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community
may5
2016
Candidates Discuss Issues at Two Forums continued from front page
ordinance.” He suggested loans to small county-wide ordinance that would allow
businesses as a way to encourage eco- property owners to build “mother-in-law
nomic vitality through small micro busi- suites” or apartments to help families
nesses and stated that he believes the care for older relatives.
Hyde noted that the Economic
Columbia County Economic Develop-
Development
team
ment team is part of
“We’ve not had
has become a very
the problem, calling
successful entity and
some of their deci-
transparency with
sions “petty politics.” either the county or the called the Oregon
Manufacturing
In-
“We need to pick
Port of St. Helens and
industries that are
the losses they’ve had novation District in
Scappoose
“trans-
compatible with our
there. If we’re going to formational” for the
lifestyle. We can pick
and choose and we develop Port Westward county. He stated that
we have to be smart
retention and expan-
can say no to indus-
about it and not stick
sion of existing busi-
tries that are based on
nesses should be the
old technologies that
our money in failed
number one priority
are going to fail and
fossil fuel industries.
before recruitment of
then we’re left hold-
Yes, it has failed.
new industry. “I hear
ing the bag,” said
But
with
the
proper
all this about how the
Preheim.
development it could
county is in bad shape
Yarbor stated
that the Port of St. be a great place for us,” and I don’t agree,” and
said Preheim.
proceeded to name
Helens controls most
numerous successful
of the valuable indus-
trial lands in the county and are therefore companies currently doing business and
the lead in bringing in development. He expanding here, including Rightline, Te-
suggested the Port won’t sell any land, evan Bros., Global, PGE, USG, Pacific
but only lease it, and this is a detriment Stainless, Conrad, Northwest Natural,
to economic growth, and that the County Photo Solutions, and Foss Maritime.
Tardif suggested that all the
Commissioners should encourage this
to change. He suggested creating a communities in Columbia County
should be working in collaboration to
develop an economic plan for the future,
and noted that if the county is seeing so
much industrial growth, why have we
had a 20% loss of jobs in the 20 years
Hyde has been in office. Tardif sug-
gested the agricultural base as a great
resource and a focus and also suggested
incentivizing timber production to create
month, 4:30 pm
Upcoming Events
more mill jobs. He stated that he would
Come by for some stamp collecting,
Veggies in Vernonia: Warm
analyze the tax base and look at, “...how
learning, and trading. Open to all
Weather Vegetables in a Cool
we’ve structured it and how we’re using
ages.
Place and Common Problems
it to make sure that all communities are
Writer’s Group
Tuesday, May 17, 6:30 – 8 pm
benefitting and receiving their fair share
May 19
Presentation by Chip Bubl, OSU
of funds.” He suggested the use of Ur-
3 rd Thursday of every month,
Extension Faculty and Master
ban Renewal Districts in other areas of
6 – 7:30 pm
Gardener
the county as a way to spread the invest-
Opportunity for writers with all levels
ment around to benefit more communi-
Beyond the Scoreboard: Sports of experience to get together, write,
ties and citizens and suggested more
in Our Lives and Communities
and get feedback.
collaboration and efficiency between
Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 – 8 pm
Book Discussion Group
Free conversation with Andrew
county departments to bridge gaps and
May 30
Guest, sponsored by Oregon Human-
build partnerships.
Last Monday of every month,
ities and hosted by the Friends of the
Magruder stated that the Eco-
5:30 pm
Vernonia Library. Andrew Guest is an
nomic
Development
team is successful
Selection for May: Best Exotic Mari-
associate professor at the University
and
suggested
trying
to attract high val-
of Portland and has a background as gold Hotel by Deborah Moggach
ue industry to Port Westward and other
a coach and an athlete.
