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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 2010)
Page 2 The INDEPENDENT, December 16, 2010 The INDEPENDENT Published on the first and third Thursdays of each month by The Independent, LLC, 725 Bridge St., Vernonia, OR 97064. Phone/Fax: 503-429-9410. Publisher Clark McGaugh, clark@the-independent.net Editor Rebecca McGaugh, rebecca@the-independent.net Mentor Noni Andersen Printed on recycled paper with vegetable based dyes Opinion Letters to Santa shared We asked Santa if we could share some of the Let- ters to Santa he received at the Vernonia Fire Hall. Here’s a selection he sent us. Dear Santa I fegyered that I wode wright you a leter this is wate I wode like to have if yo can make thim 1. a D rex. 2 a lageo city harverster. 3. a fx super international slot car track. 4. a fake tree 44in. 5. a 22-inch raat skrin tv. 6. a Phillips speker set at fredmires. Senerley T. P.S. hear is spung Bob (picture was included with letter) and some muterel money. Dear, Santie clous, Can you please get me ebay cards and whatever you can. Love D. Dear Santa this year I would to have a Picture of you and your raindears. and a DSI. also help my family F. Dear, santa, I wish that you could get me an electiric guitar, a dirt bike, toy story 3, and a nerf gun called stam- peed E-CS. from: B.! Dear Santa can you please bring me high heels and some coloring supplies. from T. Hoping Santa is good to each and every one of our readers. And, Merry Christmas to all and a Very Hap- py New Year. Out of My Mind… by Noni Andersen It’s natural and it hap- pens every year, but I’m not thrilled that heavy win- ter rains have arrived. As I write this, I’m also watch- ing the river gauge up- stream from Vernonia on the Nehalem, and singing “River Stay ‘way from My Door”. After the December 2 groundbreaking for the new schools project, I was thinking how fortunate we have been. Yes, that’s sometimes a stretch for those of us who have been flooded twice and haven’t been raised, but it’s true. And it’s truly humbling to re- alize how much of that good fortune has derived from the kindness of strangers, combined with the vision and empathy of so many of our elect- ed officials at all levels, but especially on the state level. There are several reasons I emphasize the state level. One of the most important is that, without their help, the efforts of county and city governments would make very little headway at improving conditions created by the 2007 flood. The state has also been our primary “lobbyist” for obtaining CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) funds from the federal govern- ment. Our state and federal officials have worked hard for us, but a united “push” by a combination of state and federal officials is often required to make any particular effort successful. So state government plays a unique position as “middle man” in putting together effective coalitions at all levels of government. While watching and listening to the ground- breaking ceremony, I was struck by the depth of commitment expressed by many of the speak- ers. They are going to do what is necessary to complete the school project, no matter what the obstacles may be. When Governor Kulongoski spoke of coming to Vernonia in a helicopter the day after the flood, and seeing devastation “everywhere,” it was ob- vious that he hadn’t forgotten what he saw. He was somber when remembering, and elated at the progress made. He has every right to be elat- ed; his vision went far beyond immediate needs, and he provided both the impetus and the struc- ture needed to bring together a diverse group of people in government, business and philanthro- py, people whose goal is our recovery. Yet, instead of telling us how important he has been to the success of the project, Gov. Kulon- goski spoke only of the efforts of others, includ- ing those of the people of Vernonia. He also re- membered the Oregon National Guard troops who risked their lives to save lives here by mak- ing nighttime rescues in raging waters – and he had them them come to the groundbreaking. Listening to him, I was reminded of the volun- teers who came to Vernonia to muck out mud, clean our homes and schools, tear out soggy drywall, insulation and carpeting, and then re- stock our food bank. They came to help, not to tell us how wonderful they were for helping. We have been fortunate, and I am grateful.