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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2002)
PRESORTED STANDARD U .S . P o s ta g e P aid V e rn o n ia , O R 9 7 0 6 4 Attn. Leslie Larson UO Library-OMP “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley" Vol. 17, No. 1 Some language-impaired person(s) apparently think that celebration and vandalism have the same definition. They don’t, and the destruction of this bench and aggregate trash container on Madison Avenue will cost taxpayers, both for replacement and for the time of a public works employee to clean it up on New Year’s day. Seasonal decorations and the dirt in planters on Bridge Street were also thrown on the street. There is a stand ing reward from Vernonia Pride and the Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce for infor mation leading to the arrest and conviction of people responsible for vandalism in town. For information, contact the Vernonia Police Department, 503-429-7335. Panel will aid city’s “smart development’ grant for this purpose and is seeking volunteers who are in terested in having a positive impact on the growth and de velopment of Vernonia. The advisory committee will Wyden sets meeting in St. Helens Senator Ron Wyden will hold a Town Hall meeting January 13 at the Columbia Technical Center, 375 S. 18th Street in St. Helens, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. When first elected to the Senate, Wyden promised he would have a town hall in each county, each year, so every Oregonian would have a chance to talk with him. Colum bia County residents are invited to discuss issues and to ex press concerns for the upcom ing legislative session. Wyden’s Columbia County Town Hall was held in Vernonia in 2001. January 2, 2002 Tax payments sent" to other countries Happy New Year?? An advisory committee will soon be formed to help review and update the development code of the City of Vernonia. The city has received a Smart Development Code Assistance FREE include some city council and planning ^commission mem bers, along with other interest ed citizens. Community mem bers — business owners, real tors, developers, homeowners, residents and others — who would like to have a voice in the city's future are encouraged to submit letters of interest to City Hall at 1001 Bridge Street, Ver nonia. The City would also like to encourage participation by people who do not usually get involved in City committees. For more information, call Julie Coontz, City Planner, at City Hall at 503-429-5291. Approximately 1400 Colum Bernhard said, because “the bia County property owners ap computer reads three lines of pear to be delinquent in pay the address, from the bottom ment of their property tax bills up.” That would add a line just and about 200 businesses ap pear to be late with their per above St. Helens, OR 97051, sonal property tax payments. In reading 230 Strand Street, but this case, appearances are de doesn’t explain why or how ceiving. An unknown number of mail went to Mexico, the Middle checks intended for the Colum East or Florida, or how it would bia County Courthouse have prevent future computer errors. been turning up in Colombia, In addition, it would be very ex Mexico, and the Middle East, pensive for county government and at least three have been and the state court system, which shares the courthouse cashed in Florida. In addition to being inundat address, to print new forms and ed by taxpayers who received envelopes. County officials were aware delinquent notices and called to say their checks had been sent, that mail had previously gone but hadn’t been cashed, the to Colombia because two let problem was further exposed ters, one to the county coun shortly before Christmas. At sel’s office and one to land de that time, the finance and taxa velopment services, were re tion department received a call turned from there in October or from Mexico requesting per November. The postal service mission to cash a check ad was contacted at that time, dressed to Columbia County. Bernhard said. The three checks that were Additionally, one business own cashed in Florida were sent by er reported that his check was returned from a Middle Eastern two different county business es. When returned to the payor, country. Columbia County Commis they had been stamped with a sioner Rita Bernhard had diffi phony endorsement stamp that culty reaching an inspector for read “Columbia Cty Tax Collec the U.S. Postal Service be tor." In the meantime, the county cause of the holidays, but final is advising taxpayers whose ly made contact on December 31. In response to Bernhard’s checks have not been received questions, the only official re by the county nor cleared by sponse is that the postal ser their bank, to stop payment on vice doesn’t know what hap those checks and re-issue an pened but is trying to figure out other check. If your tax pay ment check has cleared your why the mail went elsewhere. Earlier, a USPS employee in bank, the county recommends the Portland regional sorting that you check the endorse center said the mail was sent to ment on the back to be sure it the wrong location because of was cashed by the county. If a computer error which read you are uncertain, call the tax the address as Colombia, office at 503-397-0060. Because of the unusual situ South America, instead of Co ation, the Board of Commis lumbia County Courthouse, St. Helens, OR 97051. One postal sioners has agreed to waive service employee suggested the usual late charge for delin that future problems may be quent taxes when the payors eliminated by adding a street can show they mailed their pay address for the courthouse, ment on time.
