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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1997)
■.»■ » ** •WMjèR*. "-'A' XX Xir ■MMMH Repairs to the driveway in front of the Banks Library have been completed and striping of the parking lot will soon be underway. The new book drop is finally in place. We are very grateful to Sheldon Manufacturing of Cornelius, who donat ed the box. It is located at the northeast corner of the library, between the front entrance and the north parking lot. Vehicles entering the driveway from Market Street can access the box from their driver’s side. Thanks to all our patrons for your patience during our renovation. Ed Ohlmann has resigned as Banks Library Commissioner after many years in that position. Everyone associated with the library is deeply indebted to Ed for all the time and energy he has contributed to the community. His guidance was instrumental in obtaining the funding required to build the new library. Pam Hocking has been appointed as the new Library Commissioner. We welcome Pam, as well as two new library com mission members, Laurie Schlegel and Ken Rayburn. October 11 is the next Recycle Saturday at the SWATCO service yard on Sellers Road, just off the Sunset Highway. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This fundraising activity is sponsored by the Friends of the Banks Library, and is staffed entirely by volunteeers. If you By Julius Dalzell, Councilor Vernonia City Council The library’s community room may be rented by non-profit groups for a minimal fee. It can accommodate up to 100 people, and is equipped with a coffee bar. Call the library for more information regarding prices, conditions and available times. The library has received a generous gift of a special edition hardcover set of Louis L’Amour novels from the collection belonging to Ralph Gerking. Mr. Gerking was a Banks High School graduate in the class of 1952. The next Friends of the Banks Library meet ing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, in the library. The agenda will focus primarily on fund raising for the coming year. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Friends can obtain an application form at the cir culation desk. The Friends sponsor the annual Wool Day, quilt raffle projects, plant and book sales, special community interest programs, summer programs for children and the Saturday Recycling. Their activities are essential to the viability of our library. pen or become. Defining livability is difficult. Livability is a complexity of both tangibles and intangibles encompassing our values, engaging From Planning to Action - Time our senses and often challenging beliefs and For Implementation in Vernonia perceptions. Most people struggled with the On several occasions over the past 18 implicit (and not so implicit) contradictions. How months, reference has been made in articles are we to pay for better streets, an improved and in this column to an ongoing visioning /plan downtown, etc., without both incurring greater ning activity in Vernonia. Initiated by City gov debt and fostering growth. Are not growth and ernment, the purpose of the effort was to devel retention of livability incompatible? In this op a vision of what, collectively, we would like regard, we heard frequent reference to “what is Vernonia to become, and then to determine how occurring in the Valley” and the fact that is exact to achieve that vision through action. ly what we want to avoid. Grant funding permitted the City to retain Are we attempting to “have our cake and eat Rural Development Initiatives, Inc. (RDI) a it too?” The participants concluded, albeit condi quasi-public strategic planning firm, for assis tionally, that we can move Vernonia forward and tance. Approximately 60 members of the City yet not damage or lose what we have today in community were, in some manner, engaged in small community character, values, and lifestyle. the process. While this number represents a Is that realistic? small percentage of our 2,000-plus population The answer is to be found in the degree of base, it should be sufficient to provide for an changes to be attempted, over what time period, adequate statistical representation. Additionally, and the nature of our goals. What can be visual considerable effort was made to ensure broad ized is a program of reasonable initiatives, representation from the many segments of the closely aligned to community values and carried community’s structure. out in increments. At each step we will evaluate Over the winter and spring period, monthly the impact of what was just concluded and care work sessions were held for the purpose of car fully select the next steps, equally cautious of rying out the work activity, which included identi projected consequence. fying key development areas, forming study We need better streets, gr ited. It would be teams and establishing an action agenda. The great if more family wage jobs were available in four areas of attention identified were business the community so our kids, if they so desire, can development, work force, infrastructure and liv remain in the community. A more attractive ability. Utilizing these four areas, a community downtown and more shops, yes, that would be assessment was facilitated. Strengths, weak great! With improved incomes, we can expect nesses, opportunities and threats were evaluat greater investment from the private sector. ed, followed by the staged development of a However, to achieve more revenue, more