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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2018)
in other words may17 2018 3 Bonamici Bulletin By Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici This spring, high school seniors across NW Oregon are making their final decisions about what to do after graduation. For too many students the decision is fraught with financial concerns. I worked my way through commu- nity college, and graduated from college and law school with a manageable amount of debt. Many students in Oregon and across the country don’t have the same oppor- tunities now. In Congress, I’m leading the effort to modernize and update the Federal Work Study program so students can earn money in school and gain valuable work experience that will help them secure good jobs after graduation. I’ll continue to fight attempts in Congress to roll back higher education policies that support low-income students. Here’s what else I’ve been working on: Overcoming the Opioid Crisis I have met with people from all walks of life who have shared heart-wrenching stories about how the opioid crisis is taking lives and inflicting pain on Oregon families. Many people have leftover prescriptions at home that can be misused by children, family members, or friends. We must make it easier to dispose of unused medications. My Safe Disposal of Opioids Act creates a grant program to help phar- macies install and maintain drug disposal boxes - paid for by a fee on the pharmaceutical companies that make opioids. Unfortunately, the opioid crisis is too big and too complex to be solved by any single solution. In Congress, I’ll keep work- ing to hold opioid manufacturers accountable, increase drug disposal options, and secure more resources to help Orego- nians cope with the deadly opioid epidemic. Preserving our Planet, Holding Pruitt Accountable Curbing the effects of climate change will protect public health and preserve our planet for future generations. I’m on the Science Committee, and as the top Democrat on the Environment Subcommittee, I’m concerned about Envi- ronmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s ac- tions to roll back clean air and water protection, loosen vehicle emission standards, and repeal the Clean Power Plan. All of these steps are moving us in the wrong direction. Pruitt’s lav- ish spending on travel and upgrades to his office is unethical and a waste of taxpayer dollars. For the sake of future genera- tions and our planet, we need an EPA Administrator who is committed to the mission of the agency and who will make decisions using evidence-based science. For these reasons, I’ve called for Administrator Pruitt’s resignation. Economic Stability for Every Family We need an economy that works for everyone. Too many working families in Oregon are struggling to get ahead with stagnant wages and increasing costs for housing, child care, and student loan payments. Yet most of the benefits of the partisan hastily-passed tax plan go to wealthy corpora- tions and the top one percent of households. That’s not the right way to do tax reform. Our country needs smart invest- ments in good paying jobs that will rebuild our roads, bridges, schools, and communities, put people back to work, and help families achieve financial stability. Keeping Students Safe It has been three months since the tragic shooting at Parkland High School in Florida. Leaders in Washington, DC must listen to the millions of students, teachers, and parents who are demanding that Congress take action to strengthen gun laws and end gun violence’s grip on our communities. The student leaders speaking up and giving voice to their generation have inspired me. I’m bringing their call to action back to Congress and demanding that we pass legislation – starting with universal background checks. We also need to get military-style weapons off our streets and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and domestic abusers. You can find more updates about my work around NW Oregon and in Washington, DC on Facebook, Twit- ter, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also contact my Or- egon and Washington, DC offices with questions, comments, or for assistance with a federal agency. Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Chip Bubl Tobie Finzel Karen Kain Trish Smith Photography Karen Kain Scott Laird Robin Manning One year subscription (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com www.VernoniasVoice.com County to Host Hearing No Winner in County and Open House in Vernonia Commissioner Race Columbia County will have a run- off election in November, as no candidate received 50% of the vote for Columbia County Commissioner Position 2 in the primary election on May 15, 2018. Incumbent Henry Heimuller led the race and received just under 40% of the vote, garnering 4,351 votes. Current Port of St. Helens Commissioner Paulette Lichatowich will challenge Heimuller on November 6 in the run-off after receiving 3,065 votes, or almost 28% of the votes cast. Newcomer Kimberly Johns fin- ished a close third with 23% of the vote while Don Campbell received 9%. Voter turnout in Columbia County was 33%, matching the overall participa- tion across Oregonian. Commissioners to hear public comment on FY18-19 budget, meet informally with residents Columbia County commis- sioners are giving residents the oppor- tunity to comment about the County’s newest budget. The proposed bud- get, which totals $63,524,851, runs from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Residents are invited to par- ticipate in two public hearings re- garding the proposed document. The first takes place Tuesday, June 12 at 5:30 pm at the Vernonia City Hall, 1001 Bridge St. in Vernonia. After the hearing, which is expected to last a half hour, the commissioners will host one of their popular “Chat with the Commis- sioners” events at Blue House Café, 919 Bridge St. “Chat with the Com- missioners” gives residents, business owners, and others interested in local government the opportunity to talk with County leaders about any sub- ject that they feel is important. Ap- petizers will be served at the open house. Commissioners scheduled the second hearing for Thursday, June 14 beginning at 5:30 at the County Courthouse annex meeting room, 230 Strand St. in St. Helens. Budgets for the County Extension Service/4H, the Meadowview Light- ing District, and the Columbia Coun- ty Development Agency will also be reviewed at this time. NEW LOCATION Fresh Roasted Coffee espresso • baked goods Open Every Day at 6:00 am continued on page 14 Cedar Side Inn 825 Bridge Street 503-429-0214 FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Taco Tuesday from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 EVENTS Ladies’ Night Sat, May 19 every Thursday 6pm-close • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841 • Specialty hamburgers • 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks • 5 Craft beers on tap • Pool tables & satelite TV • Free Wi-fi • Beer & Kegs to go Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia DDT band Sun, June 3 Texas Hold ‘em “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999
