Page 4
The INDEPENDENT, June 18, 2009
Carr:
Letters Continued from page 3
What else do your Police Of-
ficers do? Investigate thefts
and burglaries. Respond to do-
mestic disputes and distur-
bances (which are sometimes
violent), yet still responding
alone most of the time. They
also respond to motor vehicle
crashes. Deal with fights in
bars. Child abuse, animal
abuse, underage drinking,
criminal trespassing. It is my
belief that most Vernonians ap-
preciate having an officer to re-
spond when they encounter
these situations. What else?
Vandalism, business and home
alarms, patrolling for speed en-
forcement. This is how we
spend our time each month.
These are the same officers
that are willing to work for low-
er pay than they could receive
in neighboring cities like
Rainier and Clatskanie; depart-
ments in communities of small-
er populations than Vernonia.
Both of which, employ a total of
six including a records clerk/
secretary. They also have the
luxury of nearby community de-
partments to assist them if
needed.
I would also like to talk about
my personal experience as a
Vernonia Police officer. I’m one
of those “Outsiders” mentioned
in the letter to the editor. My
family and I lived in Vernonia
for a little over three years and
have been proud to serve this
community. I moved a short
distance away about a year
ago for several reasons.
During the time I lived here
my family life has been disturbed,
including fights on my front
porch, my children being
threatened while at the store
and verbally abused at school.
All because I am a police officer.
Frequently, while living here,
I would find tires on my person-
al vehicle flat. Other officers
would have all their tires
slashed, vehicles damaged,
houses damaged or their re-
tired police dog poisoned. A
previous officer even had a
substance put in his fuel tank
that caused serious damage to
his vehicle. Incidentally, I
haven’t had any problems
since I moved. Officers that still
live in this community still do.
For my family’s safety and
my peace of mind, I have cho-
sen to relocate. The Vernonia
Police Department is not the
only agency that employs peo-
ple that don’t live in the city; I
know of many examples where
this is the case. As far as taking
home a patrol vehicle, that
rarely happens. On the rare oc-
casions when it does, it is to al-
low an officer to be placed “On
Call” so we can provide a 24-
hour response instead of leav-
ing the city with no one avail-
able to respond. The City has
to provide them with a vehicle
to respond in for liability rea-
sons, also allowing the officer
to arrive much faster for that
call for service.
Should citizens monitor their
local police departments and
expect professional service?
Yes, by all means. Do they
have the right to ask questions
and raise concerns? You bet!
But if they are going to publicly
criticize us, at least have the
facts straight and present a re-
alistic argument.
The bottom line is, I have sat
back and read all the recent at-
tacks on the Police Department
for doing what we were all hired
and trained to do. Whether we
live in town or not shouldn’t
have any bearing on our ability
to do the job efficiently and ef-
fectively. It is my opinion that
this community is under-served
with the number of Police offi-
cers it has. Everyone should
keep in mind that we are doing
our best with what we have.
Michael Conner, President
Vernonia Police Association
Still adding to
her achievements
From page 1
Students. She was named an
All-League Athlete competing
on the Varsity Volleyball,
Equestrian, and Track Teams
and earned the honor of
Homecoming Queen. Carr has
played on the Athena and
Cowlitz club volleyball teams
for three years.
As a nine year member of
Horse 4-H, she competed at
the local and state levels. She
also served as 2007 Princess
and 2008 Queen of the Colum-
bia County Rodeo Court. Her
rodeo partner is Pedro, a 15
year-old Paint gelding.
Carr now attends Oregon
State University, where she
majoring in Civil Engineering.
Enjoy the Summer,
Don’t mix alcohol
and gasoline!
Community Calendar
VERNONIA
Alcoholics Anonymous
Mondays
6:30 p.m., 410 North Street
Alcoholics Anonymous
Thursdays (Big Book Study) 7:00 p.m., 410 North Street
American Legion Post #119
2nd Thursday
7:00 p.m., 627 Adams Avenue
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
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
2nd Wednesday
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
6:00 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
2nd Thursday
1:00 p.m., City Hall
Vernonia Ridge Riders
Last Thursday
7:00 p.m., Senior Center
Vernonia RFPD Board
2nd Tuesday
6:00 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, 3rd & 4th Tuesday
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
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 429-0869
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
9:00 a.m., Main Fire Station
7:00 p.m., Main Fire Station
BANKS
Alcoholics Anonymous
Fridays
7:30 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 Library Commission
3rd Tuesday
7:00 p.m., City Library
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
1:00 p.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
6:00 p.m., Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg.
County Parks Commission
3rd Tuesday
Times vary, 1054 Oregon St.
Mental Health Advisory Comm.
Quarterly
For Info call 503-397-7211
Comm. on Children & Families
3rd Thursday 5:30 p.m. OSU Ext., 505 N. Hwy. 30
Local Alcohol & Drug Plann. Comm.
Quarterly
For Info call 503-397-7211
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.