Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 5, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, July 5, 2007 Bits & Bites Skills Park ground breaking held The official ground breaking was held Saturday, June 30, for the Bicycle Skills Park project at the 60 acre O-A mill site. Those in attendance were Mayor Sally Harrison, Parks and Budget Committee presi- dent Scott Laird, Planning Commission president Dan Brown, business owner Rietta Behnke and Ric Balfour of Ric Balfour & Associates. The Bicycle Skills Park re- ceived an initial conditional use permit at a planning commis- sion meeting (later confirmed by the city council) and public hearing on May 17. The pro- posed uses for the 60 acre mill site include the bicycle skills park, a senior center including Vernonia Cares Food Bank, an event center (privately owned and operated), an interpretive center, skate park, R.V. parking By Jacqueline Ramsay and supporting facilities (such as restrooms, loading ramps, picnic areas, concessions and parking lots - 42 parking places for the Senior Center, plus an- other 100 paved and 150 grav- eled overflow). Each project proponent appeared before the Planning Commission on March 15. The Planning Com- mission asked for a conditional use application from each pro- ponent. The planning commission was told that public sewer, wa- ter and power are available at the site but are unimproved and that each proposed user will have to address installation as development takes place. The bicycle skills park will ini- tially use portable sanitary facil- ities and a compacted gravel parking lot (estimated cost to Please see page 15 Every- body, sit down, put your feet up, loosen your tie or unbut- ton your shirt, take a deep breath, now ex- hale. Ok, I forgot to tell you be- fore you sat down – get a tall glass of whatever – now you’re to take a gulp of whatever and pass out or just relax, but don’t sleep too long or you might miss the 4th of July. I think I’m going to stay in bed all that day. I’m getting too old for the mouse race. Think I’ll retire. Perhaps you readers didn’t think me serious last paper when I said Vernonia Cares Food Bank needs muscle pow- er. This past week, five women and one man had to keep us on our feet. It shocks me to think every able-bodied male in Ver- nonia has a job with a pay check. I know I’m putting my face on the line, but read it how you will. Facts are showing. Now to the lighter side of life in our town – I’ve heard lots of “kudos” for the way things went for KUPL’s day. Also, the Cycle Oregon folks enjoyed our hos- pitality, sun and our showers. Quite a sight was Tent Town and all the flags along Bridge St. I was tied up so didn’t get to “Stub” Park. I hear the view from the top is awesome. Due to the weather – a Free help for those about to make Medicare choices A state program that uses volunteers to offer free, unbi- ased help to people making Medicare decisions has re- ceived a $417,631 federal grant to continue outreach to Oregonians in 2007. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) grant goes to the Senior Health In- surance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) network and will allow the program to expand its vol- unteer network into several un- derserved rural areas of Ore- gon. This year’s amount is six percent larger than the grant SHIBA received in 2006. The grant money pays for a state SHIBA office, 22 local program sponsors, and approx- imately 250 volunteers who counsel Medicare beneficiaries and their family members. Here’s how the program works: 1. People with Medicare questions call Oregon’s toll-free number (1-800-722-4134) and enter their ZIP code using the telephone dial pad. 2. The caller is routed to a SHIBA sponsor volunteer coor- dinator in their county service area or to the state SHIBA staff if no local program is available. 3. The volunteer answers the caller’s questions and then offers to set up a one-on-one meeting. It may be at a local program office, such as an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or Seniors and People w/Disabili- ties field office, other communi- ty centers, or the home of the client. Certified volunteers are trained to answer questions Page 9 about all aspects of Medicare, from supplemental policies to help fill “gaps” in coverage, to how to obtain and enroll in pre- scription drug plans. This year, SHIBA will provide one-on-one counseling to a minimum of 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries. It will also in- crease the number of volunteer counselors; provide training and outreach assistance to vol- unteers and other program partners; and establish SHIBA sponsors in counties that do not have a local SHIBA sponsor organization, including Umatil- la, Morrow, Grant, and Malheur counties and some areas on the Oregon coast. In 2006, SHIBA provided free counseling services to more than 20,000 Medicare beneficiaries and others. The Save Time and Money Shop Local large number of contacts was due mainly to Medicare’s open enrollment for Part D prescrip- tion drug coverage. For more information on how to get help with Medicare or be- come a SHIBA volunteer and help others: Visit www.oregon- shiba.org or call toll-free in Ore- gon: 1-800-722-4134. In Oregon, SHIBA is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. The department is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and con- sumer protection agency. For more information, visit www. dcbs.oregon.gov. question. If I want to swim in the river, what do I wear?? Rubber suit? 1920’s swim wear? Cut off jeans and fur- lined T-shirt? Or, just forget it. Do you believe the weather re- ports anymore? I haven’t been able to stroll Main Street yet, either, but lots of new looks are catching my curiosity button. Some places I’d like to look in don’t fit my hours, but I’ll keep trying. No money to spend but I do love to “look shop.” Well, it’s time to roll up the streets, turn out the lights and go to bed, so – Good night till next time. PS. These thoughts are my own. C a me l ot C a r e Ce n te r Medicare / Medicaid Certified VA , HMO and Insurance Contracts Sub-Acute Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitative Therapies Respite & Hospice Care Long Term Intermediate Care Dedicated & Caring Staff 3 9 00 Pa c i f ic A v e ., Fo r e st G ro ve ( 50 3) 3 5 9- 0 44 9 VERNONIA INN Enjoy a quiet weekend with us. FULL SIZE, IN ROOM HOT TUBS Queen Beds • Private Bath • Separate Entrance Cable TV • Phones • Handicapped Access • Commercial Rates FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 1-800-354-9494 / 503-429-4006 S U P P O RT YOUR THE A D V E RT I S E R S COMMUNITY WHO N E W S PA P E R KEEP FREE Gift Certificates Available 900 MADISON AVE., VERNONIA, OR 97064 Just one block off scenic Nehalem River Hwy. (Oregon 47)
