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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, May 19, 2011 24 Years Ago This Month The May 28, 1987, issue of The Independent included the following news story on the front page: Vernonia’s City Council con- tinued work on upgrading of city parks during their meetings in May, approving the use of heavy equipment (obtained on a volunteer basis by Jim Morri- son) at Spencer Park to com- plete the groundswork and stump removal needed for youth baseball; approving addi- tional expenditures of up to $275 for paint, gates, siding and miscellaneous materials needed to finish the horse are- na in Anderson Park; discussed fencing for the swimming pool area at Hawkins Park, and ap- proved major changes for An- derson Park. Caretakers at Anderson Park will be a thing of the past, starting July 1, as the council approved elimination of the po- sition and the caretaker’s mo- bile home. They also approved installation of 5 lights in the park, plus lights at the en- trances to the park restrooms. Noting that the chamber of Bits & Bites commerce has been granted permission to put the city’s old street lights up in Anderson Park, the council agreed to see what progress has been made on that project before putting up new lights. The council also thanked Jim and Kathy Morrison for ob- taining the heavy equipment and work crew for Spencer Park’s ball fields, noting that the Morrisons “got done in 2 days what it would have taken the city 3 months to do.” Boaters: Prevent invasive species spread When launching your boat this season, you’ll likely see signage aimed at educating boaters about how to prevent aquatic invasive species from spreading or gaining a foothold in Oregon’s beloved water- ways. In 2009, the Oregon Legisla- ture passed legislation that cre- ated a self-supporting aquatic invasive species prevention program, geared toward boaters who have watercraft 10 feet long or longer. The pro- gram is designed to educate boaters about the threat of aquatic invasive species and what boaters can do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species that are already in Ore- gon, like the New Zealand mud snail. Revenue generated by the permit fee is used for in- spection/detection, decontami- nation, and education efforts. Registered motorboats pay a surcharge in addition to their boat registration fee. A current registration decal affixed to the bow of the boat acts as proof of payment into the program. Manually powered boats 10 feet long and longer (paddle- craft) are required to purchase a permit and carry it with them when operating their water- craft. In January, the Oregon State Marine Board approved more purchasing options for manual- ly-powered boats, based on feedback from this boating community and marine law en- forcement. The Marine Board approved both a one-year and two-year Tyvek tag. These tags are available for purchase through the Marine Board’s office in Salem and can also be ordered by downloading a permit appli- cation online at http://www.boa toregon.com/OSMB/Clean/doc s/Boating_public_order_form_ 2011.pdf. Boaters can purchase as many permits as they like from one application form. Once the form is downloaded and filled out, mail the application to the Marine Board at P.O. Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309. Per- mits expire on December 31 of the current year for the one year permit or December 31 of 2012, depending on which per- mit is purchased. “What’s nice about purchas- ing your AIS permit through the Marine Board is boaters aren’t charged a processing fee,” said Glenn Dolphin, Aquatic Inva- sive Species Prevention Pro- gram Coordinator for the Ma- rine Board. “It’s $5 for a one year permit and $10 for two years. Funds are used for the aquatic invasive species pre- vention program designed to protect our waterways from be- ing taken over by non-native species.” One-year paper permits can also be purchased from ODFW license agents or online at www.dfw.state.or.us for $7. Boat inspection stations are Page 9 also gearing up at boat launch- es and rest areas across Ore- gon in May and June. Travelers entering the state are asked to look for “Boat Inspection Ahead” signs and be prepared to pull off the highway for in- spection. An inspection takes about 10 minutes if boats are free of aquatic species. If a boat is found to be contaminat- ed with aquatic invaders, it will be cleaned by a mobile decon- tamination team. For more information about the aquatic invasive species prevention permit program or for directions to the Marine Board office, visit www.boa- toregon.com. By Jacqueline Ramsay What am I doing today? After having heard what Sally talked about last Wednes- day afternoon at the Vernonia Senior Cen- ter and then seeing and listening to Chan- nel 2 Thursday evening, I am trying to re- group my thoughts. So, I’m sitting at my table, feet propped on a chair, munching a tuna fish sandwich, watching a bushie- tailed squirrel frolic on a backyard fence across the street from my patio window. (Got the picture?) I could tell you what I think but since I do not live there or vote there any- more I will keep my thought to myself and pray that what is left of the City Council has enough power and help from the informed citizenry to stop the disaster that will happen if it isn’t cleared up and stopped. Stop and realize what will happen to the “City” of Vernonia if you don’t keep the “Key” to all of the projects in the fire that is trying to keep Vernonia on the map for its upcoming spirit to live despite the floods that have tried to wipe you OUT. Now for the brighter side of the news. Jim (son), being kind hearted, decided to “leash” train his house cat, so we could let it out in the fresh air once in a while. OK. So she accepted the har- ness. In the house she’s a calm cat. Outside she’s a “Fraidy Cat.” She does love it out there in the dirt and tree roots. So, now she sits in front of the closed front door and yowls her head off. Guess who has to hook her up and stroll in the dirt now? Shadow isn’t too keen on the idea of my paying attention to the CAT. Ho, ho. Sorry I flipped my lid, but I do care what happens in the Little Town Lost in the Woods. I have many friends there. Action Ads INEXPENSIVE – EFFECTIVE 503-429-9410 $4.50 for the first 10 words, then just 10¢ for each additional word Plant & Garden Sale Vernonia Senior Center G OOD F OOD G OOD F RIENDS G OOD T IMES 831 Bridge St. Vernonia, OR 503-429-0214 Two Days Only! June 3rd & 4th From 9am to 4:30pm Brighten your garden with plants, shrubs, bulbs, trees and more Also Serving Mexican Food June 4 th , 10:30 am -1:30 pm 446 Bridge St. Vernonia