Honoring veterans
Viewpoints
Page A2
Heritage Days Update Page A4
The Chief
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020
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VOL. 129, NO. 3
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Live Fire Training
Kelli Nicholson / The Chief
This photo of a Columbia River Fire & Rescue crew shows a similar training exercise conducted in east St. Helens in June of 2018.
Exercise Saturday JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Rain or shine, The Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District (CRFPD) will conduct a live fire training exercise all day Saturday, May 30, at 19536 Beaver Falls Road. The Chief contacted Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District division training officer Gabriel Wiggins for insight into the live burning exercise. The Chief: What specifically will the crews be doing during this live training that is designed to help each firefighter improve his/her skills? Gabriel Wiggins: Live fire training evolutions such as this give firefighters an opportunity to practice their firefighter skills and put their knowledge to practice during realistic conditions. Firefighters will practice
hoseline advancement, nozzle control, suppression tactics, and will see the evolution of fire behavior from the incipient phase through the growth phase. During the burndown phase of the exercise, firefighters will protect exposures as would occur during a defensive fire. Additionally, this provides firefighters the chance to watch a fire progress from the incipient phase, growth phase, fully developed phase, through to the decay phase. The Chief: How do these exercises help strengthen the firefighting team’s effective and efficient teamwork needed in an actual fire and other emergency responses? Wiggins: The fire service requires teamwork at all levels to be effective, from the individual firefighters working on a crew, crews working together as a division or group, all the way to agencies supporting each other through mutual aid agreements. During this exercise each fire-
City to gain new deputy JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
In just a few days, law enforcement in Clatskanie will be improved. On June 3, the Clatskanie City Council is expected to adopt the city’s proposed $9.5 million operating budget, which includes funding for a third full-time Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy. During a community meeting in late February about school safety at Clatskanie Middle/High School, Clatskanie Mayor Bob Brajcich told those gathered that the city is developing funds that could pay for a full time law enforcement officer dedicated to the community daily, Monday through Friday, through the contract the City currently has with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). “So during the school days we would have an officer in town,” Brajcich said. “That officer would get to know the kids, the businesses
Obituaries............A3 Viewpoints...........A4 Poll.......................A4 Market Place........A5 Public Notices..A5-6 Clatskanie Grows A7
and the community.” Brajcich said the cost for the additional deputy would be approximately $50,000 annually and would be paid for through the city’s general fund. History Due to city budget limitations, the Clatskanie City Council closed its city police department and contracted in 2016 with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services. The contract includes two deputies with the city paying 85 percent of the cost while the Sheriff’s Office picks up the remaining 15 percent. Since that time community members, and Brajcich have voiced concerns for the need to strengthen local law enforcement. Repeated school security issues earlier this year heightened those concerns for additional policing. Read more about the school security issues in a series of stories at thechiefnews. com. Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman adjusted his proposed 2020-2021 city operating budget to reflect the additional cost of adding a third deputy that would be full time in the city. Hinkelman said adding the 100% funded deputy is a continued effort to provide more law enforcement in the City. “Our goal has always been to provide as much law enforcement as possible with the resources we have,” he said. “Having deputies on duty, able to respond in a timely manner to a variety of calls has been a community concern and this additional deputy will help us strive to that aspiration.” Deputy’s assignments Hinkelman said the specific assignments of the new deputy were still in discussion.
See DEPUTY Page A4
fighter will be assigned to a crew. Each crew will be assigned a different task during each evolution. Some of the tasks which will be assigned are fire attack, backup hoseline, rapid intervention crew, and water supply. An incident command system will be put in place to support and coordinate operations. This will also be a multi-jurisdictional exercise. Mist Birkenfeld RFPD is participating by sending a crew to participate in the live fire training. Columbia River Fire & Rescue will be assisting by providing ambulance coverage for the Clatskanie Fire District so all the employees of the Clatskanie Fire District have a chance to participate. Additional agencies in the region have also been invited however have conflicts which preclude their participation. The Chief: These live exercises often come with some level of challenges and even danger. What are those challenges, the danger, and as the District training officer, what do
you emphasize to the crews going into these extensive training sessions? Wiggins: Firefighting is an inherently dangerous business and training evolutions are no exception. We do however take steps to reduce that risk. As the Instructor-in-Charge of this evolution, I have used NFPA 1403: Standard for Live Fire Training Evolutions to plan this exercise. This standard provides guidance on personnel requirements, equipment requirements, even going as far as calculating the minimum gallons of water required to be available. Risk is further diminished through the use of redundant systems. Fire streams will be supported from multiple fire pumps. The primary water supply for this exercise will be a pond located on the property with multiple water tenders on site as a secondary water supply. Exterior and interior safety officers are also assigned to monitor for any issues. The command emphasis for live fire training evolutions such as this is
always the safety of participants. As in all operations, every firefighter is encouraged to inform their supervisor of concerns. Prior to starting any of the evolutions each firefighter will enter the building to familiarize themselves with the layout and alternative exits they could use. Additional considerations have been made for this training evolution in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for March, we postponed until the Governor started lifting the stay at home orders. Firefighters will be practicing good social distancing practices when not wearing their respirators. Briefings will be held in the apparatus bay instead of the classroom to promote distancing and crews will enter the building in small groups for their prefire walkthrough. The Chief: How and why was this site on Beaver Falls Road selected
See FIRE Page A3
Pumped for retirement CHRISTINE MENGES chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Howard Hummer, an 87-year-old gas attendant who has been working at the Chevron in Rainier for 29 years greeted Jo Tuom, a regular customer for at least two-thirds of that time. Tuom lives in Longview, Washington but said she often gets her gas at the Chevron, 312 W. B Street in Rainier. After pulling up to the pump on Wednesday afternoon, May 27, Tuom and Hummer have a brief chat. This occurrence is usual for Hummer, but it won’t last for very long. Hummer was preparing to to retire on Friday, May 29. Tuom said she would miss Hummer.. “We come over here to get gas because he’s such a sweetie,” Tuom said. She said the two talk about anything and everything while her car is filled for a few minutes. “It’s just ‘how’s it going’ and ‘how’s your day,’” Tuom said. “And besides that, he always laughs at my rude jokes.” Hummer’s leaving is such an occasion that the Chevron had his name and retirement date on a marquee in front of the station. “Congrats Howard Hummer on your upcoming retirement,” the sign reads. “Last day May 29.” “He’s loyal, he’s dependable, he’s honest,” Rainier Chevron Gas Station manager Nancy Grogan said. “He’s just meant so much to the community, the customers that have been coming in for years and years. They look forward to seeing him.” Hummer is a soft-spoken man who doesn’t like to talk a lot about himself. He said not much has changed in the 29 years since he’s worked at the station, and that he enjoys working with his co-workers and chatting with the people who come to get gas in their automobiles. Hummer has spent a long time in the workforce. Before coming to Chevron, Hummer worked at Inter-
Christine Menges / The Chief
Howard Hummer pumps gas for long-time customer Jo Tuom. Hummer planned to retire on May 29 after working at the Rainier Chevron for 29 years.
national Paper, a paper mill that was situated across the river, in Washington. Before working at the mill, Hummer served in the Marines for three years, stationed in San Diego. He was born in Garden City, Kansas in 1933. Hummer has a few siblings still surviving, sprinkled around the country. One in California, one in Nevada, and one in Oregon. However, he said he and his siblings are not very good at keeping up with each other. He and his wife have seven children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who occasionally visit the couple. Hummer said the primary reason behind his living as gas attendant at the Chevron station, is that his wife said he should retire. “She told me it was time to give it up,” Hummer said. Hummer and his wife live a few
blocks away from the gas station, although Hummer said he drives to work each workday. Hummer’s wife is retired as a former nursing home employee. Hummer worked at the station 32 hours a week for four days a week. This past Wednesday was unusual for Hummer, who said he usually works Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. As far as what comes next for Hummer, he said he doesn’t know yet what he’s going to do as he retires. But whatever Hummer does do next, it is clear his regulars are going to miss him. Before leaving the gas station, Tuom handed Hummer some cash telling him to by himself a lunch. When Hummer said he had already gotten lunch, Tuom insisted he keep the cash as a tip and buy himself something nice.
