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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2000)
The INDEPENDENT, December 6, 2000 Page 3 Letters to the Editor Mayor-elect thanks people of Vernonia To the Editor: I want to take a moment to thank the people of Vernonia for their support in the recent election. It will be a privilege to serve as Mayor. One of my top priorities is to continue to try and improve the delivery of services to our citizens. Cus tomer service is really the City’s primary business. Al though we do a pretty fair job already, I think we will have room for improvement. I think, for the most part, I am very pleased with the direc tion the City is moving and I hope to work with my fellow councilors and City staff and the community to continue to make Vernonia a better com munity to live in. We still have much work ahead of us. To gether, we will make a differ ence. Mario P. Leonetti Vernonia Ball offers thanks and congratulations Government has helped me understand several important things: • City officials work within a highly structured environment that makes decision-making very complex. • Some of the problems that seem simple have many solu tions. • Many solutions are right, the trick is choosing the BEST right solution. • Working with a committee can be difficult, but is very re warding when good decisions are made. I encourage each of you to attend the occasional city council meeting. Come share your opinions, meet the coun cilors and learn how you can become a part of the dynamic system that is city government. After all, it is all our community. Sincerely, Cindy Ball Judge professional in actions to writer To the Editor: In the November 15 issue of The Independent (Vernonia Council decides to monitor court for now), it states “Coun cil members and many com munity members have ex pressed dissatisfaction with Justice of the Peace Rod McLean, who was unopposed for re-election to a second term.” This seems a strange way to show opposition, in my opinion. It also states the council is concerned that McLean makes inadequate drug and alcohol referrals to Columbia Commu nity Mental Health (CCMH). I ashamedly will say I am presently involved with a DUII and at no time was any refer ence to CCMH made or refer ence thereof “improper”. I was informed that any issues with CCMH be handled by CCMH supervisors and staff. I was is sued an evaluator, Mr. Duane Sentgeorge, and he, alone, re ferred me to CCMH. I was also handed a business card of Donna Tewksbury for any and all comments or complaints re garding CCMH and its pro gram. I was advised any refer ence to or issues not be report ed to the court system, but solely to CCMH. I truly feel, in my case, the most professional and courte ous manner has been present ed, and any and all advice un biased. Mr. McLean follows guidelines and recommenda tions of the evaluator and counselors and should not be blamed or used as a scapegoat by anyone. I would also like to say the transfer of the “well-liked coun selor” is a community loss, for his knowledge of programs and drug and alcohol issues clearly exceeded program require ments. His transfer is an ex treme loss and should be re considered and amended. With deep apology to com munity members for my bad judgement in my offense. Mrs. Cynthia Shirley Vernonia To the Editor, First, I would like to offer my Scouts appreciate congratulations to Mario Leo generous donation netti for his success in the may- oral race. I know he is working To the Editor: for the best interests of Vernon Boy Scout Troop 201, would ia. like to thank Randy Parrow and I would like to thank those Vernonia Sentry for their gen citizens of Vernonia who voted erous donation of cans and for me for their “Vote of Confi bottles during our fundraiser. It dence.” The last three years was very much appreciated. have been invaluable to me; great fun (mostly) and an enor J. Howley for mous learning experience (def Boy Scout Troop 201 initely). My commitment to the com Annual CARES food munity has not ended. I am continuing to work on the pro drive was wonderful jects that I started during my term on City Council. I will be To the Editor: looking for other citizens to par Wow, another food drive is ticipate in all of them. here and gone. Our efforts Being involved with City have paid off again, and the .......... *..................................... — -------- ■ fa ' f 5 « » ^444^44^W ^:?44;44§;^4:^:^4:4i^^^44:^S^4:^^4g:4y:ÿ4::44Î:4i4444444;44i^^i i4444®44:^44»i:i$<4444^4$i4?4& 44 4444444 4444444444444444:444444 4-444 ■ 4:4444:4:4 444: .... ......... From page 2 of each other’s presence. Unfortunately, there after elk on Thanksgiving day. It had finally are groups of hunters who are regularly involved rained, and fresh tracks began to materialize. in this sort of activity. There is one group, in par My job was chief scout and tracker, which meant ticular, in the Mist area, that has taken this activ sending Mike on fresh tracks, while I looked for ity to a new high (or low), using a radio scanner more tracks or observed the progress of his hunt to home in on hunters in pursuit of elk. They are with radio communications. Sometimes I would also using intimidation to try and displace other track elk while Mike followed behind me looking hunters from what they feel is “their” hunting ahead. My concentration was on the ground im area. Numerous hunters have complained of mediately before me. A frustrating aspect for me near-miss incidents from the speeding vehicles during this hunt, was that I was always bumping of this group and one has stated that next time into elk while scouting for new sign and Mike he will not swerve out of the way of the multi-ve was having tough luck following fresh tracks on hicle caravans of fast moving vehicles. Other his own. Neither one of us saw a legal bull, but hunters are talking about illegal acts to slow we did have some exciting moments when we down this gang. While some of these ideas may sound inter bounced some herds with spikes in them. The down side to this year’s elk season was esting, we do not want to lower ourselves to this some of the hunters. There