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FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023

$1.50

A wave of spending plans

Clatskanie, Rainier adopt operating budgets

JEREMY C. RUARK

Country Media, Inc.

The Clatskanie and Rainier City Councils have adopted balanced operating budgets for the new fiscal year ahead that begins July 1.

The Clatskanie city budget is $8.7 million. The Rainier city budget is $18.9 million.

To find out the impact of the cities spending plans, The Chief reached out to Clatskanie City Manager Greg Hinkelman and Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen.

Hinkelman said the new $8,732,188 budget is down $1.2 million.

“The reason for the reduction is we do not have a Small Cities Allotment grant,” Hinkelman said. This is the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant to small cities for street work. And we don’t have a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This was the grant for the engineering and design of the new sewer plant, nor any more American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants coming in.”

Hinkelman said the city has almost exhausted the CDBG grant for the engineering and design for the new sewer plant.

“We of course were awarded $10 million for construction,” he said. “We have only spent a small portion of that for the environmental assessment. I continue my quest for $6 million more to do the significant soil preparation work for the site.”

The Clatskanie General Fund Budget is $1,774,041, which Hinkelman said has increased from last year

due to a moderate increase in the budget for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office contract to conduct law enforcement services for Clatskanie.

“The sheriff’s office has just completed collective bargaining negotiations and the cost of labor has risen substantially and so too has operating supplies such as fuel,” Hinkleman said.

While the Clatskanie budget does not include any layoffs, service reductions, or additions, Hinkelman said it will be a challenging spending plan.

“We are in ok shape, but inflation and supply-chain issues continue to plague us and everyone else,” he said.

Fee increase

Local residents will see the impact of inflation in their sewer and water bills with a 3% rate hike.

“The reason for this is to keep up with inflation but more specifically, not lose as much ground to inflation so we can continue with the level of service we have,” Hinkelman said.

“Our priority, especially with the Capital improvement projects, is to continue our investment in the sanitary sewer system. We have a big project to refurbish one of the big lift stations. We are investing over the last couple of years and will continue for the next few more to make our sewer distribution system and upgraded as possible prior to the new plant being built.”

According to Hinkelman, the remaining Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget is modest.

The remaining projects include:

• Phase two of the replacement of certain streetlights for $12,000 (approximately 6)

• Door locks for the park rest-

rooms ($6000)

• Work on a float control for the Clatskanie Woods lift station ($8,000)

• Continued camera work on the sewer lines ($10,000)

In his Budget Message, Hinkelman outlined the next funding challenge for the city, stating that into this fiscal year, the architectural and mechanical drawings for the city’s new wastewater treatment plant will be complete by the end of June.

“If all goes well, we can look at publishing an RFP (Request For Proposal) for the plant construction perhaps as early as August,” he said.

“This timetable will be significantly affected by whether we get the additional $6 million for soil preparation or not. And as a reminder, should we not get the $6 million from the State or the Federal government, our two options are not to build the plant and return the money allotted, or we finance the $6 million which would be paid back as a surcharge on everyone’s sewer bill. This could run as high as $35 per month for 20 years.”

Hinkleman said as of June 15, he was waiting to see if the Oregon Legislature will approve Clatskanie’s request for additional state funding for the wastewater treatment plant.

Rainier budget

In Rainier, City Administrator Scott Jor-

gensen said the city council approved the $18,940,505 million city budget June 5.

“It’s a two-year budget instead of a one-year budget,” Jorgensen said.

“Last year’s budget was $14.4 million. At first, it would appear that this budget is much lower than the last one, but that’s because the beginning fund balances are only used once in the two-year period. It’s very much a conservative, status quo budget.”

Jorgensen said the approach taken for the Rainier city budget was “very fiscally conservative.”

“It was compiled amid the

Clatskanie Pool set to open for the season

The Clatskanie Swimming Pool will be opening soon, giving the people of Clatskanie the perfect way to cool off this summer.

The pool is slated to open June 26 and is located at 346 NE 5th Street. This summer will be the pool’s second year fully operational since the COVID pandemic hit.

“Last year was the first year since discovering the catastrophic pool leak in 2018 and then COVID that we had a fully operational swimming pool with a full lesson and open swim schedule, as well as a full lifeguard staff,” said Parks & Recreation Administrator Cyndi Warren.

The pool has had its fair share of challenges over the past five years. Warren said that some of the biggest challenges were the barriers with the renovation and COVID interruptions with staffing. Training lifeguards and finding a permanent pool manager have been an issue. In the interim,

Warren has taken on managing the pool.

The renovations include resurfacing the deck, resurfacing and repainting the pool, and replacing the old tile gutter system with a stainless steel gutter system. The wading pool was replaced with a splash pad, and multiple pool piping issues were addressed, including failures, potential failures, and existing leaks.

Warren said that this year, if all goes according to plan, they will have a lifeguard staff of 20, with at least one assistant manager and the interim pool manager.

Some of the programs the pool and Parks and Rec have to offer are:

Programs:

• Water exercise and lap swim.

• Swim lessons from infants to teenagers

• Open Swims

• Movie in the Park (which is

Clatskanie Food Hub enjoys exciting start

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Contact The Chief

Phone: 503-397-0116

Fax: 503-397-4093

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1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The Clatskanie Food Hub has officially opened, and people in Clatskanie now have access to locally sourced food and products year-round.

A “vegtable cutting ceremony” was held at the Clatskanie Food Hub on June 8 to symbolize the grand opening of the new local grocery store. The food hub is a branch of the non-profit Clatskanie Food Market.

More than 30 people awaited the market’s doors opening, and the ceremony preceded a night of celebration and festivities. Brandon Schilling and Jasmine Lillich, the driving forces behind the project, welcomed the waiting shoppers into the newly finished space.

When asked how she was feeling following the grand opening, Lillich said she was “exhausted, and exhilarated.”

“[We’re] so happy that so many people have showed up so far, and yeah, just encouraging everybody else to show up because we have a whole walk-in full of food,” Lillich said. On opening day, shoppers had

access to various locally supplied meats, vegetables, bread, beverages, and natural personal-use products like soaps and deodorants, among others. Shoppers explored the walkin market component of the store before exploring the rest of the food hub space, which includes a large classroom and kitchen space.

The opening weekend was a resounding success, according to Lillich. The store sold $6,300 of local food to about 242 customers in their first four days after opening. The food hub runs on a consignment model that sees the product producers take 80 percent of the proceeds while the food hub receives 20 percent to support operating costs. Lillich said they have already filled some wholesale orders as well.

“We were able to supply a couple wholesale vegetable orders for Colvins, Flowers N Fluff, and Chef Courts food truck early this week,” Lillich said.

