The INDEPENDENT, February 7, 2001
Page 3
Letters to the Editor
Lions seek help with
gazebo construction
To the Editor:
Several years ago, the
Vernonia Lions constructed a
multi-purpose covered picnic
facility at Hawkins Park. Unfor
tunately, because of deteriora
tion and vandalism over the
years, it had to be demolished.
At the request of several cit
izens, the Lions Club is plan
ning to replace the structure
By Denise Holmes, Librarian
Banks Public Library
Looking for a good read for a dark winter’s
night? How about A Star Called Henry? Billed
as an epic, a love story and a portrait of modern
Irish history, this novel by Roddy Doyle was
named Editor’s Choice by The New York Times
and a Notable Book by the American Library As
sociation. If you’re thinking of a weekend get
away, check out Quick Escapes Pacific North
west. It contains 32 weekend mini-vacations
which are easily reached from Portland, Seattle,
or Vancouver, British Columbia. Whether you
prefer hot springs, high desert or city delights,
this guidebook provides suggested activities,
restaurants and lodging, travel directions and
maps, shopping tips and listings of special
events for each destination. Or if you want to
stay home, try out some of the 1,200 collected
recipes in the new Martha Stewart Living Cook
book. Compiled from the first 10 years of Martha
Stewart Living Magazine, this collection contains
something for every occasion and taste.
If you live in the Banks area and are interest
ed in supporting the Library, mark your calen
dars for Tuesday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. That is
the date for the next meeting of the Friends of
the Banks Public Library. The Friends always
welcome new members. Membership dona
tions, along with other projects, are part of their
ongoing fundraising efforts. The Friends’ contri
butions make possible many of the Library’s vi
tal functions such as Pre-School Story Time,
monthly recycling and tons of best-selling books.
SalomBépoft
By Pep. Elaine M. Hopson
Second District
Three weeks into the session, things are
moving ahead. Although not everyone agrees
about everything, the feeling of cooperation and
respect is continuing as we plow through some
very difficult issues.
My committee assignments this year are Agri
culture and Forestry, Vice-chair of Student
Achievement and School Accountability (former
ly known as Education) and the Education sub
committee of Ways and Means. Since these
were what I had requested, I felt very fortunate.
These are areas of importance to our District
and about which I know enough to make a con
tribution to the deliberative process.
Of course, the budget looms over everything
and is of major concern. The Governor’s pro
posed budget (By statute, the Governor has to
publish a balanced budget by December.) pro
vides a basis upon which we all focus as a start
ing point. Initial work on the Education Budget is
in progress. As the item that uses the largest
portion of the state budget, this “elephant” will
receive close scrutiny. In addition, there are sev
eral areas of particular concern in District 2, in
cluding funding for county Fairs, reductions in
senior services and transportation, hatchery clo
sures, reductions in OSU Extension Services
and other extremely important services.
The big news is that the Ways and Means Co-
chairs (that’s the money folks - Rep. Ben West-
lund, R-Redmond/Sisters area and Senator
Lenn Hannon, R-Medford/Ashland area) have
released what is called the “Co-chairs Budget."
This budget comes out after the session starts
and, with the Governor’s budget, establishes the
platform and format from which a final budget
will be developed.
The fact that the Co-chairs’ Budget is out so
early provides great optimism for the process.
Although the two budgets do not agree, there
are many similarities and areas of agreement.
Everyone is concerned about allocating the
State’s resources in a way that best meets the
with a gazebo to be located
near the Scout Cabin. Plans for
the building are complete, but
the cost of materials far ex
ceeds the resources available.
To successfully complete
this project, community assis
The Friends also purchase items for the Library
such as book-ends and step stools. You can be
come more familiar with the Friends’ mission
and activities by stopping in the Library lobby to
read the minutes and notes from their most re
cent meeting which are posted there. You may
also pick up a membership application from the
Library Circulation desk.
One of the Friends’ major activities of the year
is the annual Book and Plant Sale, held at the
end of April. It’s not too early to begin thinking
about items you may want to contribute to the
sale. If your spring-cleaning includes books that
you’d like to donate, or if you have plants that
you will be able to provide from your yard,
please call the Library.
It’s getting closer to tax time, and new federal
and state forms are in. The Library is a conve
nient place to get your tax forms or to make
copies while you are here. You may also access
the IRS website for any forms not available lo
cally.
Don’t forget to take all your recyclable items
to the SWATCO Service Yard on Sellers Rd. on
Saturday, Feb 10th. Volunteers and Friends of
the Library will be glad to assist you between
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
tance is essential. The club is
hopeful that individuals, busi
nesses and organizations will
be willing to assist. The cost of
materials will exceed $7,400.
The club will use available
funds and provide labor but,
without broad assistance, the
project will not get done.
Please call Lion President
Larry Doppke, 503-429-6705
or project manager Jim Prpich,
503-429-3315, if you can assist
with materials and/or labor.
The club is also looking for
people interested in joining the
largest service organization in
the world. Contact any Lion or
come to a meeting on the first
and third Tuesday of each
month at 6:30 p.m. at Lew’s.
Art Parrow
Publicity Chairman
Vernonia Lions
A challenge to help
educate our children
many benefits. You might find
yourself becoming a hero to a
child, be the recipient of a work
of art, or you might find yourself
with the arms of a grateful child
around your neck. Now those
are benefits.
