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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, January 20, 2011 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: http://merkley.senate. gov/contact 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 Thanks from Vernonia Lions for a stellar year To the Editor: The Vernonia Lions club would like to say “Thank You” to the people of Vernonia. By put- ting your spare change in our Gales Creek Camp collection cans around town, we were able to give an extra $250.00 to Gales Creek Camp. (The camp provides experiences for chil- dren, youth and families affect- ed by Type 1 diabetes, this helps them gain confidence to manage their diabetes and achieve the goal to grow to- ward living independent lives.) This shows us that if everyone gives a little we can accomplish a lot. Good Job Vernonia! The Lions would also like to thank the stores and restau- rants that have participated this last year. We hope to get new cans out this year and in a few more places. Also, the Lions are especial- ly proud we were able to help our community and a little bit of the world this last year with our fundraising efforts (BBQ sand- wich booth during Jamboree, Texas Hold’em and selling raf- fle tickets and plant sale). We have been able to donate over $15,000.00 this year. Some of our donations were maintaining trailers for families who were lifting their homes, having the Mobil Screening Unit come to the grade school, being able to provide 17 pairs of eye glasses, and nine scholarships to gradu- ating seniors. Donations also went to Camp Wilkerson, Ore- gon Sight and Hearing, Vernon- ia Cares Food Bank; the list goes on. But, we could not have accomplished this without the support of our community. Thank You! We hope you all have a Hap- py and Healthy New Year. Sincerely, Randal Harvey on behalf of the Vernonia Lions Club Nicks’ efforts also deserve thanks To the Editor: We would like to add a post- script to the letter recently sub- mitted by Marilyn Nicks about the Vernonia Spirit of Christ- mas festivities. Kudos to Marilyn for all of her efforts in spearheading this great event. Vernonia has a wonderful memory to look back on for 2010. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2011, Pat Phillips and Catherine Helmer Vernonia United Steel Workers donations valuable To the Editor: Thank You USW 1097. Thanks to the members of United Steel Workers Local 1097 for their support of the Holiday Food Box programs in Clatsop, Columbia, and Cowlitz Counties. They donated a total of $4112. Donations helped here: 1. Turning Point Community Center, HOPE, Inc, and Ver- nonia Cares in Columbia Coun- ty 2. Community House on Broadway – Lives in Transition Program in Cowlitz County 3. Pioneer House in Clatsop County Your support helped us put a smile on the faces of many people in need in our communi- ties. Thank you for all you do to make life better in the commu- nities where you live and work. Kathye Beck Executive Director United Way of Columbia County Policy on Letters The INDEPENDENT will not publish letters with per- sonal attacks on private citi- zens. Preference will be giv- en to brief letters, 300 words or less. All letters must be signed and include a verifiable ad- dress or phone number. Salem Scene By Representative Brad Witt Oregon District 31 The beginning of the 76th Legislative Session was marked by the cus- tomary rituals involved with swearing in the members of the House and Senate, as well as our new Governor. But it was also marked by some historic events: • The first time the House of Representatives has been evenly split 30 Democrats and 30 Re- publicans. • The first time the Legislature joins 45 other states in meeting on an annual basis. • The first time a Governor has been sworn in for a third term. • The first time the position of Speaker of the House has been shared equally by members from each party. • The first time committee chairmanships have been co-shared by members from each party. Under the circumstances, you might think that things would be in disarray, but on the contrary, everyone is focused on the enormous job that lies ahead. With a looming $3.5 billion budgetary deficit, we recognize the need for cohesion and cooperation. Our Co-Speakers, Rep. Arnie Rob- lan and Rep. Bruce Hanna, have set the pace, and they have dedicated themselves to maintain- ing an environment that will help everyone ac- complish the tasks ahead. I am enormously opti- mistic about this session, and I look forward to plunging into the work ahead. Speaking of what lies ahead, I received my committee assignments this week, and here is what I will be working on come February 1st: • Co-Chair, Veterans Affairs • Member, Transportation and Economic De- velopment • Co-Vice Chair, Ways and Means Subcom- mittee on Transportation & Economic Develop- ment I see these as great committee assignments for our district. The movement of goods and services is essential to the economic develop- ment of any community and we in Columbia and Clatsop Counties have good basic infrastructure that includes road, rail, water and air, much of which would benefit from additional investment. I hope that the information gleaned from my Transportation Committees will help us revitalize these assets for the benefit of our entire region. The Veterans Affairs Committee also promis- es to be very interesting. We have many veter- ans in the district, many of whom are newly re- turned from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The needs are great, especially with regard to health care, so I plan to make sure that the Com- mittee is a forceful advocate for our veterans. They serve without reservation and so should we. Items of Interest… I want to pass along information about a new program that will allow Oregon homeowners to go solar for as little as $20 a month, with no up front costs. It may sound too good to be true, but it is an approach offered by a private company with assistance from state and federal tax credits and the Oregon Department of Energy. The fol- lowing link explains more about the program; http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ss f/2011/01/oregon_homeowners_can_now_go _s.html One of Gov. Kitzhaber’s first acts in office was to direct the Oregon Department of Energy to use $2 million in unused ARRA funds to proceed immediately with energy audits on 500 Oregon schools. Conducting energy audits will create im- mediate private sector jobs, and is the first step in the Governor’s commitment to create thou- sands of Oregon jobs through school weather- ization retrofits. In the District… Finally, I want to take a moment to express my deepest sympathies to the family of Sheriff Ralph Painter, and to all the citizens of Rainier, who have suffered the terrible loss of an out- standing public servant. His loss has been rec- ognized far beyond the borders of Columbia County, even during our opening ceremonies at the Capital. His great warmth and devotion to his family and community will never be forgotten and