What’s in store

In the coming weeks and months, Lillich said they would

Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

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Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

Lifeguards are staffed at the Clatskanie Pool each summer to ensure public safety. See POOL Page

Walkout over, legislature moves toward session end

JEREMY C. RUARK

Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Republican Senators resumed their floor sessions at the Capital Building in Salem Thursday, June 15, ending a boycott that began in early May. The Oregon Senate President and Oregon House Speaker issued a release June 15, stating that “an agreement for the Legislature to complete the people’s work and bring Senate Republicans back from the longest walkout in state history.”

The release added that hundreds of bills and budgets that will improve the lives of Oregonians across the state will now continue through the regular process.

the floor,” Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said. “I am grateful for all the senators who listened to each other and sought an end to this walkout while protecting Oregon priorities and values.”

Senate Republicans have agreed to provide a quorum for the rest of the 2023 Legislative Session.

The Oregon Legislature is set to make key investments in K-12 schools, drought and water security, rural infrastructure and economic development, public safety and accountability, public defense, higher education, Oregon’s first-ever state-based child tax credit, behavioral health, climate, and more, according to the release.

“These packages now have a path forward,” the Senate President and House Speaker said.

During dozens of hours of negotiations over the past week, the release states that legislative leaders were able to reach an agreement that preserved critical legislation without sacrificing Oregon values. As part of that agreement:

states and require that health insurance covers medically necessary gender-affirming care.

• House Bill 2005 will receive a vote as it was introduced to make our communities safer by banning untraceable ghost guns. A workgroup will be established to study policy solutions to gun violence and suicide prevention and $10 million will be invested in the Community Violence Prevention program.

• Senate Joint Resolution 33 and Senate Bill 27 will be referred back to committee and conversations on how to enshrine Oregon values in our Constitution will continue in the interim.

Through these negotiations, legislative leaders were also able to secure agreements on a variety of other legislation, including consideration of:

“I’m encouraged that we were able to come to an agreement that will allow us to finish the important work Oregonians sent us here to accomplish. We have achieved major bipartisan victories already this session, and I expect that to continue now that we have returned to

• House Bill 2002 will receive a vote after being clarified to ensure the bill affirms standard abortion care that has been in place for 50 years under Roe v. Wade but was jeopardized by the Dobbs decision. It will establish provider protections against anti-abortion and anti-transgender laws in other

• House Joint Resolution 16 would give Oregon voters the opportunity to amend the state Constitution to give the Legislature the power to hold statewide elected officials accountable via impeachment. This change would align Oregon with every other state in the country.

• House Bill 2757 would substantively fund 9-8-8, the national suicide prevention hotline number launched in Oregon in summer 2022. This hotline is a critical resource for Oregonians experiencing mental health

Pie in the Park baking contest

crises. Implementing the full 988 architecture will ensure access and quick response for communities across the state.

Since May 3, most Republican senators and an Independent senator have boycotted Senate floor sessions, denying the upper chamber its two-thirds majority needed to conduct business.

The Senate Republicans had said they were boycotting floor sessions because bills fail to comply with a state law that requires summaries of legislation to have

an eighth-grade reading level.

Republicans also have insisted that Democratic senators need to set aside bills they consider too partisan, including House Bill 2002, which expands abortion rights and access to transgender care, and House Bill 2005, which raises the minimum age to purchase most firearms from 18 to 21 years.

“On opening day, the House set out clear priorities to move Oregon forward,” House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D-Corvallis) said.

“We promised to address

the housing crisis, prioritize good-paying jobs through the Oregon CHIPS Act, ensure our kids and educators have the resources they need to succeed in school, invest in public safety and accountability to make our communities safer, and protect access to reproductive healthcare. This agreement sets us up for the final steps of delivering on these commitments we made from day one.” All legislative caucuses and offices have committed to this agreement, according to the release.

Courtesy photo from Ben Botkin / Oregon Capital Chronicle

Empty desks at the Oregon Senate chamber as the Republican walkout continued through late May. The walkout ended June 15.

This agreement sets us up for the final steps of delivering on these commitments we made from day one.

~ Dan Rayfield, Oregon House Speaker

Prize-winning, homemade their pies to the snack shack Fruit or Holiday specialty

Courtesy photo from Deborah Hazen “Pie in the Park” baking contest and sale are members of Clatskanie’s Chapter T P.E.O. Pictured front row from left: Ai Jones, Katherine Willis, Elva Groskopf, Sandi Niemela; second row: Kara Harris, Delores Mellinger, Megan Evenson; third row: Kathy Engel, Nichole Engel, Jeanne Kangas, Estrella Brown; fourth row: Rebecca Fisher, Elizabeth Kruse, Bertie Barr Smith, Betty Palmrose; fifth row: Pam Sigler, Sara Tallman; top row: Hallie Parker, Becki Horness, Connie Sims.

the communiaccess for according

Advocates call for more child care funding

child care provider with starting new programs or expanding expanding their existing business.

Oregon parents, child care providers, advocates and concerned Oregon lawmakers rallied the lawn of the Capitol Mall in Salem Monday, June 12, to call on the state legislature to increase funding for child care. The recently passed 2023-25 Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) budget includes funding levels that will cause at least 1,000 families to lose high-quality affordable child care accessed through the Employment Related Day Care program.

“With Oregon sitting on nearly $2 billion in unexpected revenue, how can the State justify cutting even a nickel from the funding our families, our children, and our economy needs,” Family Forward Oregon Senior Political Director Courtney Veronneau said. “Cuts of this magnitude will make it extremely hard for parents to afford child care. We will not rest until child care and early learning investments are increased at the level our communities need.”

On the Capitol Mall lawn, parents, child care providers and advocates placed 1,000 pinwheels to represent the families that will lose access to child care without a budget increase. Oregon’s Employment Related Day Care program provides working families financial assistance to cover the cost of child care that parents need in order to go to work or go to school. Advocates warned that without increased funding, families will be stripped of their subsidies, making it immensely harder — if not impossible — to afford child care.

Angie Garcia owns Escuela Viva currently which has three child care centers in Portland and Gresham that serve approximately 140 families.

“I am fielding over a dozen new prospective families a week,” Garcia said. “Our waitlist continues to grow and we will not be able to fill the need for child care in our community. Only families who can afford to pay for their spots now will be able access care. Centers like mine will take the money, because we desperately need it to survive. Calling into question, once again, the equity of our system.”

The funding cuts come following the State’s recent commitment to expand access to Employment Related Day Care and support more families which advocates call a cruel bait and switch.

