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
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HIGH
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PRECIP
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Ave/Tot
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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
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Email: scott@vernoniasvoice.com or
mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia,
OR 97064.
