Pay raise questioned: Mt. Angel resident seeks answers
When Mt. Angel resident Marla Boen read a newspaper article in February that former Mt. Angel City Administrator Jim Hunt’s salary had increased from $68,278 to $74,487, she had to know why.
Homeowner: Couple makes last payment on Habitat for Humanity-built home
Mt. Angel residents Ramon and Senaida Arellano don’t have to say a word to show their friends and family members how they feel about their latest accomplishment.
Possible violations: Ethics commission to investigate Schiedler
The Oregon Government Ethics Board of Commissioners voted March 13 to investigate whether Rick Schiedler may have violated ethics law while he served as a Mt. Angel city councilor between Feb. 5, 2007 and Jan. 1, 2009.
Oregon diploma: Graduation requirements get tougher
By Kristine Thomas Attention parents – Do you know the requirements for your child to graduate from high school? Dandy Parsons, vice principal at Silverton High School, and Linda Myers, the elementary principal at Victor Point and Central Howell schools and the director of curriculum and instruction, are encouraging parents to find out. “Parents need to know now what’s going […]
Search begins: Wall seeks candidates
Beyond his duties of managing the city of Mt. Angel, Interim City Administrator Pete Wall has been given the responsibility for conducting the search for a new city administrator.
Bye-bye, biergarten: O’fest board seeks grants for new building
The Mt. Angel Oktoberfest Board of Directors voted unanimously at its Feb. 19 meeting to pursue grants on its own to build a new Biergarten/Community Building.
Council reviews charter, rules
By Kristine Thomas The Mt. Angel City Council had a work session Feb. 9 called “Governing Basics for City Councilors” presented by Jennie Messmer of the League of Oregon Cities and Valerie Saiki of City Council Insurance Services. Messmer reviewed with the councilors – four of whom are new – the city’s charter and council rules. Topics included public meeting […]
Council fires, hires: Pete Wall appointed interim administrator
By Kristine Thomas Pete Wall will officially begin work as Mt. Angel’s interim city administrator Feb. 17. Wall replaces Jim Hunt who the city council placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 2. Meanwhile, the city attorney Chris Crean and Hunt’s attorney Don Kelley are negotiating a separation agreement. As of Feb. 10, Kelley said a settlement had not been reached. […]
Shortfalls: School districts gear up to face budget cuts
By Kristine Thomas Both Mt. Angel School District Superintendent Bob Young and Silver Falls School District Superintendent Craig Roessler are nervously anticipating the March state revenue forecast, which is to be released Feb. 20. What that forecast says will determine the funding school districts receive from the state of Oregon for the remainder of this school year and possibly the […]
Author inspires: Reading and writing take practice, even for a pro
By Kristine Thomas Children’s author Roland Smith has a magical way of dispelling students’ fear of writing. With wit and honesty, Smith shared his secrets to writing books with more than 200 children and adults attending his presentation Jan. 29 at Robert Frost Elementary School. “When I write a book, I write about what’s interesting to me,” said Smith, who […]
Pine Street progress: Visitors tour high school construction site
By Kristine Thomas While touring Silverton High School’s Pine Street campus construction site Principal Jodi Drescher was amazed at what she saw. The work on 600-seat theater, the expanded media center and the classrooms all delighted her. But what excited her most about the additions to the now freshmen-only campus is that all Silverton High School students will be under […]
Accepting the unexpected: Briana Bledsoe learns to adapt to changing circumstances
Silverton High School senior Briana Bledsoe is a list maker. When she was an eighth-grader, she made a list of what she wanted to accomplish before graduating from high school. Her list included studying to become a doctor, becoming valedictorian and playing basketball for the Lady Foxes.
