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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2011)
Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, March 3, 2011 Salem Scene From page 3 A number of legislators from both sides of the aisle have spent the interim studying the problem, trying to devise a way to level the peaks and valleys of our budgetary landscape. The current situation, besides being a nightmare for schools, human services and public safety, creates cynicism and distrust among the taxpaying public. Eleven bills have been introduced so far to address the kicker, and while they range all the way from outright repeal to minor tweaking, it’s pretty likely that something will be referred to the voters for their consideration. Several bills would require that half the personal kick- er refunds be placed in a constitutionally protected rainy day fund and half would be returned to the taxpayer. Here are some other proposals included in the bills in- troduced thus far: • Impose a state spending limit based on population growth and inflation. • Cap the rainy day fund at either 12% or 25% of the general fund. • End the corporate kicker with all refunds directed to a reserve fund for higher education. • Limit refunds to only those taxpayers who file re- turns for tax years that “kick”. Depending on your outlook, there is something here for almost everyone to either love or hate. So now it’s your turn…assuming that the status quo is a poor way for our state to do business, what are your feelings about the kicker refund? Do you think at least some of it should be diverted into a rainy day fund? How about a state spending limit…good idea? Many constituents recognition and support of our military veterans. Let have already written to suggest that their paramount me know if you find these listings useful. Here are some newly introduced bills: concern is that the Legislature deliver a balanced Ø HB 3365 Requires acceptable evidence of resi- budget as soon as possible. Let me know what you dency for persons registering to vote in this state for think. In the District… the first time. Last week we had the pleasure of recognizing some Ø HB 3362 Allows sponsor and public charter local heroes for their volunteer efforts throughout school to enter into cooperative agreement with other South Columbia County. This week, we want to recog- school districts for purpose of forming partnership to nize a musical star who lives in Scappoose, “Sweet provide educational services. Baby James” Benton. Some years ago, he invited Es- Ø HB 3416 Establishes World War II Memorial Task peranza Spalding to play with his wonderful band, giv- Force for development, design and construction of ing her a springboard to the wider musical world. Lo memorial to honor Oregon’s World War II veterans. and behold, Esperanza won this year’s Grammy Ø HB 3504 Authorizes civil forfeiture of motor vehi- Award for Best New Artist. Congratulations to you cle if person is convicted of offense relating to driving both… we love your music and your community spirit! while suspended or revoked. Bills of Interest… Ø HB 3535 Requires State Dept. of Energy to Before I list these bills, I’d like to clarify my purpose adopt energy performance rating system. for including them in my newsletter. It isn’t because I Finally, I hope you are staying warm and safe dur- think they are the most important bills in the Legisla- ing this crazy weather. Thanks for taking the time to ture or that I even agree with their intended outcomes. read my newsletter. Have a great weekend! Rather, I list bills that I think might strike a chord with some of my readers or perhaps adversely impact the interests of some of my con- stituents. Either way, this is my attempt to keep you apprised of what’s going on in From page 2 Salem, with the thought in mind that some trappers, many of which were turned in for bounties. of you might want to weigh in on a bill or One article that really caught my eye was on the Nehalem Riv- two. Upon occasion, I even list bills that I er, by John Gill. Mr. Gill roamed the entire state and would devel- feel merit attention simply for the good op articles on entire stream basins, which were then published in things that they bring us, like the honor, The Oregon Sportsman. Following are excerpts from Mr. Gill’s ar- ticle on the Nehalem River. “This is the largest river of Oregon save those whose sources are in the eternal snows of the Cascade Mountains. The Nehalem from source to outlet is a hundred miles in length. The main stream rises in the high mountains in the northeast corner of Tillamook County, flowing thence eastward through Washington County and north into Columbia County, where it makes a great semi-circle, and at the mouth of the Fishhawk, on the line be- tween Columbia and Clatsop Counties, turns southwestward, and enters the sea exactly to westward of the source above de- scribed. “Until the completion of the railroad in 1912, the upper waters of the Nehalem were rarely visited by anglers, but the Salmonber- ry has become a favorite with our fishermen, and furnishes rather meagre entertainment for numerous travelers who cannot resist the beauties of the stream, seen at its best from the railroad, wind- ing down seaward amid magnificent mountains and forests. “Rock Creek, a large tributary flowing north from the central source of Nehalem, is one of the wildest streams of the northwest- ern Oregon. It is inaccessible by road except from the valley of the Nehalem at Vernonia. Its course is among high mountains and solemn forests, and the stream is deep, clear and strong. The mountain sources of the upper Nehalem carry the winter snows till late in the spring, so Rock Creek and the east and main fork are too cold for fly-fishing till the summer is well advanced. “The fall and winter fishing on the Nehalem and its western trib- utaries is magnificent, as also on the rivers to southward-the spritely “quinna” silverside and chum salmon being very abun- dant; and in November and onward through winter the run of steelheads is of the finest quality.” It must have been a totally different world back then and by reading these articles it is easy to see the change that has taken place over time. Ike Says… Want to know what happens around here all year? Get The Independent delivered to your home for a year for only $20.00 Call today to start your subscription 503-429-9410 Izaak Walton League, Nehalem Valley Chapter meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Call 503-429- 7193 for location.
