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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2000)
Page 4 T h e INDEPENDENT, May 3, 2000 Businsss Notes State listens, Food Stamp time limit is rescinded I Hnt — ---*• ' ■ '■ • ■ After years of pressure from advocacy groups, and embar rassing news that Oregon had the highest rate of hunger in the nation, state welfare offi cials have sought and obtained approval to end a harsh time limit on receipt of food stamps by unemployed and under-em ployed adults. Revocation was effective on Monday, May 1. Since December, 1996, un der and unemployed adults in Oregon between the ages of 18 and 50 who had no depend ents or disabilities, could get food stamps for only three months every three years. The new policy rescinds this restric tion, which was particularly hard on seasonal workers such as those who work in canner ies, construction and agricul ture. “The three month limit helps explain why Oregon had the nation's highest hunger rate over the last few years,” said Kelley Weigel of the Rural Or ganizing Project. A study re leased last October by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that nearly six percent of Oregon households were living Always locate lines before you dig Spring is almost here, and color-coded paint. The third with it comes the busiest exca step is to respect the marks, vation season of the year. and the final step is to dig with Thousands of Oregonians will care. The underground utility dig into the ground with shov els, post hole diggers, and complex includes electric, nat rented power equipment such ural gas, oil, fiber-optic, tele as trenchers and augers. phone, cable-television, water Whether you’re landscaping and sewer lines. One wrong your backyard, installing a new move can cause death or injury mailbox post, setting up fenc due to an explosion. Hundreds ing or putting in a sprinkler sys or thousands of residents tem, there are four important might be cut off from heat, steps to Dig Safely. electricity, telephones, 9-1-1 The first step is to call the calls, and other vital services. Oregon Utility Notification Cen ter at least two business days The Oregon Utility Notifica before beginning your digging tion Center incorporates a project. The toll-free number is comprehensive, statewide data 1 -800-332-2344. A representa base of underground utilities. tive will notify the utility opera Calling before you dig not only tors, who will then mark the prevents dangerous accidents property to show where there - it is also the law! For more in are underground utilities. formation, call the Oregon Util The second step is to wait ity Notification Center at (503) for the lines to be marked with 232-1987. in hunger, the highest rate in exemptions the federal govern ment provides. Because the the country. “This is a major victory for state had used so few of these the farmworker community," exemptions over previous said Ramon Ramirez of Pineros years, a huge stockpile of ex y Campesinos Unidos del emptions had accumulated. Noroeste (PCUN). With food Research by OCPP also stamps limited to three months showed that the time limits every three years, seasonal workers who face annual peri could be waived in 30 of Ore ods of unemployment could not gon’s 36 counties because rely on the program to help they met the standard of hav ing insufficient jobs. Oregon through the hard times. had used the insufficient jobs The policy change follows waiver from April 1997 through research by the Oregon Center March 1998 in the 16 “labor for Public Policy (OCPP) demonstrating that the Oregon surplus” counties that qualified Department of Human Re at that time. The Center report sources could effectively re ed earlier this year that the move the limits in Oregon by number of qualifying counties had almost doubled. piecing together waivers and Q ‘FREE INSTALL! Upgrade your modem, and we will install it for you without charge! ‘ Current clients or new accounts. Call TODAY fo r more inform ation! 429-4045 Pick up your FREE copy of Computer Bits at The INDEPENDENT, 725 Bridge 507 Rose Ave., Vernonia Meeting set on Hwy. 202 repairs A public meeting to discuss plans for replacing a failing cul vert on the Nehalem Highway (Oregon 202) between Jewell and Birkenfeld, is set for Wednesday, May 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., in the library of the Jewell School. habitat restrictions, the usual work window in the streambed is July 15 to August 31. Most of the work is expected to cause delays for motorists. The project will require that one lane of the highway be closed. During working hours, one way Oregon Department of traffic will be controlled by flag Transportation plans call for re gers. Outside of working hours, placing the culvert at Squaw traffic through the work zone Creek with a bridge. The site is will be controlled by a stop sign located about four miles east of at either end of the single lane Jewell at mile post 33.6. The section of highway. project also includes fish habi tat enhancement measures. Area residents are urged to ODOT officials anticipate attend the public meeting to the project will require two learn about these scheduled summer construction sessions repairs and how they will affect to complete. Because of fish the community. Cedar "Rjdge presents J o h k v iA z L j l î i m .I ûd § th e U x g i/u x ts Nearly forty years ago I stood with my aunt and watched as the MGM movie crew burned her barn for the making of “Ring of Fire.” All eyes were fixed on the Nehalem Valley and those memories will always be with me. I have spent a lifetime in Columbia County and seen its triumphs and tragedies. I believe we can make it the most livable county in the state. But first we must work together to bring industries like MGM back by finally dealing with the services that will attract industry and tourism. I ask for your vote for County Commissioner because I have the confidence that things can happen, change and improve. It’s time all eyes were fixed on the Ne halem Valley again. Our best resource is the people who live here. Saturday, August 5th 6:30 - 9.00 pm • Great fundraising opportunity for Nonprofit groups! W e are looking for groups to help with ticket sales, parking, clean-up, etc. • Community members will be allowed to sell Arts & Crafts with prior approval. C A LL (5 0 3 ) 2 5 9 -9 9 8 4 T O A P P LY V is it u s a t w w w . v is it c e d a r r id g e . c q m ELECT JOE CORSIGLIA Columbia, County Commissioner, Position j P I JOE CORSIGLIA COMMISSIONER #1 THIS TIM E YOUR VOTE W ill COUNT. PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT JOE CORSIGLIA, COLUMBIA COUNTY COMMISSIONER POSITION #1
