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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2011)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 25, No. 11 THE INDEPENDENT The Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley for Over 25 years Electronic speed limit signs in effect on Highway 26 particularly on weekends in the summer months. During these periods, motorists on OR High- way 47 turning left (eastbound) onto U.S. Highway 26 are find- ing the maneuver unsafe and difficult. Sensors installed in the road control the variable speed limit signs and will slow traffic on U.S. Highway 26 in both direc- tions as motorists approach OR Highway 47 during periods of heavy congestion. Slowing traf- fic on the highway provides a safer environment for motorists turning left, reducing the poten- tial for accidents. This variable speed system is the first of its kind in Oregon, although variable speed limit First Friday and Contra Dancing June First Friday will be on June 3 at the Scout Cabin in Hawkins Park from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Join your neighbors and friends in celebrating arts, en- tertainment, and culture in our community. You can shop the local artists and crafters, deco- rate some cookies, have a light snack and listen to live music. After First Friday, you can also learn how to Contra Dance at the Grange. Lesson at 7:30 p.m. and the dance is from 8:00 to 11 p.m. Live music provided June 2, 2011 Kay appeals DPSST vote to revoke certification as law enforcement officer Vernonia High School’s Leadership Class presented Jaden Krieger and his family with a check for $2,799.74 they raised for the young Banks cancer patient. See full story on page 11 Electronic speed limit signs have been in effect on U.S. Highway 26 (Sunset Highway) near Oregon Highway 47 (Ne- halem Highway) since May 24. The speed limits in this area will change based on traffic vol- umes. Motorists need to be aware of the changing speeds, as Oregon State Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office will enforce the posted speeds. The speed limit will vary from 30 to 50 mph, depending on traffic volume. Speeds will not change more than once every 15 minutes. U.S. Highway 26 is a popular route to the Oregon coast and sees periods of heavy traffic, FREE by Basin Billies. Vernonia First Friday works in partnership with Vernonia Hands-on Art Center as a rev- enue generating entity and community collaborator. First Friday is dedicated to celebrat- ing the arts, bringing people to- gether in downtown Vernonia to meet neighbors, exchange in- formation, skills and resources, as well as reinforce a sense of community among different in- terest groups in and around Vernonia. And, most important- ly, to have a good time! signs have been implemented in many other states. ODOT is implementing this new technol- ogy as an interim solution to the turning problems at the U.S. Highway 26 and OR Highway 47 intersection (also know as Staley’s Junction). Future plans call for a new freeway inter- change at this location. Open Air Market new time, place Vernonia Open Air Market, a project of the VCLC, starts its 2011 season in a new location on Saturday, June 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Madison Ave, between US Bank and Grey Dawn Gallery. The market also moved from Friday nights to Saturday morn- ings. It will now feature hot donuts, breakfast items and lunch items. Yummm donuts... There will also be honey, eggs, plants and craft items, plus oth- er items from local businesses. Did they say donuts? Come see what the Vernonia Open Air Market has to offer and, if you can’t make it this week, you can come by any Saturday from now until October 1. If you are interested in be- coming a vendor, contact Kathy Larsen at 503-449-3591 or at oamvernonia@gmail.com . The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) Police Policy Commit- tee, on May 19, voted unani- mously to revoke the police cer- tification of Vernonia Sergeant Michael Kay. This is the next step in pulling Kay’s certifica- tion, after he refused to volun- tarily relinquish his certification based on the DPSST investiga- tion outlined in a letter to Kay on March 15. DPSST trains and upholds professional standards (with certifications) for police, fire, corrections, parole and proba- tion, communications (such as 9-1-1), even private security and private investigators. Once a certification is re- voked by DPSST, the person cannot work in any job that re- quires that certification. DPSST’s summary to the Police Policy Committee, dated May 19, from Professional Vernonia High School Graduation June 4, 2011 ❊ 2:00 p.m. Greenman Field Banks High School Graduation June 10, 2011 ❊ 7:00 p.m. Banks High School Join the Linear Trail Brave Run for BES The Linear Trail Brave Run, a 5k and 10k run/walk, will be held Saturday, June 4, starting at 8:00 a.m. with check-in and registration at the Banks High School track. The Kids Dash (up to age 12) starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5k and 10k start at 9:00 a.m. This is a fundraiser for Banks Elementary School. Standards Investigator/Coordi- nator Theresa M. King, listed the following ten items for their case against Kay, with Kay’s re- sponses; 1) That Kay misrepresented his personal knowledge of whether two individuals com- pleted community service in a document he authored and gave to the Vernonia Justice Court. Kay responded that he had been uncomfortable writing a letter that was not factual, but did so at the direction of Judge Thompson and former Vernon- ia Chief Frank Grace. Grace’s response to DPSST was that he was passing along a mes- sage from Judge Thompson, who needed to close out the deferred sentence and needed information from Kay in order to do so. Grace made clear that he would not have accepted or approved documentation that was not factual in content and he did not recall Kay voicing any concern about the matter. 2) Kay was untruthful with two investigators (regarding the community service issue listed in 1 above) hired by the City of Vernonia. Kay wrote to DPSST that the second, “investigation was stopped by our City Administra- tor Bill Haack before it was completed for financial rea- sons.” Haack stated to DPSST, that the investigative report, “was not stopped for any rea- son.” Haack also told DPSST that after he and Grace read the first investigative report, Grace recommended Kay’s ter- mination and after learning that Judge Thompson had sent a letter to DPSST of his concerns about Kay’s untruthfulness, the second investigation was See Report on page 4