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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 2, 2009)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 24, No. 13 “Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley” July 2, 2009 Summer is definitely here, and Vernonia’s swimmin’ hole is being greatly appreciated. County residents need emergency housing funds In an effort to help the com- munity and those individuals who are having their NOHA housing subsidy cut, United Way of Columbia County is ac- cepting donations from individ- uals and businesses. These donations are outside of the normal campaign and will be used specifically to assist with this housing emergency in Co- lumbia County. Please indicate on your do- nation checks that they are to be used for “housing emer- gency”. These funds will be disbursed to organizations within Columbia County who are currently assisting those in need. For questions or for more in- formation please call 503-556- 3614 or email uwcc@hotmail. com . State issues contracts for buying out flooded homes The Oregon Economic and Community Development De- partment (OECDD) issued con- tracts, June 24, for the last re- maining component in the suite of public support planned and developed by Community Ac- tion Team to assist flood vic- tims in Columbia County and the City of Vernonia. The con- tracts, one for the City and one for the County, each represent a $500,000 award of Commu- nity Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The CDBG pro- gram is a pass-through of fed- eral funds administered by OECDD in the rural portions of the state. These two long-awaited grants will be used to match FEMA funds set aside to pur- chase flooded homes in Ver- nonia and Columbia County. Homes will be purchased at their pre-flood value as of De- cember 1, 2007. Without the CDBG funds, homeowners would receive only 75 percent of their homes value. Once trans- ferred into public ownership, per- manent deed restrictions will pre- vent the properties from being de- veloped in the future. Federally required prelimi- nary grant requirements, in- cluding environmental reviews and public notices, are expect- ed to take 2 to 3 months before individual projects can be com- pleted. In the meantime, Com- munity Action Team will work with both the City and County to select a contractor or con- tractors who will demolish the homes once they have been purchased. This contractor se- lection process, which will run concurrently with the federal requirements, will help the city and county obtain firm demoli- tion costs prior to making their final funding requests to FEMA for each project. Enjoy a safe Fourth of July Be careful with fireworks Upon completion, this statue will be bronzed and installed in the Loggers Memorial at Camp 18. See article on page 5. Fire Season has July 4th Activities started for area Vernonia Fire Season has been offi- cially declared for Northwest Oregon and will begin today, July 2. The fire season desig- nation includes lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry within Columbia, Clat- sop, Multnomah, Washington, Tillamook and Yamhill coun- ties. Regulations that affect for- est operations and open burn- ing go into effect with the dec- laration of fire season. Those working in the woods are required to have fire pre- vention and fire fighting equip- ment on the job site. In addi- tion, a fire watch is required to be on the operation site after the shutdown of equipment. The first level of precaution for forestry operations is called an “Industrial Fire Precaution Lev- el 1” This is the first level of a four level system that regulates fire risks associated with indus- trial equipment operated within the forest protection district. The declaration of fire sea- See Fire Season, page 4 Vernonia’s 4th of July activi- ties will include a parade, sponsored by Vernonia Pride, starting on Weed Ave. at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks, funded by dona- tions this year, will be held at the Vernonia school grounds beginning at 10:00 p.m. Boost- er burgers and more will be available at the school grounds from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. There will also be a private fireworks show on Cherry Street on July 3. This notice is to inform the community so pets can be secured. Banks Banks will celebrate the 4th of July starting at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Park with a Family Fun Festival. The Festival will include kids games and rides, other activi- ties and food. Fireworks start at 10:00 p.m. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ See page 9 for care of pets during July 4th activities.