There are many ways you
can make a difference. You
could sponsor a party for a
class, share a skill or donate
materials. Did you know that
monetary gifts to our schools
are tax-deductible? If you have
construction expertise, Lincoln
school is trying to organize a
project to build stairs from the
upper parking area. Many com
panies, such as Intel, offer
“matching-funds”
programs
that will double or even triple
your financial gift to the
schools. Some companies will
even donate money if the em
ployee spends time volunteer
ing at the school. Check with
your employer.
Last, but by no means least,
one of the best ways to support
our schools is to know what
your kids are learning at
school. Help them to remem
ber their homework and spend
time reading with them. Take
time around the dinner table to
discuss what is going on with
them. Those few minutes are
an investment in the future and
the returns are awesome.
Jill Wiseman
Vernonia
To the Editor:
How many times have you
been in a group of people chat
ting when the subject of our
schools comes up? Invariably
there follows a series of com
plaints from large class sizes,
inadequate curriculum to poor
teaching. Since coming to Ver
nonia last year, I have had the
Banks Public Library: 111 M arket Street.
privilege of observing first
H o u rs: Tues., Wed., Tburs., 11a.m . - 7 p.m.;
hand how our schools function.
Fri. and S a t 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
I have witnessed the chal
Preschool Story Time, W eds., 10:15 a.m.
lenges that face our teachers
and have noted many deficien Let’s put activities
cies, none of which are due to on local access TV
any lack of effort on the part of
...................... " " "
To the Editor:
our faculty and staff.
Many of you are aware that
I was pleased to find that our
needs of the people. There are many good pro teachers in this district are Vernonia has a television cable
grams that need to be funded and not enough among the most frugal people I company. As part of our cable
money to fund everything, so difficult decisions have met. They covet their re service, we receive Channel 7
sources and are careful not to for public access. Currently,
will need to be made.
HB 2047, providing funding for County fairs, waste anything, an effort I ap Channel 9 in St. Helens sends
moved out of the Agriculture and Forestry sub plaud, given our disposable so us a tape with their news and
[Columbia] County Commis
committee, but will still need some careful ciety.
Our teachers and staff in sioner meetings, etc. I asked
watching to see that it continues to receive sup
port and makes it through the process. It was a Vernonia are the most in them how we could get Ver
great help to have fair directors and students at volved. If you attend one of the nonia programs on Channel 7
sporting events in town, you and their response was, “Film it
tend the hearing and participate in the process.
In Education Ways and Means, we have been will find that the people who are and send it to us; we will send
working with a number of licensing agencies to encouraging our children to ex it to your cable service for air
support them as they license their members. In cel at school are the same ing. I have begun filming City
cluded were Naturopathic Examiners; Licensed ones sitting in the bleachers Council meetings, sporting
Professional Counselors and Therapists; Clini cheering them on to victory. events and other areas of inter
cal Social Workers; Occupational Therapists; They often spend entire days est to Vernonians. It has be
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; devoted to the children in their come apparent, though, that I
and Radiologic Technology. Other licensing classes, our children. From bus need help if we are going to
drivers to janitorial staff to cover all of these events. If you
agencies will be reviewed next week.
are interested, please contact
Bills regarding private school student partici teachers, they are all there.
Many of our teachers and me at 503-429-5201.
pation in public school activities, location of one
I am still working out details
school district within another, implementation of staff commute an hour or more
the Quality Education Model and other issues each day to teach in Vernonia. for transport of tapes and tim
are being heard in Education - now known as Nayan Fleenor, a second ing of viewing schedules on
Student Achievement and School Accountability. grade teacher at Lincoln, even Channel 7. Currently, the
There have already been a number of visitors keeps a sleeping bag in her car schedule for viewing County
and I encourage you to come to Salem. Al in case she is working late and and local news is as follows:
though I have an open door policy and an ap the weather prohibits her from Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.,
pointment isn’t mandatory, it does help me going home. Now that is what I Monday, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.,
schedule my availability to meet with you. Of call “devotion.” Even our bus Tuesday, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.,
course, always feel free to call, write and/or e- drivers will work into the wee Wednesday, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.,
mail me with your thoughts, ideas and concerns. hours transporting our kids to Thursday, 5:00 to 9:00 a.m.,
Representing you is what I want to do, please school functions and sporting Friday, 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. and
Saturday, 9:00 to 1:00 a.m.
keep in touch and let me know your concerns. events.
Please tune in and check
So, here is the challenge for
us, as citizens of Vernonia: out what is going on in your
Rep. E laine H opson
When the subject of our community. Remember, most
galem f l f f t e
H-376 State Capitol
schools comes up, ask those of the filming is done on a vol
Salem, OR 97310
who would complain what they unteer basis. If you cannot do
P hone:503-986-1402
nate time, how about donating
are doing to make it better.
email: hopson.rep@state.or.us
some
money so we can ex
There
are
many
opportuni
Tillamook Office: P.O. Box 656
ties to improve our schools. pand this service in Vernonia.
Tillamook, OR 97141
Donna Gehrke
One of the ways is to volunteer
Phone:1-503-842-5656
Vernonia
in
the
classrooms.
There
is
no
em ail: ehopson@oregoncoast.com
training required and there are