“Children are our future. Our future teachers and child care providers, legisla-

Metro Creative Connection

The recently passed 2023-25 Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) budget includes funding levels that will cause at least 1,000 families to lose highquality affordable child care accessed through the Employment Related Day Care program.

tors and Governors, our future workforce. Investing in early learning and care opportunities is proven to help children develop the social, emotional, and academic skills they need for success in school and life,”

Children’s Institute Director of Policy & Advocacy Dana Hepper said. “The only way to solve the problems that have plagued child care for decades is through sustained state investments in this system, not a reduction in that investment.”

“Everyone benefits when child care providers get the support they need to deliver the care that kids deserve. More children get a chance to learn and grow. More families get the lifeline they need to have joyful connections and stable homes.

More communities thrive”

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregonv Co-Executive Director of Programs Amy Powers said. “Our state budget should reflect this. Child care providers endured so much during the pandemic, Oregon cannot turn our back on them now.”

At the Monday press conference, Oregon lawmakers called on the Legislature to increase funding by $100 million to support the Department of Early Learning and Care to fully implement important changes to the Employment Related Day Care program and prevent kicking families off of the program. They also called for the following budget increases:

• An added $7 million for the Early Childhood Equity Fund and $17.8 Relief Nurseries to serve 855 more families and compensate child care providers.

• An added $5 million required for Healthy Families Oregon to protect the jobs of program staff and compensate child care providers.

• An added $25 million for the Oregon Child Care Capacity Fun to support

“This session, we have the opportunity to make important investments in the future of our state, the children of Oregon,” Oregon Rep. Thuy Tran said. “By allocating additional funding to child care and early learning programs, we can and must ensure that more Oregon families and children have access to care that they need.”

“I know our rural communities are being hit especially hard by the child care crisis,” Republican Sen. Dick Anderson, who represents much of Oregon’s coast from Lincoln City to Coos Bay, said. “While every county in Oregon is a child care desert for at least one age group, the severity of child care deserts in rural Oregon is ten percent higher than for urban communities. We cannot afford to wait any longer to make the investments that our child care system needs.”

Speakers and advocates also spoke about the importance of child care when it comes to the state’s workforce participation and economic wellbeing.

Survey

The 2022 Market Rate Survey revealed that child care costs have increased between 12%-37% depending on geographic location, age group and provider type – far outpacing inflation. Without adequate investments in child care, working parents — especially mothers — won’t have access to the child care they need to enter the workforce, which poses a significant barrier to economic growth in Oregon.

Advocates noted that Oregon is experiencing a devastating child care shortage as child care workers struggle to make ends meet on poverty-level wages and care business owners struggle to keep programs open.

A recent report from Oregon State University shows that with the exception of Gilliam County, every Oregon family raising infants and toddlers lives in a child care desert. Nationally, this crisis—which was exacerbated by the pandemic—is negatively impacting the economy to the tune of $122 billion in economic losses each year.

The Department of Early Learning & Care budget, which includes funding for child care and early learning programs, was already approved in the Oregon House and currently awaits a vote in the Senate.

Union takes accountability issues to voters

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 555 has filed five statewide measures for the Oregon 2024 General Election designed to expand transparency and accountability of public officials, as well as encouraging financial responsibility in hospitals and protecting the rights of workers in the growing cannabis industry.

“UFCW 555 is fighting to restore accountability and create transparency, as well as bring about smart campaign finance reform and much needed worker protections,” UFCW 555 Communications Coordinator Miles Eshaia said.

“Given the legislature’s inability to govern effectively, we are taking some of the most important issues directly to Oregonians.”

The ballot measures filed June 9 are summarized below.

IP-31: The Lawmaker Accountability Act - Restructures the Ethics Commission (which is currently selected by the lawmakers which the Commission is meant to oversee) to be independently appointed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. The act also includes a provision requiring lawmakers to report misconduct that they are aware of and would provide for greater transparency of records with regard to elected officials’ misconduct.

Carol Ann Sirnio

April 18, 1954 ~ June 5, 2023

Carol Ann (Reynolds) Sirnio, longtime Mayger resident, died June 5, 2023 at the age of 69 after a courageous battle against cancer. She was born on April 18, 1954, in Farmington, Minnesota, to Raymond and Shirley (Schlussler) Reynolds. She grew up in Crystal Lake and Minneapolis, leaving there in 1971 to attend Tongue Point Job Corp in Astoria, Oregon. In July of 1972 she met the love of her life Jack, they married January 27, 1973, and made their home between Clatskanie and Minneapolis, before settling in their current home in Mayger in 1976. She was a stay-at-home Mom until her kids were both in school and she took great pride that she was able to be home with her children until then.

In 1988 she started as a substitute cook and custodian at Quincy Mayger Elementary, transitioning to a full-time position as a Program Assistant soon after. With the closure of Quincy Mayger Elementary in 1998, she transitioned to Clatskanie Elementary school where she continued her career until she retired in 2014.

Carol is remembered by family as a loving and devoted wife, mom, and

Evelyn Annette Kellar, 82, of Rainier, Oregon, passed away Fri., Feb. 17, 2023, at The Homestead Senior Living in Rexburg, Idaho. She was under the care of The Homestead Home Health and Hospice.

gramma. She had a love of children that started early, she made costumes for the other children in the projects and organized parades for them. That love continued for her own children, and all the children she assisted throughout her career at the school, but no love was as great as the love she had for her granddaughter Kelsey. Kelsey was her sunshine from the day she was born, she was her grandparents’ world.

Carol was known to be the most selfless person, always thinking of others and giving to them. She loved having family get togethers especially at Christmas time, which was one of her favorite holidays. A little

more than a week before her passing she was able to have one last barbecue with family and friends, making her famous baked beans one last time for them to enjoy.

She is survived by her son Jackie and daughter-inlaw Michelle; daughter Carla and boyfriend Tim; granddaughter Kelsey; sisters, Susie and Bonnie; brother Buddy; sisters-in-law, Vicki and Kim; brother-in-law Joe; numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews; as well as numerous friends and family.

Carol was welcomed into heaven by the love of her life Jack; daughter Carrie; parents, Raymond and Shirley; brothers, Marvin and Brian; brothers-in-law, Carl and Jon; sister-in-law Vickie; parents-in-law, Edward and Mary Etta; along with other treasured family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sat., June 17, 2023 at the Cultural Center Ballroom in Clatskanie. Please bring your favorite dish and memories of Carol to share. A private graveside service will be held at Murray Hill Cemetery. Groulx Family Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Evelyn Annette Kellar

Nov. 17, 1940 ~ Feb. 17, 2023

Evelyn was born Nov. 17, 1940, in The Dalles, Oregon to Lawrence and Madge (Shearer) Ulrich. She was the youngest of three children. She grew up in The Dalles and graduated from The Dalles High School in 1958.

On March 8, 1962 she married Richard ‘Dick’ Kellar. Evelyn and Dick made their home in Rainier, Oregon.

