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
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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