The INDEPENDENT, October 18, 2000
Letters to the Editor:
Between ths Bookends
By Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
This past year has to have been the most re
warding year in history for those associated with
Vernonia’s library. The fulfillment of a dream was
realized with the completion of the new building
in September, 1999, and the first anniversary of
its inhabitance has just been celebrated. It has
been an exciting year of “firsts”, of accomplish
ments, and of successes.
For the first time in Vernonia, the library has
its very own space in a completely separate
building. This has enabled artists to display their
artwork and to conduct demonstrations of their
work. Organizations have been able to hold their
meetings in the library’s meeting room. Comput
ers have been utilized by patrons and computer
classes have been taught.
For the first time Summer Reading and other
youth related activities have had adequate
space for large turnouts. Students have found a
suitable place to study and to do homework. Li
brary hours have been increased to 35 a week,
including two evenings, to better serve library
patrons. Discarded or duplicate books may be
purchased for a minimal price with the proceeds
used to supplement the book budget. Copies
may now be made or items laminated in the li
brary. The library’s new automated search sys
tem now allows patrons to find titles and authors
with the click of a mouse. Most importantly, the
library’s materials may now be displayed attrac
tively for patrons to access easily.
Accomplishments of this past year include the
move (undertaken almost entirely by volun
teers), purchasing and installing furnishings for
the building (using money obtained from the
Margaret Thiele Petti Foundation and volun
teers), and purchasing and activating the new
automated library program (again, money de
rived from MTP Foundation with work being
done by volunteers).
Some of the successes may be expressed in
numbers. For example, circulation has in
creased by 41-percent in the past year and 4850
items have been entered in the computer to be
electronically accessed. One-hundred twenty-
nine new library patrons have been added since
Hyde listened, then
delivered help
To the Editor:
Last year, I built a new
house near Vernonia. I was re
quired to post a $500.00 bond
with the County Road Depart
ment so that I could wait until
after construction of the home
before paving the driveway ap
proach.
I paved the driveway ap
proach when construction was
completed. The road depart
ment inspected and approved
the work. I asked them to send
my $500.00. “We don’t do
things that way. You have to
comb in, sign a paper, take it to
the County Clerk, get it
stamped and take it to the
cashier to get reimbursed.”
I had posted the bond, did
the work to their satisfaction
and then they wanted me to
spend half a day running
around getting my money
back. That did not make any
sense to me and I told them as
much and asked why? Their
response, “That is just the way
we do it.” I said, “If you had a
good reason, I would come in,
but since you do not, I will call
someone and see what can be
done about it." The discourte
ous response, “Suit yourself.”
I called our Commissioner,
Mr. Tony Hyde. He listened
Page 3
September 1,2000. There are currently 65 fam
ilies residing outside the city limits of Vernonia
registered as library patrons.
Other successes can only be measured in
comments one hears about the atmosphere in
the library or convenience of its materials or
about the appropriateness of the tile mural in the
entryway or about the ease and attractiveness
of the automated search. A patron recently said,
“I just can’t get over how wonderful the new li
brary is...the heat came on while I was looking
for books and it reminded me of how it was in
the old building.” Coming to work every day in
the new building is a pure joy, but the greatest
success, in my estimation, is the number of vol
unteers who have shown an interest in helping
in the library, who have worked and continue to
work to make the library even better.
Speaking of volunteering, a pre-organization-
al meeting will be held Thursday, November 2, at
7:00 p.m., for individuals interested in forming a
Friends of the Library group. People who want to
assist in advancing the library’s usefulness to
the community are invited to attend this meeting.
Our present library board members, Judy
Thiringer, Barbara Sturdevant, Mary Tolonen,
and Larry Doppke, have been joined by Myron
Lane to assist in developing policies, setting
goals and objectives and seeing that the library
is properly managed. These board members are
invaluable, helping in many, many aspects of li
brary operation.
New books for cold winter evenings include
Shattered by Dick Francis, The Rescue by
Nicholas Sparks, Buried Evidence by Nancy
Taylor Rosenberg, and The Bear and the Drag
on by Tom Clancy.
Keep reading and let the City Council mem
bers, library board members, staff and others in
the community know how much you appreciate
the new library and its services.
Vernonia Library 701 Weed Avenue
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tues., Thur, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Preschool Story Time, Mondays, 10:30 am .
Phone: (503)429-1818
carefully, asked questions and
said, “It doesn’t seem to make
sense to me either, but there
may be a reason why they do it
that way. I will look into it and
call you back.” About 20 min
utes later, Mr. Hyde called back
and said, “Some changes need
to be made.” I asked, “What do
I do now?” Tony said, “Nothing.
Your check is in the mail." I re
ceived it a couple of days later.
After a few days, Tony
called. “Have you received the
refund?" Yes, thanks to you. He
proceeded to let me know he
had met with the Road Depart
ment and the County Clerk.
The policy has been changed.
Now taxpayers no longer have
to go through the hassle to get
their money back.
One of Tony Hyde’s cam
paign promises is to improve
the delivery of county services
and to make them more effec
tive and efficient. I say, Tony
Hyde delivers!
M.E. “Mac” Stewart
Vernonia
Pulliam has skills
needed by County
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to sup
port Paul Pulliam for County
Commissioner, Position 1 .1 be
lieve that Paul is the best can
didate for the job because he is
a strong leader and he has the
skills to help Columbia County
solve the financial problems we
will face in the upcoming years.
