4
letters to the editor/community bulletin board
november1
2018
Readers Lend Their Voices...
To the Editor,
This letter is in direct response
to County Commissioner Alex Tardif’s
column in the October 18, 2018 issue of
Vernonia’s Voice.
I read with some interest your
update on your accomplishments as
a Board member. Two years is quite
a long time for you to finally realize
there are constituents who might be in-
terested in local government activities.
I am always a little suspicious of the
motives, particularly at election time.
For some reason, the County Commis-
sioners seem to operate as clandestinely
as possible without communicating
regularly with the public. Meetings at
10:00 have been an issue for years and
the criticism is well directed. For some
unknown reason, the local papers are
not sufficiently interested in your (our)
business and seldom report the Board’s
activities from St. Helens.
I note a few incomplete or un-
stated attempts to describe where the
County is headed. Such terms in the
mission include “service,” “engage-
ment,” “connection,” and “innovation.”
Without stating a few concrete actions
which will describe the intended out-
comes, you have nothing but words.
Subsequently, what are the reliable
identifiers or tangible and measurable
outcomes which would allow one to
quantify whether or not the goals have
been successful?
Tourism as a movement is re-
ally wasted time and benefits very few.
Quite simply, put an effort into improv-
ing the County parks and boat launches
which are underfunded and under-
staffed, not to mention, lack upgraded
facilities. Build it and they will come!
The rock crushing move was
noticeable in our Fern Hill/Apiary com-
munity with the reopening of the Apiary
Road quarry. We have observed and
benefited from the County’s attention to
these local secondary roads. However,
there is much more which needs to be
done to improve our County’s roads.
Just drive Pellham Hill Road if you
wish to experience a neglected road-
way.
Your comment regarding your
justification for voting against the Port
Westward rezone was simplistic at best.
Attempting to curtail or reduce fossil
fuels use is a futile exercise at our level,
but your statement about agriculture
resources in our County was question-
able. I have to ask, “What agriculture
exists in our County, today?” I know of
only a handful of farmers who can make
a living in this part of the state. We are
not Washington or Morrow County.
You report two studies present-
ly in process (tourism and internet), but
I am dubious these will solve anything.
More of the same comes to mind!
Finally, if you can only cite
a few accomplishments in your two
years, you need to get busy. Here are a
few suggestions:
1. Consider the needs of owners of for-
est properties and address them.
2. The County has abandoned any at-
tempts to control noxious weeds.
3. Most of the roads in our County need
attention.
4. Older retired citizens are simply for-
gotten.
5. Promote the Commissioner’s suc-
cesses.
6. Continue strong support for OSU
Extension.
7. Take a position on non-political is-
sues. For example: The Rainier/Clats-
kanie cemetery’s current levy request.
8. Implement a public relations pro-
gram for the Commissioners.
Paul Nys
Rainier, OR
To the Editor,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends
and neighbors. I don’t know if you have
considered, well, maybe you have, just
what the high rates of W.O.E.C. costs
you. You open your statement from
them every month and know how much
your use of power costs you.
But, have you considered the
added cost of living within W.O.E.C.
jurisdiction? Your schools pay higher
rates, eating into the stretched budget,
taking tax revenue from the classroom.
The City also uses your tax dollars to
provide all the services they bring to
you. Your money. Groceries, gas, res-
taurants, actually any business in town
passes their added costs on to the prod-
ucts you buy and the services you re-
ceive.
Also, it halts any company
from bringing their business to this
area. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a
“Cash Cow” business sharing the bur-
den? Won’t happen. Not under the cur-
rent circumstances. It’s just the truth of
it.
Vernonia’s Voice welcomes and requests your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Please
include your name, address and phone number, limit your letters to 300 words or less.
Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters
submitted. We will print letters space permitting. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Monday
of each month. Email: scott@vernoniasvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55,
Vernonia, OR 97064.
Community Track Walk - Saturday,
November 3, 9:00 - 10:00 am at the
new Vernonia Schools Track
Mist-Birkenfeld Helping Circle 83 rd
Annual Fall Festival - Saturday,
November 3, 6:00 pm at the Natal
Grange. Food, entertainment, raffle,
auctions, and festivities. (503) 755-
2346
OREGON GENERAL ELECTION DAY -
Tuesday, November 6. Ballot drop
box at the Vernonia Library, 701
Weed Avenue. Ballots due by 8:00
pm.
TOPS Group (Take Off Pounds
Sensibly) meet Fridays at the Mist-
Birkenfeld Fire Dept. 8:30 am weigh
in, 9:00 am meeting. Men and
women invited to join. (503) 429-
7505
Auction Notice
Storage Too
503-429-7867
The Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD
Board of Directors will
meet for their regular board
meeting Tuesday, November
20, 2018
at 7:00 pm
at the Main
Station, 12525
Highway 202,
Mist, OR.
D18 - 10 x 10 - Marella Goecks
Auction will be held
Noon, Tuesday
December 11, 2018
Please call prior to auction
Cash or certified check only
Lawyer in the Law Library
AA Meetings
Open Meetings
Mondays & Thursdays
6:30-7:30 pm
Vernonia Christian Church
410 North Street
Medicare Informational Meeting -
Friday, November 2, 2:00 pm at the
Vernonia Health Clinic, 1005 Cougar
Street. RSVP (503) 691-2978. FREE
58645 Nehalem Hwy. S.
Vernonia, Oregon 97064
Sally Harrison
Vernonia, OR
HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Upcoming
Events
Wills and Trusts
Women’s Meeting
Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm
Vernonia Christian Church
410 North Street
Wednesday, November 14, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Free Legal Clinic for the Public
Columbia County Law Library, 270 S. First Street,
St. Helens, OR 97051 (503) 396-5344 ccll@columbiacll.org
Columbia Humane Society
Purr-fect Pals
Featured Dog
Elsa is a 2 year old female domestic short hair
that is looking for find a new forever home.
This girl came to the shelter with her litter of
kittens, she has since been spayed, and is
now looking for that one special place to call
her own. She isn't the best about wanting to
meet new people when she is at the shelter,
but her foster family has told us she is very
loving and sweet when she isn't nervous. If you
are interested in meeting Elsa please don't
hesitate to call or email.
Ryder is as funny as he is cute. This little guy is a ball
of fire and he loves to play with other dogs, both big
and little. We would not recommend him in a home
with kids under 7 but think he would do well with kids
above that age. We also don't think he is going to do
well with kittens. This little guy isn't much for just
sitting around and waiting for things to happen. He is
a man of action. Ryder is about a year old and
weighs about 8 lbs. If you are interested in meeting
Ryder we ask that you please email us or give us a
call to set an appointment.
At CHS the health and welfare of the animals in our care is our number one priority. We are dedicated to helping our adoptive families find that one perfect fit that will
complete their family. Please email or call so that we can talk to you about your needs and wants in a new family member prior to just arriving at the kennels.
2084 Oregon Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Phone: 503-397-4353
E-mail: info@columbiahumane.org
Web: www.columbiahumane.org