Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2004)
Page 12 The INDEPENDENT, June 17, 2004 More Letters From page 3 Scholarship awards should be public To the Editor: As a grandmother of a 2004 graduate, I would like to express my opinion on the graduation ceremony held on the football field last Sunday. It is always a pleasure to watch a new class prepare to take their place in the adult world. I know that in the interest of saving time at the graduation ceremo- ny itself, the scholarship awards were given at an earlier event; but it would have been nice to list the scholarship donors and the recipients aloud, having them stand in place to be recognized. The speeches given by the class president, the exchange students, and the farewell to the class were respectful of the audience and enjoyable to lis- ten to. The band and choir per- formed very well, but it would have been nice to be able to hear them. I know from football games I have attended that the sound system can be wired into the grandstand speakers. The “honor” speakers, though obvi- ously intelligent young men, proved the point that intelli- gence doesn’t equal wisdom and maturity. Their speeches would have been fine, and no doubt well-received, had they been given at a private party or possibly an open meeting; but they had no place at a ceremo- ny where young children, par- ents, grandparents and visiting relatives and friends were gath- ered to honor the achieve- ments of the Class of 2004. Also, although I prefer attending graduation on the football field, as opposed to indoors in the gym, it seems to me that the school district might want to budget a small amount to purchases several large canopies to cover the gradu- ates, band, and choir in case of inclement weather in the future. My husband and I would like to add our congratulations to the Class of 2004 along with all the others they have received. Sincerely, Judy Budge Vernonia Sound of frustration was loud and clear To the Editor: First of all, I’d like to state, I am active with the Vernonia Community PTA, however the views given here are my own. I had the opportunity to help in the card room for the Senior Graduation. I was happy to help out [and] I also had the opportunity to watch the cere- mony. One of the speeches given by a co-valedictorian has really stayed with me. No so much for the content of the speech, but for the sound of frustration and helplessness it had. Although I did not agree with the timing and the place of choice for his speech, he accomplished what he set out to do. He was finally heard. Many decisions have been VERNONIA INN Enjoy a quiet weekend with us. FULL SIZE, IN ROOM HOT TUBS Queen Beds • Private Bath • Separate Entrance Cable TV • Phones • Handicapped Access CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-800-354-9494 / 503-429-4006 GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 900 MADISON AVE., VERNONIA, OR 97064 Just one block off scenic Nehalem River Hwy. (Oregon 47) made this last school year, which directly affected both the high school and its students. I know the student council is in place to help with such situa- tions, but they were not asked to be a part of that decision- making or given the opportunity to state an opinion. Every decision made without student input sends the mes- sage that the students are not respected either for their opin- ions or as individuals. The stu- dents were not able to voice an opinion or an objection about any decisions made by the powers that be. That would make me feel pretty frustrated and hopeless too! All our children deserve bet- ter than this. I’ve always believed that two of the very best ways to pre- pare our children and young adults for the real world is by having excellent communica- tion and teaching by example. We need to reflect on the examples we give when we approve unread documents and when we ignore or stifle students who want to have a voice. We need to bridge these gaps we have between stu- dents, administrators, parents, teachers, school board and community leaders. Communication and respect for one another are the keys to a successful partnership, from which we can all grow. Camrin Eyrrick Vernonia What’s happening to our school district? To the Editor: What’s happening with our schools? I just don’t under- stand the reasoning of the Vernonia School District. The board was able to pass a budget without everyone reading it. They seem to have a major plan to cram a building between both downtown schools right in the middle of a floodway (we city dwellers are fully aware of how much water can and has accumulated on that site). Does the board remember February 1996? I hope their plan includes pontoons and a lifeboat! Now they are going to close Lincoln School and eventually sell the property. But they fully intend to staff Mist School with a full time teacher plus an aide for 15 or so students. Classes are much larger here in town. What’s wrong with this pic- ture? School District 47J is located in the city of Vernonia. If the district needs money to keep the schools going why not sell the Mist School property and use that money here in Vernonia where our schools should all be located. This city is where the population lives that supports our local schools. Shelley Elton Vernonia not learned, often repeats its- self.This was the same thing that happened to the U.S. Dec. 7th, 1941. We had slept as a nation while Two nations threat- ened the world. Like a sleeping giant America awoke. Dec. 8th found men lining the streets around the Nation’s recruiting stations willing and able to go to war. Not only did the military go to war but also the workers of our great nation. Within weeks we were making Planes, ships, tanks faster than the enemny could sink, blow up or shoot down. Not only did they supply us in the military but also our allies as well. Had it not of been for an awakening America, Hitler and Togo of Japan would have enslaved the world. Hitler would have killed all the Jews in the world and put the rest of the world in slav- ery. WAKE UP AMERICA!, IT IS LATER THAN YOU THINK! Juneious F. Harty Scappoose To the Editor: We have two candidates running neck to neck for the presidency of the U.S. One wishes to knuckle down under the U.N. and Moslem nations, Withdraw our troops and face defeat, thereby allowing America to go back to sleep. The other candidate, not wish- ing to waste the precious lives already lost, wishes a wide awake America to press on to victory, not another political blunder like Vietnam. The facts are, World war III started September 11, 2001 when the United States of America was attacked by a united power dominated by the moslem fanatics and our presi- dent had the courage to wake a sleeping America and go to war. History, when the lesson is I want to thank everyone who supported me in the Primary election. Columbia County can be proud that over 50 percent of our voters partici- pated. We can hope for an even higher turnout for the very important November election. Important topics like the presidential race terrorism and the war in Iraq get the national press but we can’t lose our focus on the importance of good local governance. In the end, Columbia County resi- dents, not state or federal gov- ernment will decide the direc- tion Columbia County takes. I want to invite county resi- dents to come out and meet with me and with the other can- didates at community events throughout the summer. Take part in determining your future. Thank you, Rosemary Molony Lohrke Scappoose Candidate expresses Two candidates seek thanks for support the presidency To the Editor: “Frivolous petition” is a misuse of taxes To the Editor: The recall effort against Commissioner Rita Bernhard is simply another way to mis- spend our County tax dollars! Please see page 13
