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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2012)
6 august28 area news 2012 Report From the WOEC Annual Meeting The West Oregon Electric Co- operative held its Annual Meeting for 2012 on August 18 at the Scout Cabin in Vernonia. The meeting included a lively discussion initiated by members during the New Business portion of the meeting and included several questions and ideas for solutions for the Board of Directors to consider. The meeting gave members of the coop a chance to receive an update on activities from the last year from the Board of Directors, General Manager Marc Farmer and other staff. Members also elected three Board members at the meeting. State Senator Betsy Johnson and State Representative Brad Witt were in attendance. Members re-elected Brian Baker from District 1—Jewell, Elsie, Hamlet and Dixie London from District 6—Chapman, Scappoose. Members also elected Dan Murphy from District 4--Vernonia, to his first term. All three ran unopposed. Board of Directors President Robert VanNatta reported that the new headquarters building has been “...work- ing out satisfactorily,” and that construc- tion on the new Vernonia substation is almost complete. Financial Officer Darlene McLeod reported that a snow storm in January of 2012 had a huge impact on the financial health of the Coop and cost close to $700,000, of which FEMA deemed $331,000 as eligible expenses. McLeod reported that Columbia County was the only county that received FEMA funds and that WOEC was reimbursed for $248,000 for that event. McLeod also reported that the Coop received the FEMA funds for the buyout of the old building in this fiscal year. Operations Manager Steve Scott reported on how the coop dealt with the snow storm in January and the need to bring in outside contract crews, although Scott reported that during this storm it was difficult to find available crews be- cause the storm was so big. Scott also reported that the new Vernonia School project and the new substation kept his crew busy this past year. Scott said WOEC has not September is Traffic Safety Awareness Month in Columbia County As our young people return to school after a summer of fun and frolic, it is a great time to remember that Traffic Safety Begins with Me. September is Traffic Safety Awareness Month throughout Columbia County. The Highway 30 Safety Corridor Study Group is bringing you this series of articles that target how our individual behavior can create a positive change in our county. If we all take the time and effort to personally change our driving, riding and walking actions, Columbia County can become a safer place for families and friends to live. Back to School. School Busses After a short reprieve from driving behind school busses in the morning, that time is here again. Drivers – remember that flashing red lights on a school bus mean you MUST stop in all directions in Columbia County until the lights are turned off. Bus drivers can and will note your vehicle license plate if you pass and you can be cited into traffic court. Aside from Rainier Hill, there are no roads with physical dividers separating traffic lanes anywhere in the county. Crossing highways and streets on foot or by bicycle Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk once they step off the curb and Vernonia Ridgeriders Schedule of Events SEPT 15 th SATURDAY Vernonia Ridgerider Playday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM Signup at 10:00 AM Events start at 11:00AM For more information contact Deloris Bellingham @ 503-895-0553 or go to the vernoniaridgeriders.com website FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES IN AND AROUND THE VERNONIA AREA until they are past your traffic lane safely. Pedestrians must pay attention to signals when crossing the highway. They are set to allow adequate time to cross. Most will flash a few seconds before changing to a solid red. Cyclists, remember to follow the rules of the road. Ride WITH the flow of traffic. Watch for vehicles that may be turning across your direction of travel. Drivers, check both sides of your vehicle before beginning a turn. A child or cyclist just might be there. See and be Seen Wear clothing that reflects light. Dark clothing absorbs light and drivers cannot see you. Have reflectors and lights on your bicycles. Look both ways – Left, Right, and Left again before stepping off a curb or crossing traffic. That goes for drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists. And above all – SLOW DOWN when students may be walking or riding to school. Observe the posted school zone speed and/or flashing signals. Anticipate the unexpected. Children drop things, horse around while walking and riding and can dart into traffic without warning. With the help and cooperation of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, the start of the school year can be safe and uneventful. Thank you for making our communities safer places to live. Cyclists, always wear your helmet. Flamingos Flock Back to Vernonia Boy Scout Troop 201 announces the annual return of the flamingo Flocks to Vernonia. The flocks have started their rounds and will conclude their visits in the later part of August 2012. The flocks will be delivered at night and the senders anonymity protected. This is a fundraiser for Boy Scout Camp and donations are welcome. For questions or to order a flock to be sent to a person or family of your choice please contact Tera Roberts at 503-429-6006. spent much time hooking up new cus- tomers. Sarah Rossi reminded members to take advantage of the Coop Connec- tions program which is a benefit for members for discounts on prescriptions, and that is a Healthy Savings program has been added which now offers dis- counts on dental, vision, hearing aids, chiropractic and lab work. There are also local businesses that offer discounts. General Manager Marc Farmer said the new building was more efficient to work from during the storm event in January. Farmer noted that he is lucky to work with people who are so tal- ented and dedicated and called the staff the Coop’s biggest asset. He also noted continued on page 11 Head Start Recruiting Now Head Start, a federally funded pre-school program, is seeking students for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications are being taken from all three and four year olds in Columbia County. Recruitment for fall enrollment is now in progress. If parents are interested in enrollment information they are urged to phone immediately. Perspective students must be three or four years old by September 1, 2012. Children must be from limited income households or have a disability and/or special needs to qualify. Head Start incorporates a total family program that includes nutrition, education, medical and dental services for the enrolled child and home visitations. USDA approved meals are served. Training on various subjects and on the job training is offered to all enrolled families. Transportation is not available. The U. S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Oregon prohibit discrimination in all USDA programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability. The Vernonia Center is located in the Blue Heron Hollow Apartment complex. Families who live in the Mist, Birkenfeld and Vernonia areas may phone (503) 429-9243 for more information. The Clatskanie Center is located behind the high school in Clatskanie. Families in the Clatskanie, Quincy, Westport and Knappa areas may phone (503) 728-2940 for more information. The Rainier Center is located in the Riverside Church building. Families in the Rainier and Goble area may phone (503) 556-2807 for more information. Students in the St. Helens area attend class at the center on Columbia Blvd. next to Mc Bride School. Families may contact (503) 397-4114 for more information. Head Start is an agency of Community Action Team, Inc., serving Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties. Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Small and Large Animals Police and County personnel are required to use a rotation of available provciders, UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK for a service by name. REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM Now Open Mon, Wed & Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for Appointments (503) 429-1612 Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
