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.
