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About Vernonia freedom. (Vernonia, Oregon) 1978-198? | View Entire Issue (June 25, 1981)
Page 2— Vernonia Freedom Thursday June 25,1981 Reader sees higher costs in 47 J levy To the Editor: If the proposed scliool levy passes on June 30, and the proposed budget of $2,213,211* is approved, it will cost the taxpayers of this district, county, state, and country approximately $3,161.73* per school year (178 «days) to send one child to school« here in the Vernonia School District. That amounts to $17.20* a day and $344* a month. $344 a month just for one child! If the levy passes it will raise property homeowners taxes, whether they live in Vernonia, Mist or Birkenfeld, by over one-third and nearly double what the school district now receives. This is how much they’d actually be paying more per year if the levy passes: Assessed Value Taxes Levied $20,000 ' $125 25,000 156 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 187 218 250 281 312 376 437 500 If the taxpayers of this district cannot afford to pay more property taxes I urge them to vote NO on the proposed levy.. If the taxpayers of this district know that there is no guarantee that the federal government will reimburse them through lower income taxes I urge them to vote No on the proposed levy. If the taxpayers of this district feel that the Fed’s will give them an income tax break I urge them to vote NO on the proposed levy. (Isn’t it reasonable that they deserve a break?) Most of all, if the taxpayers of this district realize that there is a real threat to their State Property Tax Relief, absolute vote NO on the proposed levy Roberta Williams f Vernonia, Oregon ♦Most of my information was so kindly provided by the Vernonia School Superintendent’s Office. The figure of $2,213,211 was given by Mr. Parrow at the June 16 meeting. To obtain the $3,161.73 figure I divided 700 (students) into $2,213,211. Then I divided 178 (days) into $3,161.73 to obtain $17.20. I then multiplied $17.20 by 20 (assuming there are 20 days that the children go to school in a month), to obtain $344. The actual taxes levied was multiplied $6.25 by the assessed value of the property. I understand that there is some concern about the fact that I brought Congressional hearings to the State of Oregon recently. I would like to comment briefly on those concerns. I came to Congress six years ago. During all of that time I have watched my colleagues, and I am sad to say that what a lot of people think, is true—most members of Congress do seem to have an attitude of “the public be damned, we know what is best.’’ I have always figured Oregonians were different in that they did not have that sort of attitude, and did not want their representatives to have3 that attidue. So, it was with some special sadness that I note that elected Oregon representatives oppose my having held Congressional hearings in Oregon recently. I’ve always felt it is pretty important to give people—real people, everyday people—a chance to take part in government. So, in my six years in Congress, I have made it a point to bring Congressional business to the state as often as possible. In particular, I’ve made it a point to hold numerous hearings in Oregon over the years. There is a good reason for this. A funny thing happens when the only place you hold hearings is Washington, D.C. The only people you hearing from are career bureaucrats, highly paid lobbyists, or people who can afford to pay the thousand dollars it costs to fly back to Washington, stay in high-priced hotels and wine and dine their Congressman. That is who usually testifies at Congressional hearings. The result? Too often it is one-sided legislation that benefits just the bureaucrats, or the special interests...not the people. J don’t think that is right. So, I have held hearings in places like LaGrande, Corvallis, Medford and other small towns in Oregon; because, I think it is pretty important to hear what people who live and work in those towns have to say about legislation that will affect them. I have been holding hearings in Oregon for years—it is not a new development. And, by the way, it is not politically motivated. Anyone who is running for office is hardly going to try to enhance his image by travelling to LaGrande and Pendleton to talk about herbicides and wilderness. Frankly, I don’t believe my position on those issues is particularly popular with a*lot of folks in those areas. But, I believe in letting people know how I feel; and, I want to make sure I hear what the people have to say as well. At my hearings in LaGrande, last month, I heard from senior citizens, housewives, fly fisherman, teachers, farmers, small town Chamber of Commerce representatives, and dozens of other just plain folks. That is what I came to hear. And I brought the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and National Parks, John Seiberling (D- Vernonia Freedom Published weekly in Vernonia Oregon, 97064. on Thursdays at 825 Bridge St. Serving The Upper Nehalem Valley. Phone 129-8111. Subscriptions, $8 per year. Deadlines for copy and classified -advertising: Monday at 5 pm for the following Thursday's paper. . \ Deadline for display advertising: Friday for normal material and Monday for after-weekend copy. Second-Class Postage Paid at Vernonia, OR 97064. Publication No. 474-690. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Vernonia Freedom. 825 Bridge St. Vernonia, OR 97064. Dennis Dobson....................................................... publisher-editor Ann Dobson.................. a.......................................publisher-business manager Ohio), with-me. I think the people of Oregon—the real people, not the lobbyists, dr the corporate representatives—deserve no less. I doubt if many of the people who took part in my hearings will ever get a chance to go to Washington, D.C. to testify in Congressional hearings, or will ever get a chance to tell two House Subcommittee Chairman their concerns. That is why I came. Because I think it is important to hear what the people in Oregon have to say. I would like to add one other thing. I hope others share my feeling of regret that some legislators from Oregon, a state that has prided itself on openness in government, oppose my holding hearings in Oregon. People have been mad at government for a long time because government hasn’t cared enough to listen to what the people have had to say. It’s up to legislators at all levels to change this and give people reason to trust their government again. As long as those in government are saying “keep the doors shut; it’sa business as usual”, that trust may be a long time coming. I intend to work in Washington, D.C. and in Oregon to give people back their trust in government. Jim Weaver Member of Congress | I MEMBER 429-8111 THE N.V.R.P.. (swimming pool project) and the Rebekah Lodge are sponsoring the Pancake Breakfast for this year’s Jamboree. Six teenagers are needed for waitressing. They will be paid for just two hours work. Several adults are also needed. Please call Mary Self at 429-4102 if you can help out. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Chip Bubl, the Columbia County Extension Agent, will be in Vernonia every other week starting Friday, March 27. He can be reached from 9:30 am -12 noon at the West Oregon Electric Co-op. The afternoons will be reserved for farm visits. If you would like more information call 397-3462. Vernonians are .reminded once again that when they need a police officer they will get a quicker response by dialing 429-5141 than they will by trying to find an officer at home or out on patrol. Faster, more complete service will also be received by allowing the officer on duty to handle your call rather -than by disturbing off-duty officers. ST. HELENS JAYCEES The St. Helens Jay cees are sponsoring their annual Port-O-Fun celebration from June 24 through June 28 in St. Helens, Oregon. Thjs year’s activities include food and fun booths run by local civic organizations, the carnival, sailboat races, the “Fun Run” marathon, a horse show, the Jay cees beer tent featuring Dr. Korn and His Bluegrass Band, and the big parade on Saturday, June 28. The new location is along the Columbia River in Old Town St. Helens. COMMUNITY STORE MEETING Vernonia Community Store will hold their annual meeting July 14, 1981 at 7:30 pm at the Senior Center. All members aré urged to attend. The response for the clam chowder feed was fair. Fund raising events for the Vernonia Community Store are planned for Jamboree time. All monies will go for the purchase of a new scale. Mary Wohlfarth | Please renew my subscription to the Vernonia Freedom I Please enroll me as a new subscriber to the Vernonia Freedom Q One year—$8 Q Two years—$15 Q One year senior citizen (over 65)—$5 Name ___ Street_______ ■ _____________________________________ ______ City._________________ . Oregon Newspaper Publishers PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT REMINDER Weaver defends practice of hearings To the Editor: announcements _______________________ _________ Mail payment to: Vernonia Freedom 825Bridge St. Vernonia, OR 97064
