St. Helens Kiwanis Community Parade 2023 PARADE ROUTE STARTS AT 2194 COLUMBIA BLVD. TO SOUTH 1ST. ST. & ST. HELENS ST. JUNE 17, 2023: REGISTRATION: 9:00 – 11:00 AM
JUDGING: 11:00 AM
PARADE STARTS: 12:00 PM
A PUBLICATION OF The Chronicle
WORK LOCAL & STOP COMMUTING
Middle School Sports
Kiwanis Parade Guide
Page A10
INSIDE
How Hiring for Various Positions • 4-Tier Pay Progression • Bonus Programs • Full Health Care package
$1.50
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
SHHS Graduation 2023 Will Lohre / Country Media, inc.
The St. Helens High School seniors toss their caps in the air at the conclusion of the 2023 graduation ceremony. See more photos on A9. WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
S
eniors at St. Helens High School (SHHS) walked across the stage at Doc Ackerson Stadium and into the next stage of their lives during the school’s
annual graduation ceremony. Under the stadium lights and sprinkling rain, St. Helens’ seniors listened to speeches from members of their class and faculty and celebrated their achievements with hundreds of gathered friends and family during the
event June 9. “If there is one thing that I hope you leave with here today, it’s that pretending is not the answer,” Valedictorian Pearl Hilton said. “Being vulnerable and asking questions is your door to success, and each and every one
Background
recommends “leaving one vacant officer position unfilled.” City of St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King acknowledged the possibility of funding the vacant position through additional revenues, such as a possible general obligation bond and a local levy and gas tax but made no promises the city would pursue those routes. “If resources become available through future revenue increases or reductions in services elsewhere, then the City Council has the ability to consider filling the vacant positions,” King said. The decision to keep this costcutting budget policy comes just after the St. Helens Police Association, the union representing the police department, has called the decision to leave the vacant position
of you holds the key to unlock it.” In a published column in the June 7 Chronicle, SHHS Principal Katy Wagner outlined the courageous of the seniors. “This class of 2023 has shown tremendous courage in their pursuit of knowledge, embracing
new perspectives, and becoming confident citizens of integrity,” Wagner said. “Rather than shy away from complex topics that our society has experienced in the last four years, they have leaned in, listened intently, and sought understanding.”
Council adopts $92.5M spending plan RYAN HOOVER Country Media, Inc.
T
he St. Helens City Council has adopted the city’s $92.5 million fiscal year 2024 operating budget, making only one change from the budget committee’s recommendations. During its June 7 meeting, the council revised the city public safety fee increase, which is bilked as part of residents’ utility bills each month, upping the fee to $10. The only revision was an increase in the public safety fee – which is billed as part of residents’ utility bills every month – upping the fee to $10. The fee was increased to help the city construct a new public safety facility as well as help maintain the city’s general fund reserves.
Predicted to run a 5% deficit in the next fiscal year, the budget document states that the city is using general fund reserves to alleviate the deficit. The general fund reserves balance is predicted to be negative by fiscal year 2025-2026. Other funding options implemented in the FY 24 budget include an increase in garbage and recycling rates and an increase in utility rates. Resolutions for both these increases were passed at the June 7 meeting, and the new rates will go into effect on or after the next full billing cycle beginning July 15. No changes we’re made to the adopted budget regarding the controversial decision to leave a vacant police officer position unfilled. To help balance service levels and maintain the general fund reserve, the city’s the budget document
Courtesy photo
See SPENDING Page A9
This is the front cover of he $92.5M budget and spending plan, which includes a public safety fee increase.
New Port Commissioner ready to serve WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
T
he May 16 Special Election results have been officially certified, and the election marks a shake-up of the elected officials around Columbia County. The Port of Columbia County had three commissioner positions up for grabs. Two of the positions were won by incumbents Nancy Ward and Chip Bubl, who defeated Paul Langner and Duane Neukom, respectively. The newcomer to the Port Commission is Nick Sorber, who defeated Greg Pettit by a margin of
Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Community Calendar A4
Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ..................... A6-7 Crossword ............... A8 Sports ..................... A10 Vol. 141, No. 25
About the Port of Columbia County
5,240 votes to 4,177 for the open Port Position 3 in the May election. The Chronicle reached out to Sorber for his insight about what he hopes to bring to his new position. The Chronicle: What does it mean to you to have won this election?
Nick Sorber: I’m humbled and honored that the voters had the confidence in me to take on this position and be a part of the economic engine for Columbia County. The Chronicle: You discussed maximizing the use of Port properties in your address to us before the election; how will you work with the other commissioners to address this priority? Sorber: I will be taking a closer look into the use of one of our greatest resources, the Columbia River. I believe there are more great opportunities there. The Port also has waterfront properties in Columbia City and on the Willamette Slough that may be a bit underutilized. That’s not to say the Port staff and commissioners aren’t currently working hard to make the best of those assets, but maybe someone like me with the private sector experience in the industrial marine trades and its workforce can help move the bar even further. We obviously need to collaborate not only as a board but also with other entities like Columbia Economic Team, the county, utilities, cities, and private industry. Being a rural area, it is imperative that we all
Courtesy photo from Nick Sorber
Nick Sorber Port of Columbia County, Commissioner, Position 3.
work together as a community for the benefit of our citizens. The Chronicle: What will you bring to the board of commissioners as the only new member following this election? Sorber: By being new, I will be a fresh set of eyes on current and future Port projects. This is something that can be very beneficial to any organization. The Port has some great opportunities in the works and on the horizon with Port Westward and the airport. We have great assets with the McNulty Creek Industrial Park and Multnomah Industrial Park, with some possibly great recreational opportunities in the latter as well.
I understand it is an ultra-competitive market out there to attract business and industry, and I look forward to being a part of making us even more competitive so more folks can work locally, and there is a greater industrial tax base to bolster investments in local infrastructure like parks and roads and services like police, fire departments, and schools. The Chronicle: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to address? Sorber: We covered a lot in the first questions. I would just reiterate that I am humbly honored to be chosen as the new Port of Columbia County Commissioner for position #3.
The Port of Columbia County is a special district in Columbia County, Oregon. The boundaries of the Port District span 51 miles along the Columbia River from the Clatsop County line in the northwest of Columbia County, to the Multnomah County line in the southeast, and includes the cities of Scappoose, St. Helens, Columbia City, Prescott, Rainier, and Clatskanie. The Port was created in 1940 under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) Chapter 777 to promote economic development opportunities in the Port District, primarily through the lease and development of industrial property. Port dollars are used to purchase and develop land, infrastructure, and facilities. The Port plays an important role in the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses, resulting in job growth and increasing the local tax base. Originally called the Port of St. Helens, the Port was renamed in 2018 to be more representative of the entire district. Today, the Port of Columbia County owns 10 different property sites and 2,400 acres, including industrial properties with excellent highway, rail, airport, and maritime access. The Port also owns and manages recreational properties at Scappoose Airport, Scappoose Bay Marine Park, and Bayport RV Park & Campground. The Port of Columbia County office is located in Columbia City and may be reached at 503-369-2602.