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www.thechiefnews.com
Friday, May 29, 2020
COVID-19 justice system impact hear your case even during the crisis.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Is it law and order as usual at our county courts and district attorney’s office during the COVID-19 pandemic? To find out the true impact of COVID-19 on our justice system, we sought insight from Columbia County District Attorney Jeff Auxier. The Chief: Earlier, you had told us that the most urgent trials are continuing through the pandemic. Specifically, what are the range of those trials and how are they proceeding?
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
These gold painted military boots have been carefully placed at the Clatskanie Veterans Memorial to honor those veterans who have lost their lives in action. See more photos at thechiefnews.com.
Honoring veterans JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Clatskanie resident Lori Sherman has a mission. Three times each year, Sherman organizes a special tribute to her father and those who have served our nation in the Armed Forces. Every year on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and Mother’s Day for the last five years the Clatskanie American Legion, led by Sherman, conducts tributes to honor both men and women veterans. “This project started in honor of my father who had served in the Air Force,” Sherman said. “He is still alive and I want to honor him while he is living.” On Friday, May 22, along with three students from Piercing Arrow Private Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief School, Sherman loaded her Lori Sherman, center, and students from Piercing Arrow Private School red van with gold painted place small American flags along Highway 30 in Clatskanie honoring all military boots, each with veterans as a Memorial Day tribute. See more photos at thechiefnews.com. small American flags attached and a card with the dent David Reeves said. “I said. “She apologized in name of a member of the hope people who see these the note but said having the military who died in action. flags and the boots will take boots meant so much to her. Sherman and the students a minute to remember what So, we definitely undertook the boots to the Clatsour veterans have done for stand.” kanie Veterans Memorial us and the sacrifices they Sherman also hopes and carefully placed them have made for our country people seeing the tribute along the Memorial Wall. and our freedoms.” will remember America’s The gold painted on each Sherman said commuheritage,”and that our freeboot represents honor, Sher- nity members and local doms are not free,” she said. man said. Small laminated businesses help support the “Somebody paid a price for cards identify each veteran. project through donations our freedom.” The names are taken from and the school students conSherman offers a comthe Clatskanie Veterans Me- duct various fundraisers, car munity thank you to local morial Wall. The 40 boots washes and doughnut sales businesses. See that with represent Clatskanie area and gift wrapping, to raise this story online at thechiefveterans who have lost their $500 to $800 for expenses. news.com. lives in action. In years past, some of the Sherman and the three boots and flags were taken If you know of someone, students also placed 1,450 by different individuals, an agency or business, or small American Flags along Sherman said. a group, that is making a Highway 30 into and out “They shouldn’t take positive difference in our of Clatskanie to honor all them but they do,” she said. community and would like veterans. Last year, the 40 “We don’t get upset.” to see them featured in Who boots were lined along the Sherman shared one acWe Are, email details to jruhighway. For this year’s count of missing boots, say- ark@countrymedia.net. Memorial Day tribute, the ing a woman from eastern boots are positioned along Oregon was driving through the Memorial Wall and the Clatskanie to the coast and small American flags line saw the boots lining Highthe highway. ETERSEN ETERSENway 30. LARKELLC LLC LARKE “I am here today to honor “She had left a little A tt tIt oo rrnote s Memorial Wall nn eeon yy sthe veterans and to show A that am proud to honor my coun- telling us that she had taken (503) 556-4120 (503) try and do what little I can 556-4120 boots that had belonged to to be an American citizen,” her father, a former resident Piercing Arrow School stu- County’s in Clatskanie,” Sherman Columbia County’s Premier Columbia Premier
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Jeff Auxier: Yes, that’s right. Shortly after the pandemic first hit the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court issued an order that reduced court activity down to “essential functions.” For prosecutors, that meant that most of our cases were postponed, but that we could still hold court hearings for defendants that were in jail. Since you are innocent until proven guilty, the Chief Justice felt that it would be unjust to force someone to sit in a jail cell without a trial for the entire duration of coronavirus. In order to protect their rights, we couldn’t wait for the pandemic to be over to have their cases heard. So if you were a dangerous individual who needed to be held in jail until your trial date, we treated their cases the same way we always did and held hearings throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Another important thing to mention is that the court was also open during this time to issue restraining orders. If you were or are being abused or stalked the courts would
The Chief: What trials are postponed or canceled due to the pandemic and why? Auxier: The Chief Justice was not willing to hold a trial unless it was absolutely necessary. That meant that if you were out of custody while your case was pending the court continued the case into the summer. If you were in jail as you waited for your trial, we did not delay it at all, as I describe above. The Chief: What are the challenges that your team faces with continuing daily operations under the state’s Stay Home order and social distancing guidelines? Auxier: Our office is small, and our employees work in a tightly-packed physical space. It isn’t safe for all of us to be working in the office at the same time. Early on I ordered my staff and prosecutors to work from home. My office manager Dawn Hunt and I physically staffed the office, and other employees were only invited in on an “as needed” basis. I have a great group of employees who were all willing to come in to the office as needed to do our work and protect the public, so a lot continued to come in anyway, but we have worked hard to keep our numbers down so we could spread out and keep each other safe. The Chief: Overall, as DA, how do you see the pandemic and its impact affecting justice in our county? Auxier: The pandemic
has not impacted our ability to protect the public. If we thought someone was a danger to the community, Sheriff Pixley and I do not hesitate to detain that person in our jail and my deputies and I have been fighting in court throughout the pandemic to make sure that they stayed there. Nothing about the coronavirus changed that. That having been said, “justice delayed is justice denied.” Victims and defendants alike should be entitled to a swift resolution of their cases and because of COVID-19 we have seen some delays. It breaks my heart, but we could not defy the Chief Justice’s orders and it was the right thing to do for public health. Auxier added what he calls “a few stray thoughts.” First, the work of our local law enforcement throughout this crisis has been extremely commendable. While the rest of us have been sheltering in place, they have carried on investigating cases and making arrests just like it was any other day. They are doing what needs to be done to protect us, even if that means exposing themselves and their families to serious health risks. Second, the same could be said for court staff and the Columbia County citizens who have sacrificed their own physical safety to serve on juries during the pandemic. Auxier also submitted a Chief Guest Column. Read that on page A4 of this edition. Follow continuing coverage of the pandemic and its impact on Columbia County at the thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
Thank you to everyone who voted in the primary. I am humbled by your overwhelming support. Asking for your continued support in November.
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The Clatskanie Senior Class Caravan will happen in two groupings. It will start at 5 PM Friday June 5th. Fire trucks will lead the way and blow their horn for people to come outside and wave to the seniors as they drive by. Senior banner being displayed on the old Hazen Hardware Building. We are also asking businesses to post the Tiger colors and decorate their store fronts in support of the graduating seniors the first week of June.
We invite you to watch Rainier High School Live Stream Graduation on YouTube.
