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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2003)
T h e IN D E P E N D E N T, S e p te m b e r 18, 2003 Jamboree will be as good as you make it To the Editor: T h ank you to eve ryon e w ho helped during the Jam boree. As p re sid e n t of the J a m boree C om m ittee, I’d like to give recognition to the co m m it tee m em bers w ho helped m ake this y e a r’s Jam boree a su c cess. I apologize now fo r a n y one I m ay have m issed. The C om m ittee m em bers are: G len P u rve e -V e n d o rs, D onna W ebb and Enid P a rro w -W a s te M an agem ent, Katie P o e tte r-A d v e r- tisin g , C h ris tin a P u rv e e -F i- nance, B ert T s c h a c h e -E n te r- ta in m e n t, R o b b W ils o n and S haron P a rro w -P a ra d e , and Shelley Clines-Children’s Games. Each of these ind ividuals un selfishly gave of th e ir tim e to help co o rdin ate and execute the Jam boree, so tha t you and your fam ilies could en joy it. I w ould also like to th a n k the Event C oordinators and th e ir helpers - w ho I c a n ’t nam e b e cause I d o n ’t know the m all - from the Logging Show, H orse Show, C ar Show, S oftball Tour ney, W orship S ervice, S ynchro S w im m ing, Teen D ance, and Fishing Derby. A special thank you to Noni A nde rsen of The In depen den t fo r getting all of m y last m inute press releases in the paper. I norm ally do not voice my opinion in this m anner, h o w ev er each of the Jam boree C o m m ittee m em bers w orked very hard to do the best th e y could in each of th e ir areas and they deserve to be praised fo r th e ir efforts, not pu blicly berated w ith insinuations tha t the re needs to be a few oth er thin gs to do, or tha t this y e a r’s Ja m b o re e w as a failure! Therefore, I w ou ld like to com m ent on a cou ple of c o n cerns I have a b o u t the J a m boree. First, in the S e p te m b e r 4 is sue of The Independent, the S m ith F a m ily a n d F rie n d s w rote in th e ir le tte r to the editor, “ P erhaps a few o th e r thin gs to do that w eekend w ou ld help," and “T here w e re n ’t even any kids gam es this year. W hat a sham e!” In defense of the J a m boree C om m ittee and e sp e cia l ly S h e lly C lin e s (out of the g o o d n e ss of h e r h e a rt she agreed at the last m inute to he lp b e ca u se no o n e e lse w ould step up to do the Kids G am es), fo r the kids there w ere the Fishing Derby, the Parade, a 5K Fun R u n /W a lk, Teen Dance, and Kids G am es at the s w im m in g po ol (a lso , th e re w ere at least tw o booths with kids gam es). For the adults, there w ere, in addition to the above m entioned events, the A lte rn a tiv e S tag e, S o ftb a ll T o u rn a m e n t, B la ck P o w d e r R endezvous, S y n c h ro n iz e d S w im m ing D em onstration, Li b ra ry B o o k S ale, V e rn onia G ra n g e E lvis T rib u te , local bands perform ing live m usic, P astoral A ssociatio n W orship S e rv ic e w ith c o n te m p o ra ry C h ris tia n m usic, A lte rn a tiv e S tage G olf Tourney, Vernonia R idge R iders H orse G am ing Show, and the Logging Show. Now, if you fe e l th is is n ’t enough to keep you occupied o ve r the w eekend, then get in volved and help us plan and ex ecute m ore events next year! The second issue I’d like to a d dre ss is, W E N E ED YO U R HELP. S ta rtin g in Jan uary, eve ry 2nd Thursday, w e m eet at 7:00 p.m . at the W G S Library to start planning the next J a m boree. E very ye a r in ou r press releases, w e ask fo r m ore c o m m unity invo lve m en t and rep- p e ate dly say som ething along the lines of, “if you have som e new ideas or w ould like to help co o rdin ate a Jam boree event, please plan to attend!" So, to T h e S m ith Fam ily and Friends and anyone else w ho believes there need to be “a few oth er things to d o ” and “ kids gam es" w e again extend an invitation to each of you. C om e on dow n and get involved, or the sham e w ill tru ly lie w ith you! Sincerely, R an dy Parrow , P resid ent Vernonia Jam b o ree C om m ittee Chief actions bring unwarranted disgrace To the Editor: No S econd C hance! R e g a rd in g th e re ce n t b ro u h a h a c o n c e rn in g P olice C hief C a h ill’s actions during the Friendship Jam boree, I w ould like to urge that he be fired or forced to resign fo r several rea sons. First, it is abundantly clea r from his actions that he does not understand the people of th is co m m u n ity. U nlike “c ity fo lk ,” w e do not need a Big B rother/N anny to m icrom anage o u r personal affairs. Also, there w as absolutely no reason fo r the disgusting show of force displayed. T his is n o t so m e in n e r c ity g h e tto w here w e loot, riot and burn as a form of entertainm ent. There m ade us look like a bunch of has never been any a p p re cia law less, drunken buffoons. T h is ble trouble at the Jam boree, at is not som e Old W est fro n tie r least none that I’ve heard of or tow n, nor do w e act like that. seen. However, I thin k the last s e n W hy, then, did C hief Cahill tence of that article is the best “call in the M arines?” The only reason of all to not give C hief reasons I can discern are that C a h ill “ a n o th e r c h a n c e ,” as he disrespects the people of som e suggest we should. The this com m unity and fears them . paper quoted him as saying, A nd it d o e sn ’t take a genius to that w ithout his actions, “th e re realize that an arm ed, scared is no telling w ha t w ould have person is the m ost dangerous happened” . C hief C ahill, I can creature there is. Increasingly, tell you w hat w ould have h a p there is an “ Us versus T h e m ” pened: the sam e thing as usual