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The INDEPENDENT, April 7, 2011
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
Vernonia is coming together
On March 29, at a Vernonia celebration of FEMA giv-
ing Vernonia schools an $11.2 million grant (see com-
plete story on page 1), FEMA Region X Administrator
Kenneth Murphy presented Mayor Josette Mitchell with
a Whole Community Commendation. The letter with
the commendation states, “Before the flood waters re-
ceded, the people of Vernonia organized themselves
and undertook the daunting work of rebuilding the com-
munity.” It goes on, “The whole community participat-
ed…and demonstrated that the “pioneer spirit” of Ore-
gon is alive and well.” FEMA Region X includes Alaska,
Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and there are 10 U.S.
regions total.
When we think of all the people who have helped
since the 2007 Flood, it’s a pretty amazing list. First
there were all the many people who immediately donat-
ed food, water, building materials, furniture, appliances,
clothing, pet food, etc. Then those who showed up from
outside to help clean-up, even helping pull wet carpet
and insulation (two very nasty jobs). These people’s ef-
forts made it possible for residents to work on commu-
nity recovery. But, let’s not forget the people who could
not stay and wait for recovery to reach them, due to the
economy, the flood, or a combination of both.
We supported the $13 million bond measure, while
having reservations, because we knew it would take a
lot more money than that to build new schools. But,
since the bond passed, that bond has repeatedly been
pointed to as the reason others have been willing to
help financially. So, thanks to the Bond Committee for
their hard work. The total cost for the new school is now
estimated at $38 million. Of that amount, fundraising
has raised $17.4 million for a total of $30.4 million. Just
over $7 million to go. Not bad!
Others who have done tremendous work for Vernon-
ia, and continue to do so, include Alissa Keny-Guyer
from the Oregon Solutions team and co-conveners;
Portland businessman Tom Kelly and County Commis-
sioner (and Vernonian) Tony Hyde. Everyone on the
team has worked tirelessly to find resources for this
town. Also, thanks to John Donovan and the Metropol-
itan Group. Yes, the school district hired them to help
find funds, but Donovan (and his team) have been up-
beat, and have organized meeting after meeting after
meeting where they have “pitched” Vernonia – suc-
cessfully.
This is just a tip of the iceberg of all of the people
who should be thanked. But, to all, congratulations on
the Whole Community Commendation from FEMA.
Ike Says…
By Dale Webb, member
Nehalem Valley Chapter, Izaak Walton League
There is new informa-
tion about Hair Loss Syn-
drome that has come
from a thesis paper writ-
ten by Shannon L. Mur-
phie while attending
Humbolt State University.
The studies providing the
basis and data for the
thesis appear to be well
grounded and thoroughly explored. This appears
to be the first study of HLS in Blacktailed deer
fawns, the documentation of mortality rates and
the difference in mortality rates between HLS
fawns and non-HLS fawns. Murphie worked in
conjunction with the Makah Indian tribes in
Northwest Washington from 2006-2009. The
Makah tribes have been investigating the effects
of HLS and the general health of the Blacktailed
deer herds in their region.
Here are some of the over-lying findings from
Murphie’s studies. First, the overall mortality rate
of Blacktailed deer fawns in her study area was
63%, so only 37% survived to become yearling
deer. The captured (close to new born) fawns
were fitted with radio collars, and 14% of them
were observed to have lice. Of the 14%, 74%
died before reaching one-year-old. While 43% of
the observed fawns had HLS during the Decem-
ber to March time frame, fawns that did not ex-
hibit HLS had an average survival rate of 79%
A big eye-opener in the study was that mortal-
ity in fawns was higher in the December-March
time frame than in the first nine weeks after birth,
36% versus 29% respectively. A second major
finding was that mortality of all fawns was due
primarily to predation, and that HLS fawns suf-
fered a higher rate of predation than their non-
HLS counter parts. Predation in this study was
attributed to cougars 40%, bobcats 11.4%, bears
3.4% and coyotes only 1.1%. Other mortalities
were unknown, unknown predation 23.9% (when
a predator could not be identified precisely), nat-
ural causes 12.5%, and human caused 3.4%.
Murphie also examined many carcasses of
the killed fawns and noted a marked difference in
body conditioning between the non-HLS fawns
and the HLS fawns. While this is not surprising,
it confirms that HLS fawns are, indeed, suffering
nutritionally and to a greater degree than their
non-infected counterparts. This is thought to be
due to the time the HLS fawns spent scratching
and grooming themselves, instead of foraging,
and from the extra demands on their bodies to
stay warm while losing up to 75% of their hair.
So, what does all this mean to sportsmen?
Murphie concluded, “Similar research should be
conducted in other areas of western Washington
to determine the role that predators play in sur-
vival of black-tailed deer fawns, especially in ar-
eas affected by HLS. Where possible, all factors
responsible for limiting populations should be
evaluated and addressed. Locally, the deer pop-
ulation is limited by recruitment, and managers
Please see page 20