GLASS IS REMOVED FROM CURBSIDE RECYCLING;

Beginning April 1^st, Hudson's Garbage will no longer accept any glass in the curbside recycling because broken glass created safety problems and contamination of other recyclable materials. Collect and recycle your glass at these free drop-off sites:

58597 Old Portland Road, St. Helens

Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

2285 Gable Road, St. Helens

Open Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

What you can put in the recycle bin:

• All plastic bottles #1 through #7. Please do not recycle tubs (margarine, yogurt, etc.)

• Plastic film bags from the grocery store, or dry cleaning bags. Please do not recycle black garbage bags or bags with food waste on them.

• Mixed paper such as junk mail, magazines, newspaper, cardboard, cereal boxes. Please do not recycle wax coated or food contaminated paper (paper plates, etc.)

• Tin cans after rinsing and removing labels; flatten to save room. Please do not recycle aerosol cans or cans that contained toxic materials.

• Aluminum cans after rinsing and flattening to save room, and clean aluminum pie plates and foil. Please do not recycle foil or pans with food on them.

• Milk cartons/juice boxes after rinsing and flattening to save room. Please do not recycle straws or frozen juice concentrate containers.

• Small scrap metal, such as brass, copper, stainless steel, etc. Please do not recycle automobile parts and no metal longer than 18 inches or heavier than 5 pounds.

Put the recycle cart in the street with the wheels against the curb. If there is no curb, place within four feet of the asphalt. Place carts at least four feet from your garbage container. Do not put the carts next to mailboxes, basketball hoops, cars or other obstacles. Put the carts out before 6 a.m. on collection day.

If your carts are damaged, call Hudson Garbage Service. If you are medically unable to bring the carts to the curb, call Hudson Garbage Service. If your recycling cart is not full on collection day, you may wait and set it out when it is full, but no credits will be given.

During the month of November, Hudson Garbage Service will provide a drop box for leaves. A reminder will be in the October newsletter.

BIANNUAL BURN PERIOD COMING SOON

The next biannual burn period will begin on Saturday, April 3^rd, and end on Sunday, April 18^th. The burn period is for yard debris only, and burn barrels are prohibited. Yard debris is lawn clippings, leaves, brush, trimmings/prunings, sawdust and wood scraps. It is not dirt/gravel, paper/plastic, metal, rocks/bricks, sod, or food waste.

A burn permit is not required, but it must be a designated burn day during the daylight hours. Call (503) 397-4800 for burn day information.

You must follow these basic rules for proper open burning:

You must have a garden hose, or a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water at all times, and the fire must NOT be left unattended at any time until out.

Yard and garden trimmings must be cut and piled no larger than 6 feet wide by 4 feet high.

The ground must be cleared not less than 10 feet around the burning area. There must be a separation of 50 feet between the burn pile and any structure, trees, vehicle or property line if the burn pile is greater than 3 feet in diameter; and a 25 foot separation if the burn pile is less than 3 feet in diameter.

The fire must not adversely affect neighbors (smoke).

We'd like to extend a very special thank you to:

• Bernadette Albertine, Marian Calnon, Gloria Chinell, Phyllis Moss, Jane Munson and Amy West for helping with newsletters and utility bills in February.

• Marian Calnon and Vonnie Walker for weeding the flowerbeds at City Hall.

• Richard Cloquet for donating two bicycle helmets.

• Ray Biggs for mowing blackberries at Jim Bundy Memorial Park.

Columbia City has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2003-04 budget document from the Government Finance Officers Association. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting, and its attainment represents a significant achievement. In order to qualify for the award, a panel of reviewers examines the budget document to insure that it satisfies nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. The City's budget was rated as proficient in all four categories. This is the third award the City has received under this program.

The first annual meeting of the Columbia City Budget Committee is scheduled for Thursday, April 29^th, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after April 26^th, 2004, at Columbia City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee.

LIBRARY NEWS

Library hours: Monday and Wednesday

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Phone: (503) 366-7588

Location: 2000 Second Street

National Library Week @ your library April 18-24, 2004.

We are joining the American Library Association

in promoting the contributions made by our nations libraries.

