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Popular fireworks still on at St. Helens JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
O
ver the past two years, the City of St. Helens has been searching for a nonprofit or other group to take over the annual Independence Day fireworks display. In 2022, the St. Helens City Council included approximately $20,000 as an incentive. As of this week, there have been no takers, according to St. Helens Communication Officer Crystal King. Still, the popular celebration that draws hundreds to the Columbia River shoreline will be conducted again this July. “The city is currently in an 18-month contract with E2C, which includes managing the Independence Day Celebration and 2023 fireworks show,” King said. “The contract includes the goal of working with a community partner to host the 2023 event.” Community decision King said the city officials are basing the decision to not be responsible for the fireworks display on a community survey conducted two years ago. “The City of St. Helens conducted a survey asking the St. Helens community about the 2021 fireworks show and the city’s involvement in its future,” King said. “Approximately 450 people took the survey, with responses indicating that people preferred a community organization to take over the event. While the city did not find a community group to lead the event in 2021 or 2022, there is still a desire for a qualified organization
to take over the Independence Day celebration.” King said any group interested in working with the City to transfer the event to their community organization should contact City Administrator John Walsh at jwalsh@ sthelensoreon.gov. In that process, King said St. Helens would turn over the entire event to a qualified community organization, including organizing all events for the day, hosting the fireworks show, and fundraising for the event. The city traditionally offers support to community events, such as the Kiwanis Community Parade, through coordination with the city’s public works and administration departments. Decades-long tradition
According to King, city officials continue to believe that the Independence Day Fireworks are a true and worthwhile tradition and should be maintained. “The city believes that recognizing and celebrating our country’s independence is certainly a worthwhile tradition,” King said. “Whether that celebration includes fireworks or not is something that we want our community to decide. Fireworks have long been a tradition of Independence Day celebrations, dating back to the first annual celebration in 1777. St. Helens has also had a decades-long tradition of hosting a fireworks show on July 4.” King said however, there has
See FIREWORKS Page A5
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
The 2022 St. Helens Fourth of July fireworks display was conducted from a large barge in the Columbia River.
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
The bank along the Columbia River filled with vehicles and spectators for the 2022 St. Helens fireworks display.
State Supreme Court issues Measure 114 ruling JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
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he Oregon Supreme Court has ruled against allowing Measure 114 to take effect. The measure would require a permit to purchase a firearm and a background check. The measure triggered a firestorm from gun shop owners and others that it was unconstitutional. The court ruled against a petition filed by the Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in January. The measure was narrowly approved by voters in November but has been on hold due to continuing court challenges. Read the court decision in the information below provided by the Oregon Supreme Court. Cases decided February 9, 2023. Joseph Arnold, et al. v. Tina Kotek et al., (CC 22CV41008) (SC S069998)
Gun sales across the state sharply increased following passage of Ballot Measure 114.
On petition for a writ of mandamus filed January 13, 2023; considered and under advisement on January 31, 2023. The petition for a writ of mandamus is denied without prejudice. The motion for stay is dismissed as moot without
prejudice. Opinion of the Court Per Curiam. Today, the Oregon Supreme Court denied a petition for writ of mandamus filed by the state, which had asked the Court to vacate two preliminary orders
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entered in a pending trial court action challenging Ballot Measure 114 (2022), enacted by the voters at the November 2022 General Election. Measure 114 made several statutory changes pertaining to fire-
arms, including requiring a permit to purchase a firearm (“permit-topurchase requirement”); requiring completion of a criminal background check before a firearm may be purchased, acquired, delivered, or transferred (“background-check requirement”); and imposing restrictions regarding “large-capacity” magazines (“large-capacity magazine restrictions”), generally defined as fixed or detachable ammunition feeding devices with a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Shortly after the election, plaintiffs filed in the Harney County Circuit Court a declaratory judgment action against three state defendants (“the state”), asserting that Measure 114 was unconstitutional under Article I, section 27, of the Oregon Constitution. Plaintiffs also sought preliminary relief, which the trial court granted in two orders: (1) a
See MEASURE 114 Page A5
City names Employee of the Year JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
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he City of St. Helens has selected St. Helens Public Works Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator Ethan Stirling as its Employee of the year for 2022.
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Stirling was hired at the City of St. Helens in February 2016 as a Public Works Utility Worker I. He was promoted to the Water Systems Operator in May 2019 and to Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator in April 2022. Stirling was nominated by five City employees from multiple departments. All the nominations noted Stirling’s thoughtful and responsive approach to employee safety concerns and his initiative in increasing safety training and protocols since his promotion to Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator in 2022. He is described by multiple co-workers as someone who always has a positive attitude and was recognized for his professionalism and proactive approach to his job. How the process works Each year, the City of St. Helens names an employee of the year who consistently goes above and beyond for the public and fellow co-workers. Nominations are submitted by City employees and then reviewed by a panel of community members to make a final selection. For the 2022 Employee of the
Year selection process, the City assembled a panel of seven community members who are not related to the City of St. Helens to judge nominations. The panel was asked to set aside all bias and judge the nominees solely based on the nominations received, emphasizing the quality of the nomination and employee rather than the quantity of nominations. History The St. Helens Employee of the Year program was implemented in 2013. The City identifies the Employee of the Year as the following. • An employee of the year is someone who consistently exemplifies behaviors that reflect favorably on the City. • The employee is one who goes above and beyond on a regular basis. • Someone who goes the extra mile to help customers, both internally and externally. • Responds to inquiries in an efficient and timely manner.
Courtesy from the City of St. Helens
See STIRLING Page A5
Public Works Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator Ethan Stirling is the City of St. Helens’ Employee of the Year for 2022.