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Friday, May 29, 2020
A3
Jobless claims backlog
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
“We know how frustrating it has been for those who are trying to reach us about the status of their claims and have been unable to get through. That is why we are launching Project Focus 100,” Kay Erickson, Oregon Employment Director said in a release. STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
Since the COVID-19 pandemic in March, thousands of Oregonians have lost their jobs due to the economic shutdown of businesses across the state. Oregon’s unemployment rate rose from a near-recordlow 3.5 percent, as revised, in March to a record- high 14.2 percent in April, as COVID-19 business closures shut down a large portion of the economy, according to the Oregon Employment Department. But for many seeking jobless claim benefits through the Oregon Employment Department has been frustrating. Some said they have been waiting for weeks, others said they have simply given up, according to reports. Local and state leaders have been critical of the employment department’s backlog of claims. The following is a release and statement from Oregon Employment Director Kay Erickson, who outlines how the agency is attempting to reduce the extensive claim waiting period. Oregon is facing unprecedented unemployment and hundreds of thousands of Oregon families are counting on unemployment benefits to pay for their basic needs. While the Oregon Employment Department has paid a record number of Oregonians within two to three weeks, for too many
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Oregonians, their claims are in a backlog. We know how frustrating it has been for those who are trying to reach us about the status of their claims and have been unable to get through. That is why we are launching Project Focus 100. The goal is straightforward: to process 100 percent of the 38,000 claim backlog as quickly as possible and get Oregonians the relief they need. We will use four successful strategies: Continue surge hiring The department has made good progress getting the staff we need to process claims quickly, increasing by six times the number of people processing claims than were in place before COVID-19 closures began. We continue hiring and training new employees to ensure every Oregonian gets the benefits they’re owed in a timely fashion. Further focus our experienced professionals on the oldest and most complex claims For two weeks, from May 29 to June 12, we will increase our outbound calls to resolve claims for those that have been waiting the longest. To do this, our most experienced employees will take time away from answering the phones. We will also temporarily reassign job center employ-
ees to take incoming calls to help resolve questions, in all languages, relating to: • Address/Phone number changes • Looking up customer ID (CID) numbers • Re-setting PIN numbers • Issues with claiming a week of benefits online, including taking weekly certifications • Filing a new claim or processing an internet initial claim (except those with military, federal, or out-ofstate wages) • Re-starting a claim • Checking the status of a claim (if unable to use the online claim system) Increase proactive contact and communication. We’re piloting new ways of contacting Oregonians to let them know where their claims are in the system and to solve problems. We now have prerecorded phone messages and emails will confirm that we’ve received your PUA claim. We’re also working to add a customer service chat bot to our website. Use technology to close gaps and improve service. We have identified strategies that move claims out of processing traps that can hang them up. That has already moved thousands of claims through processing. We will continue using these strategies to speed up processing and get Oregonians whose claims have been stuck the benefits they’re owed. We continue to add new metrics to our online dashboard so that Oregonians can watch our progress. We’ll continue to be transparent about where we are and our progress toward our goals. Navigating this crisis is a collective effort, and Oregonians know how to work together to overcome hard challenges. We’ll get through this together. Follow this developing story online at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.
•O bituaries • • Philip Calvin White
March 7, 1961 ~ May 12, 2020 The world became a better place when Philip C. White was born on March 7, 1961. Phil was born in Bermuda to Airman Frank White and Betty White. He passed away on May 12 due to complications from pneumonia. Phil attended schools in the Tacoma area where he was an outstanding wrestler. He went on to attend Eastern Washington College where he also excelled in wrestling. Phil’s first teaching job was in Irrigon, Oregon where he taught 7th and 8th graders and where he also met his wife Kelly. Phil and Kelly were married on May 30, 1987 and they were blessed with five children, Lindsey, Joshua, Zachary, Carli and Reilly. Phil worked for Portland General
Electric and was active in the community of Clatskanie, where he coached high school wrestling, youth wrestling, soccer and little league. Phil is predeceased by his parents and his daughter, Lindsey.
He is survived by his wife Kelly, children, Joshua (Brittany), Zachary (Heidi), Carli, and Reilly (Adam); brothers, Mike, Richard, Barry and Dave (Betty); grandchildren Riley and Ryder Newton, Kyrielle White, Hank and Carver Wilkerson, Willow, Olive and Vada White, Ackley Allred and Brindsley White; in-laws, Doug and Marilyn Putman; brother-in-law Jim (Kim); and numerous nieces and nephews. Due to the coronavirus, there will be a memorial service held for Phil at a later date (TBA). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clatskanie Youth Wrestling Program or your favorite charity in Phil’s name.
Thank you to everyone who voted.
Voting is one of our most important civic duties. One that many take for granted. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for and supported me. I look forward to your continued support. I serve all of Columbia County and will continue to work for and listen to you!
ALEX TARDIF
Courtesy photo
Library hold system Patrons of the Clatskanie Library District will be able to place holds on up to two items at a time for next-day pickup beginning Monday, June 1. Holds may be placed from the Library’s online catalog at www.clatskanielibrary. org or by calling 503-728-
3732 between the hours of 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Curbside pickup will take place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Patrons will be notified by phone or email when materials are ready. E-books online and free WiFi outside the building
are available 24 hours a day. Please contact the Library if you need your ID or PIN numbers.
FIRE
The last live fire training Clatskanie Fire has conducted on an acquired structure was in November 2017.
and another ambulance will be on standby in the event there is an emergency call while the live fire evolutions are taking place. If this were to happen, crews will be identified to respond to the emergency call as well as which crews will stay on site to ensure safe burndown operations. Wiggins adds that for safety reasons, the training will not be open to the public. Traffic on Beaver Falls Road will be moderately impacted during the exercise. Emergency vehicles will be moving on and parking near the roadway at the fire site along Beaver Falls Road. Neighbors and those using Beaver Falls Road near the training are asked to use caution while traveling in the area.
From Page A1
and when was the last live fire exercise conducted by the CRFPD? Wiggins: The structure on this site was donated to the fire district for training. The property owners are demolishing the building in order to build a new house. We have been training on this structure since January. During this time, we have done hose advancement evolutions, search and rescue, basement fire scenarios, and ventilation practice, culminating with the live fire training.
The Chief: How many crew members will participate and what fire vehicles will be used at the training site? Wiggins: Approximately 20 firefighters from the Clatskanie Fire District will be participating in the training on Saturday. Additional personnel from Mist Birkenfeld RFPD will be in attendance. One engine, one pumper-tender, one water tender, and multiple command units will be directly used for the training. We will also have an ambulance on scene. An additional two engines
See moe details about the Clatskanie Library’s slow reopening at thechiefnews. com.
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Friday, May 29, 2020
•V iewpoints • •
Decision not made lightly Funding and fireworks
DEBI SMILEY Chief Guest Column
It was with heavy hearts that the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce Board made the decision to cancel the 2020 Clatskanie Heritage Days events. The decision This decision was not made lightly, but was with an abundance of caution to keep our community safe. The responsibility and liability of bringing the community together with visitors from outside our area that could spread the COVID virus led the Chamber Board to the difficult reality that this year’s events would not be possible. The initial planning started in January, but was put on hold in March when the COVID 19 stay-at-home restrictions were put in place. We lost most of our fundraising opportunities due to the limitations imposed by these regulations, and without the proper time to plan and fundraise it would not be possible to provide all the sponsored events. After two months of deliberation, monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation, and consultation and support from the City of Clatskanie officials and the Clatskanie Fire District the Chamber Board had to make the difficult decision to cancel all the Chamber sponsored Heritage Days events.
