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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2004)
The INDEPENDENT, June 17, 2004 Is your deck, porch, balcony safe for company? When you dust off the grill and prepare to party on your deck, porch, or balcony this summer, will your structure safely take the heat, rather, the weight? Taking steps to ensure deck safety could prevent a tragedy. The State Building Codes Division (BCD) of the Department of Consumer and Business Services offers five tips: 1. Prevention is better than any cure, so if you’re planning to build a deck, porch, or bal- cony, get a permit from your lo- cal jurisdiction; you are re- quired to do so if it will be more than 30 inches above the sur- rounding grade. A permit en- sures that the structure has met safety, strength, and stability standards and that it has been inspected by a professional be- fore guests ever set foot on it. 2. If your home has a deck or balcony more than 30 inches above grade, check with your local building department to see if the deck or balcony was properly permitted when it was built. If so, the structure was determined safe at that time; however, Oregon weather takes a toll on wooden outdoor structures. Find out whether or not structural conditions have changed or the wood has dete- riorated enough to make it un- safe. 3. Any time a deck, porch, or balcony is so crowded people have difficulty moving about, it is probably overloaded. Don’t be timid about ushering guests into other areas. 4. You (or a qualified inspec- tor) should inspect your deck, porch, or balcony twice a year and repair or replace the follow- ing: • Split or rotting wood • Loose or missing nails, bolts, or screws. • Missing, damaged, or loose support beams and planks. • Wobbly, loose, or missing handrails or guardrails 5. If you have any doubts about the load your deck, porch, or balcony will safely handle, get an expert opinion from a structural engineer. You can find listings for structural engineers in your phone direc- tory. If repairs are found to be necessary, you may need a permit. Call City Hall to ask which building jurisdiction you should contact. For more infor- mation, visit BCD’s web site at <www.permitsprotect.info>. to be replaced, faulty wiring or plumbing need to be upgraded, or a new furnace installed. Low-to-moderate income homeowners may qualify for loans with no interest and no monthly payments for various structural repairs, foundation work, or energy saving meas- ures. Homeowners living in City of Vernonia and throughout Co- lumbia County may apply for the loan program to rehabilitate homes and perform critical health and safety repairs. City of Vernonia is partner- an Oregon Community Devel- opment Block Grant to provide loans for home repairs. There is a Public Hearing on June 21, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at Vernonia City Hall. All homeowners inter- est are urged to attend. CAT is seeking applicants from Vernonia and throughout Columbia County for zero per- cent, deferred payment loans. No payments? Please contact Katie Lewis at CAT. The office is located at 125 N. 3rd St., St. Helens, OR 97051. Phone 503- 397-1675 or 1-800-955-1675, fax 503-397-1672. The Volunteer Literacy Tu- toring Program at Portland Community College is search- ing for a few volunteer tutors. The program needs volun- teers to help adult immigrants and refugees learn English and to assist both native and non- native English speakers in im- proving their basic literacy skills. The volunteers will also help prepare them for the GED or High School Equivalency exam. Training for tutoring at PCC will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, June 19 and 26 at the Central Port- land Workforce Training Center near OMSI. To register for the training or learn more about this volunteer opportunity, call 503-244-6111, extension 3700. For more information, call 1- 800-322-8715. PCC’s Literacy CAT grant offers home repair loans program seeks Does your home need re- ing with Community Action pairs? Perhaps your roof needs Team, Inc. (CAT) to apply for few good tutors Welcome Additions Keilyn Rae Futter Sadie Elizabeth Gump Keilyn Rae Futter was born May 12, 2004, the first child of Tandle and Mike Futter of Beaverton. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19 inches long. Grandparents are Gunny and Dayle Cox of Vernonia and Robert and Anna Futter of Pilot Rock. Great-grand- parents are Fyrne Taylor of Hillsboro, Bill Futter of Pilot Rock, and Kay Christensen of Roseburg. Sadie Elizabeth Gump was born May 28, 2004, to Jeana and Justin Gump of Vernonia. She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and was 18-1/2 inches long. She joins her brother, Christopher Kaiser, 12, and two sisters, Laura Kaiser, 10, and Sa- vannah Gump, 2, at the family home. Grandparents are Ray and Jennifer Gump of Cornelius, Bruce and Terri Jenness of Keizer, and Beverly and Gearhard Bachmayer of Vien- na, Austria. New times for Comm. Church Beginning June 27, Vernon- ia Community Church has an- nounced a new schedule for services and activities. Sunday breakfast will be at 9:00 a.m., with worship at 9:45 a.m., and B.L.A.S.T. at 10:00 a.m. For questions or additional information, call Pastor Grant at 503-429-6790. Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay Ah – h o w m a n y times a day have y o u started f o r some- thing in town and then remembered the wait on the hill? Thank goodness, the lake is on my side and so is Farm- woman’s Nursery. Yes, believe it on not, I got out in my yard with rake, hoe, shovel, and a good friend. I al- most don’t think it’s my yard. By the time this is in print the woodchips will be in place. Whoopee. Have you priced a 2-yard dumpster lately? Well, I have, now I’m looking for a strong back with a pick-up that can go to the junk dump. How have gas prices affect- ed your around-town travels? Are you keeping MPG records with each fill up? Got a new air filter for your car lately? Not that it helps gas mileage, but a new set of wiper blades helps keep a cleaner window to enjoy the view as you travel. I didn’t make it to the Coun- cil meeting on June 7, but I un- derstand Horse Poo on the trail was again the topic of the evening. I like horses as well as the next fellow but, as with dog poo, if I’m on a walking path, I want to walk not skip, hop or side step. Maybe there should be a Carry Your Horse Poo Bag and use it sign at the head of the trail. Yes? No? By now school is Out. More kids and dogs running around, cars zipping here and there. So be careful, you may hit a duck crossing the road or a flying skateboard. If you don’t understand my humor you haven’t lived in Ore- gon long enough to enjoy the changing weather. The South American four- eyed fish can simultaneously see objects above and below the waterline with equal clarity. Maybe some of the lake fish are learning this trick with only two eyes. Laurie’s House Cleaning Reliable College Student Experienced In Cleaning Residential, Rentals & New Construction. References Available 503 429 0177 Have you heard the howling good news? Dog Obedience is back for the summer. Classes will fill up fast!! To register call Lisa Orth (503) 429-3018 Now Let’s Have Some Fun!! L eonetti’s Pizza & Grill $2.00 OFF ANY EXTRA LARGE PIZZA With this Coupon Offer expires June 30,04 Served in Air Conditioned Comfort MON. - FRI. 5 A..M. - 9 P.M. • SAT. 6 A.M. - 9 P.M 721 Madison Ave., Vernonia • 503-429-5018
