Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 2, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, July 2, 2009 Where to Find Them U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (Dem) 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585 Portland OR 97232 Phone: 503-326-7525 223 Dirksen Senate Ofc. Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510-0001 Phone: 202-224-5244 E-Mail: http://wyden.senate.gov/ contact Website: http://wyden.senate. gov U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (Dem.) One World Trade Center 121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-3386 107 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3753 E-Mail: senator@merkley.sen ate. gov WebSite: http://merkley.senate. gov U.S. Representative David Wu (Dem) OR District 1 620 SW Main, Suite 606 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503-326-2901 2338 Rayburn House Ofc. Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-0855 Website: http://house.gov/wu Senator Betsy Johnson (Dem) Senate District 16 PO Box R, Scappoose, OR 97056 Phone: 503-543-4046 900 Court St. NE, S-314 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1716 E-mail: sen.betsyjohnson@ state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/johnson Representative Brad Witt (Dem) House District. 31 21740 Lindberg Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-4664 900 Court St. NE, H-373 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 (Dem) House District 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 Page 3 Letters Better training, yes; more officers, no To the Editor: This letter is in response to the June 18, 2009, Letter to the Editor entitled, “Questions are okay, but know the facts.” At the time this letter was be- ing written, June 21, at 3:15 p.m., I called the local police station and dispatch to talk to an officer and surprisingly none were on duty? We employ 4, and they want to employ anoth- er officer? My question is why? I have lived in this communi- ty now for 6 years and as of to- day with the above information strongly believe we do not need another officer in our town! Over the past several months I have called our local law enforcement to report speeding up and down Rose Avenue heading towards High- way 47 and no officer has re- sponded. I have been told they are too busy, but yet they are sitting at the station doing what? But when someone wants to file a false police re- port, they go running and with- out conducting a thorough in- vestigation and obtaining all of the facts, they write their re- ports and forward to the D.A. The writer of the letter goes on to state that his children were subject to threats and ver- bal abuse while living in the community, what about the chil- dren and adults that live in this community that have been threatened and verbally abused by out local law en- forcement? Or threatened to have our drug dog let loose if they don’t cooperate? My chil- dren have been subjected to this threat several times, why do they need to be so aggres- sive? We are a small town and do not need such aggressive police tactics like big cities! And, why should it matter how many times police have re- sponded to someone’s home as the writer stated when speaking of another writer of another letter? How is that rele- vant to the duties of our law en- forcement? Our tax dollars should be go- ing to better train the officers we do have and not to employ- ing another one or buy new ve- hicles. Let’s get real now when today no officer was on duty when I called, why in the world do we need another one? Elaina Brasure Vernonia Reward offered for Don’t be careless bike stolen from park with your fishing gear To the Editor: To the Editor: Fishing at Vernonia Lake can be fun, peaceful and relax- ing. When I fish, I make sure nothing is left behind, please can’t you? When I walk around the lake I wish I didn’t feel the need to continually stop and pick up after negligent fisher people. Please, when you are finished fishing make sure that you don’t leave fishing tackle behind. In the walking path I have found tackle with hooks attached, those do wonders for dog paws. And on my morning walk today I found a bird hang- ing from the lamp post high above our Welcome to Vernon- ia sign in front of the lake en- trance. It saddens my heart to think of what that poor little bird went through as it fought to its death to free itself from some- one’s fishing line. Please be- An Oregon Perspective By Senator Jeff Merkley Developing Real Health Care Reform Our nation faces a number of daunting chal- lenges: high unemploy- ment, skyrocketing fore- closures, and a credit freeze which is crippling businesses. Each of them is contributing to another long-simmering crisis: the unavailability and unaffordability of health care. Forty-seven million Americans do not have health insurance and millions more are under-insured. Seniors have to pick and choose which medicines they can afford and people skip needed medical visits because they can’t afford the payments. Folks who have health insurance are afraid of losing it and people without insur- ance are afraid of getting sick. We need a better way. Over the last several months I’ve been work- ing nonstop with my colleagues on the Senate Health Committee to develop legislation that will provide affordable, quality health care for every American. The plan we are working on will expand ac- cess to health care, bring down costs and invest in prevention, while ensuring that seniors and the disabled are not left behind. First, I firmly believe that Americans should have a choice of either keeping their existing have responsibly with your fish- ing gear. Thanks ever so much. Roxana Sherman-Heath Vernonia coverage or choosing a public option that would provide affordable health care coverage. A public option must be included in plans for reform be- cause it will reduce costs, encourage competition and keep insurance companies honest. Second, we need to spend our health care dollars more wisely. America spends more than any other industrialized nation on health care, but those dollars are not translating into better outcomes for patients. One sure way to reduce costs for families, businesses, and government is to invest in prevention. By making sure that every American has access to preventive care, we can catch diseases early and prevent finan- cial hardship. We also need to invest in disease management, affordable prescription drugs, and wellness strategies like exercise and healthy school lunches. Finally, one of my biggest concerns is that we look out for seniors and disabled Americans. Long-term care has become prohibitively expen- sive for many folks and I’ve spoken to Oregoni- ans all over the state who are struggling to cover sky-high costs for their family members. Ameri- cans should not have to worry about their parent or grandparent receiving the quality care they deserve as they get older. Doing nothing is not an option. We must seize this extraordinary opportunity to pass real health care reform and help improve the health of our citizens by investing in prevention. Presi- dent Obama has made health care reform a pri- ority and I’m confident that we can work together to provide coverage for all Americans. I can’t believe it! Someone cut the chain holding my grand- son’s bike that was chained to a trailer at Anderson Park and took it. My grandson, D.J. Grady, is 12 years old. Why would someone steal a young boy’s bike? It was a tan Redline bike, with new red sprocket, chain, and handle bar grips. It also had new tires, a new seat, and white pedals. I feel like who ever took it should return it without question, but we will of- fer a reward for the bike’s re- turn, because we do want it back, please. Please don’t dis- appoint me anymore than you already have. If you have any knowledge of this theft, please let me know. Ilene Grady Vernonia Professional auto service in Vernonia To the Editor: Several weeks ago my pick- up was damaged in an out-of- town hit & run incident. I want- ed to have it repaired as quick- ly as possible and was, of course, interested in a profes- sional job for the restoration. After visiting with Gary Meyer at Meyer’s Auto Body, I decided to put my pickup in his shop. The damage was to one whole side and involved two-tone paint, a vehicle decal emblem and minor hood damage. Gary Meyer and his crew of excellent craftsmen not only re- paired the vehicle, but when it was returned to me it looked like it just came off the show- room when it was first pur- See Letters, page 22 Policy on Letters The INDEPENDENT will not publish letters that in- clude personal 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 ad- dress or phone number.