Jason Hudson of Hudson Garbage Service will discuss yard debris options with the City Council and the public during the Council meeting on January 20, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Details about the following three options will be presented:

Providing a yard debris drop box in Columbia City;

Including curbside yard debris service for all trash service customers; and Providing a curbside yard debris option to trash service customers on a subscription basis.

Please join us to learn the costs and service details of each of the options, or watch for details in the February Newsletter.

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to Helen, who recently joined our staff as our new Planning/Building/Administrative Secretary. Helen, a single parent with two young children, currently resides in her hometown, Scappoose. She enjoys the out of doors, especially camping and hiking. Helen brings with her more than 12 years of administrative experience, and we're very excited about her joining our team!

Jann Forsyth's term as Budget Committee Member will end on December 31^st, and she's decided to decline reappointment. Jann has served on the Budget Committee since May 1994, and we would like to thank her for her many years of dedicated service to the City.

We are currently accepting applications to serve on the Budget Committee. To qualify for service, a person must be entitled to vote within the Columbia City. Applications may be obtained by contacting City Hall.

The Street Committee is recommending permanently closing the north end of Fourth Place during the bridge reconstruction project. Fourth Place intersects "L" Street in close proximity to the bridge, and closing the north end of the street is expected to improve traffic safety. It will reduce the impacts of the project on property owners at the north end of Fourth Place, eliminate through traffic on this narrow alley, and should reduce project time and costs. The recommendation will be considered by the City Council during their January 6, 2005 meeting.

A NOTE OF THANKS FROM DEE LOYD

I would like to thank all the wonderful people who took the time to stop by the Knapp Social Center during the open house for my retirement. It was great to talk with each of you, and I thank everyone who left cards and gifts. The greatest pleasure during my 10 years with the City has been interacting with the residents and other customers who have come into City Hall. This is a great community with caring and generous residents. Even though we plan to do some traveling, I’ll probably see you around the area from time to time.

The term "Time Flies" is definitely apparent when we think of Marian Calnon's retirement from her position on the City Council, but what a difference one person can make in the lives of so many.

Marian has served four incredibly fast and progressive years as a City Councilor. She began as a novice in city government, although she has had a wealth of business savvy for many years in addition to love and dedication for Columbia City. Her expertise with gardening also helped her fulfill her duties as Chairman of our Parks Committee.

Let's speak of parks for a minute. We had Harvard Park with a play area already established, but the other parks in the City had not had much done with them as yet. Under Marian's supervision, volunteers spruced up two more of our parks, installed specially-crafted signs, and gave the public areas to relax and enjoy the beauty of our fine City.

One particular achievement is most noteworthy, namely, the Jim Bundy Memorial Park. It is a masterpiece representing so many things that are beautiful in this world. It reflects on the memory of those we love and miss while enhancing the natural beauty of God's green earth with flowers, shrubs, and trees reaching out in splendor, giving thanks for being cared for and given an opportunity to be at their best. Jim Bundy Memorial Park will be a continuing project, but Marian gave it a start, guided only by the dreams of others.

By the way, Marian never takes credit for her contributions. She has always given the credit to the many dedicated volunteers who have shared their time and talents to these projects ... and rightfully so. They deserve our thanks and praise for a job well done. However, I keep pointing out to her that she was indeed at the helm and deserves as much praise and thanks from all of us.

One final thing: It was definitely not my choice for Marian to retire. She has come a long way, learned a great deal, and has done an admirable job on the City Council. I do, however, understand her reasons for retiring. I want to thank her for caring ... and sharing. I know she will still be helping out and checking in, so we are not losing her entirely. Our City's legacy will include her generous contributions. Thank you, Marian.

The New Year, for some, is a time for reflection and fresh starts. Look to the library for books to complement your goals.

Be more healthy and fit. We have books and videos from Yoga, stretching, exercise and diets, to self-reflection and motivation.

Establish a budget or plan for retirement. Financial advisors offer advice in books on debt reduction, understanding the stock market, money management and even kids’ allowances.

Be more creative. Learn to paint with watercolor or play the guitar.

Improve your game. From cards to golf, advice from the best.

Meet someone new; read a biography or the memoirs of extraordinary people. From movie stars, presidents and their wives, to everyday heroes.

Read poetry.

Read more with your kids.

We have something for everyone!

Mon., Jan. 17^th

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Closed

Tues., Jan. 18^th – 7:00 p.m.

Friends of the Library Meeting

Library Hours:

Monday and Wednesday – 4:00 -8:00 p.m.