Celebrate by checking it out @ your library!

Bedtime story @ your library - Monday, April 5th - 7:30 p.m.

Something for everyone @ your library - we are always adding something new.

Tax information @ your library - use our internet resources to print forms and answer questions.

Quilting @ your library - Monday, April 26th sew and share your work with fellow quilters - 6:00 p.m.

Volunteer @ your library - Friends of the Library meeting on Monday, April 19th - 7:00 p.m.

IT'S TIME TO MOW WEEDS AND GRASSES

Between April 15^th and September 30^th of any year, weeds and grass cannot exceed 10 inches in height within the City limits. Additionally, blackberry bushes cannot extend across property lines or into the City’s rights-of-way, including streets, alleys and sidewalks. Property owners or other persons in charge of the property must keep weeds, grass and other noxious growth, such as poison oak, cut and maintained to prevent them from becoming unsightly and a fire hazard, and to prevent them from maturing and going to seed. Violators can be cited into Municipal Court. Additionally, the City may abate the nuisance and lien the property for the costs. To report violations, please contact City Hall.

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 24^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to help remove illegally dumped material from the Port of St. Helens' Trestle Beach Public Access area near Columbia City.

This winter a large dump of broken glass and other household debris was discovered. This dump poses a risk to people and wildlife of the Port of St. Helens' public access property. Due to the large volume of broken glass at the site, adult volunteers are requested.

Participants in this clean-up effort should dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes, with thick soles. Participants are encouraged to bring leather gloves and 5 gallon buckets. The Port of St. Helens has a limited number of leather gloves and 5 gallon buckets available for loan at the site. You are encouraged to provide your own if possible. Garbage bags and a dumpster will be provided.

After the clean-up, a celebration will be held at the Port of St. Helens office with food and volunteer recognition. For more information please contact SOLV: www.solv.org or (503) 844-9571.

Now is the time to get rid of your yard debris and unwanted junk. The annual Spring Cleanup Day will be held on Saturday, May 1^st, 2004, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Columbia City Grade School. There is no charge for yard debris, but the following minimum charges apply to other items:

Car loads of junk - $5
Truck loads of junk - $10

Refrigerators/freezers/air conditioners - $15 each

Other appliances - $5 each

Car batteries - $2 each

Car or Pick-up Tires - $2 each

(No rims or truck tires)

Please keep the length of yard debris (limbs) to six feet and under. Wet garbage, lumber or construction debris, burn piles, building materials and hazardous household waste will NOT be accepted.

On March 13^th, fourteen volunteers worked at Bundy Park. In just four hours, the volunteers had cut a tree into pieces, hauled away two truckloads of limbs, weeded and fertilized flowerbeds, pulled ivy, swept paths, planted eight flowering trees and installed sign frames for Jim Bundy Memorial Park and Harvard Park.

Thank you Harvard Anderson, Bernard Carlton, Linda and Bill Guy, Jack Hruska, Annette and Jim Shinkle, Dick Simpson, Terry Waymire, the St.Helens Kiwanis Club members Todd Dugdale and Keith Goodwin, and Marian Calnon (Parks Chair) for your hard work. Thanks also to Micah Olson from Public Works for assisting the volunteers during the event.

We'd also like to thank Marian Calnon, Bernard Carlton and Bill Guy for planting trees on March 21^st in Jim Bundy Memorial Park. These volunteers planted 25 coastal redwood trees and 2 dogwood trees.

Finally, we'd like to extend a special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Rod Nastrom for donating 25 coastal redwood trees and 8 sweetgum trees, and to Mrs. Florence Blauder and her son Eric for donating 2 Chinese dogwood trees. All of the donated trees will be planted in our public parks.

The Parks Committee is always looking for volunteers to help during work parties. If you'd like to volunteer, simply show up with gloves when a work party is announced!

On May 8^th, the Food Bank will have a barrel at the Post Office for donations of non-perishable food items. Please visit the Post Office and bring a donation of food for the Food Bank.

POLICE REPORT - 2/25/04 - 3/16/04

02/25/04 Burglary alarm.

