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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2018)
community december6 2018 Bonamici Bulletin By Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici It has been exciting to start working with my new colleagues in the House. We welcomed several amazing, qualified mem- bers-elect, including many women. The diversity of the incoming members better reflects the population of our country, and their voices will help Con- gress better address the issues that matter most. I will continue working on the issues that matter most to you: climate change, affordable health care, quality public education, strengthening our work- force, and more. Averting a Climate Crisis In its latest attempt to diminish science, the Trump administration re- leased the Fourth National Climate Assess- ment on the day after Thanksgiving when they thought no one was paying attention. But make no mistake – we noticed, and we will fight for real action to protect our en- vironment. The National Climate Assess- ment is too important, and too urgent, to ignore. Without intervention, we will see heat waves, more acidic oceans, raging wildfires, unprecedented hurricanes, rising sea levels, and a surge in extreme weather patterns – all in our lifetime. Every day un- til the new Congress starts and Democrats are in the Majority, I will be sharing on Twitter important findings from the report. Please like, share, and retweet #Climate- CrisisCountdown to raise awareness about climate change and how it affects us all. Investing in On-the-Job Training Efforts to get our economy back on track have benefited some, but far too many workers are still struggling to make ends meet. This month I spoke on the House floor in honor of National Appren- ticeship Week and Women in Apprentice- ship Day to advocate for more investments in apprenticeships and work-based learn- ing programs. In Oregon, we’re leading the way. Women’s participation in Registered Ap- prenticeship programs is more than double the national average. Industry partner- ships, like those at the Oregon Manufac- turing Innovation Center (OMIC), support the creation of apprenticeship programs that benefit workers and the economy as Elusive Coastal Marten Proposed for Protection Under Endangered Species Act Concurrent proposed special rule would exempt some routine forest activities from restriction The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice is proposing to list the coastal dis- tinct population segment (DPS) of the Pacific marten as a threatened species un- der the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The coastal marten is a secretive cat- sized predator that only lives in coastal Oregon and northern coastal California. Coastal martens are stealthy hunters that lurk in dense shrub cover or areas with closed forest canopy. Major factors con- tributing to the coastal marten’s decline include loss of habitat, wildfire, and in- creased threat from predators. The coastal marten historically occurred throughout the coastal forests of northwestern California and Oregon. These mammals currently exist in four small and isolated populations with a population size that could be as low as 400 individuals or fewer. The Service evaluated stressors that may be impacting coastal marten populations, including loss of habitat, wildfire, changing climate, trapping, ve- hicle mortality, vegetation management, exposure to toxicants, threats from preda- tors and effects associated with small and isolated populations. After a thorough evaluation of the best information and data available, the Service concluded that the cumulative impact of these stressors rises to the level that the DPS warrants listing as threatened. If finalized, an ESA listing would mean coastal martens and their habitat are protected against harm (referred to as “take” under the act). However, the Service recognizes that certain forestry management activities associated with this species, while causing some take of martens, actually benefit population and are necessary for public safety. Accord- ingly, the Service is using the flexibilities inherent in the ESA to propose a spe- cial rule that would exempt certain for- est management activities from the act’s take prohibitions. Activities proposed for a whole. I stand ready to fight for policies to help more people access better-paying jobs and meet the de- mands of our local employers. Standing Up for the LGBTQ Community The Trump administration is proposing to redefine ‘gender’ in a way that would take away protec- tions for 1.3 million transgender Americans and for those who are gender non-binary or intersex. I firmly oppose these harmful efforts. Equality for everyone and the right to privacy are fundamental Ameri- can values that we hold dear as Or- egonians. I stand with those in the transgender community and will continue to speak out when anyone disrespects you or tries to silence your voice. Don’t Forget: It’s Time to Sign Up for Health Care! Open Enrollment for health insurance only lasts until December 15, so don’t miss your chance to get covered for 2019. Most people qualify for financial help and eight in ten people can get covered for less than $75 per month. Contact Congresswoman Bon- amici: Washington, D.C. 439 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-0855 Fax: (202) 225-9497 Beaverton Office 12725 Southwest Millikan Way, Suite 220 Beaverton, OR 97005 Phone: (503) 469-6010 Fax: (503) 469-6018 3 Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Superintendent Aaron Miller Photography Scott Laird Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (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 continued on page 7 FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! Cedar Side Inn Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 EVENTS • 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 Sat, Dec 8, 8:00 pm Tavern Story Time Willy Vlautin’s A Jockey’s Christmas “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 Taco Tuesday from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Ladies’ Night 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
