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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2013)
4 community bulletin board/letters to the editor december19 2013 Readers Lend Their Voices... To the Editor, Who pays the most amount of money for WOEC electricity? At first, any one of us might think, those folks who have the most to heat; like members with large houses, businesses and workshops. They do pay more, in total amounts, than most folks. But here is the catch: members who have low incomes, and there are a lot of people in that category, more often than not, are on skimpy retirement. This includes social security; and those who are struggling to buy food, pay for water, sewer, medicine and taxes, let alone make repairs to, and keeping up, their houses, trailers or cabins. The point? They cannot just ante up several thousand dollars, or more, in cash to install insulation, upgrade windows, roofing, wiring, appliances or buy expensive hi-tec heating. They have to run cheaper electric heaters and baseboards. Their monthly winter bills? $200, $400, $600 !! The first casualty is Vernonia Weather November 2013 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Ave/Tot HIGH 59 53 49 47 54 52 53 49 47 58 58 54 54 49 47 47 50 50 48 41 45 50 52 52 53 43 56 54 42 50 LOW 47 34 35 41 47 45 42 40 39 37 36 43 42 36 36 40 40 47 25 19 17 17 20 21 21 25 25 25 27 40 50.5 33.7 PRECIP .47 .39 .17 .18 T .59 .41 .01 T 0 .22 0 0 T .36 .15 .05 .65 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 T 0 0 .02 .65 4.33 Weather data is collected at the U.S. Weather station at the Vernonia Water Plant medicine; food is next, and so on, down the line until it is the person themselves. Where does that put them in the monthly electric bill lineup? At the very top! Yes, they can call WOEC and an independent weatherization contractor will come out and tell what they already know: “Your house leaks heat like a sieve and it will cost you a bundle (which you do not have) to fix it.” This latest rate hike: what was to be 12%, but voted by the board, to 14%; turned out in the checkbooks of most folks at 20 %,, or more! It is a backbreaker. The Board, with their new found money, took out another $2,000,000 loan (line-of-credit), bought new equipment, are increasing tree trimming, are increasing loan payments and hope to build an emergency reserve, in case they get in financial difficulty! The increase in income from the rate rise? It’s gone. So is the manager. It is time to change the by-laws, some directors and get more of you directly involved in meetings, policy making, financial decisions and making WOEC a functioning, responsive cooperative. Power of One Valley Vet to Close Vernonia In 1974, Dr. Jule Plummer opened her office in Vernonia in order to provide the community with affordable, quality veterinary care for their pets and livestock. Since then, things have changed. Another veterinary clinic are now providing needed veterinary care in Vernonia. Dr. Jule retired in 2012, and Valley Veterinary Clinic Vernonia’s last patient care day will be December 26, 2013. We will still be in our Rainier office to serve you. Vernonia is online at www.powerofonevernonia.site88. net. Email is WOEC.unitedmembers@yahoo.com. Our message phone is 503-429-8089. Jack Phillips Vernonia, OR The Facts of Life I’ve observed on reaching 80 That in every single way A person just grows better with every passing day. With a step that’s ever stronger with a stance so straight and true the younger folks are jealous for they want to be like you You can run a fair bit faster you can lift three times your weight your memory never fails you Office near perfection is your fate We have a veterinarian on call nights and weekends if you have an emergency and large animal services will still be provided to the area. If you request, we can provide mail service for products. Your animals’ records will be maintained at the clinic in Rainier. Please call us if you need the records transferred. Thank you for 39 great years! We’ve been happy to be your veterinarians! Fame comes oh so easily and wealth accompanies it and you become a paragon of piety and wit Rising early, working late you never seem to tire soon you’re known to everyone as a might ball of fire No more of mundane problems these you simply rise above for your mind is filled with brilliant thoughts and your life with joy and love The intellect shoots skyward the libido multiplies we have more of everything we also tell more lies Dee Stevens Vernonia Join us in celebrating the Spirit of Giving this Christmas Season at the 7th Annual Christmas Dinner Serving from 1 pm to 4 pm On Wednesday, December 25th at the Vernonia Senior Center Dinner is free to families and friends in Vernonia. No gratuities or donations required Dinner will include turkey & dressing, ham, cranberries, mashed potatoes & gravy, vegetable, bread, choice of dessert and beverage. Dinners To Go & limited deliveries available! For more information contact Bill James at 503-359-2310. HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Vernonia’s Voice welcomes and re- quests your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Please include your name, address and phone number, limit your letters to 300 words or less. Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted. We will print letters space permitting. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Mon- day of each month. Email: scott@ vernoniasvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55, Vernonia, OR 97064. Happy Holidays from Meyer’s Auto Body Peace on Earth from Cedar Ridge Retreat and Conference Center www.VisitCedarRidge.com (503) 429-2801 503-429-0248
