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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2017)
community september7 2017 Bonamici Visits Vernonia 7 continued from front page problem they were trying to newly installed Dissolved Air solve?’ and does the rule that Flotation (DAF) system; both was written actually solve the allow the City to discharge problem they were address- cleaner effluent into the Ne- ing?” asked Bonamici. halem River. Bonamici promised “This is an amazing to look into the rules govern- example of how you can do ing the use of facilities that what you need to do with your receive CDBG funding. “It wastewater system while also doesn’t make sense that you protecting the river, the habi- can’t do some of these things, tat and the fish,” said Bonami- and it’s my job to change ci. “This is really innovative those rules,” she added later with all the different pieces. in the conversation. “We can It’s a partnership with all the certainly ask questions about innovation, the hard work of what the reasoning is for this your board and committee, rule, and ask if they are aware and the federal investment that it doesn’t really work in a and the networking of those rural community. Maybe we agencies.” should be having a conversa- Federal funds through tion about going through the DEQ and USDA helped the process of changing the rules City of Vernonia raise the or getting exemptions. May- walls of the dykes and up- be there needs to be a ‘not grade the three sewer lagoons one-size-fits-all’ solution.” including perimeter fencing, U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici received a tour of Bonamici also asked install the DAF system, in- the recently upgraded Wastewater Treatment plant. questions about current fund- stall the hyporheic discharge that visit the Congresswoman also met ing streams for the Senior system - another pilot project Center, noting that with homeowners who had benefitted which uses natural filtration to clean ef- she was involved in from the program. fluent, and install the bio domes. Following her conversation the passing of the “There was no way this commu- Older Americans Act concerning the Senior Center/Food nity could have afforded to make these several years ago and Bank project, Bonamici took a tour of upgrades and be in compliance with offered assistance in Vernonia’s Wastewater Treatment facil- DEQ,” Mitchell told Bonamici. looking for additional ity. City Administrator Josette Mitchell “This is another example of how explained the treatment process, includ- operating funds for the federal dollars can make a big difference, Senior Center through ing the soon-to-be-installed bio dome especially in small, rural communities,” ammonia treatment system which is a said Bonamici. available programs. This is not the pilot project in Oregon, along with the first time Bonamici has visited Vernonia to talk informally with locals involved in lo- cal programs. As a member of the House Education and Work- force Committee, Tuesday, September 19 in 2015 she visited 6:30 pm Vernonia’s Summer Vernonia Public Library Meals Program and Tyler Dougherty of the Vernonia Public Works Department explains the operation of the Wastewater Treatment sat down with local plant recently upgraded using federal funds. volunteers to discuss children’s health and Presentation by Oregon Military Historians first five years of operation. Those rules welfare. Warren W. Aney and Alisha Hamel. limit both organization’s ability to raise In 2015 she visited with staff Oregon Military History is a title in the funds through space rental, fundraisers from Community Action Team (CAT) Images of America book series, and other activities, including the Senior in St. Helens to discuss CAT’s Self-Help published in October 2016. Center’s popular thrift store, the orga- Acquisition Rehabilitation Program nization’s major source of operational (SHARP) which provides low interest This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Vernonia Public Library. funding. financing for the purchase and rehabili- “Sometimes when I hear about tation of existing homes in Columbia, Vernonia Public Library • 701 Weed Avenue • 503-429-1818 • library@vernonia-or.gov things like this, I wonder, ‘What is the Clatsop, or Tillamook County; during also proposed to eliminate. City Administrator Mitchell agreed with Bonamici’s assessment of the importance of CDBG funding. “For rural communities it really is their only chance to make asset and infrastructure improvements that they wouldn’t other- wise be able to pay for themselves,” said Mitchell. Mitchell noted that CDBG fund- ing has been used in Vernonia in the past to help with FEMA buyouts following the 2007 flood and to fund early portions of the Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Project. “That’s one of the benefits of CDBG funds – that there is the flexibil- ity because different communities have different needs,” said Bonamici. Bonamici was particularly inter- ested in the restrictions the facility will face following completion of construc- tion. According to CDBG rules the Se- nior Center portion of the building will only be available to provide services for citizens over the age of sixty, while use of the Food Bank is restricted to use by low to moderate income families, for the Oregon Military History Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner Daily Specials We have ice cream! 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