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.