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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2016)
4 letters to the editor/community bulletin board october20 2016 Readers Lend Their Voices... To The Editor, I’ve been a fairly active propo- nent for our public schools over the last decade. I spent five years on the school board and am currently Chair of the Ver- nonia Education Foundation. I’m seri- ous about education, and have commit- ted hundreds of hours of my time toward making Vernonia Schools a great school. To some it might seem a little odd that I don’t actually send my seven year old son, Henry, to the school. The reason is simple. My wife and I believe that we are able to provide Henry with a great education on our own property that is specific to his skills, needs, develop- ment and aptitude. He gets a great bal- ance of history, science, math, grammar, and reading and is still able to build forts or create with Lego bricks. The reason I’m so passionate about our public schools is that every kid deserves and needs a great educa- tion. The sacrifices and time investment necessary for home schooling are not for everyone, and the public school is there to shoulder the burden of providing that great education. This is possible only if it receives our financial support. Having been a school board member I’m aware of the dismal fiscal situation in which many school districts, including Vernonia, find themselves. The double hit of low state funding and state mandated spending usually leaves the school board and administration scrambling to trim fat from an already lean budget, but the addition of an an- nual $406,000 loan payment will prove ruinous. Rather than count the ways a Vernonia Weather September 2016 DATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 HIGH 66 66 68 68 70 71 71 71 79 81 70 76 79 79 79 82 62 72 67 70 71 66 59 67 80 88 72 71 68 68 LOW 46 46 44 42 45 54 53 40 40 40 38 35 34 33 40 57 57 42 41 40 40 39 42 41 44 45 41 36 41 40 PRECIP .15 .13 .32 T .12 T T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .01 .04 .01 T T 0 .05 .07 0 0 0 0 0 T .02 Ave/Tot 71.9 42.5 .92 Weather data is collected at the U.S. Weather station at the Vernonia Water Plant failure to pass the bond will affect the school, I need to acknowledge that the value of my home is directly tied to the perceived value of our public schools. Low value to the school means a reduc- tion in my home’s value. I’m not in the market to sell now, but a school that is highly rated means my property will be more highly valued when I am ready to sell. So, for me the price is worth it. I’ll see a tax increase of around $60/year. My monthly mortgage bill will increase by 0.5%. But when my son is older and decides that maybe he does want to ex- perience a few years of public education, I’ll know that these schools are strong and will provide him with access to a good education. That’s why I’m voting yes, and why I encourage every patron of the Ver- nonia School District, especially if you don’t actively use the school, to join me in supporting the community by voting Yes on Ballot Measure 5-259. Bill Langmaid Vernonia To the Editor, Wayne Mayo is running for County Commissioner and is passionate about Columbia County. He was raised here and this is where he has raised his seven children, all of whom contribute to their communities and support their dad in any way they can. He knows every town, every park and every road. He also knows and treasures the C-Z Trail where he and his wife Susan have ridden their bikes from end to end. But mostly he knows the peo- ple! Whether it’s South County, North County or Mid County, he’ll represent them all equally and fairly. If you know Wayne, you know he’s a common guy who goes to work every day. He comes home tired and usually late. He’s proud of the local con- tracting business that he’s nurtured over a 30-year period. He’s also proud of his many loyal customers who call him for repeat business. He knows how to run a business and how to manage his money. Wayne has taken no donations from industry, trade groups or large cor- porations. The reason is simple; he does not want to be obligated to anyone ex- cept the people he serves. According to state election records, in this year’s pri- mary election he spent $400 compared to his opponent’s $15,900. He’s frugal with his money and will be the same with the County’s money. If elected, you will find Wayne to be clear thinking, straight forward, personable and very approachable. You’ll also find him to be a good listener and compassionate toward all people, regardless of economic status, personal influence, race or gender. He’s completely independent and a regular, down-to-earth guy who’s donated countless hours to worthwhile projects and to individuals who need help. If Wayne wins…We Win!! Pete McHugh Scappoose To the Editor, In May we voters decided to elect Alex Tardif as County Commis- sioner in place of a long term incumbent. We did this because we want to see posi- tive changes that will benefit all of us not just a few favored individuals and com- panies. This November we vote for a second Commissioner position. In read- ing Margaret Magurder’s campaign in- formation and background, I looked up her supporters. In the May election she received $15,000 in contributions, more than her four opponents combined and this campaign is looking no differ- ent. Her contributors in Orstar indicates she will be indebted to a fair number of them. Look up the list or wait for the usual newspaper ads to see some of her Mist-Birkenfeld Fall Festival Please hring your family and join the Mist-Birkenfeld Helping Circle for their Fall Festival on Novemher 5. Dinner is served at 6:00 pm and entertainment hegins at 7:00 pm. There will he silent and oral auctions, door prizes, children’s grah hags, a quilt raffle and more fun! Held at the Mist School, 69163 Hwy 47. Columbia Humane Society Featured Pet Hi! My name is Bvuin. I came heve fvom Califovnia via the OINGS OF RESCUE. I was the 20,000 th dog to be tvanspovted by them. I am a neuteved male, tvi-colov Rat Tevviev and I weigh about 25 lbs. I am about 10 yeavs old - but don't let my age fool you! I have a lot of life left in me and I am looking fov a place that I can spend my golden yeavs. Stop in and meet me today. My adoption fee is $200. I am cuvvent on vaccines, tveated fov all pavasites, and tested fov heavt wovm. Web: www.columbiahumane.org Phone: 503-397-4353 2084 Oregon Street Email: animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org St. Helens, OR 97051 Upcoming Events Graveyard Dash - Saturday, October 29, 10:00 am, starts at the Memorial Cemetery. 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. backers. They will advertise how experi- enced, knowledgeable and dedicated she is to working for our County. But is she really dedicated to working for us or for those who paid her to run. Will she fa- vor the same old tactics, continue raising our property taxes for every need, ensure that her contributors will be favored, op- erating as usual? Wayne Mayo’s contributions are from family and friends. Friends who have no connection to special interest groups or wanting favors. Just ordinary citizens who, like you, voted for Tardif because we want to see positive changes that benefit all of us. Unlike Magruder, Mayo is not indebted to any special in- terest group or individuals. He under- stands how hard it is for some of us to meet daily needs. He is determined to in- crease the number of property taxpayers instead of raising taxes, to make the right decisions for the County as a whole. Do we want to chance it with Magruder or do we want to guarantee we have positive changes? I am voting for Wayne Mayo to guarantee the changes. Carmen Kulp Scappoose To the Editor, Regarding my father, Wayne P. Mayo of Scappoose, Oregon, I would like to offer my support and would en- courage you to do the same for the fol- lowing reasons. My father has taught me a lot that has stayed with me over the years. One of them being that hard work will always pay off, even if not immediately. Life is more fulfilling when you are not continued on page 9 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. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. Email: scott@vernoniasvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064.
