New Tight job school market principals challenges Page A10 Page A5 Wednesday, .50 September 1, 2021 $1 thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Dozens testify about health, safety mandates JEREMY C. RUARK [email protected] The Columbia County Board of Commissioners have not yet sched- uled more discussion on whether or not they will oppose Gov. Kate Brown’s pandemic health and safety mandates. Dozens of local residents voiced their concerns for and against local and state COVID-19 health and safety mandates during the Colum- bia County Board of Commissioners regular public meeting. The Wednesday, Aug. 25 meet- ing was held virtually, with a county courthouse room open for people to assemble, practicing social distanc- ing, and to testify electronically. Others testified over the Internet. The county commissioners listened carefully to each person’s comments. Several of the people testifying opposed the state mask and vaccination requirements announced by Gov. Kate Brown. Several said the mandates were unconstitutional. Kelli Nicholson / The Chronicle Others supported the state’s People gathered outside the Columbia County Courthouse in St. Helens ready to comment about the local and state pandemic health and safety mandates. health and safety efforts to slow the and Casey Garrett stated. “I apologize if that they will lose their jobs because portion of our public who have these COVID-19 pandemic. 2. The Columbia County Board there was any confusion there.” they are not comfortable with get- concerns.” of Commissioners shall make it a Garrett said he didn’t come up ting vaccinated,” he said. “They feel Garrett said he would like to see The proposed resolution priority to restore, preserve and pro- with the resolution on his own. they are backed into a corner. They more than a letter asking the gover- tect our local authority with matters “It is a similar resolution that feel like they are being coerced. nor to reconsider. The Columbia County Board of of county concern during emergency has been made by more than one They are worried that they will have “I feel like lots of folks have Commissioners discussed a pending declarations. county,” he said.” It is pretty well to find another state to live in.” done that over the past year,” Garrett resolution that would oppose the Following the public comments obvious that we are extremely di- Garrett said the commissioners said. “It doesn’t seem like much of governor’s directives. The proposed and other county business, the board vided now as a nation and as a com- would be doing a disservice to its a back and fourth conversation. It resolution follows: of commissioners began discussing munity. There is very, very strong constituents if the commission does feels like comply, or else.” 1. All employees of Colum- the proposed resolution. feelings on both sides and very little not recognize that there are legiti- Garrett said there is “a lot of hate bia County shall not assist in the “I would like to make it very room in the middle.” mate fears and concerns. going on out there and that is not enforcement of business closure, clear that I was the one that asked to Garrett said many people are “I understand there are legal healthy.” school closure, or stay-at-home have this placed on the agenda today skeptical about their livelihoods ramifications to what path we decide “This could be looked at as directives under the Executive Or- and I also had zero intent that this with the latest vaccination mandate to take,” he said. “Because this is ders of the Governor relating to the would be voted on. It was actually for health care professionals and unprecedented, I would like to vote Coronavirus pandemic, including more of something that I wanted as teachers. on unprecedented measures that we state agency directives or guidance; a discussion item,” Commissioner “A lot of them are concerned can take to try to represent a large See MANDATE Page A3 Local woman wraps up 50 state bike ride Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley waves to people along the shoreline during a recent marine patrol. Riding with the Marine Patrol education. and cautious as they are operating JEREMY C. RUARK “We talk with thousands of boats in close proximity to others,” [email protected] people on the water throughout the he said. “Most importantly, boaters With continued warm, clear year promoting safety and we also need to know and be aware of the weather in the forecast ahead for can teach classes about water and waterways and the hazards that may boater safety to kids and interested be there. As a boater you need to Courtesy photo the region, the Columbia County Tami Garner takes a break from her ride in Richmond, Washington, the 49th state in Marine Patrol members are brac- boating groups,” he said. know how the tide affects the water, her journey. ing for a busy Labor Day weekend know the current, and other known along the