6
city news
january19
2017
City News
storm water, building maintenance, and
the police department reserve program.
Police Report – Vernonia Police Chief
Michael Conner provided the Council
with a report comparing statistics on
the activities for the Police Department
during 2014, 2015, and 2016. Con-
ner pointed out that the number of to-
tal crimes committed (including crimes
against persons, crimes against property,
and crimes against society), has dropped
signifi cantly, from 213 in 2014, to 153 in
2015, and to 90 in 2016. He also noted
that traffi c citations and warnings writ-
ten have increased during the same time
period, to 33 citations and 309 warnings
in 2014, 38 and 262 in 2015, and 82 and
558 in 2016.
City Administrator Report – City Ad-
ministrator Josette Mitchell updated the
Council on the fi nal stages of the Waste-
water Treatment Plant upgrade proj-
ect. She told the Council that DEQ and
USDA are reviewing the additional plan
for ammonia treatment options and have
called for a meeting with the City and
their engineer.
Mitchell told the Council there
are several items that are required for ap-
proval before the City can draw on the
CDBG grant funds for the new Senior
Center project. Those items include the
creation of a plan to ensure fair access
to the project by contractors, and a plan
that ensures that the City has tools in
place to communicate with non-English
continued from page 5
speakers. Mitchell also told Council the
City will have an initial meeting to go
over paperwork with Scott Edwards Ar-
chitecture, the fi rm chosen to design the
new Senior Center/Food Bank.
Mitchell reported she has had
no contact with representatives from the
Nickerson Ridge Estates developers, but
when questioned by an audience mem-
ber did locate a recent email that she had
missed. She told Council she would up-
date them at their next meeting.
Mitchell reported that the City
has received the fi nal reimbursement
from FEMA in the amount of $18,282
from the high water damage in Decem-
ber 2015 and said those funds would be
put back into the specifi c fund line items
from which it had been originally spent.
Mitchell told Council the de-
molition of the former Photo Solutions
building was scheduled to begin the fol-
lowing week.
City Receives Letter About Cemetery
– Councilor Bruce McNair read a letter
the City received from Michael Johnson
that offered thanks for the “...attention
and good care you provide for the
Memorial Cemetery. It is always in good
condition when we come to visit.” The
letter included a donation of $100 for
the cemetery fund. McNair asked that
the letter be forwarded to the Cemetery
Committee.
On the Shelves
By Shannon Romtvedt
Thank you to everyone who took the
ti me to fi ll out the library survey. We
received surveys online and in paper
form with a total of 117 responses.
Results will be compiled and used
to plan for the upcoming budget
year(s). A summary of results will be
presented to the Library Board and
City Council and will appear in the
newspaper. Any questi ons about the
survey can be directed to Shannon
Romtvedt at the library (503) 429-
1818 or shannonr@vernonia-or.gov .
Looking ahead to a ti me when
the snow melts and the temperature
rises, the library has several events
coming up for children and adults.
The 3 rd Annual Dr. Seuss event,
featuring the Cat in the Hat, will be
held on Thursday, March 2, 6 pm.
This event has been one of our most
well att ended and it’s quite a party.
We are looking forward to another
celebrati on with cake, door prizes,
a reading by the Cat in the Hat, and
other Seussish acti viti es.
Library staff is also pleased
to announce that we are a recipient
of a grant from the Columbia County
Cultural Coaliti on (CCCC) in the
amount of $1,140. The grant funding
is matched by contributi ons from the
Vernonia Lions Club, the Friends of
the Vernonia Library, and individual
donors. The focus of the project,
to be carried out in April 2017, is
music in early educati on. Among
other acti viti es, the library will host
Andy Ferguson of Red Yarn, folk
music and puppetry, a percussionist
from the Oregon Symphony, and Joe
Seamons of the band, Timberbound.
A schedule of acti viti es and details for
the Get Rhythm project will be made
available in February.
Please check out the following
secti on of upcoming events for details
on February programs, including a
presentati on by Jim Buxton on the
Total Solar Eclipse and a visit by
author and song writer, Willy Vlauti n.
Library events can always be found
in the Vernonia’s Voice and on the
Library Event Calendar available in the
library and linked to our website and
Facebook page.
Upcoming Events
Family Movie Night
Thursday, January 26, 6 pm (Family
Movie): Showing a classic story based
on the book The Incredible Journey by
Sheila Burnford
Relax and enjoy a movie and popcorn
at the library. Call or visit the library
for movie ti tles.
The Solar Eclipse Experience
Thursday, February 2, 6 pm
Presentati on by Jim Buxton on
the Total Solar Eclipse coming up
on August 21, 2017. Includes a
slideshow, things to look for, tools to
use, where to be, and informati on on
the physics of the eclipse as well as
eclipses of the past.
Songs, short stories, toys, and bubbles
for 0 – 3. Older siblings welcome.
Author Visit: Willy Vlautin
Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Stories and a craft /acti vity for up to
age 5.
Tuesday, February 21, 6:30 pm
Willy Vlauti n is a nati onally recognized
author of four novels including Lean
on Pete and The Free. He founded
the band Richmond Fontaine in 1994
and put out a debut album in 2014
with his new band, The Delines. He
currently lives in Scappoose, Oregon.
His Vernonia visit will focus on the
book Lean on Pete, with a Q&A about
his novel and song writi ng. He will be
bringing his guitar and books to sign.
Ongoing Programs
K-5 Library Craft
Thursday, January 19, 4 – 5pm
Third Thursday of every month,
4 – 5 pm. Snack and craft for students
K-5 and parents. Older kids/teens
welcome as long as there are enough
materials.
Book Discussion Group
Last Monday of every month, 5:30 pm
Selecti on for January 30: The Book
Thief by Marcus Zusak
Writer’s Group
Thursday, January 19, 6-7:30 pm
Third Thursday of the month. For all
levels of writi ng experience. New
members always welcome.
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Did You Know?
Online Catalog
Patrons oft en ask how they can fi nd
out what is new to the library. If an
item we have is not on the shelf, you
can fi nd it in the online catalog and
place a hold on it using your account
number and phone number. Link
through the city website or go directly
to htt p://vernonia.biblionix.com/.
To see what is new in the collecti on,
click on “What’s New” on the right
hand side of the page. You can
narrow down your search to “Books,”
“DVDs,” or “Audiobooks,” etc. and
by ti me frame (last week, month,
2 months). The library receives
donati ons added to the collecti on and
purchases new materials. All new
(or new to us items) can be found
through this search.
Hours & Contact Info
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 5 pm
Tues & Thurs 1 pm – 7pm
Sat 10 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov
Friends of the Vernonia Public Library
Membership Dues:
Family:
Minimum:
$10.00 Individual:
$5.00
$1.00 plus 2 hours minimum of work in the library
Make checks payable to: Friends of the Vernonia Public Library
Mailing Address: 701 Weed Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064
Name
Address
City
Phone
Date
State
Zip
Amount Enclosed $
I am interested in helping with the following committees (optional):
Please Circle •Membership •Endowments •Book Sales •Publicity & Public
Relations •Fund Raising •Library Services •Finance-Budget-Legal Matters
Books on Wheels
A NEW SERVICE
AVAILABLE THROUGH THE
VERNONIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library volunteers will deliver books to
citizens who are homebound or physically
unable to come to the library.
To apply or find out more details,
call Audeen Wagner (503) 429-9700
or the Library (503) 429-1818.
Vernonia Public Library • 701 Weed Avenue