Page 2— Vernonia Freedom
Thursday May 14,1981
PUBLIC NOTICE
Capital punishment &housewives
To the Editor:,
I am a country housewife, mother
of three small children, and originator
of a 21,000 member Citizen’s Action
Group for Capital Punishment
Legislation.
adjoining rooms.
It was apparent some of our elected
officials had made a personal decision
on the issue without considering the
facts presented by their constituents.
As an example, several authorities
cited studies showing the deterrent
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Public Forum
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I felt honored to give testimony on
April 26, 1981 at a House Judiciary
Committee/hearing in Salem on
proposed
capital
punishment
legislation. Our witnesses were well-
prepared and included a panel of
Oregon Bar Association members, a
minister with a national radio
program who has written a book on
capital punishment, and a criminal
defense attorney who has written a
constitutionally-upheld
capital
punishment law.
During our time to speak and to
represent our neighbors’ viewpoints,
it was obvious some of the voting
members on the Judiciary Committee
were less than interested. I had
always imagined the legislature to be
made up of men and women of
integrity. I was shocked at the
rudeness of the Chairman of the
Committee as he chatted during
testimony, including mine. Further,
the Vice-Chairman of the Committee
wandered from the room continually,
pausing to chat with people in
effect of capital punishment and the
fact untold lives could be saved. Rep.
Hendrickson of Eugene preferred to
concentrate
on
the
idea
of
“vengeance”. It was unclear how the
definition of the word applied on the
subject of the evening.
Some of the Committee members
were attentive and interested. To say
that every Committee member was
rude would be wrong. We need
legislators who represent our beliefs,
such as Norm Smith, Ted Bugas, Tip
Lombard and Peter Courtney. Even
Dick Springer, who is on record as
against
capital
punishment
legislation, gave his undivided
attention.
What is the reward an inattentive
legislator should receiye?...A Medal
of Valor?... A Legislative Purple
Heart? In my opinion, it is
replacement in the very next election.
DeDi Streich
Concerned Oregonians For Justice
Sherwood, Oregon
Property tax payments
The West Oregon Electric Coop and
all other electric utilities in the
country are required to set up rules
and regulations to interconnect with
consumer-owned generators to make
use of wind and other renewable
energy sources for generating
electricity. As required by Sections
201 and 210 of the Public Utility
Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) of
1978, we will be holding a public
meeting Wednesday evening, May
20,1981 at West Oregon Electric at 7
pm to discuss; the proposed rules for
the interconnection of renewable
energy sources.
The concept of connecting these
dispersed, uncontrolled generators to
our electric distribution system raises
complex issues and questions which
require thoughtful attention. One of
the major questions is how do we
assure safety and electric protection
and avoid equipment damage and
hazards to the public, line crews and
owners of the generators.
As we enter an era of energy
shortage,
the
concept
of
interconnecting any electrical energy
source with our facilities has merit;
however, the use of small electrical
energy sources with an operating
utility system is not as simple as it
might seem. It is the UECA’s
intention to try to develop reasonable
operating procedures for these small
facilities.
If you have been
considering such a move, we welcome
you to meet with our staff people to
discuss the details of such a project.
George L. Smith
5-14
.
Manager
New city ordinances appall local dog lover
To the Editor:
As a dog lover, I was appalled to
learn of the decisions reached by our
city council with regard to the dog
control problem. The objections I am
stating,
however,
are strictly
fundamental. I would like to make
three points:
1. $500 is -comparable to a fine that
would possibly be imposed for driving
while intoxicated.
2. The parents of delinquent,
vandalizing minor children are not
fined for their behavior.
3. $500 is more than the fine for
COLCO ride policy defined
To the Editor:
It is our policy here at COLCO
Transportation to accept calls for
rides that come in at least 24 hours in
advance. As it is not only expensive
to keep the vans running but gas
costs are covered by donations as
well, we use the following suggested
donation scale: in town, fifty cents;
out-of-town four miles or more, $1;
while trips further than four miles
from town cost more. All donations
go towards insurance costs and
maintenance as well as gas.
Our nutrition program, SNAPP, is
also run entirely by donation. Meals
provided under this program cost one
dollar each with any surplus in
donations going towards other center
expenses. Meals will be served five
days a week beginning June 1, until
then we will continue serving meals at
noon Monday through Thursday.
Each donation, whether df time or
money, is deeply appreciated as it is
impossible to run the Vernonia Senior
Center without them.
We thank you.
Gertrude Schalock
Vernonia Senior Center
Vernonia Freedom
Published weekly ip Vernonia Oregon, 97064. orvThursdpysat 825 Bridge St.
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Dennis Dobson. ......................... • • • • • x v ?............................... . publisher-editor
Ann Dobson. ........................ -4 W Z Z? Z a .‘ publisher-business manager
MEMBER
429-8111
Oregon
Newspaper
Publishers
possession of: marijuana; or first
offense for possession of . small
quantities of other drugs.
Can our dog control problem
realistically be classified in the
category of any of the above
problems?
I find the city’s plan ludicrous, AT
BEST.
Ms. Patrice Lockrem
Vernonia
due May IS
The third and final payment of the
1980-81 Real and Personal property
taxes are due on May 15, 1981. They
must be paid at the tax office in the
courthouse in St. Helens or by mail. If
mailed the envelope must be post
marked oh or before May 15 to avoid
interest of One percent on the
delinquent amounts.
This is the first year that the taxes
are payable in three installments,
November 15, February 15 and May
15, previously the last payment was
due on August 15.
Many taxpayers assumed when the
state legislators
changed the
payment schedule in 1979 that the
three payments were due every four
months, this is not the case. The
intent was to eliminate the August 15
payment in order for the taxing
district to receive their portion of the
taxes collected during the fiscal year
of July'l to June 30.
Taxpayer may call the tax office at
397-0060 if they have any questions
regarding their taxes.
JUVENILE SERVICES
The Columbia County Juvenile
Services Commission met on April 29
in the conference room of Columbia
County courthouse.
Decisions were made to fund the
following proposals for the 1981-1982
year:
Boys
and
Girls
Aid
expanded family services at
$32,780.
Scappoose Alternative School at
$25,000.
, Alcohol and Drug Education in
Schools and Youth Alcohol
Information School at $1250.
Parent Training Network at
$844.
These programs will be funded with
State Juvenile Services Act funds.
The rough draft of the Columbia
County; Comprehensive Plan was
reviewed and will be submitted to the
County Commissioners for their
approval at their May 6 meeting.
Do you really want
to pay $300,000
more PUD taxes?
Since1940 the Columbia River PUD has
levied taxes numerous times on citizen's property. Mad-
dition it received approval for a $17 million bond
issue - and you still haven't received one kilowatt of PUD
electricity Now they want you to approve $300,000
more in taxes for lawyers and other costs — with still ho
power.
Haven't you had enough tax increases?
The only way you can stop it is by voting...
*
NO on the
$300,000 PUD tax
levy, May 19th.
People Opposing PUD Debt Committee. Betty Applegatë, Treasuter. 250-Belton Rd., St. Helens,OR97051