No action: Mt. Angel council again postpones water, sewer rate decisions
By Kristine Thomas Since October the Mt. Angel City Council has postponed taking action on resolutions to increase water and sewer rates twice. At its January meeting, the third opportunity to review the issue, a motion to approve the proposed 3 percent rate increase died on a two for, two against vote, with one abstention and the mayor declining to […]
Attitude adjustment: Outlook changes can be self-directed
Reading Suggestions Dr. Glenn Brasington recommends the following books: The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People, by David Niven, Ph.D. Authentic Happiness, by Martin Seligman The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl “Think positive.” “You are what you believe.” “Have a good attitude and good things happen.” “Believe that you can.” […]
Community Roots: Montessori program planned for new charter school
Informational meeting open to public A community education night is planned for Jan. 25, 4 to 7 p.m., at Monitor School, 12465 Meridian Road. Parents will have an opportunity to learn more about Montessori, see what a classroom will look like and ask questions By Kristine Thomas Jennifer de Jong wants her three daughters – 3, 5 and 7 years […]
Burned out: Family survives housefire, grateful for their blessings
Jacob Espericueta doesn’t think of himself as a hero. However, his girlfriend, Summer Waters, does. On Dec. 10, he rescued 4-year-old Trenity and 9-month-old Logan from a fire that destroyed the family’s home at 13432 Hobart Road.
ReStore: Recycle, reuse, rebuild with materials from Habitat for Humanity shop
Kim Parker used to avoid looking into the warehouse when she passed by on the way to her office. It was messy. The warehouse now contains Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, a place for people to recycle items by donating them to be sold. Shoppers buy discount-priced home improvement supplies and building materials ranging from appliances to lumber and tools to furniture.
Dental adjustment: Dr. Pyper makes career change from music to molars
Kendall T. Pyper came to a crossroad in his life when he lost his job as the band teacher at Silverton High and Mark Twain Middle schools in 2003 due to “unrelenting budget cuts.” “My wife and I decided that I needed a more stable career, and a more lucrative one at that, if we were to provide the lifestyle for our children that we had envisioned,” Pyper, 33, said. He has been married 12 years to his wife, Lainie. They have four children – Jasmin, 8, a third-grade student at Eugene Field; Alyse, 5, a kindergartner at Eugene Field; and twins, Kendric and Spencer, 3.
Perseverance: Seniors reflect on tough times of the past
By Kristine Thomas If you are looking for truth in the saying “Tough times don’t last but tough people do,” just visit with a few of the folks living at Mount Angel Towers, a retirement community. On a crisp December day, several residents shared their memories of living during the Great Depression, wars and unexpected personal or financial downturns. They […]
Finding common ground: Victor Hoffer works for the community
Mt. Angel resident Victor Hoffer knows the reason he doesn’t stand a chance of being elected to a public office.
A great friend: Sean Grady enriches the lives of those he meets
By Kristine Thomas Donna Crain’s life is richer because of her friendship with Sean Grady. Almost every day, Crain said, Grady teaches her something – whether it’s how to play a video game, encouraging her to watch a new movie, sharing a fact he learned or just how to see the world in an another light. “Sean has taught me […]
Operation Starfish: Having a mentor makes a proven difference
Doreen Kelly of Silverton Together is looking for adults who want to make a difference by being a mentor to children in their community. Right now, she said, she has 20 adults who are eager to participate in Silverton Together’s Operation Starfish Mentor program.
Schools get report cards
By Kristine Thomas In August, Robert Frost Elementary School in Silverton learned it did not meet the Average Yearly Progress requirements outlined under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This month, the school received an “Exceptional” rating on its report card from the Oregon Department of Education. The discrepancy between the two ratings is an example of the flaws […]
Contract renewed: Mt. Angel administrator’s term extended
By Kristine Thomas Mt. Angel Mayor Tom Bauman cast the deciding vote Oct. 6 renewing City Administrator Jim Hunt’s contract. The contract would have expired Nov. 5. The council approved a three-year contract with two months severance pay if Hunt is fired without cause. The vote was three to three with council members Joan Cuff, Shari Riedman and Bill Schaecher […]
Awareness: Hands, words can hurt
Women’s Crisis Service Assistance to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Hotline: 503-399-7222, 866-399-7722 www.mvwcs.com By Kristine Thomas Jayne Downing of the Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Service said domestic violence touches the lives of many women and children. And it isn’t limited to women of one socio-economic class, she said. It knows no boundaries – occurring in the […]
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