PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. Postage Paid
Vernonia, OR 97064
Permit No. 37
Vol. 25, No. 9
THE
FREE
INDEPENDENT
The Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley for Over 25 years
May 5, 2011
Council majority trumps
up issue to fire Haack
Fails in apparent
attempt to suppress
public information
Vernonia Mayor Josette Mitchell, from left, and Councilors Kevin Hudson and Willow Burch
during the contentious May 2 city council meeting.
Council refuses to accept information of DPSST
investigation of Vernonia Police Sergeant Kay
Included in the May 2 Ver-
nonia City Council packet was
information about an investiga-
tion currently underway by the
Oregon Department of Public
Safety Standards & Training
(DPSST) into misconduct by
Sergeant Mike Kay of the Ver-
nonia Police Department.
Before the council meeting
began (see page 1 for full arti-
cle on council meeting), Coun-
cilor Kevin Hudson asked to
Vernonia Police Sgt Mike Kay
FILE PHOTO
have that item removed from
the agenda, saying it should not
be discussed until “due
process” has occurred. Coun-
cilor Willow Burch agreed and
Councilor Marilyn Nicks stated,
“I’ve read it, there’s no reason
to discuss it tonight.” Interim
City Administrator Bill Haack
pointed out that the item was
not a discussion item but simply
in the packet to provide infor-
mation to council about the in-
vestigation. The item was not
discussed at the meeting other
than the acknowledgement that
the information included is pub-
lic record.
That public record starts with
a letter from the Department of
Public Safety, Standards and
Training (DPSST) to Haack,
dated December 9, 2010, stat-
ing that DPSST received infor-
mation that Kay was the subject
of an investigation relating to
misconduct, and requesting
any and all records relating to
Kay.
DPSST has responsibility for
training, certification and main-
taining professional standards
of public safety personnel such
as police, fire, etc., in the state
of Oregon. Any public safety
employee found to not uphold
professional standards can be
decertified and would then be
unable to hold a position requir-
ing such certification.
Please see Kay, page 4
ODFW sponsors
Family Fishing
at Vernonia Lake
The Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife invites young
anglers to take part in its Fami-
ly Fishing Event on Saturday,
May 7, at Vernonia Pond from
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The
event is free and ODFW staff
and volunteers will be on hand
to assist youngsters who want
to learn how to fish.
The lake will be stocked with
Please see Free, page
At the beginning of the May
2 Vernonia City Council meet-
ing, Councilor Willow Burch
asked to add an agenda item,
to review the Col-Pac contract
for the services of Interim City
Administrator Bill Haack. When
the time for that item arrived,
Burch said, the “decision pains
me…I’d like to make a motion
to terminate the contract imme-
diately.” Gasps and groans
from the audience met that mo-
tion. Councilor Marilyn Nicks
seconded the motion before
Mayor Josette Mitchell asked
Burch, “Based on what?” Burch
responded that it was based
on, “lack of communications in
spite of several attempts. I
would like information on city
spending, and that information
has not been given.” Burch’s
statement was made regard-
less of the fact that she, along
with the rest of council, is on
the budget committee, which
already reviewed departmental
spending. Burch continued,
“I’m beyond confidence that he
can run the city. I don’t think I
can trust him.”
Mitchell responded that, “I
personally feel like it is a per-
sonal matter. Nothing on behalf
of our city has been done in a
negative way…the rest of the
state will laugh at us. I’ve been
putting up with not very profes-
sional behavior from a majority
(of the council)…If you can’t
give a basis I don’t buy it. This
is not even reality. Not one per-
son has come to council or writ-
ten a letter in agreement,” with
your position.
Nicks then spoke, saying, “I
can’t seem to get good commu-
nication. I’ve made the effort.”
She also quoted three specific
items in the contract, such as
“Section 5 states he must at-
tend all meetings and make
recommendations on deci-
sions.” Her statement was
seemingly prepared to discuss
a contract that was not on the
agenda until after the meeting
began.
Please see Haack, page 5
Vernonia Police
Chief resigns
see page 4
Vernonia Health Fair
slated for Saturday
The Vernonia Health Fair,
sponsored by the Vernonia
Health Board, will take place at
the school cafeteria (green
building) on May 7, from 9:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Most of the
services and information at the
Fair will be provided free of
charge.
Date corrected for
visit by Robin Cody
Author Robin Cody will be at
the Vernonia Public Library,
Wednesday, May 11 at 7:00
p.m. to discuss “Vernonia’s
Community Reads” selection
for 2011 – Another Way the
River Has. The community is
invited to attend. Refreshments
will be served.
The wrong date was original-
ly provided for this event.
Banks Plant and Book
Sale starts Friday
The Friends of the Banks
Public Library annual Plant,
Book, and Art Sale, starts to-
morrow, May 6, from 3:00 to
7:00 p.m. at Schlegel Hall in
Sunset Park. The sale will con-
tinue Saturday, May 7, from
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.