http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/index.php Portland and surrounding area community news and information http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720346344037500 2012-05-16 14:24:23 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720346344037500 en-us Once again the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United Sates of America Post 4362 of Scappoose will be giving out free Buddy Poppies on May 18 and 19. You will find us at Fred Meyer, the Post Office, Grocery Outlet and Ichabod’s Restaurant. These poppies are made by disabled veterans in VA ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720316838959000 2012-05-16 14:19:28 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720316838959000 en-us Being a senior citizen, I am wondering what exactly is happening in the United States, and especially now in St. Helens. I belong to the VFW Auxiliary and volunteer to do the “Buddy Poppies” for the VFW. This year we were told we could not be in the Post Office to do them. If it were ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720288061991200 2012-05-16 14:14:40 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720288061991200 en-us I live in Columbia County where two dirty coal export projects are being proposed to go through our port. Having more than 30 years as an educator, I have strong health and safety concerns for my community. I applaud Gov. Kitzhaber and the Environmental Protection Agency for their concern over ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720240932385100 2012-05-16 14:06:49 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720240932385100 en-us With regards to the Maygra/Preheim campaign follies, forgive me for asking the obvious question, but why would any thoughtful person vote for a candidate for county commissioner who couldn’t even successfully (or civilly) negotiate the placement of a political yard sign? Anyone who truly ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720210552639200 2012-05-16 14:01:45 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133720210552639200 en-us This morning, many Columbia County residents and business owners are going online to find out the results of Tuesday’s election. As a weekly newspaper that goes to press on Tuesday, well before election results are tabulated, it has been a constant regret of ours that our print edition ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660501406397400 2012-05-09 16:10:14 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660501406397400 en-us It is time for me to write another letter. I thank The Spotlight for the excellent report on heroin (see “Hike in heroin use a sobering reality for law enforcement,” April 25). It is an ongoing problem and will not stop unless people in neighborhoods start keeping a log with license ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660473332043600 2012-05-09 00:00:00 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660473332043600 en-us I wrote a letter a couple of weeks ago regarding the people who are running for the commissioner positions. I stated that Colleen DeShazer bragged about being on the Columbia Health District board when the hospital project was first started. Imagine my surprise when Ms. DeShazer denied ever being ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660435816580300 2012-05-09 15:59:18 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660435816580300 en-us Every once in a while everyone comes up against a seemingly insurmountable problem. No matter how we try the solution is just out reach. The Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District is pursuing construction of a four million gallon reservoir which will hold water dedicated to fire protection. ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660418963508300 2012-05-09 15:56:29 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660418963508300 en-us When one takes a look at the two sitting board members, and then take(s) a look at the dire straits the county is in and what they have done to make sure that the county is in great shape and to keep things that way, it’s easy to see what we are going to get with these two again. Not a ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660386823584600 2012-05-09 15:51:08 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660386823584600 en-us In challenging times we need the experience and leadership that Tony Hyde and Earl Fisher bring to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. Our next crop of county commissioners is going to be tested like no other in recent memory. We are going to need every drop of experience and every ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660359451204600 2012-05-09 15:46:34 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660359451204600 en-us This is what Wayne Mayo said to me the other day: Not only does Wayne care about Columbia County as a whole, he also cares for individuals and their part. Columbia County is made up of many individuals who need to work together to make this area prosperous, safe and a great place to live. We need ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660320046113000 2012-05-09 15:40:00 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133660320046113000 en-us Over the past four years, Columbia County has joined the ranks of municipalities across the nation – indeed, around the world – in its struggle to maintain solvency amid crumbling financial markets and failing tax structures. It has gone through the stages of catastrophe, from event ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599825769591900 2012-05-02 15:37:37 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599825769591900 en-us In order to ensure that our county continues to move forward, it is imperative that we have a commissioner who is prepared to push for the needs of our county when decisions are being made and money is being distributed. Tony Hyde is a seasoned advocate, a voice for the county who has earned ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599793973124000 2012-05-02 15:32:19 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599793973124000 en-us This letter is in response to the letter written by Peggy Crisp of Warren. I have never served as a member of the Columbia Health District in any capacity, not at any time. I understand this is politics at its best, but I would respectfully request that if someone chooses to slight a candidate ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599765999555700 2012-05-02 15:27:39 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599765999555700 en-us It is said that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I’m here to say that is not true. To my shame I have never taken an interest in politics or what was going on in my county. In the last year or so I have been frustrated and appalled with what has been going on in my county with ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599727434739400 2012-05-02 15:21:14 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599727434739400 en-us My husband and I moved to Scappoose in 1990, and the first person we met was Wayne Mayo. Knowing him and his family for more than 20 years, I know that he is a man of strong, principled conviction. He was instrumental in keeping a video porn store out of St. Helens. The store was planned to go ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599708819718900 2012-05-02 15:18:08 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599708819718900 en-us I attended the Columbia County Commissioners Candidate Forum last Thursday evening and appreciated the opportunity to listen to each of the candidates and learn more about where they stand on issues. I found myself impressed with a candidate who I had not considered. Terry Luttrell’s ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599684791548100 2012-05-02 15:14:07 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599684791548100 en-us While I agree that there are many issues, incumbents and economics that need varying degrees of change, Tony Hyde is the right person at the right time, in the right job. My heart is here. I was born in St. Helens. That helps me to have a love for this town, this county and this state. Tony Hyde ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599632576173600 2012-05-02 15:05:25 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=133599632576173600 en-us Scores of residents and business interests turned out Friday morning for the grand opening of Orpet, a plastic bottle recycling plant with a $10 million investment in St. Helens. Gresham-based Denton Plastics and Washington based Quantum Leap Packaging, a plastic packaging company, spearheaded ...