city news
Community Workshop for
Transportation Plan
The City of Vernonia is in the
process of updating it’s Transportation
System Plan and is asking citizens to
participate. A Community Workshop
will be held on Thursday, January
13 from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Vernonia
Community Learning Center. This is a
drop-in style open house, so stop by at
any time for informal presentations an
discussions.
Please bring you rideas and
comments for possible future bicycle,
pedestrian and roadway improvements
in Vernonia. Transportation planner
and engineers will presnt an overview
of existing facilities and possible
system options.
If you have questions please
contact Joann Glass or Carole Connell
at City Hall, 503-429-5291.
New Vernonia City Councilor, Marilyn Nicks, Mayor Josette
Mitchell, and Councilor Willow Burch took the Oath of Office
at the start of the January 3, 2011 City Council Meeting. With a
majority of the five positions changing, the Vernonia City Council
has a new look to start the new year.
Student Project continued from page 6
says he is interested in studying
biotechnology and applied physics.
Tripathi says he is interested in applied
physics, as well as neurology and the
science of people.
The students are also
encouraging feedback and input from
community members about their project.
“We want the community to be fully part
of this,” says Tripathi.
“We hope our work can help
create more resilient communities,”
concludes Tripathi, “communities that
can bounce back.”
Construction To Begin on
Dennis Edwards Tunnel
In mid-January, ODOT will
begin construction to improve the
Dennis Edwards Tunnel on U.S. 26
(Sunset Highway)—located 34 miles
west of Portland. Work includes relining
the tunnel, upgrading the drainage
system and replacing lighting. The
tunnel will also be fitted with a bicycle
warning system to improve the safety
of bicyclists using the tunnel. ODOT
has selected Johnson Western Gunite
Company as the project’s contractor.
Two open houses have been
scheduled so area residents can learn
about the latest project schedule and
to meet the contractor and project
manager. A Cannon Beach Open House
is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12,
2011 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the
Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce,
207 N Spruce St. In addition a Banks
Open House is scheduled for Thursday,
January 13, 2011 from 4:30 PM—6:30
PM at Banks Christian Academy, 22785
Northwest Fisher Rd. in Buxton.
To minimize disruptions to
travel, the tunnel will be open everyday
during the daytime. It will also be open
on weekends, holidays and Oregon
spring break. Full weeknight closures
of the tunnel begin mid-January 2011
and will end prior to Memorial Day
weekend. The tunnel will be closed
on Sunday nights from 10:00 PM until
6:00 AM and Monday through Thursday
nights from 8:00 PM until 6:00 AM.
A signed detour route will direct
willing to forego those things
or be part of making them
happen even if the city isn’t
funding it. The Christmas
celebration this past year was
a perfect example of that.”
Mitchell has been
part of the Ad Hoc Budget
Committee that has been
closely monitoring City
spending for the last six
months. She thinks the new
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Vernonia for over 5 years.
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Yoga
processes put in place have
had mixed results. “It’s
more work for city staff,”
says Mitchell. “But I think
it heads off big issues before
they happen, or at least makes
us look for alternatives. It
really keeps department
heads accountable for their
budgets, and staff is realizing
that every penny counts and it
all adds up.”
“At the end of
two years, if Vernonia is
financially better off and the
projects are further towards
completion, than I will be
happy with the job I’ve done,”
says Mitchell.
Vernonia’s
Voice
would like welcome and
extend our best wishes to
Josette Mitchell as the new
Mayor of Vernonia.
Creatures
291
A
Street
Vernonia &
Florist
call Kim
Lovable service at
a reasonable price
• Bathing
• Haircuts
• Nail Clipping
• Nail Polishing
• Specialty
Shampoos
2011
7
travelers around the Dennis Edwards
Tunnel during the nighttime closures.
The detour route is a combination of
Timber Road and Oregon 47. The route
increases driving distance by 15 miles—
or about an additional 25 minutes.
ODOT is working to improve safety
along the route. ODOT will maintain the
route during the entire project, including
plowing on Timber Road during snow
conditions.
For
more
information
contact: Lili Boicourt, ODOT
Community Affairs at 503-731-8247
or Lili.D.Boicourt@odot.state.or.us
Additional information is available at:
www.DennisEdwardsTunnel.org
If you have questions, concerns
or input about this project or the
survey, please email the students at:
AdarshRaghavSidharth-WHS-Science@
googlegroups.com.
Josette Mitchell is New Mayor continued from front page
can’t afford everything we
want,” explains Mitchell. She
notes that, as a municipality,
the City of Vernonia is
mandated to provide certain
things: streets, water, sewer,
and public protection. “If
we can’t do those things
with the money we have,
then we certainly can’t do
luxury things,” says Mitchell.
“People are realizing it and are
january11
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