Rainier Welcomes New Officer

Phillip George, 31, will be sworn in as the newest Rainier Police Department officer at the city council's June 27 meeting.

George joins the department after a year-long recruitment process. He grew up in Rainier and attended high school locally before graduating from Newberg High School in 2009.

From there, George joined the U.S. Army and conducted two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a medic with the airborne infantry.

He concluded his military service in 2016. His post-military career included stints doing armed security at Boeing's Seattle facility, as a wildlands firefighter in Kalama and with the Transportation Security Administration at Portland International Airport. Most recently, George worked as a metal trade journeyman with the Pipefitters Local 290.

George has deep roots in the community. His great grandfather was a doctor in Clatskanie, and his father, Russ, served as an officer with the Rainier Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

"The thing I'm most excited about is continuing my father's legacy," George said. "I know the community and I understand its people and its history."

City Administrator W. Scott Jorgensen said the city plans to send George to the police academy from October to February.

"We're happy to have Officer George joining our police department," Jorgensen said. "His lifelong familiarity with Rainier will serve its residents well for years to come."

Applications Sought for Rainier Library Board

Library Board

Applications are currently being sought to fill a vacancy on the Rainier Library Board.

The board consists of five members and one alternative who are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. It is expected to meet at least 10 times per year and is charged with making recommendations to the council about rules and policies for the efficient, effective operations of the library, its services and program.

Anyone interested in applying can download an application from the city's website Board and Commission Application (pdf) or at Rainier City Hall 106 West "B" Street. Applications can be submitted via email to sjorgensen@cityofrainier.com

Board member terms are for four years. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For more information on the board, follow this link.

Rainier Planning Commission Vacancy

Planning
Commission

The Rainier City Council is currently accepting applications for the Rainier Planning Commission (volunteer position). The Planning Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on planning, zoning, land use and development matters. Applications are available at City Hall, 106 West "B" Street, Rainier, Oregon 97048 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 503-556-7301.

Commissioners are expected to attend one regular meeting per month. Other meetings may also be scheduled, as needed.

The position is vacant until filled and will be appointed by the City Council at an upcoming meeting.

Rainier Mayor, Council Candidate Filings Open June 1 for November Election

Wednesday, June 1 is the first day that incumbents and other interested parties can file for local office in order to run for positions in the November 8 general election.

The Rainier City Council will have four positions on the November ballot, along with the mayor's position. Council positions 1, 3,4 and 5 are for four-year terms that begin January 2023 and expire January 2027. The mayor's position is a two-year term that begins January 2023 and expires January 2025.

Any candidate must be a qualified elector with 12 months of residency within Rainier city limits prior to the general election.

In order to file, you must pick up SEL 101, 121 and 338 forms at city hall, fill them out and return them to the City Administrator. Once the administrator verifies that residency requirements are met and assigns a petition number, candidates will then be allowed to collect signatures to qualify for the ballot. The city municipal code requires 25 valid signatures from registered voters from within Rainier city limits. Candidates are advised to collect more signatures than are required in order to meet the qualifications.

Under the Rainier Municipal Code, the petition shall be filed with the Administrator not more than 100 days nor less than 62 days before the day of the election.

The deadline to file for any of these positions is August 30. Candidates wishing to file a statement for inclusion in the voter pamphlet must do so by September 1. Those statements are done through the Columbia County Clerk's office.

For more information, call city hall at 503-556-7301 or email sjorgensen@cityofrainier.com.

City Hires Dana Potter as new Utility Billing Clerk

The City of Rainier is announcing that Dana Potter has been hired as its new utility billing clerk. She is scheduled to start her new position on Monday, May 2 and replaces longtime utility billing clerk Darlene Lavelle, who is retiring as of July.

Potter began her career in the banking industry for a small local bank, starting as a teller and working her way up to assistant manager through 19 years and three bank mergers. She became a clerk at the U.S. Postal Service in 2001, primarily working in Clatskanie and was acting Postmaster in Rainier in 2012 during a vacancy of that position.

Potter and her family moved to Rainier in 1995. She was actively involved at the schools, volunteering every week and serving on the PTO when her children were still students. Potter was a longtime driver of Meals on Wheels and currently is on the Board of Directors of Friends of the Rainier Pool.

"We're happy to have Dana Potter join our city staff, and look forward to working with her," City Administrator W. Scott Jorgensen said.

RAINIER MAYOR'S TASKFORCE FOR COVID VACCINATIONS Mar 17, 2021

Have you tried finding a Covid Vaccination but are having a hard time figuring it out?

Please call City Hall between the hours of 09:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and leave your contact information with staff. A local dedicated volunteer on the Taskforce will help you schedule a vaccination.

Please note we do not give the vaccination.
We will do our best to help you find one.