The INDEPENDENT, March 18, 2010
Funds allocated Vernonia Justice Court
From the Sheriff’s Desk…
From page 19
performed admirably in the adverse conditions
and no security or safety breaches were detect-
ed. We also got to see how our employees could
improvise and overcome sudden, unexpected
changes to their work environment, and they
came away with an A+ performance.
The event also provides an opportunity for us
to assess our readiness for disasters that could
affect more than 200 staff (corrections, civil and
patrol, along with parole and probation officers),
inmates and contractors who are in our facility at
any one time. We have been assessing the me-
chanical weaknesses and vulnerabilities to
which such an event can expose us, and the les-
sons learned thus far have been quite valuable.
Our facility was built in 2000 and opened in
2001. There are many interdependent mechan-
ical and electrical systems in place to help a
small cadre of corrections staffers maintain the
safety and security for up to 200 inmates and the
general public. The initial investment of around
$15 million that taxpayers made back then pro-
duced a state-of-the-art justice facility that hous-
es the three divisions of the sheriff’s office, as
well as the county’s community corrections de-
partment. And though we house, feed, provide
commissary services, medical and dental servic-
es, transportation services and corrections and
security services to an average of about 150 in-
mates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the
cost for these services is in addition to the cost
of paying down the debt on our 10-year old facil-
ity.
And that facility is getting older. Like with any
building, time has a way of wearing down the in-
tricate mechanisms and systems that keep it op-
erating at optimum efficiency. Some of the costs
to keep the building running right can get quite
high.
If you haven’t guessed by now, my point is
that running the jail is an expensive proposition.
Most of the money that goes to the Sheriff’s of-
fice, goes to run the jail.
Page 21
Back when it was built, nobody wanted to add
the cost of actually running the facility into the
cost of building it. Hence, a larger and larger
share of general fund dollars now and in the fu-
ture will be going to the running of the jail. This
leaves the other mandated functions for the
sheriff suffering.
We do everything we can to keep the costs of
the jail down so that there is money left for sher-
iff’s patrols, search and rescue services, marine
patrols, and civil process services mandated for
the sheriff to perform, but our numbers continue
to shrink over time.
A committee has been formed by the County
Board of Commissioners to look into the future
funding issues facing public safety in our county,
and your sheriff’s office is at the center of the dis-
cussion. We meet on the second and fourth
Thursdays of each month at the Columbia 911
office in St. Helens and the public is welcome to
attend.
The committee has received recommenda-
tions from the “needs” and “options” sub-commit-
tees that look at two different ways to bolster
county-wide public safety resources, and the
most popular appears to be putting the operation
of the jail on the ballot: getting citizens across
the county who voted to build the facility, now to
fund its operation, so that the future is based on
stable funding that will provide a well-run, safe
and secure jail at full capacity. This option would
free up money taxpayers are already paying to
the county for enhanced public safety services
county wide, particularly in the rural areas where
the sheriff’s office has been limited by resources
in the past.
Everyone has an interest in a strong, fully uti-
lized jail, and this seems to be the thinking of the
committee as well.
If you want to know more about where we are
headed in this effort to maintain the investment
in our county jail, you can contact my office at
503-366-4611.
From Page 6
County: $431.00 for adminis-
trative costs associated with
EFSP Board support.
The local EFSP Board is
composed of volunteers repre-
senting the American Red
Cross, Native Americans,
VFW, Community Action Team,
Homeless, Columbia County,
Community Churches, Catholic
Church, and Retired Individu-
als
The money will be distrib-
uted directly from the national
board to each agency in 2010.
From page 19
Jonathan M. Hartman, 24, Ver-
nonia, pleaded guilty to Disorderly
Conduct II; $656 FF&A.
Caitrin E. Kohlmeyer, 19, Hills-
boro, pleaded guilty to MIP-Alco-
hol; D&A treatment, 1 yr ODL sus-
pension, FF&A to be determined at
a later date.
Traffic............................. 4
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Obituary
CORA M. “MICKEY” JOHNSON
Cora M. “Mickey” Johnson,
79, Forest Grove, died March 8,
2010. A celebration of life service
was held March 12.
Mrs. Johnson was born Au-
gust 27, 1930, in Vernonia, to
Boy and Geneva Annie (Elliott)
Hall. She graduated from Ver-
nonia High School in 1949.
In 1957, she married James
Chris “Jim” Johnson. After her
husband retired from the U.S.
Navy, in 1965, they made their
home in Vernonia. They moved
to Forest Grove in 1996. She
was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by
her husband; two brothers, Glen
Hall and William “Bill” Hall; and a
sister, Jo B. Carrick.
Survivors include a son,
James C. “Chris” Jr. of Vancou-
ver, Washington; a daughter,
Anna M. “Ann” Lilley of Hillsboro;
three grandchildren; seven great-
grandchildren;
nieces
and
nephews.
Remembrances are suggest-
ed to the Vernonia Senior Center,
446 Bridge St., Vernonia OR
97064.
Fuiten, Rose & Hoyt Funeral
Home in Forest Grove was in
charge of arrangements.
RANDALL A. MCLAUGHLIN
Randall Allen McLaughlin, 54,
Vernonia, died March 10, 2010.
At his request, no services will be
held.
Mr. McLaughlin was born De-
cember 15, 1955, in Hillsboro, to
Clarence A. and Alethea Hinck-
ley McLaughlin. He served in the
U. S. Army. He loved music and
animals.
He was preceded in death by
his parents and two brothers,
Douglas L. and Rodger A.
Randall Allen McLaughlin
McLaughlin.
Survivors include his brother,
Gordon L. of Vernonia; nephews;
a great-niece and a great-
nephew; aunts; uncles; cousins;
and friends.
RICCI RATHKA
Ricci Rathka, 68, Banks, died
March 1, 2010. Funeral services
were held March 6 at The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints in Forest Grove. A private
family service was held at Hay-
ward Cemetery in Banks.
Mrs. Rathka was born July 26,
1941, in Bell, California, to
Richard and Nellie (Litinsky)
Rawlins. She was raised in Bell.
In 1978, she married Kerry
Rathka. Later they were sealed
in the Seattle Temple. They
made their home in Banks. In
the 1990s, she earned a Bache-
lor’s Degree in Art at Pacific Uni-
versity. She was an independent
salesperson in the ATM industry.
Survivors include her hus-
band; a son, Sean of Hillsboro; a
daughter, Trisha Jennings of
Banks; and four grandchildren.
Remembrances are suggest-
ed to the American Cancer Soci-
ety or to Hopewell House Hos-
pice Program.
Duyck & VanDeHey Funeral
Home was in charge of arrange-
ments.