Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2017)
community news june1 2017 5 Salem Report Vernonia Police Blotter • May 17-31, 2017 • May 26, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Jefferson Avenue Reports Taken/Arrests • May 18, 2017 Report of property damage near North Mist Drive • May 20, 2017 Arrest for Violation of Probation, Reckless Driving, and Driving While Suspended near Rose Avenue • May 20, 2017 Report of Criminal Mischief near Rose Avenue • May 22, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Jefferson Avenue Citations/Other • May 16, 2017 Cited for No Operator’s License and No Insurance near Nehalem Hwy. S. • May 28, 2017 Cited for Expired Registration near East Avenue • May 29, 2017 Cited for Driving While Suspended near Grant Avenue Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 05/01/2017 through 05/31/2017 VPD had 342 calls for service. Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures The Vernonia Transfer Station is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday from 8am-2pm City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, June 5, 2017 Monday, June 19, 2017 June 10 & 24 July 8 & 22 City Closures are scheduled for: Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Independence Day Holiday Dates and times are subject to change due to weather Dates and times subject to change DM D Vernonia Dental an I have always encouraged my con- stituents to contact my office when they feel strongly about an issue that is mak- ing its way through the legislative process. Getting feed- back from the district helps inform my decisions when it comes time to vote. Email makes contact really easy, and this session, we have had a record number of letters in the inbox. Some are personal, and I like those; others are form letters sent via organizational websites. These are less helpful, never- theless I take note of them all knowing that, regardless of the vehicle, you have felt deeply enough to send it along. I thought I would take this opportunity to share why some people are writing to their state representative. As you may know, Southern Oregon was the site of considerable in- stream mining for precious metals until January 2016, when a moratorium was placed on the use of motorized suction dredging in some streams essential to indigenous salmon and bull trout habi- tat. This became particularly important when California closed their streams to suction dredge mining, and recreational miners came across the border to contin- ue that activity. SB 3A lifts the current moratorium but puts in place specific permit conditions regarding motorized in-stream placer mining. In a nutshell, it stipulates that in the streams where there is sensitive, protected fish habitat, you cannot mine. In all other streams, you CAN mine, though of course you must obtain a permit and mine respon- sibly. This bill is the product of several years of work by groups including the Tribes, state and federal agencies, the environmental community and the min- ers. It is a tribute to the late Senator, Dr. Alan Bates, who worked tirelessly to reach consensus on this issue so im- portant in his district. Another bill of interest is SB 964, which allows hospitals in Oregon to grant, refuse or revoke hospital privi- leges to Physicians Assistants. Many of us use a PA these days, but current state law limits admitting privileges to only physicians and nurse practitioners. This strict interpretation creates a great- er burden on those responsible for pa- tient care and it does nothing to benefit the patient. As health care continues to evolve, this bill permits hospitals and clinics to be responsive to the needs of their patients in a timely and cost effec- tive manner by allowing a PA admitting privileges. Many of you have also writ- ten me with strong feelings about the fate of the Elliott State Forest. You’ve made it clear that you want this beauti- ful resource to remain in public hands. The State Land Board, consisting of the Governor, the Treasurer and the Secre- tary of State, manages these and other state forests, and their mandate is to do so in a manner that will provide funds for the Common School Fund. In re- cent years, logging has been severely restricted, and managing the Elliott has been a net money-loser. It appears that the State Land Board has now come to an agreement to retain the Elliott in public hands, but still to be decided is how to decouple this asset from its school funding obligations. Stay tuned as we are only half way there. Finally, we have received a ton of letters on SCR 18, the Resolution that would change the state bird from the Western Meadowlark to the Osprey. As background, the Meadowlark was chosen as the state bird in 1927, by school children across the state in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audubon Society. All of our letters have been adamantly opposed to a change; or if a change is to be considered, you have indicated that it should be accomplished once again by the children of Oregon. I couldn’t agree more. The bill passed the Senate, with our esteemed Senator e rm By Representative Brad Witt continued on page 9 Reserve Police Officer Job Announcement The Vernonia Police Department has openings for Reserve Police Officers. In- terested citizens can obtain an application and complete job description in per- son at the Vernonia Police Department. Minimum qualifications include, but not limited to: must have a high school diploma or GED; must be at least 21 years of age and be a U.S. Citizen; have a valid Oregon driver’s license; be able to pass a criminal background investigation; and pass medical and psychological evalu- ations. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Chief Michael Conner (503) 429-7335 ext. 110. . Dr ri h C s he p to r M . S e ch u 622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881 TOO BUSY? Call your LOCAL bookkeeper R Y OLL A P PLUS LLC Edi Sheldon 503-429-1819 edisheldon@gmail.com Licensed tax consultant • Full service payroll Personal & small business bookkeeping • QuickBooks assistance CORPS, S-CORPS, LLC, Partnerships • Personal one-on-one service LTC #29629 - Oregon licensed tax consultant RTRP #P00448199 - designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information on tax return preparers, go to www.IRS.gov. Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks available 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 10-6 Tue-Sat 12-4 Sun