We were pleased to be able to hold our annual Bark Dust Sale fundraiser the first weekend in May, as proper COVID-19 social distancing protocols were observed to keep our community safe. Fundraising and sponsorships are needed each year to cover the large expense of the fireworks show, insurance for the events, and other required expenses. It takes countless hours volunteered by many people to pull these events together each year. The money raised from the successful Bark Dust Sale will be used to make the 2021 Heritage Days celebration even greater. Other donations received this year will also go towards the events for next year. Along with our planning partners we have worked hard to change the fireworks display to one that could still be impressive, but would be lower over the park and river to avoid the fire danger that we experienced two years in a row in the recent past. With the fireworks show being lower in the sky, it would not be prudent to try to put the show on with social distancing as people need to gather in the park for the best view. During the last couple weeks, we have seen the cancellation of all of the usual summer events in Oregon due to the mandate to keep gatherings from being over 25 people. Longview, Seaside, and Fort
Vancouver all canceled their fireworks for the 4th of July. The Rainier Days in the Park activities have been canceled as well. Support local businesses Although this summer will look and feel different, we hope everyone finds other ways to safely celebrate with their families and friends. The Chamber Board encourages everyone to use the funds they normally would have spent during Heritage Days to instead support our local businesses as they begin to open back up during this challenging time. Enjoy new traditions of getting take-out and having a picnic or other type of outing while maintaining social distancing and following other safety guidelines. If other opportunities arise for events in the fall, the Chamber Board will be happy to help lend our support for them. We share in your disappointment for this year, but keeping our community healthy must be a priority. We look forward to planning a fantastic Heritage Days celebration next year, and invite you to participate by joining us at the planning meetings. Thank you. Debi Smiley is the Heritage Days Chair and a member of the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce Board. She may be reached at 503-728-6116.
Acknowledging the sacrifices JEFF AUXIER Chief Guest Column
The COVID-19 crisis has been a difficult time for all of us, and we have all made sacrifices. This has definitely been true for the public safety community. As District Attorney, I want to acknowledge the sacrifices of our recent grand jury, an unsung group of Columbia County citizens who have helped make our community safer during this crisis. Under Oregon law, prosecutors cannot charge a criminal with a felony without the approval of a grand jury. That means that if I want to charge someone with a felony crime, I must convene seven jurors from our community, present the jurors with evidence at a hearing, and allow them to vote on whether to press charges. When most of us get jury duty, we expect to show up at a courthouse, spend an hour listening to a judge, and then go home without actually hearing a case. That
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•V oices
Thank You For Your Support I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the support I received during the recent primary election. Particular thanks go to my endorsers, Mayor Rick Scholl, Mayor Bob Brajcich, and Mayor Rick Hobart, and to Presiding Circuit Court Judge Grove, District Attor-
isn’t what happens if you are picked for grand jury. Citizens who get selected for the grand jury must spend at least a half a day, once a week, for two months listening to the attorneys from my office present their evidence. It can be tedious and time-consuming work, but the only way we can hold a felon in jail is to have these seven grand jurors come to the courthouse, hear the evidence, and approve of the charges. While I am not at liberty to name the individual members, I want to honor the service of the Columbia County grand jurors that served from the beginning of March through April 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. At a time when we were supposed to be self-quarantined at home, this group of devoted Columbia County citizens honored their civic obligation, gathered within a courtroom (spread out as much as possible to maintain social distance), and did the
of
work that needed to be done to make sure criminals would lawfully remain in our jail. While we made every effort to ensure their safety, the grand jury nevertheless placed their own health at risk in order to protect the public. They also had a great attitude throughout the process, asked excellent legal and factual questions, dutifully held the state to its burden, and even offered to continue their service through the month of May. A new panel of citizens was sworn in as grand jurors last week. I am certain they will continue the tradition of civic-minded service that we saw throughout March and April. This last group of grand jurors was simply the latest example of how lucky we are to live in our great community, but as District Attorney I did not want it to go unrecognized. Jeff Auxier is the Columbia County District Attorney. He may be reached at 503397-0300.
T he C ommunity • •
ney Jeff Auxier, City Council members Joel Haugen of Scappoose and Doug Morten of St. Helens, Terry Moss, retired St. Helens Chief of Police, and many others, including local attorneys Mark Gordon, Diana Shera Taylor and Mark Lang. My heart is filled with gratitude. I also thank each and every voter, for your engagement with this vitally important judicial race. I look forward
to continuing the conversation with you heading into the general election this November. You will each need to determine which candidate is most qualified and experienced, and who will best serve as your Circuit Judge. Again, thank you for your attention and support. Jenefer Grant Columbia County Circuit Judge
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DEPUTY From Page A1 “It has been expressed that the deputy will get to know and be a presence at the grade school and high school, this deputy will also serve as our code enforcement officer,” Hinkelman said. “The deputy will also get to know and be a public face to the businesses in town and the community in general. “ Hinkelman’s proposed budget reflects the total cost to the City of Clatskanie through the city’s general fund for the law enforcement through the CCSO. “We budgeted $400,500 for the CCSO,” he said. “For fiscal year 2020-21, we are budgeting $470,500.” Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley said the new deputy has the opportunity to effectively engage with community members, build trusting relations, as well as conduct regular law enforcement. “A deputy stationed in Clatskanie has the opportunity to really be a part of the community,” Pixley said. “This position will allow the deputy to eat lunch with the kids during school hours, get
to know the business owners and residents, and be a visible presence on the highway during high traffic times.” Pixley said service call loads in Clatskanie have increased from 3,276 in 2017 to 4,824 in 2019. “We have also had a 71% increase in arrests over the last two years,” Pixey said. “Last year CCSO deputies made 539 traffic stops in Clatskanie. This new position dedicates one deputy to Clatskanie for 100% of their work week, so residents will see an even greater CCSO presence in the community.” According to Pixley, the addition of a new deputy demonstrates that the contract between CCSO and the City of Clatskanie is working. “And our deputies are doing a great job,” he said. “I look forward to growing CCSO’s relationship with the residents of Clatskanie.” Gerhard Fiebich is the new deputy that will be assigned full-time in Clatskanie. “I am looking forward to the opportunity ahead of me,” Fiebich told The Chief. School superintendent’s reaction Clatskanie School District
Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said she welcomes the additional community law enforcement. “The opportunity to develop close relationships with our deputy will be a huge positive for the staff and students at Clatskanie School District, as well as our community,” Hurowitz said. “Our kids will have an opportunity to have more interactions with law enforcement. Having a deputy in Clatskanie will shorten response time for all calls which is a big gain for our community.” Hurowitz said the current deputies make good efforts to visit the schools in Clatskanie, but the additional, full time deputy will be significant. “Our deputy will be quite busy, but my hope is that he/she will be able to make regular visits to both of our school sites, perhaps lunch with our students or participation in assemblies,” Hrowitz said. “I would like to see the deputy regularly drive by our campuses, especially during peak hours.” The Chief will check in with Columbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Fiebich once he gets started on the job as we continue to follow this developing story.
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Public Notices CC20-1230
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District will hold a joint public hearing of its Board of Directors and its Local Contract Review Board regarding adoption of Public Contracting Rules on the 10th day of June 2020, at 7:00 p.m. The
meeting will be held at Port of Columbia County, Clatskanie Offices, 555 SW Bryant ST, Clatskanie, Oregon. The proposed Resolution will replace and update the District’s current Public Contracting Rules and exemptions. The public hearing will be held
for the purpose of taking comments on the District’s draft findings supporting the exemption of certain classes of special procurements and public improvement contracts from competitive bidding requirements. Published date: May 29, 2020 in The Chief.
