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
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