PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 22, No. 21 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” November 1, 2007 Property values increase more than property taxes Candy anyone? Elsie Taylor, in front of Pretty Gifts and Things, hands out Halloween candy to a small princess during the Sidewalk Costume Parade. More than 28,000 property tax statements have been mailed to Columbia County property owners. Under the property tax sys- tem modified by Oregon voters in 1997, taxing districts have permanent tax rates for operat- ing purposes. At the same time, maximum assessed values of individual properties are limited to a three percent increase each year unless the property is improved, subdivided, re- zoned or disqualified from spe- cial assessment or exemption. These are “exceptions” to the three percent increase in maxi- mum assessed value. Although most property owners can expect a pre- dictable three percent increase in their property tax bill each year, there is another source of change. “Whether a property owner’s tax bill varies more than three percent is largely the result of changes in local option and bonded debt levy rates, which are not limited by Mea- sure 50,” Columbia County As- sessor Sue Poling said. This is why the percentage increase is not the same throughout the county. For instance, most tax bills for typical residential prop- erties in the City of Columbia City increased 2.17 percent, while the rural residential prop- erties in the Scappoose area increased 4.99 percent. This is the final year for the Vernonia RFPD bonded debt levy approved by voters in March 1998. County wide, the market val- ue of all taxable property in- creased 15 percent, from $5.97 billion to $6.90 billion. The largest residential increase in market value, based on sales Please see page 4 Flock of turkeys needed for food boxes City threatens publisher with It is time, once again, to be- gin herding turkeys for the Ver- nonia Cares Christmas food boxes. Cares will provide gro- ceries for an entire Christmas dinner, including a turkey, for low-income households. This is the fifth year for the Christmas Turkey Drive. Currently, more than 300 clients representing 100 house- holds are helped each month according to Director Sandy Welch. The goal this year is to provide 175 Christmas food boxes to clients as well as oth- er households who need a helping hand during the holi- days. Between now and Thanks- giving, most grocery stores ad- vertise their turkey promotions. The turkeys that are donated now are distributed only at Christmas, but now is the time to gather and store them frozen for the Christmas food boxes. The Saver Shield program, through Vernonia Sentry, has in the past allowed Cares to pur- chase turkeys at a reduced price. With the corporate deci- sion to eliminate the Saver Shield program, more turkey donations are needed. Vernon- ia Cares has benefited from Sentry’s assistance through check stand donations of turkeys, Christmas food box sponsorship and food barrel re- ceptacles. Cares says, “Thank you, Sentry, for agreeing to of- fer the check stand giving again this year.” Beginning November 1, Sen- try will begin a promotion for holiday turkeys, issuing a $1.00 coupon for every $35 spent per visit, up to $210. This coupon must be used toward the pur- chase of a turkey. Alcohol, lot- tery and tobacco purchases are excluded. This offer ends De- cember 24. Vernonia Cares will grateful- ly accept “Sentry’s Turkey Coupons” to help with turkey purchases for the Food Boxes. An entire Food Box (which includes a turkey) may be do- nated at a cost of $30.00. A $10.00 donation will allow Ver- nonia Cares to purchase a turkey. This may be done at any Sentry check stand or mailed Directly to Vernonia Cares at P.O. Box 126, Vernon- ia. Simply specify on the check that it is for the Christmas food boxes. Call Pat or Bob Stacklie at 503-429-7563 with questions, or for turkey ‘taxi’ service. Sug- gested turkey weight for dona- Please see page 4 possible lawsuit at meeting According to the Oregon At- torney General’s Public Re- cords and Meetings Manual , “A news reporter has a clear right to disclose any matter covered in executive session that is not properly within the scope of the announced statutory authoriza- tion of the executive session.” Executive sessions are closed to the public, but not to the me- dia, except for specific topics included in the statute. The stated reason for one of the two Vernonia City Council executive sessions on October 15 was ORS 192.660(2)(h), which is to consult with legal counsel regarding litigation likely to be filed. Since no legal counsel was in attendance, the session was not proper. Instead of reporting on that executive session, The Inde- pendent has opted to print the entire transcript below: City Administrator M.R. “Dick” Kline said, “The reason we’re here is not to discuss the McGaughs in their capacity as newspaper people, I’ll not refer to them as newspaper people. We’re here to discuss, primari- ly, Clark McGaugh and his un- truthfulness and his tendency to try to defame people and, and then lie about it. It is a se- rious issue, because it has caused harm in the community, and I’m not going to divulge specifics, but I think it was councilor Costley, again tonight, that picked Mr. McGaugh up on yet another bold faced lie. Again, it’s not in his capacity as the publisher of the newspaper. It’s in his capacity as a citizen Please see page 14