CC20-1235
CC20-1251 NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING
FORM LB-1
A public meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on June 16, 2020 at 7 pm at the the Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD Main Station located at 12525 Hwy 202, Mist, OR 97016 or Toll Free 1-866-899-4679 Access Code: 592-122-437. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 as approved by the Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District Budget Committee. A summary of the budget is presented below. A copy of the budget may be inspected or obtained at Main Station, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or online at https://www.mistbirkenfeldrfpd.org/20-21-budget-information This budget is for an annual budget period. This budget was prepared on a basis of accounting that is the same as the preceding year.
Telephone: (503)755-2710
Contact: Joe Kaczenski
Email: Joek@mistbirkenfeldrfpd.org
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - RESOURCES Actual Amount 2018-2019 745,895.75 Beginning Fund Balance/Net Working Capital 30,633.02 Fees, Licenses, Permits, Fines, Assessments & Other Service Charges Federal, State & all Other Grants, Gifts, Allocations & Donations 86,526.68 Revenue from Bonds and Other Debt 0.00 Interfund Transfers / Internal Service Reimbursements 70,000.00 All Other Resources Except Current Year Property Taxes 37,813.84 Current Year Property Taxes Estimated to be Received 371,124.19 Total Resources 1,341,993.48 TOTAL OF ALL FUNDS
Adopted Budget This Year 2019-2020 787,999.00 34,700.00 63,000.00 0.00 50,000.00 39,500.00 486,846.00 1,462,045.00
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - REQUIREMENTS BY OBJECT CLASSIFICATION Personnel Services 386,087.09 Materials and Services 146,038.67 Capital Outlay 151,375.40 Debt Service 0.00 Interfund Transfers 70,000.00 Contingencies 0.00 Special Payments 0.00 Unappropriated Ending Balance and Reserved for Future Expenditure 4,000.00 Total Requirements 757,501.16
557,000.00 183,550.00 482,800.00 0.00 50,000.00 184,695.00 0.00 4,000.00 1,462,045.00
Approved Budget Next Year 2020-2021 972,645.00 44,600.00 63,000.00 0.00 150,000.00 38,500.00 499,000.00 1,767,745.00 591,000.00 211,050.00 627,000.00 0.00 150,000.00 184,695.00 0.00 4,000.00 1,767,745.00
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - REQUIREMENTS AND FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES (FTE) BY ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT OR PROGRAM * Fire & Emergency Services FTE for that unit or program Fire Service 310,142.72 435,000.00 460,000.00 FTE 4.05 4.95 5 Name FTE Name FTE Not Allocated to Organizational Unit or Program FTE Total Requirements 310,142.72 435,000.00 460,000.00 4.05 4.95 5 Total FTE STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ACTIVITIES and SOURCES OF FINANCING * M-B RFPD has sub-contracted a part-time Recruitment & Retention Coordinator. More money is be added to the Capital Reserve fund to aid is replacing older apparatus and equipment. Capital Outlay is being funded for Capital Improvements such as replacement of bathroom/showroom floors and new roofing.
Permanent Rate Levy (rate limit 2.0875 per $1,000) Local Option Levy Levy For General Obligation Bonds
LONG TERM DEBT General Obligation Bonds Other Bonds Other Borrowings Total
PROPERTY TAX LEVIES Rate or Amount Imposed 2018-2019 2.0875 0 0
Rate or Amount Imposed Rate or Amount Approved This Year 2019-2020 Next Year 2020-2021 2.0875 2.0875 0 0 0 0
STATEMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS Estimated Debt Outstanding on July 1. $0 $0 $0 $0
Estimated Debt Authorized, But Not Incurred on July 1 $0 $0 $0 $0
CC20-1241
CLATSKANIE PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT INVITATION TO BID
CC20-1243
NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the REDCO – redco-or.org, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 301 East 3rd Street, Rainier, OR. The meeting will
take place on June 1, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place.The public may call 351-999-3375 to attend
this meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. A copy of the budget document ay be inspected or obtained on or after May 28, 2020 at 106 West B. Street, Rainier, OR by appointment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
CC20-1253
CITY OF CLATSKANIE CLATSKANIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOTICE The Clatskanie City Council will meet on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 75 South Nehalem St. (Clatskanie Cultural Center, 2nd floor). Agenda items include, but are not limited to: approval of the minutes of the May 5, 2019 regular meeting; resolution to amend
Police Services contract, Resolution to participate in an IGA with the Clatskanie PUD; a presentation from Hudson Garbage; and a Public Hearing authorizing a supplemental budget for FY 2019-20; Public Hearing on a resolution to loan money to the General Fund; a resolution extending workers compensation to
volunteers; a resolution authorizing funds to be used in the financial management of the City; a Public Hearing on receiving State Shared Revenue; and a resolution adopting the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget, making appropriations and imposing the City Tax. An updated agenda will be available at City Hall by May 29, 2020.
Contractors are invited to bid on pool renovations and the construction of a splash pad (“Project”) as a joint project for Clatskanie Park & Recreation District (“District”) and the City of Clatskanie (“City”). The District will administer this solicitation and select an Awardee. Any awarded Contract will be between Awardee, District and City. The pool is located at 300 NE Park Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016. The pool is a 125,000-gallon CIP concrete
pool. Sealed Bids will be received by Cyndi Warren, Administrator at P.O. Box 737, Clatskanie, OR 97016, at or before 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 15, 2020. Bids will be publicly opened immediately following this closing at 365 South Nehalem Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016. This contract is for a public work subject to ORS 279C.800 to 279C.870 et seq. relating to the payment of prevailing wages. No prequalification will be required for this Project.
The terms, conditions and specifications for this Project (“Project Documents”) may be examined at District office located at 365 South Nehalem Street, Clatskanie, OR 97016, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday until June 12, 2020. The Project Documents will be available at this location from the date of this Notice until June 12, 2020. Copies may be obtained from the District for a non-refundable fee of $50.
CC20-1247
Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District MEETING NOTICE The regular meeting of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 7:10pm (immediately following budget hearing) via GoToMeeting unless the Stay
At Home Order restrictions have been lifted, then the meeting will be held at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR, Port of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School). ANY AND ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING RULESIN
PLACE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING WILL BE APPLIED DURING THIS MEETING. Items on the agenda, but not limited to: Updates on daily Fire and EMS operations. Board President, Robert Keyser
CC20-1248
NOTICE OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS WORKSHOP A workshop of the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District board of directors will be held on, Wednesday, June 10 2020 at 6:00pm (before the regular monthly meeting) via GoToMeeting unless the Stay
At Home Order restrictions have been lifted, then the meeting will be held at 555 SW Bryant St, Clatskanie, OR, Port of Columbia County Offices (the Old Middle School); the purpose
of this workshop will be to discuss construction of new shop at Main Station and Quincy Station Update Projects. No public comment and no action will be taken at this workshop.
