PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. Postage Paid
Vernonia, OR 97064
Permit No. 37
Vol. 27, No. 1
THE
FREE
INDEPENDENT
The Voice
Voice of
of the Upper Nehalem River
The
River Valley
Valley for
for Over
Over 25
27 years
years
January 4, 2012
Vernonia 2011 Year in Review
The new wetlands on the old mill site continues to fill as the rains provide water. The fenc-
ing will come down after the final planting is established later this year.
New health provider coming in February
Dr. Brian Miller, D.O. of the
Verdura Family Wellness.
The Vernonia Health Board
has completed negotiations
with Verdura Family Wellness,
which will open their second lo-
cation in the Vernonia Medical
Clinic building that had been
contracted to Providence Clin-
ic. Providence’s last day in the
clinic was December 30.
The Verdura Family Well-
ness clinic, owned by Dr. Brian
Miller, D.O., has operated in
Hillsboro since 2004. Currently,
in Hillsboro, Dr. Miller and two
Physicians Assistants see pa-
tients four days a week. They
take Medicare, Medicaid, most
private insurance and private
Conner promoted to Police Chief
The City of Vernonia has an-
nounced the promotion of Po-
lice Sergeant Michael Conner
to the position of Police Chief
was effective January 1, 2012.
Chief Conner took his oath of
office during the January 3 Ver-
nonia City Council meeting.
Conner has been a police
officer in Vernonia since Sep-
tember 1, 2005. He has held
the positions of officer, ser-
geant and interim chief in Ver-
nonia. He had previously
served as a police officer in
Madras, Warm Springs and
Toledo.
The new chief lives in North
Plains with wife, Katrina, and
three daughters.
Right, Vernonia Police Chief
Conner taking oath of office.
pay patients.
The staff of Verdura Family
Wellness will begin moving into
the local clinic this month, with
an expected opening in early
February, after new staff is
hired and trained (see their
Help Wanted ad on page 18 of
this issue).
More information will be
available later in January about
the new provider’s hours, days
of operation, etc.
For more information on
Verdura Family Wellness, go to
www.verdurafamilywellness.co
m .
Jan. 3 – Mayor Sally Harrison and Councilors Cindy
Ball and Catherine Helmer replaced by
Mayor Josette Mitchell and Councilors Willow
Burch and Marilyn Nicks.
Bill Haack’s contract as Pro Tem City Admin-
istrator extended to June 30 (with Nicks
abstaining).
Jan. 5 – Rainier Chief of Police Ralph Painter shot and
killed.
Jan. 6 – The Independent starts 26th year of publica-
tion
Jan. 13 – Announcement that Vernonia schools will
get $11.2 million from FEMA.
Jan. 18 – City Councilor Kevin Hudson, red-faced,
loudly demands K9 contract be added to
agenda. Mayor says, “No, it’s a personnel
issue.”
Jan. 23 – House being moved gets stuck on green
steel bridge temporarily.
Jan. 31 – $50,000 grant by G-P to new school
announced.
Feb. – Vernonia Country Kitchen, previously the Pine
Cone, torn down after being flooded again in
2007.
Feb. 7 – Donna Webb given Certificate of Appre-
ciation, by Mayor Mitchell, for her years of
community involvement.
Feb. 10 – Vernonia school board approves 30-hr per
week School Resource Officer from Vernonia
Police Dept.
Feb. 22 – City council establishes Emergency
Preparedness Committee. Council splits 3-2
against hiring Bill Haack as City Administrator.
Feb. 28 – City council agrees to continue $12 sewer
loan repayment fee for 20 more years to pay
off another DEQ loan.
Mar. 5 – Vernonian Mackenzie Carr crowned 2011
Miss Rodeo Oregon.
Mar. 12 – VHS Alumni basketball game.
Mar. 21 – Haack tells council that a Vernonia police
officer was put on paid leave today and that
DPSST is conducting a review of that officer
based on their investigation.
Mar. 29 – Governor John Kitzhaber comes to town to
help celebrate the $11.2 FEMA grant
announced in January.
Apr. 9 – Vernonian Noni Andersen wins State of
Oregon Senior Spelling Bee.
Apr. 16 – Make Vernonia Shine Day, Vernonia Pride
Please see page 2