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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2012)
6 letters to the editor june12 2012 Readers Lend Their Voices... continued from page 4 1 - It would be great to have water line and put another financial burden on billed like other utilities, by quantity our ever lessening utility users. used. It’s always seemed strange to me to bill $103 for 2000 gallons, but it’s only a Sally Harrison few bucks more per 1000 more gallons. Vernonia I often use less than 2000 gallons, but pay nearly the same amount as someone To the Editor, The thought of the water / sewer who uses 4000 gallons. Twice as much bill increasing about $20 per month, is for almost the same price ! It seems their just too much, and bad for town morale. could be a more fair pricing schedule, People will be grumpy. We’ve already and make more economic sense for our had a substantial increase, from $89 to budget. 2 - The town is lit up all night $103. Four years ago I was told the $89 would decrease as a loan ended, but long while we’re asleep. We all turn now a loan just gets bigger. I’ve read off lights when we go to bed. Maybe the information presented by authorities, Vernonia should to. I have a bright street which is stretched over decades, and we light over my property that I find much must consider alternatives. Preventing more annoying than helpful. It ruins large increases in basic services should much of my landscape. I always think of money wasted looking at it. be a top priority. 3 - The police budget is very high and maybe that should be reduced. Perhaps a basic white police car versus the custom paint job is has. 4 - When riding our great bike trail, I look at the “ bicycle skills park.” I guess that’s what it is, the grassy land CALL FOR BIDS adjacent to the bike path. It’s been unfinished, and sometimes flooded, for This project requires the services of an Upper Nehalem Watershed Council excavation contractor with documented 825 Bridge St., Vernonia, Oregon 97064 some time. Is this really going to generate experience in constructing salmon habitat Phone: 503-429-0869 any serious income for the town? How enhancement projects to complete an in- email: Maggie@nehalem.org much has been invested? I think lower stream habitat enhancement project with-in Website: http://unwc.nehalem.org/ utility bills are a much higher priority for Beneke Creek and tributary Gilmore Creek. Vernonians. The project sites are located with-in the All bid documents and specifications are 5 - Is NPDES compliance that Jewell Meadows Wildlife Management Area available now until bid closing. critical? How close are we? Is it worth the (JMWMA) near Jewell, Oregon in central time and money? Clatsop County, T6N, R7W, SEC 2. The work This contract is subject to ORS 279C.800 6 - Can we work something out will occur on both public land managed by to 279C.870 (Prevailing Wage Law). with the state? Because the proposed the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife increase is just too much. (ODFW) and Oregon Department of Forestry Prequalification requirements: 7 - We could face more (ODF), and on adjoining private industrial documented experience in construction of forest land (Weyerhaeuser, Hampton) and one salmon habitat enhancement projects, with delinquent, unpaid bills because of the small woodlot. Project involves the placement 3 references. large increase. of 107+ logs (some with rootwads attached) The high sewer rates are tough to into 19 + log jam assemblages with-in active Mandatory site meeting will be held swallow, especially in an era where banks channel/s, removal on one small culvert and Wednesday, June 20th @ 10am, sharp. make mistakes, and get bailed out. I hope the placement of 10 boulders, at designated Interested contractors are to meet ODFW we can find creative, smart solutions to sites. The project will be contracted and and UNWC reps at intersection of Hwy 202 this problem. administered by the UNWC, with ODFW – and Beneke Rd. again. How will we handle a forest fire? All subjects for another conversation. I don’t know about you, but I’m on a fixed income. I’m sill paying for flood damage not covered by insurance or Flood Relief. Even though my house has been elevated I still have to maintain flood insurance. With higher property taxes for the new school, higher electric rates due to W.O.E.C.’s fancy new building, higher gas prices that make everything more expensive, my paltry income takes a heavy hit. I can’t imagine how people raising children do it. I know the City Council is trying hard to finally end the MOA imposed by DEQ and meet the demands of FEMA. An admiral undertaking, but let’s do a little more talking before we sign on the dotted Upper Nehalem Watershed Council Beneke and Gilmore Creek In-stream Salmon Habitat Enhancement Restoration Biologist directing and inspecting all on-the-ground work. Project is authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the terms and limitations of Nationwide Permit No. 27 – Aquatic Habitat Restoration, Establishment, and Enhancement Activities. Project is exempt from the State of Oregon Removal - Fill Requirements. Project has been reviewed by Clatsop County and is compatible with the local comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance. Bid documents, consisting of those components outlined in the Table of Contents (Section 01), may be examined or obtained from the: Terry’s Gym Sealed bids shall be submitted to: Upper Nehalem Watershed Council Attn: Maggie Peyton 825 Bridge St., Vernonia Oregon 97064 Sealed bids shall be received no later than 1:00 PM, Wednesday, June 27th 2012. Bids received after this time shall be returned unopened. Bids may be withdrawn at any time, prior to opening, upon written request of the Bidder. NO BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY WAY OF FAX OR ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE. Peter Nelson Vernonia two or more said parties to violate the law at some time during his “unofficial capacity” as Vernonia’s police chief. This, to me, stinks of a RICO [Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization Act] violation. Thus the monies gained by his tort claim must be forfeited, by law, to the federal government. It seems to me Mr. Kay is creating a fire-storm to simply buy time for further arbitration on his discretionary revocation evaluation. Yes... the hills are fraught with marauders that generally take the circuitous route that usually deposits them at the edge of an abyss that reads: dead end. Mark J. Akers Vernonia To the Editor: The Vernonia Senior Center would like to say “Thank You” to all its members who helped with the “Annual Plant Sale”. We also had help from two Master Gardeners who jumped in at the last second to help sort, price and sell, so a “Thank You” goes out to Leticia Soma and Pat Stacklie. A “Thank You” to Noni Anderson for volunteering to cashier on Saturday. Also, a big “Thank You” to May at “Jim Dandy’s” and Tammy at “Woodstock Nursery” - for the wonderful garden plants. A big “Thank You” to Trader Joe’s and Linda Tellef and her Manager Klea at Joe’s, for the weeks of plants we were able to pre-sell. Plus, the many many plants Linda gave from her own garden. “Thank You”. We were able to raise about $1,200! Good Job Vernonia, “Thank You All” for making the “Annual Plant Sale” a huge success. Hope to see everyone next year! Jack Harvey Vernonia Senior Center To the Editor, Hey Artists! The art display at City Hall was well received and I want to thank you for your participation. I have your art work at my home at: 1689 N. Mist Drive. My phone number is 503-429-8425. So, please, come and get it when you can. Thank you all, To the Editor, One’s basic nature eventually betrays itself, Mister Kay. Consider this play on a biblical passage: Beware of false profits which come to you in cheap clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Sally Harrison Mike Kay’s revised tort claim, if Vernonia true, speaks volumes about conspiring with thieves. Obviously, in order for Mike’s P.S. I hope you are all still drawing! lawyer to come to these conclusions, Mr. Kay must have been in agreement with VERNONIA E C I V SER PAIR & RE Warranty on all parts and labor JOIN THE TEAM! 503-901-1705 16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia Now offering 2 and 4 wheel alignments 58605 NEHALEM HWY. S. Next to Storage, Too 503/429/7972
