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