Attn. Leslie Larson
UO Library-O M P
1299 University Of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299
i « E ¡ W ábAt < >• 41
Voi. 17, No. 11
“ Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley’
“In our district we are very
fortunate to have an exception
al, caring, and dedicated staff
that focus all their energies on
the youth of the community.
However, even the most talent
ed staff needs adequate sup
plies, equipment and a safe,
clean, appropriate environment
to do their best work. Unfortu
nately, the level of funding we
are receiving does not support
that and we are not able to pro
vide the education our students
deserve."
This statement in the budget
message by retiring Vernonia
School District Superintendent
Larry McClellan summed up
the feelings of the entire budget
committee, as they very reluc
tantly passed the proposed
budget. School board member
Jim Krahn noted, when he
made the final motion for the
committee at their May 30
meeting, that the proposed
2002-2003 budget directly re
flects this under-funding and
the committee wanted to make
a strong statement to the public
that they do not approve of the
cuts forced upon the district by
the lack of revenue coming
from the state.
The ribbon fell as Alice and Hollie Pihl officially opened
the Whistle Stop Shelter at the Buxton Trailhead of the
Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Looking on is Michael Carri
er, Director of Oregon Parks & Recreation Department.
Pihls honored for trail improvements
proving Oregon’s park system.
In addition to the Pihls, oth
ers were recognized for their
contributions to improving the
Banks-Vernonia Trail.
They
included
Sharon
Leighty of the Oregon State
Parks Trust, for a significant
role in developing the success
ful public/private project;
Larry Hurley of Longview Fi
bre, for the company’s donation
of profits from windblown logs;
Larry Matson of Matson Tree
Farms, for donating land need
ed for easier trailhead access;
and Washington County Com
missioner Andy Duyck for as
June 6, 2002
School programs retained, but
budget forces cuts in sports
Cutting remarks...
Hollie and Alice Pihl, of Bux
ton, supported creation of the
Banks-Vernonia Linear Park
when it was still a controversial
idea. Their support has never
wavered and the most recent
beneficial result is a large, com
fortable picnic shelter at the
Buxton Trailhead.
The Pihls’ contribution to
ward the shelter was in the
form of a challenge grant to the
Oregon State Parks Trust,
which raised an additional
$12,000 for the project with a
grant from the Higgins Charita
ble Trust. The state trust is ded
icated to preserving and im
PRESORTED STANDARD
U S . P o s ta g e P a id
V e rn o n ia , O R 9 7 0 6 4
sistance with permit and land
use procedures.
Speakers for the event were
Michael Carrier, Director of
Oregon Parks & Recreation
Department, Ron Johnson,
president of the Friends of the
Banks-Vernonia Trail, and out
door reporter Grant McOmie.
I
Council changes date
of next meeting
Vernonia City Council has
changed the date of their next
meeting. The meeting sched
uled for July 1 will be post
poned until July 8
Reductions needed to bal
ance the 2002-03 fiscal year
budget include the following:
At the high school level, two
sports activities will be cut -
cross-country and golf - plus a
half-time attendance position
and a half-time custodian.
At the elementary level, a
custodian will be cut, Lincoln
School will have one less in
structional aide, the stipend for
a Jr. High leadership coach is
gone and a scheduled textbook
adoption will be postponed.
District-wide cuts include the
computer technician (This work
is supposed to be performed
under a contract with NWRESD
that should reduce costs by
about $20,000), and a half-time
maintenance person. Supplies
and resources will be very tight
throughout the system.
The uppermost considera
tion at all levels, was to leave
programs undisturbed.
The budget committee made
the following recommendations
to the board:
That the district inventory
and identify surplus equipment.
Any surplus equipment found
should be sold, with the pro
ceeds set aside towards the
purchase of textbooks and fu
ture adoptions.
If further reductions are
needed, the committee ap
proved three reduction levels
as guides to be used by the
board as a starting point. The
potential reductions depend on
future state funding. They are
discussed in a related article on
page 10. Further, the commit
tee recommended that addi
tional input be included at the
time, if reductions need to be
implemented.
Leonetti resigns, Bali is
sworn in, vacancy exists
The mayor’s gavel changed
hands at the Vernonia City
Council meeting May 20, when
Mayor Mario Leonetti resigned
and Council President Cindy
Ball was sworn in as mayor.
In a moving and personal
address to the Council and au
dience, Leonetti cited his fami
ly’s need for services not avail
able in Columbia County as the
reason for relocating to Wash
ington County.
Associated with Vernonia in
various volunteer positions
since 1983, Leonetti said he
was comfortable leaving be
cause of a competent council,
city staff and new mayor.
Speaking of the council,
Leonetti noted they are “ ...en
thusiastic, though not always
serious. They keep Vernonia in
their hearts and have given se
rious thought to issues facing
the city.”
Council is now seeking a
person to fill the remaining six
months of Ball’s council posi
tion. Any registered voter living
within the Vernonia City limits
for the past twelve months may
apply for the Council vacancy.
Applications may be obtained
at Vernonia City Hall, 1001
Bridge Street, Vernonia, from
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Completed ap
plications must be submitted to
the City Recorder at Vernonia
City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m.
on June 27.
Council will interview all can
didates during a July 8 special
council meeting. In addition to
the interview, all candidates will
be given an opportunity to give
a three-minute speech stating
why they would like to serve as
a City Councilor.