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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2007)
Page 4 The INDEPENDENT, May 5, 2007 Answers will be in “next year’s budget” Fish board needs people From page 1 p lete review and discussion of the City’s financial condition will be an important part of the budget process starting next week. 7. Please indicate which services the citizens of Vernon- ia expect to receive that they should not expect to receive (based on your comment that “the citizens of Vernonia have too high of expectations for services”). The Admin Department has reduced staff by 25%, the Po- lice Department has been oper- ating at an 80% staffing level, and Public Works staffing has been at an 83% level all year. It has been very difficult to achieve historic service levels in light of these staff reductions and the City’s tight financial state. Historic levels of service may be unattainable next year if we are required to operate at reduced staffing levels or under even tighter financial con- straints. One of the most impor- tant outputs of this year’s budg- et process will be the allocation of scarce resources in a way that ensures measurable goals are attained and the communi- ty is adequately served. Ser- vices that will or won’t be pro- vided in the coming fiscal year will be determined in the public budget process that starts next week. Hopefully the community will become engaged in this process, continue to become informed during it, and will comprehend the complexities and financial constraints sur- rounding this year’s budget. If this occurs, the citizenry won’t have too high of expectations for services. 8. Why aren’t your city ad- ministrator reports to council provided in writing? My City Administrator re- ports are not provided in writing because I deliver them verbally in public session which then becomes part of the public record. The Council does not require me to submit this report in writing. Kline concluded his re- sponse letter by saying; I hope these answers are satisfactory and that this year’s budget process provides more insight and information for you. We are currently working on a workshop to improve media re- lations in the community, and perhaps some improved poli- cies and processes will be de- veloped from it. It is our hope that information flow will be im- proved in the City and we all can become better informed citizens. See related information on page 2 in the Opinion column. Community Calendar VERNONIA Al-Anon Fridays 7:00 p.m. Grange Hall Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays & Thursdays 6:30 p.m., Head Start Bldg. American Legion Post #119 2nd Thursday 7:00 p.m., 627 Adams Avenue Arts & Crafts Society 2nd Thursday 2:00 p.m., City Library Booster Club 2nd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., VHS Library Boy Scout Troop 201 Tuesdays 7:00 p.m., Scout Cabin Boy Scout Troop 860 Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., LDS Church Cemetery Beautification Comm. 2nd Thursday 6:30 p.m., City Hall CERT 4th Wednesday For Info Call 503-429-3018 Chamber of Commerce 2nd Wednesday For Info Call 503-429-6081 Community Coalition 2nd Monday 12:30 p.m. School District Ofc. Cub Scout Pack 201 Scout Cabin For Info Call 503-429-4250 Friends of the Library 1st Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Vernonia Library Girl Scouts, Neighborhood 4-2 For Info Call 503-819-0143 Hands On Art Committee 1st & 3rd Thursdays 4:00 p.m., City Hall Izaak Walton League 3rd Thursday For location call 503-429-7193 Lions Club 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., Buckhorn Restaurant Municipal Airport Committee 4th Thursday 7:00 p.m., City Hall Narcotics Anonymous Saturdays 7:00 p.m., Head Start Bldg. Pioneer Museum For Info Call 503-429-3713 Public Works Committee 4th Tuesday 7:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Cares Directors For Info call 503-429-1414 Vernonia City Council 1st & 3rd Mondays 7:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Community PTA 3rd Thursday 7:00 p.m., WGS Library Vernonia Grange 3rd Monday 7:00 p.m., Grange Hall Vernonia Health Center 2nd Monday 6:00 p.m., 510 Bridge St. Vernonia Learning Center 1st Wednesday 7:00 p.m., VLC Vernonia Parks Committee 3rd Wednesday 6:30 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Planning Comm. 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Pride 3rd Thursday 1:00 p.m., City Hall Vernonia Ridge Riders Last Thursday 7:00 p.m., Senior Center Vernonia RFPD Board 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Fire Station Vernonia School Board 2nd Thursday 6:00 p.m., District Office Vernonia Sr. Center Board 2nd Friday 1:00 p.m., Senior Center Vernonia Transfer Station 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Behind VHS Vern. Volunteer Ambulance Assoc. 