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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, July 17, 2008 Page 3 Letters July 4th celebration was great all-around To The Editor: Wow! What a great 4th of July. First on the list of events for the day was the 1st Friday, which seemed to be well at- tended. A much bigger parade than in the past. Thanks to all of you who participated and made it a success. The best was the last of the day. The most grand fireworks we have ever had. The grand fi- nale shook the ground, it was spectacular! Thanks to our very own py- rotechnician Tom Ramsey, with the help from volunteer fire per- sonnel for putting on such a great show. I would also like to thank Western Fire Works, for provid- ing many extra fireworks. I sincerely hope that this tra- dition carries on. DeLoris Webb Vernonia Pride Writer questions Sen. Johnson’s ethics To The Editor: The ongoing issues regard- ing State Senator Betsy John- son is not whether you are a friend of hers or a friend of County Commissioner Joe’s, the issue here is corruption, po- litical favors, threats etc. some- thing that Betsy Johnson is very familiar with. The very idea that we should excuse Betsy of her somewhat less than honor- able actions are irresponsible on all our parts as constituents, as Democrats, Republicans, In- dependents or what ever politi- cal affiliation you are. The fact that some people ignore her underhandedness and corrupt actions reflects the true moral character of those individuals who have become Betsy’s champions no matter what she has done. It is sad that these people should abandon their virtues because Betsy passes out a $500-$1,000.00 bill every once in awhile. Betsy does not have the public’s welfare in mind when she does her dirty dealings she has Betsy’s busi- Between the Bookends By Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library One thing that has real- ly impressed me lately is the number of young peo- ple who are seeking sum- mer employment and have made this known by placing flyers in the library. Be sure and look on the bulletin board in the hall- way and give some sup- port to the youth of the community by hiring them to baby sit, walk dogs, do yard work, wash cars, etc. Those parents who have attended Summer Reading activities with their youngsters will have noticed that Linda Johnston, Camrin Eyrrick, and Kelli Martinez have done a wonderful job in preparing and implementing the weekly pro- grams. The programs will continue through July and will culminate with an entry of “buggy” read- ers in the Jamboree Parade. With the June meeting of the library board, another valuable board member ended his sec- ond four-year term. Myron Lane’s calm, organ- ized, reasonable approach to library matters has been vital in making informed decisions. Since the library’s automated program was instigated, Myron has entered new materials on an almost weekly basis. He has been the motivating influ- ence in starting and continuing the monthly book discussion group. He has been instrumental in choosing Chautauqua programs that are of inter- est to the community and has made all of the re- quired introductions prior to the programs. Myron has been responsible for all of the colorful flyers publicizing authors and Chautauqua programs and he even introduced a new subject word to our library—psychobabble. A new book/or books will be added to the library’s collection in recog- nition of Myron’s valuable service as a library board member. New acquisitions for adults include When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris, Chas- ing Darkness by Robert Crais, Death Angel by Linda Howard, Say Goodbye by Lisa Gardner and Killer View by Ridley Pearson. New titles for the young adult reader include Football Hero , Six Innings , Saturday Night Dirt , Generation Dead , and Suck Up . Watching A League of Their Own on movie night inspired the purchase of Su- san Johnson’s history of the Girls’ Professional Baseball League which lasted from 1943-1954 titled, When Women Played Hardball . My recommended book of the month is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Enzo, the narrator, is a dog who wants nothing more than to be a man. Life is good for Enzo and his family, consisting of race-car driver Denny, Den- ny’s wife Eve, and daughter Zoe, until Eve devel- ops cancer. This book is sad and funny and is filled with love, devotion and hopefulness, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Remember that the library subscribes to The Chronicle which is published on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Published in St. Helens, this pa- per contains many articles of interest to resi- dents of our area including information on the re- vision of county flood overlay zones, the upcom- ing Columbia County Fair, 13 Nights on the Riv- er, and Scappoose’s Friday evening concerts. Be sure and take note that many of the articles are written by April Bamburg, a graduate of Ver- nonia High School. Watch for the Jamboree Book Sale sponsored by The Friends of the Library, to be held Friday, August 1 from 2-7:00 p.m., and Saturday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., at the old city hall/li- brary building. There will be many items priced very reasonably, with all proceeds being used to supplement library materials and programs. Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Ave. Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tues., Thur. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m., when school is in session. Phone: 503-429-1818 ness in sight, whether it is mon- ey or her ego. I have no per- sonal vendetta against Senator Johnson, and I would feel the same about any elected official who has done what Senator Johnson has done. All I want is a honest and up front state sen- ator handling the Districts busi- ness and Oregon’s business, not a senator who is making headlines for bullying people, or one with ethic charges, or questionable business prac- tices for rich friends. I want a senator who is making head- lines for things that will benefit the people of Oregon, such as the environment, health care, union jobs, and schools. Tammy Maygra Deer Island Policy on Letters The INDEPENDENT will not publish letters that include per- sonal attacks on private citizens. Because of space limitations, preference will be given to brief letters, 300 words or less. All letters must be signed and include a verifiable address or phone number. Where to Find Them US Senator Ron Wyden (Democrat-OR) 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585 • Portland OR 97232 Phone: 503-326-7525 230 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. • Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-5244 Website: http://wyden.senate.gov US Senator Gordon Smith (Republican-OR) One World Trade Center • 121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-3386 • Fax: 503-326-2900 404 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg. • Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Website: http://gsmith.senate.gov US Representative David Wu (Democrat-01) 620 SW Main, Suite 606 • Portland OR 97205 Phone: 503-326-2901 • Fax: 503-326-5066 2338 Rayburn Building • Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-0855 • Fax: 202-225-9497 Website: http://house.gov/wu Senator Betsy Johnson (Democrat-16) PO Box R, Scappoose, OR 97056 Phone: 503-543-4046 • Fax: 503-543-5296 900 Court St. NE, S-314, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1716 • Fax: 503-986-1940 E-mail: sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or.us/johnson Representative Brad Witt (Democrat-31) 21740 Lindberg Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-4664 900 Court St. NE, H-277, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1431 E-mail: rep.bradwitt@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or.us/witt Representative Deborah Boone (Democrat-32) PO Box 926, Cannon Beach, OR 97110 Phone: 503-717-9182 900 Court St. NE, H-375, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1432 E-mail: rep.deborahboone@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or.us/boone Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our politi- cal history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that be- lieves you can do these things. Among them are…Texas oil millionaires and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid. — President Dwight D. Eisenhower, November 8, 1954
