The City Parks Committee will accept sealed bids for the purchase of more than three cords of wood. Volunteers working in the Jim Bundy Memorial Park cut and collected the wood from the park. The proceeds from the sale of the wood will go to the Bundy Memorial Park Fund, and will be used for park improvements. The minimum bid price is $250.00. To view the firewood, please visit the Public Works Shop at 1755 Second Place. Bids must be submitted to the City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th, 2002.

At the September 10th meeting, the Planning Commission approved an application from the City to site a 1-million gallon concrete water storage reservoir at the intersection of Ninth and "K" Streets. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2003.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 8th, 2002, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments on a subdivision application submitted by Bob Fredrickson of Fred Allen LLC (Applicant/Owner). If approved, the applicant would create up to 41 lots on approximately 13.86 acres in the R-1, low-density residential zone, subject to the requirements of the Columbia City Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances. The property is an L-shaped, vacant parcel identified as Lot 402, Columbia County Assessor Map 5-1-21 (Index). The property is located north of Pacific Street and north of the dead end of Tahoma Street, and adjacent to McBride Creek, west of Tahoma Street and Highway 30, and east of Park Drive.

Bernadette Albertine, Laura Flynn, Dorothy Greyell, Phyllis Rowley, Amy West and Claudia Yoes helped with the September utility billings and newsletter.

Jim Gillam shared a wide variety of vine ripened tomatoes with City Hall staff.

Joe and Laura Flynn shared several varieties of grapes with City Hall and Public Works staff.

Bruce and Ruth Oester shared their garden produce of corn, zucchini and summer squash.

Donations from the community and grant funds have increased the library inventory to over 11,000 items, including books, magazines, videotapes, and audio tapes. Circulation has also increased from 677 items in the first six months to 2,703 items in the most recent six months. New patrons join the library almost every day, and several new members have joined the Friends of the Library. You are invited to become an active member and help guide the direction of the library.

New Hours:  Monday and Wednesday 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Bedtime Story:  Monday, October 7th at 7 p.m. Mrs. Valpiani will be the reader.

Spotlighted Books: 

"Let's Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage," by Lisa Beamer;

"One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001," by Time Life Books.

NEW GARBAGE TRUCK

City Hall recently received several calls from residents who thought the recyclables were being mixed with the garbage when one truck began to pick up both cans. Hudson Garbage recently purchased a new truck that is divided into sections, and this allows the driver to pick up the garbage and recyclables at the same time. The garbage is placed in one section of the truck, while the recyclables go into another section.

THANK YOU, BAILEY HARKINS!

The Columbia City Police Department recently received a generous donation of stuffed animals from Bailey Harkins. Bailey is a young lady that lives here in Columbia City. Police agencies give out stuffed animals to young children who have been the victims of domestic violence or have been involved in something traumatic. The stuffed animals help to calm the child, develop a rapport between the child and the officer, allow the officer to better help the child, and leave the child feeling less intimidated. Bailey's donation of animals will help the Columbia City Police Department help kids of all ages who have to deal with adult problems long before they ever become adults. Thanks again, Bailey.

DOOR TO DOOR SOLICITORS

Recently, we have been inundated by door-to-door solicitors. Although some people don’t mind the visit, others find it very intrusive. Here are some ways you can deal with them:

Anybody going door-to-door selling anything within the City limits of Columbia City must have a solicitation permit issued through City Hall. This accomplishes several things. Among them, it lets us know who to contact if a problem results from their solicitation.

Whether they have a permit or not, you don’t have to talk to them if you don’t want to. Often times people feel that they have to listen to the presentation or have to talk to them either because they don’t want to be rude or because they feel some obligation. You have no obligation to listen to them and you won’t offend them if you tell them that you are not interested. If you don’t want them there, ask them to leave. If you have asked them to leave and they refuse or become insistent, shut the door and call the police. If they are really pushy and don’t let you shut the door or won’t leave your property, dial 911.

If you have asked them to leave and they come back later, it is still trespass. You don’t have to talk to them again, just call the police and let the police deal with them.

COLUMBIA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT  

TRICK OR TREAT BAGS

The Columbia City Police Department has Trick or Treat bags available for young children at no charge. The bags are available at City Hall and may be picked up by parents and/or children.

During the last several months we've had a rash of criminal mischief in Columbia City, such as rocks thrown at moving vehicles and surveyor stakes pulled from the ground. These activities are criminal in nature and can result in prosecution. Please, report any suspicious activity to the Police immediately.

Columbia City has been noted for being a quiet town with not much going on as far as crime; at least in relation to the communities around us. However, some residents have been experiencing thefts from vehicles, noise problems and traffic problems that in comparison, have been over and above the norm for our community. As we began to look into the problem, we found that it was related to one common factor.

For the past several months, Columbia City officers have been investigating a group of people that lived within our community who were involved in theft and drug trafficking. Several officers spent many hours working the problem area doing extra patrol and surveillance to try and apprehend the persons involved. Due to the diligence of these officers, several arrests were made relating to thefts within Columbia City and drug possession. However, the problem continued.

