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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2004)
Page 14 The INDEPENDENT, April 1, 2004 9-1-1 District again seeks levy renewal Michael Duce, of Mist, before and after his head was shaved to raise funds to help cure children’s cancer. He raised about $3,000 from people who wanted to see him bald on St. Baldrick’s Day. Run with Extra Confidence with Chevron DELO 400 ™ PLUS MOTOR OIL The name you trust for: • Gasoline • Diesel Fuel • Oils • Solvents • Additives • Greases Voters will be asked to re- new a five-year operating levy for the Columbia 9-1-1 Com- munications District on the May 18 ballot. If that sounds familiar, it is. You voted on it last No- vember. In November the measure was approved by 69.8 percent of the ballots cast, but those votes were invalidated because voter turnout was one percent less than the 50 percent re- quired. The May election also requires a 50 percent voter turnout, along with majority ap- proval, for the measure to pass. The operating fund for Co- lumbia 9-1-1 was approved by voters in 1998 and expires on June 30 of this year. The district is seeking renewal at a slightly lower rate than the current levy. In filing the renewal measure, Columbia 9-1-1 cited the impor- tance of renewing the Operat- ing Fund now, before it expires. Dee Wooley, President of the Board for Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District, points out, “The overwhelming vote of support in the Novem- ber election clearly demonstrat- ed that voters recognize, want and need essential 9-1-1 serv- ice. It is essential that voters send in their ballots. People throughout the county rely on this vital emergency communi- cation service. This is simply a renewal of the Operating Fund, not a new tax.” He adds, “The 9-1-1 district is committed to providing a good value to our citizens and communities. The District has been efficient while improving services, and as a result, the rate will decrease slightly for the renewal.” The District has accom- plished what is said it would do by improving essential equip- ment while at the same time in- creasing its service. The num- ber of calls to the District has doubled in the last ten years. Plus, the county-wide mi- crowave/radio “backbone” that was completed this winter now connects all agencies in Co- lumbia County through an up- graded, uninterrupted network that no longer relies on tele- phone lines. The microwave ra- dio upgrade was made possi- ble by federal funding brought to our communities by the 9-1- 1 District. As the county’s population has grown, so has its use of emergency communications. “District 9-1-1 dispatchers han- dle more than 10 calls an hour, 240 calls a day, or about 90,000 phone calls answered per year,” says District Adminis- trator Sally Jones. “That’s more than double what the Call Cen- ter handled only 10 years ago. We successfully connect 16 dif- ferent agencies with people who need their services. We’re a vital link for the safety and liv- ability that our citizens deserve – and get.” Numerous individuals, or- ganizations, local city councils and district boards have en- dorsed the renewal of the five- year Operating Fund. A cam- paign organization, The Renew Columbia 9-1-1 Committee, has formed with Rob Anderson acting as treasurer. The five-year Operating Fund supports all ongoing func- tions of the 9-1-1 Call Center, such as maintaining emer- gency communications service for all communities and unin- corporated areas throughout the county; 24-hour staffing and training; coordination and dispatching for 16 public safe- ty agencies in Columbia Coun- ty, including all fire, emergency medical and police in each community, and related support services for State Police and State Forestry Departments. The five-year renewal will maintain the level of service cit- izens throughout Columbia County now receive. Does your garage hold everything except a car? Make money while you make space! Sell those unused items in the Independent Action Ads H EATING O IL P ROTECT Y OUR D ECK WITH S HINGLE O IL CALL (503) 429-6606 WILCOX & FLEGEL 720 Rose Avenue • Vernonia Call 503-429-9410 for information Cleaning Tip: This is an easy and inexpensive way to clean your garage!
