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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2005)
Vol. 20, No. 13 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” July 7, 2005 Flag pole and light to replace tree in city park After deciding that a flagpole and flag that will be lighted around the clock, is more ap propriate at Vernonia Lake than a tree, the Vernonia City Coun- Public meeting will review new trail to Vernonia Fireworks enthralled viewers in Vernonia on the 4th of July as the pyrotechnic displays lit up the night sky with brilliant bursts of color and sound. More photos on page 28. County Emergency Services Fair slated The first-ever countywide Emergency Services Fair, sponsored by Columbia Emer gency Planning Association (CEPA), will be Friday and Sat urday, July 22-23, at the Co lumbia County Fairgrounds, with many of CEPA’s 280 mem bers participating. “This event will help fair visitors understand the resources available during emergency situations and pro grams that continually work to prevent hazards,” said CEPA facilitator Jim Huff. Events will include a tank rescue by the Specialized Mul ti-Agency Rescue Team, emer gency responders from Scap poose Fire and Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRF&R) will demonstrate extraction from a car using the jaws of life, Ore gon State Police (OSP) will demonstrate with the Bomb Squad Robot, St. Helens Police will demonstrate a tactical en try, plus a K-9 drug-sniffing take-down by Vernonia and St. Helens Police dogs and a mock meth lab cleanup by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Spectators may also watch fire suppression demon strations by the Oregon Depart ment of Forestry and use of the telesquirt by CRF&R crews. The Clatskanie Police Depart ment will participate in a taser exhibition, while CRF&R and Sanderson Safety team up to educate ESF fair visitors on how to operate a fire extin guisher. Several members of Ama teur Radio Emergency Ser vices (ARES) will bring their new communications van, do nated by Portland General Electric, to the fair. Stop by their booth and watch these ra dio operators create communi cation links anywhere in the world. They will also be offering free calls to servicemen in Iraq or anywhere else in the world! A feature event of the two- Please see page 4 Columbia County will hold a public meeting to provide an update and obtain public com ment on development of the Crown-Zellerbach Trail. The trail will run 22 miles from Chapman Landing, on the Multnomah Channel in Scap poose, to Vernonia. Discussion items will include grant funding through the Rails to Trails program, obligations of the Hancock easement, public access and use, current trail status, concerns of adja cent landowners, and develop ment of a master plan. There will also be time for questions and comments. County residents and prop erty owners are invited to at tend, as well as anyone who is interested in learning about the C-Z Trail Project. The meeting will be held in Vernonia on Tuesday, July 12, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Washington Grade School, 199 Bridge Street. A second meeting will be in Scappoose. cil decided at their July 5 meet ing to form a new committee to review the requirements for be coming part of the Tree City USA program. Noni Andersen had made a presentation at the June 20 council meeting regarding the Tree City program developed by the National Arbor Day Foundation. There are 38 Ore gon cities in the program at this time. The criteria set by the Na tional Arbor Day Foundation in cludes: Adopting a tree care ordi nance; establishing a program, tree board or commission; spending at least $2 per capita on a community tree care pro gram, and conducting an Arbor Day or Arbor Week ceremony. Andersen also provided in formation from the Oregon De partment of Forestry, including a model ordinance. Also at the June meeting, the Lions Club offered to place a lighted flag and pole at Ver nonia Lake near the restroom building where a tree was re cently removed. In July, the council received an offer from Rebecca McGaugh, who said her family would donate and care for a replacement tree at the lake. City Administrator Robyn Bassett reported that the lowest Please see page 12 City will evaluate nuisance and hazard violations There is one house on your street that everyone envies. You know the one...it has a yard with lush green carpeting and beautiful landscaping. Therè is also the opposite of that house. You know this one, too...it has waist high grass, overgrown trees, and the only flowers are dandelions. In addition to creating un kempt conditions, tall grass, a blackberries and weeds can harbor trash and hazards which are dangerous to people, espe cially children. Pests such as mice and rats, which can carry disease organisms including hantavirus, are attracted to these conditions. An overgrown lot that becomes dry in the heat of summer is also a potential fire hazard. For these reasons, a Ver nonia City Ordinance requires that vegetation be kept under 12 inches in height. The city will be evaluating violations and pursuing resolution for non- compliance. Because everyone wants to live in a safe and attractive neighborhood, residents are asked to work with the City to promote a beautiful, pleasant and safe community.
