community bulletin board/letters to the editor
may16
4 2013
Joy Creek Nursery County to Hold Public
Offers Classes
Hearing to Vacate Burn Road
Joy Creek believes their classes
are a good way for gardeners of all levels
to improve their knowledge of plants and
their gardening skills. The classes also of-
fer an opportunity for gardeners to meet oth-
ers who share a similar passion. Joy Creek
hopes they give confidence to the beginner
and inspiration to the long-time gardener.
1:00 Sunday, May 19 - free
Fine Foliage - with Karen Chapman
Discover the beauty of foliage-in-
spired design with designer and author Kar-
en Chapman. Learn to create eye catching
combinations and vignettes, discover hidden
jewels and explore new ways to use old fa-
vorites. Book signing of Fine Foliage to fol-
low.
1:00 Sunday, May 26 - free
Hebes and Companions - with Andy
Stockton
Hebes are small evergreen shrubs
that come in an amazing variety of textures
and sizes. Joy Creek Nursery carries over
65 varieties of these diverse beauties and we
will take a look at some of our heartiest and
most unique offerings. This class will look
at how to grow these wonderful New Zea-
land shrubs, as well as give ideas for includ-
ing them in landscapes. Other plants that
compliment or contrast nicely with the color
and form of various hebes will also be fea-
tured.
20300 NW Watson Road
Scappoose, OR 97056
503-543-7474
www.joycreek.com
Vernonia Weather
April 2013
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Ave/Tot
HIGH
58
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48
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82
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57.7
LOW
PRECIP
0.08
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48
0.37
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0.42
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0.55
34
0.2
35
0
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0.13
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0.02
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0.23
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0.09
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0.1
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0.19
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0.08
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35
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0.08
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0.07
28
0
36.2
2.61
Weather data is collected at the
U.S. Weather station at the
Vernonia Water Plant
The Columbia County Board
of Commissioners has scheduled a
Public Hearing on Wednesday May
29, 2013 at 10:00 AM to consider the
proposed vacation of a portion of un-
used and/or unconstructed rights-of-
way between Vernonia and Mist in Co-
lumbia County.
The meeting will be held in
the Commissioners Meeting Room,
Columbia County Courthouse, 230
Strand, Room 308, St. Helens, OR.
The portion of road proposed
for vacation are described as:
Cheldelin County Road No. 39
(aka Burn County Road), a portion of
Alfred Parkinen County Road No.P-
240. and all of Thomas Enneberg
County Road No. P-215 between Mist
and Vernonia, OR.
The Board of Commissioners
will consider at the hearing whether
the proposed vacation is in the public
interest.
The vacation is being re-
quested by ForesTree GM LLC and
Longview Timberlands.
The hearing is open to the
public and all interested persons may
appear and be heard. At or before the
hearing any person may file with the
Board of Commissioners any informa-
tion they wish to be considered.
Vote for 9-1-1 Renewal Levy? Of Course!
Oregon is holding an election
on May 21, 2013. There are only a few
items on the ballots that we received
in the Vernonia area—School Board
positions and Rural Fire District Board
of Directors positions.
The other item up for
decision by Columbia County voters
is renewal of the 9-1-1 Emergency
Communication Operating Levy.
This levy is for five years and
was originally approved by voters
in 1998 and again in 2003 and 2008.
The renewal is for the same rate as
approved the last two times and is less
than the original amount.
This levy supports the
operations of our local 9-1-1 call
center which dispatch and coordinate
emergency information for sixteen
public safety agencies included fire,
emergency medical services and
police.
The rate is 29 cents per $1,000
of assessed property value, meaning
that for a home valued at $150,000 the
cost is just $43 per year.
With all the cuts we have seen
over the last few years to the Columbia
County Sheriffs Office, including
upcoming reductions to jail beds (see
story in City News article on page 5 in
this issue), we certainly hope that local
voters can see the sense in continuing
to support this operating levy. This
levy will not increase taxes, but will
maintain the current level of service
and continue to provide a necessary
and vital function for our communities.
Please vote “YES” on
your ballot for the Renewal of 9-1-
1
Emergency
Communications
Operating Levy.
Readers Lend Their Voices...
Dear Vernonia Community,
It is unbelievable how time flies by. It seems like
just yesterday was the time when we arrived to Vernonia.
Sadly, now it’s time for some of us to go back to our
countries. And no article, no words can describe how
fantastic and eventful this year was.
We want people to know how grateful we
are. Thank you very much for being so nice, amazing,
supportive and understanding. A big thanks to everyone
we’ve spoken to for being friendly and kind. For every
word they said and every smile they shared with us. It’s
wonderful to be hosted by the Vernonia community. We
enjoyed going to Vernonia High School and experiencing
the Logger Spirit. Thank you, Mr. Underwood and school
staff for being so welcoming. We can’t thank enough
our dear host families: Shipleys, Youngs and Cheneys;
for always being here for us and making our American
experience full of joy. Thanks to Cathy Ward for finding
us the great families and for her support. Thanks to all the
exchange students who became a true family for us.
We will miss all the people of Vernonia, this
lovely town and America very much. A part of our hearts
will always stay here. And we hope
that one day we’ll be able to visit
HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
you again.
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Please include your name, address and phone number, limit your letters to
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Sincerely,
Iryna Budkevych (Ukraine),
Yuliya Pestova (Russia),
Karina Tolmacheva (Kyrgyzstan)
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
When: May 20, 2013 City Council Meeting
Where: City of Vernonia City Council Chamber
Why: To hear recommendation from FCS Group on the
Wastewater Rate Study
The City of Vernonia had begun to upgrade its wastewater
treatment facility before the damaging December 2007
flood. The City now must complete that upgrade at an
estimated total cost of $5 million. In the last fiscal year
ending June 30, 2012, the wastewater service operated at a
deficit, drawing down the fund balance to meet its operating
and capital (including debt service) obligations. The
wastewater utility fund balance was less than $100,000 to
begin the current fiscal year, and the City must act quickly to
stabilize the fund and position itself to pay for the remaining
treatment plant upgrade.
A draft report has been prepared that summarizes all of
the findings, recommendations and supporting materials
for the project for City review. Written comments are also
welcome and must be received by Wednesday, May 15, 2013
at Vernonia City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia OR 97064.
Both oral and written comments will be reviewed by the City
Council.
The location of the hearing is accessible to the disabled.
Please let Joann Glass at 503-429-5291 know if you need
any special accommodations to attend or participate in the
hearing.
More information about the FCS Group recommendation is
available for public review at Vernonia City Hall, 1001 Bridge
Street, Vernonia OR 97064 during regular office hours.
The City of Vernonia is an Equal Opportunity Provider