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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2000)
Page 12 The INDEPENDENT, October 18, 2000 Mayor Deeth resigns; council president Bob Orlowski steps up In a stunning, surprise move, Banks Mayor Ray Deeth, resigned immediately after opening the Banks City Council meeting October 10. Deeth stated that the previous mayor had walked out of a council meeting in December of 1998 in frustration and that he has experienced the same frustration for the last two years. Citing the council’s “dis respect toward the office of Mayor,” Deeth said that his health was being affected and that he was regretfully resign ing, effective immediately. He adjourned the meeting and walked out of City Hall. Council President Bob Orlowski recon vened the meeting, assuming his role as presiding Mayor, as provided in the city charter. Revisiting the fence ordi nance, city attorney Jim Lucas suggested a procedure for en forcement. A letter clearly sum marizing both the old and the new ordinance could be sent to property owners, Lucas ex plained, stating that their fence or hedge may be in violation. Property owners would then Tips to keep your winter comfortable If you read mysteries or watch them on TV, you know that hidden passages in old castles often hold the key to the solution. It’s much the same in your home. Once you find gateways to the hidden passages, you’re on your way to solving winter drafts. Here’s a hint to help you find your home’s hidden passages: Look for openings inside your house that typical exterior caulking and weather stripping won’t seal. These are the most important gateways to your home’s hidden passages. These clues are hard to find. Start in the attic. Then go to the basement. Air leaks have many paths to follow once they get inside the wall or ceiling of a home. Therefore, it’s important to seal openings so air can’t get into walls and ceilings. You’ll find these cracks and holes around attic access, recessed lights, baseboards, window moldings and electrical outlets. Other leaks may be found behind built-in cabinets and storage closets, plumbing ac cess and wiring through floors and ceilings, where masonry meets wood and plaster, and through interior partition walls. Sealing these air leaks from the inside is much more effec tive than exterior caulking. A good time to seal these leaks is before you insulate your attic. Extension publication EC 1286, “Finding and Fixing Hid den Air Leaks,” is available from the OSU Extension Coun ty Extension Office or by writ ing Publication Orders, Agricul tural Communications, Oregon State University, Administrative Services A422, Corvallis, OR 97331-2119. Single copies are available without charge. The illustrated publication explains what causes these air leaks, where to find them, and how to seal them. have an opportunity to comply lations and draft a letter to be with the ordinance or to contact sent to property owners. All 16 city hall to discuss why they property owners issued letters feel they are not in violation. earlier this year will receive ei The letter would specify the ther a phone call or a letter amount of time allowed and no soon. tify property owners that cita . City engineer Dale Merrill re tions would be issued at the ported that the state Office of end of that time and fines Economic Development had would begin to accumulate. notified him that the application The current fines may be as for a revolving loan for replace ment of the raw water trans much as $100 per day, up to a mission main, addition of a maximum of $1,000. Lucas 300,000 gallon clear well/chlo- strongly suggested that the city rine contact chamber and the council raise these fines and installation of a flocculation that the time allowance be no more than 30 days. basin at the slow sand filter has been approved. The loan The council expressed a preference for this low-key amount is $700,000 with city method, but was cautioned by funds of $67,500 included in Lucas that a more pro-active the project to upgrade the wa approach was necessary any ter main from 6” to 8” for a total time citizens are endangered. project cost of $767,500. The Lucas suggested that danger 20-year loan will have an inter ous situations should be han est rate of 4.5 percent. The dled with an initial phone call, new water rate has the capaci from the mayor or police chief, ty to repay the loan. The coun stating the nature of the prob cil has scheduled a special lem, the potential for lawsuits meeting for October 25 at 7:30 and the need for an immediate p.m. at City Hall to complete solution. If property owners are the loan acceptance proce not cooperative, the city can dure. schedule a hearing to declare Banks resident Dorothy the violation a public nuisance. Johnston, after a brief state The citizens would have an op ment that the hedge next to her portunity to defend themselves driveway is still growing, told in circuit court. If found guilty, the city council that she had re the city could then issue a no ceived a letter last week in tice of abatement and seek re forming her that she was re covery of all costs associated quired to have her backflow with the abatement, as well as water valve tested at a cost to court fees, fees for the city’s her of $100. According to John defense, fines for violation of ston, who has lived in Banks the fencing ordinance and for for three years, the letter said creating a public nuisance. that this was an annual require Orlowski will meet with city ment and she questioned why planner K. J. Won to determine she had not heard of it previ which violations are the most ously. Merrell stated that the dangerous and begin meeting annual test notice has “fallen with those property owners. through the cracks.” Since The city will also train the po some older residences in the lice department to identify vio city do not have backflow valves, the requirement for an nual testing is one of the condi tions for new construction. However, all property owners will have to be upgraded to in clude a backflow valve as part of the water system upgrade. Orlowski said that he would meet with the city planner to explore other options to reduce the cost of these tests. Police Chief Daryl Crandall reported that the city had recorded 54 incidents and has purchased extreme body armor for all regular officers. Brent Rogers and Barrot Taylor were sworn in as reserve officers. Crandall requested review for a possible new ordinance that would allow the police depart ment to collect impound fees for abandoned cars. Orlowski stated that the city’s attorney could do this only if the police department had money in its budget to cover the costs for review of the ordinance. In other action, the council... • Heard the second reading of the Alarm Ordinance. 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