Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2017)
in other words december7 2017 3 An Opinion: Looking Back on a Tough Year By Brian Allbritton, Executive Director, Oregon Energy Fund Oregonians faced steep challenges over the past year Snowstorms last winter closed schools and businesses for days, forcing many working parents to take time off whether or not they could afford it. Dur- ing the summer, wildfires displaced many people from their homes, while others were told to stay inside as a dangerous haze blanketed much of the state. While the storms and fires were difficult for all of us, for folks working paycheck to paycheck, this resulted in fi- nancial crisis. Families faced devastating income shortages as wage earners were unable to work. Faced with a missing or reduced paycheck, many had to make tough choices. Do we pay the rent or the electricity bill? Buy food or pay for the gas bill? I believe that no one should have to make these decisions. How we responded I work for the only statewide non- profit in Oregon providing energy assis- tance to families in crisis. At Oregon Ener- gy Fund, we responded quickly to height- ened demand in the wake of fires in the Gorge and Eagle Creek and snowstorms across the state. Together, we raised over $1 million to provide utility assistance, with nearly $10,000 distributed here in Vernonia through our partnership with St. Vincent De Paul. 83 individuals in the area received help with their utility bills last year. Oregon Energy Fund’s emergen- cy assistance helped thousands of people. However, that still left a tremendous num- ber in need, considering that 1 in 8 Ore- gonians struggle to pay their utility bills and still have money left for necessities like food and medicine – even without the complication of a wildfire or snowstorm thrown in. You can help, too I’m happy to report that we now have a way that you can help, too. Your own West Oregon Electric Cooperative Inc., a long-time supporter of our work, is the first co-op in the state to offer our Pow- erUp Program, a way of donating through your utility bill. You can “PowerUp” your com- munity by rounding up your monthly bill to the nearest dollar for regular support, choose to contribute a little extra every month, or make a one-time gift at any time and for any amount. Keeping it local 100% of all donations to this pro- gram will stay within the WOEC service area, so your charity dollars stay local. If you’d like to help your neighbor in need, please either check your next WOEC util- ity bill or give online at www.OregonEn- ergyFund.org/WOEC. Through the power of giving, you can ensure that your neigh- bors stay healthy, safe, and housed. Publisher and Managing Editor Scott Laird 503-367-0098 scott@vernoniasvoice.com Contributors Brian Allbritton Stacey Lynn Trish Smith Photography Scott Laird Want to advertise? Have an article? Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com Some Things You May Not Know... By Trish Smith Vernonia EMT Volunteer Coordinator Hello. Most of you know me as the “Ambulance Lady,” or previously as the “Bus Lady” or the “Sasquatch Bread Lady.” I am fortunate enough to have been able to serve this community for the past 10 years as both a volunteer and paid EMT. If not for an old friend invit- ing me to a volunteer ambulance busi- ness meeting, I would have missed out on being a part of this great family as well as a rewarding career. This is my invitation to you. I’d like to share some facts about local emergency medical services that you probably don’t know. 1. Although we work side by side, the Vernonia Volunteer Ambulance Associa- tion (VVAA) is separate from the Ver- nonia Fire Volunteers. Though most of the members are on both associations, they are separate departments, separate apparatus, separate benefits, separate of- ficers. 2. The VVAA pays for school! My men- tors walked me through every step, from finding an EMT class, to helping me reg- ister. When it came time to pay, they pro- vided me with a check to cover books, classes and tests. When it came time to study, they invited me to the station to practice skills over a plate of BBQ. 3. Metro West Ambulance has partnered with Vernonia and provides two fully stocked 9-1-1 Advanced Life Support ambulances, all the needed equipment and supplies, training, living quarters, uniforms, and of course, a Paramedic 24/7. They also fund a position at 50 hours a week, Monday to Friday. That’s where I come in! During the day my Paramedic partner and I, or Bailey We- gner (the other paid EMT), are paid staff and we respond with lights and sirens in uniform to 9-1-1 calls in the community. Outside of those hours, I volunteer my time. 4. Volunteer hours are unpaid hours. Next time you see an EMT after 4:00 pm or on a weekend in their EMS garb wearing pagers, thank them! They are doing it because they love what they do and what they represent. A transport dur- ing volunteer hours can earn you some cash. Though most of the volunteers in Vernonia have other jobs, it can easily turn into full time with benefits. 5. EMT’s are in great demand and make a competitive wage! I started by filling in at special events in Washington Coun- ty to earn some extra money as a stay at home mom. Shortly after, I started working full time on an ambulance at Metro West in Washington County as well as filling in at the coast at Medix Ambulance. Now here I sit, helping to manage, train, and mentor new EMTs. I guess you could call it “work.” I love what I do so much, I miss it when I’m not working. 6. What do you mean you don’t have FULL SPORTS PACKAGE! to spend thousands on school? Really? I have zero student debt and one of the most rewarding careers ever. Do you want to truly make a difference in people’s lives? If you want to serve our community and to be there when it counts the most, please call me at (503) 429-4600. Let’s talk about what we do and schedule a ride-along so you can see firsthand what being in Emer- gency Medical Services is truly about. I’d also like to invite you to at- tend one of our business meetings for the Vernonia Volunteer Ambulance Associa- tion at 555 E Bridge Street, Vernonia OR 97064. I look forward to meeting you! One year subscriptions (24 issues) $35 Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. Vernonia’s Voice, LLC PO Box 55 Vernonia, OR 97064 503-367-0098 www.VernoniasVoice.com Cedar Side Inn Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Taco Tuesday LIVE MUSIC • Specialty hamburgers • 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks from opening until 9pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 Ladies’ Night Sat, Dec. 9 every Thursday 6pm-close Thrill Ride • 5 Craft beers on tap • Pool tables & satelite TV • Free Wi-fi • Beer & Kegs to go Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight • 733 Bridge St, Vernonia “BIKER FRIENDLY” Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM • 503-429-9999 • Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841
