Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2017)
community march16 2017 3 Salem Report they operate mostly in conjunction with community colleges and public Recently state econo- universities, so this will greatly increase mist Mark McMullen their visibility. Since their creation in met with the House and 1983, more than half a million individuals Senate Revenue Commit- have attended workshops and classes tees to present the March sponsored by the SBDC. This legislation 2017 Revenue Forecast. will help even more small businesses get This is a quarterly report set up for success. And speaking of success, I want to the legislature and the public outlin- ing the state of Oregon’s economy and to congratulate two schools in my district what can reasonably be inferred for those who qualifi ed for the Nike School In- numbers. I’d like to share some of this novation Fund, St. Helens High School information with you as it will give you and Vernonia High School! The Fund is a sense of the good news/bad news that awarding 100 Oregon high schools a to- tal of $1.5 million in grants supporting a often characterizes these reports. Our state continues to show program called AVID (Advancement Via growth, although more slowly than dur- Individual Determination), with the goal ing the post-recession, generating an of increasing graduation rates, closing the unexpected $200 million in tax revenue. achievement gap and helping all students Nevertheless, this still leaves us with a in Oregon prepare for future success. A $1.6 billion shortfall going into the next full 99% of AVID students graduate from biennium. This gap is caused by the ris- high school on time with the skills, aca- ing costs of the state pension system, the demic behaviors and knowledge needed growth in Medicaid services, and several to succeed in post-secondary education. voter-approved ballot measures that will It’s a great program and we are so proud of these schools for qualifying for these need to be funded. Job growth continues to keep grants. Besides food and water, the most pace with the growing population at about 3,500 per month, although Mc- important element in human survival is a Mullen warns that it’s at a slower pace place to live. We are still in the throes of than in 2014 and 2015, down from 5,000. a long, cold winter, and the stories of en- In addition, the retirement of the Baby durance by those who are homeless, or in Boomer generation is causing a decrease inadequate housing, have been all over in personal income tax revenue. We will the headlines. There isn’t any question likely not know until after tax returns that we need more housing of every kind. There are many, too, who are are processed in April how well we are doing, just in time for the next forecast low income and could retain the housing in May. At that time, we will also know that they have but who do not have the if the “kicker” is triggered, which if this means to do so. Many nonprofi t orga- happens, will put us even further in the nizations are trying to do their best, but hole. We are, of course, thankful that this forecast was a relatively good one. In McMullen’s words, “so far, so good,” but treading water isn’t good enough. That $1.6 billion budget shortfall is not going to go away on its own. In the words In an effort to fully inform the of the Senate President, Peter Courtney, community about the upcoming elec- “Our budget isn’t balanced. We’re going tion for Measure 5-265 for the Vernonia to have to make some cuts. We’re going School Bond, the School Bond Com- to have to raise some revenue. Both are mittee has scheduled several upcoming tough. Both have to get done if we are events and activities. These events are going to meet the needs of Oregon and designed to reach out to the community her people.” My sentiments precisely… and provide answers to questions the One thing that we do know for public may have about the bond and how sure is that one of the biggest drivers the funds will be used to complete the in job creation is the small business school campus, eliminate existing debt, community. In late February we passed and provide a better learning environ- HB 2152, which allows the state’s Small ment for students. Information is being Business Development Centers (SBDC) distributed in a variety of ways, includ- to perform outreach and marketing ing direct mailings, presentations to spe- activities directly to the communities cifi c community groups, public meet- in which they reside; there are 19 of ings, fl yers, and surveys. them throughout Oregon. Currently, Remember, ALL COSTS By State Representative Brad Witt they do not have the funds to meet these needs. With this in mind, I have intro- duced two bills that promise to give low income families a leg up. HB 2570 directs the Hous- ing and Community Services Depart- ment (HCSD) to establish an Affordable Home Ownership Grant Program to pro- vide grants to eligible nonprofi t organi- zations with affordable home ownership programs. In other words, organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Commu- nity Action Teams throughout the state are to receive grants that will be dedi- cated to purchase, construct or rehabili- tate homes, and manufactured homes, for sale to persons in low income house- holds. This grant program will require the nonprofi t to create and administer a revolving fund, which will repay the grant so that these funds will be continu- ously available for the next household in need. The Department will also con- duct audits and they will require a yearly report to make sure that the monies are spent according to the established guide- lines. The second bill that I introduced is HB 2961. This bill also establishes a special fund within HCSD called the Home Ownership Repair and Rehabili- tation Program. This addresses the dire need of some folks who already have a house but it may be at risk of falling down around them. Or perhaps it just needs a new roof or some dry rot repairs so that they can stay in their home and be safe. Again, this will be a revolving fund and the amount of fi nancial assistance will be limited to $25,000 per household. Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Jim Bryson Chip Bubl Tobie Finzel Karen Miller Shannon Romtvedt Robert Schattschneider Nate Underwood Representative Brad Witt Photography 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 School Bond Committee Schedule of Informational Activities and Events incurred are paid for by the Vernonia School Bond Committee through private funds. NO FUNDS are being used from the Vernonia School District 47J budget. The following is a list of upcoming School Bond Committee events and activities: March 18, Noon to 2:00 pm On the Street Survey – We will be out on the downtown streets getting input from you and taking pictures of YES voters! March 21, 6:30 pm Presentation to the Lions Club at Mariolino’s March 22 2nd Mailout March 29, Noon Senior Citizen Lunch & Learn April 1, Noon A presentation to the pub- lic at the Cabin in Vernonia from a panel including Senator Betsy Johnson, School Board Chair Brett Costley, Vernonia School Superintendent Aaron Miller, and Jim Krahn, School Board Chair 2009 thru 2012. Scott Laird, Editor of Ver- nonia’s Voice, will be the moderator and will open the fl oor for questions. April 13, 5:30 pm Mist School Presen- tation from a panel moderated by Scott Laird from 5:30 to 6:15 (pizza being served) and School Board Meeting start- ing at 6:45 April 15, Noon to 2:00 pm Door to Door fl yer drop off and survey April 15 YARD SIGNS GO UP! April 20 3rd Mailout April 2017 Sprouts Meeting Cedar Side Inn FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Karaoke Every 2nd & Last Friday EVENTS Taco Tuesday from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Ladies’ Night every Thursday 6pm-close • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841 Sat, April 8 • 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 Third Member Sun, April 9 Texas Hold ‘em “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999