Officers continued to investigate the group and were able to obtain additional information on their activities. In addition to the work done by officers, residents in the area were able to provide officers with information on vehicles and license plates of vehicles going in and out of the area. The Columbia Enforcement Narcotics Team was contacted. This is a team of narcotics investigators that work specifically Columbia County. Columbia City Police and the Columbia Enforcement Narcotics Team were able to use the information obtained to further the investigation of the group and in so doing, were able to make several major arrests of several key players in the group. Some of the charges included Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. As of this writing, I am told that these individuals have moved out of Columbia City and away from the Columbia City and St. Helens area because of the pressure put on them by police.

There was a lot of time, effort and dedication put into this project. I would like to extend congratulations and thanks to the officers of the Columbia City Police Department and the Columbia Enforcement Narcotics Team for their diligence in handling a problem that was irritating and frustrating for many people. I would also like to extend a thanks and congratulations to the residents who helped in providing information in this investigation. It is this kind of involvement and cooperation that makes our job easier and makes Columbia City the livable community it has been and continues to be.

On April 1, 2002, a national fire protection law prohibiting the filling of small propane cylinders (4 to 40 pounds) without overfill prevention devices (OPDs) came into effect. All propane cylinders manufactured on or after October 1, 1998 are now equipped with an OPD.

If your propane cylinder is older and needs to be replaced, come to the Propane Tank Round-Up:

October 12, 2002 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Columbia River Fire and Rescue

This event is sponsored by the Columbia River Fire and Rescue, Clatskanie Fire Department, and Columbia County Solid Waste.

08/19 Parking complaint near Sixth and "C" Streets. Vehicle moved by owner.

08/22 Littering complaint near Highway 30 and "A" Street. Person located and persuaded to use trash can.

08/22 Parking complaint in the 700 block of "H" Street.

08/22 Harassing phone calls. Caller is reporting many hang up calls over the past two days.

08/26 Theft of purse from a vehicle in the 300 block of Pacific Street.

08/26 Barking dog complaint checked.

08/26 Parking complaint. Problem resolved.

08/26 Parking complaint near Pacific and Park Streets.

08/29 Dog complaint on Fifth Street.

08/29 Suspicious person checked on "I" Street.

08/29 Vandalism reported in the 3000 block of Sixth Street.

08/29 Assisted the Sheriff’s Office at a concert at Columbia Meadows.

08/29 Assisted St. Helens Police on a traffic stop.

08/29 Assisted a Sheriff’s Office Posse member at Highway 30 and "I" Street.

08/29 Assisted St. Helens Police with a theft call.

09/01 Suspicious vehicle located. The driver was suicidal and located at a residence in Deer Island. State Police responded and Columbia City assisted on the call.

We would like to extend a very special thank you to all of our sponsors, supporters and volunteers who made the 2002 Celebration possible for all of us to enjoy. The contributions made by these groups, businesses, individuals and volunteers were enormous!!! Our net proceeds from the Celebration exceeded $5,000.00. All proceeds are used to staff the Columbia City Community Library.

Ace Hardware

AT&T Cable Services

Bank of the West

Belleza Day Spa

Bertucci's Chocolates

Bing's Restaurant

Boise Cascade

Bob Booth

Burgerville USA No. 15

Children's Museum

Chip's Parts Service

The Chronicle & Sentinel-Mist

City Council, Staff and Volunteers

Coastal St. Helens Chemical

Columbia City Mini Mart

Columbia Village

Cooper Auto Parts

Dari Delish Drive-In

The Dollar Tree

Dory Cove Restaurant

Double Tee Concerts

Eclectically Yours

The Elks

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

Fast Lube and Oil

The Flower Peddler

Foursquare Gospel Church

Fred Meyer

The Friends of the Library

Friesen Lumber

Mark J. Greenfield, Attorney at Law

The Grotto

Hi-School Pharmacy

Hudson Garbage Service

Ichabod's Restaurant

Japanese Garden Society of Oregon

Samuel F. Johnson Foundation

Joy Creek Nursery

KFC

KOHI

Kozy Korner

Kuy's Oriental Cuisine

Kwik Mart

Les Schwab Tire Center

Liefeld's Jewelry, Inc.

Sally Ann Marson

McDonald's Restaurant

Morse Brothers Inc.

Mtn. View Motors Inc.

Murray, Smith and Associates, Inc.

Teresa Knight

Oregon Bison

Oregon Meat Co. Inc.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Oregon Trail Lanes

The Oregon Zoo Foundation

Papa Murphy's

Pieper-Ramsdell Agency

Portland Winterhawks

Pufferbelly Toys

Red Apple Market

Scappoose Subway

See Bee Glass

Ski Ashland

The South County Spotlight

Southwest Airlines Company

St. Helens-Scappoose Chamber of Commerce

St. Helens Auto Center Super Store

St. Helens Book Shop

St. Helens Cafe

St. Helens Park & Recreation District

St. Helens-Scappoose Septic Tank Service

Sunset Equipment

Sunshine Pizza

The Wax Works and Ripley's Believe It or Not

The White Garden Christian & Office Supplies

U.S. Bank

Village Inn

Vinnie's Chicago Sandwich Shop

Wallace Theatre Group

Wal-Mart

Warren Country Inn

Washington Mutual - St. Helens Branch

West Oregon Wood Products

West Street Grocery

Chris Weston

Wicker Wonders

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