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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2007)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 22, No. 10 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” City budget process starting; council works on full agenda He’s Saaafe! Vernonia’s Byron Schorzman crosses the bag safely in a double header against Horizon Christian on Monday. The Loggers took the first game 5-4 and lost the second 10-5. New biking event premiers in Vernonia This year’s inaugural “We Will Because We Can™” Bike Ride is different than other bike rides. The Cancer Community Renewal Project – a small grass-roots nonprofit organiza- tion – did not start with financial sponsors or a specific budget. From the very beginning it re- lied on the “heart” of local com- munities, businesses, and or- ganizations to create and pro- duce this significant event. Gathering volunteers and leaders from diverse communi- ty groups, local businesses and city-wide programs, the Cancer Community Renewal Project has created local partnerships that provide valuable resources and inspiration to help support this adventure. These ongoing partnerships, which already in- clude local businesses and or- ganizations in Vernonia, will also create and sustain com- munity-based activity programs that inspire and empower can- cer survivors as they develop May 17, 2007 and maintain regular physical activity and other wellness pro- grams to reduce the side ef- fects from cancer treatments and the risk of recurrence. On June 2-3, 2007, in cele- bration of National Cancer Sur- vivors’ Day, The Cancer Com- munity Renewal Project will present the inaugural We Will Because We Can™ Bike Ride in and around Vernonia. This well-supported physical adven- ture for breast cancer sur- vivors, their families and friends, will offer various routes from a 10 mile Family Ride along the Banks/Vernonia Lin- ear Trail to longer, hilly rides and various routes in-between. Both days of the ride will pro- vide a choice of routes through scenic farms and forests throughout Columbia County. May 15 Election Results may be found on page 5 Riders will be able to choose from 10, 25, 66, 68 or 78 miles options. Sponsors are hoping to in- clude as many members from the Vernonia community as possible, in both the Family Ride Please see page 5 Prior to the May 7 Vernonia City Council meeting, the first meeting of the city budget com- mittee was convened. The pro- posed budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 was distributed and additional meetings were scheduled for May 9, 14 and 15. The total proposed budget amount is $5,065,696. The fi- nal budget hearing is sched- uled for June 25. Members of the budget committee present were Darlene McLeod, Rebec- ca McGaugh and Scott Laird, plus the mayor and all coun- cilors. (Two open positions were filled during the regular council meeting, with the ap- pointment of Bruce McNair and Cindy Ball.) The council voted to allow summer use of remote control airplanes at Vernonia Airport, and if that goes well, they will consider including these planes as an approved activity by modifying the Airport ordi- nance. Councilor Shirlee Daughtry gave the lone nay vote, commenting that she supports the Parks Commit- tee’s recommendation not to al- low these planes due to the Parvovirus confirmed in Vernonia On Saturday, May 12, Co- lumbia County Animal Control Officer, Roger Kadell respond- ed to assist a Vernonia resident with two very sick puppies. Both puppies were dehydrated and showed signs of Parvo in- fection. The owners reported that they believed that a neigh- bors dog had also been afflict- ed by this illness. Parvo is highly contagious and can remain in a yard for years, re-emerging each spring to infect new victims. The ill- ness is spread through contact with other dogs, contact with lo- cations where other dogs have been and can be airborne from infected dogs. The best de- fense is to have dogs properly vaccinated and contact your veterinarian if your dog shows signs of illness. Call your vet- erinarian in advance to advise them of your concerns before exposing the office to an infect- ed animal. The main symptoms are a runny, sometimes bloody stool and a very strong, almost de- caying odor of the stool. Help assure the health of animals by vaccinating your dogs and not letting dogs roam from yard to yard. negative impact on park usage from the continuous noise they create. Mayor Sally Harrison then read the Parks Commit- tee’s recommendation so it would become part of the record to be used during future consideration of this issue. Mayor Harrison proclaimed May to be Emergency Medical Services Month. Michelle Kay, Please see page 4 “First Friday” events start on June 1st The First Friday of every month, Vernonia’s downtown businesses will team up to bring you food, music, dis- counts and special buys. Join your neighbors downtown for the first “First Friday” on June 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. First Friday is an opportunity to wander along Bridge Street and stop into shops to enjoy special features. These may in- clude cultural offerings such as music, food or art, or special purchases such as discounts or new items. A map of partici- pating shops will be available on Friday morning at down- town businesses. This evening offers an alter- native way to socialize with friends and coworkers. After touring the shops, you can round out the evening with a stop at one of the restaurants or bars downtown. This event will coincide with the “We Will Because We Can” Bike Ride 2007. Residents are encouraged to meet and wel- come these athletes who ride to celebrate survivorship of Breast Cancer. First Friday is supported by the Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce.
