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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2010)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, May 6, 2010 Letters From page 3 be most helpful. In addition, she has a won- derful sense of humor and equally important, she walks her talk. Vote for whom you be- lieve will do their best to repre- sent us openly and responsibly. Judy has my vote. Gloria G. MacKenzie Rainier Sykes understands economic growth To the Editor: Columbia County needs Shawna Sykes and her knowl- edge and experience in eco- nomic growth and develop- ment. Having served most re- cently as an economist, and earlier as a Chamber of Com- merce Executive Director, she understands the need to focus on business development as a way of bringing jobs to this county. Shawna has a breadth of knowledge not shared by any of the other candidates for Columbia County Commission- er. Shawna Sykes is a leader. Resourceful and responsive, she has worked with the Ford Family Foundation and the Oregon Community Foundation as a volunteer. She has partici- pated in many regional eco- nomic development efforts with great success and has devel- oped an extensive network of individuals and resources she can draw upon. Shawna can hit the ground running. She can be an effective Commissioner much sooner than any other candidate for this office be- cause her learning curve will be shorter. Shawna is smart, com- mitted and is ready to go to work for Columbia County. She has my full support. I hope you’ll join me in casting your vote for Shawna Sykes for Co- lumbia County Commissioner, Position 2. She’ll work for you. Susan Conn St. Helens Moon is best choice for Commissioner To the Editor: EARTH NEEDS MOON. We certainly hope that Russ Moon is elected to Columbia County Commissioner position #2. Russ Moon has been an active advocate of this commu- nity for over 30 years, teaching school, owning a small busi- ness, and serving since 2006 on the Rainier City Council. Russ is a man of action, not words. He saved the city of Rainier over $300,000 by find- ing a project manager to over- see the waste water treatment plant. He located a retired forester with 37 years of experi- ence at Weyco Timber Division to manage Rainier’s water- shed, which cut the costs sig- nificantly. Russ also spent a year lead- ing the special “A” street project committee by setting up local meetings with ODOT, Portland Western Railroad, the gover- nor’s office, ODOT Rail, fund- ing agencies, Clatskanie PUD, and community leaders and business owners. Russ also researched a con- tract regarding the Enterprise Zone, reporting his findings to the City Council. The research resulted in a vote to honor the agreement, which resulted in $450,000 distribution of funds from the county to the city of Rainier. These funds were bad- ly needed to repair the water treatment plant. Russ is not afraid to change or eliminate things and people who are dishonest, or not in the best interest of his community. Russ does not subscribe to the “love the one you’re with” phi- losophy, typical of so many politicians who agree and sup- port whoever they are with at the time. Russ speaks his mind, and supports the position he feels is fair and honest. In a time when people and politi- cians in particular, are more concerned about their personal agendas than the needs of their community, Russ Moon is a consistent source of powerful and thoughtful ideas. Columbia County needs Russ Moon. Vote for him for Columbia County Commissioner position # 2. Dick and Sue Drummond Rainier Sykes’s background is best for County To the Editor: We are very fortunate to have so many candidates run- ning for Columbia County Com- missioner this year. Shawna Sykes stands out as the best qualified candidate for this po- sition. Shawna has met with county staff, community organi- zations and citizens from the various communities through- out Columbia County. She un- derstands the issues facing the county and has some great ideas on how to improve our county government’s efficiency and accessibility to the resi- dents. Shawna has a clear un- derstanding of our local econo- my and fresh strategies on what we can do to grow jobs. Everyone knows what the is- sues are, but Shawna is the one with the skills, education, network of resources, and ex- perience to make a difference for Columbia County. Vote Shawna Sykes for Columbia County Commissioner, Position 2. Jeanette Sharinghousen LaGrande, formerly of Scappoose Taylor was precise; Moon not even clear To the Editor: The [Vernonia] Independent recently interviewed candidates in the May 18 primary for Co- lumbia County Commissioner. Two of the Democrats are Ju- dith Taylor and Russ Moon – both members of the Rainier City Council. One question posed to the candidates was: “What will you do to keep operating with less money?” Judith Taylor offered the fol- lowing: “I know the budget is the biggest item right now. We have to prioritize…We need to look at the budget at a line item level and see what we can do with what we have and what we can do without.” Mrs. Taylor clearly recog- nizes the central concern fac- ing Columbia County – the budget – and displays a clear understanding that the county commissioners need to scruti- nize and prioritize any pro- posed expenditures. Moon, on the other hand, re- sponded somewhat Zen-like saying: “I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I’m a good lis- tener, researcher and problem solver. This is a good question. I don’t have the information on this, but would want to under- stand the budget better.” Translation of Moon’s an- swer: “I haven’t the foggiest no- tion how to be a county com- missioner.” Also, a politician can often be defined by his or her cam- paign contributors. So it is with Russ Moon, a Democratic can- didate for Columbia County Board of Commissioners. His recent campaign finan- cial reports list cash contribu- tions of $11,312 of which $5,600 is from local and out-of- town businesses, contractors, or their employees. An additional $4,709 is from individuals contributing more than $100, and $1,003 in con- tributions of less than $100. The business and contractor campaign contributions in- clude: $2,150 from Teevin Bros Please see page 14 Columbia County Mental Health 800-294-5211 ----------------- Suicide Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) ----------------- Domestic Abuse Hotline 503-397-6161 or 866-397-6161 State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 503-901-1705 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com