december2009
free
V E R N O N I A’ S
reflecting the spirit of our community
Who’s On Your List This Holiday
You’ll Find Something for Everyone in Vernonia
By Scott Laird
each of us picked 3 local businesses each
month and spent a total of $50 between
those businesses? According to the 3/50
people, for every $100 spent in locally
owned independent stores, $68 returns
to the community through taxes, payroll
and other expenditures, as opposed to
only $43 if you spend your money at a
chain. Spending money locally can have
a very real, significant impact on a local
economy.
I know some of you type A’s out
there are probably already finished with
your holiday shopping. You’re the ones
who actually have time to sit down, re-
lax at this time of the year and take the
time to read parts of this publication. So
I may be talking to the wrong audience
here. You guys probably already have
those gifts wrapped and already have
your tree up, don’t you?
But just in case
you’re one of us that hasn’t
finished your shopping, or
maybe haven’t started yet,
this is my chance to remind
you that when heading out
to shop, don’t forget to visit
your local merchants here in
Vernonia-- or in your own
town, if you live somewhere
Just one holiday gift idea that you can purchase
else.
from local merchants in Vernonia.
I recently came
across a group and their website called
This concept can be used year
The 3/50 Project. Their goal-- saving the round, but can be especially significant
bricks and mortars our country is built on. during the holiday season, when so many
Here’s their pitch: What would happen if of us are spending money that isn’t in our
continued on page 14
Is Vernonia Prepared for Winter?

The last three years have seen significant weather events in the Vernonia
region, prompting significant response from area Emergency Management officials.
High winds and power outages in 2006 and 2007, a devastating flood in December
of 2007, and paralyzing snows and flood threats in 2008 and 2009 have left residents
anxious. City officials are reviewing management plans and gathering resources as
we head into another winter. Some heavy rainstorms and flood warnings in early
November put the community on alert and reminded everyone that the time to pre-
pare for weather events is upon us, again. Everyone is wondering what to expect this
year.

New City Administra-
tor Bob Young and new Police
Chief Frank Grace have not
been through a Vernonia win-
ter before. Vernonia’s Voice
sat down with Young and Chief
Grace to ask them about the
city’s preparations for winter.
Do they feel they are ready?

According to Young and
Grace, the city has an Emergen-
cy Hazard Operations Plan in
place. The last time it was up-
dated was in 2005. Chief Grace
has now completed a draft re-
writing of the plan. “This has
been one of my priorities-- to
get that plan updated,” said
Young.

Chief Grace reminded
citizens that the City plan is re-
ally a Hazard Mitigation Plan,
and is in place not just to deal
with winter weather emergen-
cies, but other potential events
including fire, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, nuclear in-
cidents, drug labs, and drought.

The past few years have
been a clear indication that
in the event of an emergency,
a couple of things happen.
One is that we are potentially
inside
8
city
news
16
santa’s
coming!
17
the sun
spot opens
continued on page 5
volume3  issue7
vernonia
visitors
guide
page 15
Vernonia Approves School Bond

The balloons lining Bridge
Street from the current Vernonia
schools up the hill to Spencer Field said
it all. Vernonia is moving towards new
schools.

In a strong show of support,
Vernonia voters on Tuesday, Novem-
ber 3, approved School Bond Measure
5-197. The bond approves the sale of
$13 million in bonds to help build re-
placement schools for the buildings that
were damaged in the December 2007
Flood.

With a 67% turnout, voters ap-
proved the measure by a 22% margin of
victory-- 61 % for and 39% against.

The passage of the bond sets
the stage for additional fundraising that
will be needed to complete the estimat-
ed $37 million project.

A celebration was held at Spen-
cer Field on Wednesday, November
4, the planned site of the new school
building, which will house grades K-12.

“Today we’re going to cele-
brate, and tomorrow we’re going to roll
up our sleeves and start working again,”
said Columbia County Commissioner
and Vernonia resident, Tony Hyde.

Selected students and staff, the
school band and local and regional dig-
nitaries attended the celebration. Later,
a rally was held in the Vernonia High
School Gym, with all students and staff
in attendance.

“What we have here today is
a very resounding message from the
community that we are stepping into the
future. And we’re going to invest in our
community,” said Commissioner Hyde
at the Spencer Field celebration.

Among the dignitaries in atten-
dance was The Ford Family Foundation
representative Tom Gallagher and State
Senator Betsy Johnson, who brought
greetings from Oregon Governor Ted
Kulongoski.

“The voters spoke very clearly
last night,” said Senator Johnson, in her
own personal remarks. “They stood up
for the future of this town, they stood
Vernonia school students celebrate
the passage of School Bond Mea-
sure 5-197 at Spencer Field.
up for the kids, they made an investment
in opportunity. This is the beginning of
the rebirth of a great place in Oregon.”

Johnson then read from a letter
from Governor Kulongoski. “Citizens
of Vernonia-- Congratulations on com-
ing together to pass this critical measure
that represents the beginning of a new
and bright future for your community.
I know this wasn’t easy, especially dur-
ing such difficult economic times. But
your commitment and investment in
education is exactly where we should
be focusing our efforts, so our students
and our state are well positioned for the
recovery ahead. Your community has
been through some very trying times.
But today marks a new beginning and a
brighter future. Please know you have
a partner in this state to help make this
community thrive once again. Con-
gratulations on a job well done. Ted
Kulongoski, Governor of the State of
continued on page 16
Town Hall December 3rd, 2009

It’s been two years since the
flood of 2007 made Vernonia “Or-
egon’s New Orleans”. Thursday,
December 3rd, the Vernonia School
District and the City of Vernonia
will sponsor a Town Hall Meeting
from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Middle
School Cafeteria. We will mark the
second anniversary of the Decem-
ber 3, 2007 flood by sharing both
the latest updates and dessert as we
meet to provide the community with
a status report.

We will be sharing the latest
information on the new school de-
sign and the evolving funding strat-
egy. We will also discuss a potential
partnership with the city of Vernonia
concerning the wastewater sewer
system upgrade and the district’s
need for wetland mitigation, and fi-
nally there will be some timely in-
formation on emergency prepared-
ness and how the city is preparing
for another winter,

Please come and join us for
dessert as we share information on
where we are heading and the prog-
ress that is being made. There will
also be an opportunity for you to get
your questions answered.
--Dr. Ken Cox, Superintendent

Vernonia School District