Paul has a degree in Eco
nomics and worked as a bank
manager for over 20 years. He
understands how financing
works, he knows how to do fi
nancial planning for the future
and how to budget. Because
his banking experience was
mostly in rural Oregon, he
knows the special problems
that we face in the rural com
munities. Paul is also the own
er of small businesses that he
takes over and works to make
profitable. I know that he has
struggled, and he has learned
how to stretch a dollar. We
need someone working for Co
lumbia County citizens who
has his skills.
I own my own business in
Rainier, and have enjoyed
working with Paul on Columbia
Pacific Economic Development
Council. Paul has integrity, is
honest, hard working and
working hard for the people of
Columbia County. I urge you to
join me in voting for him on No
vember 7.
Tim Navarro
Rainier
If you don’t vote, don’t complain about the results!
Questions Pulliam’s Pulliam’s response
fiscal responsibility
To the Editor:
Mr. Paul A. Pulliam, one of
the candidates for Columbia
County Commissioner, states
on his campaign Web site:
“County government is not a
business, but should be run in
a business-like manner. Bud
get must be formed realistically
and carefully thought out. The
county’s biggest taxpayers are
its industries.”
Wise words to post as a
campaign slogan; however,
let’s take a look at Mr. Pulliam’s
own business track record.
Circuit Court of the State of
Oregon for the County of Co
lumbia
Case Number 00-2343; July
3, 2000
Plaintiff: Bank One, N.A.
Defendant: Paul A. Pulliam
Complaint: Breach of Con
tract
Defendant has allegedly
failed and refused in the oblig
ation under the terms of the
contract to make the monthly
payments on the credit card
and Defendant is indebted to
Plaintiff in the sum of $8578.48
from May 4, 2000, plus interest
at the rate of 13.75% until paid.
The case is pending.
Circuit Court of the State of
Oregon for the County of Co
lumbia
Case Number 00-2337;
June 30, 2000
Plaintiff: Keyboard Accep
tance Corporation, an Ohio
Corporation
Defendant: Paul A. Pulliam,
an individual
Complaint: Breach of Con
tract; Claim and Delivery
The plaintiff has judgement
against the defendant for the
sum of $7144.86; plus plain
tiff’s costs and disbursements
in the sum of $230.98, and
plaintiff's reasonable attorney
fees in the sum of $1476.98.
Circuit Court of the State of
Oregon for the County of Co
lumbia
Case Number 99-2352; Au
gust 2, 1999
Plaintiff: First Select Corpo
ration, a corporation
Defendant: Paul A. Pulliam
Complaint: Contract
Principal amount of judge
ment against the defendant
$8183.54; interest owed to
date $1144.87; attorney fees
$450.00, and costs awarded
$350.00.
As a small-business owner
in St. Helens, I am deeply con
cerned that a fellow business
owner, who has little regard for
fiscal responsibility, should be
entrusted with County funds.
I’m wary of a political candidate
who wants to run the County
government “in a business-like
manner,” yet cannot keep his
personal finances and busi
ness solvent and viable. Be
very careful to whom you en
trust your public funds when
casting your vote this Novem
ber.
Robert Habas
St. Helens
Dear Mr. Habas:
Actually, I’m glad you have
asked that question publicly. I
had heard there was a letter to
the editor and xeroxes circulat
ing, but no one had asked me
for an explanation.
When I buy businesses that
have prior debt, sometimes I
have to go to court to settle dis
putes. The records of those are
public, and that’s what you are
referring to with the three cas
es mentioned.
Both Bank One and First Se
lect were credit card debts that
were sold and resold over time.
That made it difficult to find
who to negotiate disputed
charges with, and they both
have ended up in court. First
Select and I have agreed to
terms that will be binding until
the satisfaction of the debt.
I expect Bank One and I will
end up finding a place to agree
also.
With Keyboard Acceptance,
I had paid ahead, and our
records on the amount differed.
When the rubber hit the road,
we agreed on a settlement that
is binding on us both.
In each instance, I feel it
was good business practice
and to my advantage to obtain
legal representation and go to
court to obtain settlements that
were compatible to all. Who
better to represent the county
than someone will not just ac
cept bills as presented but will
pursue remedies to question
able charges.
Too often people in govern
ment are willing to accept
questionable practices, but I
am not one of those persons,
even if it seems to subject me
to some embarrassment. As a
former bank officer, and now as
a debt collector and a busi
nessman I have been on both
sides of lawsuits. My experi
ence gives me considerable
expertise in the area of your
concern. As Gov. Kitzhaber’s
appointee to the Oregon Work
force Investment Board, my
background was thoroughly
checked, and the committee
confirmed the appointment.
Thanks for your interest, and
let me know if you have more
questions.
Paul Pulliam
St. Helens
Fair levy is small,
benefits are large
To the Editor:
A Yes vote on Measure 5-66
will guarantee the continuation
of the fairgrounds facility. The
Columbia County Fairgrounds
is in trouble and needs the fi
nancial support of Columbia
County. This measure is for a
five-year
tax
levy
of
$.10/$1000. Based on a
$100,000 home, your total tax
would be $50.00. A small
amount to pay for the econom
ic and social benefit to the citi
zens of our County.
If this measure is passed, it
will give the Fair Board a five-
year operational funding to re
Please see page 11