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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 1995)
From page 3 in time, Hugo and others in the accounting process had to approve of each separate cash-advance. This theft was an abuse of tru st, by both Hugo and others in the Coun ty, who failed to promptly de tect or stop it. The county fi nancial officer on duty during Hugo’s theft has since retired and now, curiously, heads the political action committee to keep Hugo. Hugo did not come forward w ith his problem , but was caught when someone “blew the w histle” . A fter his sen tencing, Hugo did not volun teer his resignation. He con tinues to stay in office despite over 3,000 recall signatures. Regardless of his w eak nesses, m otives, need fo r treatm ent or treatm ent out comes, these crim inal acts are too serious a character im p a irm e n t in an e le c te d leader to go unchallenged. An elected official is held to a higher legal and ethical stan dard than one who holds a non-elected managerial job in g o ve rn m e n t o r one who works in the private sector. Elected officials are trusted to represent the interests of the people when directing gov ernment power and money. Bruce Hugo violated this ba sic trust. A sk y o u rs e lf th is : W hat would happen in the private sector if Mr. Hugo were con victed of embezzlement? Do you think that he would keep his job independent of any crim in a l p ro s e c u tio n ? You know the answer: He would be fired in a minute. I urge all citizens to vote Yes to re c a ll B ruce Hugo County Commissioner. Sincerely, Tom Madison Executive Director Columbia County Taxpayers United Scappoose Quality Parts - Professional Service Because there are no. unimportant parts™. CLOSED JULY 4TH M/e Turn Brake Drums & Rotors Logging Accessories • Files • Wedges Safety Equipment • Axes • Saws VERNONIA AUTO PARTS AND SAW SHOP • 4 2 9 -N A P A 292 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064 M other, D aughter Tea was a blessing To the Editor: The ladies of Vernonia As sem bly of God Joy Fellow ship would like to thank ev eryone that helped make the M o th e r and D a u g h te r Tea possible. F irst, e sp e cia lly D ebbie Sturdefant of the Sidetrack Cafe, for the gracious dona tion of the use of their restau rant. Debbie helped in every way she could and tolerated o u r in tru s io n s in he r busy schedule. We suggest you consider dining in her fine es tablishment and support this exciting new venture. Thanks to the Andersens, of The IN D E P E N D E N T for putting our article in the pa per; I might add, because of my inexperience, at the last moment’s notice. A ls o we w ish to th a n k M e lissa Hunt o f M ike Pihl Logging for the use of their reader board. To the Seagers of CATV Inc. for allowing us to use their cable channel to advertise our tea. We were glad to have Lin da Taylor of Rainier Assembly of God with us to share her incredible story of recovery from such a devastating auto m obile accide nt. We were blessed by the many mothers and daughters that joined us fo r th is sp e c ia l o c c a s io n . There were close to eighty present at the tea. It was truly a joy to have so many ladies from o u r great com m unity coming together in one place. We hope that everyone re ceived some small blessing to rem em ber and we are looking forw ard to another Joy F e llo w sh ip g a th e rin g sometime close to Christmas. A s th e fa ll season nears, there will be more information about this next event. Again, VERNQNIA Adult & Family Services 2nd Thursday 1 -2:00 p.m., School District Ofc. AFS 1st Wednesday 7:30 p.m., VHS Library Alcoholics Anonymous Fridays 8 p.m., 1st Baptist Church American Cancer Society 2nd Wednesday 12:30 p.m., Golf Course AWANA Clubs Wednesdays 7-8:30 p.m., Evangelical Church Boosters 2nd Wednesday 7:30 p.m., VHS Library Boy Scouts Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., LDS Church Boy Scout Parents 4th Thursday 8-9:00 p.m. WGS Cafeteria Chamber of Commerce 2nd Wednesday 7:30 a.m., Country Kitchen Community Center Project 2nd Wednesday 6 p.m., School District Ofc. Cub Scouts Tuesdays 7:00 p.m., WGS Gym Girl Scouts Thursdays 6:30-8 p.m./ Christian Church izaak Walton League 3rd Wednesday For location call 429-7193 Jamboree Committee 1st Wednesday 7 p.m., VHS library Lions Club 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., Lew’s Place MTC Training & Placement 2nd Thursday 1-2:00 p.m., School District Ofc. Nehalem Valley Car Club 1st Tuesday 7 p.m., Crazy Charlie' Oregon State Employ. Dept. 2nd Thursday 1-2:00 p.m., School District Ofc. Preschool Story Hour Wednesdays 10:30 a.m., City Library Ridge Riders Saddle Club Last Thursday 7:30 p.m., City Library Senior Center