4
letters to the editor/community bulletin board
october6
2016
Readers Lend Their Voices...
To The Editor,
As Alumni of Vernonia Schools,
we are hopeful the voters within the
Vernonia School District will vote yes
on the upcoming school bond.
A Yes vote will accomplish
many things for the community, the
District and its students, including:
• eliminating the construction debt;
• finishing the campus;
• upgrading the Mist school; and
• ensuring ongoing quality education for
its students.
During the past four years, we
have been actively involved with over
200 Alumni to raise funds for athletic
fields and facilities for the Vernonia
Schools. So far, we’ve raised over
$250,000…….which is enough for a
softball field, a baseball field and a small
amount towards a new track. Much
much more is needed in order to really
finish the campus.
A Yes vote will ensure the
campus will be completed in a timely
fashion.
Jim and Kathy Eckland
Keizer, OR
To the Editor,
Our
Vernonia
School
Superintendent, staff, and students need
to stop worrying about finances and
focus on education.
We need to free up the money
needed by voting YES on the school
bond on November 8 th so our schools
can concentrate on putting education
FIRST!
We really don’t want to ask for
money from Vernonians but this will be
important for our community to succeed.
As you can see on the mailings
and the Voice articles the costs per house
hold is very reasonable. When you vote
YES you are doing the right thing for our
kids and our community.
Even if you are not a property
owner you can vote YES on the school
bond. If you are not registered to vote
you have until October 18. You can find
voter registrations at the library and city
hall.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR KIDS
AND VOTE YES ON THE SCHOOL
BOND NOVEMBER 8 th .
Thank you very much for your
support.
Sonia Spackman
Vernonia
To the Editor,
It’s not every day a painting
tells the story of a 24-year friendship,
thousands of miles of highway traveled,
and an intimate aesthetic exchange—
all while commenting on topical issues
ripped from the day’s headlines.
But that’s what the paintings do
in “Two Artists Collaborate,” my new
exhibition with Shawn Webber at White
Space Gallery in Portland. I’d like to
invite you attend the show.
While some people know me
from my appearances on my brother’s
hit reality show, “Little People, Big
World,” on TLC, art lovers in Portland
and beyond know me as a prolific painter
with a penchant for social commentary.
My friend and collaborator Shawn
Webber is a respected Bay Area-based
painter and member of the trail-blazing
art collective, The Oyster Pirates.
Together we traded 13 paintings back
and forth over the course of a year in
a collaborative project blending our
individual styles together in unexpected
ways.
The finished works are sexy,
subversive, and just a little bit sinister.
The exhibition runs October 6, 2016
through December 1, 2016, at White
Space Gallery, 1439 NW Marshall
Street, Portland, OR.
Sam Roloff
Portland
To the Editor,
I first met Margaret Magruder
in the late 70s when we co-led the
Clatskanie 4-H Livestock Club. The
club was active year-around, had over 30
members, and every kind of large animal
allowed at the County Fair. Parents were
encouraged to participate with their
4-Hers.
The values that Margaret
stressed were hard work, leadership, and
helping others. The expectation was that
each club member gave their all during
meetings, at home with their project and
at County Fair. Margaret was available
when the kids and families needed
additional support and encouragement.
The club members highly-respected her
and followed through with what they
needed to be doing, including leading the
meetings and helping younger members.
Community service was emphasized,
not just locally, but county-wide. They
washed cars for business owners who
supported 4-H, helped 4-Hers in other
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parts of the county, and volunteered for
extra duties at the County Fair.
These values allowed the kids
to make lifelong friends throughout
Columbia County. Several of them are
business owners today and continue
to support the Fair. Most of them have
become supportive parents of 4-Hers
because of their positive experience with
Margaret as their leader.
Margaret was able to teach these
values because she practices them. She
works hard, has strong leadership skills,
and truly believes in helping to build a
strong community. To her Columbia
County IS a community. I know she will
serve us well. Please join me in voting
for Magruder for Columbia County
Commissioner.
Elaine Heck
Clatskanie, OR
To the Editor,
Columbia County, what a place.
Great people, long history, wonderful
options for recreation, and a landscape
that is second to none. Wayne Mayo has
been an active member of Columbia
County for most of his life. Being in
the construction industry for most of his
professional life, he has met and worked
with folks from many backgrounds.
He’s lived in much of the County, from
Scappoose to Deer Island.
I have learned a lot from this
man. He was always a great father to
me and my siblings and he’s always
treated people with care and respect. I
cannot count how many times he has
helped someone in distress on the side
of the road, brought Easter baskets
to local businesses, or picked up
hitchhikers. He’s a family man, a good
neighbor, and would do a great job
working to help your family thrive as a
county commissioner.
Some politicians would see
a shoeless man, stomp their feet and
demand something be done. My dad
would go out and buy the man shoes.
Derek Mayo
Round Rock, Texas
To the Editor,
There is one candidate who has
the right qualifications and the right
temperament to help lead Columbia
County into the future - Margaret
Magruder. Except for her years earning
a bachelor’s degree at Willamette
Upcoming
Events
Meet
the
Candidates
-
Wednesday, October 12, 6:00
pm at the Cabin in Vernonia,
901 Park Dr. A political forum
with candidates for Vernonia
City Council, Mayor, and County
Commissioner.
Graveyard Dash - Saturday,
October 29, 10:00 am, starts at the
Memorial Cemetary. 3K/6K Run/
Walk. Prizes for best costume.
Halloween Sidewalk Parade -
Monday, October 31, 4:30 pm,
starts at City Hall, line-up begins
at 4:00 pm.
Hot Dog Feed - Monday, October
31, 5:00-7:00 pm at Grace Family
Fellowship, 957 State Ave. FREE!
Everyone welcome.
Mist-Birkenfeld Fall Festival -
Saturday, November 5, dinner
served at 6:00 pm, entertainment
begins at 7:00 pm at the Mist
School, 69163 Hwy 47.
University and a master’s degree at
Syracuse University, Margaret is a
lifelong Columbia County resident and a
third generation farmer. For the past 20
years, she has served as coordinator of
the Lower Columbia Watershed Council,
working with industry, property owners,
state and federal agencies to accomplish
environmental restoration throughout the
county, and still keep jobs. Her leadership
and understanding of local government
has been proven through her service
on the 6J School Board, the Columbia
County Budget Committee, the Citizens
Planning Advisory Committee, and the
Democratic Central Committee. Her
innovative, environmentally friendly
wool insulation manufactured in Rainier
is proof of her business acumen. For
years she has worked collaboratively
with others to accomplish good things
for her community, county and state.
Margaret
Magruder’s
education,
experience, and temperament are exactly
what Columbia County needs right
now. Join me in voting for Magruder
for Columbia County Commissioner in
November.
Janet Willey
Clatskanie
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Register to VOTE
October 18, 2016 is the last day to register to vote in the November 8, 2016
General Election. You can register online: http://www.co.columbia.or.us/
departments/elections-department/voter-registration, or in person at the
Columbia County Elections Department 230 Strand St., St. Helens, OR 97051.
(503) 397-7214 Office hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (M-Th). Voter registration
forms are also available at Vernonia City Hall, Vernonia Public Library and
offices of the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.