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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, June 5, 2008 Page 5 Business Notes Vernonia Business of the Year award County employment numbers show some increase Columbia County’s season- little above the statewide rate 216 to 1,432. Total employment goes to local Wauna FCU branch ally adjusted unemployment (5.5%) and higher than the na- this April was 370 more than Wauna Federal Credit Union was named the 2007 Business of the Year by the Vernonia Chamber of Commerce at an awards dinner on May 14. The Business of the Year is selected by members of the chamber and is based on the business’s contributions to the community. Wauna Federal Credit Union’s Vernonia branch participates in events held by the chamber, including the an- nual Scarecrow competition (which WFCU has won twice). They also participate in the St. Patrick’s Day and Jamboree parades. Participating in Chamber meetings and sup- porting the “buy local” theme to help Vernonia thrive, were also considerations in determining the Business of the Year. “Celebrating our Successes” is the theme chosen by the Ver- nonia Chamber of Commerce for the annual awards banquet. In addition to recognizing the Business of the Year, the event is designed to bring together civic organizations and area businesses to share what each organization has been doing. Among those attending the awards banquet were state Senator Betsy Johnson, Co- lumbia County Commissioner Tony Hyde, and representa- tives of Columbia County Flood Relief, Vernonia Cares, Adair Homes, Vernonia Grange and Hands on Art. DEQ requires D.A.D.S. relocation From page 1 et. Council voted unanimously not to renew that contract, with Councilor Randy Parrow say- ing he understands that volun- teers have stepped forward to run the center’s programs. After telling Sandy DeWeber of D.A.D.S. Recycling that they value its contribution to Ver- nonia and hope the DeWebers can find private property for their business, council voted to discontinue their contract with the DeWeber’s operation on Lagoon Drive. The flood made it necessary to move this busi- ness, though DEQ has allowed the transfer station to remain, with some modifications. The transfer station is on slightly higher ground than that occu- pied by D.A.D.S. Recycling. The DeWebers were granted an extension, until July 31, 2008, to remove their business from its present location. Vernonia resident Loren Loomis told council he is con- cerned about the city’s water and sewer loans and would like to know the principal, interest rates, and repayment sched- ule, for each loan. He told council that it looks like they “are playing games with the cit- izens of Vernonia” and that they need to “restore our trust in you.” Council agreed that more information about the loans could be sent out with the water bills. Following the June 2 execu- tive session, Council unani- mously approved retaining Aldie Howard as city planner on a contract basis (one day a week), with the stipulation that he receive a performance eval- uation within 30 days by Interim City Administrator Jim John- son. In other business, on May 19, council; • voted to apply for a 2008 Community Development Block grant (CDBG) to update the 2006 wastewater treatment fa- cilities plan, • approved a new Vernonia Lake vendor agreement, a new park host agreement, and park fee changes. • approved the Vernonia Bicy- cle Skills Park agreement with Alta Planning and Design after Parks Committee Chairman Scott Laird said this work would be paid by grants. • approved a request to close Madison Ave. from Bridge St. towards Shady Lane for street vendors during the June 6 First Friday events. On June 2, council; • approved a grant applica- tion to repair Washington St. • approved a new two-year contract with Meterreaders, LLC, which increases the rate from $.89 to $.91 per meter for reading the city’s utility meters. • received confirmation of an $18,100 grant from the Cycle Oregon Fund for the Skills Park. rate was 5.9 percent in April, down from the previous month (6.4%) but higher than one year before (5.5%). The rate was a tional rate (5.0%). Total em- ployment increased by 125 to 23,179 and the number of un- employed people dropped by one year before but there were 159 more people unemployed this year.