e e r
F
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
City names Employee of the Year Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 141 Feb. 15, 2023 JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
T
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. 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 coworkers. 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. • Regularly participates in employee-related events. • Puts the City’s interests and the interests of their coworkers above their own. • Has an exemplary attendance record. • Behaves off duty in a manner that reflects positively on the City since City employees are public officials even outside work. • Has a positive attitude no matter the circumstances. • Is noticed by people in and out of the organization. Past Employees of the Year St. Helens Police Corporal Dustin King was selected as the St. Helens 2021 Employee of the Year. King was hired by the City of St. Helens in November 2015 as a patrol officer for the St. Helens Police Department. He was promoted to detective in April 2018 and then to corporal in July 2020. The City of St. Helens announced that the 2020 City of St. Helens Employees of the Year were Engineering Project Manager Sharon Darroux, Recreation Manager Shanna Duggan, and Youth Librarian Gretchen Kolderup. For more information, contact the City of St. Helens at 503-397-6272.
Courtesy from the City of St. Helens
Public Works Field Supervisor/Safety Coordinator Ethan Stirling is the City of St. Helens’ Employee of the Year for 2022.
Turning Point Community Center receives bank grant Originally published in The Chief Vol. 131 Feb. 17, 2023
Turning Point is a social service agency in Clatskanie.
Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.
The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded 56 grants to local nonprofits across its footprint totaling $331,500. The grants include funds for Turning Point Community Center, Inc in Clatskanie. Turning Point is a social service agency located at 2020 E Columbia River Highway in Clatskanie. Umpqua’s latest round of grants support nonprofit organizations across Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada, and are part of the bank’s overall foundation and corporate giving program that has invested more than $17 million since the foundation was formed in 2014. “We’re deeply commit-
ted to helping nonprofits provide critical community services that improve the economic prosperity for under-resourced individuals, families and small businesses,” said Randy Choy, Umpqua Bank vice president of community giving and managing director of the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation. “We look forward to continue aiding organizations through volunteerism and grants throughout 2023 and are grateful for all the hard work by these nonprofits in our regions that help better the lives of others in need.” These nonprofits, selected from among hundreds of applicants in the final of three grant cycles in 2022, demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving low-to-moderate-income populations in at least one
of eight categories: family engagement and resiliency; financial competency; housing stability and home ownership; college, career or technical readiness; entrepreneurship and business expansion; vibrant and equitable neighborhoods; technical and digital connectivity; and small business support and financial guidance. The next deadline for community grant applications is 5 p.m. PT on Fri., March 3, 2023. Learn more at www.UmpquaBank.com/ Community. The recipients received grants of $5,000 to $15,000. The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization of Umpqua Bank. Turning Point may be reached by calling 503-728-3126.
Below is a list of WHERE to pick up a FREE copy of the print edition of the News-Advertiser. Also available every week at: thechronicleonline.com and at thechiefnews.com CLATSKANIE • CLATSKANIE SAFEWAY • HI SCHOOL PHARMACY IN CLATSKANIE • CLATSKANIE MARKET SCAPPOOSE • ROAD RUNNER GAS & GROCERY
ST. HELENS • CHUBB’S CHEVRON • SHERLOCK’S • YANKTON STORE • ZATTERBURG’S • MARKET FRESH • WALGREENS • BEST WESTERN • MOLLY’S MARKET
• JACKPOT 76 • ENGSTROM CHEVRON • B&B MARKET • FRED MEYER • SMOKE SHOP • NELSON NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET • ACE • GROCERY OUTLET
• WALMART • ACE • DON’S RENTAL
RAINIER • ALSTON STORE • DOLLAR GENERAL • GROCERY OUTLET
DEER ISLAND • DEER ISLAND STORE COLUMBIA CITY • COLUMBIA CITY GROCERY & GAS
WESTPORT • THE BERRY BATCH RESTAURANT • WEST MART STORE
Columbia County
Vendors wanted Contact Jon at 503-397-0116
Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Columbia County Fairgrounds: 58892 Saulser Rd. St. Helens, OR 97051 PRESENTED BY
The Chronicle The Chief