Evelyn worked for the Rainier School District, retiring in 2001, as a secretary at Rainier High School. She enjoyed her job and being around the students.

Evelyn enjoyed music,

canning, and sewing. Her most enjoyable times were spent with her family and friends. She loved and was proud of each of her children and grandchildren. Her door was always open for friend and family to stop by anytime.

She is survived by her children, Jeff Kellar of Rainier, Oregon, Kathy

(Dave) Taulton of Livermore, California, and Susan (Blaine) Case of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sister Judy Lacock of Springfield, Oregon; grandchildren, Matt, Kaitlyn, Leland, Joshua, Leah, and Alexa; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Kellar; brother David Ulrich; and parents, Lawrence and Madge Ulrich. Evelyn will be remembered as a loving mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend. Her loving personality added smiles and happiness wherever she went. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to invite you to join in a celebration of life for Evelyn from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Sat., July 1, 2023 at The Rainier Senior Center, 48 W 7th St, Rainier, Oregon.

April 10, 1992 ~ June 3, 2023

Jordan Elizabeth Bennett, a resident of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away on June 3, 2023, at the age of 31 after a fierce battle with ovarian cancer.

IP-35: United For Cannabis Workers - Ensures that cannabis workers are guaranteed the same rights as non-agricultural workers by requiring businesses licensed to sell or process cannabis enter into an agreement that allows their employees to organize and speak out without fear of retaliation.

She was born in Vancouver, Washington on April 10, 1992, the daughter of Brian and Debby (Calvert) Bennett of Brush Prairie, Washington.

She loved him more than words could describe and will be laid to rest wearing the most beautiful dress she picked out.

Teacher, coach, friend and mentor. These are just a few of the names to describe the type of person Jordan was. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Courtesy photo

IP-32: The Legislative Transparency Act - Closes the loophole that allows lawmakers to meet and deliberate in secret, requires that partisan caucus rules be made public, and prohibits the “selling” of public committee positions through political contributions.

IP-33: Hospital Transparency - Prevents hospitals and health care systems from playing the stock market with their funds and requires hospitals and health care systems to publish certain information about their income, costs, and investments.

IP-34: Smart Campaign Finance Reform - Creates contribution limits for donations to candidates and other political committees, ensures that voters can see who is responsible for political communications, and sets up a matching fund system for small-donorpowered campaigns. (This measure avoids the loopholes and unanticipated drawbacks that are in other similar measures.)

“Oregonians deserve a more transparent, more accountable, and more functional state government than what we’ve got today,” UFCW 555 President Dan Clay said. “With the Legislature unable to do much legislating, we are going directly to hardworking Oregonians of all political stripes that have been shut out and cut off from this process and saying: ‘Here’s how we can start to fix this.”

UFCW Local 555 officials said they filed the ballot measures amidst growing tension between the union and the Oregon legislature. Tthe union is also currently spearheading a recall of long-time Democratic House Representative Paul Holvey.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555 represents over 30,000 workers in Oregon, Southwestern Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. The membership consists of workers in retail, manufacturing, health care and many other industries.

Jordan was a 2010 graduate of Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, Washington. Jordan loved softball and competed competitively from t-ball through college. She never let challenges get in the way of achieving her dreams, although the journey may have looked different than planned. During her senior year of high school, she was given the opportunity to play softball and teach skills in China as part of a WA cultural exchange team representing the US. While there, she fractured her ankle and leg requiring surgery causing her to miss playing her senior year of high school softball. Although she was devastated, she cheered her team and worked hard to recover and was determined to play at college. She went on to play softball at Blue Mountain Community College and Northwest Christian University. She earned her Bachelor’s in Education at NCU and went on to obtain her Master’s in Education while coaching softball at BMCC and working in Pendleton.

Jordan taught 3rd grade for the Umatilla School District at McNary Heights Elementary school for six years. She loved teach -

ing and was known for her teaching Tik-Tok videos and impacted the lives of many students that went through her class.

Jordan coached numerous girls’ softball teams after college and was the pitching coach for Umatilla High School. In her spare time, she gave private pitching lessons to girls in the Pendleton, Hermiston and Umatilla area.

Jordan’s other passion since childhood was music and singing. She spent many summers singing mini concerts at the Clark County Fair, member of jazz choirs at Prairie HS, BMCC and NCU and singing the National Anthem at numerous events in the region including the Pendleton Round-Up. She was so proud to sing as an opening act of a Kelly Pickler concert in Colorado during a softball tournament where she sang a softball inspired version of ‘Here For The Party’ by Gretchen Wilson.

Jordan was engaged to be married to Chuck Young this summer but had postponed the wedding due to her cancer treatments.

She is survived by her parents, Brian and Debby Bennett of Brush Prairie; fiancé Chuck Young; brothers, Justin (Shelley) Bennett of Vancouver, Washington and Jackson Bennett of Brush Prairie, Washington; grandparents, Don and Koleen Calvert of Clatskanie, Oregon, Jean Bennett and Darrel Hesler of Lenore, Idaho, and Gary Bennett and Marsha Haas of Rainier, Oregon; niece Savannah Bennett; nephew Niklas Bennett; aunts and uncles, John and Aimee Calvert of Banks, Mike and Debbie Calvert of Clatskanie and Brenda and Andy Kauffman of Canby; cousins, Kenzie and Aleena Calvert, Mitchell Calvert, Ryan, Lilly and Marli Kauffman; and Jared and Brittney Abbott.

A private family burial will be held at Murray Hill Cemetery in Clatskanie, Oregon. Arrangement by Groulx Family Mortuary. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on July 8, 2023 in Vancouver, Washington at Reign Church.

A Scholarship/Memorial foundation in Jordan’s name is being established as an ongoing legacy to support the kids and youth she so loved.

Jordan Elizabeth Bennett

Calculate your working families kicker

OREGON CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY Chief Guest Column

As working families across Oregon struggle with rising costs and meager wages, Oregon is on course to send massive tax rebates to the richest Oregonians.

A $5.5 billion “kicker” rebate appears to be on its way. The rich will get huge rebates, while low- and moderate-income Oregonians will receive little or nothing.

It doesn’t have to be this way. A better kicker is possible.

The Working Families Kicker would send every Oregon tax filer an equal amount, resulting in most Oregonians getting bigger tax rebates, helping families make ends meet. The calculator below gives you a sense of the difference.

To interpret the results

of the calculator, consider someone who has an Adjusted Gross Income of $500,000 per year, more than about 97 percent of all Oregonians. Under current law, they’d get a kicker worth more than $17,000. With the Working Families Kicker, they’d get the same amount as everyone else — about $2,450.

Methodology

This analysis is based on 2020 tax year data and does not have all of the tax information needed to calculate your exact kicker. Instead, it uses average tax information and effective tax rates for similar filers to estimate a kicker amount.

