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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 2002)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, September 5, 2002 Coalition of Columbia County residents trying for local hospital met August 14 with mem bers of the newly formed Co lumbia County Hospital Coali tion to discuss concerns about the lack of a local hospital and the coalition’s activities to se cure one in St. Helens. Several situations are creat ing increased need for emer gency services in the county, particularly the closure of the bridge to Longview for repairs, and the Lewis and Clark cele bration. Chief George Dunkel of the Columbia River Fire and Rescue District noted that each ambulance run from his district to Portland takes at least two hours of staff and vehicle time, which decreases their ability to respond to other emergencies. He said there are also more calls, because they must re spond to maritime emergencies now that the Coast Guard has shifted its focus to maritime se curity. The Longview bridge closure will add stress to county emer gency systems when ambu lances must go to either Astoria or Portland instead of Longview. The Lewis and Clark celebration is also expected to add to the number of rescues for our system. In addition to emergency ca pacity, the group discussed the limited medical services that are available locally. They ex pressed hope that, with a hos pital, services such as dialysis, chemotherapy, pediatrics, etc., would be more accessible. Another potential benefit of expanded local emergency care would be the ability to at tract and retain businesses, which would strengthen the lo cal economy. Rep. Wu suggested that the coalition seek “anchor” pro viders, HMOs and Preferred Provider Organizations for a hospital, to be sure it would be able to take a variety of patients with solid insurance support. Further, he recommended they look into the possibility of a Vet erans Administration contract for services to those with VA benefits. Wu said that a hospital would have an economic bene fit to the area. He also noted the group is expressing an im portant element of self-determi nation in providing for the needs of local residents. Amonf others attending the meeting were Columbia River Fire and Rescue Chief George Dunkel, State Rep. Betsy John son, Columbia County Emer gency Services Director John Clouse, Karen Punch of Co lumbia Health District, and Pam Rahn, Coordinator for the Hos pital Coalition. United Way campaign goal set Rep. David Wu met with a group of Columbia County residents who are working to secure better medical services. He is shown here with, from left, Pam Rahn, Diane Dillard and Karen Punch. Grants help fund special United Way programs United Way of Columbia County has announced the re ceipt of two grants earmarked for special purposes. A $1000 grant from Arm strong World Industries will help support the Loaned Exec utive position. This grant will be used to pay for hours, mileage and other campaign-related ex penses during the 2002-2003 United Way campaign. “The Loaned Executive grant allows us to hire some one to work just during the campaign and cover many more businesses within our communities,” said Kathye Beck, Executive Director of United Way of Columbia County. The local organization has just two part-time employees. The second gift is a commu- UNLIMITED 56K INTERNET nity grant totaling $1904.19, from The Fred Meyer Founda tion. It will be used to purchase school supplies for county stu dents in need, from kinder garten through twelfth grade. Supplies will be purchased and distributed throughout Colum- bia County to specific organiza tions, which will distribute the school supplies to students. United Way does not give sup plies directly to students by . Any supplies that are not used prior to the start of school will be kept for distribution later. 11 H 1111111ITW I www.agalis.net there has been a 28 percent in crease in requests for food, county wide.” said Kathye Beck, director of United Way of Columbia County. “United Way of Columbia County continues to work with the members of this community to improve the lives of the residents. Together, we can make a difference.” For more information, or to find out how you can help, call 1-503-556-3614. S eptember S pecial ... 2 K ids E at FR E E 5:00-8:00 PM St. Mary’s 32nd Annual From our Children’s Menu Eleven & Under When an adult orders a Dinner Special or Entrée LOVE & SCRAPS QUILT FAIR Sept. 19-22 10 AM - 4 PM Daily SB HUGE SELECTION OF QUILTS on display and for sale CRAFT BAZAAR L unch S erved D aily 11 AM - 3 PM L ew ’ s P lace F o r in fo r m a tio n call 503-429-2701 Wayne Kostur, president of Rainier Chamber of Commerce and superintendent of Rainier School District and Karen Punch, president of St. He- lens/Scappoose Chamber of Commerce, announced a goal of $407,609 for the 2002-03 United Way of Columbia Coun ty campaign. The need is great, Koster and Punch stressed, when they announced the goal. “Over the last two years, 960 Missouri Ave., Vernonia 503/429-8841 • Stmary08@juno.com rnnn i i ms 22 934 Bridge St., Vernonia • 503/429-3751 • r