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Public Notices CC20-1201
TS No. OR01000008-19-1 APN 24452/ 5N4W23-BC-00900 TO No 8758606 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by Richard D Taylor, a single man as Grantor, to Kelly D Sutherland, Attorney at Law as Trustee, in favor of Westar Funding, Inc. as Beneficiary, dated as of October 23, 2007 and recorded October 26, 2007 as Instrument No. 2007-013552 and Extension Agreement October 31, 2016 covering the following described real property situated in the above-mentioned county and state, to wit: APN: 24452/ 5N4W23-BC-00900 TRACTS 15, 16, 19 AND 20, FIRST SUBDIVISION OF PITTSBURGH, IN THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA AND STATE OF OREGON; EXCEPTING THEREFROM ALL MINERALS AS RESERVED BY INSTRUMENT MARCH 25, 1946 IN BOOK 89, PAGE 78, DEED RECORDS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON. Together with all buildings, improvements, and tenements now or hereafter erected on the property, and all heretofore or hereafter vacated alleys
and streets abutting the property, and all easements, rights, appurtenances, rents (subject however to the assignment of rents to lender herein), royalties, mineral, oil and gas rights and profits, water, water rights, and water stock appurtenant to the building, all materials, appliances and goods of every nature whatsoever now or hereafter located in, or on, or used or intended to be used in connection with the property, including, but not limited to, those for the purposes of supplying or distributing heating, cooling, electricity, gas, water, air, and light; and all elevators, and related machinery and equipment, fire prevention and extinguishing apparatus, security and access control apparatus, plumbing, bath tubs, water heaters, water closets, sinks, ranges, stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, disposals, washers, dryers, awnings, storm windows, storm doors, screens, blinds, shades, curtains and curtain rods, mirrors, cabinets, paneling, rugs, attached floor coverings, furniture,
pictures, antennas, trees and plants; all of which, including replacements and additions thereto, shall be deemed to be and remain a part of the real property covered by this instrument; and all of the foregoing, together with said property are herein referred to as the “property” Commonly known as: 62419 Nehalem Hwy N, Vernonia, OR 97064 Both the Beneficiary, Dennis L Swanson and Carolyn A Swanson, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.735(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Delinquent Payments: 11 monthly payment(s) from May 1, 2019 at $666.25 $7,328.75 Total Late Charge(s) $2,403.32 Extension Fee $924.25 Foreclosure Fee/Cost(s) $2,011.00 TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE: $12,667.32 By
CC20-1234
this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $50,000.00 together with interest thereon at the rate of 15.99000% per annum from May 1, 2019 until paid; plus all accrued late charges thereon; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on August 27, 2020 at the hour of 12:00 PM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, at the west entrance to the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand St., Saint Helens, OR 97051 County of Columbia, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together
with any interest which the Grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the Trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.753 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the Beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, Trustee’s or attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or Trust Deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. Without limiting the Trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some
residential property sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor as well as any other persons owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, the words “Trustee” and “Beneficiary” includes their respective successors in interest, if any. Dated: MARCH 30, 2020 By: Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112 c/o Special Default Services, Inc. 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 225-5945Order Number 71605, Pub Dates: 05/08/2020, 05/15/2020, 05/22/2020, 05/29/2020, THE CLATSKANIE CHIEF
CC20-1250 FORM LB-1
NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING
A public meeting of the Clatskanie City Council will be held on June 3rd, 2020 at 7 pm at 75 S Nehalem, Clatskanie Oregon. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 as approved by the City of Clatskanie Budget Committee. A summary of the budget is presented below. A copy of the budget may be inspected or obtained at Clatskanie City Hall, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by appointment,due to social distancing, or online at www.cityofclatskanie.com. This budget is for an annual budget period. This budget was prepared on a basis of accounting that is the same as the preceding year.
Telephone: 503-728-2622
Contact: Greg Hinkelman
Email: ghinkelman@cityofclatskanie.com
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - RESOURCES TOTAL OF ALL FUNDS Actual Amount 2018-19 5,919,107 Beginning Fund Balance/Net Working Capital 1,526,634 Fees, Licenses, Permits, Fines, Assessments & Other Service Charges Federal, State & all Other Grants, Gifts, Allocations & Donations 130,170 Revenue from Bonds and Other Debt 0 Interfund Transfers / Internal Service Reimbursements 133,763 All Other Resources Except Current Year Property Taxes 0 Current Year Property Taxes Estimated to be Received 745,503 Total Resources 8,455,177
Adopted Budget This Year 2019-20 6,332,322 1,512,530 0 0 205,000 0 691,603 8,741,455
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - REQUIREMENTS BY OBJECT CLASSIFICATION Personnel Services 1,072,344 Materials and Services 974,715 Capital Outlay 281,596 Debt Service 7,000 Interfund Transfers 200,000 Contingencies 0 Special Payments 0 Unappropriated Ending Balance and Reserved for Future Expenditure 5,919,522 Total Requirements 8,455,177
CC20-1242
NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Rainier, cityofrainier. com, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, will be held at the Masonic Lodge, 301 East 3rd Street, Rainier, OR. The meeting will
take place on June 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. The public may call 351-999-3375 to attend
CC20-1246
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LANDOWNERS OF The Westland Drainage Improvement Company, Inc. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting for the Landowners and Board Members of the Westland Drainage Improvement Company, Columbia County, Oregon, will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the GreenWood Resources Nursery Office 91151 Old Mill Town Rd in Westport, OR. Notice is
further given that all proxies must be in writing and signed by the owner. The meeting is to elect a director, adopt a budget, and any other business that comes before the landowners. Dated this 26th day of May 2020. Gerald Carver, President, Westland Drainage Improvement Company, Inc., Board of Directors
this meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. A copy of the budget document ay be inspected or obtained on or after May 28, 2020 at 106 West B. Street, Rainier, OR by appointment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CC20-1254
NOTICE OF BOARD MEETING
The Rainier School Board Interim Superintendent Search Committee will have an orientation via livestream on Monday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. with an Executive Session. The link will be provided on the district website.
Approved Budget Next Year 2020-21 5,947,722 1,370,950 0 0 1,445,000 0 739,065 9,502,737
1,242,672 1,134,670 205,000 30,000 205,000 2,100,427 0 3,823,686 8,741,455
1,222,172 2,966,874 245,000 32,300 1,445,000 3,591,391 0 0 9,502,737
FINANCIAL SUMMARY - REQUIREMENTS AND FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES (FTE) BY ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT OR PROGRAM * Name of Organizational Unit or Program FTE for that unit or program Administration 327,386 527,846 FTE 3 3 Non-Departmental 168,621 297,310 FTE 0 0 Court 13,798 56,000 FTE 0 0 Law Enforcement 353,740 431,403 FTE 0 0 Street 290,191 330,758 FTE 2 2 Sewer 498,066 529,434 FTE 3 3 Water 490,246 608,146 FTE 4 4 Timber Infrastructure & Improvement Fund (TIIF) 98,282 4,420,497 FTE 0 0 Scout Lake Fund 95,324 1,151,326 FTE 0 0 Enterprize Zone 0 65,250 FTE 0 0 Infrastructure Maintenance & Improvement Fund (IMIF) 0 208,033 FTE 0 0 Sewer System Development Fund 0 40,767 FTE 0 0 Water System Development Fund 0 74,685 FTE 0 0 Not Allocated to Unit or program 6,119,523 0 FTE 0 0 Total Requirements 8,455,189 8,741,455 Total FTE 11 11
1,844,580 3 228,714 0 17,000 0 470,500 0 302,712 2 554,064 3 617,982 3 4,146,771 0 956,060 0 66,015 0 211,852 0 30,266 0 56,221 0 0 0 9,502,748 11
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ACTIVITIES and SOURCES OF FINANCING * This budget reflects a $1.2 million payment into the PERS EIF program to reduce our unfunded actuarial liability. It also reflects a $600,000 expenditure for the rebuilding of the City Pool.
