6
city news
september7
2017
State Ethics Commission Dismisses Second Complaint
The Oregon Gov-
ernment Ethics Commission
(OEC) has informed Vernonia
City Councilor Susan Wagner
that they will not be opening
an investigation into an ethics
complaint filed against her by
David Sterner.
In a letter dated Au-
gust 28, 2017 Wagner was in-
formed that, “The Commission
did not find cause to proceed in
an investigation. The matter is,
therefore, dismissed and no fur-
ther action will be taken.” The
letter is signed by OEC Execu-
tive Director Ronald Bersin.
The complaint was
filed by Sterner on July 7, 2017
and alleges that Councilor Wag-
ner violated Oregon Govern-
ment Ethics Laws when she
took part in discussions at the
March 13, 2017 City Council
meeting regarding placement of
food carts, without announcing
a conflict of interest.
Sterner was seeking
permission to place a food cart
on City property at that time.
The City chose a different loca-
tion than Sterner had requested,
and is currently allowing food
carts to operate at the corner
of Bridge Street and Grant Av-
enue, which is located next to
Rock Creek.
According to the OEC
report on the issue, filed by in-
vestigator Michael Thornicroft,
Vernonia City News...
on the use of her property and should
not have to pay a $100 fee for the per-
mit, which only allows her to live in the
trailer temporarily for 6 months.
At the September 5, 2017 City Council
Meeting:
Topics From the Floor - Jack Harvey
expressed displeasure at the conditions
of the Lincoln School property and the
business owners there.
Jeana Gump encouraged the
Council to approve an Ordiannce that
would restrict smoking in City Parks.
Bill Langmaid asked the Coun-
cil if they had any concerns about a pro-
posed event he is planning, “The Grave-
Sterner stated in his complaint
that “Ms. Wagner’s husband
also has an interest in operating
a food cart in Vernonia...”
Thornicroft, in his re-
view of audio tapes from the
meeting, notes that during the
discussion Wagner stated, “I
would much rather, and if it
were me, and my husband is
not the person we are talking
about... he would much rather
be by the river.”
Thornicroft goes on
to report that the minutes from
the April 3, 2017 City Council
meeting reflect that Councilor
Wagner clarified, “...that she
does not have a conflict of inter-
est as no one in her family has a
Saturday, September 16,
10 am - 12 pm. Class led by
Caitlin Hunter. Bring your own
materials if you have them. If
you need materials provided or
more information, please contact
boylandknitworks@gmail.com.
Oregon Military History
Presentation
Tuesday, September 19, 6:30 - 8 pm
Presentation by Oregon Military
Historians Warren W. Aney and
Alisha Hamel. Oregon Military
History is a title in the Images of
America book series published in
October 2016.
Movie Night
Tuesday, September 12, 6 pm
showing The Perfect Game (PG)
118 min. Based on a true story, set
in 1957. A group of poor children
from Monteray, Mexico shock the
world by winning the Little League
World Series. Relax and enjoy a free
movie and popcorn at the library.
Ongoing Programs
Kids Book Group *NEW*
First meeting on Friday, October
13, 4 - 5 pm. 2 nd Friday of every
month, 4 pm. For kids and families.
Reading level and grade level
interest of titles will vary, ranging
from grades 3 - 6. Book title and
copies for October’s meeting will
was also reviewed by Assis-
tant Attorney General Amy Al-
paugh.
Sterner has also filed an
ethics complaint against Verno-
nia Mayor Mario Leonetti; the
results of that investigation are
still pending. Sterner has also
officially informed the City of
Vernonia that he intends to file
a Tort Claim that names the
City of Vernonia, City Admin-
istrator Josette Mitchell, Mayor
Leonetti, Councilor Wagner,
and Councilors Bruce McNair,
Jill Hult and Mike Seager, and
seeks $180,000 in compensa-
tion.
continued from page 5
yard Dash” on October 28. It was sug-
gested he meet with the Cemetary Com-
mittee and ask them as well.
Langmaid aslo asked Council to
approve smoking restrictions in parks.
City Recorder Stephanie Borst
read into the record emails from Wendy
Hargrave, Dennis Martin, Miranda Nut-
ting, Heidi George, Delbert Allen and
Doris Buchholz that asked the Council
to reject the Ordinance that would re-
strict smoking in parks. She also read
emails from Alisa Scott, Michelle Mo-
line and Mark Brown asking Council to
approve the Ordinance.
Council Discusses Ordinance to Re-
strict Smoking in Parks – Council
What’s Happening
at the Vernonia Library
Knitting Class: Triangle Shawl
food cart nor do they have any
interest in owning one.”
With this information
available as part of the public
record, Sterner chose to pro-
ceed and file an official Eth-
ics Complaint against Wagner
three months later.
In the final recommen-
dations in his report, Thornicroft
stated, “There is no evidence
that either Councilor Wagner or
her relative is associated with a
business, or plans to associate
with a business, that would re-
quire a conflict of interest dis-
closure in this instance.”
Thornicroft’s report is
also signed as “Approved” by
Executive Director Bersin, and
be available mid September. If
interested in the book group and
would like to be on the contact list,
call or visit the library (503) 429-
1818 or email shannonr@vernonia-
or.gov
Writer’s Group
Thursday, September 21, 6 - 7:30 pm
3 rd Thursday of every month. For
writers with all levels of experience.
Book Discussion Group
Monday, September 25, 5:30 pm
Last Monday of every month,
5:30 pm. Book selection for
September: My Abandonment by
Peter Rock.
Storytimes
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, 10:30 - 11:15 am
Songs, rhymes, books, toys, and
bubbles! For ages 0 - 3. Older
siblings welcome.
Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30 - 11:15 am
Stories and a craft/activity for
children up through age 6.
Library Hours & Contact
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 - 5
Tuesday, Thursday: 1 - 7
Saturday: 10 - 4
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov
discussed an Ordinance which would
restrict smoking or use of inhalant de-
livery devices in any form throughout
the City Parks system. According to the
Ordiannce, Parks where smoking would
be prohibited are Ora Bolmeier and
Shay Park (excluding the park parking
lots adjacent to Maple Street and Adams
Avenue.) Parks with designated smoking
areas would be Hawkins Park and Spen-
cer Park. In parks with smoke free areas
no person shall smoke within 50 feet of
any playground equipment, sports fields,
public restrooms or food preparation
areas; parks with smoke free areas are
Anderson Park, Airport Park, Hawkins
Park, Spencer Park, and Vernonia Lake.
Smoking is allowed in designated camp-
sites in campgrounds. During the discus-
sion citizens Brett Costley and Jack Har-
vey encouraged Council to approve the
Ordinance. Council took no action and
made no changes to the proposed Ordi-
nance and will have staff bring it back
for approval on September 19.
Council Approves Salary Increase for
City Administrator – Council approved
a 7% increase in salary for City Admin-
istrator Josette Mitchell. “This raise re-
flects the value of work the City Admin-
istrator has performed in the last year,”
said Councilor Bruce McNair.
Ethics Complaint Against Councilor
Dismissed – Council was informed
that an ethics complaint filed against
continued on page 11