Community Bulletin Board

No 4′ x 8′ Signs - Join Our Effort to Stop Them

A Ballot Measure will appear in the May 2008 primary elections in Columbia County. It will call for the posting of 4′ x 8’ plywood signs saying ‘Legal Workers Only’ at construction sites in Columbia County. It calls for a stop-work order and $10,000 fine against any contractor found to employ undocumented workers, and allows private citizens to call in anonymous complaints against any project they suspect to be hiring undocumented workers.

This ballot measure is the project of an individual contractor in our community. It purports to create a local solution to the national issue of immigration. However, a closer look shows that the measure will create far more problems than it solves.

There are many reasons to stop the proposed measure to post these giant 4′ x 8′ “Legal Workers Only” signs at construction worksites throughout Columbia County. We are dedicated to stopping this senseless measure because:

The 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure will set neighbor against neighbor and promote unnecessary suspicion.
There is simply no funding to implement and enforce the 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure, meaning further strain on already limited local law enforcement and other services.
The 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure is completely unclear about who must comply and who will enforce it.
The 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure is strangely limited to the construction industry. Which industry is next?
The cost to the county from legal challenges to the 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure could be enormous. Successful challenges to similar measures have already cost other cities and counties hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What we need is a real jobs program for the county, not big ugly signs that pose as one.

If you want to join us in our fight to stop defeat this senseless measure, we invite you to sign up.

Click here for more information

We just want to know who is with us in this campaign. Your names and any other information you provide will be sent securely only to our team leader. No information will be stored on this site or available once you complete the survey.

Thank you for joining us in this important effort!

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Contact: Kathye Beck

Executive Director, 503-556-3614

Click HERE for Allocation Details

Rainier—United Way of Columbia County Board of Directors approved the 2008 allocations at the March board meeting. The total dollars distributed to community partner programs was $259,874.00. Of that total, $47,087.00 was designated to specific programs/focus areas; an additional $32,110 was designated to assist with storm recovery needs. In addition, $7,336.00 was distributed to 24 non-funded programs/agencies. United Way of Columbia County has an additional $11,489.00 designated for storm recovery needs. That makes a grand total of $271,363.00 to help fund programs serving the residents of Columbia County.

It is always a difficult job to allocate the available funds and much thought and work, by the United Way Board of Directors, goes into making these decisions. The task was even more difficult this year because we raised less money in the community fund and had more designated dollars. This means that the board had less money to allocate than last year. The focus of the board this year was to help meet the increased requests in our community for assistance with the basic human needs. (food, shelter, utility expenses) The current economy and the devastating floods and mudslides in December have caused a marked increase in requests for help. We continue to work in cooperation with community partners to change lives in our communities. “Designated contributions are “donor directed” to a specific agency/program or focus area and are tallied separately,” explained Kathye Beck, executive director.

United Way of Columbia County has reached 95% of their projected goal. We are still accepting donations/pledges for this campaign. Please check the website or call for more information.

Phone: 503-556-3614.

As always, the Board of Directors and staff continue to work diligently to maintain a low administrative and fund raisings costs, by leveraging in-kind donations, supplemental grants and volunteers to help support the many needs in our community.

A big thank you to the volunteers, businesses and donors tor their support of United Way of Columbia County We could not do what we do without your help. The annual Volunteer Thank You Celebration is on April 11,2008 at the St. Helens Senior Center.

Community News & Views	Youth Soccer Club Sign-Up May 24 & 31	Friends of Dibblee Point Beach Cleanup May 17
School-Based Health Center Community Forum	H.O.P.E. Matching Grant Opportunity	Rainier Senior Center Needs Your Help
Lindberg Grocery has Re-Opened	Clatskanie Heritage Days June 28 & July 3-6	United Way Allocations
Wanted: Your Input	Some Serious & (We Hope) Informative Reading	Alzheimer's Support Group Second Wednesday
Volunteer Columbia	Americorp to help flood victims	Rainier Citywide Garage Sale August 9
Vote NO on 4' x 8' Signs	RJSHS 8th Grade Fund Raiser May 17	Phone Scam 90# Revisited
Flag Retirement & Disposal Now thru June 14	2008 Festival of Lights December 13	Historic Ships Visit Rainier May 20

No 4′ x 8′ Signs - Join Our Effort to Stop Them

This ballot measure is the project of an individual contractor in our community. It purports to create a local solution to the national issue of immigration. However, a closer look shows that the measure will create far more problems than it solves.

There are many reasons to stop the proposed measure to post these giant 4′ x 8′ “Legal Workers Only” signs at construction worksites throughout Columbia County. We are dedicated to stopping this senseless measure because:

The 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure will set neighbor against neighbor and promote unnecessary suspicion.

There is simply no funding to implement and enforce the 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure, meaning further strain on already limited local law enforcement and other services.

The 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure is completely unclear about who must comply and who will enforce it.

The 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure is strangely limited to the construction industry. Which industry is next?

The cost to the county from legal challenges to the 4′ x 8′ Signs Measure could be enormous. Successful challenges to similar measures have already cost other cities and counties hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What we need is a real jobs program for the county, not big ugly signs that pose as one.

If you want to join us in our fight to stop defeat this senseless measure, we invite you to sign up.

Click here for more information

We just want to know who is with us in this campaign. Your names and any other information you provide will be sent securely only to our team leader. No information will be stored on this site or available once you complete the survey.

Thank you for joining us in this important effort!

For Immediate Release

Saturday, April 05, 2008