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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 7, 2013)
community 2013 Donation Opportunity Vernonia Cares Food Bank (VCFB) is offering Christmas holiday grocery boxes to low income households within the Vernonia community. Registration will be open from Nov 12-Dec 12, 2013. The boxes will be available for pick up December 20 to pre-registered households. They are projected to contain the basic groceries for a Christmas meal. “Our target recipients are households which fall within the USDA eligibility guidelines, said Vernonia Cares Director Sandy Welch. “That is $1,771 gross income per month for single person households, plus $620 per month for each additional person in the households. However, anyone who is a Vernonia resident and does not have the groceries for a Christmas meal is eligible to apply for this special food box,” Welch concludes. Applications may be obtained from Vernonia Cares Food Bank, november7 which is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. VCFB is located within the American Legion Hall at 627 Adams Avenue. To obtain a form, please call the food bank at 503-429-1414 and leave clear mailing information. All applications must be received by December 12. Again, only pre-registered households will be eligible. “At this point, we are planning to provide this service to about 200 local households and are praying the funds arrive to support it,” Welch emphasized. “This project has been strongly supported by this community in the past and I’m looking forward to that same support this year. I’m so glad we are able to brighten people’s Christmas through these groceries. What’s Christmas without, at the least, a Christmas meal together?” asks Welch. “Between now and Thanksgiving is a great time to buy a turkey and donate it towards the Christmas Grocery Box Project. That’s when the sale prices are available,” states Vernonia Cares President Rosie McCoy. “All turkeys given now will be stored frozen and then distributed near Christmas.” Vernonia Sentry, a strong supporter of VCFB, makes it simple to donate within their store. Through check-stand giving, patrons can designate $30 which will be used to buy the groceries. Individuals, businesses and civic organizations interested in supporting this worthwhile cause, whether through food or funds, may contribute directly at the food bank site on Tuesday or Thursday, from 10:00 A.M to 2:00 PM. Checks may be mailed to Vernonia Cares Food Bank, PO Box 126, Vernonia, OR 97064. Receipts for these tax deductible donations will be sent upon request. Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Gayle Rich Boxman Jim Buxton Dr. Ken Cox Stacey Lynn Aaron Miller Jennifer Moloney Sarah Rossi Michal Smith Audeen Wagner Grant Williams Photography Scott Laird Merkley Introduces Legislation continued from front page mapping approach that utilizes sound scientific and engineering methodologies to determine varying levels of flood risk in all areas participating in the National Flood Insurance Program: All homes and businesses that are currently “grandfathered.” These are properties that were built to code and later remapped into a higher risk area. Prior to Biggert-Waters, these policyholders were not penalized for relying on inaccurate FEMA flood maps. All properties that purchased a new policy after July 6, 2012, before they were legally required to purchase insurance. All properties sold after July 6, 2012. New homeowners and business owners will continue to receive the same treatment as the previous owner unless they trigger another provision in Biggert- Waters such as Severe Repetitive Loss, non-primary residence, substantial damage, etc. The measure requires FEMA to propose a draft regulatory framework to address any affordability issues identified by the study within 18 months after the completion of the study and establishes a six month period thereafter to provide for Congressional review. The House and Senate would then hold up or down votes through a privileged motion on giving FEMA the authority to promulgate affordability regulations. If Congress approves this authority, the targeted freeze set forth by this bill would continue until regulations are finalized. If not, the freezes would be lifted absent other Congressional action. SECTION 2. AFFORDABILITY STUDY FUNDING Section 100236 of Biggert-Waters required FEMA to produce a study that considered the effects the Bill will have on affordability. Strikes the arbitrary dollar amount on the affordability study to ensure FEMA has the funding required to complete it within two years of the date of enactment. SECTION 3. FUNDS TO REIMBURSE HOMEOWNERS FOR SUCCESSFUL MAP APPEALS Allows FEMA to utilize the National Flood Insurance Fund (NFIF) to reimburse policyholders who successfully appeal a map determination. FEMA currently has the authority to reimburse homeowners for successful appeals of map findings, but Congress has never appropriated funding for this purpose. Making appeal reimbursement an eligible expense of the NFIF would give FEMA the incentive to “get it right the first time” and repay homeowners for contributing to the flood risk body of knowledge. Unsuccessful appeals would not be reimbursed in any way. SECTION 4. ELIMINATE PENALTY ON COMMUNITIES SELF- FINANCING FLOOD PROTECTION FEMA’s AR and A99 flood zone categories provide more affordable flood insurance to qualifying communities that are in the process of levee construction, reconstruction, and improvements. Current regulations require a certain level of federal participation to qualify for either an A99 or an AR designation, and therefore prevent FEMA from giving communities fair credit for improvements made to existing flood control systems. Proactive communities that invest in mitigation should not be penalized for self-financing flood protection projects. SECTION 5. TREATMENT OF BASEMENT AREAS WHEN CALCULATING BASE FLOOD ELEVATIONS Preserves the pre-Biggert-Waters basement exception allowing the lowest flood-proofed opening in a home to be used for determining flood insurance rates. This affects 54 communities nation-wide where basements are necessary to protect homeowners and businesses from extreme weather. Basements that have not been flood- proofed would remain subject to the effects of Biggert-Waters SECTION 6. DESIGNATION OF FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP ADVOCATE Establishes a Flood Insurance Rate Map Advocate within FEMA to answer current and prospective policyholder questions about the flood mapping process. The Rate Map Advocate will be responsible for educating policyholders about their individual flood risks, their Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com options in choosing a policy, assisting property owners through the map appeals process, and improve outreach and coordination with local officials, community leaders, and Congress. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), David Vitter (R-LA), Chuck Schumer (D- NY), Bill Nelson (R-FL), Mark Begich (D-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Al Franken (D- MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Ed Markey (D- MA). Congresswoman Maxine Waters, along with Congressmen Michael Grimm, Cedric Richmond and 34 others are introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives. Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Lady’s Night Wed 5-12 Cedar Side Inn “STILL BIKER FRIENDLY” Taco Tuesday from opening until 9 PM 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 EVENTS Prime Rib Nov. 8 & 9 Play It Again Karaoke every second Saturday 5-9 PM Karaoke every Friday 9 PM-close iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841 3 • Specialty hamburgers • Draft beer & mixed drinks • Pool tables & satelite TV • Special live music events • Free Wi-fi Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia Nov. 23 Dixie Wrecked Beer & Kegs to go Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999
