welcome
from the editor
During the holiday season we
often hear and talk about how it is “bet-
ter to give than to receive.” We try to
instill this mind set in our kids, and our-
selves—that it’s about the giving, not the
receiving.
This is also the time of year
when we try to remember to be grateful
and gracious for what we do receive. As
much as we like to talk about and em-
phasize the giving—come on, we all like
to receive things too! Yes, sometimes
it is better to give than to receive. But
sometimes it’s really nice to receive
something that you can really appreciate
and value. And receive gratefully and
with grace.
As I look back and reflect on
this past year and think about giving and
receiving, I am reminded that our com-
munity has been the recipient of some
wonderful “gifts” recently.
At the end of each year, we read
lots of Top Ten Lists—the top movies,
books, CD’s, Sports moments, etc. from
the past year. Here is a list of what I
would consider the top ten gifts the com-
munity of Vernonia has received this
past year, not in any particular order.
1. Gifts from the Gov—Last December,
then Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski
was our guest of honor at the ground
breaking for the new Vernonia school
campus. At that ceremony Kulongoski
announced a $3.8 million ODOT grant
for street improvements near the school
project. In April Vernonia received its
second visit from an Oregon Gover-
nor—this time John Kitzhaber praised
Vernonia’s efforts to rebuild, and also
helped plant trees. The Executive Or-
der that Kulongoski put in place in 2010
continues to be referenced as rebuilding
efforts and projects seek state assistance.
Oregon’s Governors have been a good
friend to Vernonia, and never seem to ar-
rive empty handed.
2. Everyone likes cash—In January of
2011, FEMA paid the Vernonia School
District $11.2 million to buy out the cur-
rent school site, paving the way for con-
struction of the new school campus. This
took a huge bite out of the overall funds
that would be needed for the construc-
tion project. Other donations towards
the school project have continued to
roll in, including funding from Georgia-
Pacific, Solar World, P&C Construction,
and many others that have helped the
project move forward. We have been
extremely fortunate that so many com-
panies and individuals have stepped for-
ward to help make this project a reality
for our community; their gifts have been
gratefully received and put to good use.
3. Our Mayor—In January, new Verno-
nia Mayor Josette Mitchell took office.
Mitchell takes her (volunteer) job very
seriously and is organized, efficient,
knowledgeable and capable. Vernoni-
an’s can go to sleep at night knowing the
i’s are being dotted ant the t’s crossed at
City Hall.
4. The VPC—The Vernonia Prevention
Coalition and Director DeAnna Pearl
have become a vital cog in this commu-
nity, bringing funding resources and or-
ganizing capacity to untold projects. The
VPC has been a catalyst in creating sys-
temic and cultural change in our schools
and our community and has tackled drug
and alcohol abuse, bullying, hunger, and
homelessness, just to name a few of their
target issues. The VPC has helped facili-
tate collaborations between groups and
has been a gift that just keeps giving.
5. Summer Meals-- One of the collabo-
rations the VPC helped organize this
year was the Summer Meals Program,
which organized breakfast and lunch
as well as activities for children in our
community this past summer when there
were no school lunches. Hundreds of
children, and adults, were fed healthy
and nutritious meals each day, while
groups, including schools, churches
and civic groups who had never worked
together, formed partnerships. Food
makes a wonderful gift!
6. Haack is Back—Bill Haack was
hired as the permanent City Administra-
tor in September and this community is
lucky to have him here. Haack brings
a comprehensive understanding of how
large projects come together and has the
ability to juggle many projects at once
without losing focus. He brings profes-
sional skills that this community will
sorely need over the next few years. He
took this job, under difficult circum-
stances, and for less compensation then
he could have received elsewhere. He
cares about Vernonia and the people he
works with here.
7. Police Officers—After spending
many months this past year with only
two police officers available for duty, the
City has hired two additional officers.
The force now includes long time officer
Mike Conner, who is the Interim Chief
and Officer Shawn Carnahan, as well
as new hire Brent Thompson, a home-
grown recruit and graduate of Vernonia
High School. Thompson and the other
new hire, Matt Brady need to complete
training academy, but Vernonians will
hopefully begin to see more local offi-
cers on our streets in the upcoming year.
8. The WOEC Headquarters—As
members of West Oregon Electric Co-
operative, this beautiful new building
belongs to all of us. Built with the log-
ging heritage of this community in mind,
the WOEC headquarters makes quite an
impression as you enter town from the
south. It will be here for a long time and
sets a standard for how redevelopment
in this community hopefully takes place
in the future.
9. Grange Revival—The historic Ver-
nonia Grange has seen new life this year,
with a facelift inside and some new ac-
tivities taking place. This community
building was the scene of several fam-
ily friendly community dances and the
Grange sponsored a photography contest
that received some great entries. Look
for more activities as the Grange contin-
ues to grow as a community gathering
spot.
10. Miss Rodeo America—What a
great way to finish the year! All Verno-
nians can be proud of Mackenzie Carr
and her accomplishments over the last
few years. Mackenzie is a smart and
talented young woman who seems to ex-
cel at everything she does. So it really
was no surprise when this VHS won the
2012 Miss Rodeo America Pageant this
past month. Mackenzie works extreme-
ly hard and she sets a great example for
all of us. As she travels the country this
next year as a spokesperson for the sport
of rodeo, we can all revel in the thought
that when Mackenzie Carr is introduced
as Miss Rodeo America, she is from our
little town of Vernonia.
Bonus—Vernonia School Campus
and New Spencer Park—Construction
of the new school campus is moving for-
ward and is projected to be completed
in June. This new facility will be a
wonderful gift to our children and to
the community for many, many years.
The design plans for the New Spencer
Park, which will be sited on the current
school campus after the buildings are
removed, are almost complete. This
new park, located in the heart of town,
will be a showpiece for our communi-
ty—a place for locals and visitors to
gather to relax and play. The design
process has been a great example of
collaboration between user groups and
the park will be a testament to how this
community can work together to re-
build itself.
As we head into a new year,
Vernonia has many gifts for which to
be thankful for, and much to look for-
ward to.
december27
2011
3
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Chip Bubl
Mackenzie Carr
Nathanael McCroskey-Izzett
Karen Miller
Photography
Yaraslava Denysenko
Randal Harvey
Scott Laird
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Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
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PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
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Thank you to all our loyal read-
ers and supporters. We wish you all the
best in the coming year!
Scott Laird
Editor and Publisher
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