The INDEPENDENT, May 16, 2012
It’s Motorcycle
Safety Month
From page 10
Drivers:
• Remember, motorcycles
are vehicles with all of the
rights and privileges of any oth-
er motor vehicle on the road-
way. Always allow a motorcy-
clist the full lane width – never
try to share a lane.
• Always make a visual
check for motorcycles by
checking mirrors and blind
spots before entering or leav-
ing a lane of traffic and at inter-
sections.
• Always signal your inten-
tions before changing lanes or
merging with traffic.
• Allow more following dis-
tance, three or four seconds,
when following a motorcycle,
so the motorcyclist has enough
time to maneuver or stop in an
emergency. Don’t tailgate.
Motorcyclists:
• Always wear a helmet and
highly visible, protective cloth-
ing.
• Allow time and space to re-
act to other motorists or chang-
ing road conditions.
• Always signal your inten-
See Motorcycle, page 20
Power of the People
By W. Marc Farmer, General Manager,
West Oregon Electric Cooperative
We Need Your Support
Like most consumer-owned, non-profit
utilities, West Oregon Electric Cooperative
purchases some or all of their electricity
from the Bonneville Power Administration
(BPA). Recently, Energy Secretary Steven
Chu issued a memorandum outlining poten-
tial changes to BPA operations in an effort
to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.
The changes outlined by the Department of Energy are unnec-
essary for our region; do not recognize the accomplishments that
BPA has already achieved through existing programs; and would
likely lead to higher electric rates for our customers.
With the help of BPA, the Pacific Northwest leads the nation in
using renewable sources of power and in saving energy. In fact,
BPA has a higher percentage of wind power on its transmission
system than any other part of the country. And, Northwest citizens
have saved an average of 5,000 megawatts of electricity –
enough to power four cities the size of Seattle – through energy
conservation and efficiency programs since 1980. All of these ef-
forts continue to grow at the regional level.
BPA is successful because it works together with utilities,
tribes and other regional stakeholders on initiatives like these. We
don’t need Washington, D.C., making the decisions about what
works best for the Northwest without input from our customers.
If the Department of Energy moves forward, BPA likely will in-
crease electric rates across the region to implement these recom-
mendations, which no one wants. Please take a minute to copy
the message below, and e-mail or mail it to Secretary Chu at the
Department of Energy by Tuesday, May 29. Thank you!
$1 million challenge met to help build new school
From page 1
traordinary grant to leverage
even more support for our
town.”
With the support from The
Ford Family Foundation, the
campaign has secured $37 mil-
lion in funding and long-term fi-
nancing toward the $40 million
dollars needed to replace all of
Vernonia’s schools at once.
The total includes a $13 million
bond that district residents
overwhelmingly passed in
2009, a 2010 FEMA waiver al-
lowing the district and city to
access $11.2 million, and nu-
merous grants and contribu-
tions from public sector and
philanthropic organizations,
businesses and individuals
from all across Oregon who
Page 13
have stepped up to fill the gap
and get the town back on its
feet.
“This Vernonia project tells
the story of who we are as Ore-
gonians,” said Norm Smith,
president of the Roseburg-
based foundation. “When we
stand together, we can bridge
what many see as urban and
rural divides, and create a new
model for rural sustainability,
multi-use design and partner-
ships with higher education in-
stitutions to create economic
and community opportunities.
It’s an exceptional story, we are
proud to be a partner and we
hope others will join us as sup-
porters to take it over the finish
line.”
Ninety percent of construc-
tion is complete, and the school
and community center is on
track to open in September.
The Catalyst campaign com-
mittee is pursuing the balance
of funds needed through public
sector and private philanthropic
sources, and is working dili-
gently to continue the momen-
tum and reach the finish line.
G OOD F OOD
G OOD F RIENDS
G OOD T IMES
831 Bridge St.
Vernonia, OR
503-429-0214
E-MAIL: the.secretary@hq. doe.gov
MAIL: Secretary Steven Chu
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20585
Sample Message:
May 2012
Secretary Steven Chu
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20585
Dear Secretary Chu:
My utility purchases electricity from the Bonneville Power Ad-
ministration (BPA). I recently learned that the U.S. Department of
Energy is proposing changes to BPA that would result in higher
electric rates for my utility, and therefore my family and commu-
nity.
I understand that your agency is trying to increase the use of
renewable energy and energy efficiency with these changes.
However, the Northwest already leads the nation in saving ener-
gy and using renewables and should be recognized for the suc-
cesses it has had in these areas.
After 75 years serving Northwest utilities, BPA is successful
because it works together with its customers to make decisions
impacting electric rates that we have to pay. This process is one
reason why my community continues to have access to low-cost,
clean energy. Please don’t make decisions on our behalf without
talking to the people, like me, who will be affected by higher elec-
tric rates.
Thank you for listening to my concerns. I would appreciate
hearing a response from your office about this matter of impor-
tance to my family.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
City State and Zip
Telephone and Email