Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2014)
6 community news february6 2014 Health Center Partnership With Pacific University Growing The Vernonia Health Center Board recently partnered with the Vernonia Senior Center to host speakers from Pacific University for the first in a series of three conversations on wellness. Ruth Zuinga PHD, from Pacific University School of Psychology, joined a diverse group of community members to discuss “Motivation for Healthy Living”. For an hour over a dozen community members shared barriers and successful strategies to make healthier choices and how to re-evaluate past experiences to provide motivation for self identified goals. “It was very engaging and enjoyable. I was happily impressed.” said Marie Kran following the session. Tobie Finzel agreed. “Excellent presentation.” According to Heather Lewis of the Vernonia Health Board, these conversations are being offered in response to a recent community survey in which the Vernonia Health Center Board asked patients and community members how they could better provide for the needs of the community. “Offering Community Education on Health Related Topics” was high on the list. So we approached our partners at Pacific University and this three part series is the first of many we will be offering.” “They are an enthusiastic and invested partner,” shared Lewis about the relationship with Pacific University. “This is also being reflected in the primary care services at the Vernonia Health Clinic. The P.A. Student rotation has begun and community feedback is overwhelmingly supportive.” Lewis added that in the last five months, the new partnership between the Vernonia Health Board and Pacific University has brought services at the clinic from two days a week to five. Daily appointments have increased as well, going from five to eight clients a day up to twelve to eighteen. “I think this shows the community is just as excited as we are with the addition of Pacific University to our operations team,” said Lewis. “With seven Health Professional Schools at the University we look forward to being able to work with them on many levels for additional services for our clients.” The next Community Health Conversation will be February 24 th , 1:00 PM at the Vernonia Senior Center. Watch for fliers and postings on Facebook for more details. CAT Offers Innovative Home Ownership Program Community Action Team (CAT), in partnership with USDA Rural Development, is launching an excit- ing new program which will assist low and moderate income individuals and families to become homeown- ers. CAT is one of a handful of nonprofits in the United States selected to run this new Self-Help pilot program which assists low and moderate income persons and families become homeowners. This program, referred to as Self-Help, will allow low-income families and individuals to purchase and renovate foreclosed, short- sale and/or vacant homes throughout Clatsop, Colum- bia or Tillamook counties. This program renovates homes one at a time, which differs from the standard group Mutual Self-Help model. CAT will work with the participants to find the right home with the location, size, cost and amenities to suit their needs. Families and individuals will work under the guidance of a CAT construction supervisor, using “sweat equity” and sub-contractors to complete a remodel and deep energy retrofit of their new home. The result will be new homeowners with a newly re- modeled and energy efficient home. Sweat Equity requires the new homeowner (with the help of friends or family members) to complete 30 hours of labor per week for the duration of the project – an average proj- ect will last between four and six months. Disabled persons may have volunteers partner with them to complete the required sweat equity investment. Typi- cal sweat equity tasks include demolition, painting, carpentry, landscaping and finish work. Work such as plumbing and electrical are completed by a licensed subcontractor. Each of the homes in this unique Self- Help model will receive a deep energy retrofit. The money used to complete the deep energy retrofit is a grant, and as long as the homeowner remains in their home for a minimum of two years, it is not required to be paid back. There is also the possibility of a grant to be used toward the down payment! Homes in this pro- gram will range from 800 to 1600 sq ft. The mortgages on these homes will be between $80,000 and $160,000. CAT will complete 15 homes in the three Northwest counties of Oregon in the next 24 months. This innovative Self-Help model will enable modest VERNONIA E C I V SER PAIR & RE Warranty on all parts and labor Now offering 2 and 4 wheel alignments 58605 NEHALEM HWY. S. Next to Storage, Too 503/429/7972 income families achieve homeownership, and help needed. After the home has been appraised and ap- neighborhoods recover by filling vacant homes. Self- proved by USDA RD, it will be purchased and rehabili- Help housing combines financing from USDA and tation of the home begins. Each home will receive an sweat equity provided by the future homeowner. The energy audit which will be used to develop a scope of benefits of the USDA 502 loan products are that the in- work to reach maximum energy savings for each home. terest rates can be as low as 1% and the term can be as CAT staff will help to manage the budgets, long as 38 years. Loans for this program are currently contracts and the construction process to ensure that available and there is no waiting list for these funds. things are done correctly and to maximize value. Once Another benefit of USDA 502 loans is that there is no the work is completed the family moves into their new down payment or payments during construction. After home. continued on page 7 the home is completed, USDA will work with the hom- eowner to keep them in their home in the event the homeowner experiences financial hardship. Some of the requirements for this pro- gram including having a consistent source of income, such as a regular paycheck, Veterans benefits or SSI/SSDI, decent credit and the will- Police responded to a Arrests/Reports/ ingness to contribute sweat equity. For folks that reported cold burglary Criminal Citations may be disabled, a volunteer or volunteers are • January 03, 2014 – in the 1300 block of East able to step in and help with the sweat equity. miscellaneous Police responded to the Ave, The family must have a modest income based on 1600 Block of Heather jewelry items were Rural Development’s income guidelines. Ln on a report of a Civil found missing from the Anyone interested in participating in (Custody Dispute). residence. this program should contact Sally McLaughlin, Report will be forwarded • January 25, 2014 the Homeownership Specialist with Community to Columbia County – Police transported Action Team, and fill out the one page pre-qual- a juvenile to an area Courts for review. ification form to determine their eligibility. If • January 14, hospital due to a eligible to participate in the program, CAT staff 2014 –Arrest on a confirmed threat of self- will work with participants to fill out the formal Misdemeanor Warrant harm. USDA Loan documents. in the 400 Block of Participants who have qualified for the Traffic/Other Citations North St. program will look through an inventory of hous- • January 17, • January 16, 2014 – es that fit their needs. Once a home has been 2014 – Arrest on a Issued a traffic citation identified, a detailed scope of work will be de- Driving While Misdemeanor Warrant for veloped to determine the repairs and upgrades in the 900 Block of Suspended on Bridge St. near California Ave. Madison Ave. • January 22, 2014 • January 18, 2014 – Vernonia’s Voice is - Police responded Issued a traffic citation published on the to a reported theft of for Failing to Change prescription medication Address on Registration 1st and 3rd Thursday. in the 1000 block of on Bridge St. near Our next issue will be Weed Ave. Columbia St. February 20th. • January 22, 2014 - Vernonia Police Blotter January 1-31, 2014 IT’S TAX TIME Call your LOCAL tax preparer R Y O A LL PL P US LLC Edi Sheldon 503-429-1819 edisheldon@gmail.com Licensed tax consultant • Full service payroll Personal & small business bookkeeping • QuickBooks assistance CORPS, S-CORPS, LLC, Partnerships • Personal one-on-one service LTC #29629 - Oregon licensed tax consultant RTRP #P00448199 - designated as a registered tax return preparer by the Internal Revenue Service The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information on tax return preparers, go to www.IRS.gov. Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Small and Large Animals 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
