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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2000)
The INDEPENDENT, November 1,2000 Letters to the Editor Opponents of rock fee hide identity in anonymity To the Editor: Who is the “Save our Roads Committee”? Glacier (“Lone Star”) Northwest’s Public Af fa irs Manager is passing out brochures entitled “5 Good Reasons Why The Rock Tax Is A BAD Idea.” The “Save Our Roads Committee” has published identical ads in local newspapers. Because the “Committee” doesn’t disclose who’s really behind their ads, and is way late fil ing its statement of organization, both required by law, we don’t know WHO they are, but we can guess. Measure 5-81 eliminates the current 15 cent fee on material used for reclamation [of gravel pits], but increases the depletion fee on other rock by 10 cents a ton. The “Committee” wants you to think all of this increase will be passed on to Columbia County taxpayers. But, much or most of the rock goes to the Portland Metro area, by barge (Glacier), by train (Morse Bros.), or by truck. Shouldn’t rock buyers in the Metro area reim burse you for the noise, dust, holes and blight they cause in this County? Yes. Will local tax payers pay any of this fee increase? Maybe. If you buy a dumptruck load of rock, it will cost you about $1.50 more. When was the last time you bought a truckload of rock? The “Committee” complains “10 cents is a 66 percent increase!” That’s because the fee is tiny to begin with. An increase from no fee to one cent a ton would be an infinitely larger percent age. The “Committee” could scream, “Bureau crats Propose Infinite Tax Increase!", but it would still be just a penny. The 10 cent increase is dedicated to your County roads, but the “Committee” claims it would result in “fewer roads" being repaired be cause it would increase the cost to government for road repairs. But 10 cents is a microscopic increase when it’s spread out among all of the industries, road departments and residents who benefit from our rock in the Metro area. In Co lumbia County it’s a modest, but significant, in crease for the roads County voters drive on every day. Don’t let the “Committee” fool you! Vote YES on 5-81. John K. Knight Columbia City The population of Columbia Pulliam’s experience Corsiglia thanks all County has grown. It was in useful to the county for consideration evitable. Tony Hyde has worked tirelessly over the past To the Editor: four years as our Commission To the Editor: I would like to urge voters to I want to thank all those who er to bring new businesses to have been so gracious to Debi the county. His efforts have at support Paul Pulliam for Coun and I throughout our campaign. tracted enterprises, both large ty Commissioner. Paul will I hope you realize how blessed and small, that provide jobs bring a wide range of skills and you are to live not only in a free and support the tax base. experiences developed from country but in an area most Through his experience, hard over 20 years of community consider a little piece of heav work and foresight, he has service, that will make him an en. Holding on to the best of helped diversify and increase excellent commissioner. What the past and being selective the tax base for streets, educa impresses me most, however about your future will truly tion and public services. is that Paul is running for Com make the Nehalem Valley an Columbia County will contin missioner simply because he enviable and fruitful place to ue to grow. It is inevitable. We loves Columbia County and live. can choose to ignore it or we wants to work to make it even a We will be collecting our can choose to embrace it with better place. signs shortly after the election skilled leaders who understand What also makes Paul effec so if you see one you think I the challenges and opportuni may have overlooked please ties this growth presents. Over tive is his willingness to listen contact me at 503-397-4275. the last four years, Tony Hyde and work with people of all Its been a great experience has proven his ability to man stripes. Paul believes in the team approach to support good and I hope to see you soon. age growth time and time Joe and Debi Corsiglia again. He understands that ideas that result in solutions St. Helens controlled growth is the key to that work for Columbia County. the livability of Columbia Coun Paul Pulliam will be a Commis sioner we can be proud of. Tony Hyde is the ty- Tony Hyde will bring experi Lois Smith Deer Island only logical choice enced government leadership to Columbia County at its most councilors critical time of need. He will Fellow To the Editor: Now, more than ever, Co continue his commitment to his endorse Scott Burge lumbia County needs accom constituents as he helps shape plished, experienced leader the future of our county. Now, To the Editor: ship. This is why Tony Hyde is more than ever, we need Tony During the past couple of the only logical choice for Co Hyde to lead us into the future. years, we have had the privi Janice M. Richard lumbia County Commissioner, Scappoose lege to work with Scott Burge Position #3. on the Scappoose City Coun cil. He has been a tremendous asset not only to our city, but Shopping for gifts? Look in Vernonia first the community as a whole. He is honest, diligent, knowledge Or how about a gift certifi To the Editor: able and creative in solving the It’s that time of year again to cate for a massage from Sum problems facing Scappoose. start thinking about Christmas mer Country Massage or Mas As a county commissioner, gifts, ,’ve