Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current, April 03, 2014, Page 14, Image 14

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    14
community
april3
2014
Library Event for Local Poet’s Publication
name to “Rewind” which is also fitting. This has been
an exciting and educational trip into the world of pub-
lishing. Even though my little poem is a very small part
of the book, it’s still been fun!
I sent in my poem in October and in January
I received an e-mail that my poem had made it to the
final selection round! I was very excited! It still wasn’t
“in” the book, but I was close! A few days later they
informed me that it had been selected and then began
the flurry of e-mails for editing, release information,
and a short biography.
Because this book is a fundraiser for Alzheim-
er’s I think it was on the fast track for publishing, it
usually takes much longer for one of their books to be
ready for publication. It will be in the stores April 22,
but one of the wonderful things about being a contribu-
tor is that they allow you to use the book as a fund-
raiser for a non-profit organization of your choosing. I
have chosen the Vernonia Library.
I’m so pleased to be able to honor my mom in
this way. We did not choose this journey she is on, but
we will be by her side every step
of the way. This disease has not
been her whole life, just a small
part of it and I want to celebrate
the wonderful mom, sister, grand-
ma, and friend that she has always
been. Alzheimer’s is a thief that
robs family and friends of their
loved ones. I’m grateful to be
even a small part of funding the
effort to find a cure for this hor-
rible disease. I also find comfort
when I read about someone else’s
Alzheimer’s journey and can make
a connection with them, that I
have felt the same way or it’s okay
to feel that way. I hope my small
continued from front page
contribution might touch someone else and give them
comfort and let them know that they are not alone.
I hope to see everyone at the library! It
will be a fun event to honor my mom and
the lifetime of wonderful memories she
has given our family and still continues
to make with us on this journey through
life. I have learned I am blessed beyond
words by the family and friends who
support and encourage me every day. I
know for sure, that every journey is bet-
ter when shared.
If  you  would  like  to  pre-order  a  copy 
of the book (this will ensure they have 
enough)  you    can  stop  by  the  library, 
call 503-429-1818, or send an e-mail li-
brary@vernonia-or.gov.
Meet Bob Perry New General Manager at WOEC
be  stabilized.    Perry  says  by  working 
together  as  a  community  to  attract 
business and new residents to Vernonia 
and developing new industry, costs could 
be  spread  across  a  larger  and  broader 
customer  base.    According  to  Perry 
costs  for  things  like  poles,  metal,  costs 
associated  with  implementing  green 
energy  requirements  and  costs  from 
Bonneville  Power  are  all  going  up,  at 
about 3% per year.  “Those higher costs 
are going to be passed on to members,” 
says Perry.  “It’s a tough balance.”
 
Perry  went  on  to  say  that  the 
WOEC  infrastructure  has  been  ignored 
for years and the co-op is having to play 
catch-up  to  maintain  and  replace  aging 
poles, lines, meters and substations.  
 
Perry  said  electric  co-ops  on  a 
state level are currently working together 
to  convince  the  state  that  hydro  power 
should  be  considered  “renewable,” 
which could lower the burden on utilities 
to  meet  “green  energy”  mandated 
requirements.    “I  think  this  is  a  battle 
our  members  are  facing,  and  most  of 
us  don’t  care  about  those  things,”  says 
Perry.  
 
When  asked  about  adjusting 
the  rate  structure  to  capture  more  of 
the  operational  costs  to  deliver    power 
in  the  base  charge,  Perry  was  cautious. 
“How much are you willing to subsidize 
somebody else’s bill?” he asked.  “That’s 
what  it  boils  down  to.”    Perry  went  on 
to  explain  that  WOEC’s  base  rate  is 
within  the  national  average;  Perry  said 
he thought most co-ops charge between 
$25 and $40 as a base rate. WOEC just 
raised  theirs  to  $37.    Perry  said  that 
WOEC’s reports have concluded that the 
base rate should be $66 to cover all fixed 
costs.    Perry  said  that  electric  utilities 
have traditionally had low base charges 
and  subsidize  those  fixed  costs  through 
charges  for  energy  use,  which  Perry 
says  is  actually  a  bad  business  model.  
What  ends  up  happening  is  this  model 
encourages  rate  payers  to  find  ways  to 
use less energy, which in turn leaves the 
utility unable to pay for their fixed costs.  
Perry  says  the  idea  of  raising  the  base 
charge  and  lowering  the  distribution 
charge  would  work  out  better  for  the 
co-op.   The  problem  is  that  rate  payers 
don’t want to see the base charge raised.  
Perry went on to say that people on fixed 
incomes  and  those  in  lower  income 
brackets  who  live  in  homes  which  are 
inefficient  for  energy  savings  would 
benefit  most  from  a  higher  base  rate.  
“It’s just a mindset,” says Perry.  “We’re 
so  used  to  a  low  access  fee  to  the  grid 
that  any  bump  in  that  base  rate  causes 
people  to  go  crazy.  You  have  to  give 
something to get something.”
 
