Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, May 7, 2009 Matai’s Wish is Vernonian’s brainchild MATAI’S WISH has been created to fill the need for long- term, in-home fostering of pets whose owners must seek care for their animals due to medical problems, military deployment, natural disasters, or other long disruptions to their lives. It is the foundation for a network of care seekers and caregivers that will allow them to connect with one another and reach an agreement regarding financial responsibilities so that no ani- mal family member must be kenneled indefinitely – or be given up to a shelter to be re- homed. Carol Davis, Vernonia, founder of MATAI’S WISH, took the name from Matai, a young chocolate lab, who was dropped off at Rock Creek Ken- nel by an enlisted man bound for Iraq who had no other place to leave his beloved dog. Un- fortunately, it was not a long- term boarding kennel; the bills mounted into the thousands of dollars, and the owner dropped contact, leaving Matai without a home. He became listless and developed medical problems fi- nally requiring surgery. He came through the surgery just fine, but nothing seemed to bring him back to health until the kennel manager took him home. That was what he need- ed — a home of his own! The owner was supposed to return in July 2008 but hasn’t been heard from. If he doesn’t, Matai has found a new forever home. Davis sees the problem as one of personal resources — both financial and human. El- derly people with a small in- come must make choices be- tween their own medical care or boarding the pets who are often their only companions as they age. Davis has heard many similar problems — a family emergency, medical problems, floods, and animals that must be nurtured without the human resources to do so. With local foster care, a lot of heartache can be avoided. 20 Years Ago This Month The May 25, 1989, issue of The Independent included the following news story on page 18: The Vernonia City Council heard complaints this month about the $500 fee for a permit to place a manufactured home in the city. Various speakers said the fee was too high, and Judy Bates, a member of the city planning commission com- mittee that studied the prob- lem, said that wasn’t the plan- ning commission’s intention. Bates’ concern was that a $500 fee, plus water and sewer hookup fees, would increase the permit costs too high for people of moderate income. Councilor Scott Sword said that the fee process for a stan- dard “stick home” would total about $1000, and that the council felt halving the cost was adequate. The council agreed to look again at the rate struc- ture. Mandatory garbage collec- tion service is under council consideration as a way to elim- inate trash dumping and the accumulation of garbage. Bob Prohaska, who has the city’s garbage collection fran- chise, said he favors such an ordinance, but would want to have a monthly service for sen- ior citizens who generate very little garbage. The council will hold a work- shop on the subject. The city decided to apply for a $500,000 grant from HUD to go along with a hoped for $1.2 million grant from the EPA for repairs to its sewer collection system. Even with all available assis- tance, costs will likely exceed $20 per household. Happy Mother’s Day May 10 “There are so many unwant- ed pets in shelters, that when people want to keep their pets, we need to do everything we can to help them,” Davis said. Davis began building this network in January 2009. The goals are: connect people with those who can help, set up a mutually satisfactory financial agreement regarding food and medical responsibilities, and determine how best to care for the pet to meet everyone’s needs. A website currently under construction, Mataiswish.org, will help by having download- able forms for both foster care seekers and givers, as well as a way for both sides to make contact. Further efforts will be made to publicize this resource so it is available to those with- out internet access. For more information, con- tact Carol Davis by email: mataiswish@gmail.com or call 503-367-2378. Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay Well, all the y a c k , y a c k about “Going Green”. I don’t k n o w m u c h about all of the ins and outs of it but…in my dishpan I do have an opinion. I’ve now used sev- eral different brands of a million different types and scents. At present I’m using Palmolive Pure & Clear. (Not that that matters to you dishwasher folks.) Spring Fresh Scent. Blah, blah, blah – my findings – uses more to maintain suds and the water feels strange. Have you ever stopped wash- ing a dish to feel the water? It seems to me to take a little longer to make sure all of the grease residue is washed off before you rinse (you don’t have the feel or sight of it float- ing in the water). Which to me is good. We have sunshine and Dan- D-Lions. Forget my plan of sprucing up my yard – I’m just going to chop down the weeds. The tree roots are changing the contour of the ground for some reason. There’s been a lot going on in town lately but I’ve missed it all due to old age, time of evening, weather, and I might miss Bones and Jeopardy. Questions I’ve been asked of late. How’s the new Senior Center coming? When are you moving out of the Park? Why do you have to have an opinion on everything? Answer to #1 – Why ask me. I’m not an officer at the Senior Center anymore. #2 – I didn’t know anything was changing in that area. I’ve received no news of it. #3 – Even the least of us has a right to try and find the lighter side of any and everything. Applications due July 17 for CCCC grants The Columbia County Cul- tural Coalition (CCCC) re- quests grant applications for projects that address the priori- ties identified in the Columbia County Cultural Plan. Grant awards will range from $200 to $1,500; the amount of Columbia County’s 2009-10 al- location from the Oregon Cul- tural Trust (OCT) will be deter- mined in early July. Applicants must provide matching re- sources (in-kind or cash) and must be either 501(c)(3) non- profit organizations or working with one. The Columbia County Cultural Plan and grant applica- tions are available from the Co- lumbia County website, www.co.columbia.or.us; click the Links tab to reach the CCCC link. Applications must be postmarked by July 17, 2009, for projects that will be completed between September 2009 and August 2010. The CCCC has awarded a total of $30,100 in grants to Co- lumbia County cultural organi- zations, since 2005, with funds allocated by the OCT. Estab- lished in 2001, the OCT is a public/private partnership that makes annual grants to county and tribal planning groups for cultural activities. The OCT Website, www.culturaltrust.org, contains information about its programs and the matching gift tax credit that is available to donors. The CCCC and its Grants Committee are volunteers from Clatskanie, Rainier, Scap- poose, St. Helens and Vernon- ia, whose mission is to encour- age projects and activities in the arts, local heritage and the humanities. Priorities in the Cultural Plan are protecting ex- isting cultural assets, helping people experience a variety of cultural venues, and increasing access to and participation in cultural events. For additional information regarding the plan or the grant process, call Janet Wright at 503-397-1035, or email: janet. wright@co.columbia.or.us. Intel helps out Vernonia Cares Vernonia Cares Food Bank was the recipient of a $600 do- nation thanks to the Intel In- volved Matching Grant Pro- gram. It is a result of Intel em- ployees and retirees who vol- unteer in their community and is a matching funds program. The check was a result of 60 hours of volunteer time.