community
september7
2017
PCC Going Out for Bond Measure in November
living continues to climb.
• Advance training in Health and STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts
and Mathematics) programs — disci-
plines with dynamic career potential,
given continued growth in the fields.
• Upgrade safety, security, facility lon-
gevity, and disability access across the
college.
Another reason that underscores
PCC’s responsibility to deliver on these
goals: The college is Oregon’s largest
postsecondary institution, serving ap-
proximately 75,000 full-time and part-
time students in Multnomah, Washing-
ton, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia
counties. It is an educational leader with
significant responsibilities throughout
the region: PCC collaborates in myriad
ways with the state’s other community
colleges, public and private universities,
K-12 school districts, as well as work-
force, business and industry, and non-
profits, among other community part-
ners.
“Oregon relies on PCC,” said
Thorne Ladd.
Sylvia Kelley, PCC’s Executive
Vice President with oversight of the col-
lege’s bond program, added, “PCC is
charged with helping to create a stron-
ger community and economy by way of
education — training students who are
skilled and workforce ready by the time
they leave the college. In this way, PCC
contributes to the economic growth and
vitality of the region, as its graduates
succeed in high-demand, high-paying
jobs.”
Unlike the 2008 voter-approved
bond measure, which earmarked $374
million toward building renovation
throughout the district and the addition
of needed facilities — like a comprehen-
sive campus in Southeast Portland and
the Swan Island Trades Center — the
2017 bond measure is geared more to-
ward protecting and maintaining the life
expectancy of its existing physical struc-
tures, in addition to upgrading technol-
ogy needed to achieve this.
In the case of a few buildings
that weren’t touched as part of the 2008
bond measure, studies indicate the col-
lege would be best served by reconstruc-
tion to reduce costs for maintenance, en-
sure high quality instruction for students,
and enhance on-site safety and security.
If the 2017 bond measure is passed, fa-
cilities to be tackled would include the
Portland Metropolitan Workforce Train-
ing Center in Northeast Portland, Sylva-
nia Campus Health Technology Building
in Southwest Portland, Cascade Campus
Public Safety Building in North Port-
land, and the Rock Creek Campus Child
Development Center in Washington
County.
Similar to the 2008 bond mea-
sure, PCC intends to continue its suc-
cessful community partnerships in this
new bond. One example is the state’s $8
million in capital matching funds to be
put toward Sylvania’s Health Technol-
Vernonia City News...
ogy Building remodel. Another is the
2020 move of PCC’s Dental Program
and community dental clinic from the
Sylvania Campus to downtown Port-
land, to be housed in a new academic
facility alongside the Oregon Health &
Science University/Portland State Uni-
versity School of Public Health, PSU’s
Graduate School of Education, and a
City of Portland bureau.
“Local investment in higher
education, collaboration and partnership
can open doors and create incredible op-
portunities, ones that benefit the com-
munity at large because we’re pooling
our talent and resources for the greater
good,” said PCC President Mark Mitsui.
He added that through PCC’s prudent
financial stewardship, the college was
able to achieve $9.2 million in total sav-
ings to taxpayers through general obli-
gation refunding bonds.
11
continued from front page
PCC is conducting a long term, compre-
hensive study of its physical structures,
space utilization, academic programs,
and technology infrastructure. Feedback
gathered has helped, in part, to inform
and set the parameters of the 2017 bond
measure focused on workforce training,
health professions and STEAM, safety,
security and facility lifespan longevity.
“Our commitment to students
and the greater community has been at
the center of our discussions throughout
this study,” said Linda Degman, direc-
tor of PCC’s Bond Program. “The col-
lege both supports and belongs to the
community. We have a responsibility to
maintain PCC’s health and longevity so
that we’re able to deliver equitable stu-
dent success, educate our future work-
force, and contribute to Oregon’s eco-
nomic vigor and long term prosperity,”
she said.
Lions Club Raffle continued from page 9
dedicated to your family, contact Lions
Club, PO Box 43 Vernonia, OR 97064.
The Lions help individuals
as well as the community as a whole.
Their membership includes over forty
members. They do BIG projects like the
restoration of Dewey Pool and smaller
projects like placing flags and crosses
on Veterans’ head stones for Memorial
Day.
“Our fundraising gives our
people the opportunity to work togeth-
er. Bonds are formed as we try to stay
in good graces with each other. I was
invited to work one year prepping for
Jamboree. I had my first encounters
with a dozen guys and gals over a four
day experience. I really liked a couple
of them and decided to join. After sev-
enteen years I enjoy my time being with
the group ” said Lion George Tice.
If you would like to make a dif-
ference and enjoy the company of a di-
verse group, the Lions welcome you to
join. Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Tues-
days at 6:30 with dinner at 5:30 pm, at
Mariolinos.
continued from page 6
Council Approves Water Bill Adjust-
ment – Council approved a request from
Michael Gillen and reduced by half the
amount owed on his water bill for us-
age. Gillen told Council he detected a
cracked water line on his property at 293
Arkansas Avenue and repaired the dam-
D
Vernonia
Dental
DM
Council Meets in Executive Session
– Council met in Executive Session un-
der ORS 192.660 (2) (h) To consult with
counsel concerning the legal rights and
duties of a public body with regard to
current litigation or litigation likely to
be filed.
Upon returning to Open Ses-
sion, Council directed Legal Counsel to
answer an Action from the Circuit Court
of Columbia County in protest, and is-
sue a building permit to Robert Smejkal
on a lot in the Nickerson Ridge Estates
subdivision. The City had denied build-
ing permits in the development due to a
dispute over improvements the City said
were not originally completed when the
development was first constructed in
2000.
an
Council Discusses Plan to Harvest
Timber from Airport Park – Council
discussed the possibility of contracting
for a selective timber harvest at Airport
Park. Council asked the Parks Commit-
tee to work with staff to create a pro-
posal on how revenue generated might
be used.
age as soon as the leak was found.
e rm
Vernonia City Councilor Susan Wagner
by David Sterner has been dismissed
without an investigation by the Oregon
Government Ethics Commission. (See
full story on page 6.)
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