8
in other words/history
july18
2013
The Sounding Board: “How Would You Run It?”
By Jack Phillips
My wife, Nancy, over morning coffee, re-
cently asked me, “How would you run the West
Oregon Electric Cooperative?”
It was an intriguing question. Members
need ready access to information, a path to par-
ticipation, not restriction, in order to effectively
relate to the co-op they own and empower. So, I
sat down and wrote an answer.
I would require strict, not casual, applica-
tion of Roberts Rules of Order. The basic format
of well stated motions, 2nds, discussions and re-
buttals would be followed, not casually touched
on. Roll call votes would be required so that each
director’s decision would be recorded and pub-
licly available. An active parliamentarian to keep
matters on track would be required. All meetings
would be recorded, transcribed verbatim, put on-
line and printed, which would assure objectivity to
details, the board’s decisions, the manager’s role,
and assure broad distribution of WOEC actions
to the membership. Detailed agendas, not skeletal
outlines, and full supporting materials, would be
provided online and in print at the front desk prior
to, and after, each meeting. The exclusive round
table and high back chairs used at board meet-
ings, excepting executive sessions, would be re-
placed with worktables and inclusive seating for
all persons present. Member participation would
be favored. There would be vigorous use of over-
head projection and/or large online digital screen-
ing of information. A state-of-the-art speaker
system and headphones for attendees with hear-
ing challenges would be used. Coffee and refresh-
ments would be provided to everyone along with
intermittent restroom breaks.
I would install a stronger, more vigorous
The Good Ol ’ Days
By Tobie Finzel
Vernonia Friendship Jamboree – the
First Three Years
When Vernonia’s lumber mill
closed in 1957, city leaders decided
to change the identity of Vernonia
from a mill town to a “Friendship
Town.” The three day Fourth of July
celebration was newly named the
Vernonia Friendship Jamboree. In May,
committee members distributed 10,300
wooden nickels to advertise the event
that included speeches, a horse show by
the Ridge Riders, fireworks provided
by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and
concessions.
In 1958 the Vernonia Friendship
Jamboree name was formerly adopted
for the July 4 th and 5 th celebration.
During the planning stages that winter,
differences of opinion among committee
members led to an editorial by Vernonia
Eagle publisher, Walter Kamholz, to
ask everyone to pull together to make
the event a success. The wooden nickel
tradition continued; the 1958 nickel bore
an image of the Shay locomotive and
citizens were asked to distribute the coins
wherever they went. New events were
added and the resulting celebration was
a success. In addition to the fireworks,
parade and Ridge Riders horse show,
the Second Annual Jamboree had a golf
tournament, an art show, a rock and gem
display, a country store that sold local
products and crafts, window displays in
downtown businesses, and a Jamboree
court of six princesses from whom a
queen was selected.
1959 was the year of the Oregon
Centennial, and towns across the state
were encouraged to host their own
centennial celebrations. The statewide
planners encouraged participants in
all local celebrations to wear pioneer
clothing and for the men to grow beards.
The Friendship Jamboree that year was
changed to a one day event on July 18 to
separate it from the July Fourth holiday
and to make it Vernonia’s Centennial
festival. Instead of high school-aged
princesses, that year a Centennial Court
was formed with women nominated
by local organizations including the
women’s lodges, the Grange, and P.E.O.
Nominees had to have lived in the Upper
Nehalem Valley for at least fifty years.
A special “Pony Express”
horse relay was set up across the state.
Vernonia sent a letter to Salem inviting
Oregon’s Governor Mark Hatfield to
crown the Centennial Queen. Members
of the Ridge Riders relayed the letter in
three mile legs from Vernonia to Buxton
where the Washington County Sheriff’s
posse took the mail further along the
route. Unfortunately, the governor’s
schedule did not permit that visit.
There were once again
differences of opinion on the types of
events that should be included and at
first not enough citizens showed up at
the planning committee meetings. Once
again, however, enough Vernonians
came together to produce a successful
For fast
cash!