Columbia City’s sewage is piped to St. Helens for treatment. The City of St. Helens is trying to keep operating costs for sewage treatment as low as possible. You can help by not putting any cooking oil or grease down sink or dishwasher drains. The oil and grease can cause line blockages and treatment problems that add up to additional operating costs.

Please pour cooking oil and grease into a disposable container and place it in the trash. Just remember: from the pan to the can!

Please clean up after your dog!

It's not only common courtesy, it's the law!

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

Bernadette Albertine, Alice Barchus, Gloria Chinell, Nell Harrison, Dolores Heinz, Sheila Jackson, Phyllis Rowley and Amy West for helping with newsletters and utility bills in November.

Chuck Ramsdell of Pieper-Ramsdell Agency for 2005 calendars, planners and a selection of coffees.

Bob and Diana Taylor for cookies.

Linda Schuck for a tray of cookies and candy.

Jim and Annette Shinkle for a tray of cookies.

Waste Management for a tower of Hershey’s chocolates.

Rich and Jeanette Crandall for a box of See’s candy.

Mabel Pennell for two boxes of Russell Stover candy.

Barbara Jones for a Christmas swag for City Hall’s front door.

Murray, Smith and Associates for a box of See’s candy.

Jean McBride for a container of cookies and candy.

11/17/04 Animal at large in the 3000 block of Fifth Street; taken to shelter.

11/17/04 Phone harassment complaint on Fifth Street.

11/18/04 Vehicle blocking driveway in the 2200 block of The Strand.

11/18/04 Animal at large in the 1600 block of Second Street; taken to shelter.

11/18/04 Welfare check in 1800 block of Sixth Street.

11/20/04 Animal at large near the 200 block of "L" Street. Unable to locate.

11/20/04 Assisted Parole and Probation in the 1700 block of First Street.

11/22/04 Assisted a citizen with information on a harassment complaint.

11/22/04 Assisted citizen with warrant information.

11/22/04 Possible suicide/overdose in the 2100 block of Second Street.

11/22/04 Citizen complaint of vehicle noise/emissions in the 3000 block of Fifth Street.

11/23/04 Suspended driver cited and car towed on Highway 30 near "L" Street.

11/23/04 Sexual abuse case – ongoing investigation.

11/23/04 Run-away child reported in the Tahoma Court area.

11/24/04 9-1-1 hang-up. No further information.

11/26/04 Recovered bicycle at Harvard Park.

11/27/04 Citizen complaint of kids on bikes playing in traffic on Highway 30 near "I" Street.

11/27/04 Theft of a bicycle reported in the 2900 block of Seventh Street. Bike was recovered.

11/27/04 Suspicious vehicle reported in the 2100 block of Fifth Street.

11/29/04 Assisted a citizen with court-related concerns.

11/29/04 Truck/boat reported parked unlawfully in the cul-de-sac on "H" Street.

11/29/04 Citizen misplaces a large sum of money; recovered and returned.

12/02/04 Citizen complaint of young girls at Trestle Beach without jackets. Girls transported to Columbia City Grade School.

12/03/04 Noise complaint of three children on skateboards at First and "J" Streets.

12/04/04 Warrant arrest on Highway 30 near milepost 32.

12/04/04 Dog at large complaint. Unable to locate.

12/06/04 Juveniles on scooters reported near North Star Court and Fifth Street.

12/06/04 Dogs at large on Pacific Street.

12/06/04 City ordinance violation reported in the 2900 block of Sixth Street.

12/09/04 Parking violation reported in the 600 block of "H" Street.

12/10/04 Sick-acting possum reported in the 300 block of Spinnaker Way.

12/10/04 Four young children reported on Highway 30. Referred to Columbia City Grade School.

12/11/04 Citizen on Sixth Street reported his vehicles egged.

12/11/04 Report of teenagers throwing rocks near the 300 block of "A" Street.

12/12/04 Abandoned vehicle in the 2900 block of Sixth Street.

12/12/04 Unlawfully parked truck on "H" Street.

12/12/04 Suspicious vehicle at Sports Club. Checked okay.

12/12/04 Suspicious person on Highway 30 and Chimes Crest. Checked okay.

12/13/04 Burglary complaint on Metlako Way.

12/15/04 Citizen reported her window shattered by a projectile in the 400 block of Spinnaker Way.

January 5 - 7:00 p.m. - Water Committee Meeting at City Hall

January 6 - 7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting at City Hall

January 11 - 7:00 p.m. - Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall canceled

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

January 13 - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall

January 17 - CLOSED City Hall is closed on Martin Luther King Day

January 18 - 7:00 p.m. - Friends of the Library Meeting at the Library

January 20 - 7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting at City Hall

January 27 - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall

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