Permanent Rate Levy (rate limit $6.2088 per $1,000) Local Option Levy Levy For General Obligation Bonds
LONG TERM DEBT
PROPERTY TAX LEVIES Rate or Amount Imposed 2018-19 6.2088
Rate or Amount Imposed This Year 2019-20 6.2088
STATEMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS Estimated Debt Outstanding on July 1.
Rate or Amount Approved Next Year 2020-21 6.2088
Estimated Debt Authorized, But Not Incurred on July 1
General Obligation Bonds Other Bonds Other Borrowings Total * If more space is needed to complete any section of this form, insert lines (rows) on this sheet. You may delete blank lines. 150-504-073-2 (Rev. 11-18)
CC20-1249
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LANDOWNERS OF The Woodson Drainage Improvement District, Inc. Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting for the Landowners and Board Members of the Woodson Drainage Improvement Company, Columbia County, Oregon, will be held Tuesday, June 9th at
10:30 a.m. at the GreenWood Resources Nursery Office at 91151 Old Mill Town Rd in Westport, OR. Notice is further given that all proxies must be in writing and signed by the owner. The meeting is to elect a director,
adopt a budget, and any other business that comes before the landowners. Dated this 26th day of May 2020. Gerald Carver, Board of Directors, Woodson Drainage Improvement District, Inc.
Commissioners set reopening date STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The Board of Columbia County Commissioners has targeted June 1 to begin a gradual reopening of the courthouses and other county offices. The state courts also have identified June 1 as the target date for reestablishing increased court activity. Opening of the county justice facility was planned for Tuesday, May 26, while other departments work
towards the June 1 reopening. County officials said the old courthouse will remained closed and entry to the main courthouse will be limited to the public and by an appointment-only basis. During the county’s Phase 1 reopening, the Columbia County Courthouse Annex, at 230 Strand Street in St. Helens, will be accessible by the main entrance door only. Visitors will enter on the right-hand side and exit on the left and will find clear directions via signage and spacing guidance on the
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floor. County officials will request the visitor’s name and contact information and visitors should be prepared to answer general questions about their recent health, per public health guidelines. Face protection masks are encouraged, but not required, and will be made available to those who want and/or need one in the lobby. County employees are returning to their offices in preparation for the public’s return. High-touch areas will continue to be sanitized regularly and will be follow-
ing the reopening guidance as outlined by the State of Oregon. For timely and efficient service, county officials encourage the public to continue to make appointments when possible. You can reach each county department at the following numbers: • Board of Commissioners: 503-397-4322 • Assessor’s Office: 503397-2240 • Surveyor: 503-397-2322 • Clerk’s Office: 503-3973796
• Elections: 503-397-7214 • District Attorney: 503397-0300 • Community Justice Juvenile Department: 503397-0275 • Community Justice Adult Department: 503-3976253 • Parks and Recreation: 503-366-3984 • Land Development: 503-397-1501 • State/Circuit Court: 503-397-2327 • Taxation/Finance: 503397-0060
Offsite County Offices • Sheriff’s Office: 503366-4611 • Public Works: 503-3975090 • Justice Court: 503-4292441 • CC Rider: 503-366-0159 • Transfer Station: 503397-9811 For more information, contact Columbia County Public Information Officer Julie Thompson at 971-7574051, or email julie.thompson@columbiacountyor.gov.
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Friday, May 29, 2020
A7
Red Cross calling for donations STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand up, donations down In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need. Blood donation drives are scheduled in Columbia County in June. See the attached time, days and location.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. “Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day,” Red Cross Blood Services senior vice president Paul Sullivan said. “The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesn’t stop. We need the public’s help to avoid another
the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance. About blood donation Courtesy photo from the American Red Cross
In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid the rapidly changing and complex COVID-19 public health crisis.
blood shortage this summer.” It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently
needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients. Blood drive safety precautions Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18
years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. How to get started Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/ RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. For more information, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767). Columbia County Blood Drives Clatskanie 10 a.m. - 3 p.m June 9 Clatskanie People’s Utility District 495 E Columbia River Highway
Clatskanie Grows: Gardens for an emergency CHIP BUBL Chief Guest Column
Columbia County has had a lot of practice in emergencies between the 1996 and 2007 floods, the 2008 Christmas Eve snow storm, and various destructive wind events. An active gardening community can’t be expected to provide food for everyone but can be a significant resource for the kinds of foods that won’t be shipped into an area in the initial recovery process such as vegetables and fruit. I prepared the following piece for distribution at the Extension office booth that we staffed at an Emergency Preparedness Fair: Food storage Food may be in short supply in a major emergency like an earthquake, forest fire situation, heavy winter flood, wind, or snow storm, etc. Food that you have grown, collected, and/or hunted and fished and prepared for longer term storage can play an important role in the quality of your diet and your health during the emergency. Many vegetables can be started as early as January/ February (in a greenhouse or cold frame) and continue to be planted until late August for later harvest through the winter and into the following spring. Fruit trees and small fruits like blueberries, blackberry types, grapes, and currants/gooseberries can be a great addition to any emergency food planning. Enriching garden soil In an emergency in the
summer, there is plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures but little or no rain so water sources and thoughtful management of what water you have is important for a summer garden (and for drinking) when electricity and pumping infrastructures are damaged. If you develop a garden that has been enriched with lots of compost over the years, it will hold more water in the top and sub soil. It also encourages deeper rooting allowing you to grow some vegetables with far less water than normal. Active weed control (weeds remove soil moisture and shade desirable seedlings) and mulching will also help your vegetables to survive on far less water. Plants suited to summer gardening with little or no water after they get established (this doesn’t always work): tomatoes, peppers, some winter squash, and possibly some lettuce varieties, kale, and arugula. Irrigation water is not an issue in a Columbia County winter. But cold, short days with far less light slows plant growth. Winter gardens have to be planted by mid-August and well established by late September to be productive in the depths of winter. Selected plants and crops Plants well suited to winter gardens: Swiss chard, kale, arugula, leeks, and some other cabbage family greens can be grown outside with only a little protection with row covers on the coldest days. Lettuce, in particular can be grown in a cold frame or greenhouse most of the winter and outside through the until first autumn
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28 degree frost. Carrots, turnips, parsnips, beets, and rutabagas can be stored in the ground until needed through about February (some turn bitter and degrade rapidly in quality in the ground after that) if you have no field mice that would eat them. If you do, these crops need to be harvested and stored in an unheated garage or shed in sawdust in bins. Crops for winter fresh storage: The root crops noted
above plus winter squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, apples, pears, and quince. Check periodically for decay. Crops for drying: Tomatoes, peppers, kale, shell beans, apples, pears, cherries, etc. You will need a food dehydrator to get the food quite dry, so it won’t mold in plastic storage bags on a shelf in your pantry or freezer. Crops for water bath (high acid) canning: Tomatoes only (without other vegetables in the mix), cucumber pickles, pickled green beans, fruit preserves, jams, and sauces. Filled jars should be packed back in the boxes they came in with the cardboard dividers to keep them from break-
ing in an earthquake. Some people store these boxes under their beds. If you pressure can, there are a lot more foods that can be kept in good condition for years. Be sure to follow all the up-to-date pressure canning recommendations (see below) and have your pressure gauge tested periodically. We do that here at the Extension office. What to buy There are staples that you probably can’t
Clatskanie Grows
grow/ hunt/ forage or catch enough of (or are cheaper to buy) but which you need to have at least a 30 day supply on hand include protein sources like canned tuna fish and dry beans, some oils for cooking and salads, and carbohydrate sources like sugar, honey, and flour, and finally, salt, and brown rice. You will need extra water to cook the rice and beans. It never hurts to have some chocolate. Many herbs like rosemary, bay leaves, sage, and thyme can be grown with little or no water in the summer and can be harvested directly from the plant all winter long. You can dry all these herbs as well. You can best capture the flavors of some herbs in vinegar (tarragon is
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We are developing plans for re-opening that will have to be approved by the University and ultimately, the Governor. Our target is midJune. In the meantime, all of us (faculty and staff) will still be working (mostly out of the office), answering phone calls left on our answering machines, email messages (chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu), writing newspaper columns and newsletters, and working to develop programs that can reach you online. We are really committed to helping our communities in any way we can, especially in our areas of subject matter expertise (farming, gardening, forestry, food, food safety, and nutrition, healthy decision-making, and youth education) and any other way we can enrich your life and/or make you safer in these challenging times. Please do not hesitate to contact us. And please, take all steps necessary to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe. Free online OSU vegetable gardening class • https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/course/mastergardener-series-vegetablegardening. Free online beginning
Free newsletter The Oregon State University Extension office in Columbia County publishes a monthly newsletter on gardening and farming topics (called County Living) written/edited by yours truly. All you need to do is ask for it and it will be mailed or emailed to you. Call 503 397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters. Extension, publications available online Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting grapes? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https://catalog.extension. oregonstate.edu. Click on publications and start exploring. The Extension Service offers its programs and materials equally to all people. Contact information for the Extension office Address: Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, OR 97051 Phone: 503 397-3462 Email: chip.bubl@oregonstate.edu
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an example of an herb that loses most of its flavor dried but makes a nice flavored vinegar). Other staples might include tea or coffee and perhaps some wine or beer (home brewers might find themselves very popular in a food emergency).
