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
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503-901-1705
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58605 NEHALEM HWY. S.
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503/429/7972
