PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 23, No. 22 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” City correcting charges sent to residents with unusable sewers Helping hands After inquiries by The Inde- pendent about sewer charges being made to non-occupied or non-existent flood damaged homes, Interim City Administra- tor Jim Johnson has decided to send out notices in the water bills to identify any other resi- dents who may qualify for sew- er reimbursements. The Independent brought one such situation to the city’s attention and recently identified two other possible properties in the same situation. Anyone who has not been able to use sewer service as a result of the flood last December should not have been charged for it. If you are in this situation and have been charged for sewer serv- FLOOD TOWN HALL Loren Loomis and Mitch Seibert, with Seibert’s dogs, run a log splitter during the volun- teer woodcut on November 15. Seibert and Loomis were woodcutting volunteers; Seibert also donated wood and the use of his log splitter. The next Vernonia Flood Town Hall will be December 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Vernon- ia Middle School cafeteria. Before the Town Hall there will be a spaghetti feed start- ing at 5:00 p.m. Town Hall at- tendees can also receive a pass to the first home Basket- ball game in the newly re- opened high school gym. Volunteers woodcutters add more heat A.B.A.T.E. Toy Run set for Dec. 6 The final volunteer woodcut, coordinated by Bob Alverts of the Oregon Society of Ameri- can Foresters (SAF) was held November 15. The woodcuts were started as a way to pro- vide heat to those needing wood after the 2007 Flood. With the help of agencies, companies, volunteers, local landowners, residents and SAF members, over 110 cords of wood were cut, split and deliv- ered in less than a year. On November 15, a dozen volunteers hauled over 1-1/2 cords of already cut and split wood from Kim and Linda Swan- son in Banks. Another 1-1/2 November 20, 2008 cords remains to be hauled and three trees will soon be cut by local volunteers. Another three cords of wood were cut, split and delivered from Mitch and Leslie Seibert’s property in Ver- nonia. Seibert assisted with his farm tractor and splitter. After the final woodcut, Alverts said, “Thanks again to all who helped make this such a suc- cess!” Future woodcuts will be co- ordinated by Robb Wilson, Co- lumbia County Flood Relief Vol- unteer Coordinator. Call Wilson at 503-429-4948, or 503-704- 2973, or email to: robb@ver noniaflood.com. The 29th annual Toy Run by A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon, Inc. Port- land Chapters will be held Sat- County slates public hearing in Vernonia The Columbia County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tim and Michelle Bero’s application for a comprehensive plan map amendment and zone change on land near the Vernonia Air- port. The hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Decem- ber 1, at the Scout Cabin, 901 Park Drive, Vernonia. All interested parties may at- tend and be heard. urday, December 6. The Toy Run is a benefit for the Shriners Hospital for Children. Bring an unwrapped toy and $10 (if you want a raffle ticket to win a Harley), and meet at 10:00 a..m. at Tri-Met, 4012 SE 17th, Portland. The Harley draw- ing will be at noon. The ride starts at 12:30 p.m. Net proceeds from the raffle help purchase equipment for children at the hospital. For Vernonia area riders in- terested in a group ride (weath- er permitting) to the Toy Run, call Sunny Suppes at 503-621- 2412. For more information, go to www.toyrun2008.com. ice, contact City Hall at 503- 429-5291. VHS Band to be in Macy’s Parade For the first time in recent lo- cal history, the Vernonia High School band will be marching in a major parade outside of Vernonia. Formerly known as the Meier and Frank Holiday Parade, the Macy’s Holiday Parade in Portland continues the tradition of inviting local high school bands to march in the event, which takes place on Friday, November 28. In re- turn for their participation, VHS band will receive a donation from Macy’s for $1000, which will go directly toward the band’s Spring Break trip to Dis- neyland, where they will per- form twice in the theme park. Please see page 22 VERNONIA SCHOOLS HOLIDAY PROGRAMS Middle/High School December 2 at 7:00 p.m. Washington Grade School December 17 at 7:00 p.m. Mist Grade School December 19 at 6:00 p.m. Santa’s Mail Box is ready and waiting at the Vernonia Fire Hall for your Christmas letter. Sr. Center Bazaar set The Vernonia Senior Center Bazaar will be held on Satur- day and Sunday, November 29 and 30. Hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and Noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tables still are available for $10. Call 429-3912 for a table.