The independent., May 15, 2003, Page 3, Image 3

From page 2
Board discussion on this
grade levels to match state was one of adamant condem­
wide testing. O bviously this nation. I had never before
was not an option as it forced heard talk of this as a problem
the formation of at least one within our district at the board
blend in town.
level. Reasoning was based on
I believe the consideration of limited personal experience or
curriculum changes or hard line hearsay from “friends in educa­
positions should only occur af­ tion,” without providing any evi­
ter considerable thought and dence showing that one prac­
research. Docum entation on tice is better than another. Most
the subject of blends is incon­ notably lacking was information
clusive. There is no significant from within our district. I felt this
evidence supporting one prac- was very unprofessional. Our
Uce over another
„children deserve better.
Between the Bookends
By Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
Thanks for being flexible
in connection with Whitney
Otto’s unexpected illness,
which resulted in her not
being able to make the
scheduled
appearance.
Saturday, June 21, is the
date that has been tenta­
tively reselected for Ms.
Otto to come to the library.
She sounds delightful on the phone, so plan on
having a great time. She has also offered to
bring the beautiful handmade quilt, which was
given to her and was featured in the movie ver­
sion of her book.
Pat Gold’s program about the Chinookan Na­
tions will be the following Saturday, June 28 at
2:00 p.m. Ms. Gold is a very versatile, talented
lady who conducts workshops in addition to her
numerous presentations through the Chau­
tauqua program. Mark your calendars for these
two upcoming special events at the library.
There’s still a little time to read the monthly
choice for the book discussion group. The book
being discussed is John Grisham’s, The Sum­
mons, and the discussion will take place Tues­
day, May 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the library. All inter­
ested in joining this informal group are welcome.
Next book for discussion will be Seabiscuit, An
American Legend, by Laura Hillenbrand. The li­
brary has two copies of this book for anyone
wishing to get started reading for the June dis­
cussion meeting.
The library was recently given a nice selection
of James Bond videos. These have been added
to the rather extensive video collection and are
now available for circulation.
Latest acquisitions include A Cold Heart by
Jonathan Kellerman, A ll He Ever Wanted by Ani­
ta Shreve, Dirty Work by Stuart Woods and The
Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark. Of
these, The Second Time Around is the only one
that I have had the chance to read. Having read
every one of Ms. Clark’s books over a period of
many years, I’ve been somewhat disappointed in
some of her later novels. While each is an en­
joyable, nice read with characters that reflect the
changes occurring over the years, they don’t
seem as suspenseful as her very early novels.
This one, I feel, is one of the better of her later
offerings. This novel is narrated partly from the
third-person perspective or a mass murderer,
and partly from the first-person point of view of
Carley De Carlo who is a target of this killer.
Carley is the stepsister of Lynn Spencer, whose
My disappointment over this
whole issue lies not in the deci­
sion itself, but rather the
process. Much had been made
of [Vernonia Superintendent
Mike] Funderburg’s availability
and willingness to listen to
groups or individuals. For that
we can all truly be thankful. I
have seen him as very upbeat
with many positive ideas and
actions. I have found him to be
easy to talk with and can actu­
ally say I kind of like him.
His three-option analysis o
Mist Grade School was an utter Grade school should raise seri­
failure. He presented three un­ ous concerns of safety.
workable solutions that were bi­
These are the very same
ased and unequally weighted. people who will likely ask you
The statistics and surveys were for more money in the future. I
written to convey an unfavor­ say NO. The school boards and
able message.
state legislators will then say it
All meetings were adver­ is you and I hurting education. I
tised, but the agendas were contend it is quite the opposite
only lead-ins to decisions of and until these people can gain
greater magnitude and impact. the trust and spend wisely, tax
The deception was that a true measures will continue to be
plan actually existed. Grass defeated in this state. With very
root efforts lacked time to or­ limited exception there is not a
ganize and build a campaign.
tax increase that I would cur­
I also believe there was a rently support.
failure to seek and consider in­
I want the best for all the kids
charismatic husband, Nicholas, presumably died put from the teachers, students in this district. Leadership starts
in the crash of his small plane. It is assumed that and parents most affected.
at the top and filters down. I be­
Nicholas looted the medical company he found­
The most disturbing point is lieve it is an embarrassment to
ed and that he was fleeing arrest when the plane the communication between in­ this district to have about 15
crashed. A newspaper correspondent, Carley is dividuals who strongly inferred students
attending
Jewell
hired to do a feature on Nicholas Spencer and a decision on Mist was already School, but I am beginning to
the cancer cure he claimed to have developed.
made, while the superintendent gain a greater understanding of
Carley asks questions that uncover clues to a and board claimed that all op­ why.
conspiracy within the medical company and to tions remained open. It is with
What is best for all? Re­
the possibility that the cancer cure really worked.
this that I personally have lost member the district’s vision,
With this knowledge, Carley comes to the real­ all trust in them.