The Working Families Kicker value is set at the average (mean) kicker for all taxpayers last estimated by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis for the

upcoming kicker. The current kicker was estimated based on the most recent estimate from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis of $5,537,500,000. This analysis does not factor in changes in the distribution of incomes between the 2020 tax year and the tax year the kicker will be distributed based on. This analysis also does not incorporate tax paid to other

states in the kicker estimate. For the calculation of the percent of Oregon tax filers who make less than you, we calculated the share of filers with adjusted gross income below the income bin you fit into. For example, if you made $120,000, you fit into the $100,000 - $250,000 income bin from the Oregon Department of Revenue and 79 percent of filers make less than $100,000.

Here is the link to the calculator: https://www. ocpp.org/2023/06/12/ calculate-working-familieskicker.

Read more about the Oregon Revenue Forecast and see the entire document with

this column at thechiefnews. com. The Oregon Center for Public Policy’s mission is to achieve economic justice for all Oregonians through research, analysis, and advocacy. The Center is located in Portland and may be reached at 971-279-4732.

Garden observations into summer 2023

CHIP BUBL Clatskanie Grows

Chief Guest Column

Is it too late to plant corn?

No, it is not too late to plant either a first crop or second crop of corn. It would be prudent to grow a variety that takes less time to mature. One that I have found does well here is Sugar Buns, a 70-day corn. With warm soils and nice daytime temperatures, it will germinate quickly and you will be eating corn before you know it.

“June drop” of fruit

Fruit pollination weather was fairly good this past spring although your particular location can be different than other parts of the county. Fruit set on apples and pears appears strong. However, we have had several calls about cherry and plum trees that dropped their fruit. This can happen all at once, usually when the weather warms. Fruit drop is due to poor pollination. Either the weather was too cold and/or wet to get the

bees moving were too cold to get moving or there weren’t enough of them. The fruit flowers were either not pollinated or incompletely pollinated. For stone fruits like cherries, the fruit appears normal and then drops. But if you cut into the pit, there is no seed. And that growing seed is what tells the tree to keep pumping nutrition into the developing fruit. Without the signal, the plant sheds the fruit. With apples, you may see misshapen fruit. Cut horizontally through the center and you will see one or two of the cavities with no seed.

Can you plant a lawn now?

The grass species that do best in Oregon are not adapted to germinate at air temperatures of 85+degrees. They germinate best between 55-65 degrees but will generally be all right up to 80 degrees.

Is it worth it to seed a lawn now? Probably not. Soil temperatures have warmed just enough to make the seed happy. But watering is a challenge as daytime temperatures rise. Newly seeded areas need to be more or less constantly moist but not sodden. This requires deft watering with your sprinklers. You have to move them at constantly changing intervals to match the changes in the temperatures and wind. Too much water and the seeds rot. Too little and the seeds fry. So the best advice for now is to wait until Septem-

ber to do your renovation. You might try over-seed bare spots now since you have less at risk and less sprouting area to manage.

Speaking of bare lawn spots

Bare spots show up when the weather gets hot. The most common causes of bare spots are mole tunnels, roots eaten by the larvae of the European crane fly, an excessively drained spot in under a part of your lawn (possibly a rock or a septic pipe or sandfilled trench), or root diseases that reduced the turf’s capacity to take up water. All these sub-surface conditions can be hard to fix.

Trying to grow lawns on St. Helens basalt is always challenging. The deeper the soil over the rock, the better results you will have. But you are not going to move the rock. This problem is only found in the St. Helens area.

Mole tunnels in clay soils can stay intact for years until they finally collapse on their own. Rototilling the lawn and

The Chief

Editorial policy

Opinions expressed on this page are independent of The Chief views and are solely those of the writers expressing them.

Letters policy

This newspaper’s letters to the editor are limited to a maximum of 250 words and will be edited for grammar, spelling and blatant inaccuracies. Unsubstantiated or irresponsible allegations, or personal attacks on any individual, will not be published. Letters containing details

presented as facts rather than opinions must include their sources. Writers are limited to one published letter per month. All submissions must include the author’s full name, local street address and telephone number (only the name and city of residence will be published). By submitting a letter, writers also grant permission for them to be posted online. Opinions expressed on this page are the writer’s alone and do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its parent company, Country Media, Inc.

Obituaries

Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chiefnews@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.

re-grading it (and posting “no to seed a new lawn next fall.

Crane fly larva feeding is not consistent from year-toyear. Ironically, the females prefer to lay their eggs in the lushest lawn they can find in September/October. There are some treatments for crane flies but most years they aren’t needed. If you let your lawn dry out and go completely dormant in the summer, you will never have crane flies. If you do have crane fly larvae, skunks, starling, and raccoons often consume the bulk of them.

Root diseases are also unpredictable with some grass species resistant to a particular disease and susceptible to another. That is why we often plant grass species mixtures. In the end, you can take the bare spot and clip off enough of the dead grass, so you get put new seed directly on the soil. You can cover the seed with a thin coating of fine peat moss. Then water as de-

scribed above – not too wet and not too dry and, with a little luck, you will fill those spaces with new turf.

Food Preservation

Are you planning to preserve food from your garden or purchased from a farm this summer? If so, call or visit the OSU Extension Service office before you start canning, freezing, or drying.

Costly and potentially harmful mistakes can be made by using outdated canning recipes and instructions. You can find free publications AND pressure gauge testing at the Columbia County Extension office located at 505 N. Columbia River Highway in St. Helens. If you have questions, phone Jenny Rudolph at the office at 503-397-3462.

You can download for free all our food preservation publications at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mfp/ publications. An additional great resource is the National Center for home Food Preservation at http://www.uga. edu/nchfp/.

Important Notes

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs. It always is greatly appreciated.

• The Extension Service

offers its programs and materials equally to all people.

• The OSU Extension Office is fully open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Have Questions?

If you have questions on any of these topics or other home garden and/ or farm questions, please contact Chip Bubl, Oregon State University Extension office in St. Helens at 503397-3462 or at chip.bubl@ oregonstate.edu. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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 503397-3462 to be put on the list. Alternatively, you can find it on the web at http:// extension.oregonstate.edu/ columbia/ and click on newsletters.

Contact Information

Oregon State University Extension Service – Columbia County 505 N. Columbia River Highway St. Helens, OR 97051 503-397-3462.

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This position will be responsible for the development, maintenance, and validation of GIS data for use in the implementation and tracking of electrical facilities and processes throughout the District’s service area.

To help extend the life of Clatskanie PUD power poles, Davey Resource Group has been contracted to conduct our pole test and treat program for 2021. They will be working on our poles on the following roads and the surrounding areas: Swedetown Rd, Olson Rd, Alder Grove Rd, Lindberg Rd, Cedar Grove Rd, & Lost Creek. For questions or concerns, please call 503-728-2163.

