Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, April 6, 2006 Airport committee suspended, airport property declared surplus From page 1 • Noni Andersen told council that, because the trailer for the park host at Anderson Park was put right at the entrance, the first thing people see is blue tarps covering equipment and firewood. Previously, she said, the park host was next to a storage shed which held the necessary items, allowing the entrance signs and landscap- ing to be the initial focal point. At Vernonia Lake, she said, the city is losing revenue in spite of heavy use, because no one is responsible for collecting park- ing fees; that is not in the fran- March 20 Vernonia City Council At the March 20 Vernon- ia Council meeting, local pi- lot Mike Seager said he was at the last three airport committee meetings and they were not well attend- ed. He encouraged Mayor Sally Harrison to appoint new members who would be more active on the com- mittee. That action was on the agenda, but Harrison said she was seeking more infor- mation before making her decision. She said she ex- pected to announce the ap- pointment at the next council meeting (April 3, 2006). The meeting was ad- journed early so mayor, council and staff could attend the Drug Free Coalition meeting at the Scout Cabin with special speaker, Gary Cima. chise holder’s contract. She also noted that there is no con- tract with the Anderson Park park host. Though on the agenda, no one was appointed to the Air- port Committee. Mayor Sally Harrison announced that com- mittee meetings would be sus- pended until further notice, not- ing that the committee had no funds and no business was un- derway. At the end of the coun- cil meeting, following an execu- tive session on real property transactions, the council de- clared the airport to be surplus property. There are additional steps required before before disposal of the property can take place. Mayor Harrison also pro- claimed April as “Make Vernon- ia Shine Month”, and appointed Judy Steffen to the Learning Center Committee. City Administrator Robyn Bassett told Council that the city has completed the pur- chase of 35 acres at the lake, with grant finds from the Ore- gon Department of Economic Development. She also report- ed that Waste Management is considering local curbside recy- cling and increased hours for the transfer station. Decisions on these proposals will likely be made within 60 days. In other business, Council approved: • a request from Sentry Mar- ket to use their Maple Street sidewalk for storage during a 90 day period while they re- place their old storage building with a new one. • liquor license renewals for the Buckhorn Restaurant and the Cedar Side Inn; • the first reading of the Pocket Park ordinance; • a change of wording for two sign ordinances; • a state-required amend- ment to the sewer ordinance; • a request for a letter of sup- port from the Vernonia Drug Free Coalition; • renewal of membership in Col-Pac. • a retreat on Saturday, April 29, at McMenamin’s Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. The re- treat will include advisory com- mittees and city staff. The meeting is open to the public. • an ordinance declaring Real Property No Longer Needed; • two public hearings on April 17 at 7:00 p.m.; one on dispos- al of property, the other on an- nexation. The March 20 Drug-Free Coalition meeting featured Gary Cima, a Deschutes County Deputy Sheriff, talking about Methamphetamine. Cima had been in Vernonia that day to train 50-60 police officers from Oregon and a couple from Washington. About crystal meth, Cima said, “It’s like tentacles of an octopus, spreading to rural areas from the cities.” Above, Cima, fac- ing front, is being interviewed by KATU crime reporter Anna Song while a cameraman films. The training was held at the Scout Cabin. Expect to see more police training in Vernonia in the future, including school shooting training that will be held at what was Lincoln Grade School. 503-429-0280 Basic Auto Repair Rotor and drum machine on site Save Time and Money Shop Local Specializing in Brakes & Light Auto Repair Oil Change Special $19.95 most cars & trucks - up to 5 quarts Open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday call for appointment 62481 Nehalem Hwy 47 North, next to Spartree Restaurant S UPPORT THE ADVERTISERS WHO KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FREE