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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, September 21, 2011 CAT gets grant to lift Blue Heron Hollow With the help of a generous grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Blue Heron Hollow (BHH) apartment complex is one step closer to being elevat- ed above the flood plain. Com- munity Action Team (CAT) an- nounced today that it was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust. The funds will be combined with awards already received from Oregon Emergency Manage- ment, Oregon Housing and Community Services, insur- ance proceeds and CAT’s own resources to pay for the cost of elevating the 6-building apart- ment complex above the flood plain. The 26-unit BHH apartment complex was flooded to a depth of approximately 14 inch- es when the Nehalem River and Rock Creek overflowed their banks in December 2007. All six buildings were substan- tially damaged in one of the worst storms in Vernonia’s his- tory. Although the damage caused by the flood was re- paired and the residents re- turned to their homes in April 2008, the buildings are now in Federal Emergency Manage- ment Agency’s (FEMAs) 2008 revised flood plain. As a result, the buildings must be either el- evated above or removed from the flood plain. “This grant fills the final funding gap for the elevation project. It insures that Blue Heron Hollow will continue to provide much needed afford- able housing to the residents of Vernonia. We thank Meyer Memorial Trust for their gen- erosity and continued invest- ment in helping Vernonia re- cover from devastation caused by the flood,” said CAT Execu- tive Director, Jim Tierney. CAT is reviewing bids from elevation contractors now. They are uncertain whether the proposal review and contract negotiations process will com- plete before Office of Emer- gency Management declares the end of the construction sea- son for this year. If so, eleva- tion of two of the six buildings will begin before November 1st. If not, elevation of all build- ings will begin in the spring of next year. 24 Years Ago This Month The September 1987 issue of The Independent, published on October 1, 1987, included the following news story on the front page: Sykes Mitchell, a Vernonia realtor and appraiser, asked the city council in September for either a conditional use per- mit or a zone change for the 97 acres of property owned by In- ternational Paper alongside Vernonia Lake. Mitchell said he is represent- ing a potential buyer for the property, and that his client is interested in seeing the acreage used for a retirement facility and adult mobile home park. It is currently zoned for light industrial use so would re- quire change. Mitchell was di- rected to the planning commis- sion. Mitchell’s client doesn’t pro- pose to develop the property himself, he said, but will put a package together and try to find a sponsor. The client, orig- inally from Oregon, is a con- tractor in California who plans to return to northwest Oregon, Mitchell added. The October 1, 1987 issue of The Independent included the following story on page 7: Vernonia’s sewers are going to be given a close look in an attempt to define and locate ex- isting problems, and determine what is required to make re- pairs. The council this month awarded a $70,000 contract to HGE Engineers to uncover the causes creating the system’s problems – leaking pipes, inad- equate pumping stations and periodic discharge of insuffi- ciently treated sewage into the Nehalem River. HGE will also make recommendations for re- pairs and/or replacement of the system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will pay 55 percent of the total cost of the study, the city has $4,500 avail- able at this time for the project, and a HUD grant will take care of some of the cost. The re- mainder will have to be raised from various sources, and the city can reduce the total cost by having public works employees do some of the work. Timberlands closed due to fire danger Longview Timberlands prop- erty lying East of I-5 in Wash- ington and all of their timber- lands in Oregon were closed to all public-recreational entry starting September 7, because of the high forest-fire danger in both states. Ed Hendrix, General Man- ager of Oregon Operations, said, “We have decided to close our forestlands in Oregon and part of Washington to pub- lic access until substantial rains reduce the wildfire threat. Con- ditions are very dry and long- range forecasts indicate the overall dry weather will contin- ue for some time. The public’s cooperation in staying out of the tree farms during this haz- ardous forest-fire period will be much appreciated.” Hendrix said Longview foresters will be closing gates and posting closure notices at timberlands entry points this week. Company woods securi- ty patrols will be increased for the duration of the fire season. Longview’s timberlands in Oregon include 333,000 acres and 316,000 acres in Washing- ton. For up-to-date information on land closures go to the Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay Have you ever said, “I’d never want to go back to the ‘Good old years’”? Yes, I’ve said it many times but in read- ing my Raisin Bran “with raisins” box (I have to pick out the raisins, they are bad for my kidney), just a side-bar note. (May be more info than you wanted.) Anyhow, a gallon of milk was 60¢, a postage stamp was 3¢ and a loaf of bread was 9¢. Oh, for the good old prices when I go to the gro- cery store. Oh dear – someone did not see my article on half done proj- ects. I picked up a couple of unfinished, out of thread, no hooks, no directions and one had a bad goof, 5 rows back. Does anyone have an OLD Pineapple Doily book I could borrow or have. No di- rections, as I said, “They are at present trash.” Contact Pauline or Rosie at Vernonia Senior Center, please. Onward. Have you a sunburn or a suntan? Are you ready to go or dragging your feet? School is in session. Me, I’m pale and wiped out, but I did a “sticktoativity” and picked a rough 4 gallons of blackberries, used those up in blackberry cobbler. Only the smell and the dirty pan came home. So, went pickin’ again, with Jim’s help, we have about 2-1/2 gal. in the freezer. Whoopee. I’m not mentioning this to upset your day, but I’m watching a lady that just last week helped herself in and out of her wheel- chair. Today she is using the sling to be lifted out and into her chair. It pains me greatly, she has such a great outlook, but it also makes me so grateful. I’m not using my cane yet, only use my Rolls when I walk the dog more than four blocks. Pick blackber- ries and can enjoy coming and going on my own, so to speak. Oh, by the way, those page numbers in a book – the Bible – the 23rd Psalm. There is so much “good advice” in the world to- day. You need it to fall back on. Here is a big P.S. for you folks. Early on I said no Old Days for me and I was not kidding. I was in your town a couple of weeks ago and caught the chatter on the new power company building. I can’t say, “Shame on you,” because money is tight, but would you want to pay the 75% of the cost? You are a Co-op. Check the Big Book for the meaning. Could you really give up your electric stove, microwave oven, washer, dryer, air condition or fans. Your hot water, heating system, electric iron for clothes or hair, T.V. and all the fancy games to play on your T.V.?? Me, I don’t think so. When I married in 1942, I washed clothes in the bathtub on a scrub washboard. Now a country band makes music on them. My iron was 1 handle and 3 flat irons heated on my wood burning stove (like great-grandma on a covered wagon). I did have a 1930s refrigerator (that was cool). Didn’t own a T.V. until around 1950. Oh yes, I had a dial telephone on a 2-party line also. Any- how, review your priorities. Were I living there I’d still be cutting costs too. Now I just cut back on fast food and dining out and don’t keep up with the Joneses or the Browns or whoever. Longview Timberlands website at www.longviewtimber.com. Health fair, Sat. The Clatskanie Health & Safety Fair will take place on Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, at the Clatskanie PUD, 495 E Colum- bia River Hwy., Clatskanie. Some of the activities at the Fair include a Prescription Drug Drop-off, Smoke Trailer, Bicycle Rodeo, a Fun Run, pet microchipping, blood pressure and sugar screenings, and weatherization information. Page 9 Ladies... JOIN us for an afternoon of scentsational, sparkling, self-nuturing and savory somethings... Please support local businesses and girl time. Sept. 24th from 4 to 7pm Indulgence Nail Salon, 859 Bridge St Vernonia, Lee Anne Krause Kimberly Ragsdale Sara Wold Joni Jackson
