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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2000)
The INDEPENDENT, December 20, 2000 Letters to the Editor Between the Bookends By Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library This m onth’s article is a difficult one to write. W hile hoping that the peacefulness and happi ness of the holiday season is being felt by all in the community, this sam e com m unity needs to be aware of some som ber facts regarding over due library materials. At present, (December 16) there are 77 patrons with a total of 145 overdue materials. The alarming news is that this repre sents a loss of $1,749 for the library if these ma terials are not returned. Most of these patrons have been notified, at least by phone, while some have been sent two notices regarding the situation. This represents use of staff time and expense, both of which could be put to much better use. Although many of these materials will be returned eventually, others will not. The pre viously quoted figures represent only com puter generated information for this year and do not include materials checked out manually this past year and over previous years. One can assume those non-returned library materials over the years represent a very substantial loss. Failing to return library materials amounts to, in plain language, stealing, and in this case, stealing from the public— your friends and neigh bors. It is probable that those parties most guilty of this offense will not read this article. However, those of you who have overdue materials and are reading it are urged to return them. No penalties or fines will be in effect if they are re turned during the month of December, but with the initiation of the fine system beginning in Jan uary, fines will accrue from the original due date and may am ount to a large am ount by January. The fines for overdue materials will be $.50 a day for videos and $.10 a day for all other m ate rials. Patrons with overdue materials will not be allowed to check out further materials until fines are paid. It is best to be aware of this new policy and either return or renew borrowed library ma terials to avoid fines and the loss of library privi leges. Our computerized cataloging is progressing, with 6,395 materials having been entered to date. Very dedicated volunteers can be credited with having done most of this work. Organization of “The Friends of the Library” is also progressing. Rough drafts of by-laws and a mission statement are being revised and the tax-exem pt status of the organization has been verified. Members are being accepted and do nations may be made before the end of the year by those looking for a worthy organization for tax exempt purposes. Orissa Burghard’s Monday afternoon story/ craft sessions continue to be well attended. Re member that they will not be held on days when there is no school. New books include James Patterson’s Roses are Red, David B aldacci’s Wish You Well, Danielle Steel’s Journey, and Padgett Powell’s Mrs. H ollingsworth’s Men. If you’re looking for the holiday theme in your reading material, don’t overlook T is the Season to be M urdered by Va lerie W olzien, D eck the Halls by Mary Higgins and Carol Clark, A unt D im ity’s Christmas by Nancy Atherton, and Mistletoe M urder by Leslie Meier. Keep reading, return those library materials on time and enjoy the holiday season. Vernonia L ib ra ry 701 Weed Avenue Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues., Thur. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. S a t 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Preschool Story Time, Mondays, 10:30 a.m. Phone: (5 03)429-1818 Vernonia schools revise, coordinate K-12 counseling an I guidance program A year-long effort by teach ers, counselors and adm inis trators has resulted in a com prehensive cou nselin g and guidance program for Vernonia students that is designed to meet the needs of children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Program details are con tained in an 80 page manual that was presented to each of the V ernonia S chool Board m em bers at th e ir Dec. 14 meeting. Tammy McDonald present ed the elem entary school com ponent which, she explained, em phasizes school and family, because that is the most im por tant area for younger children, and provides more attention to children who are struggling. In addition to taking counseling and guidance efforts into class rooms and homes, McDonald will be training the staff in vio lence prevention. A dditional programs designed to provide students with a foundation for the future include the “Lunch Buddies,” which will start in January, and an em phasis throughout the school on vol unteering. Lunch B uddies team s an adult in an informal mentoring relationship with a student who can benefit from a weekly one- on-one lunch meeting. More adults will be needed for the program in January. For more information, call McDonald at W ashington G rade School, 503-429-7941. Student needs start chang Page 3 ing in the 10-14 year-old age group, explained Robin Stein, who is handling the middle school/junior high elements of the program. At this stage stu dents are becoming peer ori ented and start on a “hormone- driven roller coaster ride," Stein said, so counseling em pha sizes life management skills. Three priorities are involved in the junior high level: 1. Classroom emphasis on conflict resolution and empathy training. 2. Small group counseling with emphasis on general sup port and social skills. 