community news
april16
2020
5
Senior Meals Program Struggles During Shutdown
Senior citizens everywhere are struggling dur-
ing the current shutdown and Stay at Home orders.
They are some of most vulnerable citizens, especially
susceptible to COVID-19.
Many senior citizens who are homebound are
able to receive some assistance in the form of home
delivered meals.
In Vernonia those meals are delivered through
a program sponsored by the Vernonia Senior Center.
Currently there are 12 senior citizens in Vernonia re-
ceiving a midday meal, delivered Monday through Fri-
day each week by local volunteers. Meals are free
to qualified seniors, who can apply for the program
through Community Action Team (CAT). Seniors must
live within a two mile radius of Vernonia. The pro-
gram has been funded through income the Senior Cen-
ter makes from their Bargains on Bridge Street thrift
store, their main source of income.
“They are not truly free as the senior center
pays the cost aside from a small (less than 25%) reim-
bursement from USDA,” says Senior Center Treasurer
Tobie Finzel. “We normally make up the difference
with thrift store proceeds. With the store closed due to
the Oregon closure mandate, we are more than ever de-
pendent on donations from the community.”
The cost to keep the Home Delivered Meals
Program operational is significant for the Vernonia Se-
nior Center. Currently the meals are prepared by local
restaurants, because the Senior Center does not have
their own facility and kitchen. The prepared meals cost
$6 each. At over 200 meals each month, that adds up to
well over $1,200. The Senior Center receives $100 per
month from CAT to run the program. Reimbursement
from USDA is only $1.25 for each meal. That leaves
the Senior Center to cover about $1,000 each month,
with no current income.
If you are in a position during this difficult
time, and would like to help the Vernonia Senior Cen-
ter’s Home Delivered Meals Program, please send a
check to Vernonia Senior Citizens at 939 Bridge St.,
Vernonia, OR 97064. (Please note on the check your
donation is for the Home Delivered Meals Program.)
“We are totally grateful to our volunteer driv-
ers who deliver these meals, day in and day out, year
round,” added Finzel.
To apply for Home Delivered Meals contact Mandy at
Community Action Team (503) 397-3511. You can also
call and leave a message at the Senior Center (503)
429-3912.
Columbia County Commissioner Candidates –
Answers to Questionnaire for May 19 Election
ing as Columbia County’s budget offi-
cer the past three years has provided the
opportunity to dive deep into the county
funds and develop a long term strategic
financial plan that provides a road map
for financial sustainability. I’m commit-
ted to you and continued responsible
stewardship of county spending. The
people of this county deserve a respon-
sible, transparent and accountable com-
missioner that will continue to make the
needs of this county top priority, I am
that candidate.
Casey Garrett: I’m Casey Garrett and I
am running for Columbia County Com-
missioner Position 3. I have lived in
Saint Helens for the past 14 years and
was raised outside of Scappoose in the
heart of Chapman.
I have nearly 20 years work
experience in the private sector, plus 5
years working in government adminis-
tration. For over 15 years I have man-
aged complex operations, projects and
schedules, and multimillion-dollar bud-
gets. I have a track record of success and
know how to navigate government pro-
cesses. I have led efforts to make dras-
tic changes within the county’s General
Services Department, proving we can do
better. I take a hands-on approach and
am never afraid to get my boots dirty.
I take great pride in the history
of our County and want to do everything
I can to make it an even better place for
our residents, workers and visitors. I am
active in our community and have vol-
unteered thousands of hours of my time
to support local causes. As your County
Commissioner I will work tirelessly to
manage public resources responsibly
and make the absolute most of what we
have.
2. What do you think are some posi-
tive things, or things that are going
well in the County?
Position 1
Stockwell: This year in particular has
shown us the importance of having high
speed internet available to those within
our County. High speed internet is cru-
cial for businesses within our county to
compete with others in their industry,
and also opens up opportunity for many
residents in our county to start online
businesses, or even work from home
opportunities while still residing in our
great County. While high speed internet
is important, it is also equally important
that the steps to implement this across
our county is approached in a logical
manner with an ever vigilant eye on
reducing costs and working with ven-
dors and grants to help shoulder those
expenses and prevent it from becoming
a financial drain as some counties have
found implementation to be.
Magruder: There are very positive
things happening on the economic de-
velopment front with Columbia County
commissioners and staff, the various cit-
ies, State Senator Betsy Johnson, State
Representative Brad Witt, the Port of
Columbia County, the Columbia County
Economic Team (CCET), business/in-
dustry leaders, and educational institu-
tions working together to bring desirable
jobs, training, and an increased tax base
to our county.
