2020_July issue_Villager newspaper | Page 17

July 2020 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 17 Civic affairs By WAYNE RICHARDS More than 70% voter participation in primary election RICHARDS I was very proud of our Charbonneau citizen participation in the primary election. We had 72% of our registered voters vote. By comparison, the rest of the county and, in fact, the state of Oregon was a little over 40%. This says to me that we’re an alert and involved community that cares about our rights and freedoms. On our agenda this year for Civic Affairs will be looking at Marine Board decisions regarding the use of our river in connection with other interested groups and committees, our support of the LUBA action regarding our airport, information and clarity about our farmers, and the protection of their land. We will be learning all we can about redistricting and report to you all about it. One thing, if you’re new to the area and haven’t been involved in the decade-long battle about the airport extension, there are two issues. � There is a process in Senate Bill 100 (1973) for growing an industry like the airport. It simply requires that since we’re an affected community we should be included in the process, that they use required long-standing Oregon State Land Use Rules, and that they have done required State Agency Coordination like any other business in Oregon. � No one will argue that a longer airport is safer for pilots. I was an Army pilot in Vietnam. If we look at overall safety though, it’s a different story. The Aurora Airport has had four non-fatal accidents since 2005. Since February, we have had four fatal accidents on the roads framing the airports. If the airport gets bigger and busier, consider the increased usage from new employees and business on our totally inadequate surface roads. It will not be safe. Also, please consider the toxins from jet fuel — benzo(A)pyrene for one and avgas. These toxins are poisonous, cumulative and rain down on us every day. Is this safe? Finally noise — a lot of it — is pollution. Don’t forget groundwater protection. Safe? The airport should stay just as it is. It doesn’t need to be bigger. Communications Chair � From Page 16 to examine the feasibility of amending our CC&R’s and by-laws. We passed that resolution at the February board meeting and this month established the committee to report to the board if and how these tasks could be accomplished. Gary Newbore was appointed the committee chair. Directors John McClain and Gene Tish will serve with Gary and we have asked Kathy Harp and Larry Walker to join them. Like all board action, this will be an open process and will be guided by state statute and advice from legal counsel. Finally, you probably have all become aware of the overwhelming vote by the CGC shareholders in favor of the merger of CGC and CCC. More on this exciting news is covered in other parts of this month’s Villager. • Residential Commercial • Interior & Exterior • Pressure Washer • Serving the Northwest for 30 years • Custom Woodwork Experience | Integrity | Solutions Business Law Elder Financial Abuse Consumer Protection Personal Injury 8755 SW Citizens Dr., Suite 202 Wilsonville 503-570-8755 www.wilsonvillelawyer.com 503-522-7978 canbypaintingllc.net Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB#183990