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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2015)
january15 2015 VERNONIA’S volume9 issue2 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community DEQ Announces Informational Meeting on Oregon LNG in Vernonia By Scott Laird route of the pipeline. The proposed also spawn along this stretch of the route mostly travels along roads and creek. Tatman says she worries that DEQ has announced it will across some timberland. the dredging required to install the host two informational meetings on a Tatman says she is con- pipeline underneath the creek will 401 water quality certification for the cerned for several reasons including damage the water quality down- proposed Oregon LNG pipeline proj- possible environmental degradation stream and collapse the banks of the ect. DEQ will hold the meet- ings in Vernonia on Thursday, January 29 at 6:00 PM at the Cabin in Vernonia. DEQ will also host a meeting in Warren- ton on Tuesday, January 27. DEQ’s public com- ment period on the proposed Oregon LNG 401 water qual- ity certification application has been extended and now closes on Monday, February 16, 2015. The proposed thirty- six inch pipeline would travel just northwest of Vernonia. It would connect with the Wil- liams Pipeline in Woodland Washington, crossing the Co- lumbia River into Oregon near This photo shows where the LNG pipeline is planned to cross Rock Creek Dear Island and travel across four miles above the intake for Vernonia’s city water. Columbia and Clatsop Coun- ties. The total length of proposed as well as safety concerns. creek. She also fears that large old pipe in Oregon is eighty-six miles. Among Tatman’s chief con- trees will be damaged or removed The pipeline would transport natural cerns is the fact that the pipeline during the construction process. gas from Canada through Washing- crosses Rock Creek, the water source “Oregon LNG has been very ton to a proposed terminal in Warren- for the City of Vernonia as well as secretive about this whole project,” ton, OR, where the gas would be sold numerous residents along the water says Tatman. “I’ve been aware of it and shipped overseas, most likely to route. “We pump our water out of because they had to notify me - I’m Asian markets. Rock Creek and so do a lot of oth- an adjacent landowner. But I’m con- Marilyn Tatman lives on 32 er people below where the pipeline cerned about my neighbors and the acres at the end of Creekview Lane would cross,” says Tatman. other families that live nearby that off Keasey Road. The proposed Tatman says the stream could be affected and aren’t even pipeline would cross Rock Creek crossing and the 100 foot easement aware that this is happening close along the eastern property line of the for the pipeline is on a pristine piece by.” Tatman’s property, four miles above of property that is home to beaver, Tatman says that if the pipe- Vernonia. The Tatmans are one of deer, otter, and fox. Tatman says line is constructed and uses any of the few small private property own- an elk herd often visits the area and her property she would be compen- ers directly affected by the proposed she has seen signs of cougar. Salmon continued on page 11 inside 7 the good ol’ days 9 psu students design bridge 12 vhs winter sports report 19 vhs senior projects free VHS Hall of Fame Nominations Now Being Taken “Walk Your Wheels” Help Make Our Sidewalks Safer People often wonder if one person really can make a difference. Paula Hanson has proven once again that they can. Hanson is the inspiration and creator of “Walk Your Wheels,” a campaign designed to make Vernonia’s down- town corridor safer for pedestrians and encourage courtesy and consideration on Vernonia’s side- walks. The “Walk Your Wheels” safe- ty program Hanson initiated involves signage in Verno- nia’s downtown that reminds bicy- clists, skateboard- ers, scooter riders and users of other wheeled devices that the City has an ordinance prohibiting riding on sidewalks in certain portions of town. Three signs were re- cently installed at local businesses and more will be in place shortly. “We’re hoping these signs become famil- iar and that people understand what it means,” says Hanson. The “Walk Your Wheels” program does not suggest that riders move into the street, but in- stead encourages them to walk their wheeled de- vice on sidewalks where riding is prohibited. The signs references city ordinance 764 which controls vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The ordinance prohibits use of wheeled devices on Bridge Street from Weed Avenue to California along with adjacent side streets that include Madi- son Avenue and Jefferson Avenue between Bridge and Maple Avenue. “We’re not chasing people off the side- walks, we just want them to be aware of and cour- teous of our foot traffic,” says Hanson. continued on page 10 New City Councilors Sworn In The Vernonia High School Hall of Fame Selection Committee is now taking nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame for the upcoming year. The VHS Athletic Department will be accepting nominations, supported by information that fits the criteria for qualification, through the month of February. The Selection Committee will then make the selections from those nominated for induction to the Hall of Fame and hold the induction ceremony in April of this year. The Vernonia High School’s Hall New Vernonia City Councilors Jill Hult and Mike Seager were of Fame was established in 2014 for the sworn in at the January 5th City Council meeting. purpose of recognizing former Vernonia High School student athletes or coaches also eligible. for their outstanding achievement in athletics while Last year was the initial Athletic Hall of Fame attending Vernonia High School. Outstanding community class induction and included: members that have contributed above and beyond what • Gilbert Bergerson, 1928 is generally accepted as normal volunteerism to the • John (Gordy) Crowston, 1952 Vernonia High School athletic programs and students • Leonard Schmidlin, 1962 that have graduated from Vernonia High School and have • Marvin Crowston, 1962 gone on to achieve outstanding recognition in athletics • Steven Hanso, 1970 after they have graduated from Vernonia High School are continued on page 13
