community
february20
2020
17
It’s a Busy Time in Salem continued from front page
to reduce Oregon’s carbon output.”
A Cap and Trade program
would encourage businesses to be-
come more efficient by reducing
emissions, or pay someone else to
reduce emissions by purchasing car-
bon allowances. Initially allowances
would be sold by the state, creating
funding for state programs to reduce
emissions, and then businesses could
buy, sell, or trade allowances with
each other. The program is based on
California’s model, enacted in 2012,
which has raised $12.5 billion, used
to offset electric car purchases, solar
installations, and public transit. How
much California’s program has re-
duced carbon emissions is unclear.
Witt said he thinks there has
been a “rush to judgement” by Dem-
ocrats in both the House and Senate,
and expressed concerns that the leg-
islation is being moved through com-
mittees without proper hearings. “I
think the process stinks,” said Witt
candidly, “and the legislation is the
wrong model. There are much sim-
pler, faster, and less bureaucratic
ways to reduce carbon in this state.”
Witt says he has proposed
amendments to the legislation,
which, because of the rush to bring
it to a vote, have not been properly
drafted or considered. He said he
believes if Cap and Trade legislation
fails this session then there may be
an opportunity to get legislators to
consider alternatives. “It’s felt like
the hearings have been perfunctory
and there has been no tolerance for
a different model. Maybe it’s go-
ing to require a political disaster for
folks to be willing to consider alter-
natives. If that were to happen I’ll
be prepared to offer up true carbon
reduction, that is focused on carbon
reduction and not a securities and ex-
change endeavor.”
“Let there be no doubt that
leadership has had one single model
in mind and it has been almost im-
possible to get past that,” said Witt,
noting that he believes there are a
handful of other Democrats who feel
the same way he does. “Right now
I don’t think they have the critical
mass to pass Cap and Trade.”
One thing is sure – there
will be plenty of tension in Salem
during the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, on February
10, Oregon Governor Kate Brown
announced an historic agreement
between representatives from the
state’s forest industry and major en-
vironmental groups to chart a collab-
orative course toward meaningful,
science-based forest management in
Oregon. The agreement might sig-
nify a step toward a new era of coop-
eration, leaving behind the conflicts
of the past.
“This pact proves that when
we work together with a willingness
to compromise, we can create a bet-
ter future in Oregon,” said Governor
Brown. “Oregonians want healthy
forests and fish, a vibrant forest sec-
tor, and prosperous rural communi-
ties. These are not mutually exclu-
sive goals.”
I asked Representative Witt
his thoughts on the agreement. “It’s
always good when people sit down
and try to negotiate away their dif-
ferences in the interest of solving
problems, so this was exceedingly
encouraging,” he said.
The signed memorandum
of understanding (MOU) addresses
three key issues. It will:
• Drive a process for Oregon to up-
date its timber practices that are pro-
tective of threatened and endangered
species, including Oregon’s iconic
salmon, while allowing Oregonians
to continue their long tradition of
working in the woods.
• Support passage of new legislation
for the 2020 session on aerial spray-
ing of pesticides so forest neighbors
can receive real-time notification that
aerial spraying will occur, and ex-
pand protected spray buffers around
drinking water, homes, and schools.
• Expand forest stream buffers in the
Rogue-Siskiyou region, aligning for-
est practices in the area with those of
the rest of western Oregon.
With this MOU, both sides
have agreed that all forestry-related
initiative petitions and related litiga-
tion will be dropped after the passage
of the legislation this session. Envi-
ronmental organizations were poised
to place three citizen initiative bal-
lot measures before voters this fall,
including the Oregon Forest Waters
Protection Act, which, if enacted,
would have increased logging stream
buffers and limited logging in high
landslide areas, while minimizing
the impact on small tract landown-
ers. It would have also eliminated
conflicts of interest by members of
the state Board of Forestry and ad-
dressed aerial spraying, which the
agreement will attempt to address
through legislation.