Ideal Candidate! A driven, enthusiastic individual who is detail-oriented to provide GIS data system administration and strives to fulfill the District’s Vision Statement to: “Benefit our customers through innovation and adaptability.”

Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience. Clatskanie PUD offers a competitive benefit package. An application and full job description can be found on our website under About Us/Employment Opportunities at clatskaniepud. com. Submit completed application, résumé, and cover letter to Human Resources, PO Box 216, Clatskanie, OR 97016, secure fax 503-308-4884, or email: hr@clatskaniepud.com. This position remains open until 5:00 pm PDT, July 17,2023, or until filled. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lynn Donner: ldonner@clatskaniepud.com or 503-728-2163.

Clatskanie PUD is an equal employment opportunity employer, following all necessary federal and state employment laws required. Clatskanie PUD will make reasonable accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Veterans will receive hiring preference as required by law.

CC23-1807

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Monday June 26, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that NEXT Renewable Fuels, Inc., has submitted an application, for a Modification of Prior Approval for a previously approved Site Design Review and Variance (DR 21-03/V 21-05). If approved, the proposal would relocate the rail tracks, tree buffer, and storm facilities northward from the Primary Agriculture (PA-80) zone into the Rural Industrial Planned Development (RIPD) zone. The rail tracks, tree buffer and storm facilities were previously approved as part of a separate application (CU 21-04), but that application was appealed and reversed by the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.

The application proposes moving the rail tracks, tree buffer and storm facilities entirely onto land zoned RIPD. The properties are identified by tax map numbers referenced above, are all zoned Resource Industrial Planned Development, total approximately 109 acres and are located at 81009 Kallunki Road. SAID PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Columbia County Planning Commission on Monday, June 26, 2023, starting at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be hybrid in nature, allowing participants to log into a digital Go-To-Meeting (link provided below) or attend in person at Healy Hall within the Columbia County Public Works Department, addressed at 1054 Oregon Street in St. Helens. June 26, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https:// meet.goto.com/475936085

You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 475-936-085 United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679 United States: +1 (571)

317-3116 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet. goto.com/install Interested parties may appear and be heard. If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to the meeting or need accommodation, please call Kay Clay in the Land Development Services office at (503) 397-1501. The criteria to be used in deciding the request will be found in the following: Columbia County Zoning Ordinance Section 200 General Provisions, Section 680 Resource Industrial-Planned Development, Section 1100 Flood Hazard Overlay, Section 1120 Sensitive Bird Habitat Overlay, Section 1130 Historic Overlay, Section 1170 Riparian Corridors, Wetlands, Water Quality, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection Overlay Zone, Section 1180 Wetland Area Overlay, Section 1185 Natural Area Overlay, Section 1190 Big Game Habitat Overlay, Section 1300 Signs, Section 1400 Off-Street Parking and Loading, Section 1450 Transportation Impact Analysis, Section 1550 Site Design Review, Section 1603 Quasijudicial Public Hearings, as well as Columbia County Stormwater and Erosion Control Ordinance Section I(B) Applicability. The specific criteria applicable to this request will also be listed and evaluated in the staff report. A copy of the application, all documents and evidence provided by the applicant, and the applicable criteria are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost. You received this notice because you own property located near the property that is the subject of this notice. Columbia County is required only to notify the applicant, owner, owners of record of property of adjacent

properties per the most recent property tax assessment roll, and other persons identified. You may want to share this notice with others in your neighborhood as some may not be aware of the proposal.

Notice to mortgagee, lien holder, vendor or seller: ORS Chapter 215 requires that if you receive this notice, it must be promptly forwarded to the purchaser. Failure to raise an issue in a hearing, in person or by writing, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the Approval Authority an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes raising the issue in an appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals. Additional information about this application may be obtained by calling Deborah Jacob at (503) 397-1501.

Written materials may be submitted prior to the public hearing. Those submitting written materials are encouraged to submit their materials prior to the date of the public hearing. Please submit written materials to Planning@ ColumbiaCountyOR.gov You can also send written materials via US Mail to: Columbia County Land Development Services Attn: Planning 230 Strand Street St. Helens, OR 97051 The hearing will be held according to the procedures established in the Columbia County Zoning Ordinance, including CCZO Section 1603, and in accordance with ORS 197.797.

Under state law, the failure to raise an issue at the hearing, in person or by letter, or the failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision-maker an opportunity to respond to the issue, precludes the ability to appeal the decision based on that issue. June 14, 2023 THE PLANNING COMMISSION Dan Magnia, Chairman

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

Probate Department No. 23PB04185 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

In the Matter of the Estate of NOLAN WADE SHEFSTAD, Deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the

CC23-1800

estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P. O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional

information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published June 9, 2023. S/Gabriel Shefstad Gabriel Shefstad Personal Representative STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law P. O. Box 459 Rainier, OR 97048.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of EVERETT LOWELL BOZARTH, Deceased. No. 23PB03511 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims

CC23-1806

against the estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publication of this notice to the personal representative at P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published June 2, 2023. Alan E. Bozarth, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C., Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048.

DISTRICT MEETING NOTICE

law

from public inspection. AGENDA

PEOPLE’S

Coast Guard responds to 2 capsized vessels in 1 week

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

The Coast Guard rescued one person found stranded on a channel marker and recovered an unresponsive person from the water after a vessel capsized Sunday, June 11, on the Columbia River near Astoria.

At 2:25 p.m., a caller, who witnessed from shore, notified Coast Guard Sector Columbia River watchstanders that a boat reportedly capsized causing two people to enter the water east of Tongue Point.

A Coast Guard Air Station Astoria MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment 29-foot Response Boat-Small II crew launched.

At 3 p.m., the aircrew arrived on scene and located the stranded person atop a dayboard channel marker. A rescue swimmer deployed to retrieve the person before the two were hoisted from the water to the helicopter.

Remaining on scene and conducting a continued search of the area, at 3:22 p.m., the aircrew located a person floating face-up but showing no signs of mobility.

Due to shallow water depth, the Coast Guard boatcrew was unable to access the person’s location. The rescue swimmer was again lowered from the helicopter to the water and observed the person to be unresponsive and not breathing.

After transporting the person to the nearby Coast Guard boat, the rescue swimmer remained with the person to conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts while transiting to awaiting emergency medical personnel at the East Mooring Basin. The person was unresponsive when transferred from Coast Guard care.

The aircrew transported the person rescued from the channel marker to Air Station Astoria and was transferred to the care of awaiting emergency medical person-

nel in stable condition.

