4
letters to the editor/community bulletin board
june4
2020
Readers Lend Their Voices...
To the Editor:
I am writing to express my
deep appreciation for the support I re-
ceived during the recent primary elec-
tion. Particular thanks go to my endors-
ers, Mayor Rick Hobart, Mayor Bob
Brajcich, and Mayor Rick Scholl, and
to Presiding Circuit Court Judge Grove,
District Attorney Jeff Auxier, City
Council members Joel Haugen of Scap-
poose and Doug Morten of St. Helens,
Terry Moss, retired St. Helens Chief
of Police, and many others, including
local attorneys Mark Gordon, Diana
Shera Taylor, and Mark Lang. My heart
is filled with gratitude.
I also thank each and every
voter, for your engagement with this
vitally important judicial race. I look
forward to continuing the conversation
with you heading into the general elec-
tion this November. You will each need
to determine which candidate is most
qualified and experienced, and who will
best serve as your Circuit Judge.
Again, thank you for your at-
tention and support.
Jenefer Grant
Columbia County Circuit Judge
HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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 first and third Monday of each month. Email: scott@vernoniasvoice.
com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064.
Support our Seniors
Oregon Broadens COVID
Reopening continued from front page
This is essential to contain the virus and
prevent widespread “community” in-
fection.
In addition, they need to dem-
onstrate that Phase I reopening has not
led to spikes in cases:
• There cannot be a 5% or greater in-
crease in new cases in the county over
the previous 7 days.
• There cannot be a significant increase
in the percentage of positive cases out
of total tests taken in the county over
the previous 7 days.
Exceptions may be made if the
increase in the number of cases or per-
centage of positive test results is due to
an outbreak in a group living or work-
ing facility that has been traced and is
deemed to be under control.
In addition, Governor Brown
announced on May 31 that she asked
for and received the resignation of Or-
egon Employment Department Director
Kay Erickson. David Gerstenfeld, Paid
Family and Medical Leave Insurance
Division Director, will serve as interim
Director of the Department.
SOS DONATION
Vernonia Senior Citizens
939 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064
Office Telephone 503-429-3912
501 (c) (3) TID: #23-7422295
Donor’s Name ______________________________________
Mailing Address_____________________________________
City, State, ZIP______________________________________
_____ Enclosed is my $60 donation toward the Senior
Meal Delivery program
_____ Enclosed is my $120 donation
_____ Here is my donation for another amount $________
_____ $15/year annual senior citizen membership for those
60 years old and over
_____ You have my permission to list me as a Champion of
the SOS program (amount will not be posted)
_____ My check will serve as my receipt
OR
_____ I would like a tax deductible receipt mailed to me at
the above address
THANK YOU FOR BECOMING AN SOS CHAMPION!
The Transfer Station
is scheduled to be
open on the
nd
2 and 4 th Saturday
January - October
June 13 & 27
Currently not accepting
oversized items
(mattresses, couches, etc.)
and limiting the number
of vehicles in the yard
at one time.
“In the middle of this pandem-
ic, the continued delays from the Ore-
gon Employment Department in deliv-
ering unemployment insurance benefits
to thousands of out-of-work Orego-
nians are unacceptable,” said Governor
Brown. “This is an unprecedented cri-
sis, and the problems at the department
demand an urgent response.”
In other COVID-19 Reopening
news:
City of Vernonia is Reopening – Over-
night camping is now allowed in Verno-
nia, as is fishing from docks at Vernonia
Lake. City Hall will reopen for face-to-
face business when Columbia County
enters Phase II.
Jamboree Canceled – The Jamboree
Committee has decided to cancel this
year’s event. The Committee is work-
ing to create some fundraising oppor-
tunities to help raise resources for next
year.
Washington County Reopens June 1
Washington County was able to reopen
under Phase I guidelines on June 1.
DMV Offices Reopen DMV offices
began face-to-face transactions around
the state starting June 3. Initially, these
will be by appointment only.
State Makes Oregon Health Plan
Easier to Access As a result of the
influx of Oregonians who now need
and qualify for the Oregon Health Plan
(OHP) due to COVID-19, the Oregon
Health Authority (OHA) has taken
steps to make it easier for individuals to
sign up. OHA’s webpage for new OHP
members
(https://www.oregon.gov/
oha/HSD/OHP/Pages/Apply.aspx) now
includes a quick start guide (in eight
languages so far), as well as advice on
how new members can find their local
Coordinated Care Organization (CCO),
find a primary care provider, and make
their first appointment.
Dates are subject to change
AA Meetings
Open Meetings
Mondays & Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm
Vernonia Christian Church
410 North Street
Women’s Meeting
Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 pm
Vernonia Christian Church
410 North Street
Or find a meeting at: https://www.oregonaadistrict18.org/
Purr-fect Pals
Columbia Humane Society
Featured Dog
Stefan came to the shelter when he was
abandoned in the bushes in a carrier. We think that he is
about 10 years old. We had some concerns with him so
placed him in our Senior Cat program. It was discovered
through this program that he is in the early stages of kidney
failure, and he also has some arthritis. His kidney failure
requires a special diet and his arthritis requires a daily
supplement. This guy is so much fun though. He loves to
get pets and lie in your lap. He isn't a great fan of dogs,
however he doesn't really mind other cats. This guy needs
to be in a home where he can get all the love and attention
that he can handle.
If you think that you might be able to give Stefan
the home he needs please don't hesitate to call 503-397-
4353 or email animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org. Please
do not just show up at the shelter as he is currently being
housed at a foster home.
2084 Oregon Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
Phone: 503-397-4353
This young lady is looking to find a loving home
to call her own. She was a transfer from Columbia
County Animal Control after she came to the shelter as a
stray. We don't know about her history, but the vets think
she is about 4 years old. Mabel plays a mean game of
fetch and is really friendly with any new person she
meets. She is very treat motivated and we are working on
her dog/dog skills at this time. She is for sure going to
need a home where she can have a yard to run in and a
couch to call her own. We think she would do best with
kids that are over 12 years old. We have no idea how
she is going to do with cats.
If you are interested in meeting Mabel please
feel free to email animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org to
obtain an application for adoption. Once we have an
approved application on file we will then schedule a time
for you to come in and meet her.
E-mail: info@columbiahumane.org
Web: www.columbiahumane.org