PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. Postage Paid
Vernonia, OR 97064
Permit No. 37
Vol. 26, No. 1
THE
FREE
INDEPENDENT
The Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley for Over 25 years
January 6, 2011
Vernonia 2010 Year in Review
Jan. 4 – 1st batch of flood property acquisitions are
approved by city council.
Jan. 7 – The Independent starts 25th year of publica-
tion. DPSST completes complaint review of
Captain Mike Kay, no action taken because
conviction constituting disqualifying miscon-
duct occurred prior to January 1, 2001. (2011
update: Kay is the subject of a new investiga-
tion, but no details are currently available)
Jan. 13 – Senator Ron Wyden holds town hall.
Jan. 19 – Group of Vernonia business owners object to
city council’s new sign ordinance.
Jan. 26 – Two arrested for burglary of 16 laptops and
other items at Vernonia High School.
Feb. 1 – At city council meeting, Mayor Sally Harrison
accuses Publisher Clark McGaugh of “being
quick to find fault” due to “not being breast fed
or the need to justify misspent youth.” Next
attorney Jason Short, on behalf of Captain
Mike Kay, gives Powerpoint presentation stat-
ing as fact many untruths about McGaugh.
Feb.
6
–
Donkey Basketball.
More waterfowl are walking on Vernonia Lake than swimming in it, as these Canada geese il-
Feb. 25 – 1st corporate donor, NW Natural Gas
lustrate, because most of the lake is frozen.
($100,000) and 1st private donor, Anne
Rainier Police Chief killed on duty Volunteers needed
Kilkeeny ($50,000) were announced at town
hall meeting to update new school progress.
Rainier Chief of Police Ralph from St. Helens High School in for Ambulance Assoc.
Mar.
10
– Vernonia Pharmacy named Business of the
Painter, 55, was shot and killed 1974, then attended Clacka-
Looking
for
a
way
to
help
Wednesday morning, January mas Community College. He
Year at Vernonia Chamber of Commerce
5, after he responded to a dis- had been a DARE officer and a make a real difference in Ver-
Awards Banquet.
turbance call at Rainier Sound
Authority.
Reports of the incident were
sketchy at press time, but ap-
parently Daniel Armaugh Butts,
21, of Kalama, Washington,
was trying to take someone
else’s vehicle. Painter struggled
with Butts and was shot just be-
fore 11:00 a.m.
Painter was taken to St.
John’s Medical Center in
Longview, where he was pro-
nounced dead.
After other law enforcement
personnel arrived on the scene,
Butts was shot and wounded
before being taken into cus-
tordy.
Hwy. 30 was closed for a
time after the shooting.
Painter was married and had
seven children. He graduated
Rainier city councilman. He had
served on the Rainier police
force since 1999 and had been
Chief since 2006.
“I expect it will have a huge
impact on this community,” said
Columbia County Sheriff Jeff
Dickerson.
nonia? Consider becoming a
member of the Vernonia Volun-
teer Ambulance Association
(VVAA).
To volunteer or for more in-
formation, call 503-429-4600
Monday through Friday be-
tween 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Please see page 2
Board member sought for M-B FD
The Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD
Board of Directors is accepting
applications for Board position
no. 1, previously held by
Stephen Butsko, who resigned
effective November 16, 2010.
This term will run to June 30,
2011.
Interested parties residing in
the fire district are invited to at-
tend regular Board meetings
and meet with Board President
Bill DeJager to answer any
questions concerning Board re-
sponsibilities.
Any interested, qualified per-
son wishing to serve the re-
mainder of the term must mail a
letter of intent by January 14,
2011. Address the letter to Mist-
Birkenfeld RFPD, Attention:
Board President Bill DeJager,
12525 Hwy. 202, Mist, OR
97016.
Marilyn Nicks, left, and Willow Birch are sworn in as new Ver-
nonia City Council members, as the city’s new mayor, Josette
Mitchell, looks on.