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
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622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064
phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881
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