The INDEPENDENT, January 5, 2000
Page 9
ok forward to continued improvements as 2000 gets underway
MAYOR RAY DEETH and BOB PRICKETT, Banks City Recorder
undertaking was the sidewalk
project which replaced a lot of
sidewalks and made pedestri
ans safer.
“There were three major
projects completed in 1999.
Construction of the new reser
voir (Carston) was completed
this year — a major project.
And the formation of our local
police department happened.
We relied on the county and
contract services through North
Plains. Now we have three full
time officers. Our other major
JUDY CLIFFORD, Banks
City Council member
“The biggest accomplish
ment or change in the City of
Banks actually began about
four years ago when the area
south of town began to be de
veloped. At that time the popu
lation had remained constant
for at least 20 years. With the
impending growth the city had
to develop and implement a
plan to meet these needs. With
a combined effort of the then
Mayor Crippen, the City Plan
ner, the City Engineer, the staff
and Council built an infrastruc
ture that has accommodated
the growth. The water system
has been refurbished, roads
throughout the City have been
improved, sidewalks have
been upgraded, a police force
has been added, and a building
“As for the year 2000, our
major project will be trying to
get funding to replace a mile of
our waterline. We have to do it
— the line is 50 years old.
We’re going to build another
reservoir at the treatment plant
for chlorination. We’re working
on it! We don’t want to raise
water rates if possible, so we
have to clarify interest rates to
get the work done the best pos
sible way. Water and trans
portation are the big issues for
the future; they will allow for
smoother growth in the future.”
As 1999 came to a close
and 2000 began, The INDE
PENDENT asked several
people what were the most
important things that hap
pened in their communities
during the past year, and
what they would like to see
accomplished during the
new year.
CINDY DAUBERT, Banks resident and mom
“In 2000 I’d like to see the
high school upgraded. Also, I’d
really like to see the log trucks
not going through Main Street.
They pass all the schools and
sometimes don’t stop or slow
down. Maybe we could work on
a bypass.”
last year a group of citizens
drafted a 2--year plan for the
future. The Council is currently
revising it. A park study is being
done which will help identify
what the community needs for
its playgrounds and parks. The
log cabin (an historical land
mark) will be renovated and re
stored. There will also be a
‘Welcome to Banks’ sign locat
ed at the south end of town.
“All of these projects (and
others not mentioned) could
not be accomplished without
the dedicated efforts of the City
Council, the Mayor, the staff
and the numerous volunteers
that have put hours and hours
into making these ideas be
“For the year 2000. there are come a reality. Talk about com
many things to be done. This munity spirit!”
the completion of many of
these projects, and the City of
Banks has many new citizens,
who I hope feel welcomed.
Banks needs gas tax for road work
GRETCHEN BAYLESS, 15,
Banks High School sophomore
“The best thing in 1999 was
the new school system, obvi
ously! Upgrading, painting and
lots of volunteer work went into
that.
for our city library was complet
ed. This year (1999) has seen
“The best thing in 1999 was
the opening of the grade
school and getting the new jun
ior high gym. It’s great for the
younger kids because more
teams can practice. My
younger brother will benefit.
“In 2000, I’d like to see the
Subway put in at Jim’s! And fin
ish the floor in the high school."
COPT & r a x SERVICE
The INDEPENDENT
725 Bridge Street, Vernonia
429-9410
Banks Mayor Ray Deeth is
working hard to get the word
out about the critical need for
more funds to repair and im
prove local roads and bridges.
City officials have developed a
detailed list of proposed proj
ects that would be funded from
the proceeds of a five-cent per
gallon increase in the gas tax.
Oregon voters will cast bal
lots in May 2000 on Measure
82 to decide whether specific
projects at the city, county and
state level are worth an addi
tional five-cents per gallon. The
increased gas tax and registra
tion fees will amount to about
$3.75 per month for the aver
age motorist.
“It’s a small price for better
roads and less congestion,”
said Deeth. “Voters in Banks
and the surrounding area will
hear and see plenty about
Measure 82 between now and
when they cast their ballot. I
want to make sure local resi
dents understand how we will
use their funds if they approve
the increase.”
The Banks list includes
three priority projects:
1. Grinding and resurfacing
Highway 47 from Trellis Way to
Banks Road.
2. Addressing serious safety
concerns at the intersection of
Banks Road, Sellers Road and
Highway 47.
3. Regrading and resurfac
ing Banks Road from milepost
.01 to milepost .16, including
pedestrian safety improve
ments.
In addition to the local proj
ects, Measure 82 would imme
diately invest $600 million on
specific new highway and safe
ty projects across the state to
ease traffic congestion and im
prove the flow of traffic.
It also includes $3 million a
year for rural Eastern Oregon
counties where timber receipts
for local roads have been
greatly diminished; $3 million a
year for emergency repairs to
weather damaged roads and
bridges; $72 million per year
to go directly to cities and
counties for maintenance of lo
cal roads and bridges, and
$120 million a year for mainte
nance and preservation of ex-
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