The INDEPENDENT, June 17, 2010
Is FEMA adding to budget woes?
by Jim Tierney, CAT Deputy Di-
rector
In the last few weeks, no
doubt because the city is going
through its budget process, I’ve
heard several statements as-
signing the city’s flat or declin-
ing tax base in part to the
FEMA home buyout program.
Because it’s been a very long
time since we discussed this
publicly, I thought it might be
helpful to revisit how the buyout
program serves the city.
Starting in 1988, the city
adopted a flood ordinance dic-
tated to us by FEMA. Without
that ordinance in place, no one
in Vernonia could buy flood in-
surance through FEMA’s Na-
tional Flood Insurance Pro-
gram (NFIP). NFIP provides
90% of the flood insurance in
the country. Since FEMA subsi-
dizes the NFIP rates by paying
two-thirds of the actual cost,
they are pretty serious about
the city being in compliance
with its flood ordinance.
One of the requirements of
that ordinance is that homes
that have been “substantially
damaged” must be moved off
site, elevated or torn down
within four years. The city has
to enforce this rule in order to
stay in compliance. So, some
time in about a year-and-a-half,
the state and federal govern-
ments are going to ask us to re-
port on how many substantially
damaged buildings are still
standing. The owners of those
remaining un-elevated sub-
stantially damaged homes,
See FEMA on page 22
Peets, Lee announce engagement
Rose Peets and Jacob Lee,
both of Vernonia, have an-
nounced their engagement.
They plan a September wed-
ding, followed by a honeymoon
in Hawaii.
The bride-to-be is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pat-
rick Peets, formerly of Vernon-
ia. She graduated from Vernon-
ia High School in 2002 and re-
ceived a Masters degree in oc-
cupational therapy from Pacific
University in 2009. She is cur-
rently employed at Meadow
Park Health & Specialty Care in
St. Helens.
The groom-elect is the son
of Jim and Gayle Lee of Ver-
nonia and Pamela and Brien
Blankenship of Mist. He gradu-
ated from Vernonia High
School in 2002 and works as a
Utility II with the City of Hills-
boro Parks Maintenance De-
partment.
S OUL F OOD
S ERVED H ERE .
Page 7
Vernonia Senior Center News
Those attending the first day of craft lessons
at the Senior Center, last Friday, enjoyed the
etched glass session so much that it will proba-
bly be repeated at a future date.
There won’t be a craft class tomorrow, howev-
er, because instructor Rosie McCoy will be at the
My Fair Lady luncheon in Warren. Yes, Rosie will
be representing Vernonia at the annual county-
wide recognition of, and appreciation for, senior
ladies’ many contributions to our communities.
The My Fair Lady Pageant will be held during the
Columbia County Fair in July. Watch The Inde-
pendent for more information.
If you enjoyed the pinochle and board games,
also last Friday, then you can continue the fun to-
morrow, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. If enough people
express an interest, games may also be offered
one night each week. Let us know whether you
are interested in an evening of games.
Lunch is served Monday through Friday at
noon. A $3.00 donation is suggested for those 60
and older, and $4.00 for those under 60. If you
prefer lunch to go, for only $4.00 you can call
ahead and place your order.
The Birthday Lunch is always on the last Fri-
day of each month. For June birthday celebrants,
that will be June 25.
And on the last Wednesday of each month,
Wauna Federal Credit Union makes a good
lunch even better by providing diners with free
ice cream. The Golden Oldies also provide great
musical entertainment on Wednesdays; if you
haven’t enjoyed one of their performances,
you’re missing a great local show.
Happy
Father’s
Day,
June 20
Call Rosie for information on Meals on Wheels
for those who are home-bound.
Free blood pressure checks are available on
the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m.
to noon.
Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. until closing,
needleworkers enjoy the company of others
while they work on everything from embroidery
to quilting.
Fridays feature great breakfasts at the Senior
Center, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Breakfast for all
ages is $3.50 per person, and maple bars that
are made fresh daily, are $1.00 each. You can
also order maple bars for any gathering by call-
ing a day or two ahead and placing your order.
Lots of choices and some remarkable bar-
gains are available from the center’s Thrift Shop
and, especially if your budget is tight, don’t forget
that the already low prices are 50% off during the
last week of each month!
If you’re in need of a wheelchair, we have
some that can be loaned out. Call Pauline Coff-
man at the number below to make arrange-
ments. Also, we would appreciate donations of
any unused canes that you would like to get out
of your closet.
Vernonia Senior Citizens Center:
446 Bridge Street
Senior Information Assistance Rep:
Rosie McCoy
Hours: Monday through Friday,
10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thrift Shop Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 503-429-3912
Featuring
Mariolino’s
Ice Cream
Banana Splits, Sundaes, Root Beer Floats
Thick Milk Shakes, Hot Fudge Sundaes
721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018
Organic Compost
Bark Dust
Plant Mix
Rock
Available by the scoop
or by the yard
Robert J. Watts Construction, Inc.
503-429-5504
CCB# 166815