The development of the Or-
egon Manufacturing Innovation Center
(OMIC) in Scappoose is continuing with
Portland Community College (PCC) in-
creasing its commitment with the recent
groundbreaking of its new training cen-
ter on the OMIC campus.
The Port of Columbia County
is working with Perry Institute, an out-
standing vocational school based in Ya-
kima, to site a second campus in south
Columbia County.
The NEXT Renewable Fuels
proposal for Port Westward near Clats-
kanie will produce recycled green en-
ergy biofuels and will employ hundreds
during the construction process and over
200 permanently. NEXT will NOT use
the railroad.
Working under CCET, the Co-
lumbia County Tourism Initiative has
involved business people and public
agency representatives in developing a
plan to capture tourism dollars by im-
proving and promoting our waterways,
trails, parks, and other natural and cul-
tural assets.
Dudzic: Some positive things in our
County are:
• The Columbia County Family Treat-
ment Court Program has performed so
well that Oregon HB4040 was mod-
eled after its success. This is proof that
even a small county can be a trailblazer
in providing solutions for state or na-
tional problems.
• Columbia County’s road mainte-
nance crew provided critical support
to Umatilla County after catastrophic
flooding in February.
• PCC’s new workforce training cen-
ter and their partnership with OMIC.
Investing in local education that then
produces quality jobs is highly prefer-
able than continuing to place costly (and
failing!) bets that some mega-industry
will come in and solve all our problems.
• In the wake of Covid-19, residents of
all ages are showing up for each other in
some remarkable ways. I have seen the
distribution of food, donations, the cre-
ation of thousands of masks, and other
very creative ways of showing concern
for each other – many times, with folks
refusing to accept payment for their of-
ferings.
As your county commissioner, I
will take that mighty spirit of resiliency
with me to local government policy cre-
ation. Local government channels paired
with someone with political will to do
the right thing presents a critical oppor-
tunity to shape our future.
Mayo: Vernonia is becoming a destina-
tion for a growing community of bicy-
clists. With the paved, Banks to Verno-
nia bike path, more and more people are
coming out on weekends and discover-
ing Vernonia.
The West Oregon Electric facil-
ity and other new construction greets all
coming into Vernonia on Hwy. 47 and
speaks well for the community.
Next Adventure, a sporting and
rental shop with a strong Portland con-
nection has generated a tremendous
amount of Portland customers in rental
kayaking from their leased facility at
Bayport Marina. They need an expanded
facility. It would be great to see them
start another outlet in downtown St. Hel-
ens for access to the mouth of the Lewis
River and Sand Island.
Downtown Rainier is getting a
continued from page 3
complete makeover with the upgrades
of parking, curbing and landscape. The
family businesses will certainly benefit
once the project is complete.
The new Grocery Outlet and
the Dollar Store in downtown Rainier
are a welcome addition. There was no
grocery store in Rainier. Not only is
Grocery Outlet a beautiful store, it is
well stocked, even during the pandemic.
Teevin Brothers sort yard and
the barge loading facility are adding in-
dustrial activity with each passing year.
Projects like these will make
Columbia County thrive.
Position 3
Correll: I do like to start with the positive
aspects to any situation. After making
Columbia County my home for most of
my life, I can honestly say, our beautiful
rural setting brings me joy each day, and
I couldn’t ask for a nicer group of friends
and neighbors. These are the reasons my
husband and I talked about local politics
– to figure out how to give back to our
community. The Oregon Manufacturing
Innovation Center (OMIC) Research &
Development Center and its affiliated
PCC Training Center near Scappoose are
a prime example of a grand improvement
in the area. I see new single family homes
and apartments being built throughout
the county, along with new schools.
People are enjoying the recreational
opportunities available to them. Before
the COVID-19 pandemic, our economy
was doing very well; only the future will
tell if it will be able to get back to where
it started quickly. I hope so! It seems that
continued on page 6
The Transfer Station
is scheduled to be
open on the
2 nd and 4 th Saturday
January - October
April 25
May 9 & 23
Dates are subject to change
Currently not accepting
oversized items
(mattresses, couches, etc.)
and limiting the number of
vehicles in the yard at one time.
Vernonia City
Council Meetings
and Closures
Please check the City’s website
for details on upcoming
City Council Meetings
scheduled for 7:00 pm:
Monday, April 20, 2020
Monday, May 4, 2020
www.vernonia-or.gov
City Closures are scheduled for:
Monday, May 25, 2020
Memorial Day Holiday
Dates and times subject to change