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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2005)
The INDEPENDENT, July 7, 2005 Page 3 Letters_ _ _ _ _ _ _ Volunteers can create a vibrant Oregon To the Editor: I routinely dine with O re gon’s governor. Sometimes it’s just the two of us and some tim es w e ’re with 300 or so “close friends.” When we dine alone, our conversations are pretty much like anyone’s (how was your day?; what did you do?). But one recurring theme in our conversations that might not be part of yours is “Can Oregon government solve this or that problem? What may sur prise you is that a recurring an swer in our household is “No! Oregonians can solve this or that problem!” Given the shaky state econ omy of the last two-and-a-half years, and the budget cuts and salary freezes that w e’ve en dured, it’s becoming clear to all that government can’t “do it all.” And, in truth, Oregon’s tradition is to use the expertise, muscle, and commitment of volunteers - even to run the government. That’s why Oregon government boards and commissions com prise able, public-spirited vol unteers. Working beside the volun teers who serve on government boards and commissions are Oregonians who volunteer to im prove their communities and their lives in myriad ways. And Oregon is the home of a unique organization, SOLV, that creates and supports thousands of vol unteer opportunities throughout Oregon. Take advantage of it! SOLV - our “beach cleanup” group - is a model for volunteer opportunities, from identifying community problems, to work ing with local leaders to tackle the problems, to coordinating volunteers to resolve the prob lems. And while government budgets are shrinking, SOLV is expanding. What could be bet ter? SOLV’s “Campaign for Vol unteer Action” is aimed at you - and me and every Oregonian who cares about our special state. And that’s each of us, is n ’t it? SOLV’s campaign theme is “When People Get Together, Things Get Done.” W e’ve proven it with the beach clean ups (4,100 volunteers this year, the “Down By The Riverside” watershed restoration projects (19,000 volunteers), and hun dreds of smaller projects. (For a taste of SOLV, see <www. solv.org>.) Oregonians do get things done. And w e’re lucky to have SOLV’s expertise to help identi fy doable projects and coordi nate our volunteer activities. By Angie Spiering Banks Public Library “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds” is the them e for W ashington County Libraries Summer Reading Program . Sign ups for the Summer Read ing Program at the Banks Public Library will continue through July 16th. Every child in W ashing ton County who signs up for the Summer Read ing Program will receive a coupon good for two free activities at the Family Fun Center and Bull- winkle’s Restaurant (coupon is valid June 16- September 6). In addition, children who meet their goals and turn in their reading records after August 1st will each receive a paperback book and a coupon good for an all day Oaks Park Amusement Park bracelet for only $2.00, for use on August 17th at the “End of the Summer Read ing Party.” All programs are Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. The schedule for Banks Public Library is: July 14th: Arthur Atsma July 21st: Pink Pig Puppet Theater July 28th: Henrik Bothe Think about what needs atten tion in your community (I know there’s something) and then call SOLV at 844-9571 or 1- 800-333-SOLV (7658). Take advantage of SOLV’s re sources, and make your com munity better - for you, your neighbors, your children, and your neighbors’ children. For Oregon. Mary Oberst Office of the First Lady Salem Interpretive dance program cancelled To the Editor: It is with considerable regret that we must inform those of you eagerly awaiting our inter pretive dance program that we will be unable to inspire and en lighten you with that particular means of creative expression. It seems that as Postal employ ees we are forbidden by Feder al statute to perform interpre tive dances that may touch upon hot-button political issues. We are currently investigating whether mime is covered under those same regulations. We will keep you posted and we thank you for your support. Peter O’Leary Jimi Kolestar Vernonia Preschool Story time will continue through the summer until August on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. It will resume the first week of school in September. July’s programs will be: July 6th: The House of Mouse July 13th: Crazy Critters July 20th: Cat Tales July 27th: Kid Stuff Our newest books include Soapsuds by Fino- la Hughes, who brings her knowledge of soap operas to the page in this scathingly funny novel that catapults readers into the heat and hilarity of daytime drama. High Plains Tango, by best-selling author Robert James Waller, is a haunting, evocative story of a small town, a beautiful and mysterious woman, and the man who is changed by both. Banks Public Library: 111 Market Street. Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., 12 - 7:00 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 1 2 -5 :0 0 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m., through July. Phone: (503)324-1382 Internet: www.WlLlnet.wccls.lib.or.us. to browse library resources or to reserve materials electronically. Former student says analysis was wrong Letter to the Editor: Upon reading the student’s letter in support of the 47J school district in the June 16 publication of The Indepen dent, I admit I was somewhat confused by one of the closing lines: “Please get your facts straight.” This line seemed sin gularly foreign and out of place, given the intellectually dishon est, factually devoid diatribe in which I found it. This is forgiv able, however, considering the circumstantial biases undoubt edly influencing the student’s opinions; namely that he IS a student in the 47J, and also re lated to a current member of the teaching staff. So I here take it upon myself to make privy to the author of the letter, and to the readers, a few facts and opinions. (Though I will try to distinguish between the two where I can: hence the paren theses.) Regarding the music pro gram, I have a few points to make. The fact that Mr. Isted did not simply resign, but was strong-armed out of his position (fact) to make way for not “the most qualified applicant,” but the cheapest (educated guess). Furthermore, you seem to try to make the point that the quality of the music program did not decline under the com mand of Mr. Shannon. You cite as evidence the fact that hon ors band took place under Mr. Shannon, as it did under Mr. Isted. But you neglect to men tion all the things that have not taken place since Mr. Isted left. Honors choir, Tuba Christmas, and various group and solo com petitions, among many, many other things. I would also like to remark that Music in May took place EVERY YEAR MR. ISTED TAUGHT (fact)! So, if there is no qualitative differ ence between the two teach ers, I find it hard to explain these differences. As to the lack of a drama program at the high school, I am here to inform you that it would likely still exist today had the District not CUT IT (fact)! The Drama program survived for some time after it was offi cially cut, because of the dedi cation to education exhibited by George Ray, the former Drama teacher. My point is that the District has consistently shown its low opinion of academic ex tra curricular activities. This fact says nothing about the teach ing staff or the student body, but rather, tells of a predisposi tion of the citizens of Vernonia to allow the priorities of its chil dren to be misplaced (opinion ated observation). I could go on with many more examples of academic activities being abused, under funded, and ignored, in and out of class by this administration, but in order to keep this letter concise I will go no further. In closing, kudos to you, Mr. Schorzman for engaging in this ongoing debate, and for com posing a strong argument for your point, in spite of factual er rors and unsubstantiated opin ions. Myles Brock Vernonia County Parks thanks volunteers for help To the Editor: Colum bia C ounty Forest Parks and Recreation would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped spruce up our parks this spring. Several groups have taken on a variety of projects including: Members of the Mayger-Downing Com munity Church, by keeping the lawns mowed at the Beaver Boat Ramp in Clatskanie. On April 16, several volunteers with Oregon Equestrian Tails (C olum bia C ounty Chapter) groomed horse trails, which are currently under development at Camp Wilkerson. On May 5, 47 area students and nine teach- ersA/olunteers put in a hard day’s work at Camp Wilkerson. Projects accomplished that day included splitting fire wood, building bird houses, flow er boxes, and a bat house. Stu dents helped clear trails, tidy up the lodge and kitchen, and cleaned the restroom roof. On May 14, Tim Ohling took charge of grooming the play ground and day use areas at Scappoose RV Park, his volun teer assistants were three cub scouts with troop 294 and four adults. On May 21, the Spruce Runners participated in the Good Sam RV Club’s “adopt-a- park” program at Hudson Park. Please see page 24
