romtvedt says
Council Approves Sports Field Fees– she hopes to make the library more
Readers Lend Their Voices...
continued from page 4
Multnomah County receives to house
federal prisoners and what we charge
has not increased as has Multnomah
County’s, despite inflation. This would
be funny if it weren’t so pathetic – the
Commissioners don’t know if they
make money or lose money on the
federal prisoners. They have had three
years since the last ballot measure to
find out but they can’t do the math.
And then the hospital, that never
received approval from the State of
Oregon – but the Hospital Board bought
and improved the property on Millard
Road anyway. And the State did not
approve it. We all received a pittance
in the form of a credit on our property
taxes. The Commissioners, including
Commissioner Hyde, have given the
property to the City of St. Helens rather
than selling it and refunding tax payers.
But $8 million dollars has gone
missing from the hospital debacle. If
anyone knows where it is, nobody’s
telling. Poof!
Commissioner Hyde has
been in office for nearly twenty years.
During this time, Columbia County has
lost nearly 20% of our non-farm related
jobs and our county indebtedness has
risen to over $72 million.
I bet Alex Tardif wouldn’t
have sided with the Commissioners on
these debacles that have cost tax payers
millions – because he could have done
the MATH! Let’s elect someone who is
qualified to handle our money. This is
the most important skill a Commissioner
can have.
Cathy Pitkin
Warren, OR
times. I sat in the 10 row. I knew I
needed GOD in my life and the Force
was GOD. I accepted Jesus as my
savior on February 10, 1980.
On December 29, 2015 I took
my daughter to see Star Wars. Coming
home from 185 th I heard a clinking
sound. I didn’t pay attention to it until
Hwy 47.
The truck pulled to the right
and I thought this was weird. Turning
left the truck pulled to the right worse.
I thought maybe I was getting a
flat tire. I kept going. At the first curves
I had a vision; the right front tire came
off and we rolled down the hill. I said,
“Sarah, we need to pray and call on the
Force of GOD to get us to safety.” We
prayed and held hands, kept praying
as my brakes kept going in and out.
We tried to use my cell but there was
no signal and it was getting dark. We
kept praying and calling on GOD’s
Force to save us. “I am getting scared
GOD, send your HOLY SPIRIT to help
us. Please get us to Aaron’s garage.”
We were 10 miles away and driving 20
miles per hour.
We pull in and I have no brakes.
I pray to the force of GOD to please
make them work one more time. He did
and we stopped.
The mechanics came out bug
eyed! My front tire was sideways.
They came over and wiggled it. They
could not believe I drove from 185 th
with this broken tire. They told me later
the only thing holding that tire on was
the broken brakes. MIRACLE!
The FORCE was with us. THE
FORCE IS GOD! PRAISE GOD! And
thank you for this miracle.
To the Editor,
Gail Law
In 1979 I saw Star Wars 10 Vernonia
th
february18
2016
5
accessible, increase membership and a used 2-wheel drive Chevy pickup for
serve more people.
sale locally for $1,950 to be used by the
Public Works Department and the Police
Council
Rejects
Benefit
for Department.
Nonresident Employees – Council
rejected a proposal from City Council Hears “Keep It Local”
Administrator Josette Mitchell to Presentation – Council heard a
provide the benefit of a yearly park pass presentation from Natasha Pervey for
and library membership to employees the “Keep It Local Columbia County”
of the City who live outside City limits. campaign. Pervey is working with local
Council members stated that it would be businesses in the county to create an
unfair to other employees.
online listing of all businesses and said
she will be working in Vernonia in the
Council Approves Budget Calendar – near future.
Council approved the proposed Budget
Calendar for the 2016-17 budget process. Topics From the Floor – Mike Buffum
All budget meetings will be held starting questioned several items in the proposed
at 6:30 pm at the Cabin in Vernonia. The marijuana ordinance including rules that
first meeting will take place on April 12 regulated public view and odor.
where staff will present the proposed
Council President Kim Tierney
budget and a chair and vice chair will read comments by Brett Costley into
be elected. On April 19, the Budget the record; Costley questioned why
Committee will hear public comment. marijuna businesses would be more
Additional meetings are scheduled for restricted than any other business in a
April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, June Commercial zone particularly in regards
7 and June 14, with the adoption of the to hours of operation and signage.
budget scheduled for June 20. Council
also appointed City Administrator
Josette Mitchell as the Budget Officer.
Council Approves Sale and Purchase
of Vehicles – Council approved the sale
of a Ford Expedition previously declared
surplus and authorized the purchase of
Vernonia City Council
Meetings and Closures
City Council Meetings
are scheduled for 7:00 pm:
Monday, March 7, 2016
March 14, 2016 - Worksession
Monday, March 21, 2016
City Closures are scheduled for:
Monday, May 30, 2016
Memorial Day
Dates and times subject to change
due to conflicts of schedules
Police Blotter
February 1 - 15, 2016
REPORTS TAKEN
• February 3, 2016 Arrest on a Warrant
near Vernonia Lake
• February 3, 2016 Arrest for Theft III
in the 700 block of Jefferson Ave.
• February 4, 2016 Report of Theft II in
the 1200 block of Umatilla St.
• February 5, 2016 Report of Criminal
Mischief III in the 200 block of Bridge
St.
• February 6, 2016 Report of Failure
to Perform Duties of a Driver on
Riverside Dr. with property damage.
• February 7, 2016 Arrest on a Warrant
near State St.
• February 11, 2016 Failure to Perform
Duties of a Driver with property
damage on State St.
Vernonia Police Department
responds to calls that do not always
end in Arrest, Report, or Citation.
02/01/2016 through 02/15/2016 VPD
had 97 calls for service
The American Legion Post 119 would like to thank all of those who helped with the
fund raiser for our Vets in our little town. The winning ticket for the gun was #6519848,
Harold Coof of Vernonia. Congratulations Harold! We need more members for the
American Legion, come down to the next meeting; they are always held on the 2nd
Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm.
START RIGHT. START HERE. SM
Donʻt wait for the sun!
Get your MOWERS tuned up now!
Oil Change • Sharpen Blades
Filters • Cables • Pull Ropes
We pick up & deliver!
Family owned & operated for over 45 years
834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364
