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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2022)
October 20, 2022 V E R N O N I A’ S Volume 16 Issue 20 Reflecting the spirit of our community www.VernoniasVoice.com Bonamici Tours Vernonia Murals U.S. Congressperson Suzanne Bonamici visited Vernonia on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 and took a walking tour of the down- town to see the results of the Travel Oregon tourism grant which funded eight downtown murals, and other downtown improvements; there are 12 murals now around Vernonia’s downtown core. Congressperson Bonamici met with Ver- Free Green Bridge Upgrades Complete nonia Mayor Rick Hobart, City Administra- tor Josette Mitchell, and citizen Rachael Or- gan who initiated and coordinated the mural project on behalf of the community, in the courtyard outside Islands Grill next to the Brunsman Building; the courtyard renovation project also received funding from the grant. “This is such a great space,” commented continued on page 7 ODOT has finished repairs to the Nehalem River Bridge, including straightening bent steel beams, replacing rusted rivets and bolts, and a new paint job! Above: (L-R) Vernonia City Administrator Josette Mitchell, Executive Director of the Portland Street Art Alliance Tiffany Conklin, Rachael Organ, and Mayor Rick Hobart hosted a tour of Vernonia murals for Congressperson Suzanne Bonamici. VHS Fall Sports Report Candidates Respond to Questionnaire for November 8, 2022 Election Four candidates are running for election to Vernonia’s City government. Rick Hobart is running unopposed for re-election as May- or. Current City Councilor Dale Webb is run- ning for election and is joined by Susan Wag- 7 Understanding Your Property Tax Statement 8 The Keasey Ghost 11 Meet the Exchange Students www.VernoniasVoice.com ner and Charlie Kibben; all three are running for two seats on the City Council with the two receiving the most votes earning the seats. The following are responses to four questions Vernonia’s Voice sent to the four candidates. Their responses are printed in full, with no edits. Two candidates, Kelly Jo Smith and Kelly Niles, are in a run-off for Position 3 on the Columbia County Board of Com- missioners. Following the City Council re- sponses we are reprinting the Commissioner candidates responses to our questionnaire for the May 2022 primary election. 1. Please introduce yourself, tell us about your qualifications or background, and why you are running for office. (250 word limit) Rick Hobart – I am currently running un- opposed for my third term as Mayor of Ver- nonia. I grew up in a small town called Cha- grin Falls in Ohio and in 1973, came to visit my uncle, Dr. T.M. Hobart here in Vernonia. I still remember how awe struck I was when we made the turn down the main street for the very first time. The western store fronts, the antique style streetlights, and the small- town charm became a welcoming vision I will never forget. My reason for running for another term is simple, I love Vernonia. I always have continued on page 3 Cross Country – Draeger is Back as Team Pre- pares for Districts On October 13 Vernonia hosted the Vernonia Invitational with 14 high schools and 12 middle schools participating. The highlight for head coach John Roady’s teams was the return of junior Del- aney Draeger from an ankle injury that had kept her from training for several weeks. Draeger didn’t disappoint, finishing 2 nd in a fast time of 19:53. Following the race Draeger said her ankle felt fine but her conditioning was off, which was a good sign with the District Meet and qualifying for the State Championship just two weeks away. Drae- ger was followed by exchange student Marlene Lieblang in 13 th place in a time of 22:58 and junior Eloise Pedersen in 19 th place in 22:13; both were Personal Records (PR). Junior Trinity Weber in 36 th place and exchange student Elli Linkmann in 46 th rounded out the scoring for the girls. Both the girls and boys squads finished in 5 th place in team scoring. The boys were led by senior Seth Scheuerman in 7 th place with a PR of 17:53, fol- lowed closely by sophomore Cannon McLeod in 8 th , also with a PR and just missing the 18:00 mark. Senior Evan Miller was the third scorer for the Loggers finishing 18 th overall in a time of 19:15. Senior Peter Hahn came off the football field and ran a season best of 19:56, followed by At the Vernonia Invitational on October 13 freshman Konner Van Lom in 21:00 and Delaney Draeger (above) finished 2 nd in the girls race, Seth Scheuerman (below right) 39 th place. In the middle school races, finished 7 th , and Cannon McLeod was 8 th . which run a 3k course as op- posed to the high school 5k, Addie Draeger finished 4 th in a time of 12:55, followed by Charolette Schlegel in 25 th place, Nova Gleason in 35 th , Sunny Organ in 37 th , and Sa- brina Pedersen in 41 st . For the boys, Jacob Roady finished in 17 th place in a time of 12:35, and was followed by Vincent Pedersen in 18 th , Kylan Van Lom in 23 rd , Joseph Roady in 36 th , and Grady DeWitt in 39 th . At Regis on October 6, the Loggers competed against 30 schools with the boys fin- continued on page 12