First incident

The Coast Guard rescued two people from their boat after it capsized Wednesday night, June 7, off the coast of Nesika Beach along the Southern Oregon Coast.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Columbia River received notification around 7:30 p.m. from the wife of the captain of a 26-foot commercial fishing vessel stating that her husband had not made it back to the marina at the time he said.

The watchstanders dispatched a rescue boatcrew from Station Chetco River aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and an aircrew aboard a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station North Bend. They also conferred with the local police department who confirmed the operator’s truck and trailer were still at the boat ramp.

The wife had also told to the Coast Guard that a friend had called the vessel opera-

tor at approximately 3 p.m., which was the last time someone had contact with anyone on the vessel. Utiliz ing cell phone forensics, watchstanders were able to narrow down a viable search area. Just after 11 p.m., the aircrew located the vessel with the men sitting on the overturned hull. They were not wearing life jackets. The helicopter crew then vectored the boatcrew to the scene. The motor lifeboat arrived to the capsized vessel at 11:30 p.m. and safely recovered both individuals. They were showing signs of hypothermia and were provided blankets and water. The men were brought to Station Chetco River and arrived at 2 a.m. They were seen and released by await ing EMS responders.

eight hours sitting on top of the hull of the vessel.

the importance of creating a ‘float plan,’ or simply just

Glimmer of hope shines for endangered sea star

STAFF REPORT

Country Media, Inc.

Aquarium (OCAq) staff has discovered 25 critically en dangered sunflower sea stars in Yaquina Bay.

The discovered site is the most documented in one location since populations were decimated by Sea Star

limited number of each year.

During the excursion, staff documented one adult and 24 juvenile sunflower stars—the largest measuring just six inches across.

Fully grown, the stars can

and have as many as 26 arms.

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates 90 percent of the sunflower star population fell to the disease.

Sunflower stars are a keystone species, native to the

coastal waters of the North east Pacific Ocean. They play an important role keeping urchin populations in check, preventing the destruction of offshore kelp forests that serve as vital nursery habitat for marine life.

this,” OCAq Aquarist Tiffany Rudek said as she began measuring the stars. photographing and measuring the sunflower stars, each

credible. It’s unprecedented. I am so excited about what this could mean for the species.”

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: THE 1970s

A Coast Guard helicopter, like this one, responded to the scene of both capsized vessels.

Courtesy photo from the Oregon Coast Aquarium

Sunflower stars are a keystone species, native to the coastal waters of the Northeast Pacific Ocean.

Courtesy from the Oregon Coast Aquarium

After photographing and measuring the sunflower stars, each was carefully returned to the sandy seafloor.

BUDGET

From Page A1

worst inflation in decades and tremendous economic uncertainty,” Jorgensen writes in his Budget Message. “In an attempt to not further burden City residents who may already be struggling financially, this budget includes no new taxes or fees. It does not add any new services, but does not cut them, either. This budget seeks to finish projects that are

POOL

From Page A1

already underway and prioritizes and limits new ones.”

Jorgensen said the Rainier city council’s top priority is to become in compliance with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) mandates.

“The city has an agreement with DEQ that spells out specific projects and timeframes for them to be done,” he said.

See the full Clatskanie and Rainier city budget messages and the budgets with this story at thechiefnews.com.

safety lessons to the youth (and adults) of our community; as an area surrounded by water, this is such an important role for our swimming pool,” Warren said.

As well as providing an invaluable service to the community, the pool also serves as a place where community members can come together and enjoy themselves. With the care and effort of its staff, the pool will give the community a perfect place to go in the sweltering summer months.

New Port Commissioner ready to serve

The May 16 Special Election results have been officially certified, and the election marks a shake-up of the elected officials around Columbia County.

The Port of Columbia County had three commissioner positions up for grabs. Two of the positions were won by incumbents Nancy Ward and Chip Bubl, who defeated Paul Langner and Duane Neukom, respectively. The newcomer to the Port Commission is Nick Sorber, who defeated Greg Pettit by a margin of 5,240 votes to 4,177 for the open Port Position 3 in the May election.

The Chief reached out to Sorber for his insight about what he hopes to bring to his new position.

The Chief: What does it mean to you to have won this election?

not at the pool, but in the park and is managed by the lifeguards)

“We changed our lessons to weekly sessions (previously, they were 2-week sessions), which families (and the lifeguards) really seemed to appreciate,” Warren said.

Keeping the community safe

The Clatskanie Pool’s origination is actually rooted in a community tragedy. It was built in 1958 as a community effort after several local kids drowned in the river to teach kids to swim in a safe environment.

“The purpose of the swimming pool is to provide water

“I have had many people say over the years that I have been with the Park District that our park and our pool are the ‘gem’ of this community, and I personally believe that to be true,” Warren said. “It is important to say that there is an amazing staff that works for the park and swimming pool, who care deeply for this ‘gem’ and take pride in making sure that the community has a wonderful place to come and spend their time.”

The Clatskanie Pool is located at 346 NE 5th Street. To reach the pool staff, call at 503-728-2757.

Fast Fact Clatskanie Pool is 90feet long, 60-feet wide, and holds approximately 135,000 gallons of water.

Nick Sorber: I’m humbled and honored that the voters had the confidence in me to take on this position and be a part of the economic engine for Columbia County.

The Chief: You discussed maximizing the use of Port properties in your address to us before the election; how will you work with the other commissioners to address this priority?

Sorber: I will be taking a closer look into the use of one of our greatest resources, the Columbia River. I believe there are more great opportunities there. The Port also has waterfront properties in Columbia City and on the Willamette Slough that may be a bit underutilized. That’s not to say the Port staff and commissioners aren’t currently working hard to make the best of those assets, but maybe someone like me with the private sector experience in the industrial marine trades

and its workforce can help move the bar even further. We obviously need to collaborate not only as a board but also with other entities like Columbia Economic Team, the county, utilities, cities, and private industry. Being a rural area, it is imperative that we all work together as a community for the benefit of our citizens.

The Chief: What will you bring to the board of commissioners as the only new member following this election?

Sorber: By being new, I will be a fresh set of eyes on current and future Port projects. This is something that can be very beneficial to any organization. The Port has some great opportunities in the works and on the horizon

with Port Westward and the airport. We have great assets with the McNulty Creek Industrial Park and Multnomah Industrial Park, with some possibly great recreational opportunities in the latter as well.

I understand it is an ultracompetitive market out there to attract business and industry, and I look forward to being a part of making us even more competitive so more folks can work locally, and there is a greater industrial tax base to bolster investments in local infrastructure like parks and roads and services like police, fire departments, and schools.

The Chief: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to address?

Sorber: We covered a lot in the first questions. I would just reiterate that I am humbly honored to be chosen as the new Port of Columbia County Commissioner for position #3.