seemed to be a gen level and risk criminal prosecution. Hunters in eral attitude of indifference to other hunters and this area are going to have to let this group know their hunts. The term for this is corking. Corking that this behavior will no longer be tolerated. is a logging term that stems from one logger This group causes a risk to our hunting heritage stepping on another logger’s boots. Since and they need to know that. Timberland owners, caulked (“corked** in logger slang) boots have while not regulating this type of activity, will be small spikes on the bottom, this is not a desir quick to close their land to access if armed con able behavior. Corking during elk hunting means flicts start to occur, so wise up, guys, before essentially the same thing...crowding into some someone gets hurt or we loose our hunting area. one else’s hunt with the hopes of using their movements to chase elk in to you. This is a tac tic used by low life hunters and those with poor hunting skills. Sometimes corking happens acci dentally, when two hunting parties are not aware ' jr S ' KSXS' ' 77' ' ' ' ?' ' ..........................................................................................................-................................................................................................................................. ......................................... wonderful generosity of our community has brought in food items this year totaling 5239 pounds and still counting. We had a large number of helpers making the 2000 food drive an other successful year. Cash donations totalled $3,665.00. This cash will purchase every thing necessary to make Christmas dinners for our needy and homeless families. $1,600 was use to purchase 100 turkeys. We were so excit ed to have the burden lifted! Not only a financial gift was giv en in the turkey drive, but the precious time of our own Ruth Burkett, who canvassed for our Christmas dinners. Thanks to Ruth Burkett and West Wind Arts, Metro West Ambulance; Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral Home; Dr. and Mrs. Thiringer, NAPA Auto Parts, Vernonia Sentry Market, Gwin Logging, Shaw Supply, Vernonia Realty, Pihl Logging and West Oregon Electric for their cash donations to pur chase turkeys. To those who helped with the food drive putting out flyers, picking up (in the pouring rain), sorting and boxing, making phone calls, organizing their groups and anything else that was done to help, we thank you, sincerely! Suzie Armstrong, for taking on a huge responsibility, joined by Cub Scout Pack 201, Boy Scout Troop 201, Girl Scout Troop 559, Carolyn Keasey, Master Tesdal and his Tae Kwon Do group, Youth Transi tion Program at VHS (Beth Kintz and Mrs. Dickenson, Bri an Collins, Raechel and Trisha Lee, Jere Haverland) L.E.A.P. (Heidi Herb and hard working group of kids), Deanna Brown, Derek and Ruby McClure, Judy Gwin, Angie Taylor and kids, Lee’s U-Catch, Joe Gray, J.D. Dupois, Joann Beamish, Deb bie Benedict, Wendy Fife, Ver nonia Community Church, Ver nonia Christian Church, Bill Horn, Anita Peerson and kids, Tracy Fletcher, Peter O ’Leary, Ina Bateman, Bill and Dorothy Howard, Mike and Elin Hayes, Darla Mudd, Arnold and Mary Tolonen, Kevin and Colleen Grittman, Knotty Bear Tree Farm (Randall Holce), Holce Logging, Ray Pelster, St. Vin cent De Paul, Sentry, Randy and Sharon Parrow, Lumber mans, Ralph and Barbara Stur- devant, Bill Fisher, Vernonia Senior Center, Vernonia School District - all staff and youth helpers, Mini Mart, Bill and Faye Sword, Joyce Erick son, American Legion, Mike and Carolyn Cook, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Troy and Lauri Jerman, WMH Vealey, William Ostrander, Car- mencita Vigil, Reuben Phelps, Vicky Crowston, Rebecca Brookins, St. Vincent De Paul, Ray Pelster, Leonetti’s Pizza & Grill, Oregon Cold Storage, Fort James Wauna Mill, the de voted volunteers of Vernonia Cares - Sandy Deweber, Alan Deweber, Jack Ramsey, Deb bie Vanzant, Lesley, Vice Pres ident Bill Yeo, Secretary Kelley Murphy-Shaw, Treasurer Linda Naeve and President Joel Stith. We are sure there are many others who have helped Ver nonia Cares and we would like to thank you, too. Please know that if your name is not men tioned, we apologize. We truly appreciate what you have done for us. There have been many challenges in the past months, but we know the effort is need ed and we are grateful to have help from such a supportive community, year after year. Happy and Blessed Holidays to all. Lisa Edgar, Director Vernonia Cares Food Bank Volunteers thanked by Fair Board, staff To the Editor: The Columbia County Fair Board and Staff would like to thank everyone for their dona tions and volunteered time to make the fairgrounds a family enjoyment year round. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. Mark Kuhn, Doug Bradley David Thompson, Jr. Jim Davis, Darin Smith Evelyn Hudson, Tony Bolton Hyde pledges to live up to responsibilities To the Citizens of Columbia County: I am, indeed, as humble as I am proud, of your decision to re-elect me as one of your commissioners. I recognize clearly the gravity of the re sponsibility that you have placed upon me and I assure you that I shall never give short weight to those responsibilities. To those who have worked so hard to make this occasion a success, I extend my thanks. Your kindness and the warmth of your friendship will not be forgotten. It is great to know you and to work with you. Again, thank you. Tony Hyde Vernonia Parrow offers thanks, promises hard work To the Community: First, I would to thank my fa ther and mother, Art & Enid Parrow, for all they have done for me. I couldn’t possibly name everything they have done to make me the individual I am today. I would also like to thank them for making the Par- row name a well-respected name in our community. Mom and Dad, THANK YOU! Second, I would like to thank all of the individuals who voted for me in this election. I will work hard on your behalf to make the right decisions for our community and to keep Ver nonia's progress advancing into the future. Randy Parrow Councilperson-elect City of Vernonia
