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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, January 7, 2010 Where to Find Them U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (Dem) 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585 Portland OR 97232 Phone: 503-326-7525 223 Dirksen Senate Ofc. Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510-0001 Phone: 202-224-5244 E-Mail: http://wyden.senate.gov/ contact Website: http://wyden.senate. gov U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (Dem.) One World Trade Center 121 SW Salmon St., Suite 1250 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: 503-326-3386 107 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3753 E-Mail: http://merkley.senate. gov/contact WebSite: http://merkley.senate. gov U.S. Representative David Wu (Dem) OR District 1 620 SW Main, Suite 606 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503-326-2901 2338 Rayburn House Ofc. Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-0855 Website: http://house.gov/wu Senator Betsy Johnson (Dem) Senate District 16 PO Box R, Scappoose, OR 97056 Phone: 503-543-4046 900 Court St. NE, S-314 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1716 E-mail: sen.betsyjohnson@ state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/johnson Representative Brad Witt (Dem) House District. 31 21740 Lindberg Road, Clatskanie, OR 97016 Phone: 503-728-4664 900 Court St. NE, H-373 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1431 E-mail: rep.bradwitt@state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/witt Representative Deborah Boone (Dem) House District 32 PO Box 926 Cannon Beach, OR 97110 Phone: 503-717-9182 900 Court St. NE, H-375 Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 503-986-1432 E-mail: rep.deborahboone@ state.or.us Website: http//www.leg.state.or. us/boone Page 3 Letters Volunteers thanked for Christmas Dinner To the Editor: Christmas Dinner ‘09 by the Friends of Vernonia, was put on by Val Mack, Jeri Cropp, Con- nie King, Gene Cropp, Sasha Mack, Susan Gore, Rick Cropp, and Suzanne Hagren. Other volunteers were the Pot- ters, Pauline Koffman, Tori Fal- lau and Jen Evers. A big Thank You to all of these people who worked so hard to make this a success. Also, thanks to the Senior Center president and board for allowing us to use the Senior Center and facilities at no charge. We served approxi- mately 125 people. Sincerely, Bill James Friends of Vernonia A different view of climate change To the Editor: I am prefacing my remarks by saying, “I consider myself a conservative with Libertarian leanings and choose candi- dates for a variety of reasons, fiscal responsibility for our country is a large part of my concern.” My writing is in regard to your December 17, 2009, issue in response to a Gentleman from Ohio, “Chicken Little”, writing in reference to “Climate Change”. It seems he is blam- ing our environmental woes on the Republican Party. He may not be aware that the E.P.A. was founded in 1970. I wonder if the President of that day could have divined how this “New Act” would be warped into a profit-making venture (Al Gore, and many others come to mind). Mr. Nixon thought he did a good thing…but, then again…! Mr. Little makes no mention of clean nuclear power or ex- ploring our own natural re- sources and mentions only wind and solar. The particulate poisons the writer suggests are killing tens of thousands annu- ally are not just from coal but also ships, trains, trucks, autos, heavy equipment, dust storms, wild fires, pollen, etc. As “Mr. Little” states his concerns my question is, “Would then the Government tax each state aside from cow flatulent also volcanoes and forest fires, etc.” Then there is the realization that we have no control over other countries such as indus- trializing India and China un- less (they recently demanded) we pay them to comply. Bribery? We’re already out- sourcing projects, labor, materi- als… Borrowing and Paying In- terest… More? There is hardly any more mention of the Ethanol or Biodiesel or of the $85 million “stimulus” funds (our tax dol- lars) that were awarded to a start-up Solar Panel Plant that is now outsourcing jobs to oth- er countries. I’d venture a guess that “Mr. Little” does not have a windmill in his front yard or solar panels on his roof as I try to conjure up trains, cruise ships, tankers, etc. laden with solar or windmills. I believe the climate is changing, mostly due to the natural progression of life, na- ture. In the 1970’s our concern for our planet was cooling which again has little to do with man. The Cap and Trade is a method to generate new taxes and a great source of revenue for lining the pockets of those “in the know and on the inside track”. If one would check Mr. Gore’s financial interests it’s apparent he is a great example. He is the speaker for exploita- tion in the Green Movement. Cap and trade is not the an- swer to Global Warming. Taxes rarely go down and the revenue garnered from them often gets dispersed to governmental departments they were never intended for. A new money pool. We the people do need to do our part, stay informed, donate used goods, recycle, reduce energy consumption, manage driving routes, take care of waste by composting for better land use, gardening, etc. in hopes to downsize landfill and ocean fill. We the people need to be and stay aware. “No Virginia”, the sky is not falling. Respectfully, John “Jack” Jordan Snohomish, Washington Meyer, Keasey are thanked for service To the Editor: On behalf of the Vernonia Memorial Cemetery Beautifica- tion Committee and the Citi- zens of Vernonia, we would like to publically thank members Ellen Meyer and Ralph Keasey for their years of service given to the cemetery. The committee had reached many of their goals through the years with their direction and faithful serv- ice. Best Regards, Synda Allen Cindy Ball Jeff Hoyt Sunny Hunteman Carolyn Velasco (Members of the Cemetery Beautification Committee) Policy on Letters The INDEPENDENT will not publish letters with per- sonal attacks on private citi- zens. Preference will be giv- en to brief letters, 300 words or less. All letters must be signed and include a verifiable ad- dress or phone number. Vernonia 2009 Year in Review Jan. 1 – Series of storms bring possiblity of flooding. Emergency Command Center opened. River rises to 10 feet, no flooding. Councilors sworn in at emergency meeting. Jan. 5 – Kevin Hudson replaces Steve Whiteman on Vernonia City Council. Newest Vernonia Police Officer, Sean Carnahan sworn in. Jan. 6 – A storm expected to dump 10 inches of rain starts. Emergency Command Center opened. Jan. 7 – Emergency meeting at schools regarding flooding potential. Jan. 8 – Storm stalled over Washington, Nehalem River rises to 11 feet, only low-lying flooding occurs. Jan. 9 – ODOT and Pihl Excavation clear log jam at Rock Creek Bridge. Jan. 20 – City Council approved Ordinance 855 regarding “Dangerous Buildings.” Jan. 28 – Columbia County Board of Commissioners tentatively approved zone change at Vernonia Airport. Feb. 3 – City of Vernonia served with lawsuit filed by Vernonian Dawn Thompson regarding sewer line under her house. Feb. 17 – City Council approves new water rate for multi-unit dwelling on single meter. Mar. 2 – School town hall on school sites held. Mar. 12 – School Board hears that O-A Hill “boot site” most likely site for new schools. Apr. 18 – Old City Hall annex removed, opening up Vernonia Community Learning Center court yard to Bridge St. May 16 – Make Vernonia Shine Day. May 18 – Washington Grade School’s new mascot, the timberwolf, announced. May 24 – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden holds town hall meeting. June 15 – Council hires Interim City Administrator Jim Johnson as consultant through Dec. 31. See page 21