m entality in m any police d e - not m uch. He d id n ’t “get it" partm ents, but this is usually then, now or in the future. His found in urban high crim e a r m indset is such that he w ill a l eas. I do n’t thin k Vernonia q u a l w ays disrespect and fe a r the ifies. people of this tow n and I’m c e r The apparent blatant show tain he w ill not and c a n n o t of favoritism show n regarding change. O nce a bully, alw ays a the beer garden situation w as bully. probably illegal and, w orse, un I beg all citizen s to dem and ethical. that this m iscreant be rem oved I was under the im pression from office N O W . D em and tha t that one of the reasons w e had the m a yor and council take im a police force w as to protect us m ediate action and correct th e ir from thugs and bullies. W here dism al m istake and m ake ou r do w e turn w hen the police be com m un ity w hole again. T h e ir com e the thugs and bullies? job is to serve the electorate, P erhaps w e should turn to the not em place som e petty d ic ta folks w ho hired him, the city tor. council and mayor. It seem s, But, if, fo r s o m e u n fa th how ever, th a t th e y a re not om able reason, C hief C ahill is m uch inte reste d in rectifying allow ed to rem ain in office, I the situation. This is som ew ha t suggest w e cha nge the nam e understandable as th e y spent of the Jam boree to “V ernonia m uch tim e and effort in the G estapo D ays - R e-live 1938 search fo r a police chief, on ly to G erm an y!” or, how ab out “A r- discover that they had failed restFest ‘0 4 ” ? m iserably to choose a suitable Finally, C hief C ahill - I c h a l person. E veryone m akes m is lenge you to take the correct takes; I jud ge people not so and honorable cou rse of action much by the ir m istakes as by and resign. You d o n ’t like us w hat they do to correct them . and w e d o n ’t like you. Let us I com e from the S outh and part com pany on civil term s have seen first hand w ha t ha p w hile w e still can. pens w hen police are allow ed W olfg an g R o tb art to abuse th e ir power. I sure as V ernonia hell d o n ’t w ant to see tha t hap pen here! In the past, I have alw ays e n c o u ra g e d frie n d s a n d a c quaintances to attend the J a m To: Vernonia Fine, Police, Para medics, and Volunteers: boree. I w o n ’t m ake tha t m is I would like to take this opportu take ag ain. O ne pe rso n re nity as a local resident and business m arked, “W hat h a ppe ned to owner of Vernonia to applaud you! I the “ Friendship” part of th is? ” take my hat off to you all. Everyone I have alw ays supported the of you who serves this community, dow ntow n business com m un ity regardless of the politics, who stand and sho p th e re fre q u e n tly . proud in support of life, safety, and Lately, though, I find m yself health, are symbols of what this a vo id in g th a t area (w o u ld n ’t w ant to get a ticket for under-in community and what this country flated tires or som ething eq u a l truly represents. I wish I had known earlier of your ly reprehensible). tribute to 9-11 and those who have A nother reason for his re m oval is that C hief C a h ill’s ac fallen on behalf of those in need on tions have brought un w arra nt that momentous event, so that my ed disgrace to this great co m family and I could have supported you more. My handshakes seemed munity. I hope everyone read pitiful as compensation for the sacri the article about the Jam boree fices you make for my family, my in The O regonian. The article Thank you to all emergency workers P age 3 self, and my community. < The tribute that I witnessed on the evening of September 11,2003 on Bridge Street, was inspirational and emotionally moving. Through out the United States many events took place in honor of those who served and sacrificed on this day, but I feel exceptionally rewarded to know that I am part of a community that is willing to show its true colors of love, respect, and admiration, not only to those who served, but as a beacon of those who continue to serve in such a caring manner to day. W e have called upon you many times as a family, and each time you have proven yourselves to be pro fessional, necessary, and worthy. I have never worried about a family member in your care. Feel proud in your accomplishments! Your val ues and what you provide to our community represent what I strive to teach my children in regard to self-purpose, patriotism, love of country, and mankind. Remembrance is indicative of growth, love, and respect. Thank you! Sincerely, Michael Botchie, President Precision Building Maintenance, Inc. Vernonia Senior Center needs help from community To the Editor: To the C itizens of V ernonia: W ho are you? A nyon e that lives in the m a ilin g area of 97064. I am tryin g to m a ke you aw a re of a very real need at yo u r S e n io r Center. 1. A lm o st all o f you say there is a need fo r the S enio r C e n te r to be a part of the com m unity. 2. A great m ajo rity of you know w e exist, but d o n ’t bo the r to co m e in. 3. A large m ajority of you co m e in to shop, visit and eat w ith us and en joy the th in g s o f fe re d at the center. 4. A sm all m ajo rity of you b o th e r to jo in us as a m e m be r ($ 1 0 .0 0 a year, p lu s v o tin g rights on issues that co m e up). 5. A ve ry sm all group care or b o th e r to be co m e active in the p o litics of keeping the doors op en and running. Yes, it's all v o lu n te e r w ork. 6. I have told you in pa st a r ticle s I’ve w ritte n that the ce n te r n e ede d bodies. Now, w e need m ore tha n bodies. W e need p e o p le to com e forw ard that can he lp us run the S e n io r C en- P lease see pag e 20
