COMMISSIONERS HONOR COUNTY VOLUNTEERS
They search for the missing, mentor troubled youth, care for abandoned animals and perform countless other tasks for no pay.
Wednesday, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners presented its annual awards to the county’s top volunteers and recognized the hundreds of other individuals and groups who donate their time to the community.
Volunteers serve in dozens of capacities for virtually every county department, and donate their time on many boards and committees. Last year 639 volunteers logged a total of 26,686 hours of service for the county, work valued at $481,682.
The board hosted a reception for the volunteers at the Judge Guy Boyington Wednesday morning before its regularly scheduled meeting, where Commission Chair Jeff Hazen presented the individual awards and led the board in adopting a proclamation recognizing April 18-24 as Volunteer Week.
“Without all of our dedicated and generous volunteers, Clatsop County could not provide the level of services we offer to our citizens today,” Volunteer Coordinator Valerie Crafard said.
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Starlene Everson
Nominated by Clatsop County Public Health Department
Everson volunteers for the County Public Health Department, where she performs a variety of tasks. She helps out at vaccination clinics and with data entry and developing interoffice procedures, sometimes devoting two or three full days a week.
Everson’s contributions greatly helped the Public Health Department as it went through a major reorganization and transition to new leadership. Department Director Margo Lalich said Everson’s work was especially helpful as the county dealt with the H1N1 flu outbreak.
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER GROUP Clatsop County Search and Rescue Group>
Nominated by Sgt. Dean Schroeder, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office
Members of the three volunteer teams in the SAR Group ? Search and Rescue Ground Team, High Angle Rescue Team and Underwater Recovery Team ? donate their expertise to find missing persons, rescue people trapped on cliffs and recover accident victims, often in cooperation with local fire and law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard. They also find items of evidence and secure them in cases of criminal investigation.
Sgt. Dean Schroeder said the volunteers donated a total of 1,200 hours of service to the three teams last year, including during weekends, holidays and work hours. “They risk their lives and safety to help find and rescue members of the community as well as tourists visiting our area,” he said. “We’re proud of every one of them.”
Team members are:
GROUND TEAM: Scott Huls, Tina Huls, Amy Lenz, Vicki McGauley, Chris Paine, Nathan Philips, Ryan Richards, Dave Rouse, Patti Rouse, Tami Schultz, David Skarra, Derrick Snow, Ralph Stafford, Sam Whisler
HIGH ANGLE RESCUE TEAM: Gilberto Arciga, Mike Balzer, Charles Dice, Brian Hall, Scott Huls, Tina Huls, Troy Johnson, Kevin Miller, Steve Moon, Mark Morgans, Ryan Richards, Dave Rouse, Alan Smiles
UNDERWATER RECOVERY TEAM: James Cutchall, Shannon Danen, Brian Fite, Chris McNeary, Kevin Miller, Jay Murphy, Tom Snow, Michael Wahl
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL WITHIN A GROUP Jake Bowser
Nominated by Sgt. Mark Whisler, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office
“One of the nicest guys” according to Sheriff Tom Bergin, Bowser has brought his many years of law enforcement experience in interviewing and screening new applicants to the program and providing other assistance as a member of the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Program. He has also helped develop the department’s firearms and canine policies, helping with firearms training and participating in cold case investigations.
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