Directors 1st Friday 1 p.m., Senior Center Senior & Disabled Services 2nd Thursday 1-2:00 p.m., School District Ofc. Society of Arts & Crafts 2nd Thursday City Library, 429-7605 for time TOPS Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., 627 Adams Vernonia Cares Directors 2nd Thursday* 7:30 p.m., 627 Adams Vernonia City Council 1st & 3rd Mondays 7:30 p.m., City Library Vernonia Grange 2nd Saturday 10:00 a.m.. Grange Hall thanks to the many people that made this all possible. Sincerely, Carol Ely Women's Ministries Coordinator Assembly of God Vernonia County must keep Hugo’s experience To the Editor: C o n c e rn in g the R ecall Hugo campaign— Bruce Hu go made a really stupid mis take— but I sincerely hope the voters of Colum bia County don’t get carried away in a frenzy of retribution and end up punishing the citizens of our com m unities for his er rors! Mr. Hugo stood up and confessed his guilt; paid the mandated penalty (and more, and is now sh o w in g the courage to try to continue to do his job until we decide his fate. W ith the sp o tlig h t of in tense public scrutiny focused on Columbia County and our Commissioners, does anyone really think that any more ir regularities could possibly oc cur now? Our justice system believes that Mr. Hugo has been sufficiently punished. I hope we, as voters, can ac cept that and move forward to a rational decision about the o v e ra ll good o f C o lu m b ia County. Mr. H ugo is an e x p e ri enced and capable adminis trator, and right now we need that capability in the Commis sioner’s offices, when the oth er tw o C om m issioners are still learning about their new responsibilities. Mr. Hugo’s prior track record as an able steward of Columbia County’s resources should be recog nized; and his insights and on-the-job knowledge should continue to be available to Vernonia Planning Comm. 1st & 3rd Thursdays Vernonia Preschool Directors 1st Tuesday Vernonia Pride 4th Thursday Vernonia Rural Are District 2nd Tuesday Vernonia School District 2nd Thursday Vernonia Volunteer Firefighters 2nd Monday WOEC Directors 3rd Tuesday Mr. (Joel) Yarbor and Mr. (Bill) McDonald. Mr. Hugo’s current term of office runs for another year or so. W hen e le c tio n tim e com es, if we s till th in k we need a change in the Com m ission ers’ office, at least then we can m ake a calm and reasoned choice. I received my ballot yester day, and I put it back in the mail this morning. I urge all of you to Vote No on the recall ballot, and to return it right away. Sincerely, Dixie London Scappoose Support a crooked politician? Why? To the Editor: Commissioner Bruce Hugo has convinced some people to support him in the Recall H ugo ca m p a ig n , bu t w hat does that mean? He admitted he’s a thief. Does that mean they support a thief? If so, why? He adm itted he used his office for personal gain. Does th a t m ean th e y s u p p o rt a c ro o k e d p o litic ia n ? If so, why? I d o n ’t th in k v e ry many people in Colum bia County re a lly s u p p o rt a c ro o k e d politician who has admitted he’s a thief. Vote “Yes” ; recall Hugo. Caren McGaugh Vernonia Recall will restore Hugo’s credibility To The Editor: Commissioner Bruce Hugo is facing what is probably the most important election of his career. To restore his credibil ity as an elected official, I be- Please see page 11 7:00 p.m., City Library 7 p.m., 627 Adams 7 p.m., VHS Library 7:30 p.m., Fire Station 8 p m., School District Office 7 p.m., Fire Station 7 p.m., WOEC MIST-BIRKENFELD Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Bd. 2nd Tuesday 7:30 p.m., Main Fire Station M-B Firefighters Assoc. 1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays 7 p.m., Main Fire Station M-B Ambulance Assoc. 1st, 2nd & 3rd Thursdays 7 p.m., Main Fire Station Natal Grange 2nd Wednesday 7:30 p.m., Grange Hall COLUMBIA COUNTY (All meet in St. Helens unless otherwise noted.) Board of Commissioners Wednesdays 10 a.m., Courthouse Citizens for Senior Justice 2nd Tuesday 7 p.m., Sunset Park Church COLCO Transportation 2nd Friday 10:30 a.m., Courthouse County Council of Seniors 2nd Friday 1:00 p.m., Courthouse Columbia ESD 3rd Wednesday 7:30 p.m., 800 Port Ave. County Fair Board 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7 p.m., 4-H Bldg., Fairgrounds County Parks Commission 2nd Wednesday 7 p.m., 1054 Oregon St. Emergency Comm. Dist. 3rd Tuesday 7 p.m., Courthouse Historical Society 4th Wednesday Noon, location call 429-3713 Traffic Safety Commission 1st Wednesday 7 a.m., Village Inn •January, April, July & October only Organizations and meeting dates not listed may be included by calling 429-9410, or by mail to The INDEPENDENT, 1206 State Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064.