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CCSO Levy aims to add new deputies

Originally published in

The Chief Vol. 131

April 12, 2023

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Voters will be asked to approve a four-year property tax that will appear on the May 16 Election ballot that would support seven new Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies.

The new tax would be 29 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. A home taxed on a $400,000 assessed value would see $116 added to the home’s yearly property tax bill if the levy is approved.

What the levy would mean for public safety

Columbia County Sheriff Pixley believes the measure will address what he says has been a chronic staffing issue for a long time.

“For years, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has been chronically underfunded and understaffed,” Pixley said This puts our Columbia County residents at risk as well as our Deputies and city police officers. Our deputies are dealing with over twice the number of calls for service per deputy per year as the officers in the busiest city

in Columbia County. This levy would decrease that individual call load, provide for faster response times, and increase the safety for Columbia County residents.”

If this levy is not passed in May, then we will be unable to provide additional deputies. In addition, limited coverage hours, slow response times, and reduced citizen safety will continue to be an issue.

~ Brian Pixley, Columbia County Sheriff

The CCSO Enforcement Division encompasses eight distinct service units with a total staff of 15 deputies, one detective, and one K-9, according to the CCSO website. Pixley saoid that the need for more deputies will help provide 24/7 coverage for all of Columbia County.

“Currently, St. Helens Police Department is the only 24/7 law enforcement in the county, which doesn’t help residents outside of the city limits,” Pixley said. “This levy would allow for countywide 24/7 coverage. During

the busiest hours of the day, deputies would be assigned to specific districts in the county (north county, south county, and Nehalem Valley), which would further reduce response times and provide better service to citizens.”

By the numbers

The base tax rate for county operations as of now is $1.39 per $1,000. Pixley wants to retain the current base tax, allowing the levy to supplement the existing tax

revenue. County residents already pay another CCSO levy which funds jail operations at a rate of 58 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. This means that taxpayers would pay around 87 cents per $1,000 on both levies.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement between the CCSO and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Association, salaries have increased by 10 percent, according to Columbia County’s website. The salary increase means that the cost

of hiring new deputies will also increase, according to Pixley.

Under the levy, the 29 cents per $1,000 will raise $1,868,330 in 2023, $1,953,433 in 2024, $2,042,434 in 2025, and $2,135,478 in 2026. The total is estimated as a levy of $7,999,685.

Pixley said that if the levy is not passed, the CCSO will not be able to add more deputies, and there will be issues with their service as a result.

“During the last election, residents were very clear that 24/7 patrol coverage was important to them,” Pixley said. “If this levy is not passed in May, then we will be unable to provide additional deputies. In addition, limited coverage hours, slow response times, and reduced citizen safety will continue to be an issue.”

Follow developments at thechiefnews.com and in the Friday print editions of the Chief.

Students to compete at National History Bowl Championship

Alora said.

“I have never been on a plane. I am looking forward to seeing new stuff,” she said.

Teancum expressed confidence that the team will do well.

“I am so proud of these Rainier students, for our team, for all the studying they did to compete in the History Bowl,” said Rainier Jr/Sr High School (RJSHS) Social Studies teacher Andy Demko. “Our trip just got approved by the school board, and we are getting ready to go!”

Demko, the team advisor, said the team qualified with a first-place finish in the Regional History Bowl championship, held in Portland. Competing in the Junior Varsity division, this prestigious honor is allowing the team to travel to Arlington, VA. and compete in the History Bowl National Championships.

According to the event’s website, the Bowl typically attracts more than 250 teams, with more than 1,000 students competing. The History Bowl is different than a bee which is an individual pursuit. The first History Bowl was held in 2011, gaining more participants each year.

Preparing

“These students have worked so hard,” RJSHS Language Arts teacher Robyn Cochran-Moore said. “It is fun to see students get excited about academic pursuits. They will be getting to

meet new friends, experience a different part of the country, and make lifetime memories, while experiencing a different part of the country.”

Team members are seventh grader Logan Stoddard, and eighth graders Alora Jefferson, Teancum Tygret and Joseph Elliot-Bach. When asked if he was nervous to compete in the event, Joseph said, “That is an understatement. But I am preparing, and we meet every Thursday

after school as a team to practice.”

The History Bowl questions can cover any part of history, from Ancient Rome to current events. Logan remembered one question is recent competition about the musical group, the Beach Boys, that he did not know the answer to.

“I thought I heard my mom crying when I didn’t get the answer right,” Logan said jokingly.

Logan’s mother, Katie,

said she could not be more pleased with her son and the local team.

“I am so proud of all these kids,” said Katie Goddard. “At first, I thought this is a little after school project. It is so much more.”

The Bowl event is a buzzer-based history quiz competition for teams up to six students. Four compete with two alternates. Studying for the nationals is a rigorous venture for the RJHJS students. They typically split

into two groups and quiz one another. The competition will be stiff, as per usual.

“We read history books and also study past questions that we can download,” Joseph said.

Each of the RJSHS team members said they are looking forward to the trip to the Nationals.

“I want to see new things, historical things,” Logan said.

Her first trip to the East Coast will be memorable

“It’s all the names that we have to remember that is so hard. But it will be great,” Teancum said.

“This is just one club at the school,” Cochran-Moore said. “We offer a variety of positive opportunities in addition to athletics. All of our students should be able to find some kind of club, activity or sport here that interests them.”

Demko said a 1 p.m. April 27 rally in front of the high school at 28170 Old Rainier Road in Rainier is planned as send off to the Nationals for the team. Individuals, businesses, or organizations that would like to help as a sponsor of the team may send contributions to: RJSHS History Bowl Team 28170 Old Rainier Road, Rainier, OR 97048.

Another upcoming event is the Rainier Jr/Senior High School History Club presentation of Rainier Revisited 2023 April 22. It is the 11th such event and will include reenactments, along with a look back at other aspects of Rainier’s history.

Demko is also heading this pursuit. For more details, contact Demko at andrew_demko@rsd.k12. or.us.

Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is located at 901 Port Avenue in St. Helens.

Courtesy photo from Laurey White

The Rainier Jr/Sr High School History Bowl Team, let to right, advisor Andy Demko, Joseph Bach, Alora Jefferson, Logan Goddard, and Teancum Tygret.

Deadline: Open until filled. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Columbia River PUD team, please visit our website at www. crpud.net to view and apply for open positions or call us at (503) 397-1844 to have an application packet mailed to you.

RECREATION ASSISTANT

The City of St. Helens is hiring a RECREATION ASSISTANT 18+years old. Temporary Part-Time. $14.70