The independent., March 18, 2004, Page 2, Image 2

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The INDEPENDENT, March 18, 2004
INDEPENDENT
be
PÆTÎEA/T
Serving the upper Nehalem River valley. Published on the
first and third Thursdays of each month, by Public Opinion
Laboratory Ltd., 725 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064, as
a free newspaper. Publishers, Dirk & Noni Andersen. Editor,
Noni Andersen. Phone/Fax: 503-429-9410, e-mail:
noni@vernonia.com. Display Advertising, Clark McGaugh,
e-mail: clark@vernonia.com Classified Advertising, Rebec­
ca McGaugh, e-mail: rebecca@vernonia.com
gOpinioft
is it a fee or is it a tax?
More than 50 percent of Columbia County voters did
something remarkable this month...they voted!
The result of the vote was to overwhelmingly defeat
a proposed increase in the mineral depletion fee that is
paid to Columbia County by sand and gravel compa­
nies. Most of the 15 cent/ton fee is used for road main­
tenance so it was surprising to see the resounding de­
feat.
It would be instructive to know whether people voted
against the increase because they felt it was exorbi­
tant, or because they believed the gravel industry ads
that called the measure a tax. There could well be
many other reasons, also, but there are no exit polls in
Oregon because we vote by mail and no longer have
polling places.
Is it DSL or is it not DSL?
At the Vernonia Council meeting last Monday, City
Administrator Mike Sykes said he was told by Merle
Gallagher, the local (and very competent) Verizon rep­
resentative, that approximately 300 Vernonians are
now using DSL services.
The following day, a local woman stopped to ask if
DSL is, or is not, going to be available here, because
she wanted to sign up. We assured her that it is avail­
able now.
We weren’t exactly correct, however, because she
had called Verizon last Monday and was told, “DSL is­
n’t available in Vernonia.”
Obviously, the person she talked with made an error,
but the result was the same as if DSL weren’t avail­
able. So, depending on who you talk with, DSL either
is, or is not, available in Vernonia.
Don’t give up. We really are part of the 21st century.
Candidates seek Commission positions
Seven candidates have filed nomina­
tion papers for one of the two open posi­
tions on the Columbia County Board of
Commissioners in the May 18 Primary
Election.
On the Democratic ballot, Commis­
sioner Joe Corsiglia, the incumbent in
Position 1, is being challenged by Gary
H. Heide. Both candidates are residents
of st. Helens.
Two Republicans are also seeking Po­
sition 1. Colleen DeShazer of Warren,
who is president of the board of directors
for the Port of St Helens, will face Glenn
E. Dorschler of Scappoose.
Republican Tony Hyde, Position 3 in­
cumbent, will be unopposed on the Re­
publican ballot.
Three Democrats are seeking the op­
portunity to run against Hyde in Novem-
ber - Rosemary M. Lohrke of Scap­
poose, William R. Daemke of Deer Is­
land, and Steven Sickles of St. Helens.
Incumbent candidates for two addi­
tional elective positions in the county are
unopposed in the primary - Sheriff Phi,
Derby and County Surveyor Phil Dewey.
Also unopposed is Treasurer candi­
date Ruth M. Baker, County Financial
Officer. Baker has been performing the
duties of the treasurer as an appointee,
since the resignation of the prior treasur­
er.
Following are additional candidates
who will be unopposed in the primary
election:
• Circuit Court Judge, 19th District,
Berkeley Smith, of Warren.
• State Representative, District 31,
Betsy Johnson, of Scappoose.
Can’t afford to save this way
On a personal note, I have experienced something
interesting since passage of the Medicare prescription
bill.
The cost of a medication I must use daily, increased
by 129 percent from December to February. At this
rate, it will soon be impossible to pay for “affordable”
prescriptions.
-N A
I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the
freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of
those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
— Janies Madison