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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, February 1, 2007 Page 5 Business Notes WFCU looks back at 40 years of work, and plans for future growth When Wauna Federal Credit Union began on March 16, 1967, it had eight members and $1600 in assets. Now, as it approaches its 40th Anniversary, there are 13,833 members, over $102 million in assets, and over $90 million in outstanding loans to members. A group of men involved in the startup of one of the world’s largest paper mills, located on the Columbia River at Wauna, were also involved in starting Wauna Federal Credit Union. They wanted a financial institu- tion where members are own- ers and earnings are returned to members in the form of high- er savings rates, lower loan rates and improved services, and they knew that a credit union would meet that goal. Wauna Federal Credit Union plans on steady growth in 2007, at two percent of total assets. As the credit union’s financial health grows, so does the finan- cial health of its members and the communities they serve. “It has been a privilege to work at Wauna Federal Credit Union for the past 19 years of these 40 years and have found it to be very fulfilling and re- warding.” said Debi Smiley, Ex- ecutive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. “I appreciate the opportunity ODF will review wildland fires in unprotected, rural interface areas Increasingly in Oregon, blazes in wildlands with no fire protection are spreading onto protected forestlands. At the same time, urban sprawl into forests has elevated the wild- fire risk and complicated fire- fighting efforts. These twin con- cerns have prompted a large- scale review of the state’s clas- sification system used to coor- dinate wildfire protection for forestlands and rural communi- ties. A steering committee formed by the Oregon Depart- ment of Forestry will hold its first meeting February 6 in Salem to examine the 30-year- old system and recommend changes to update it. The 29-member committee includes representatives of a broad cross-section of private and public organizations that share an interest in protecting the forest resource and the ex- panding wildland-urban interface. At the meeting, Department of Forestry staff will provide historical background on the forestland classification sys- tem, including the pertinent state statutes and administra- tive rules, as well as the depart- ment’s role in protecting those lands. The steering committee will develop recommendations by Jan. 1, 2008. The Board of Forestry will then work on leg- islative concepts needed to im- plement the recommendations, in time for the 2009 Oregon legislative session. The current forestland clas- sification system developed as need arose locally. As a result, it lacks overall consistency. Also, rapid population growth has gradually transformed many of the unimproved lands originally classified as forest decades ago. “On one end of the spec- trum, the rural-forest interface continues to expand, often into what had been protected com- mercial forestland,” said Assis- tant State Forester Paul Bell. “On the other end of the spec- trum, fires on unprotected lands have become problemat- ic, threatening and burning onto protected forestland re- sulting in large, costly fires and, not infrequently, Conflagration Act mobilizations.” The meeting will convene at 9 a.m. in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at Oregon Depart- ment of Forestry headquarters, 2600 State St. It is open to the public. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assis- tance can be arranged by call- ing the Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting - (503) 945-7200, text telephone (503) 945-7213 (in Salem). Cordless listening de- vices will be available to any- one with impaired hearing. They may be obtained at the sign-in table in the Tillamook Room. to work for an organization where the board and manage- ment are so dedicated to giving back to the members and com- munities we serve. I have fond memories of how we have been able to assist someone with purchasing their first car, fi- nancing a long-awaited vaca- tion, financing a home that meets their growing family’s needs and much more. I look forward to many more great memories,” she concluded. Headquartered in Clatska- nie, Wauna Federal Credit Union, has branches in Astoria, Clatskanie, St Helens, Vernon- ia and Warrenton. Anyone who lives, works, attends school or worships in Clatsop or Colum- bia County is eligible for mem- bership. For more information, call toll free 800-773-3236.