buy plan in terms of goals, strategies and, more ers are needed. If it’s not us, it’s shoppers from specifically, actions and tasks to be undertaken. out of town. We can attract shoppers, but few of If detail is your interest, it is recommended us would desire downtown gridlock. More park that you obtain a copy of the report: ing, better traffic flow are probable answers. We VERNONIA, OREGON can accomplish improvements, however at From Vision to Action some point, negative effects can begin to out A Strategic Plan for Economic Development weigh positive benefits. At risk would be that elu Copies were distributed to those who partici sive livability. Vigilance will be all-important. pated and who, most probably, would be more Ideally, we need to target those changes and than willing to make a copy available. Ask improvements that will serve us best. We around! shouldn’t be deterred from moving forward but Now for the real questions: What was let’s do so smartly, and with due diligence. Most achieved through this effort? What is to follow? importantly, we need to retain control at all The result of the visioning component tended to times. delineate the ideal Vernonia of the future. “A bet So, what’s next? It’s implementation time! A ter community with much improved streets and Community Development Corporation (CDC) is an attractive downtown, no crime, educational, in the formation stage including a board of direc economic and social opportunity abound, recre tors, by-laws, and a set of objectives. To follow, ational enhancements...all achieved while liv will be specific activities facilitated by commit ability is not only protected, but nurtured and tees to be responsible for each of the four key improved upon.” development areas. In ensuing columns, we will Frequently, participants cited examples and further explore the wheres, the hows, and what contrasts to illustrate what we don’t want to hap can be expected. are not the same To the Editor: My latest sculpture is finally in a somewhat presentable state, maybe some of you have noticed it already, a three panel trellis-like affair on the lake side of the house. I’m a little disap pointed it’s not as large or dra matic as the “Historic Vernonia” sign but, if the honeysuckle does well, it will hopefully be much more an affirmation of the diverse life in this bountiful region and not just the human exploitation. It’s not without some irony though, I’ve been trying to incorporate recycled and especially “secondary” for est products into this art, and the grates are cedar limbs from a local logging operation - which is still a precious trea sure ripped from nature for solely human purpose - even if it was selectively cut on one of our most consciously managed private stands. I’m still looking for a medium-weight rusted-out chain about eight feet, to hang from the hook; a potted annual vine is to be trained to it to emphasize the passing sea sons; I think our local bindweed/morning glory would be perfect but Judy will doubt less find a more exotic and less voracious species. pline while really demanding only obedience to a paramili tary authority but, with disci pline you might rarely produce an artist, or an independent newspaper publisher or a cre ative small stand owner. Thank You, Wayne Acton Vernonia Scout Cabin project for Vernonia’s youth To the Editor; The Friends of the Scout Cabin will soon be starting ren ovation of the old cabin. We have gotten a good response from the community with pledges of money and volun teer labor. We are very appre ciative of the support. So the community will understand just what we are trying to achieve, here is the organization’s Mission Statement “Our purpose in renovating and maintaining the old scout cabin building in the tradition set in place when the structure was built for the Campfire Girls in 1928 is to: A. Provide our youth, now and in the future, with a quality facility for activities; B. Make the building avail able to the public when it is not being used by the youth." This statement shows that this is a project that cares about the youth of our town. A project the whole community should support. We have worked together before as a community, we can do it again. The finished project is some thing we can truly be proud of. Everyone can help even if it’s making sandwiches for the vol unteer labor. Bringing a sculpture project Young people need to get to fruition is usually a pretty involved, we will find projects lengthy and frustrating that they will be able to do. This process. It demands discipline. may be a big job, but we can Discipline is an important virtue do it. outside art, both personally Look for a window display and civically. I’ve had some downtown showing the floor disagreements with modern plan and drawing of the fin educational authorities and I’m ished cabin. thinking one way to boil it down For more information call to essentials is over this idea of Elroy Miner at 429-5221, discipline. When you turn disci Debbie or Norm Brown at 429- pline into obedience, its value 9401, or Shirlee Daughtry at is ultimately destroyed, maybe 429-9002. not so much in the narrow, Get involved, it’s a worth shortsighted, immediate cir while project. cumstance; certainly you could Shirlee Daughtry get a quiet classroom or a win- Vernonia Pride Loggers Cafe A T T N . HUNTERS! O p en 4 am Weekends during Hunting Season Only CHONG CRADIT, OWNER Regular Hours: Tue-Fri 5 am-2 pm Sat 6 am-2 pm Sun 7 am-2 pm • Closed Mon 736 Bridge St., Vernonia • 429-3057
