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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, March 4, 2010 March is named Red Cross Month Governor Ted Kulongoski has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month in Oregon, joining President Barack Obama in a tradition upheld by every U.S. President dating back to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943. See Oregon’s 2010 Red Cross Month proclamation at www.oregonredcross.org/procl amation. “The American Red Cross is there when people need us most. During March, we thank those whose support enables us to continue our work,” said Maree Wacker, Regional Exec- utive for the American Red Cross in Oregon. “Their gen- erosity helps us continue to serve those who need us every day – whether they are down the street, across the country or around the world.” The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest hu- manitarian network – 97 million volunteers helping in 186 coun- tries. In this country, the Red Cross helps change lives sev- en days a week, 24 hours a day. Last year in Oregon: • 600 families relied on the Oregon Red Cross for immedi- ate help after a disaster. • 2,200 military families re- ceived assistance with emer- gency communications from the Oregon Red Cross. • 6,500 Oregonians give their time to make their commu- nities safer by volunteering for the American Red Cross. • 74,000 Oregonians gave life-saving blood through the American Red Cross. • 122,000 Oregonians learned life-saving skills through the American Red Cross. The help of the American Red Cross extends around the world to those in need. In just a little over a month since the earthquake devastated Haiti, the Red Cross has helped more than one million people in the region. Relief efforts in- clude providing clean water and sanitation, food and relief supplies, and health care. It will take many years for the people of Haiti to recover and the American Red Cross will work in close coordination with other organizations to support longer-term assistance proj- ects. March is a great time for people to get involved with the American Red Cross – to give blood, take training in CPR and first aid, volunteer or give a fi- nancial gift to help when the next disaster strikes. Contact the Oregon Trail Chapter at 503-284-1234 or visit www.ore- gonredcross.org to find out how you can get involved. In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disaster an average of 10 times a week; supplies more than 90 percent of Ore- gon’s blood; teaches thou- sands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; offers transportation to seniors and the disabled; pro- vides international humanitari- an aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a govern- ment agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to per- form its mission. For more in- formation, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog. Page 15 Power of the People By W. Marc Farmer, General Manager, West Oregon Electric Cooperative One Down, Two to Go We actually have one major project completed and two that are works in progress. On the Timber/Elsie Transmission Line Project, where we un- dergrounded 14.4 miles of the 16 mile line, the construction portion has been completed. This project has been the largest and most time-con- suming project in the history of West Oregon. With a final cost of over $6 million, (of which over $2.6 million was paid for with federal grant funds), it is also the highest project cost we’ve ever undertaken. The result, though, is a line that has been knocked out of service at some point by trees and/or wind every year of its existence, and se- verely damaged to the point of costing over a million dollars twice, will now be our most reli- able line for the foreseeable future. We have sig- nificantly increased the reliability and longevity of this transmission line with cable that is out of the trees and has a warranty for the next 40 years. Following is an excerpt from our Operations and Engineering Manager Steve Scott’s report to the Board. The construction work is 100% complete, and the clean-up/follow-up work about 95% com- plete. The new transmission line has been oper- ational since Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009, without in- cident. Since that time, we’ve had one heavy wet snow storm in the area and one strong wind- storm, both of which would have taken out the old overhead line at numerous locations. The Michels Job Shack is gone and the surrounding area has been cleaned up. All removed trans- mission poles and hardware have been dis- posed of in the appropriate manner. The remain- ing work primarily consists of two things, (1) re- moving run-off barriers required by various per- mits (DEQ, County, etc.) and the closing out of said permits, and (2), thermal scanning the ter- mination elbows in the vaults. The environmen- tal follow-up work (#1) is required to be done in the spring, and WOEC has agreed to also have the thermal scanning (#2) done in the spring to avoid tearing up the newly seeded trench route, which would surely occur if the work was done now. As Steve stated above, there are final require- ments we will need to follow in order to officially close the project. Since federal money was used from FEMA, Oregon Emergency Management, and Rural Utilities Services, there were many federal requirements, forms to complete and permits to obtain, which then need to be closed out, and other stipulations for receipt of funds. Since the funds received were over $1 million, an audit will be performed so that all funds re- ceived and spent can be accounted for. I would like to extend congratulations and my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of our personnel who made this project a reality. With- out the many, many hours of dogged determina- tion, time, effort, and energy that was dedicated to this project from both a financial and opera- tional standpoint, this project would not have been completed as successfully and smoothly as it did. It was indeed a team effort to reach a successful completion on this important and cru- cial project. Thanks everyone! Make Vernonia Shine on April 17 This year registration will be at the Vernonia Middle School starting at 9:00 a.m. Lunch will also be served in the school’s cafeteria from noon to 1:00 p.m.. This year we will be focusing on cleaning the moss from the bricks downtown, digging out from around the trees and re- barking, removing Ivy from some of the trees by the river, and some general litter picking up. A new feature we’ve added this year is some informational tables, which will be set up in the covered play area. At this time we do not have all commit- ments firmed up, so look for them in the next paper. It looks like we will have plenty of things for you to do, so put April 17th on your calen- dar and plan to come out and give us a hand. Make each day count, so that when tomorrow comes... there are no regrets, just MARVELOUS memories. Lee Anne Krause Independent Team Leader for the The Pampered Chef leeannekrause@gmail.com 503-816-9810 www.pamperedchef.biz/leeannekrause Meyers ‘ Auto Body,Inc 503-429-0248 493 Bridge St, Vernonia, OR