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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1994)
Page 16 Tha INDEPENDENT, December 21,1964 It’s time for a seasonal, if rueful, laugh At this time of year, it seems appropriate to enjoy a good laugh. This piece, entitled Letter to a Well Known Insurance Company, will provide that laugh. Our thanks to Vernonia City Administrator Mike McAlvage for passing on this gem from the League of Oregon Cities Newsletter. Ed. Sirs: I am writing to answer your request for ad ditional information about my recent accident. In block number 3 of the accident report form, I put “trying to do the job atone” as the cause of the accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully; so I trust that the following will suffice. I am a municipal employee by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone hang ing Christmas decorations from the City water tower. At the end of the day I found that one of the Santa Claus decorations for the tower would not be able to be used on the tower as anticipated. Instead of trying to carry it down the 130 ft. ladder by hand, I decided to tower him on a rope attached to a pulley which, for tunately, was attached to the catwalk of the water tower. Securing the rope at the ground level, I as cended the 130 ft. ladder to the tower catwalk, swung the Santa Claus figure out and then descended back to the ground. At ground lev el I untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a stow descent of the welded steel 12 ft. X 20 ft. Santa Claus figure that weighs about 250 pounds. You will note in block number 11 that I weigh only 165 pounds. Due to my extreme surprise at being pulled from the ground so suddenly, I tost my pres ence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded up the side of the tower at a rapid rate. At about 65 ft. above ground level I met Santa Claus on his way down. This explains the fractured skull and collar bone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tight to the rope in spite of my pain. At approximately the same time, however, the Santa Claus figure hit the ground, with the welded steel 12 ft. X 20 ft. Santa Claus figure breaking apart and, upon breaking apart, San ta weighed only about 50 pounds. I refer again to my weight in block 11. As you might imag ine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the water tower. At about 65 ft. above the ground, I met a much smaller Santa on his way up. This ac counts for the fractured ankles and the lacera tions of my legs and lower body. The en counter with the smaller Santa slowed me enough to reduce the level of injury when I fell into the pile of twisted steel that was all part of the original larger-than-life sized Santa and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there in the twisted steel, in pain, unable to stand, and watching the smaller Santa swing at 130 ft. above me, I again tost mental control and released the rope. The smaller Santa, weighing more than the rope, descended quickly and broke both of my legs. The questions about the continuing psychi atric therapy that I am receiving as a result of this injury stem from the nightmares that I have endured since my accident. These night mares about Santa Claus, as an attempted murderer, have forever changed my belief in Santa. My therapist has mentioned that there may be some hope for recovery; however, now at Christmas time when I hear “Here Comes Santa Claus” it usually ends in a po lice call and a visit to our local mental health facility for doses of tranquilizers. Sincerely, Not only for Christmas ...but for all the year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. Sam & Alvilda Hearing V CASINO NIGHT 4 NEW YEAR'S EVE 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. AUCTION January 1st at 6 p.m. We thank you for your patronage in 1994 and wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Source Unknown 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia • 429-5841 a ¿¿fesseci C f f f o f t c f a y (S e a s o n f o n £ ffCaiffeen ¿Jiffney W E N T CABE • Convenient — Located at Tuality Forest Grove Hospital, Emergency Department entrance. • Economical - Significantly less costly than a visit to an emergency department. WOOD, PELLET & GAS STOVES includ ing Medicare and Medicaid. physician is always here for you.n Liberty • One of the largest fireboxes (3.1 cu. ft.) • Heats up to 2,500 sq. ft. • Overnight Burn easily obtainable • Maintenance & Cleaning a breeze • Takes up to 24" length wood • Coverage — Covered by many insurance companies, »ee E a rth *n* S u n (503) 556-3580 Aero— from Rainier Sentry Market • 222 B West, Rainier, OR FORESI GROVE URGENT CARE In Tuality Forest Grove Hospital Open 9 am - 9 pm Daily • 1809 Maple S t • Forest Grove . (503) 357-7161
