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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2015)
august6 2015 VERNONIA’S volume9 issue15 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community Changes to Flood Insurance Rules Offer Consumers Options By Scott Laird free requiring premiums to reflect real flood risks. The result was a huge increase in premiums. After the new law took effect, lawmakers realized the new policy rates would be extremely burdensome for property owners and enacted the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIA). Although the HFIA did offer homeowners some relief from huge premiums increases, most NFIP policy holders still saw a significant rate increase this past spring. “Most people think that it stopped the huge rate increases and reversed everything but it only slowed the train down and shifted the premium burdens,” says Gail Moldovan- Trujillo, an insurance agent and flood specialist at Hagen Hamilton Insurance in Newburg. “Instead of people getting hit with high premiums right out of the gate they will now see rate increases between 15% and 18% a year, plus additional fees of 5%-15% to pay back FEMA’s deficit. Those people that own businesses or have a secondary home or an out building also get hit with an additional $250 fee.” Moldovan-Trujillo is known as a flood insurance expert in the State of Oregon. She has worked as a flood consultant for cities and counties and has also taught flood insurance guidelines to other insurance agents. She heads the team of insurance agents specializing in flood insurance at Hagen Hamilton, who also have offices in St. City Water Curtailment in Effect. No outside watering. For property owners that are required See page 15 for more details. to maintain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, the rules changed dramatically this past spring. Many home owners are not even aware of the changes. While federal flood insurance policy holders all saw increases to their premiums because of these revisions, there are also Local Boy Scouts William The Anderson Park play changes to the federal rules that might provide Scheuerman and Jared Medearis structure is a heavily used park relief for some consumers. have both done another good deed feature by both guests at the RV The Homeowner Flood Insurance for the citizens and community of Park and local families. Affordability Act, which was signed into Vernonia. Medearis was working law in March of 2014 and took effect April 1, 2015, did several things. It repeals and modifies certain provisions of the Biggert- Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, which was enacted in 2012. It also opened the doors for the first time to allow private market insurance carriers to write and sell flood insurance policies and could provide huge saving for some property owners. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 to provide homeowners in participating communities in high risk areas with the ability to purchase flood insurance through the government at established rates. The program serves approximately 5.5 million properties William Scheuerman organized volunteers to repair the play structure at Anderson Park. nationwide. Many homeowners in high risk areas are required to carry flood insurance in Both scouts chose to on his project to clean up the area order to qualify for mortgage lending. complete their Eagle Scout around the covered play structure Critics of the NFIP maintain the continued on page 8 Projects to make improvements to at the old school grounds. The program encourages Vernonia Parks. Scheuerman and area will be part of the new homeowners to rebuild Medearis are members of Scout Spencer Park. Medearis and his in areas prone to natural Troop 860. volunteer crew were working to disasters. The program Scheuerman completed clean the basketball court, repaint is currently $24 million his project this spring, making lines, remove graffiti, clean the in debt, which forced the some much needed repairs to the play structure, replace bark chips, need for some type of wooden play structure at Anderson and weed the new softball field. reform. Park. Scheuerman and his crew Medearis was hustling to complete The Biggert– of volunteers replaced rotting his clean up in time for the Spencer Waters Flood Insurance boards, painted sections of the Park Grand Opening celebration Reform Act of 2012 structure, did work to stabilize the scheduled to take place Saturday, attempted to provide that structure, and made some other August 8 at 9:00 am. reform. It was designed to allow premiums to rise needed repairs. and reflect the true risk of living in high-flood areas, as well as deal with the insolvency of the NFIP by The Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce is a very hosting quarterly Bunco games at the Cabin in Vernonia. diverse organization that works as a catalyst through many The Chamber Board of Directors is currently in need different channels to promote growth for local business of three more general board members: two members serving members and improve the economic vitality of the region. for a term of two years (2015-2017) and one member serving The Chamber, with several new and active members, for a term of one year (2015-2016). has been very busy during the last several years. They have General member meetings are held the second partnered with several other established groups to help local Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the New Hong Kong vernonia events be more successful, including The Spirit of Christmas restaurant. Board meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the health center in Vernonia, and held the first Vernonia Ugly Christmas month at rotating members’ places of business. Sweater Run this past winter. They also worked with Vernonia Current Officers are: Pride to do several clean-up and beautification projects, and President – Nicole Larke – Individual Member for the love with the Vernonia Pioneer Museum to take on the Historic Vice President 1 – Joshua Johnson – U.S. Bank of the game Walking Tour Booklet. They are currently working with a Vice President 2 – Camrin Eyrrick – Scentsy Independent local high school student on her senior project to design and Consultant create a new map of the community, and the Chamber is in Secretary – Betsy Miller – L.L. Stub Stewart State Park/ another round the process of developing a community grant. The Chamber Banks-Vernonia State Trail is also providing advertising and other assistance for all local Treasurer – Barbara Norman – Wauna Federal Credit Union festivals. General Board Member – Sarah Burns – R&S Market In addition, this year the Chamber will take over Current Staff are: 4-h at fair organizing the annual Vernonia Halloween Costume Chamber Communications Specialist - Nicholas Welch Sidewalk Parade, and also has taken on organizing the 4 th of If interested in joining the Chamber or serving on the July Parade. Board of Directors, please contact the Chamber via phone at This past year the Chamber brought the 503-429-6081 or via email at vernoniachamberofcommerce@ Culpepper & Merriweather Circus to town and also began gmail.com. Eagle Scout Projects Benefit Vernonia Parks Active Vernonia Chamber Seeks Board Members inside 3 7 9 10
