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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, January 17, 2008 Thank you Thank you to Columbia In- spection, Inc. employees and management for the donation of $5,000.00 to help with the Storm Recovery in Columbia County. This generous dona- tion to United Way of Columbia County’s Storm Relief fund will be used to support programs serving people who were im- pacted by the recent flood and storm damage in Columbia County. We appreciate your support of the community during this time of great need in our com- munity. We are so fortunate to have companies who are able to of- fer volunteers, products and money to help in this crisis. Sincerely, Kathye Beck Page 3 NOTICE Executive Director United Way of Columbia County Thank you to Georgia Pacif- ic, LLC – Camas Mill for the do- nation of $2,500.00 to help with the Storm Recovery in Colum- bia County. This generous do- nation to United Way of Colum- bia County’s Storm Relief fund will be used to support pro- grams serving people who were impacted by the recent flood and storm damage in Co- lumbia County. We appreciate your support of the community during this time of great need in our com- munity. We are so fortunate to have companies who are able to of- fer volunteers, products and money to help in this crisis. Sincerely, Kathye Beck Executive Director United Way of Columbia County Policy on Letters The INDEPENDENT will not publish letters that include per- sonal attacks on private citizens. Because of space limitations, preference will be given to brief letters, 300 words or less. All letters must be signed and include a verifiable address or phone number; all letters are subject to editing for clarity or length. Between the Bookends By Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library Nearly two months have passed since the flooding in early Decem- ber and there is still much to be done before the community is close to nor- mal. Many residents are in trailers or with friends while repairing or trying to decide what to do about their damaged homes; youngsters are attending school in various buildings and communities; supplies are still being donated and disbursed; and flood-related meetings are still taking place. One cannot talk about the sad and undecided status of the community without emphasizing how the residents have united to help each oth- er and how much help has been received from so many unexpected and appreciated sources. The library has been the recipient of three large boxes of new paperback books for youngsters from Scholastic Publishers; craft items from Rock Creek Kennels, and snacks for youngsters from Steven & Kelsey Bourdeau of Portland. Book drives are being conducted through Pow- ell’s books and the St. Helens Bookshop. The Friends of the Library received a generous mon- etary donation from Richard Neal Lishner Archi- tectural Firm of Portland. A non-matching grant application for $700 worth of books from the Lib- ri Foundation is presently being completed. All of these contributions and the phone calls from oth- er libraries and individuals questioning the status of our library have been greatly appreciated. At the same time, the library as well as every other available building in the community, has been called into use for numerous purposes. One way the library has been able to contribute to the community during this traumatic time is by providing space for flood-related meetings, meetings of city committees and of local civic groups, plus daycare for parents who are work- ing on flooded homes or whose regular daycare providers are unavailable. It was a bonus to host Santa Claus and the distribution of toys from the Vernonia Boosters and Pacificorp, as well as be- ing a location for registration and monitoring of WIC families. At present, the meeting room is the home of Vernonia Head Start. Kathy Kelly and her staff have arranged a cozy room for their youngsters to meet and try to re-establish a much-needed rou- tine for learning. Everything comes with mixed feelings at this time. While it is gratifying to pro- vide space for these needed activities, the rea- son they need the space is greatly distressing. Library activity—circulation of materials and computer use has nearly returned to normal. Preschool story time will resume Monday, Janu- ary 14th at 10:30 a.m. The Monday afternoon story/activity time at 3:30 will resume when youngsters are once again on a regular school schedule. New acquisitions include T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton, The Senator’s Wife by Sue Miller, Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich, Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky, Hand of Evil by J. A. Jance, There’s No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern, and Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper. Maybe getting temporarily lost in a good book, listening to some soothing music or watching a favorite movie will help at this trying time. If so, remember these are all available in the library. Not that anyone probably wants to think about taxes, but tax forms have also been arriving. Hang in there. This community consists of re- silient people who will recover from this latest sad event. Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Ave. Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tues., Thur. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m., when school is in session. Phone: 503-429-1818 The INDEPENDENT publishes on the first and third Thurs- day of each month. Because there are five Thursdays in Janu- ary, the next issue will be published on February 7, 2008. The deadline for the Feb. 7 issue is Friday, February 1, 2008. Where to Find Them US Senator Ron Wyden (Democrat-OR) 700 NE Multnomah St, Suite 450 • Portland OR 97232 Phone: 503-326-7525 516 Hart Senate Ofc. Bldg. • Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-5244 Website: http://wyden.senate.gov US Senator Gordon Smith (Republican-OR) One World Trade Ctr • 121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-3386 • Fax: 503-326-2900 404 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg. • Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-3753 Website: http://gsmith.senate.gov US Representative David Wu (Democrat-01) 620 SW Main, Suite 606 • Portland OR 97205 Phone: 503-326-2901 • Fax: 503-326-5066 1023 Longworth Building • Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-0855 • Fax: 202-225-9497 Website: http://house.gov/wu Senator Betsy Johnson (Democrat-16) PO Box R, Scappoose, OR 97056 Phone: 503-543-4046 • Fax: 503-543-5296 900 Court St. NE, S-314, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1716 • Fax: 503-986-1940 E-mail: sen.betsyjohnson@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or.us/johnson Representative Brad Witt (Democrat-31) 21740 Lindberg Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-4664 900 Court St. NE, H-373, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1431 E-mail: rep.bradwitt@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or.us/witt Representative Deborah Boone (Democrat-32) PO Box 637, Cannon Beach, OR 97110 Phone: 503-717-9182 900 Court St. NE, H-375, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1432 E-mail: rep.deborahboone@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or.us/boone Out of My Mind… From page 2 and a new administrator is needed. So, instead of using the professionals at the League of Oregon Cities to do the ad- vertising and initial screening, the council is going to “save money” by doing it themselves. We know how well they did with the last two administrators they hired. Kline spent more time “working at home” than at City Hall, and litigation is still under- way with Bassett. Vernonia taxpayers have reason to be nervous.
