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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, July 1, 2010 Page 5 Land Development Services to be closed to the public on Fridays Beginning Friday, July 9, 2010, the Columbia County Land Development Services of- fice in St. Helens will be closed on Fridays. The Friday closures are necessary due to another round of staff cuts in the Land Development Services Depart- ment. “Planning and Building Pro- gram staff have been reduced to levels that are inadequate to County announces furlough days Due to the County’s budget situation, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners has approved the implementation of four unpaid furlough days for County employees with two ex- ceptions; employees in the Sheriff’s Office and the Roads/ Parks Department will not be included in the furlough plan approved at the Wednesday, June 23, 2010, Commission meeting. This action, along with sev- eral other staff-related meas- ures, will save approximately $125,000 and is just one of the steps being taken by the Com- missioners to balance the com- ing year’s County budget. The designated furlough days that were approved by the Commission are: Friday, July 2, 2010; Friday, August 20, 2010; Friday, November 12, 2010; and Thursday, December 23, 2010. Residents should note that they will not be able to conduct County business on the above specified furlough days, how- ever, State Court Offices will remain open and operating on those days from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extension Service seeking two to fill AmeriCorps positions in area The OSU Extension Service in Washington and Columbia Counties will each be hosting an AmeriCorps member start- ing September 2010. Ameri- Corps members will provide basic financial literacy educa- tion to adults and youth in part- nership with local community- based organizations. The AmeriCorps members will re- cruit, train, and support volun- teers to help build organization- al and community capacity in the area of financial literacy ed- ucation. The Washington County po- sition will be based out of the County employment numbers improved Columbia County’s season- ally adjusted unemployment rate was 12.0 percent in May, a significant decrease from the previous month (12.5%) and lower than the year before (14.0%). The rate was above the statewide rate (10.6%) and the national rate (9.7%). Total employment dropped by 69 to 21,461 but the number of un- employed people fell by 201 to 2,855. Total employment this May was 93 fewer than one year before but there were 536 fewer people unemployed this year. Extension office in Beaverton. Responsibilities include teach- ing financial literacy to limited income adults and older youth. Bilingual, Spanish/English lan- guage skills preferred. The Columbia County posi- tion will be based out of the Ex- tension office in St. Helens. Responsibilities include teach- ing financial literacy to limited income youth and their par- ents. Experience in education/teaching, or prior 4- H experience preferred. Benefits for serving in Ameri- Corps full-time are: $5,350 ed- ucation award upon completion of term of service for future tu- ition, or payment on qualified student loans (taxed), a living allowance of $11,800 for 11 months (before taxes), loan for- bearance on qualified federal student loans, basic healthcare coverage and childcare assis- tance (if household income Please see page 22 — CORRECTION – The sentence in the July 17 Vernonia City Council story that read, “Later, Harrison said she objected…, and the coun- ty’s handling of the matter.” should have read, “and the handling of the matter.” The In- dependent apologizes for this error. maintain the current public counter hours of Monday through Friday, and to complete necessary development review activity in a timely fashion. Staff cuts have resulted from contin- uing low levels of permit activi- ty and related permit revenue, which is the primary source of funding for the Land Develop- ment Services Department”, said Todd Dugdale, Land De- velopment Services Director. “Columbia County, like many other Oregon cities and coun- ties, is having to cut both staff and service hours in response to the impact of the economic recession on development ac- tivity. However, we will continue to do our best to provide quali- ty and responsive services to our customers within the limita- Avoid beach water until danger gone From page 1 flows, failing septic systems and even animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife. Water samples indicate higher-than-normal levels of fe- cal bacteria, which can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Direct con- tact with the water should be avoided until the advisories are lifted, especially for children and the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to waterborne bacteria. While these advisories are in effect at Hug Point State Park Beach, visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Even if there is no advisory in effect, officials recommend avoiding swim- ming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm. State officials advise that the status of water contact ad- visories at beaches is subject to change. For the most recent information on advisories, please visit www.oregon.gov/ DHS/ph/beaches/index.shtml or call 877-290-6767. Although state officials dis- courage water contact, they continue to encourage other recreational activities on these beaches because they pose no health risk even during an advi- sory. Neighboring beaches are not affected by this advisory. tions imposed by budget and staff cuts,” said Director Dug- dale. The Land Development Ser- vices office will continue to be open from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday except Holi- days, and the staff furlough days scheduled for Thursday, July 2, and Thursday, Decem- ber 23. The Friday closure will not affect building and on-site wastewater system inspec- tions. County Building and On- Site Program inspectors will continue to perform inspections on Fridays, even though the main office is closed. Building and on-site waste- water system inspections will also continue to be received on the County inspection phone line Monday through Friday and every effort will be made to perform these inspections with- in 24 hours of any request on a Monday through Friday sched- ule. Residents should note that Land Development Services will not be accepting planning, building, and on-site waste- water applications on Fridays, nor will County planning, build- ing, solid waste, and code en- forcement staff be available in the office or by phone during the Friday office closures. For any questions regarding the Friday closure, please con- tact Land Development Ser- vices Director Todd Dugdale at 503-397-7207.