3. Individual counseling in problem solving. Students with severe prob lems will be referred to special ists, Stein explained, for the help they need. Additionally, the district is now using an in tensive drug and alcohol pro- gram in the sixth grade with fol low-up components in seventh and eight grades. Like McDonald, Stein will also help in training other staff members. Taking over at the high school level, Jill Griffin discussed fur ther changes in student counsel ing and guidance needs. “What do I want to do? What do I want to be?” become major concerns in high school, she said, so counseling becomes goal-ori ented, generally involving acad emics, work goals and social skill. Griffin’s responsibility also includes classroom guidance, small groups and work with indi viduals. In addition to the staff coun selors, two counselors from Columbia Comm unity Mental Health keep regular schedules in Vernonia schools. New councilor asks for involved citizens Bridge Street Mall, along with a wonderful family environment. Barney, you’re the Cream of the Crop. Thank you. To the Editor: Very recently I made the de I would like to thank the citi cision to close my shop on zens of Vernonia, who exer Dec. 29th, so I could have the cised their constitutional right opportunity to help the most to vote this past November 7th, important person in my life, my and, in addition, my thanks to husband, who faithfully sup those who cast a vote for me. ported our fam ily for 22 years; As I stated at candidate so I could stay at home and night, I look forward to the chal raise our children. This I have lenge of continuing and en done without hesitation. hancing the progress that has However, I am once again been made in the City of Ver blessed by another of Vernon nonia by the past and present ia’s special citizens. One of our council members, mayor and com m unity’s businessmen has city officials. offered me a job as well as My personal observations space in his building to keep over the past year from my Serenity Gardens alive in our seat in “the gallery” , and the re town. Small businesses are the sults you can see all over town, heart of Vernonia. As well as reflect the fact that Vernonia trying to provide services local has a top notch city staff that ly, we support our students, our works extremely hard for the Fire Departm ent, and many city. They deserve a huge other fund-raisers as much as thank you. we can. As there are a lot of projects V ernonia is fortunate to tha t are in the w orks and have people who care enough planned for the next few years, about their town to help it grow. and many of those projects will Thank you to Councilman- require com m unity in vo lve elect Glen Purvee and your ment, I ask you, as the citizens wonderful wife, Christine, for I work for, to attend council helping to “ keep this small meetings as much as possible. business alive” in our com m u Based on the voter turnout this nity. But more im portantly, past election, it seem s that thank you for caring to make a there are a lot of citizens who difference in Our Vernonia. want to be involved. Any assis So until we M erry Meet tance is gratefully appreciated. A gain at my new location, Also, it is quite enlightening Keep the Spirit Alive. to hear what is REALLY going Peace, on in this wonderful city of ours. Linda Grace Spry I look forw ard to seeing Serenity Gardens Herbals those I know and the many I Vernonia have yet to meet. Happy holidays to all. Glen Purvee Vernonia Business will close, then soon re-open To the Editor: For all my custom ers who blessed me with their friend ship, THANK YOU! For all that I have given to you through Serenity Gardens, you have given back threefold through your loyal support, but most of all with your hearts. Vernonia is filled with special people! Two years ago I was fortunate to meet one very special gentle man whom I’ve com e to love deeply. Mr. Barney Phillips en abled me to see my dream be com e a reality. He provided me, as well as many others, with an affordable space in his School board, Fire board elections will be in March Five Vernonia school board positions will be on the March 13 ballot, plus two Vernonia Fire District positions and three in the Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Dis trict. School district directors whose terms will be up include chairman Jeff Blum, Kim Tier ney and three recently-appoint ed members - Leslie O'Leary, Schann Nelson and Cari Lev- enseller. The appointees filled vacan cies created when Susann Ragsdale and April W hitworth moved out ot the district, and by the death of Debbie John ston. Open positions on the Ver nonia Fire District Board of Di rectors are currently held by Don Webb and Lyle Barker. The Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Dis trict openings will be for three positions presently filled by Randy Hansen, Ray Kyser and Paul Ramsay. Ramsay has an nounced that he will not run for re-election because of a con flict with his job. Candidates for these offices must file a declaration of candi dacy accompanied by either a filing fee of $10.00, or a petition for nomination signed by at least 25 registered voters who live in the district where the candidate is running. Nomina tion forms may be picked up in the Columbia County Elections Division at the Courthouse in St. Helens. Greetings from former Vernonia residents To the Editor: Greetings and best wishes during this Blessed season and beyond. W e are enjoying our new home and friends and very grateful for all the new bless ings we have received. But we will not forget the 26 happy years we had in Vernonia and all the good friends we had and still have there. W e w ant to send special good wishes to the gang at the S enior Center, the H abitat Com m ittee members, the A s sem bly of God Church and our neighbors on East Bridge Street. Hope som e of you have made a special effort to meet Tanya, who now lives at the ad dress we once had. She is a very nice person and new to your town. Make her feel as welcom e and special as you once did for us. All the best God has for all of you. We love you anad think of you all with kind thoughts. Mer ry C hristm as and a special New Year. Eric & Pat Olson Merlin, Oregon POLICY ON LETTERS The IN D EPEN D ENT welcom es readers' letters and will publish as many as possible. All letters m ust be signed, including those sent by fax, and include a verifiable address and telephone number, which will not be printed except at the w riter’s request. Unsigned letters w ill not be published.
