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.