“This MOU is shared rec-
ognition of the diverse benefits
Oregon’s forests provide, and the
need for more meaningful dialogue
around forest issues across the state,”
said Greg Miller, long-time timber industry
executive and representative of the coali-
tion of forest companies. “Now as we move
forward into a new era of cooperation and
transparency, forest policy should continue
to rely on the best available science.”
“It’s taken several decades of both
sides bloodying each other into submission,
but that submission is better than the con-
tinued war,” said Witt. Witt worked in the
forestry industry as a union rep before he
became a legislator, and has served on the
Oregon Board of Forestry, the Oregon Wa-
tershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), and
the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. “For-
estry is an arena that is very important in this
state and very important to me personally,
and water issues are probably where my fo-
cus is when I look at what needs to change
around forestry practices. I think we need to
be focused on science and how to transmit
that science to sound and sustainable public
policy.”
Bridge Street Bits
By Karen Miller
VALENTINE’S DAY and President’s
Day have come and gone in
this month of February 2020.
This means all the closer to mid
summer when our new Senior
Building/Food Bank is slated
to open. I hear the buzzing of
excitement around town.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT for news
when Rick and Linda Hobart’s
new shuttle van will be making
its maiden run. Nehalem Valley
Shuttle, LLC! More and more our
town will be on the map with
senior happenings. Hope you are a
part of it and thank you to all who
are making this a reality.
customer card and start working
toward extra savings.
“Birthday Club” Fill out our
birthday card and receive a ONE
time 50% discount on your entire
purchase during the month of your
birthday. Questions call (503) 429-
3912
CABIN in VERNONIA rentals may
be made by calling (503) 300-9006
(formerly the Scout Cabin)
A WONDERFUL GROUP OF LADIES
representing past and present
Columbia County My Fair Lady
Court enjoyed a luncheon put
on by our Senior Center Board at
the Cabin in Vernonia, including
Vernonia’s own: Necia Dewitt,
Tobie Finzel, MaryAnn Shaw and
THERESA’S THRIFT STORE NEWS:
Deloris Bellingham, pictured.
Come in and check out weekly
specials. Some are ongoing, others Some other beloved Vernonia
ladies were unable to attend but
are daily surprises… check it out
on our facebook page, Bargains on will be spotlighted in a future
article.
Bridge Street.
“Frequent Flyers” Come
in and fill out a frequent flyer
Till next time.
See ya’ around town.
Vernonia Senior Center
939 Bridge Street • (503) 429-3912
Church Directory
Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Sunday Schedule:
Sacrament Meeting: 10:00 am
Sunday School & Primary: 11:20 am
Relief Society, Priesthood and
Young Women: 12:10 pm
Roger Cook, Branch President
1350 E. Knott Street
503-429-7151
Grace Family Fellowship
Sunday School: 9:00 am
Worship Service: 10:30 am
Thursday Prayer: 6:00 pm
Greg “Mac” McCallum, Pastor
957 State Avenue
503-429-6790
Nehalem Valley Bible Church
Sunday School: 9:45 am
Worship Service: 10:45 am
Tues. Ladies Bible Study: 9:30 am
Wednesday Service: 7:00 pm
Sat. Men’s Prayer Meeting: 6:30 am
Gary Taylor, Pastor
500 North Street
503-429-5378
Open Door Gathering Place
Service: Sunday 6:00 pm
Grant Williams, Pastor
375 North Street
503-702-3553
Bible Study:
Sunday 9:00 am at Mariolino’s
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Sunday Mass: 12:00 pm
Fr. Josh Clifton, Administrator
960 Missouri Avenue
503-429-8841
Vernonia Christian Church
Sunday School: 9:45 am
Worship Service in Youth &
Family Center: 10:00 am
www.VernoniaChristianChurch.org
Sam Hough, Pastor
410 North Street
503-429-6522
Vernonia Seventh-day Adventist Church
Sabbath (Saturday) Services
Sabbath School: 9:30 am
Worship Service: 11:00 am
www.VernoniaSDAC.org
Larry Gibson, Pastor
2 nd Avenue and Nehalem Street
503-429-8301