02/25/04 Citizen assisted in the 1800 block of Second Street.

02/28/04 County citizen assisted with a stolen bike.

03/01/04 Citizen assisted near Fifth and "D" Streets.

03/01/04 Welfare check at Sixth and "E" Streets. Citizen found safe.

03/01/04 Deceased resident - Siixth Street.

03/01/04 Traffic complaint in the 3000 block of Sixth Street.

03/01/04 Assisted St. Helens PD on a disturbance call.

03/01/04 Dog at large in 3000 block of Sixth Street. Dog returned by officer.

03/01/04 Drug information forwarded to County Narcotics Team.

03/01/04 Citizen assisted near Fifth and "D" Streets.

03/01/04 Dog at large near Sixth and "A" Streets. Owner contacted.

03/01/04 Motorist assisted with a fuel leak near Highway 30 and "E" Street.

03/02/04 Threatening phone call in the 1600 block of Fourth Street. Resolved.

03/03/04 Complaint of a boat parked near Pacific Street and Highway 30. Moved by owner.

03/03/04 Complaint of a boat parked illegally on Park Street. Unable to locate.

03/03/04 Citizen assisted at City Hall.

03/03/04 Warrant arrest.

03/04/04 Parking complaint near Sixth and "I" Streets.

03/04/04 Complaint of a homeless man on Fifth Street.

03/04/04 Complaint about a fifth wheel trailer parked on Sixth Street.

03/08/04 Theft report in the 400 block of Belle Street.

03/08/04 Suspicious person call. Unable to locate.

03/08/04 Assisted a citizen with area drug concerns.

03/08/04 Complaint of a dirt bike on City streets. Owner contacted.

03/08/04 Attempted to locate a person for parole and probation violation.

03/08/04 Person arrested for probation violation on Sixth Street.

03/08/04 Suspicious vehicle at Highway 30 and Trestle Beach.

03/08/04 Citizen concerned about traffic signal at Highway 30 and "E" Street.

03/09/04 Report of dog at large in 2000 block of Second Street. Unable to locate.

03/09/04 Noise/threat complaint. Resolved.

03/10/04 Dog at large near the Post Office. Unable to locate.

03/10/04 Dog at large near Third and "L" Streets. Unable to locate.

03/10/04 Vehicle blocking the roadway near Seventh and "K" Streets. Moved by owner.

03/10/04 Citizen complaint regarding a black Celica traveling in excess of 90 mph on Highway 30. Unable to locate.

03/10/04 Port of St. Helens employee accosted verbally near the Grade School. Follow-up pending.

03/12/04 City ordinance violation in the 1600 block of Sixth Street.

3/13/04 Warrant arrest.

3/15/04 Noise complaint in the 1900 block of Third Street. Resolved.

03/15/04 Citizen complains of people living in two motor homes on Tahoma Street.

03/15/04 Assisted a citizen in the 1600 block of Fourth Street.

03/16/04 Abandoned vehicle near the Grade School.

03/16/04 Water meter tampering on Metlako Way. Case pending.

Many will be shocked to find

When the day of judgement nears

That there's a special place in heaven

Set aside for volunteers.

Furnished with big recliners,

Satin couches and footstools,

Where there's no committee chairmen,

No group leaders or carpools.

No eager team that needs a coach,

No bazaar and no bake sale,

There will be nothing to staple,

Not one thing to fold or mail.

Telephone lists will be outlawed,

But a finger snap will bring

Cool drinks and gourmet dinners

And treats fit for a king.

You ask, "Who'll serve these privileged few

And work for all they're worth?"

Why, all those who reaped the benefits

And not once volunteered on Earth.

April 1- 7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting at City Hall

April 8 - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall

April 12 - 7:00 p.m. - Parks Committee Meeting at City Hall

April 13 - 7:00 p.m. - Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall

April 15 - 7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting at City Hall

April 19 - 7:00 p.m. - Friends of the Library Meeting at the Library

April 20 - 7:00 p.m. - Parks Committee Meeting at City Hall

April 22 - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall

April 29 - 7:00 p.m. - Budget Committee Meeting at City Hall

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