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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 17, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, August 17, 2011 Vernonia council, now with only two on board, plans next steps “I would not have any trou- ble bringing Bill Haack back as our administrator,” Councilor Randy Parrow declared at the August 15 Vernonia city council meeting. Mayor Josette Mitchell replied that she and In- terim City Administrator Jim Johnson discussed that option but wondered whether the new councilors would want to be in- volved in that decision. Johnson then pointed out that Dennis Rhodes, who was interviewed for city administra- tor in the last round of inter- views, was still interested in being considered for the posi- tion. Johnson also noted that any decision made by current council could be changed when there is a new majority of coun- cil, since one council can’t bind the next with far-reaching deci- sions. Based on these discussions, and their availability for inter- views, Mitchell and Parrow de- cided to hold a special meeting on Monday, August 29, to se- lect and swear into office the three new councilors, in hopes of being able to go into city ad- ministrator interviews on Au- gust 30 and/or August 31. The city administrator candidates will need to be contacted for availability for interviews on these dates, so those dates are tentative. Johnson put forth two op- tions for staffing the Vernonia Police Department. Option 1 listed a police chief and three officers with a total estimated savings of $40,368.77 over the amounts in this year’s budget. Total salaries for this option are estimated at $318,155.23. Op- tion 2 includes a police chief, a sergeant, and two officers for an estimated savings of $17,176.72 over the budget amounts. Mitchell and Parrow moved and approved Option 1, and then moved and approved promoting Michael Conner to Interim Police Chief and re- quested Conner to start the re- cruiting process to hire two new police officers. The motion also stated that Johnson would re- turn to council in September to suggest considering Conner for the position of regular (not in- terim) Police Chief. In other business, Mitchell and Parrow: • Approved a change in the open space lease insurance language. The original lan- guage stated the lessee must hold insurance equal to the Oregon Tort Claim limit. John- son has found that private in- surers, such as State Farm, do not offer that option and so the language was changed to the regular homeowner amount of insurance; • approved flood buyouts and necessary steps for the buyout on three Mist Dr. resi- dences; • approved a funds verifica- tion request for $10,300 to pur- chase the software necessary for the city’s GIS program. This was an anticipated expenditure in this year’s budget. The meeting was over in lit- tle more than 30 minutes. The next meeting is a special meet- ing on August 22, followed by another on August 29, before the regularly scheduled meet- ing at 7:00 p.m. on September 6 (moved to Tuesday due to Labor Day) at city hall. Vernonia Schools Start Thursday, September 1. Please drive carefully! Page 5 Business Notes Williams Metal Fab has been solving metal problems in Vernonia and the surrounding area since 1999, when Rob Williams opened his metal fab- rication shop. Williams moved to Vernonia from California in 1992. He came to the area to visit rela- tives, went to lunch, stopping in front of Vernonia Realty to look at the homes available. He saw his property and made an offer that was accepted. His training started at the community college level after he got out of the Army when he was 21 years old. After finish- ing Advanced Metal Fabrica- tion courses he started working as an apprentice. Three years later, he became a Journey- man Sheetmetal Worker, fol- lowed by a four-year appren- ticeship to earn his Journey Boilermaker title. Williams moved to Vernonia a few years later and worked in a number of area metal fab shops. In the meantime, he set up a home shop and, when he was laid off the next job, started Williams Metal Fab. His first job was a one piece boat motor enclosure with seats. On starting his business, Williams said, “I’d like to thank John Shaw. He was a big help when I was starting out… helped me out quite a bit.” Some of the Williams Metal Fab work you may see around town includes the toothbrush holding up the Vernonia Dental sign, the trailer for the “This way to Vernonia” sign that, until recently, sat alongside Hwy 26 by Staley’s Junction. Another early job was, “For those who remember the old cooler door Wu resigns and election date set From page 1 general election allows the vot- ers of the First Congressional District full participation in se- lecting a replacement.” State law mandates that a primary election be used to se- lect Republican and Democrat- ic nominees because the Janu- ary 31, 2012 general election is more than 80 days after Rep. Wu’s August 3, 2011, resigna- tion date. Rob Williams of Williams Metal Fab shown, in his shop, be- side the frame and more he built for this custom motorcycle, along with a custom picnic table he is fabricating for anoth- er customer. in Crabtree’s with bullet holes, etc.,” Williams made a new metal sheath for the door, just in time for Jamboree. Crab- tree’s is now the All In Pub & Eatery. The satisfaction for Williams is in the art of metal work, “to take a flat piece of metal and turn it into a custom whatever, having the opportunity to do such a variety of projects and getting to make just what the customer wants.” He’s done everything from lawnmower deck repairs, railings and stairs, to work on race cars. WIlliams Metal Fab specializes in stainless steel and restau- rant equipment but, Williams says, “If you can think it, I can do it.” In addition to repairs and custom fabrications, Williams Metal Fab offers 24-hour emer- gency repairs and portable welding. Williams Metal Fab is locat- ed at 17819 Noakes Rd, Ver- nonia. Call 503-429-8431, or stop by for a free quote or to talk about your metal needs.