“We will open doors for all to
ization that someone does not want this informa­
The board of directors, discover the world of endless
tion revealed and is willing to kill her to prevent
which you elected, share in this possibilities.”
it. Fans of Ms. Clark will be able to predict the debacle as well. I realize that
For fair, honest, responsible
ending, but still this is a nice book to read.
we need to do what is best for leadership, write in Thomas
My recommendation for the month is a novel
all, but by cutting a highly suc­ Jones for position #7, 47J
by Nanci Kincaid, entitled Verbena. This book cessful, self-sufficient educa­ school board. Thank you.
will make you laugh and make you cry. When
tional element within the dis­
Thomas Jones
Verbena’s first husband dies in a car wreck, she trict, while leaving extracurricu­
Mist
is left with five children and a big empty place in lar athletics or non-benchmark
her heart. She and the mailman, Lucky McHale,
fine arts programs unscathed is Youth drama lacked
develop a very special relationship and marry. just wrong. I am not suggesting
support from school
Then, Lucky disappears, leaving an even bigger that these are bad programs
hole in Verbena’s heart and many questions in and should be cut, but that oth­ To the Editor:
her mind. This is a great story of a strong, emo­ er options exist. I will never ar­
For three nights in May, a
tional, headstrong, sexy, loving, and funny
gue against the benefits of ath­ drama production entitled “I
woman.
letics, but will remind adminis­ Hate Hamlet”, was presented
When in St. Helens, be sure to check out the trators, coaches, players, par­ by the Vernonia Youth Theatre
St. Helens Bookshop. It has a wonderful selec­ ents and fans that these activi­ and held at the Grange in Ver­
tion of books, many with personal comments ties are privileges. Extra-curric­ nonia. The Vernonia Youth The­
from the staff of the store, librarians, and other
ular is just that and in tough atre was formerly known as the
readers. The owner, Luanne Kreutzer, has been economic times I do not believe Vernonia High School Drama
the person responsible for providing names and education at any level should Department. A month after re­
contacts for potential authors to make appear­ be sacrificed over athletics.
hearsals had begun, an em­
ances at Vernonia’s library, for ordering books to
At the first special meeting ployee of the school district
have as these authors visit the library, and for we were told it was all about took an unedited copy of the
the selections that have been available for pur­ declining enrollments and lack play to the Superintendent and
chase as gifts for the library at Christmas time.
of funding; the second meeting, insisted that it was inappropri­
The Friends of the Library have two days
it was stated that it was much ate.
scheduled as drop-off days for those of you who
more complex than money. I
Never mind that the principal
have books to donate to their annual book sale
believe the second m eeting . had been given a copy of the
during Jamboree. These are June 21st and July only occurred due to the pres­ play in the very beginning, and
26th— both Saturdays—from 10-12 a.m. This
ence of highly concerned par­ never mind that a couple of
has been a most successful fund-raiser and its ents demanding a degree of
possibly inappropriate lines had
success depends on having books to sell and accountability.
been edited. Never mind that
buyers for them. All money raised by The
This is the same board of di­ the actors had been working on
Friends is used to support the library and its pro­ rectors that vigorously tried to
their extensive lines and a very
grams. Help with this sale or any other project of tell you and me to pass a com plex and choreographed
The Friends will gladly be accepted.
school bond levy two years sword fight. After perusal by the
ago. One reason being that our “English department,” the play
Vernonia P ublic Library: 701 Weed Ave.
buildings are unsafe and our was deemed inappropriate for
H ours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.;
children would be harmed in the high school. The decision
Tues.. Thur. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
the event of an earthquake. If was made to do the play any­
Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
this remains true, consider that way, and with the help of Robb
Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:00
Mist Grade School is probably Wilson, the Grange Hall was
a.m., when school is in session.
the most structurally sound selected.
Phone: (503 ) 429-1818
building in the district. Lincoln
Please see page 16