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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2011)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 26, No. 20 THE FREE INDEPENDENT The Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley for Over 25 years October 19, 2011 Candidates for District 1 give views during forum Fall colors are just starting to show up around Vernonia. This photo was taken earlier this week on Noakes Road. Circuit Court announces furloughs In light of budget limitations, it has become necessary for the Columbia County Circuit Court to reduce the hours it is open to the public. The reduc- tions began on October 7 with the public counter being closed on Fridays. There will be a drop box for court filings and pay- ments which will be picked up at 5:00 p.m. Any documents in the box before 5:00 p.m. will be file stamped with the current date. The courtrooms will be open for business as usual. The Columbia County Cir- cuit Court staff deeply regrets any inconvenience this may cause. Friday closures will be in effect through June 30, 2013. In addition to the Friday counter closure, the Chief Jus- tice has signed an order man- dating full court closure for nine calendar days: November 25, 2011, March 23, 2012, May 25, 2012, August 17, 2012, Octo- ber 19, 2012, November 23, 2012, January 18, 2013, April 19, 2013, and May 24, 2013. Staff will be furloughed during these dates but the judges will be holding pretrials and nonof- ficial meetings in chambers. good they will do. At the Portland “Occupy” event, Kari Koch says the scene may look a little disor- ganized, but the groups in each city are agreeing on goals and actions and have a clear vision of what needs to be changed, “The economic and political system is not working for work- ing people. It is, in fact, collaps- ing on top of the working class, See “Occupy” on page 22 State Senator for 17th District. Delgado-Morgan is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 701. She and her family also own Morgan Meadows Vine- yard in Gaston. Witt is current- ly State Representative from the 31st District and was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Ore- gon AFL-CIO for 14 years. The “Conversation” was or- ganized by Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity (CCCHD), the Rural Organiz- ing Project (ROP), Working Families, MoveOn.org, and Re- build the Dream. See Candidates on page 5 Town Hall on New Park The Vernonia School District will hold a Town Hall to get community input for the New Spencer Park project to re- place the existing schools. The Town Hall will be tomorrow, Oc- tober 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria building. Halloween Activities Monday, Oct. 31 Halloween Costume Parade — The Vernonia Costume Sidewalk Parade will take place on Halloween, start- ing at Vernonia City Hall. Meet there at 4:00 p.m. to start the parade at 4:30 p.m. The parade route (and trick-or-treat to businesses) starts from City Hall, going first to the Library, down Bridge St. (with detour to Sentry) to Shay Park, crosses the street at Adams Ave. and returns to City Hall via the other side of the street. All children up to 10 years of age and their parents are wel- come. “Occupy” idea spreads in Oregon by Chris Thomas, Oregon News Service Frustrated folks in at least a half-dozen Oregon cities are part of the “99 Percent” or “Oc- cupy Together” protests that have sprung up across the na- tion to protest corporate greed and government inaction. Some of the gatherings started last week and are still going on, but those who are not part of the protests may wonder what “A Kitchen Table Conversa- tion: Voices of Rural Oregon” was the name of a candidate forum held October 11 in Scap- poose. Four candidates, all 11 were invited, for the Congressional District 1 position opened up by David Wu’s resignation, partici- pated in the “Conversation”. The questions and each candi- date’s answer are given below. Other candidates will be con- tacted before the next issue with the opportunity to answer the same questions. Ballots for the election will be mailed out starting October 21 for the No- vember 8 Primary Election. The Special General Election will be held January 31 to fill the position. The four candidates at the Scappose forum were Brad Avakian, Suzanne Bonamici, Delinda Delgado-Morgan and Brad Witt. Avakian is currently the Oregon Labor Commis- sioner. He also served three terms in the Oregon Legisla- ture, representing Beaverton and NW Portland. Bonamici is Trick or Treat at Church — Come start your Halloween Trick or Treating at Vernonia Community Church with free hot dogs, chips and drinks on October 31 from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. Don Tiffney of Vernonia caught this 40 lb. Salmon on a recent fishing trip to Youngs Bay he took with Don Webb, also of Vernonia. Fall Carnival — Join the fun at the 25th anniversary of the Fall Carnival at Vernonia Christian Church! A safe Halloween alternative at 410 North St. on Monday, Oc- tober 31, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. There will be games, prizes, goodies and more! It’s free family fun for everyone! For more information call the church office at 503-429-6522.