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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2017)
4 letters to the editor/community bulletin board may4 2017 Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor. We recently wrote to the Columbia County Road Department regarding the recent tragedy that happened on April 5, 2017. There were three teens driving down Pebble Creek Road in Vernonia, when their car went down the embankment, killing one and seriously injuring two other teens. According to reports, coming in to the curve they were unable to control the car due to speed. Also contributing was the fact that there was no shoulder in the corner and the road is severely eroded. While the county is not responsible for how drivers operate their vehicle, there are some corrective actions the county could and should put in place. The main thing to fix is the undermining of the road at the corner and the consideration of placing a guardrail with reflectors to aid in visibility. We also think of benefit would be a caution speed reduction sign posted just before the corner. We believe that the Columbia County Road Department holds of value the health and well being of its residents and would thank them for their time and consideration of this concern. Leadership Class Vernonia High School, Leadership Program To the Editor, With the Port of St. Helens Executive Director Patrick Trapp recently retired and thus far no one hired to permanently replace him, it is more important than ever to elect a Port Commissioner in this upcoming election who can hit the ground running. Robert Keyser is that person. Robert served 11 years in his previous stint on the Port Commission and is willing to serve us again. His experience and knowledge are way beyond what any of the other candidates can bring to the Port. He knows the history and appropriate potential for each Port property as well as has a good understanding of the environmental expectations of the citizens of Columbia County. Robert is the only candidate that can join the Port Board of Com- missioners with a level of knowledge and expertise that will allow him to be equal to our current commissioners on day one. Especially with no current Ex- ecutive Director, it is imperative that we utilize the perfect opportunity offered to us in this election. When you receive your ballot, please join me in voting for Robert Keyser and his 11 years of experience and proven capabilities. Kathy Engel Clatskanie To the Editor, The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has selected to eliminate the Western Streams Program and the Salmon Life Cycle Monitoring Program reflected in the agencies current proposed budget reductions. Both these programs are essential components of the momentous salmon recovery efforts in motion in the North Coast Basin of Oregon. Both these programs originated under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and are deeply linked to baseline operations of numerous watershed councils performing on-the- ground salmon recovery projects and monitoring the response and vitality of native salmon populations. I have asked Representative Brad Witt to please try and preserve these ODFW programs. The loss of these programs will significantly impact the ability of the Upper Nehalem Watershed Council to continue vital actions in an effective manner. We are currently on the cutting edge of native Coho recovery and building focused investment partnerships to expand ecological upgrades essential to salmon survival long term. Our collective grassroots network of influence has measurable positive outcomes evidenced in local economy, ecology and communities we serve. Maggie Peyton Executive Director Upper Nehalem Watershed Council 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. Columbia Humane Society Featured Pet Big Boy came to the shelter as a stray in January. He is approximately 7 years old and 96 pounds. He is very affectionate and enjoys spending time with people. Big has excellent leash manners and loves car rides. He would do best in a home with no kitties or smaller children. Web: www.columbiahumane.org 2084 Oregon Street Phone: St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-4353 Email: animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org To the Editor, I was wondering if I was the only one in Vernonia that thinks the school levy is not a good deal. I must be stupid. I can’t see where increasing my taxes by $.20 per $1,000 is going to save anyone money. Maybe I’m stupid but I thought that tax payers had to pay for the matching funds. It appears to me it’s a double tax raise. One for the levy and an increase in state taxes to fund the matching funds. I realize that the state portion is spread out among all Oregon tax payers but I really get tired of those funds being “FREE.” Perhaps if all cities lived within their means like we all have to our total tax bill would actually decline instead of raising every year. I realize that the cost to residents may not sound like much. However there are a lot of folks living on a fixed income like myself. When you add all the cost of living in Vernonia an increase in property taxes suck. We as you all know have way too high utility bills as it is. Water and sewer is out of line. Electricity is ridiculous. Our current property taxes are more than I think they should be. I have lived here all my life excluding my time in the Army. 75 years is a long time. I think maybe it’s time to consider moving. Not sure how much longer I can afford to live in MY HOME TOWN. John S. Brewer Vernonia Upcoming Events Kindergarten Round-up - Thursday, May 4 at the Vernonia Schools. Please call for an appointment (503) 429-1333. P.E.O. Spring Tea - Saturday, May 6, 1:00 pm at the Cabin in Verno- nia. Entertainment, light lunch, raffle, and more. Vernonia Community Garden Group’s Spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale - Saturday, May 13, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Vernonia Schools Commons. Certified organic tomato plants, garden art, flowers, vegetable starts, native plants, and more. Annual Camp 18 Logger’s Memorial Dedication & Logging Exhibition - Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am at the Camp 18 Logging Museum, MP 18 Hwy 26, Elsie, OR. (503) 434-0148 Bingo & Chicken Dinner - Saturday, May 13, 5:00 - 8:00 pm in the Vernonia Schools Commons. Benefits Class of 2017 All-Night Grad Party. Concert with CMT Nashville artists Crosby Lane - Saturday, May 13, 7:00 pm at Grace Family Fellowship, 957 State Ave. Pet Fair - Saturday, May 20, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at Creatures Pet Shop, 998 Bridge St, Vernonia. Benefit for the creation of the Ivy Street Dog Park. EMS BBQ - Monday, May 22, 6:00 pm at the Vernonia Fire Station Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Look for our next issue out May 18. Junior Salmon Auction - Thursday, May 25, 6:30 pm in the Vernonia Schools Commons. Contact Diana Peach at (503) 429-7919 Public Certification Test and Drop Sites for the Special District Election to be held Tuesday, May 16, 2017 The last day to register to vote in this election is April 25, 2017. Ballots will be mailed beginning April 26, 2017. The Public Certification Test of the counting equipment for the Oregon Special District Election to be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. The testing will begin at 10:00 am in the County Elections Department. The public is welcome to attend. Ballots must be received by the county clerk no later than 8:00 pm on May 16, 2017 - postmarks do not count. The U.S. Postal Service has stated that ballots could take up to 5-7 days to reach county elections offices once they are put in the mail. It is advised that if you can not put your ballot in the mail before May 11, 2017 you should plan on returning your ballot to a dropsite. Drop sites for the election will be as follows: VERNONIA LIBRARY 701 Weed Avenue May 1-15, During Library Hours May 16, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm RAINIER CITY HALL 106 B Street West May 1-15, During Office Hours May 16, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm CLATSKANIE LIBRARY 11 Lillich Street May 1-15, During Library Hours May 16, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm SCAPPOOSE CITY HALL 33568 E. Columbia Avenue A 24-hour Drop Box is located at this address MIST BIRKENFELD RFPD 12525 Highway 292 May 1-15, During Office Hours May 16, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm COUNTY COURTHOUSE ELECTIONS DEPT. 230 Strand Street St. Helens, OR 97051 Mon. – Thu. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm May 16, 7:00 am - 8:00 pm A drive-by drop box is located in the lower parking lot.
