Page 22
The INDEPENDENT, August 17, 2011
Merkley explains no vote on debt bill
From page 20
economy competitive so there
are good jobs in the future –
would endure as much as 15%
in cuts. Mortgaging the middle
class’s future and increasing
their burdens now do not make
America stronger.
“Moreover, while all reason-
able people can understand
the need for belt-tightening to
bring down our unsustainable
deficits, this plan exempts the
wealthy and well-connected.
The many subsidies and enti-
tlements that they enjoy are
tucked away in the tax code,
which has been put off limits.
So despite the dramatic in-
creases in income of the best
off in our nation since 2000, the
sweetheart deals that litter the
tax code are protected.
“Finally, this flawed product
is the result of irresponsible
threats to torpedo the economy
by refusing to pay America’s
bills. The editorials are full of
phrases
like
‘extortion,’
‘hostage-taking,’ and ‘lunacy.’
President Reagan himself said,
‘This brinkmanship threatens
the holders of bonds and those
WEATHER REPORT
JULY 2011
DATE
TEMPERATURE
HI
LO
PRECIP.
AMT.
1
75
40
--
2
80
42
--
3
72
54
--
4
74
40
--
5
82
41
--
6
83
45
--
7
76
53
--
8
67
50
--
9
74
36
--
10
71
44
--
11
71
44
.03
12
67
54
.20
13
66
50
.72
14
65
48
T
15
71
49
.44
16
69
55
T
17
64
54
.10
18
70
53
.01
19
66
52
T
20
70
46
--
21
68
50
.01
22
71
44
--
23
81
45
--
24
87
45
--
25
73
54
--
26
68
54
--
27
71
43
--
28
79
41
--
29
78
48
--
30
78
46
--
31
72
43
--
Temperature and precipitation
amounts are from the official U.S.
weather station at the Vernonia
water plant. Measurable precipi-
tation in July totalled 1.51 inches.
who rely on veterans benefits.
Markets would skyrocket, in-
stability would occur and the
federal deficit would soar. The
United States has a special re-
sponsibility to itself and to the
world to meet its obligations.’ A
default would be enormously
damaging to every American,
and I respect and value the
hard work of the President and
Leader Reid to avoid that
calamity despite the unreason-
able ransom demands they
were facing. But at some point
we must finally stand up for the
middle class and insist that
their jobs and their futures be
our priority, or this ugly drama
will repeat itself again and
again.
“I am fully committed to work
towards real compromise, one
that asks for sacrifice from
everyone who can afford it to
tackle our long-term debt chal-
August 3 solution
lenges. I’m prepared to make
hard choices when those
choices are necessary to solve
our nation’s challenges and
make it stronger. However, I
cannot endorse a process that
will worsen our economy, bur-
den middle class families, and
reduce our children’s opportu-
nities in the future, and doesn’t
ask those who have so much
already to contribute one thin
dime.
“Somewhere in the frenzy of
economic anxiety, ideology,
and electoral politics, Washing-
ton has lost its way. The great-
ness of America and the
strength of our economy can-
not be separated from the well-
being of the American middle
class. If we continue to sacri-
fice their prosperity to subsi-
dize the well-off and well-con-
nected, we sacrifice America’s
future.”
From the Sheriff’s Desk…
From page 19
month, and the response has been outstanding. Now citizens in
these areas do not have to drive to St. Helens, for now, we come
to them once a month. Our staff performs this service in at the
Vernonia Police Department from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the third
Friday of every month. Even with our staffing reductions this year,
we are attempting to keep this popular service going.
The fiscal year ending June 30 also saw our Corrections Divi-
sion respond day-in and day-out to a demanding routine. Every
day, our Jail deputies book, intake, classify, clothe, house and
feed inmates who come to us for a variety of reasons. There are
the accused murderers, those charged with assault, burglaries,
thefts and DUII. There are also probationers who are being sanc-
tioned, and from time-to-time, even a potentially dangerous per-
son kept here voluntarily for emergency housing. The latter being
here on agreement with parole and probation, as the alternative
of putting certain people out on the streets is dangerous to the
community. Efforts to find places for people like this can be trou-
blesome in our small county.
In the past fiscal year, our Jail booked and fingerprinted 2,760
individuals, or more than 7 per day. The needs and housing dis-
tinctions for each person are important business for our deputies.
Every person detained in our facility must be checked in person
at least once per hour. Their medical needs and dietary needs
must be met adequately. And we serve as their conduit to the
court system through transport vans and/or video arraignment.
Though working with a minimum crew on each shift, these
deputies have earned a reputation for their fairness and profes-
sionalism. They consistently score high on Jail inspections con-
ducted by state and federal auditors, and have been recognized
for their reliability by the U.S. Marshal and ICE. They are a big
part of keeping our community safe and helping secure a future
for our citizens.
Volunteers also put in a huge amount toward making this office
a success. Last year, Volunteers in Partnership with the Sheriff,
our Search and Rescue team volunteers and our reserve patrol
deputies put in thousands of volunteer hours. Without their dedi-
cation and giving spirit, we could not have provided nearly as
thorough service to citizens at our front counter, or extra backup
to our deputies and other police officers on patrol. We would not
have had ANY trained searchers on our Search and Rescue mis-
sions, and we would have not provided operational assistance to
community events like the Ralph Painter Memorial Run.
I am so grateful to have so much good will and desire to serve
in the people who work for me – and for the citizens in our coun-
ty. I love my job, and I thoroughly enjoy serving you with the help
of the folks here at the Sheriff’s Office.
As we have begun a new fiscal year with new challenges, I
trust we will continue to grow as people and public servants.
Action Ads ~ Call 503-429-9410 to place your ad
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notice
advisory and technical capacity
to the Columbia County Board of
Commissioners and Columbia
County Solid Waste Division on
matters relating to how Columbia
County manages solid waste dis-
posal (trash) and recycling serv-
ices.
The SWAC consists of volun-
teer voting members who repre-
sent a balance of interests.
SWAC members are citizens,
professionals from the business
community, operators of solid
waste collection and recycling
companies, and representatives
of local governments. The SWAC
generally meets at 9 a.m. Tues-
day mornings, on a quarterly
basis with some additional meet-
ings being held, as needed. The
term for this position would run
for three years, through the Fall
of 2014.
For more information and de-
tails on how to become a SWAC
member contact Roy Weedman,
Columbia County Solid Waste
Coordinator at 503-397-7263 or
roy.weedman@co.columbia.or.u
s before Friday, September 2nd,
2011.
County Solid Waste Adviso-
ry Committee seeks interested
citizen for vacant At-Large Po-
sition
The Columbia County Solid
Waste Advisory Committee
(SWAC) is seeking an interested
resident from Rural Columbia
County to fill a vacant At-Large
position. The SWAC serves in an
Publish August 3 and 17, 2011