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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2009)
Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, May 7, 2009 U.S. Senator Merkley holds Town Hall in Scappoose, fields questions on many issues From page 3 source of knowledge,” which was not a good situation. State Senator Betsy John- son, who was also at the Town Hall, said that the ultimate reg- ulation of term limits lies with the voters. “If the electorate is tired of their representative, they can vote him out of office.” Merkley was asked what he would do if President “Obama does an end run around the constitution and signs a treaty with Mexico” requiring Ameri- can gun owners to be licensed. After explaining that all treaties require congressional approval, Merkley said he would not vote for licenses for gun ownership. On Social Security and Medicare, one attendee said that, according to an article in the Sunday Oregonian, the Obama administration is going to “freeze Social Security for two years, increase Medicare Part B from $98 to $116 and in- crease prescriptions by 26%.” He then asked “How can they say there is no inflation?” Merkley said he had not had Run with Extra Confidence with Chevron DELO 400 PLUS MOTOR OIL ™ The name you trust for: • Gasoline • Diesel Fuel • Oils • Solvents • Additives • Greases time to read that day’s newspa- per so he couldn’t comment on it, but that “our seniors pay the highest prescription rates in the world.” A follow-up by another per- son recounted that part of the Medicare prescription bill H EATING O IL D ECK & S HINGLE O IL A NTI F REEZE CALL (503) 429-6606 WILCOX & FLEGEL 720 Rose Avenue • Vernonia Another questioner asked if the Social Security notch bill will go through the Senate this year. “I don’t know,” Merkley said. Noting that the Federal Re- serve is private, not a govern- See Merkley page 21 hope that both young ladies continue to participate and be invested in the process but my vote is for Jim Krahn for school board. Heather Lewis Vernonia We are currently providing emergency groceries to over 400 people per month. Thank you for allowing us to be your hands extended to the hungry in and around Vernonia. Rosie McCoy, Vice President VCFB Board of Directors Sandy Welch, Executive Director Letters From page 3 came on board to tackle. Vote for Jim Krahn for Vernonia School Board and confirm that his dedication and hard work are recognized and appreciat- ed. Dr. Phyllis Gilmore Vernonia You can help pick Yard of the Month To the Editor: Just a friendly reminder that Vernonia Pride will be picking their Yard of the Month starting May 15, 2009. Decorated ballot boxes are in place at City Hall (entrance hall table) and Sentry Market (on top of the safe) for you to deposit your yard nomination ballot. (Ballots are in place be- side each box) Please help pick the winners by getting your nominations in the ballot box before the 14th of each month. Be sure to watch for winner’s name to be printed in the paper. Janelle Thomas Cedergreen Vernonia Pride Not a good time to replace Jim Krahn S EE US FOR passed during the Bush admin- istration prohibits Medicare from bargaining for lower rates, and asked if that element of Medicare could be changed without a larger health care bill? “Yes, it could,” Merkley said, “but it’s not likely.” To the Editor: I am always so glad when new faces step up with convic- tion to serve our community. It is often unseen and unappreciat- ed. So when we had two won- derful young mothers throw their hat in the ring to serve on the school board, I thought bravo! Unfortunately, I do not think that this is the time to change “horses”. Jim Krahn has the connections at the state level that we need to see this project through. His dedication is such that even after having major surgery last year he did not miss any meetings but attend- ed them via phone when need- ed. That is the type of dedica- tion we need to see our new schools built. I do sincerely Donation process to V. Cares is clarified To the Editor: Dear Supporters; the Board and Staff of Vernonia Cares Food Bank (VCFB) would like to clarify how your donations are handled. Checks and cash received are issued a pre-print- ed, numbered receipt. This document indicates VCFB’s nonprofit EIN number along with the donor information. This EIN number proves that we are a nonprofit, and you may deduct your donation on your taxes. We would recommend that cash be brought to our lo- cation during our regular busi- ness hours (Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.). This way your cash donation can be pro- cessed properly and given a re- ceipt right away. The food bank is located within the Legion Building (627 Adams Avenue, Vernonia). Checks may be delivered in the same way, or they can be mailed to Vernonia Cares, PO Box 126, Vernonia, OR 97064- 0126. No VCFB staff or repre- sentatives directly solicit funds. (Over the holidays, we did ask Vernonia businesses for turkey donations, and some gave cash towards that project.) If you are in doubt regarding any person seeking a donation on Cares’ behalf, please contact VCFB executive director Sandy Welch at the food bank (503- 429-1414) or Barb Ervin (503- 429-1625). We work hard to be a serv- ice agency in which you can place your trust. We want you to be confident your donations are handled responsibly. Thank you for your generous support. Promote Broadband for rural areas To the Editor: Tired of slow and dreadful dial-up speeds or the unpre- dictability and expense of satel- lite internet service? We may have an opportunity to change that and the time to act is now. The Northwest Oregon Broadband Taskforce was formed to apply for stimulus funding through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Pro- gram to expand high-speed in- ternet services to “under- served” rural residential and business communities through- out Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook Counties. The result could be a huge economic boon by stimulating growth in existing businesses, spurring on new businesses and grow- ing jobs throughout the region. Public and private partner- ships have joined to expand the effort. Schools, hospitals and emergency service providers are all encouraged to partici- pate. Simply go to the web site listed below and register your residential or business location to the data base; this will inform the task force of your interest. The more interest, the better! This may be the only oppor- tunity we have to make it a re- ality! Show your interest at: www.ipns.com/broadband For further information con- tact Donna Nyberg at 503-320- 2050 Kent Wiles Clatskanie