Columbia River. hazards above and below the water.” When her husband Gary Garner Deputies noted a surge of boat- The Columbia County Marine JEREMY C. RUARK died from ALS/ Lou Gehrig’s Patrol is funded though the Oregon [email protected] ers during the pandemic and once disease on March 20, Garner, 53, health and safety restrictions were Just by a deputy being on Marine Board. The Chronicle first reported vowed to complete his bucket list of lifted that surge has been steady the river every day, it saves Columbia County received earlier this year that Scappoose resi- riding her bike in all 50 states. over the past year. $217,469 for the current fiscal year Since May 1, Garner has ridden someone’s life. (2021-2022) and for the next fiscal dent Tami Garner would embark on “Our marine deputies are see- ~ Brian Pixley, Columbia a fifty state journey to raise $50,000 in 49 states and has raised $11,600 ing a definite increase of boating year as well (2022-2023), according for the NW Chapter of ALS as a for ALS. She will ride her 50th activity,” Lt. Shaun McQuiddy County Sheriff to Oregon Marine Board Boating tribute to her husband. Garner said state, Alaska, at noon Wednesday said, adding that the most common Safety Manager / Boating Law she expected to complete her jour- Sept.1, along Tony Knowles Trail in violations made by boaters include Administrator Randy Henry, who ney this week. Anchorage. safety equipment, navigational, and said the funding is dedicated to In the thousands miles driven, registration type violations. McQuiddy emphasizes that marine law enforcement and related and hundreds of miles ridden on her “If a boater is cited, the fines it boaters need to be prepared for the activities, such as program admin- Opinion ..................... A4 bike Garner said she has met sup- can range from $110 to $440 or in dangerous areas of the Columbia istration. portive ALS administrators in sev- River. He said during the summer, “In our annual contract with Poll ............................ A4 case of a criminal charge, such as eral states and individuals in every Boating Under the Influence, the one of the most dangerous areas are Columbia County, they agree to Cartoon ..................... A4 state who have approached her and fine amount that could be imposed the densely populated areas near patrol 12 specific waterways within Sauvie Island and Sand Island. Crossword ............... A5 is up to $5,000,” he said. But McQuiddy added that the “In these densely populated Classified Ads ......... A6 See GARNER Page A9 marine patrol’s primary function is areas, operators need to be on alert See PATROL Page A9 Legals ....................... A7 Police Reports ......... A7 TV Guide ................... A8 Obituaries ................. A9 Sports ..................... A10 Vol. 139, No. 35 ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247 A2 www.thechronicleonline.com Wednesday, September 1, 2021 Another delay at the Millard-Bennett project Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle Equipment sat idle following a pause in mid spring of the Bennett Road Improvement Project between Drivers face this funneled lane section southbound along Highway 30 at the Millard Road project site. St. Helens and Scappoose along Highway 30. “The closure is needed said. “Unexpected util- Scappoose and St. Helens While U.S. 30 traffic will not Read more about the JEREMY C. RUARK to allow for a subcontractor ity relocation work and the by making changes to both be detoured, there will be delays of the Millard- [email protected] to make necessary asphalt scheduling of the railroad’s the Millard and Bennett periodic closures of Millard Bennett at thechronicleon- The section of Millard repairs that will allow for work has delayed comple- Roads intersections that will and Bennett Roads. line.com. For more infor- Road east of Highway 30 the correct thickness of the tion of the safety project by reduce the number of serious Access for pedestrians, mation visit the ODOT will remain closed until Sept. final concrete layer,” Oregon several months.” crashes. including those with disabili- project web site at www. 17 as work continues on the Transportation Department According to ODOT, During construction, trav- ties, will be available and oregon.gov/odot/projects/ U.S. 30 Millard and Bennett (ODOT) Public Information the project will enhance elers have encountered some identified through or around pages/project-details. Roads Safety Project. Representative Lou Torres safety on U.S. 30 between delays and lane closures. work zones. aspx?project=21459. $1.9 Billion in kicker refund credits quickly to attract and retain hardest. Oregon Senate Republi- JEREMY C. RUARK workers. Prices are increas- Brown said her priority cans also released a statement [email protected] ing as demand continues to will be to continue to address saying the revenue forecast Oregon taxpayers are in outstrip supply.