8
community
april12
2011
What’s Happening at the Vernonia Airport
Very few Vernonia citizens construction on a new hanger for his from Germany, and a family from property owned by Tim Bero. Bero
know a lot about what happens at the plane. Seager recently gave Vernonia’s Switzerland.
and Dow have roughly carved in the
Vernonia Airport. It is the old idiom, Voice a tour of the facility and showed
There have been several small extension, although, because of zoning
“Out of sight, out of mind.” Most of off some of the work that has recently construction projects that have taken technicalities, it is only in use as a taxi-
us don’t see it or drive past it each day; been completed.
place recently. Last year, a culvert way for now. Currently, the runaway
in fact, the Vernonia Airport isn’t even
Seager has his office and ground that runs directly under the runway is approximately 3000 feet long; the
located in the city limits. You have to school located at the airport. He runs was replaced and a drainage ditch was extension would add about 1200 more
go looking for it to find it, (it’s just off his flight instruction business from that cleared out. Bud Dow of Dow Brothers feet.
Timber Road, a few miles south of town) location, although he actually conducts Construction, and a frequent user of
Bero also has plans to construct
and few of us have a
the airport, donated the a number of flex buildings on his
reason to do that.
pipe and time to install it. property that could house light industry;
And yet, it
Gwin Logging donated the hope is to create new jobs that would
is still a functioning
the equipment for the be close to the community. There is also
part of our city
installation, and Seager a proposal currently being developed by
infrastructure. It may
donated two loads of Dow to construct a set of new hangers
not be vital, but it is
gravel. The culvert drains on city property. Dow would lease the
still a property that is
the entire area above the land from the city and build and rent the
owned by the city and
runway; the day we visited, hangers himself.
provides some benefit
a large amount of water
“If we can put up more hangers,
for at least some of our
was flowing away from it will attract some new individuals out
citizens and can draw
and under the runway. here and would be really good for the
visitors.
Seager says the screen overall structure of the airport,” says
The citizens
that covers the mouth of Seager.
that use the Vernonia
the culvert requires daily
With a long history dating back
Mike Seager in front of his new hanger at the Vernonia Airport.
Airport are very engaged
cleaning to keep the water to the 1930’s, the Vernonia Airport
in the upkeep of the facility, volunteering his flying lessons from the Scappoose flowing, as beavers are constantly active remains a functional part of the city
time, labor and materials to help keep it Airport; he needs a hard surface landing and at work in the area. “This is a major infrastructure. It is an attraction that has
functioning. With hangers that are strip and the Vernonia runway is grass.
thing we have to do every day in winter,” the ability to draw outside visitors as
leased, the Vernonia Airport generates a
Seager regularly brings clients explains Seager.
well as local users and be an economic
small income and basically pays for its to Vernonia for his flight instruction
The City is currently working driver for the community.
own operation.
business. His clients, and often their to extend the runway onto private
Currently, there is a lot of families, stay in local
activity at the Vernonia Airport, with a lodging establishments for
new hanger and the possibility of more several days, eating at local
to come, a possible extension of the restaurants and patronizing
The Vernonia Grange will hold a one
Bingo Nights at the Grange will be
runway, and possible development of local businesses.
day rummage sale on Saturday, April 16, from offered on Saturday, April 23, at 6:30 PM. Come
light industrial space on private property
“We get some
9 to 4 pm, at the Grange Hall, 375 North Street. on out for a night of fun, food and friendship.
adjacent to the airfield.
pretty interesting people All proceeds will go to the Grange for building Youth under 18 may play if accompanied by a
Mike Seager, a pilot, flight that come here to train improvements. If you have items to donate, parent.
instructor, and member of the with us,” says Seager. please bring them to the Grange between 7 and 9
Airport Committee, recently finished Recently, he had a student pm on Friday, April 15.
Does your organization or church need
a regular meeting place? The Vernonia
Grange is seeking additional tenants to
keep this charming old building actively
occupied. Short term rental rates are
$10 per hour; longer term rental rates are
Vernonia
957
negotiable. With high ceilings, wood floor,
406 A Street
State
seating for 75 or more, new folding tables,
Community
5 bedroom, 3 bath,
limited kitchen facilities, and a stage, the
Avenue
family room, laundry
Church
space is suitable for a variety of activities.
room. Updated vinyl
Grange membership is required for at least
windows throughout.
one member of your group. At $35 per
Formerly a 3-plex
year, the Grange offers you membership in
converted into a home.
a 143 year old organization that promotes
community service, sustainable agriculture
For faster reply contact
April
and healthy rural living. Contact any of
Ted at 503-799-0999
the following Grange officers for more
22nd
or leave msg at
information: Robb Wilson, sweedster@
at
503-255-2959
hotmail.com, 503.704.2973, Dr. Carol
$975/mo.
7:30 PM
MacIntyre, cccmnd@yahoo.com,
503.481.4096, Maggie Peyton, maggie@
For more info contact Danielle 503-784-9560 or leave message at 503-255-2959
nehalem.org, 503.429.0869, or Tobie
Finzel, tobief@aol.com, 503.705.2173.
VIP Property Management, Inc.
Vernonia Grange News
Good Friday Service
Local Properties For Rent
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COMPUTER &
INTERNET SERVICES
•Computer Servicing
• Upgrades & Repairs
• Office Supplies
• Media Transfers
• Ink and Toner Refills
503.429.TECH
• New & Used Computers in stock
• Cell Phone Service & Accessories
• Color Copies & Printing Available
• Notary Services
• Internet - DSL, Wireless & Dial up
866 Bridge Street, Vernonia
Phone (503) 429.2617
Kitchen Countertops
Fax (503) 429.0941
Fireplace & Furniture
ABSOLUTE@AGALIS.NET
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