About the Port of Columbia County

The Port of Columbia County is a special district in Columbia County, Oregon. The boundaries of the Port District span 51 miles along the Columbia River from the Clatsop County line in the northwest of Columbia County, to the Multnomah County line in the southeast, and includes the cities of Scappoose, St. Helens, Columbia City, Prescott, Rainier, and Clatskanie.

The Port was created in 1940 under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) Chapter 777 to promote economic development opportunities in the Port District, primarily through the lease and development of industrial property. Port dollars are used to purchase and develop land, infrastructure, and facilities. The Port plays an important role in the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses, resulting in job growth and increasing the local tax base.

Originally called the Port of St. Helens, the Port was renamed in 2018 to be more representative of the entire district. Today, the Port of Columbia County owns 10 different property sites and 2,400 acres, including industrial properties with excellent highway, rail, airport, and maritime access. The Port also owns and manages recreational properties at Scappoose Airport, Scappoose Bay Marine Park, and Bayport RV Park & Campground.

The Port of Columbia County office is located in Columbia City and may be reached at 503-397-2888.

From Page A1

closely monitor community and supplier feedback regarding which products consumers most want to see in the market and whether the hub is giving the customers what they need.

“In the next couple of weeks, we’re really hoping to get feedback from our customers on hours and days of the week and if this system works for them, and just working out all those kinks,” Lillich said. “Hearing feedback back from our producers, our farmers that

we’re working with, as well as our shoppers. So we welcome that.”

This feedback loop will be a “reciprocal relationship” that will allow producers to cater to customers based on the products that are most in demand.

For the classroom component, Lillich said that the food hub has already hosted a free 6-part class series with the aid of local master gardeners to teach 37 class members to garden. Lillich said their next class will be an 8-week canning and food preservation course starting June 21.

People interested in classes can find them on the Clatskanie Farmers Market

website. Another priority in the hub for Lillich over the next year is building out the commercial kitchen space in the building, which she says will benefit around five businesses and allow the food hub to absorb the food waste from the market to make valueadded products.

For those who need assistance purchasing products at the market, the Clatskanie Food Hub will provide different support avenues.

Lillich said that in the coming months, they will accept EBT, SNAP, and “double up food bucks.” They currently accept FDNP checks. They are also working on a program to make funds avail-

able to low-income customers, supported by a $5,000 grant from the Oregon Food Bank and Oregon State University.

Acknowledging those who made it possible

Lillich also wanted to be sure to thank all of the people and organizations that have made what at times seemed impossible into reality. Lillich thanked the Clatskanie Farmers Market board for their support, the Ford Family Foundation and Columbia Pacific Economic Team for funding the project, and the Oregon Coast Visitor’s Association for providing the walk-in refrigerator.

The hub is volunteer run, but Lillich wanted to make sure that hub manager Candy Uskoski also got credit for her role in running the hub. Lillich also thanked the many local partners who helped get the building ready to open. John and Chris Lillich donated the building, and Steven Routon Architecture designed the floor plan. There were many others who Lillich wanted to thank as well.

“Paulson Printing for their generous sign donation! Tracy Prescott MacGregor for all her beautiful artwork on the fridges. And Craig Worsham III for painting the store for free,” Lillich said. “Our sister

organizations North Coast Food Web and Foots Roots, for their guidance as well as the Oregon Community Food System Network. And the Oregon Food Bank for a Local Food Promotion grant!” Lillich and Schilling are excited about what the food hub will bring to the community and believe it will continue to add value to Clatskanie for years to come.

“People told us it couldn’t be done,” Lillich said. “A lot of people did, actually.”

“And there were many times that we actually believed them,” Schilling said. “But now we’re here.”

Courtesy

photo from Jasmine Lillich

Customers in the market space on opening day.

Courtesy photo from Jasmine Lillich

Patrons celebrate the opening of the Clatskanie Food Hub during the festivities held the night of the grand opening.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

The Clatskanie Pool offers a safe and fun environment each summer for area children and their families.

Courtesy photo

Nick Sorber Port of Columbia County, Commissioner, Position 3.

Rainier Trap Team preparing for State

WILL LOHRE

Country Media, Inc.

The Rainier Jr/Sr High School Trap Team is entering the final stage of its season in the Oregon State High School Clay Target League.

To get experience leading up to the event, members of the team participated in a tournament in Newberg to get competition experience.

The team will practice each week leading up to the state tournament, which will take place on June 24 at the Hillsboro Trap and Skeet Club.

Last season, the Rainier Jr/Sr High School team won the state tournament in the Class 1-A division, which is comprised of programs with 25 shooters or less. The team is looking to defend its state championship and will be feeling confident after a strong showing from its shooters at their last tournament in Newberg on May

13.

Ten team members traveled to Newberg to participate in the Newberg Youth

Trapshooting Championships in early May, and five of their members finished in the top 20 at the event.

Tristin Stout, James Watkins, Lilly Langhorne, Levi Hall, Brooke Collum, Brighton Stout, Bree Cole, Faith Langhorne, Sam Monk, and Justin Bozarth all made the trip.

“The team had a great day with some outstanding shooting,” said parent Pam Stout.

While there were no team awards given out at the tournament, individual awards were up for grabs for the top six finishers in the high school and middle school divisions.

Tristin Stout was the top-performing shooter for Rainier and recorded a score of 94/100, including two perfect consecutive rounds, which earned him a 50 straight patch. His score earned him fourth-place honors at the event.

Lilly Langhorne and James Watkins both scored a 92/100, including one perfect round each that

saw them earn a 25 straight patch. Langhorne entered a tiebreaker and was able to secure a sixth-place finish after winning the tiebreaker. With her score, she finished as the highest-scoring female

shooter in the tournament, according to Stout. Levi Hall had a strong day shooting a 90/100, earning him the 2nd place trophy in the Middle School division, along with a 25

patch for a perfect round. Brighton Stout finished with an 87/100, which secured a third-place middle school trophy.

With their final tournament in the rearview mirror,

the Rainier Trap Team will need to use its final practices before the state tournament to sharpen their skills and ensure they are ready to perform in the final competition of their season.

Courtesy from Pam Stout

The Rainier Jr/Sr High School Trap Team, from left to right, Levi Hall, Tristin Stout, Brooke Collin, Lilly Langhorne, Faith Langhorne, James Watkins, Justin Bozarth, Bree Cole, Brighton Stout, and Sam Monk.

Elektra Cornelius

Raven Hallman Cachet Loosli Samantha May Faith-Ann Mueller Sheauna Pellham Iolaus Krotzer Kolun S. Reed

Courtesy photo from Laurey White

Clatskanie Middle/High School’s 45 seniors celebrated a new chapter in their lives during the graduation hosted at the high school on Saturday, June 10.