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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2019)
opinion/city news january3 2019 5 An Opinion: Fixing Oregon’s Crumbling Water Infrastructure By Representative Brad Witt Editors note: In October, the Portland Tribune ran an article about a request from State Health Officials for an in- crease in funding to facilitate additional water testing. There is no doubt that the need exists, and in fact, the Governor’s recently released budget contains a rec- ommendation for additional funding. There is also the need to improve the infrastructure that delivers that water. This responsibility falls largely on local jurisdictions. In Governor Brown’s recently released budget, the need to invest in clean water is clearly highlighted and funds are dedicated to improving Or- egon’s water resources. The document states: “Safe, secure, and reliable water is essential to the health of our commu- nities and our economies.” I could not agree more. Eleanore Thompson is Turning 102! continued from front page ly at the Senior Center, with her good friend Duke Gortler, who played the accordion, until Duke passed away in 2013. She says she misses Duke, es- pecially going dancing with him every Saturday night at the Pumpkin Ridge Grange Hall. “I could still go dancing if I just had someone to hold onto,” she says. Eleanor says many members of her large family, that includes five gen- erations, still live in Vernonia. Her three daughters and six of her seven grand- children all still live here and she has 22 great great grandchildren. “I feel great, just absolutely great,” says Eleanor. “I can eat any- thing, hot peppers or whatever. If I could just walk better. But otherwise I’m doing good.” Vernonia’s Voice would like to wish Eleanor Thompson a very Happy Birthday, and hopefully many more! Columbia County Tourism Initiative The Columbia County Eco- nomic Team, along with County offi- cials, business leaders, and residents, is spearheading the Columbia County Tourism Initiative to help Columbia County become a destination and claim a greater percentage of the $11.8 bil- lion tourism industry in Oregon. As a countywide organization with lots of regional connections, the initiative is designed to bring stakeholders together from across Columbia County to devel- Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, January 7, 2019 Tuesday, January 22, 2019 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, January 21, 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Dates and times subject to change op a strategic tourism vision followed by a sustainable structure. Outdoor rec- reation will be the main focus of the initiative as Columbia County is lo- cated on a major thoroughfare between two primary destinations, Portland and the Oregon Coast. Bringing the entire County together with a countywide des- tination plan, especially outlining areas such as Vernonia, will be part of the strategic planning. For further information contact Chuck Daughtry at Columbia County Eco- nomic Team, 503-410-1061. The Vernonia Transfer Station is scheduled to be open on the nd 2 and 4 th Saturdays January - October January 12 & 26 February 9 & 23 Although the vast majority of Oregonians get their drinking water from public water systems, there are many components to the delivery of safe water to Oregon communities. It goes without saying that adequate testing is essential. However, testing alone will not ensure the future of our clean water. For that, we must also address our state’s aging water infrastructure and the way that we go about paying for it. Water infrastructure in Oregon and across the country is often old and deteriorating. The costs to repair these critical systems are significant, which is one of the reasons the can has been kicked down the road. This, in turn, only adds to the growing price tag. The in- frastructure needs for drinking water and sewage for Oregon over the next 20 years comes with a price tag of nearly $10 billion. Price tags can be a difficult bar- rier for local governments to overcome, which is why we must think strategi- cally about polices that will encourage the smart, efficient upgrading of water infrastructure in a way that maximizes affordability without sacrificing perfor- mance or safety. One area that warrants examination centers around local gov- ernments’ procurement processes vis-à- vis materials. Adopting new procurement pol- icies that allow for open competition in the bidding process for project materials may help communities stretch limited resources without compromising perfor- mance. One estimate cited in a Brook- ings paper indicated taxpayers nation- wide could see $371 billion in savings if municipalities would switch to open competition. This is a commonsense so- lution that will accelerate the moderniza- tion of our water infrastructure and help ensure the safe water that we all expect. You can reach Representative Brad Witt at House District 31, 900 Court St., NE, Salem, OR 97301, (503) 986-1431. What’s Happening at the Vernonia Library Movie Night Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck Tuesday, January 15, 6 pm Relax at the Library for a movie and popcorn. Movie title TBA. Storytimes National Popcorn Day Saturday, January 19, 2 pm Celebrate National Popcorn Day with family fun at the Library. Crafts, board games, and of course, free popcorn! Animal Storytime Friday, January 25, 10:30 am Stories with special animal visitors brought to the Library by Karen Peters. Craft to follow. Baby and Toddler Time Mondays, 10:30 - 11:15 am Songs, rhymes, books, toys, and bubbles! For ages 0 - 3. Older siblings welcome. Preschool Storytime Fridays, 10:30 - 11:15 am Stories, activity, and a craft. Planned for children up through age 6. Library Closures Monday, January 21 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ongoing Programs Library Hours & Contact Writer’s Group Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 - 5 Tuesday, Thursday: 1 - 7 Saturday: 10 - 4 Closed Sundays Thursday, January 17, 6 - 7:30 pm 3 rd Thursday of every month. For writers with all levels of experience. Book Discussion Group Last Monday of every month, 5:30 pm. Selection for January 28: Phone: (503) 429-1818 E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov Dates and times are subject to change due to weather Don‛t worry. We‛ll go to Meyer‛s Auto Body. I hear they‛re out of this world. • Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry • Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction • Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements Jim Morrison, Jr. General Contractor CCB# 112057 Ph: (503) 429-0154 MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net Vernonia, OR 97064 • Licensed • Bonded • Insured Meyer’s Auto Body 493 Bridge Street VERNONIA • 503-429-0248