1st Thursday 7:00 p.m., Fire Station Vernonia Volunteer Firefighters 2nd Monday 7:00 p.m., Fire Station WOEC Directors 3rd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., WOEC S M 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking people interested in represent- ing public and fishing or fish conservation interests on the state Fish Screening Task Force. One public interest position is open, and one fishing or fish conservation position is open. Individuals interested in serv- ing on the Task Force have un- til May 25 to contact Bernie Kepshire, ODFW Fish Screen- ing State Coordinator, at 503- 947-6229. Kepshire can also be reached by fax at 503-947- 6203 or via e-mail: bernard. m.kepshire@state.or.us The ODFW Fish Screening Program implements the instal- lation and maintenance of fish screens to prevent fish losses in ditch and pump water diver- sions. The Task Force advises ODFW on fish screening pro- gram development, implemen- tation, monitoring, technology, MAY 2007 T W T 1 2 3 10 8 9 15 16 17 22 23 24 29 30 31 F 4 11 18 25 S 5 12 19 26 S M JUNE 2007 T W T 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 F 1 8 15 22 29 S 2 9 16 23 30 funding and reporting. The seven members of the Task Force are appointed by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. Three members represent agriculture interests, three represent fishing or fish conservation interests, and one member represents the public at large. Members serve for two-year terms and may be re- appointed for a maximum of three terms. The Task Force generally meets quarterly at various locations throughout the state. The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Ore- gon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future genera- tions. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional and district offices located throughout the state. For additional informa- tion, go to <www.dfw.state. or.us>. S 1 8 15 22 29 MIST-BIRKENFELD M-BRFPD Board Business Mtg. 2nd Tuesday M-BRFPD Board Workshop 4th Tuesday M-B Ambulance Drill 1st & 2nd Thursdays M-B Fire Drill 1st & 2nd Wednesdays M-B Helping Circle 2nd Monday M-B SAR Drill 3rd Wednesday M-B Volunteer Assoc. 1st Tuesday Natal Grange 2nd Wednesday T.O.P.S. Mondays Upr Nehalem Watershed Council For date call 429-2401 M 2 9 16 23 30 JULY 2007 T W T 4 5 3 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31 F 6 13 20 27 S 7 14 21 28 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:30 p.m., Natal Grange Hall 6:00 p.m., Main Fire Station 7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station BANKS Alcoholics Anonymous Fridays 7:00 p.m., Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous Wednesdays 7:30 p.m., Methodist Church American Legion Post #90 2nd Tuesdays 7:30 p.m., Main Street Post Banks City Council 2nd Tuesday 7:30 p.m., City Hall Banks Fire District #13 2nd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., Station 13 Banks Planning Commission Last Tuesday 7:00 p.m., City Hall Banks School Board 2nd Monday 7:30 p.m., Jr. High Library Banks Youth Group Sundays, Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., UMC Youth Bldg. Chamber of Commerce 1st Thursday 12:30 p.m., Fire District Office CPO 14 3rd Monday 7:00 p.m., City Library Friends of the Library 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., City Library Lions Club 1st & 3rd Mondays 7:00 p.m., Brown Derby Sunset Park Assoc. 3rd Wednesday 8:00 p.m., Gun Club T.O.P.S. Wednesdays 7:00 p.m., Administration Bldg. COLUMBIA COUNTY (All meet in St. Helens unless otherwise noted.) Board of Commissioners Wednesdays 10 a.m., Courthouse Citizens for Senior Justice 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Sunset Park Church Columbia Soil & Water District 3rd Wednesday 7:30 p.m., NRCS , 2514 Sykes County Fair Board 2nd Monday 7:00 p.m., Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg. County Parks Commission 3rd Monday 6:00 p.m., 1054 Oregon St. Mental Health Advisory Comm. 3rd Tuesday 10 a.m., 2nd Floor, Courthouse Comm. on Children & Families 3rd Thursday 5:30 p.m. OSU Ext., 550 N. Hwy. 30 Local Alcohol & Drug Plann. Comm. 2nd Tuesday 3:00 p.m., 2nd Floor, Courthouse Organizations and meeting dates not listed may be included by calling 429-9410 or by mail to The INDEPENDENT, 725 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064.
