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
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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,
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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>.
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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
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JULY 2007
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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.