been trying to figure sage Therapy? A gift certificate out why anyone needs to leave to the Health Habit would also we believe Scott will work hard for the people of Columbia Vernonia to shop when there make a wonderful gift. Would someone on your list County. He will listen to and be are so many resources right enjoy a night’s stay at the Ver available for the people and here. work to solve the problems fac Here are some suggestions nonia Inn, with a hot tub? There are also wonderful ing this county. He will bring a for your holiday shopping: Oh Fudge has great candies restaurants, Western Auto, positive, professional attitude and jams; see Merchant Vernonia 76 and Triple S Saw to the county and will treat his fellow commissioners and Palace.com for the popular Shop, to name just a few. So, think twice before leav Pokemon; office supplies from county staff with respect and The Closet make great stock ing Vernonia to fight the crowds dignity. We can only think of and do your holiday shopping. one down side to electing Scott ing stuffers. There are fantastic items at There is so much available Burge as our next county com Serenity Gardens; see KT’s right here. Just use your imagi missioner: It’s a true loss for Klutter for dolls and collectibles; nation. the city of Scappoose, but a Susan Hult great gem for our entire county. my shop, Granny’s Crafts, has Vernonia something for everyone. This letter is not about the election Page 3 Other commissioners praise work of Hyde, recommend re-election Hyde is an asset to Columbia County To the Editor: Disasters can serve to illustrate a leader’s true worth. Tony Hyde was the Mayor of Vernonia when the 1996 flood devas tated much of the city. I was a State Representative at the time and had the privilege of representing Vernonia. This is when I really got to know Tony. It will be a long time before the citizens of Vernonia will forget the efforts he made on their behalf in or ganizing the flood relief efforts, which included finding state and federal dollars to help put his city back on its feet. He turned out to be a remarkable asset for the people of Vernonia. He has also proven himself as a County Commissioner. I have worked with him, first as a State Representative and now, as a Tillamook County Commissioner. I can tell you, without any reservation, that Tony Hyde is highly respected by both leg islators and commissioners from other counties. He is known as a hard working commissioner who understands and finds solu tions to complex issues. He has earned my respect and your vote. Tim Josi Tillamook Hyde is a strong and persuasive voice To the Editor: Commissioner Tony Hyde is an outstanding leader that I have had the pleasure to work with on the Board of Directors of the Association of Oregon Counties. He is a strong and per suasive voice for Columbia County. He rings loud and clear on issues like livability, education, transportation and natural re sources. Tony Hyde has a way of quickly making you aware of the needs of Scappoose, Vernonia, St. Helens and the outlying ar eas. His knowledge of highways, specific needs of local citizens and the Endangered Species Act, make him stand out. I hope the citizens of Columbia County realize what a hard working and committed commissioner they have in Tony Hyde. I heartily encourage you to re-elect Tony Hyde this November. Bill Kennemer Clackamas County Commissioner Please join us, the members of the Scappoose City Council, in voting for Scott Burge for County Commissioner. Glenn Dorschler Gary Gamer Floyd Pittard Jim Huffman Mark Parsons Questions platform of Constitution Party To the Editor I have recently had the op portunity to read the year 2000 platform of the Constitution Party, which has a candidate running for out seat in the leg islature in the form of Bob Ek- strom. The party’s platform is stun ning. It begins by restricting membership in the party to ac tively professing Christians. It goes on immediately to attack a woman’s right to have a safe abortion in a hospital or med ical clinic instead of a back al ley. It would abolish the Oregon Health Plan and all other gov ernment assistance to low-in come families and leave the fate of the poor to charity. It would eliminate all federal aid to Oregon, including everything from food stamps to federal highway money. It would pro hibit government from interfer ing with the forms of marriage found in the bible. It supports only the original text of the con stitution and the Bill of Rights and their original meaning back in 1789. Apparently, the part does not support the 13th Amendment (abolishing slav ery, 1865), the 14th Amend ment (equal protection of the laws, 1866), the 15th Amend ment (right of non-white citi zens to vote, 1869), the 17th Amendment (right of citizens to vote for their federal senators, 1913) and the 19th Amend ment (right of women to vote, 1920). The platform also ex plicitly demands the repeal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, section 2, of which makes it a crime to attack someone to prevent them from voting. And there is quite a bit more. Voters considering the local Constitution Party candidate might want to have a look at the Platform and ask some questions. Michael F. Sheehan Scappoose POLICY ON LETTERS The INDEPENDENT welcomes readers’ letters and will publish as many as possible. All letters must be signed, including those sent by fax, and include a verifiable address and telephone number, which will not be printed except at the writer’s request. Unsigned letters will not be published. ;
