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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2007)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 22, No. 20 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” Has city been de-Klined? Autumn Glory Nature’s palette of autumn colors, as at Vernonia Lake, reminds us that winter is near. State award to 9-1-1 head Sally Jones Sally Jones, the administra- tor of Columbia 9-1-1 Commu- nications District, was present- ed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the combined Ore- gon chapters of the National Emergency Number Associa- tion and Association of Public Safety Communications Offi- cials (APCO-NENA) at their an- nual awards banquet in Welch- es, Oregon on September 12. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the chapter’s highest award, created to recognize a distinguished member who has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of emer- gency communications, has exhibited outstanding leader- ship within the chapter and who has made significant contribu- October 18, 2007 tions to emergency communi- cations in Oregon over his/her lifetime. “We at Columbia 9-1-1 are enormously pleased that Sally was recognized for her out- standing efforts on behalf of the 9-1-1 community”, said Board President Kathy Denckla of Vernonia, “but her quality and abilities are certainly no sur- prise to us.” Jones began her public safety communications career in 1973 as a police, fire and emergency medical dispatcher at WSU in Pullman, Washing- ton, where she also volun- teered with a group that started the first rape crisis hotline and domestic assault education system for law enforcement in Pullman. From 1978-1989, Jones worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, Please see page 4 After more than a week of rumors regarding the possible resignation of Vernonia City Administrator, M.R. “Dick” Kline, Mayor Sally Harrison handed her gavel to Councilor Steve Whiteman at the October 15 Vernonia City Council meet- ing and read from a lengthy di- atribe to a standing room only crowd. Harrison said that Kline has decided to resign and, in what one spectator called a “vicious attack”, placed the blame for Kline’s decision on The Inde- pendent . “It’s a sad day for Ver- nonia, Dick Kline has decided to resign,” said Harrison, be- fore attributing Kline’s decision to “abuse The Independent has handed out.” She referred to The Independent ’s Publisher Clark McGaugh as a five year old with a loaded gun, and al- leged that The Independent printed lies and rumors. No resignation letter has been tendered and no date was given for his last day. Kline made no statement and has re- fused to answer any questions from The Independent , stating, “I won’t talk to you.” There was also a public hearing at the council meeting on the adoption of a regulated adult business ordinance. Council unanimously approved Public Health offers free flu shots The Columbia Health District Public Health will offer free flu shots in five clinics throughout Columbia County in November. The free flu shot clinic in Vernonia will be held Tuesday, November13, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Vernonia Middle School. “We are inviting as many people as possible to be inocu- lated at these clinics,” said Ed- erlina Ortiz-Clawson, emer- gency services coordinator for the Columbia Health District, “It will give our public health staff and volunteers a chance to see how to handle the large num- bers of people we would have if it were an actual influenza pan- demic.” Two of the other free flu shot clinics are scheduled for No- vember 7 at Scappoose High School, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., and at St. Helens High School on November 30 (time not yet specified). For information on other free flu shot clinics in the county, call Ortiz-Clawson at 503-397- 4651, ext. 215. five motions to put the new or- dinance in place. Second read- ings, and a final public hearing, will take place at the next coun- cil meeting. The only piece of business on the agenda was appoint- ments to the Airport Commit- tee. Kline recommended, as he had at the last meeting, that the applications be referred to the committee for their recommen- dation to the council. Council agreed. In his City Administrator re- port, Kline told council that there has been a problem with the new financial software and, though July’s numbers are done, he doesn’t have them ready for council to review. Kline went on to say that the auditors may be in Vernonia this month, though he doesn’t yet know exactly when. Please see page 4 Fireworks Notice There will be fireworks on Friday, October 19, for the Vernonia High School Home- coming football game. Public certification set for county vote counting equipment The public certification test of Columbia County’s vote count- ing equipment will be on Tues- day, October 30, 2007, for the November 6, special election. Testing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the county Elections Department at the courthouse in St. Helens. Ballot drop sites for area voters who do not mail their ballots will be as follows: • Vernonia Library during regular hours, plus extended hours November 6 from noon to 8:00 p.m. • Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Dist. Main Station during regular office hours. Hours for Novem- ber 6 will be noon to 8:00 p.m.
