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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, December 2, 2010 Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay The debris from the houses being demolished, due to flood damage from 2007, is being staged at the old mill site. Parts are being recycled and part will end up in landfills. This pile represents three homes of the four currently contracted for demolition. Five more are pend- ing demolition and 13 homes have been elevated. Two homes are currently being elevated. 50 Years Ago This Month The December 22, 1960, is- sue of the Vernonia Eagle in- cluded the following news story on the front page: Further discussion of the pro- posal to increase street lighting in the residential areas of Vernonia occupied the city council Monday evening when the recommenda- tions of the West Oregon Electric company were presented in writ- ing for consideration. The propos- al is for replacing present lights with mercury vapor type lights which estimated to increase light- ing approximately seven times. There also would be some in- creased expense in the installation and upkeep. The council decided to give further consideration to the pro- posal and to try to determine the public feeling on the matter. It is suggested that residents make known to the council their desires with regard to the suggested change. A resolution was presented and adopted prohibiting parking on the south side of Bridge street from the west edge of the high school west side driveway to east bound- ry (sic) of Washington avenue in- tersection with Bridge street. The need for such action grew out of the fact that recently a fourth pedestrian, all children, had been struck by cars at that point when games or other activities had prompted additional parking and foot traffic in that area. It is the hope of the council that the elimi- nation of parking at that place will give better visibility for both pedestrians and drivers and avert future accidents. A letter was received by the council from the school district concerning the possibility of city responsibility in blocking drainage at the school grounds. The letter also suggested that seepage from the sewage lagoon might be drain- ing to school property. The council pointed out that perhaps present school authorities are not aware that drainage was di- rected to private property when the original ditch was filled when the athletic field was created. Also, tests are being made to determine if there is seepage from the lagoon. The council evinced its willing- ness to meet with the school board to discuss the problems. B. R. Pilger, manager of the Vernonia Branch of the U. S. Na- tional Bank, was present and after discussion of various pertinent de- tails, the council approved renew- al of the bank lease as presently written. Various other business included the approval of license renewal for Dick’s Tavern, consideration of preliminary report of auditors and suggestions made by them for more efficient keeping of records, authorization of final payment to John Havlik for lagoon work, and routine paying of bills. Ahh…Turkey Day. I have been so busy the past two weeks, going to meetings, making pies (real mince pies) and dinner rolls for dif- ferent dinners and such, I haven’t given much thought to what I am thankful for this past year. But…this I do know; I’m thankful for the right to choose (the gift God gave all of us), the right to be mad, flustrated, disgusted, unhappy, mad at the cat (most of her life), worried about my dog, worried about my kids, and friends that are worse off than I am. I’m also troubled that I feel the way I do because I have to donate 9 hours and 45 minutes a day plus travel time to my right kidney. Even if that is what is giving me the right to be thankful for the good life I have; enjoying new and old friends, getting up each day (even if I have to crawl out some days), enjoying sun, wind, rain, snow, hail, and tons of leaves. The forsythia is still blooming even though some blooms froze. And one more thing – God has a sense of humor. I saw one ‘fresh’ blooming Dandelion this morning as Shadow and I took our walk in 40° sunshine crisp air. What are you thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving. (Hope you had all the stuffing you could handle.) ft Cra & s Art sses Cla Vernonia Florist 75% Ho OFF Dec me ore! Plants ~ Antiques ~ balloons ~ Handmade Crafts Stuffed Toys ~ Greeting Cards & More OPEN Mon-Sat 10-6 ( 503) 429-2000 736 Bridge St. Vernonia www.vernoniaflorist.com