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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 2010)
20 december14 2010 Governor Helps Celebrate Ground Breaking continued from front page investment was in addition to $1 million in Federal Stimulus Funds that the Oregon Department of Energy has allocated for installation of a biomass boiler and energy efficiency upgrades for the schools. “This community is the poster child of what we must do across Oregon,” said Kulongoski. “We don’t awarded the Vernonia school and community center pledged $25,000. project with a special $1 million challenge grant to These announcements come on top of a encourage additional philanthropic gifts. $13 million community bond that was passed in “Vernonia has created a plan to both replace November of 2009 and additional federal, state and their schools and to revitalize the community,” said The Ford Family Foundation’s Smith. “This project will serve as a hub of education and a community center for the whole town, and create connections to colleges, universities and sustainable rural economic opportunities.” The ground breaking ceremony was followed with an address by Governor Kulongoski to the Vernonia student body at the historic Washington Grade School, which was flooded in 1996 and again in 2007, and will be demolished after the construction of the new school campus. “I just want to let you know that as much as it will be a place to go to school, your new school will be a civic center Vernonia Student Paul Whiteman presented Governor Kulongoski with a and a culture center for your community,” book of paintings about the flood created by third grade students in 2007. said Kulongoski to the students. “This is a very important day in your lives and the life of philanthropic funding totaling more than $3 million, The ceremonial first shovels of dirt are moved at the new Vernonia bringing the project’s total income to more than $20 School. Pictured left to right: School Board member Ernie Smith, Vernonia.” Kulongoski presented an Oregon State Flag to million toward its $38 million goal. The campaign is County Commissioner Tony Hyde, State Senator Betsy Johnson, School Superintendent Ken Cox, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, State Rep- fly over the new school building to Superintendent in the process of completing a FEMA grant request to resentive Brad Witt, School Board member Keri Levenseller, FEMA Cox and received a book of paintings of the flood provide a significant portion of the difference at the Representative Ken Murphy, The Ford Family Foundation President created by Vernonia third grade students in 2007. end of 2010 or in early 2011, with charitable donations Norm Smith, and School Board member Bill Langmaid. The School District also hosted a reception, and additional public support funding the balance. have to wait for disaster to strike our communities to attended by the Governor, at the Vernonia High School “In tough times, this community has stepped work together. It is a testament to you, the citizens Gymnasium. up,” said Dr. Kenneth Cox, superintendent of the of this community that I say to each and every one of Several organizations— including the Vernonia School District. “We are incredibly grateful you, God bless you-- you are the best of Oregon. God Kelley Family Foundation, the Oregon Community for the support offered today by Governor Kulongoski bless Vernonia, and God bless Oregon!’ Foundation and U.S. Bank— were on hand to and ODOT, and for the grants from The Kelley Also speaking at the ceremony were announce that they will each step up to provide grants Family, Oregon Community, and Samuel Johnson State Senator Betsy Johnson; Columbia County toward The Ford Family Foundation’s challenge. Foundations, as well as U.S. Bank and others who Commissioner Tony Hyde; Ken Murphy of the Federal The Kelley Family Foundation announced that it will have made our project possible. Ours is truly an Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Jessica provide a $100,000 grant to the project, the Oregon Oregon effort, a symbol of our shared values and Balsam of the U.S. Department of Energy; and Norm Community Foundation committed $50,000, and our collective desire to make a better future for our Smith of The Ford Family Foundation, who recently U.S. Bank and the Samuel Johnson Foundation both children.” PLU #8664 PLU #8665 Bounty Paper Towels WESTERN FAMILY Butter $7 99 2/$4 Reg. $12 29 Reg. $3 89 16 oz. effective 12-14-10 through 12-27-10 or while supplies last (Limit 4) effective 12-14-10 through 12-27-10 or while supplies last (Limit 2) 6-8 Roll PLU #8666 PLU #8667 Selected General Mills Cereal Petal Soft Bath Tissue Reg. $3 89- 4 45 Reg. $8 69 WESTERN FAMILY 2/$5 12-14 oz. effective 12-14-10 through 12-27-10 or while supplies last (Limit 4) phone 503.429.3811 fax 503.429.3152 $4 99 12 Double Roll 735 Jefferson Avenue Vernonia, OR 97064 In support of our local Vernonia Pharmacy, this year we will not be offering flu shots from an outside source at Vernonia Sentry. 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