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Scappoose’s Branden Bailey stars as Scappoose High hosts Japanese all-star team, Page A10
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Wednesday, January 9, 2013
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TODAY’S WEATHER Showers Highs to 40 Page A11 Lows to 32
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The Chronicle
75¢ Vol. 131, No. 2 12 Pages
Merkley visits Columbia City for town hall meeting BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
COLUMBIA CITY —In 2008, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) promised to keep his constituents informed of the happenings on Capitol Hill – and answer their questions – by holding town halls across the state. Merkley kicked off his 2013 town hall schedule with appearances in Columbia and Clatsop counties on Jan. 7. Merkley spent about an hour meeting local citizens and answering questions during the town hall meeting at the Columbia City Community Center. Not surprisingly, the recently
debated fiscal cliff, the debt ceiling and gun control topped the list of concerns among those attending. “This was one of those situations where you get the package at the last second,” said Merkley of the finance bill signed by the Senate and House on Jan. 1. “This is not the way to run a budget session.” Merkley went on to discuss the bill’s impact to Medicare. Passage of the bill forestalled a 26.5 percent cut in physician reimbursements mandated by Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The bill passed on Jan. 1 delays the SGR cuts by a year and pushes back another 2 percent cut for two months. Despite passage of the 11th hour
solution, the senator said much work remains to be done to solve the country’s financial woes. “You may have heard about the $600 billion in revenue. Well, that revenue is a very small piece of the deficit spectrum,” said Merkley. “That’s $600 billion in 10 years, so that’s $60 billion per year and the deficit is over a trillion dollars. That’s less than 6 percent of that deficit. Lots of work remains to find a pathway to fiscal stability.” Merkley also called upon Oregon voters to get involved in filibuster reform coming up for discussion later in the month. See MERKLEY, Page A5
SHARI PHIEL / The Chronicle
Sen. Jeff Merkley address local leaders and constituents during a town hall meeting in Columbia City on Jan. 7.
Columbia County’s 13 Nights series at risk BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
ST. HELENS — It’s one of the most popular events during the summer season, drawing hundreds of people to Olde Towne each week to listen to music, grab a bite to eat and shop for local wares. But escalating tensions between the 13 Nights on the River board and the St. Helens Community Foundation mean the annual event could be at risk. A Dec. 29 letter from 13 Nights Board President Lyman Louis to St. Helens Mayor Randy Peterson brought with it a surprising announcement. “It is with regret that I must inform you that the entire board of 13 Nights on the River, along with most of the volunteers,
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have resigned effective immediately,” said Louis. However, Louis will stay on until the end of January to facilitate the transfer of “all materials” to the foundation while 13 Nights treasurer Matt Freeman will stay until mid-January to complete financial reporting for 2012. Louis said the mass resignation was the result of actions taken by the SHCF board, which includes negotiations over a partnership agreement and the removal of $6,500 from the 13 Nights’ bank account (the majority of funds in the account) on Nov. 8. “While we attempted to recover those funds and seek a resolution, even offering to participate in a mediated settlement, it soon became clear that while we had urgent needs to recover our monies to continue the process of developing the 2013 schedule of events, the Foundation was happy to wait out the clock,” Louis stated in the letter. SHCF is a non-profit entity that provides its member groups – such as 13 Nights, Spirit of Halloweentown, the St. Helens Fireworks committee and the proposed youth center – with general liability insurance and tax exemption status for deductions and fundraising. According to the SHCF, it also provides “a bank account and check writing facilities” along with “preparation of accounts and tax returns,” direct sponsorship of charitable and community events, fundraising and other services. Two primary issues seem to lie at the heart of the disputes between the two entities. The first is the use and ownership of the sound equipment used for the 13 Nights series. According to St. Helens City Councilor Keith Locke, who is also on the SHCF board, the money was removed to ensure the foundation would have the necessary funds to purchase sound equipment if the group has to start over from scratch. “13 nights has all of the sound equipment,” said Locke. “That’s really a non-issue,” said Louis, noting that 13 Nights has a signed agreement specifying where the equipment is stored, naming the Foundation as the legal owner of the equipment and naming 13 Nights as the caretaker of the equipment. See 13 NIGHTS, Page A3
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1.) Bill Reese takes a few minutes to talk to a volunteer at this year’s annual Christmas Eve dinner program, which provides food and toys for needy families in the county. (Photo by Shari Phiel) 2.) Michelle and Daniella Natali, two of the Humane Society’s newest volunteers, with their newly adopted dog. (Photo by Shari Phiel) 3.) Lycos returned to work with the St. Helens Police Department in November, a little more than a year after having surgery to repair his damaged spine. (courtesy photo) 4.) Mike Herdrich discusses automotive technology with his students at St. Helens High School. 5.) Columbia Pacific Food Bank’s Tracie Smith receives the latest cash donation from Bob Krenz, Bob’s son Paul Krenz and Bob’s great-granddaughter Emmelia Whister. (file photo)
This is the second of a two-part series recognizing just some of the many people in our community who make living here better for others BY SHARI PHIEL & KYLE BOGGS The Chronicle
S
everal weeks ago we reached out to city and county officials, nonprofit groups, local police and fire agencies, and others across the county asking for nominations of individuals who give of themselves to their community, who go above and beyond the call of duty, and who deserve some special recognition. Many, but not all, of those
singled out were volunteers. And at least one of those being recognized isn’t even human, but certainly worthy of recognition. Every year, hundreds of volunteers throughout Columbia County provide countless thousands of hours of service to the community. Without them, many of the services they provide – such as delivering meals to the elderly, helping children with
BILL REESE For nearly three decades, Bill Reese has been wrangling and organizing dozens of Boy Scouts and volunteers to feed families throughout much of Columbia County on Christmas Eve. This year was no exception. It all started back in the mid-1980s when Reese and his Scout pack learned a family in the area would be going without dinner on Christmas. From there it has grown every year. “Now the whole city is involved,” said Reese, “from the fire department, the PUD, the Kiwanis, the Lions, you name it.” This year, the annual event fed more than 150 families (more than 500 people) and brought toys to dozens of children.
reading and math, cleaning up local parks, caring for lost and stray pets, and so many others – would go unfilled. We realize this list is by no means complete and that there are many others that deserve recognition. For all those who volunteer their time, give back to their community, go that extra mile and make life a little better for others, we salute you.
Did Reese ever envision the annual event would grow to its current size? “Not at all. We never looked forward, we just let it grow,” he said. Reese said none of it would be possible if it wasn’t for the assistance he gets from volunteers and organizations like Columbia River Fire & Rescue, which provides many of the toys to the program through its Toy ‘n’ Joy annual drive. “Toys are always the hardest for us,” said Reese. “Because we don’t concentrate on getting toys in.” Throughout the year, Reese calls on local See BEST, Page A3
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