Wednesday February 21,1979
Eclipse warnings
The upcqmmg eclipse of the sun on
February 26,1979 is one of nature’s great
wonders. For most of us, this is a once in a
life time occurance and naturally has
gained our attention. It is a very natural
feeling to want to gaze at the
phenomenon. However, to gaze at the
eclipse, even for a split second, could
produce irreversible damage to the very
sensitive retina of the eye.
During an eclipse the moon passes
between the sun and the earth. As this
occurs more and more of the suns rays are
blocked from reaching the earth and
daylight;gradually decreases. When this
darkness occurs - the pupil of the eye
becomes larger. If someone were to look
directly at the sun an even greater
amount of damaging rays could focus on
the retina and causé irrepairable damage
because of the larger pupil size.
The eye also acts like a magnifier. The
rays from the sun are brought to a focus
on the retina similar to the way a
magnifier focuses, the sun onto a piece of
paper. The damage is done very quickly,
without pain, but the area of the retina
with the most criticàl vision has been lost«
The American Optometric Association
urges all parents to closely watch their
youngsters during this period of time.
Encourage them to stay inside, and watch
the eclipse on television.
If you can supervisé them in the
construction of a sunscope,, this is a safe
way to watch the eclipse indirectly,).
Again, however, please do not *let your
child be unsupervised while. using the
spnscop^,or during the duration of the
eclipse, '
Hearing being held on
disposal sites increases
One week from today on Feb 28, a
hearing will be held at the County Board
of Commissioners meeting regardingrate'
increases for County disposal sites. The
sites effected will be the Santosh Disposal
site, the Rolf Larson drop box service
and Stan McCambridge service. ;
. The proposed increases are at Santosh:
loose drop boxes, increase from .65 e to
,75 c per cu. yd.; compacted garbage from
$1.05 to $1.15 per cu. yd.; rough stuff to
be $2.50 per Cu. yd.;\demolition, $1.15 per
Cu. yd.; brush, $1.50 per cu. yd. and
individual cars, pickups and trailers,
increase from $1.25 minimum to $L50
miniumu for up to 1.5 cu. yd.
Rolf Larson; base price for 30 yard box
from $5,1 to $62; base price for .20 yard
box from $41 to $50.
Stan McCambridge: .25<t per can
increase; $1.00 per container per month
increase.
Vernonia Freedom rrPa9e $
A look at Vernonia
City Budget
by Ned Mawhirter
Next Mbnday the 26th will be the
hearing on the Vernonia City Budget.
Vernonia has not had a city budget
passed in the last several years and this
years budget is bigger than ever. After
that hearing the budget that will be voted
on April 3. If the people of Vernonia want
to vote in a budget it would be wise to
take your ideas to the hearing and see
that a budget is voted on that reflects the
will of the people and might stand a
chance of passing.
To clarify the confusing figures
somewhat: the total proposed budget for
next year is $824,621.50 compared to the
actual budget this year of 724,200.06. 0f
that $229,198.00 is the proposed property
tax levy is 229,198.00 in order to collect
an actual $189,948.00 in tax revenues
after discounts and taxes not paid. This
year the total levy was $72,794.00. A
significant difference that is largely due
to the lack of federal funds that will not be
available next year.
Of the5 $229.198.00 tax levy $20,760.00
is„Jpr the payment of bonded debt and
$39,612.00 is within the tax base. The
other $168,826.00 outside the 6%
limitation and must be voted on.
. In this year’s budget you will notice
there was $0 from outside the 6%
limitation because the tax levy was
defeated last year. The $168,826.00
special levy represents 74% of the
proposed total tax levy arid 20% of the
total proposed budget.
, What this means in terms of taxes is
that your property taxes for the City of
Vernonia last year were $4.69 per
thousand dollars of evaluation. If the
proposed levy were approved your taxes
will be $12.73 per thousand for the City of
Vernonia for next year.
The biggest jump in a single fund is in
the police budget that is $91,116. up from
$53,443. The police are losing federal
funding for the station secretary which is
$12,920 plus are requestingan additional
officer and the addition of another patrol
car. The General operations fund is close
on the police’s heels, $81,969. up from
$47,870. Here again federal funding is lost
and. personel costs are inflating and the
City attorney’s fees are $4,200 up from
$3,000. and the contingency fund is up
$11,000. from $6,000.
Buildings and Grounds fund is also up
$14,275 from $7,650 due to loss of federal
funds and allowance for heating bill of
$5,000 rather than the $3,000. for this
year. The Fire Dept, fund is also Up
$28,280. from $13,050. You guessed it,
federal funding of personel.
Other depts, show only expected
inflation. Study your City Budget and see
if you don’t have some ideas about it.
School Board posts z
still open
Filing for the two school board
positions that will be voted on April 3 is
Next Tuesday Feb.
As of last Friday incumbent Lea Ann
Berg is the only know candidate.
Any one interested in rurining for the
school board positions should contact the
School district office or the Courity
Clerk’s office.
Again that deadline is next Tuesday.
Attorney
Dean
Alexander
622 Bridge*
for appointment
429-5061
429-2172
223-7009
Banks Western Club Inc.
Western Dance
Vernonia
'
Vernonia
Vernonia
Portland
Complete Plumbing Supplies
Reliable Service Work
JOY THEATER
MAC'S STACK
Chimney Sweeps
Dedicated to Your Peace of Mind
. Senior Citizen Discount
Scott & Amy McAllister
Afternoon
WHEAT WEAVING CLASS
Class Size Limited
Sign up NOW!
Sew Simple Shop
We cut & thread pipe
Carry fittings & fixtures
/$
429-7441
725 Bridge St
429-4551
Sunset Hall
Banks, Oregon
Second Sunday 2 to 7 pm
Third Saturday Night
9 pm to 1 am
For 24 hr. emergency service call 543-7411
Kings Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
854 Bridge St.
Vernonia
429-2901
*2 also
I/Wanna Hold Your Hand
SPAR TREE CAFE
Fri & Sat, Feb. 23&24
' Show Starts 7:30 pm
A special showing will be held
on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2:00
p.m. with the Varsity
Basketball Team as our Guests.
Gifts & Antiques
HOMEMADE PIES &
CLAM CHOWDER
open daily. 9 am to 7 pm
closed man. & tues.
across from C.Z.
5 mi. N. of Vernonia on hwy. 47
Acme Wood
Heaters
WANTED
Safe and Energy
Efficient
only air-tight
U.L. Listed
Stove available
Home or
Acreage for
Homesite
Stan Chandler, dealer
332 A St.
429-7455
Contact T erry Godfrey
Vemonia Health Center
429-9191