010412
VERNONIA
use of committee assignments, to be continually
followed online. Attention would be focused on,
but not limited to, the following areas: (1) Audit
content, including internal efficiencies excepting
required protection of personnel files; (2) Alter-
native energy research and prototypes; (3) Right
of Way access and maintenance; (4) Membership
access to information; (5) Quarterly District Infor-
mation Meetings, including social gatherings to
increase membership participation and awareness;
(6) Homeowner Hands-On Seminars for Conser-
vation; (7) Rate Structure analysis and solutions;
(8) Membership grievances and assistance; (9)
Dividends (patronage accounts).
I believe by using this more open ap-
proach, the membership would be well served and
issues like our increasing electric rates, dividends
and outside investments better handled and more
understandable to membership.
Centennial Jamboree. The parade,
chaired by Jim Johns, had over fifty
entries and several thousand people
watched the parade. For the first time,
a logging competition, chaired by Don
Webb, was featured along with the Ridge
Riders show, class reunions, window
displays, concessions, a beard contest,
and golf, horseshoe and square dance
tournaments.
As we look forward to the 57 th
Vernonia Friendship Jamboree, let’s take
a moment to applaud all the volunteers
then and now who have given countless
hours to continue this celebration.
From Virgil Powell’s Diary
Virgil Powell was a long-time
resident who had a farm in the Upper
Nehalem Valley between Natal and
Pittsburg. Each year from 1906 until
1955, he kept a regular diary of his
activities. Because his diaries ended
before the Jamboree was begun, below
are a few entries from mid-July of 1915.
The entry for July 20 th is likely the
reason that the Powells didn’t travel for
the Fourth of July that year:
Friday, July 16: Went over and
cut some grass around the house
and was up to Pittsburg where
automobile was stuck in forenoon.
Rained pretty hard all forenoon
but fair in afternoon.
Saturday, July 17: Went up to
Vernonia 7:30 A.M. and returned 11
A.M. Cloudy in forenoon but bright
and nice in afternoon.
Worked
at cleaning out the well back of
Elliott barn in afternoon.
E
C
I
V
SER PAIR
& RE
Call or come by today for free tire quote
Most major brands and custom aftermarket wheels
Lube/oil/filter
• ASE Certified
• Fully Insured
• Warranty on all parts and labor
Walk-ins welcome
$29.95
One low price includes:
2245 Baseline St., Cornelius
(Across from Fred Meyer)
503-530-8119
State Licensed PB-0388
Open
everyday
at 9 a.m.
$75
$55
Wednesday, July 21: Hauled hay
on Elliott place most all day.
Raked and shocked the cheat hay.
Terrible hot all day.
The Vernonia Pioneer Museum is located
at 511 E. Bridge Street and is open from
1 to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
(excluding holidays) all year. From June
through mid-September, the museum
is also open on Fridays from 1 – 4 pm.
There is no charge for admission but
donations are always welcome. Become
a member of the museum for an annual
$5 fee to receive the periodic newsletter,
and if you are a Facebook user, check
out the new Vernonia Pioneer Museum
page created by Bill Langmaid. The
museum volunteers are always pleased
to enlist additional volunteers to help
hold the museum open and assist in
other ways. Please stop by and let one
of the volunteers know of your interest in
helping out.
Vernonia’s Voice
is published on
the 1st and 3rd
Thursday.
Our next issue will
be August 1.
Vernonia
Veterinary Clinic
Small and Large Animals
Installation • Balancing
Valve Stems • Lifetime Rotation
Lifetime Repairs • Alignment Check
Enhanced Warranty
up to 5 qts. conventional oil
Four-wheel
computer alignment
Front End
computer alignment
Tuesday, July 20:
Dr. Smith
arrived 2:30 A.M. Baby boy arrived
10 A.M. Hauled hay in afternoon.
Awful hot all day.
Interstate batteries
with free install
on most vehicles
503/429/7972
58605 NEHALEM HWY. South, Next to Storage, Too
Now Open
Mon, Wed & Saturday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call for Appointments
(503) 429-1612
Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470
700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
