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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
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rnnn i i ms
22
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