The independent., February 16, 2000, Page 2, Image 2

Page 2
The INDEPENDENT, February 16, 2000
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City pursues funds
for trail extension
The City of Vernonia and the community of people
both inside and outside the city limits have accom­
plished a great deal over the past ten or twelve years.
There isn’t enough space here to list all of the accom­
plishments, but this little town is no longer the gray,
depressing place it used to be. And the people are still
working hard for improvements, but not at the cost re­
quired for big housing developments and fast food
chains. Liveability is important in Vernonia.
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The linear trail extension is a major component in
that liveability. Some consider it great simply for recre­
ation, but that is only part of its importance.
Because of Vernonia’s geographic location, lack of
a railroad or navigable river, in combination with its
narrow winding roads, this will not be the site of a US
Gypsum, Cascade Grain, or Armstrong World Indus­
tries plant. That same geography, however, makes it
ideal to use outdoor recreation as an economic devel­
opment priority. With the trail to help bring people in,
and with development of a recreational complex and
RV parking at the old mill site, local businesses will be
helped by an influx of cash without a major increase in
population. As local business prospers, there will be
more jobs. By itself, that isn’t enough, but it’s a start­
ing point.
The safety factor is obvious. An alternate path is
needed between OA Hill and the schools. Another
safety factor is development of a bike path from Weed
Avenue to the lake, in order to get bikes off Bridge
Street/Hwy. 47. The trail extension would fit the bill.
The trail extension would help with economic devel­
opment, safety and outdoor recreation, as most peo­
ple here understand.
With the foot-dragging of the Oregon Dep’t of Trans­
portation and the Columbia County Board of Commis­
sioners, Vernonia has to work even harder—and that
is just what the City is doing.
It has now applied for a $60,000 grant to help pur­
chase the remainder of the property needed. This par­
ticular grant won’t be easy to obtain because there is
only $600,000 available for the whole state. So the city
has pledged $60,000 to match the amount requested,
not just the $20,000 required.
The Board of Commissioners insists on spending
$115,000 on a quarter mile of Beaver Falls Road. That
$115,000 will help make a great place for “keggers,”
and entice people to undeveloped county park land at
the same time the county is trying to get other agen­
cies to take over parks that have been mismanaged.
This is a foolish expenditure that may well become a
liability problem, but it’s their choice.
In the meantime, Vernonia will continue to vigorous­
ly pursue funds needed for economic development,
safety and outdoor recreation. Our city government -
elected officials and staff - is not afraid to step up and
be counted. The people of the community are equally
willing and have no intention of giving up just because
other agencies put up road blocks.
It won’t be easy, but it can and will be done.
JUDY HILL7THE INDEPENDENT
This narrow, crumbling “sidewalk” is the only path between O-A Hill and the downtown area
of Vernonia. It is heavily used, particularly by children who have no other way to get to the
schools at the bottom of the hill. There is no shoulder on either side of this section of Hwy.
47. Bikes must either use the walkway or compete with highway traffic on the road.