The INDEPENDENT, May 5, 2011
Sheriff asks voters for money to serve
Columbia County voters
have received their ballots for
the May 19 special district elec-
tion, with candidates for school
districts, fire districts, etc., as
well as Measure 5-210 to cre-
ate a 4-year levy for the Sher-
iff’s Department.
There are no contested di-
rector positions on the ballot for
the Vernonia School District,
Mist-Birkenfeld Fire District or
Vernonia Fire District. There
are two candidates for this
area’s 9-1-1 Communications
District Zone 4, with veteran di-
rector Kathy Denckla, and
Leslie Seeberger.
Measure 5-210 asks voter
to approve property taxes at
the rate of $.62 per $1,000 of
tax assessed value on proper-
ty. The levy would expire in four
years if voters do not renew it
at that time.
Columbia County Board of
Commissioners approved a
resolution stating that they will
not change the amount of
funds the Sheriff’s Office cur-
rently receives (about 25% of
the county’s general fund) to
ensure that any money raised
by this measure would be used
in addition to the what is al-
ready allocated in the county
budget.
Before putting this measure
on the ballot, a poll authorized
by Sheriff Jeff Dickerson
showed that, across the county,
the top three things citizens
want from the Sheriff’s Office
are:
1) Faster response time to
criminal events and other calls
outside city limits,
2) Investigations, as they
equal less crime, and
3) Better back-up and assis-
tance to local law enforcement.
“I asked myself, how can we
do these in the most efficient,
cheapest way possible,” said
Dickerson. His decision was
that having five more deputies
would actually put six more on
the road, if he also had three
detectives for investigations.
That level of staffing would also
require a sergeant, a lieutenant
and a clerk. It would also guar-
antee one deputy on patrol at
all times in the North of the
county and the same in the
South. For the Nehalem Valley,
there would be one deputy in
the area 40 hours a week. That
deputy’s schedule could be co-
ordinated with the Vernonia Po-
lice Department to ensure the
fullest possible coverage, in-
side the city and outside.
The sheriff’s office is man-
dated by state law to provide
many essential services, to the
best of its ability. A short list of
these services includes search
and rescue, law enforcement,
corrections (jail), marine (river)
patrol, homeland security, civil
process, concealed handgun li-
censing, criminal and civil
records.
Dickerson concluded, “The
county needs to take the lead-
ership in so many areas,” such
as investigations, rather than
the cities.
For ballots to count, they
must be returned to the county
Elections Department by 8:00
p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, or
put in the ballot boxes at either
the Vernonia Public Library or
the M-B Fire District main sta-
tion on Highway 202.
Things to consider before saying “I do”
Research shows that un-
married men and women ex-
pect that they will have life-long
marriages.
Studies
show
women are more pessimistic
and less confident than men
about finding the right partner.
The National Center for
Health Statistics indicates that
59% of first marriages between
couples who are 18 years old
or younger end in divorce with-
in the first 15 years, compared
to 35% of those couples who
marry at age 25 or older. If you
think you have found the right
person, don’t rush. It’s impor-
tant to get to know each other
well before saying “I do.”
These questions can help
you and your partner consider
and discuss marriage:
• Why am I getting married?
• Why am I choosing to
share my life with this person?
• Is this the right time? What
brought me to this point in my
life?
• Are there concerns or sup-
port for my welfare from my
parents, friends and cowork-
ers? How do I feel about their
apprehension?
• Is this a good choice for
me? Have I compromised my
values and beliefs because I
think things will be better if I’m
married?
• What is my level of commit-
ment? What changes do I ex-
pect to experience after the
wedding?
• Am I able to discuss prob-
lems and options with my part-
ner? How do we manage con-
flict together?
• Will we communicate
openly to reach a compromise
or agreement without involving
violence or put-downs?
• What are our future goals
and dreams? How many chil-
dren do we want? How will the
roles and responsibilities be di-
vided?
• How much money will we
save each month? Who will
handle our money?
• What kind of marriage rela-
tionship do I want? How happy
am I in this relationship?
Take time to slow down and
think through and discuss
these questions that you may
not have considered during
your courtship. It’s important to
take the time to prepare for a
lifetime of togetherness.
Source: Nina Chen, Ph.D., human
development specialist, University
of Missouri Extension
Senior Center News
It’s May and – finally – we’ve had a few days of spring-like
weather! It has rained so much that yards were beginning to look
like hay fields.
Now it’s time to get ready for the Vernonia Senior Center’s an-
nual Plant/Garden Sale on June 3-4. Donations of plants, pots,
yard art, tools, trellises or any other garden-related items will be
gratefully accepted. To make a donation, or help in some other
way, please call Jack Harvey at 503-429-4080, before 3:00 p.m.
Free hearing checks are available from a representative of Co-
lumbia Hearing Aids, on the third Monday of each month from
1:00-2:00 p.m. No appointment is needed.
Do you have questions or suggestions for the center? If so, re-
member to attend the Board of Directors meeting on the second
Friday of each month at 10 a.m. This is also a great way to find out
how the center operates.
A complete, delicious lunch is served Monday though Friday at
noon. A $4.00 donation is suggested for those 60 and older, and
$5.00 for those under 60. If you prefer lunch to go, for only $5.00
you can call ahead and place your order.
If you enjoy bingo, you can have fun while you eat lunch. Din-
ers play free Bingo each Monday starting at 11:45 a.m.
Breakfast for all ages is served Fridays from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
at just $3.50 per person. Maple bars are made fresh daily for
$1.00 each! You can also order maple bars for a gathering of any
kind by calling 503-429-3912 a day or two ahead and placing your
order.
The Center will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May
30th. Then on Tuesday, May 31, Vernonia will host this month’s 5
Area Luncheon.
Needleworkers gather each Tuesday, starting about 10:30 a.m.,
to enjoy companionship while working on their projects.
Pinochle players enjoy friendly competition each Friday, start-
ing after lunch.
Foot Care is scheduled on the second and fourth Fridays of
each month, at $15 per person. Call Marilyn Albro, R.N., for an ap-
pointment, at 503-429-0406.
The Senior Center Thrift Shop is open Monday through Friday
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Always half price during the first week
of each month.
Wheelchairs are available to rent and canes are needed. For
more information, call Pauline Coffman, thrift shop manager.
Vernonia Senior Citizens Center: 446 Bridge Street
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Senior Information Assistance Rep: Rosie McCoy
Thrift Shop Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 503-429-3912
Open Daily
11 a.m
Biker Friendly
Specialty Burgers, Draft Beer & Cocktails
Pool Tables & Satelite Sports TV
Open until midnight Sun-Thu & untill 2:30 a.m. Fri, Sat.
733 Bridge St., Vernonia
State Farm
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
®
Bunny Girt, Agent
1229 N. Adair
PO Box 543
Cornelius, OR 97113-0543
Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667
bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com
Page 7
503-429-9999
Live Music
The Bar Pilots Friday, May 6 at 9 pm
Come Fly With Us! We'll be recording a live CD here and debuting a
few new tunes. Never a cover and always good time. Let's get wild!
Catherine Loyer & Strawberry Roan
Coming Saturday June 4