community
Take Control of Your Water Bill
By Nick Galaday
I know how to
reduce my electric bill to
gain control of my monthly
expenses; just use less
electricity! I can buy CFL
light bulbs, set my thermostat
lower, or put a thermal wrap
on my hot water tank. I
also know how to use less
water; buy low-flow toilets
and appliances, take ‘Navy
showers’, install drought
resistant landscaping, etc.
Unfortunately, here in
Vernonia, conserving water
doesn’t result in a lower
water or sewer bill. We
who live within the city
limits have no way to reduce
our water/sewer bill below
$102. I’m heartened by the
recent discussions taking
place within our Public
Works Department which
include possible changes to
our rate structure that might
encourage conservation and
finally give us ratepayers
some control over our utility
expenses. This comes in the
nick of time as our water, and
especially sewer costs, are
going up significantly and
soon!
I would like to see
my water/sewer bill reflect
my actual water usage so I
could save money by saving
water. I can understand the
need to have a portion of my
bill be a fixed minimum base
charge to cover certain fixed
costs. However, I would
like to see this fixed portion
of our bills be kept as small
as possible. Here’s what I
suggest: The fixed portion of
our water/sewer bills should
be only enough to cover the
monthly per/capita clerical
costs of administering our
individual account; e.g.,
meter reading and billing
expenses. Beyond those
fixed administrative costs,
all other costs for the City’s
operation of our water and
sewer services should be
charged for on a per gallon
basis. Use more, pay more.
Currently we’re charged for
2,000 gallons of water every
month whether we use it
or not. And our sewer bill
is fixed, regardless of how
much we impact the actual
cost to the city for providing
our individual sewer service.
That’s not only frustrating in
that we have no control over
our bill, but it’s unjust. Those
who use water responsibly
and try to conserve, are
subsidizing those wasteful
souls who have no incentive
but to excessively wash their
cars, irrigate the street when
they water their lawns, take
endless showers, or not be
bothered to fix a leaking pipe
or faucet, or a toilet that runs
on.
So in the name of
giving us ratepayers some
control over our expenses,
providing a more just rate
structure, and encouraging
conservation, I wish to
november8
2011
implore the city to start
charging for both water
and sewer on the basis of
consumption, gallons per
month, starting with the
first gallon, with only a
very minimal fixed account
maintenance fee. Pretty
simple, pretty fair.
If you agree, pass
this on to your city council
person of choice, or mail it
to the Vernonia Public Works
Department, 1001 Bridge
Street,Vernonia,
Oregon
97064. Your input can help
influence the discussion.
For ideas about how
you can conserve water
(and money) go to: http://
conserveh2o.org/
For more information
about our Vernonia water
system, or to schedule a tour
of our plant, contact Jeff
Burch at (503) 429-6921.
Nicholas Galaday, is
a former Resource Efficiency
Manager at Microsoft World
Campus, Redmond, WA.
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Lynn Berry
Mackenzie Carr
Gayle Rich-Boxman
Nick Galaday
Victoria Guerrero
Wolfgang Rotbart
Sonia Spackman
Burt Tschache
Photography
Scott Laird
Gayle Rich-Boxman
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Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
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Donations Needed to Help Fill Christmas Food Boxes
Vernonia Cares Food Bank
(VCFB) plans to offer Christmas holiday
food boxes to low income households
within the Vernonia community.
Registration opened November 1 and
the application deadline is December 8,
2010.
The boxes will be disbursed
December 20, as registered households
pick them up from Vernonia Cares
Food Bank. The holiday food box
will contain the basic groceries for a
Christmas meal. “Our target group
is the households who fall within the
USDA eligibility guidelines,” said
Vernonia Cares Director Sandy Welch.
“That is $1,679 gross income per month
for single person households, plus $589
per month for each additional person in
the household. However, anyone who
is a Vernonia resident and does not have
the groceries for a Christmas meal is
eligible to apply for this special food
box,” she concludes.
Applications may be obtained
from Vernonia Cares Food Bank, which
is open Tuesday and Thursday from
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM It is located in
the American Legion Hall at 627 Adams
Avenue. To obtain a form by phone, call
VCFB at 503-429-1414, leaving clear
mailing information. All applications
must be received by Vernonia Cares
by December 8. Only pre-registered
households will be served.
“At this point, we are planning to
provide this service to 200 families and
are praying the food and funds arrive to
support it,” Welch emphasized. “We’ve
had great support for the holiday food
boxes from our community in the past
and I’m looking to that same support
again this year. I’m so glad we are able
to brighten people’s Christmas through
these groceries. What’s Christmas
without, at the least, a Christmas meal
together?” asks Welch
“Between
now
and
Thanksgiving is a great time to buy
a turkey and donate it towards the
Christmas Box Project. That’s when the
sale prices are available,” says Vernonia
Cares President Rosie McCoy. “All
turkeys will be stored frozen and then
distributed near Christmas.”
Vernonia Sentry, a strong
supporter of VCFB, makes it simple
to donate. Through their check-stand
giving, patrons can designate $30 which
will be used to buy the groceries and a
turkey. Check-stand giving begins on
November 13, 2011.
3
Vernonia’s Voice is published
on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday
of each month.
Individuals and businesses
interested in supporting this worthwhile
cause, whether through food or funds,
may contribute directly on Tuesday or
Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
at VCFB. Checks may also be mailed
to Vernonia Cares Food Bank, PO Box
126, Vernonia, OR 97064. Receipts for
your tax deductible donation will be
sent upon request.
Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-367-0098
www.VernoniasVoice.com
Join us to help
Margaret “Peggy” Cone
celebrate her 90th Birthday!
Saturday, November 12th
1-4 PM at Mariolino’s
721 Madison Ave.
Snacks, soft drinks and cake
will be served by the family.
Please, no gifts.
Come share a hug, a story or a photo.
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7
Lady’s Night Wed 5-12
“STILL BIKER FRIENDLY”
LIVE MUSIC
Sat, 11/12
Sat, 11/19
Sat, 11/26
Sat, 11/19
“Richard Arnold & the Groove Swingers” Motown
“Michele Drey & Branded Band” Country/Rock
“Step Child” Classic Rock
“Lock Stock & Barrel” Outlaw Country $3/$5 cover
Monday 10am-6pm Cafe Closed • Tue-Wed 10am-6pm, Cafe 10am-5pm
Thr-Fri 10am-7pm, Cafe 10am-6pm • Sat 10am-11pm, Cafe 10am-10pm
Sunday 10am-2pm, Cafe 10am-2pm (or call)
11139 Highway 202
(503) 755-2722
• Specialty hamburgers
• Draft beer & mixed drinks
• Pool tables & satelite TV
• Special live music events
• Free Wi-fi
Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight •
733 Bridge St, Vernonia
Friday, Nov. 11th
Karaoke
Saturday, Nov. 19th
Random Access
Friday, Dec. 2nd
Country Backroads
Gift certificates available
Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM
• 503-429-9999