Storytimes
Port properties. She also proposed that
the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation
After School Activity:
Baby and Toddler Time
District might present an opportunity for
Scratch Art
Mondays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
the development of forest products that
Thursday, May 19, 4 – 5pm
Songs, rhymes, books, toys, and
could put Columbia County at the fore-
For children K – 5 and parents. Make bubbles! For ages 0 – 3. Older
a scratch art bookmark, photo frame, siblings welcome.
or stickers. Materials and snack
Preschool Storytime
provided.
Fridays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Movie Nights
Stories and a craft/activity for
Thursday, May 26, 6 pm (Families)
children up to age 5.
Relax and enjoy a movie and free
Library Closures
popcorn. Call or visit the library for
Monday, May 30 for the
movie title.
Memorial Day Holiday
attributes but stated that the best attribute
in Columbia County are the people that
live here. “That’s the disadvantage of
the commute is those people are not here
to be part of little league or the Cham-
ber or contribute to a town hall because
they are driving,” said Preheim. “The
research center in Scappoose - Senator
Betsy Johnson brought that here and
I think that was something that should
have been done by the County. We have
to recruit people and not just wait for
people to show up,” said Preheim.
Magruder agreed that citizens
and volunteers are a strength. She also
mentioned recreation opportunities as
well as the County Economic Devel-
opment team and the potential to have
them work with established businesses.
She cited a lack of vocational training in
schools as an issue that concerns her.
Economic Development
When asked specifically what
they would do to grow the economy and
create living wage jobs, Preheim sug-
gested that municipalities and the county
should buy and hire locally and support
local business whenever possible. “The
County is one of the biggest employers
and biggest consumers and they need to
buy local,” said Preheim. “I would work
very hard to pass a ‘buy local preference’
What’s Happening at the
Vernonia Library
Ongoing Programs
Homeschool Library Time
Wednesday, May 11, 1 – 2 pm
Opportunity for homeschoolers and
homeschool parents in the area to
come together. “How to Use the
Library” tour at this meeting.
front of some new industries. She also
noted that access to water needs to be
considered when looking at new devel-
opment.
Mayo said creating opportuni-
ties for higher education for our youth
should be a priority and upgrading in-
ternet access to provide opportunities to
telecommute should be something the
county works on. “We need to steer peo-
ple to better paying jobs, not just what is
going to be left if we’re not careful with
our industrial friends,” said Mayo. He
also expressed concern about rail trans-
port and storage safety and suggested the
county be more diligent in researching
safety measures that would be in place
before approving rail transport through
the county.
Conn said rail is an important
part of the county infrastructure and
transportation system but noted that
safety is a concern. Conn noted that with
large business and industry there can be
jobs but also a lot of risk. “Most of the
jobs are often at the front end - construc-
tion jobs that will eventually go away.
I think we need to put more effort into
supporting our small and medium sized
businesses,” said Conn. She pointed to
niche farming as a compatible industry
that could receive more emphasis and
support from the county, listing herb
farms, organic vegetable farms, nurser-
ies and small beef and dairy farms as
proven successful opportunities.
Port Westward
When asked about Port West-
ward and whether it has been good for
Columbia County or a drain on our re-
sources the candidates again had differ-
ing views.
Magruder stated that develop-
ment at Port Westward is essential to the
economic base of the county. “I think
we need to wisely develop it and look
for the best industries to bring good,
clean industry, jobs, employment, and
tax revenue. If we ignore Port Westward
we would be remiss in our obligation to
our citizens” said Magruder. “We have
to make use of these facilities that we
have.” She also suggested that the re-
gion would be good for agricultural de-
velopment.
Preheim stated that Port West-
ward has been a drain on county resourc-
es because of bad decisions by county
leaders. “We’ve not had transparency
with either the county or the Port of St.
Helens and the losses they’ve had there.
continued on page 7
Library Hours & Contact
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
10 – 5
Tuesday, Thursday: 1 – 7
Saturday: 10 – 4
Closed Sundays
Stamp Club
May 12
Now the 2 nd Thursday of every
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov
Paid for by The Campaign to Elect Margaret Magruder
