The INDEPENDENT, January 1, 2009
Page 5
Georgia-Pacific, Wauna mill employees raise over $228,000 for UW
Georgia-Pacific, the United
Steelworkers (USW) Local
1097, and United Way an-
nounced, December 16, the
successful conclusion of their
2008 United Way campaign.
With a grant from the Georgia-
Pacific Foundation and pledges
from Wauna Mill employees,
over $228,000 was raised for
United Way.
The funds will be distributed
to Clatsop, Columbia, and
Cowlitz/Wahkiakum counties.
Mill Manager Mike Tomp-
kins, who joined the facility in
June, commented, “I have
been overwhelmed by the com-
mitment and passion Wauna
employees have for United
Way and commend them for all
that they do to make this com-
munity great.”
Vince Leonard, president,
USW Local 1097, added “Our
membership has for years
been a strong supporter of
United Way and I couldn’t be
prouder that now, with all of the
distractions of the current econ-
omy, our members continue to
keep the needs of our commu-
Beware of storm repair scammers
December’s winter storms
have left many homes and
buildings damaged by downed
trees, ice-covered tree limbs
and heavy snow. The Con-
struction Contractors Board
(CCB) warns Oregon home-
owners not to become a victim
to those pretending to be legiti-
mate contractors. Homeowners
whose home and other proper-
ty is damaged are prime tar-
gets.
If roofs, windows, fences, or
patio coverings are damaged,
or if you’ve got downed trees
that should be removed the
CCB has the following advice:
• Check to make sure the
contractor is properly licensed.
Consumers should verify a
contractor’s CCB license at
www.oregon.gov/CCB, or 503-
378-4621 before signing a
home repair contract or paying
any money.
• Be wary of door-to-door re-
pair solicitations, contractors
using vehicles with out-of-state
license plates and “too-good-
County jobless rate
sharply increased
Columbia County’s season-
ally adjusted unemployment
rate rose to 8.7 percent in No-
vember, a significant increase
from the previous month
(7.7%) and higher than the
year before (5.7%). The rate
was higher than the statewide
rate (8.1%) and the national
rate (6.7%). Total employment
dropped by 101 to 23,084 and
the number of unemployed
people rose by 367 to 2,158.
Total employment this Novem-
ber was 217 fewer than one
year before and there were
772 more people unemployed
this year.
to-be-true” bids.
• Don’t pay 100 percent of
the bill before the repairs are
properly completed.
“If you’ve been a victim of
the storm, don’t become a vic-
tim to a scam artist,” said CCB
spokesperson
Gina
Fox.
“Scam artists come out of the
woodwork after severe weather
to prey on people anxious to
get their home fixed.”
The CCB is the state agency
licensing more than 45,000
contractors. Anyone who is
paid to repair, improve or build
a home must be licensed by
the CCB. Free consumer publi-
cations and other helpful tips
are available at the CCB’s web-
site and 503-378-4621.
Top Ten list for
power outages
As the winter months arrive,
you can never be too careful in
making sure you are prepared
for the winter power outages.
Depending on how much dam-
age is done by the storm, your
power could be out for several
hours to several days. Here is
a list from the CampSafe Coali-
tion of “must have” items to en-
sure that you and your family
are safe during long power out-
ages:
1. Battery Powered Lighting
– when evening rolls around,
battery powered lights and
lamps provide a safe and reli-
able light source. Flashlights
are handy for temporary uses,
but battery powered camping
lanterns can be used to light
rooms, hallways, and stairs
without the fear of an open
flame candle.
2. Bottled Water – don’t wait
until the last minute to buy bot-
Please see page 10
nity in their thoughts.”
With over $81,000 of these
pledges going to Columbia
County United Way, Kathye
Beck, executive director, adds
that the funds coming “at a time
when we are seeing more need
in our community than ever be-
fore, the generosity of Georgia-
Pacific, USW Local 1097, and
Wauna Mill employees is val-
ued even more. It will do a lot to
help members of our communi-
ty cope through this current
economic crisis.”
Beck also noted, “For the
past decade, their generosity
has assisted our neighbors in
need by providing food and
clothing for families, providing
safe havens for women and
children at risk, empowering
low income workers to learn
new life and job skills to better
their circumstances, providing
support for our seniors, and a
host of other valuable servic-
es.”
Those interested in more in-
formation, or in contributing to
United Way of Columbia Coun-
ty can contact the United Way
office at 503-556-3614.