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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 2011)
october11 2011 V E R N O N I A’ S reflecting the spirit of our community free volume5 issue19 Vernonia Schools Project Celebrates Roof Capping Partnership with SolarWorld and Donation from P&C Construction Announced Community members, school officials, project leaders, public officials and partners gathered on Octo- ber 6, 2011 in Vernonia to celebrate another milestone in the construction of the new K-12 school and commu- nity center-- the capping of the roof. The event marked the first opportunity for guests to tour the 135,000 square foot building, which is scheduled to be opened in September of 2012. Local business leaders gathered before the tour for a breakfast to discuss fundraising efforts, includ- ing the new campaign by Wauna Federal Credit Union to involve their entire membership in fundraising dur- ing the month of October and the Gordon Smith/Sentry Market Challenge Campaign. The celebration then moved to the school site where Vernonia School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Cox explained several of the components to the construction that are expected to make the new Ver- nonia school and community center the first integrated K-12 school in the nation to have attained LEED (Lead- ership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certification. Cox explained plans for radiant floor heating, the biomass boiler that will be used to heat the build- ing, and passive solar lighting, as part of the “green construction” that is part of the project. SolarWorld, the largest U.S. solar manufac- turer, was on hand to announce a partnership with the school campus campaign. SolarWorld will provide more than 60 kW of reduced-price and donated solar panels, valued at $50,000, to the rebuilding effort. So- larWorld is also providing an additional $20,000 of in- kind funding. In addition to supplying clean, renew- able solar power to the school, the solar system will also serve as a hands-on tool for educating students about how solar technology works as a sustainable en- ergy resource. Steve Anderson, owner of P&C Construction, the General Contractor on the school project, was also on hand to announce that his company will be making a $75,000 donation towards the project. inside 9 woec open house 12 vhs sports 19 salmon festival Construction of the new Vernonia K-12 School is progressing. The first official tours of the building were given to the public on October 6, 2011. Pictured above is the future cafeteria/commons area. SolarWorld president Gordon Brinser says rebuilding the Vernonia School after the devastating floods of 1996 and 2007 is critical to the viability of the rugged logging community in Oregon’s coastal range. “Vernonia’s schools have been the linchpin of this spe- cial town. There was never a question in my mind that SolarWorld needed to play a pivotal role in helping to build a future-oriented, sustainable school for the com- munity.” Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson, who has been involved in the helping rebuild the Vernonia Schools from the beginning, thanked Solar World for their involvement. “With SolarWorld on board now, our cause is global,” said Johnson. “This is a global company and will help us tell our story beyond Ore- gon.” Dr. Cox says the Solar World donation will be used as a “visible and multi-functional tool for the continued on page 19 Town Hall Meeting Help Plan the New Spencer Park Thursday, October 20 at 7:00 PM Vernonia School Cafeteria St. Helens City Councilor Phillip Barlow Passes Away St. Helens City Councilor Phillip Barlow passed away September 24, 2011 of a heart attack in Thailand. Barlow was in Thailand to wed his fiancé Jarawan. He was thirty-nine years old. Barlow was elected to the St. Helens City Council in November 2006. His most recent assignments as councilor included the Police Department, Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission and Regional Organized Criminal Narcotics Team. Barlow also served on the Columbia County Unmet Needs Committee. “My sincere condolences to Phil’s family,” said St. Helens Mayor Randy Peterson. “His passion and commitment to the City will be missed. Barlow was a lifelong resident of St. Helens. He attended Portland Community College, taking classes in political science and general education. Barlow was a carpenter for several years before he became co-owner of the family business, Barlow Bikes and Boards in St. Helens; the family also operated a store in Vernonia for several years. He was actively involved in his community as a member of the Kiwanis and his church. Since he was elected to the St. Helens City Council, Barlow was instrumental in promoting social networking and live streaming of City Council meetings. He was interested in establishing a youth center and creating economic development through job creation. St. Helens Council President Douglas Morten praised Barlow for his efforts as a City Councilman. “In the past five years that I have served with Phil, I have come to respect him as a friend, colleague, and community personality,” said Morton. “His respectful convictions, his forthright nature to question his sincere ability to communicate human feelings, and concerns will be undeniably missed. His upbeat spirit will live in the hearts and minds of the many that Phil has touched.” No date for a service has been announced. A fund has been established to help the Barlow family. Donations can be made to the “Phil Barlow Memorial Fund” account at any US Bank branch or send a check payable to “Phil Barlow Memorial Fund, c/o US Bank, 58791 S. Columbia Hwy. St. Helens, OR. 97051. Condolences to the family may be sent to City Hall, City of St. Helens, PO Box 278, St. Helens, OR. 97051.
