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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2016)
opinion/community november17 2016 3 What We Must Know Today By Richard Harwood www.theharwoodinstitute.org As I wrote this late last night, it was not yet clear who would be the next president of the United States, and it didn’t matter in terms of what we need to understand today. The actual results only make this clearer. H u g e underlying cleavages exist within the nation, and they do not have to do so much with partisan polarization as they are about a large swath of the nation feeling forgotten, no longer seen and heard, left out and left behind. I encountered these deep-seated sentiments in my travels across the country when I listened to Americans in places like Mississippi, where I was last week, or eastern Kentucky, or the interior of Washington State, or even Hawaii, and many other places along the way. Too many kids feel they do not have a shot at the American Dream and feel abandoned by adults, their schools and even their own families. Too many adults have fallen victim to an opioid and heroin crisis and have lost hope and that has left their families in disarray. Too many people are working two or three jobs and are still unable to make ends meet. And make no mistake – too many false promises have been made to too many people, leaving in their midst growing cynicism and disaffection. Meanwhile, there are those who live in more vibrant areas of the nation who too often turn their noses up at those who feel left behind, wondering aloud how people can be so “stupid” to support one candidate or another; who sneer at the anger; who dismiss people’s concerns about the changing nature of communities. Our task is not so much to somehow bridge partisan polarization as some would have us believe. It is more basic than that; something more humane. It is to see and hear one another. To seek to understand how people can feel their lives are spinning out of control. To find ways to re-invigorate and support families. To bring some modicum of hope back to struggling and dying towns. As I have traveled the nation, the number one issue I hear consistently is people’s yearning to restore a sense of belief that we can get things done together and a “can-do” spirit. Yes, this requires that we learn to “talk” with one another. Even more, it demands that we find ways to build a common future together—to do things together. Talk is not enough and it is not the magic elixir so many think it is. I watched in horror as this presidential campaign unfolded and our now president-elect attacked women, people of color, the disabled and many others. I condemn those statements and beliefs. But, I also know that so many Americans who cast their votes yesterday did so with pain in their hearts about where their lives stand and with utter disdain for a politics that does not heed their calls for help and hope. We can no longer afford to point fingers of blame, cast aspersions and question one another’s motivations. It’s time to get to serious work. Medicine Wheel Recovery Services Announces the Planting Roots Housing Program In an effort to prevent and end Veteran homelessness • Eli Addison, Veterans Housing Specialist in Columbia County, Medicine Wheel Recovery Services • Terri MacEllven, Peer Support Veterans Housing Specialist is proud to introduce the Planting Roots Housing Program. 58147 Columbia River Hwy., Ste. C With the increased recognition of the value community adds St. Helens, OR 97051 in helping reestablish the lives of those in need, the Planting Office: 503-867-5408 Roots staff are working to form partnerships with other Email: eaddison@medicinewheelrecoveryservices.org programs and individuals within Columbia County and the terrimacellven@medicinewheelrecoveryservices.org surrounding area. Website: www.medicinewheelrecoveryservices.org The grant from the Oregon Health Authority enables the program to serve up to 30 Veterans and their families concurrently. Eligibility Criteria • Honorable Discharge Status from a branch of the U.S. Military • Mental Health Assessment (can be done during program intake) Karaoke • Low-Income Individual or Family Every 2nd & Last Friday • If employed, the Veteran agrees to Taco Tuesday contribute 30% of income towards rental from opening until 9pm or mortgage costs 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Services Provided • Rental or mortgage assistance, housing Ladies’ Night stability plans and placement, peer every Thursday 6pm-close support, skills training, outreach and referrals, Behavioral Health, positive relationship building with landlords and rental agencies, barrier removal – • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas financial and other (e.g. utilities, deposits, iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events cleaning & pet fees, other move-in costs) 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841 – not an exhaustive list. The housing staff at the Planting Roots Program works closely with our community partners to provide a comprehensive support system for FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! individuals and families. The ultimate success of the program would be to transition our Veterans and families into Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 permanent, long-term and stable housing. To learn more about this program, please contact: Cedar Side Inn EVENTS Sun, Dec. 4 Vernonia’s Voice would like to apologize for incorrectly printing Vernonia Transfer Station information. We sincerely apologize for any inconvience this caused. • Specialty hamburgers • 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks • 5 Craft beers on tap • Pool tables & satelite TV • Free Wi-fi • Beer & Kegs to go Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia Texas Hold ‘em Sat, Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Party with Third Member “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Chip Bubl Tobie Finzel Richard Harwood Karen Kain Dr. Carol McIntyre Aaron Miller Karen Miller Shannon Romtvedt Robert Schattschneider Photography Karen Kain Scott Laird Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com
