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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 2003)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. P o s ta g e P aid V ern on ia, O R 9706 4 NewspaperRoom-ONP UO Library System - CPS 1299 University Of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1299 Vol. 18, No. 19 Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley FREE October 2, 2003 Chinook on time for Fall Salmon Festival Differences defined, ideas suggested Approximately 140 people attended the Septem ber 22 Vernonia Town Hall meeting on law enforcement, with nearly half that number staying to the end to work on the difficult and lengthy process of trying to find mutual ground between the mistrust and dissatisfaction ex pressed by many citizens to ward Police Chief Mike Cahill and his staff, and the trust and satisfaction expressed by many others. To assist that effort, the City of Vernonia obtained the aid of a facilitator, Craig Smith of Rur al Development Initiatives. Smith first explained ground rules for the meeting that would allow people to comment with out intrusion by others and without personal attacks. He then outlined an agenda that utilized the S.W.O.T. approach - identification of Strengths, W eaknesses, O pportunities and Threats - for decision making based on a clear un derstanding of the police de partment’s strengths and weak nesses, combined with a clear set of community goals for po lice services. Some of the Strengths and Weaknesses identified by par ticipants were polar opposites, ie.: Officers are friendly, willing to know citizens and enforce the law equally — or— Officers are confrontational, unwilling to admit mistakes and discrimi nate by age. Among the Opportunities identified were a chance to “wipe the slate clean" and re place the entire police force; abolish the “us vs. them" men tality and re-unify; develop DARE, Cadet, Reserve and Neighborhood Watch pro grams; change hiring guide lines to reduce officer turnover; community liaisons. Identified Threats were budget constraints made worse by loss of state and federal funds; lack of communication; a location that makes backup support difficult; lack of control over a lenient court system; in sufficient staffing. Use of the S.W.O.T. agenda was frustrating for some at the meeting who attended to ex press their complaints, and felt they should be allowed to do so even if identical complaints had already been vocalized. After completing the S.W.O.T. portion of the meeting, Chief Cahill reviewed the 2003-04 police department goals adopt ed by the city council before his arrival. They include ten public presentations annually, publi cation of a bi-weekly informa tion bulletin, exploration of al ternative funding options, de velopment of a long range plan for police service, providing training; developing a reserve force and increased office staff with volunteers. Currently, work toward these goals includes two office volun teers, one reserve officer and Picturesque Rock Creek is home to many species, includ ing Chinook Salmon that are arriving on schedule for the first annual Vernonia Salmon Festi val this Saturday, October 4. The day’s festivities will state with a parade at 11 a.m. Every one is invited to participate; the only requirement is to base your entry on a “Salmon" or “Fall” theme and show up at the staging area on Weed Avenue, alongside City Hall. In Shay Park, there will be an interactive stream discovery booth hosted by the Upper Ne halem Watershed Council and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Nehalem Val ley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League has prepared salmon viewing areas and hayrides of fered by the Vernonia Volunteer Ambulance Association and Metro West transportation will take visitors from downtown to the most distant viewing area. Viewing areas can also be ac cessed by foot or by car. A map of the day’s events will be available at the inform ation table in the park. At Anderson Park, the Cow boy Mounted Shooting Associ ation will put on a display of shooting, starting at high noon increased training. By this time, it was ten o ’ clock and quite a few people left because they had to be up early the following morning. The remainder broke up into six small groups to brainstorm ideas and try to develop poten tial solutions to the impasse. Each small group had a volun teer facilitator to help bring ideas out for discussion and, after hearing ideas proposed for nearly three hours, the groups quickly focused on ar eas they felt had promise. One group suggested a law Please see page 17 in the horse arena. Competitors dressed as turn-of-the-century cowboys shoot 45-caliber re volvers at targets while mount ed on galloping horses. This should be a lot of fun to watch. Hawkins Park will be busy with a wide variety of activities throughout the day. A wine tast ing featuring Oregon wines, and a silent auction will take place from 12 to 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Cabin, while Lee’s U- Catch will host a trout pond for kids in the children's wading pool. Music including the Vernonia Hands On Art Orchestra, Diana & The Song Dogs, and Cindy Lou Banks will entertain in the Lions Club gazebo. There will be a pumpkin pie baking con test, pumpkin carving, scare crow building, and pumpkin seed spitting contests, too. At 6:00 p.m., awards will be pre sented to winners of the day’s events, followed immediately by an auction of pies, wines and other goodies. In downtown Vernonia, you’ll find the kids’ coloring contest entries, the freestyle art com petition entries and a place to participate in the sidewalk chalk art contest. Grey Dawn Gallery will also hold an open ing of its annual fall show, "Au tumn Leaves,” featuring pho tographer Christopher Burkett and others. Hands On Art will host arts and crafts on Adams Avenue and in the old City Hall building. Food booths will include Ver nonia Cares Salmon Bento, the Lions Club Kraut & Dogs, plus Antipasto & Quiche from Lew’s Place. The Festival Com m ittee needs about 12 volunteers to help with various activities dur ing the day. For information call Randy Parrow, 503-429-3811. A full schedule of events imay be found on page 15.