‘Green  energy’  is  a  current  hot 
topic  and  buzz  word,  especially  in  the 
power  utility  industry.    When  asked 
about  the  reality  of  more  energy  being 
created  for  Vernonia  through  clean 
technologies,  Perry  was  realistic.  “You 
can’t  get  much  cleaner  than  hydro,”  he 
said.  He went on to state that he thinks 
the  next  form  of  green  energy  that  the 
country will transition to in the future is 
nuclear,  though  in  smaller  sized  plants.  
Perry  shared  a  personal  experience  he 
had of seeing a scenic hillside in upstate 
New  York  that  was  changed  by  the 
installation  of  thirty-five  wind  turbines.  
“It  really  had  a  visual  impact  on  the 
area.”  Perry said some people call wind 
power  a  ‘medieval  technology’  and 
noted it is a low density form of power 
that takes up a lot of space for not a lot 
of return.   “Is green energy part of the 
mix?” asked Perry.  “Yes, it’s a part.  Can 
it stand on its own without government 
subsidies?    Maybe,  maybe  not.”    Perry 
noted  that  he  has  added  a  link  on  the 
WOEC  webpage  under  ‘News’  for  the 
‘BPA Balancing Authority’ which shows 
hydro,  thermal  and  wind  power  being 
produced.  “It might be kind of fun for 
people  to  click  on  it  and  take  a  look,” 
said Perry.
 
Perry 
was 
extremely 
complimentary  when  asked  about  the 
Board of Directors at WOEC.  “They are 
probably one of the best Boards I have 
worked  with,”  said  Perry.    “The  reason 
continued from page 8
I say that is because of the diversity you 
have here on this Board.  You don’t have a 
homogenous Board; they don’t represent 
one  particular  group,  like  ranchers  or 
dairy  farmers.    To  get  the  quality  of 
people you have here on WOEC’s Board 
of Directors is phenomenal.  I’m glad to 
be working with these people.  They are 
all smart, they all have different opinions 
and  aren’t  afraid  to  voice  them.    They 
are very active and very engaged.  It’s a 
pleasure to work with them.”   
 
Perry turned to current customer 
dissatisfaction  to  close  our  interview.  
“The  Board  was  very  frank  during  the 
interview  process.    They  told  me  they 
had  some  issues  with  ‘member  unrest’, 
if that’s what you want to call it.   You 
could change the whole Board tomorrow 
to try to do something different.  But the 
reality  of  the  economics  is  going  to  hit 
anybody in the face.  It is what it is.”
Vernonia’s Voice
is published on the
1st and 3rd
Thursday. Our
next issue will be
out April 17th.
Bridge Street Bits
Hope everyone is enjoying this great spring
break weather today as this is being typed.
Must be some new fish in the lake as I see lots
of cars over there! Speaking of fishing, come
in the center and fish for some good deals.
With the new look around here I think a new
thrift store name is in order! Whatcha think?
AN OPEN LETTER from Audeen Wagner,
member of Vernonia Library Board of Directors:
“Dear Senior Citizens:
The Vernonia Public Library Board is
planning a new program focused on delivery
of books and other library materials to seniors
who are not able to visit the library regularly.
This service would include checking out of
books and other items such as E-readers,
books on tape, movies, magazines, etc.
This program might appeal to
seniors who are “home-bound” or “shut-ins” or
just not able to visit the library for any reason.
We are working with the Senior Center and
Meals-on-Wheels to work out the details. New
programs are available to the library that might
be beneficial to ALL seniors in the future, so
we are excited to be part of this effort.
The first step is for you to let us
know of your interest. With your permission,
we would contact you with more details and to
find out your individual interests.
We will also want to know if you
would be in need of electronic devices such
as DVD or CD players or electronic readers.
These and other questions can
be addressed by phone, email or in person;
the first step is for you to call and give us
permission to continue:
Please call or
email: Audeen Wagner at 503-429-9700 or
Vernonia Senior Center
446 Bridge Street
dizzdeen@yahoo.com
SENIOR SIGN OFF: Medical costs are so
high that it seems the first thing germs attack
is your wallet.
LUNCH MENU
4/3 Ham & Egg Biscuit Benedict
4/4 Chicken Salad Sandwich
4/7 Chicken Parmesan
4/8 Burrito Casserole
4/9 Swedish Meatballs
4/10 Flatbread Pizza
4/11 Quiche & Salad
4/14 Roast Chicken
4/15 Sloppy Joes
4/16 Pork Chops & Stuffing
4/17 Chef’s Choice
4/18 Clam Chowder & Biscuits
503-429-3912