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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 2010)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 25, No. 24 THE FREE INDEPENDENT The Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley for Over 25 years December 16, 2010 Governor, community join in start of school project Excitement, and praise for the community’s efforts by Governor Ted Kulongoski, easily com- pensated for a gray, cold day at groundbreaking for the new Vernonia school complex. “I use this community as an example. You believed in your community, your children and each other. You believed in a brighter day. That day has come,” stated Governor Ted Kulongoski at the start of official groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Vernonia schools, on December 2. One day short of three years from the flood of 2007, a crowd of perhaps one hundred com- munity members, plus a goodly number of elected officials and other dignitaries, came togeth- er to see the groundbreaking for construction of the new school building that will house students from kindergarten through twelfth-grade, begin- ning in the fall/winter of 2012. Governor Kulongoski also Help local kids by using Giving Tree A Giving Tree has been set up in the lobby of the local U.S. Bank branch, for needy chil- dren in the Vernonia School District. Tags on the tree, avail- able for the taking, specify items needed, such as a Digni- ty Bag with full contents, a Dig- nity Bag of individual items, coats, shoes, underwear and socks. There are tags for all dif- ferent financial abilities. The tree is sponsored by U.S. Bank Vernonia Branch, and the Vernonia Prevention Coalition. Vernonia School Holiday Programs V ERNONIA H IGH S CHOOL TONIGHT , 7:00 P . M . M IST S CHOOL D ECEMBER 17, 7:00 P . M . Spectators at Vernonia’s annual Lighted Truck Parade on Dec. 4 were wowed by Ray Cota’s log truck, which was followed by an equally colorful Bighorn Logging truck. brought a surprise announce- ment that the Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation (ODOT) would be putting $3.8 million dollars into street improve- ments to Highway 47 (Bridge St.) and the two streets that ad- join the new school site. Includ- ed will be widening of Hwy. 47 by Missouri Ave. to allow for a turn lane, paving two streets, constructing sidewalks and oth- er streetside additions. The Governor, with a very big smile, operated a track hoe with bucket before picking up a shov- el along with about 10 others for the actual groundbreaking. After the groundbreaking, the Governor attended an as- sembly of all students and gave the school district an Oregon state flag to fly at the new school. In return, Superinten- dent Dr. Ken Cox presented Kulongoski with a book of draw- ings done by the 2007 third grade class just after the flood. More donations to the Ver- nonia Schools project were an- nounced at the reception held in the high school gymnasium. In addition to the $1 million challenge grant from Ford Fam- ily Foundation, the following grants and gifts were an- nounced; $100,000 grant from The Kelley Family Foundation, $50,000 from the Oregon Com- munity Foundation, $25,000 from U.S. Bank, and $25,000 from the Samuel Johnson Foundation. All donations, plus the $13 million bond measure passed by Vernonia voters in November 2009, will go toward the $38.9 million price tag for the new schools. “Vernonia battled back and today represents a new chap- ter, a new beginning…I say to each and everyone of you, God Bless Vernonia and God Bless Oregon,” was Kulongoski’s final statement at the new school site.