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Friday, May 29, 2020
Honoring local foster parents with these parents to overcome such challenges?
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Recognition is in the works for foster parents in Clatskanie, Westport, Rainier and across Columbia County. The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Columbia County Foster Parents Appreciation Project has launched a communityengagement effort honoring local foster parents. The effort marks May as Foster Parent Appreciation Month. “Each year it is our honor to acknowledge the commitment and incredible work that our foster families do every day with the children in our custody,” according to coordinator Ana HadarZiady. “The state of Oregon would not be able to provide safe haven for children and teens from hard places without our dedicated foster parents.” This year, during the time of COVID-19, Hadar-Ziady said it is more important than ever that community partners, stakeholders and individuals come together to visibly show appreciation and support of the local foster families. “Our foster families are on the front lines in a way that no other essential workers are right now,” Hadar-Ziady said.” They are caring for our state’s most vulnerable children 24/7. Every day they are protecting, nurturing and loving all the children in their homes during this crisis.” According to HadarZiady, the local foster parents have no babysitting, no regular respite, no regular school, no camps, no in-person counseling and “no end in sight.” “Columbia County Foster families need to know that their community cares about them and appreciates the hard work they are doing,” she said. “This message of support is more crucial than ever as our community struggles to deal with the challenges of the coronavirus. The local project “Dinner’s On Us” is the theme of this year’s appreciation no contact event. Every sponsor will be included in a short video message of support delivered to all the foster families.
Hadar-Ziady: Each foster family has a unique set of needs and dynamics. DHS works diligently to support families and remove barriers if any occur. Some of the challenges foster families encounter include parenting special needs children with extensive trauma history, navigating complex systems, adjusting to life as a foster family and transitioning foster children in and out of the home. The Chief: What are the rewards of being a foster parent? Photo courtesy of Ana Hadar-Ziady
The DHS Columbia County Foster Parents Appreciation Project group recently did a similar project using flowers to honor local foster parents.
On May 30 individual or group donors personalized video message of encouragement, solidarity and support will reach every certified foster and adoptive family in Columbia County and they will get a much-deserved night off from cooking dinner, according to a release from the DHS, which states, “A BBQ Box full of delicious food, desert and party supplies will be delivered to their doorstep. We need your help to pull this off.” “Let’s show Columbia County foster parents how wide the support for them is in Columbia County,” Hadar-Ziady said. “We currently have 75 foster homes and we will be feeding 136 adults and 175 children. Your BBQ Box sponsorship will support our local foster families and the local businesses that have always supported our foster parent events in pre-COVID-19 times.” Sponsorship Cost • Large BBQ Box $100 • Medium BBQ Box $50.00 • Small BBQ Box: $25.00 How to get involved Email Ana Hadar-Ziady ana.j.hadar-ziady@state. or.us to receive instructions on submitting your “Dinner’s On Us” Foster Parent Appreciation Personalized Video Message. Contact Ana at 503-3960555 with any questions.
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Make checks to: Department of Human Services Child Welfare Columbia County Mail checks to: • Department of Human Services Child Welfare • Attn: Ana Hadar-Ziady/ Dinner’s On US • 500 N. Columbia River Hwy. Ste. 220 • St. Helens OR 970511200 Hadar-Ziady also responded to The Chief’s questions about requirements and regulations for foster parenting in Oregon. The Chief: Specifically, what are the responsibilities of the DHS foster parents in Columbia County? Hadar-Ziady: Foster parents provide safe homes for kids from hard places. Foster parents do everything a regular parent would do. They take kids to medical, dental and counseling appointments. Foster parents ensure kids are doing well in school, helping with homework attending any school meetings or sporting events. They support visitation with the foster child’s family.
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Foster families have a responsibility to help meet the child’s cultural spiritual and religious needs. Advocating for the foster children in their care is one of the most important roles of a foster parent. The Chief: What are the state/local requirements that the foster parents must follow and do they go through certification? Hadar-Ziady: Foster parents go through 24 hours of DHS training, called Foundations. Foundations covers many topics including rules, policies, trauma informed parenting and how to prepare your family for the foster care journey. Every foster family must complete this training. All foster families must complete an application packet and go through the home study process which includes a background check, reference check, interviews and safety assessment of the home environment. The Chief: What is the DHS process in monitoring the foster parents to ensure the well-being, health and safety of those in their care? Hadar-Ziady: DHS Case-
workers perform home visits and check-ins regularly with foster parents. Caseworkers are required to see the children on their caseload monthly and physically be in the foster home every other month. Certifiers also monitor the home to make sure the home meets certification standards. Certifiers are required to do home visits every 180 days. Along with DHS policy around ensuring safe environments, there are other community partners that help ensure safety such as attorneys, CASAs, mental health professionals, early intervention specialists, etc. The Chief: To qualify as a foster parent, what would I need to do under state/local regulations? Hadar-Ziady: Potential foster families should have stability in their lives through regular employment or income, a stable home environment, enough room for a foster child or children, be able to pass a DHS background check and meet the agency’s certification standards. The Chief: What are the challenges foster parents face and how does the DHS work
Hadar-Ziady: I have heard foster parents say this is the most rewarding and yet difficult thing they have ever done. They also say that they wish they would have done it sooner, that it has changed their family for the better, and that they feel they are making a difference. Many foster parents keep in contact with the children they have cared for and their families for many years after leaving the foster home. Being a foster parent has its challenges but there are many rewards and the rewards outweigh the challenges. When you care for children and support their families you are impacting the community, leaving a lasting positive impact. The Chief: Feel free to add any other brief comments you might have. Hadar-Ziady: One of the ways that we show our foster families how much we appreciate the hard work they do every day is by having special appreciation events throughout the year. We could not do that without the support of our local community. See the Thank You list attached to this story at thechiefnews.com. Thank you to all the individuals and DHS staff who have sponsored families and volunteered their time for this year’s no contact event.