The
INDEPENDENT
\ME
Published on the first and third Thursdays of each month by
The Independent, LLC, 725 Bridge St., Vernonia, OR 97064.
Phone/Fax: 503-429-9410. Publisher Clark McGaugh,
clark@the-independent.net • Managing Editor Rebecca Mc
Gaugh, rebecca@the-independent.net • Editor Noni Ander
sen, noni@the-independent.net
Opinion
CooLfc c>er 3OM6
___
County needs to do better
for public planning on trail
There is no doubt that Vernonia has benefited from
the development of the Banks-Vernonia Linear Park
trail. There is also no doubt that additional benefits will
accrue from the proposed Scappoose-Vernonia trail.
Doubts have developed, however, about the ability
of Columbia County staff to incorporate the needed
public participation in the project.
As an illustration, prior to the July 7 issue, The IN
DEPENDENT received a press release with a public
meeting date of July 12. Immediately after printing that
issue, we received a call asking why we printed inac
curate information. The answer, of course, was that we
were sent a press release with that information. We
don’t know why it was sent if it was inaccurate; that is
the responsibility of the county.
When new information was sent, the meeting was
set for today, July 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the Scout Cabin.
There was no consideration given to Vernonia resi
dents to allow advance planning. Since two meetings
were scheduled and Scappoose residents can access
a weekly newspaper, The INDEPENDENT asked the
county to switch the two meetings, with the Scappoose
meeting tonight and the Vernonia meeting on the 27th.
They couldn’t do that, though, because the press re
leases had already been sent! Ah yes, actually, they
had been sent twice...the first one was wrong!
This project is important. We hope the county will do
a better job of involving the public than they have yet.
Keep bikes off the sidewalks
Riding bikes is both fun and economically sensible.
But riding bikes on Vernonia’s narrow downtown side
walks is both dangerous and illegal.
During warm weather, more pedestrians are down
town, and some of them will be physically unable to
move fast enough to avoid being hit by scoff-law bicy
clists. Some of the bike riders will also be in danger,
especially young ones, who suddenly realize they
might hit someone and react by going into the street.
The police department can’t do everything. Parents
need to educate their children about bike safety and
laws, or be prepared for serious consequences. There
is no excuse for adults and teens who ignore the city
ordinances; they should receive maximum penalties.
i
1*
..... .
.
......................... —
--------
....................... .............I ................................................................
....................................................................................................
1
Sa»
mitment and professionalism of State Legislators
By Representative Brad Witt
and the efficiency of their state government.
House District 31
Last but certainly not least, it is thoroughly
For the second time in
as many weeks, a majori embarrassing that the same 32 members who
ty of House Members vot voted for our second recess also voted 32 to 27
ed 32 to 27 on Monday to disallow any debate on their motion. Too em
(July 11) to recess for 3- barrassed, perhaps, to even discuss how they
1/2 days. The vote was were compromising the public’s interest. I want
taken only one day after ed desperately to take the floor and warn my col
we reconvened on Sun leagues of the disrespect that they and our body
day evening, July 10th, would earn from another recess. I wanted, also,
following our first 3-1/2 day recess. This haphaz to tell them that their crass dismissal of any de
ard work schedule is not the way to run our State bate made a mockery of our democratic form of
government, of civility and respect for others.
Legislature.
I wanted to tell them how our little tiff over re
In my opinion, the 32 State Representatives
who voted for another paid vacation (per diem cesses paled in comparison to the every day
continued to accrue during these recesses) problems that confront local governments
ought to be embarrassed by their votes. Embar throughout our Legislative Districts. Real world
rassed that the citizens of Oregon sent us to problems like getting food to shut-in senior citi
Salem to do their work — to develop a compre zens, repairing county roads, finding school sup
hensive state budget and to address their public plies for disadvantaged families, fighting drugs
policy priorities. Yet after six months, we have and crime, maintaining veterans services, ade
completed neither task. Our performance hardly quately staffing our schools and on and on.
I wanted to tell them that, in spite of all of
warrants time off.
Members should also be embarrassed that these problems and the paucity of resources to
their July 11th vote, in light of our remaining deal with them, our local government partners
work, appears to disaffirm a Legislator’s oath to find the will to get their jobs done. I wanted to tell
“faithfully discharge” my duties “according to the them that, as state leaders, we have an obliga
tion to set an example, to get our jobs done, too.
best of my ability.”
But as I have explained, no one was allowed
It is further embarrassing that the Session
costs taxpayers $28,500 per day, even when the to challenge the wisdom of another House re
House is off on vacation. Representatives cess. Candidly, it is not in my make-up to accept
should also be embarrassed that Monday’s vote such undemocratic treatment. As a result, I re-
Please see page 20
once again causes the public to doubt the com
Salim
-------- 1
......... .... ..............- ■ —
—
----