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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2004)
The INDEPENDENT, July 1, 2004 Page 3 Letters Horse path was never built on Linear Trail To the Editor: Just wanted to put my two- cents worth in the paper about the horse poop on the Lake and Linear trails. Before the trails were built and were just being talked about, the horse people gave their support to the idea be- cause they were told there would be a trail alongside the blacktopped area for horses. Well, I have ridden the trails many times and there are very few places where horses can get off the blacktop that are good walking for them. Most of the space alongside the trails is either rocked or horse and rider have to dodge tree limbs. Along the Webb Way trail, by the river, would make a great trail for horses. In fact, I ride there before the grass gets taller than my horse. If the State, City, or whoever would mow that area, horses could stay off the blacktop along that part of the trail. I would mow it myself, but I don’t own a tractor and my horse doesn’t pull a lawnmower (don’t have one to pull anyway). So, if you want to keep hors- es off the blacktopped trails, call or write the State and tell them to build the horse trails they said they would. Thanks for enduring my two- cents worth. Jan Bernardi Vernonia Country Market says thanks for the help To the Editor: The Vernonia Country Mar- ket wishes to thank everyone who has participated in our new Country Market; we especially want to thank West Oregon Electric and D & R Automotive for allowing us to use their lots for vendor parking (and West Oregon Electric, again, for pro- viding free printing to the Mar- ket). The Vernonia Chamber of Commerce should also receive our thanks for sponsoring the Market and providing seed money for the first season. We also want to thank the Vernonia City Council for mak- ing Shay Park available to the Market and for allowing us to close Adams Avenue twice a month, AND for putting up our sign (and a special thanks to the residents of Adams Avenue for putting up with us!)! Finally – thank you to all the vendors and all the shoppers who have participated in the Market so far. Vendor enroll- ment is starting to pick up now, and as produce begins to come in, we expect even more partic- ipation. We’re getting off to a good start this year, and we hope that the Vernonia Country Market will grow every year, un- til it’s as successful as any of the Farmers Markets or Satur- day Markets in the region. When it does, the people of Vernonia can take a lot of the credit for having supported us from the very first. Sincerely, The Board of the Vernonia Country Market WGS staff, teachers are the greatest! To the Editor: My letter is to thank the Washington Grade School staff. You guys are the greatest teachers. Without all of the teachers and staff I’m not sure if I would have survived my 3 years at Washington. Without the teachers’ love, patience, determination, and support I probably would have had a very hard time graduating. When I wanted to quit they wouldn’t let me, they kept me going throughout hard times in my life. I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew what great teachers we have in our small town. Thanks to all of you. I will miss you all. Sincerely, Amie Rombach New VHS freshman Mist Reasons why Mist School is supported To the Editor: I would like to voice my opin- ion on the last issue’s letter bv Amy Cieloha. I completely agree with many of her points and share in her frustration with the decision making process and actions of our school board. I do, however take very strong issue with her comment, as well as those of others, con- cerning Mist School and its staffing. Yes, it is correct that there are fifteen to twenty young stu- dents attending, but these rep- resent six different grade lev- els. Would you envy spending weekends and late nights learning 6 different curriculums and then simultaneously teach them? On the reference to the aide position, it should be made clear that the position is a half- time teaching assistant and half-time custodial. Both duties are needed and appreciated. The Superintendent and school board chair have stated on more than one occasion that the state’s appropriated monies per child are enough to cover instructional and operational costs with little to no extra bur- dens upon the district, and the [Mist] school will continue, as well it should. Certainly more enrollment would be welcomed. Now an historical perspec- tive for newcomers to this dis- trict and also for local genera- tions who either forgot or have failed to educate themselves. Mist School is not the bas- tard child of the Vernonia School District. Long ago it was its own district with local fund- ing. I was told by older genera- tions it was Vernonia that pleaded for annexation. I be- lieve the sizable tax base was largely the motive at the time. With much deliberation the union was agreed upon. It has worked well for many years and can continue as long as there is support. Also, Mist-Birkenfeld is not a suburb of Vernonia. It is its own community with its own identity. Part of that identity is repre- sented by our rural elementary school and what it stands for. Throughout good years and bad the community has sup- ported this district with board members, parent volunteers, fi- nancial contributors, scholars, athletes, and overall some down-to-earth pretty good kids. The current board of direc- tors has recognized the past and present value of the school to the district and rural commu- nity and has allowed for its con- tinued operation. Their respect and support should go both ways. It is every parent’s right to do what they believe is in the best interest of their children. Even though I share in the frustra- tion, unhappiness, and general mistrust of the district’s deci- sion making and actions, I be- lieve a good faith effort was made and those who have cho- sen alternative schooling for their children are selling the community and schools short. I do not completely disagree with their actions, and willingly ad- mit I may have done the same. It is certainly something worth thinking about. I believe it is best for my young children to receive their early education in their commu- nity. Mist School is not a perfect situation, but the education and environment are at least com- parable to the alternative, which is not an option in my mind The suggestion that the clo- sure of the Mist School would in some way solve or lessen the problems facing the Vernonia School District is nonsense. Perhaps the JewelI School Dis- trict would consider the annex- ation of Mist, thus removing the student population and the as- sociated government funding, along with the parental and community support that have contributed to 47J for so many years. Under current state school funding guidelines, tax base ar- guments are not the strength they once were for small rural communities. The taxation boundaries would have to be redrawn and a sense of repre- sentation would be maintained. Some residents might welcome these ideas, but the reality is very unlikely. It is quite clear that there are citizens within our district shar- ing a common goal of seeking the best possible education for our children and are willing to speak out to what they believe is right and just. The freedom of opinion and press is a great thing. The criticism of a particu- lar building or academic pro- gram without the slightest amount of time observing or, better yet, volunteering, does not prevent short-sighted opin- ions or misinformation from propagating within this district. It seems that the administra- tors, teachers, students, and also we parents all want a silver spoon. It is not going to happen under the current budget crises and we should make do with what we have at present while continuing to preserve our ideals in hopes of a better fi- nancial future. Thomas Jones Mist Thanks for donations to Adopt-A-Soldier To the Editor: Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the Adopt-A-Soldier program. All the donations have been collected and taken down to the Cascade Pacific Council BSA office. Cub Scout Pack 201 really appreciates the great turn out of donated items. If anyone wants to make future donations, they can be made at the BSA Council office. They will be continuing the pro- gram until further notice. Thanks again, Kinnell & Jon Steward Vernonia Pack 201 with a load of donations. Pictured back row: Timo- thy Jennings, Adonis Hopkins, Bridger Steward, Ethan John- ston, Blake Dennis, Mason, Roberts, Alex Chapman. Front row: Connor Larke, Logan Martin, Jacob Eyrick, Adam Wise- man, Nathen McMillen, Matthew Bevans, Andrew Treverso.
