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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2012)
The INDEPENDENT, April 18, 2012 EQC to meet with Forestry Board The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) will hold its regular meeting in Newport on April 25-27. During this meeting, they will hold a joint session with the Oregon Board of Forestry on April 26, starting at Noon. The respective roles of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), EQC, the Ore- gon Board of Forestry and Ore- gon Department of Forestry (ODF), especially as relates to water quality issues, will be the focus of the joint meeting. DEQ Water Quality Administrator Greg Aldrich, along with ODF Director Doug Decker, will lead the presentation. From 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., the public will have the opportunity to address the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission and the Oregon Board of Forestry. When does a war end? Join the conversation on Saturday, May 5 When does a war end? Does it ever? Many returning soldiers bring war back with them, and these wars can reach beyond the battlefield or firefight, infiltrating the very thing that defines comfort and safety: home. The trials of homecoming are vast and complex, often resonating with tales of Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca from the Trojan War. This is the focus of “Life Af- ter War: Photography and Oral Histories of Coming Home,” a free conversation with photog- rapher James Lommasson on Saturday, May 5, at 4:00 p.m. in the Vernonia Public Library. This program is hosted by the Friends of the Library, the Li- brary Board and sponsored by Oregon Humanities. James Lommasson Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay Gee whiz, three days of sunshine (April 7, 8, and 9). I am in shock. My life has slowed down some this past two weeks. I’ve had a couple of final checkups, both said I didn’t need to come back unless something else happened to me. I hope that is a fat chance. FLASH – I found out why my dishwasher was sounding so strange. I had to have Bill (handy- man in the complex) come check it out. After pushing a few bars and buttons, he says, “Hmmm, this is an original. It’s only 25 years old. Guess I’ll just order you a new one.” Sez I, “Gee, I think I’d like that very much.” So, I’m not hold- ing my breath for fear the top boss will veto the process. Now I know why I’ve got so many strange noises in the night. Poor thing is just relaxing from a day in the wind, sun, rain, and all squirrel dashing over the roof. The last time I was in Vernonia, I noticed some of my old friends were settling into old age quite gracefully, but others seemed to just be settling. Strange. But, the music was great as usual. We were given another long walk down memory lane, even some that I hadn’t heard for “many a year” (great-grandma’s lingo). Here is a short trip for you with an interesting add on. “I’m in the Mood” to take a “Sentimental Jour- ney” “Back to Where I Came From” “Drifting Down the River of Golden Dreams” where I heard “La Golondrina” (The Swallow), and “La Loma” (The Hill). When we arrived at the “Green Grass of Home” we were entertained by Samuel Stern, age 4, helping the Golden Oldies perform “Amazing Grace” while he played his guitar. It is heart warming to know that a child can cast fear to the wind and innocently step into the adult world and be accepted. Keep it up, Samuel. It’s a good learning tool for all of us that are timid. We enjoyed 25 other tunes, closing as usual with “Till We Meet Again”. We all missed you. Come on down some Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., even have lunch with us. Meet a new friend or visit with some of your old friends. P.S. I’ve had quite a few folks tell me they en- joy the trips we take each Wednesday. I promise I’ll keep you all in mind as I sip my tea and rev- el in my dreams of a younger time. Bye now. Action Ads INEXPENSIVE – EFFECTIVE 503-429-9410 24 Years Ago This Month The April 28, 1988, issue of The Independent included the following news story on the back page: The Vernonia City Council approved expenditures of up to $4,000 for improvements to the Vernonia Lake water intake system, at their April 18 meet- ing. Don Webb, representing the lake committee, said that high water in the Nehalem River prevents the pump from work- ing as it should in the spring time, and falling leaves clog the intake pipe in autumn. The committee asked for funds to place a culvert and an infiltration well into the river, and put the pump up higher. According to Webb, that would eliminate the problem of re- moving and replacing the pump each fall and spring. At the April 4 meeting, the parks committee suggested that the city share an employee with the cemetery committee. Under the proposal, the city would pay half of the salary, and the cemetery operating committee, the other half. A report from the cemetery committee, on April 18, said they would prefer hiring a re- tired person with a pension as a half-time employee at mini- mum wage, and allow him to live in the house at the ceme- tery rent free. The council took no action on either proposal. Opening of bids for the fire hall addition, originally set for April 18, was extended to May 2. Only one bid had been re- ceived, and the council ex- pressed concern that the three days between publishing the bid request and the date of ac- ceptance was not sufficient time. Recorder Don Dunaway was instructed to re-publish the bid request. The council made two ap- pointments in April: Joe Riley was appointed to represent the city on the Columbia County Economic Development Coun- cil, and Don Webb was ap- pointed to the city budget com- mittee to replace Martin Baugh- man, who moved outside the city limits. City residency isn’t required for the CCEDC ap- pointment. Police Chief Philip Jacobus met with the council on April 20 to review applications for a pa- trolman’s position with the city. He was instructed to arrange interviews with five applicants, and hopes to hire an officer by the middle of May. Vernonia Volunteer Firefighter’s 5th Annual Pancake Feed! Saturday, May 5 th 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. School Cafeteria Pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy, Ham, Eggs, Fruit Coffee, Orange Juice & Milk Made in Vernonia • Adult Plate $7 • Kid Plate (12 & under) $5 • Seniors (62+) $5 • Family(max 6) $25 Bit of something handmade for everyone! Cord of Wood Raffle Tickets $1 for 1 or $5 for 6 805 Bridge Street 503-429-0111 Open Tue., Thu. & Sat. 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm Fire Truck Rides & Blood Pressure Checks Vernonia Health Center Board, Health Fair 10am-3pm