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
