VOLUME 26, NUMBER 4
Directors for
Co-op Chosen
At Sat. Meet
Attendance About
250 at Annual
Event Held Here
Another annual meeting for the
consumers of West Oregon Elec­
tric Cooperative has become his­
tory and those who have the voice
in naming the board of directors
for another year have named the
men to serve. The annual affair
held Saturday at the Legion hall,
placed the same board of direct-
tors back in office for another
year as the result of the election
that day.
Attendance of con­
sumers was placed at approx­
imately 250 people.
The election was one of the
principal actions taken that day
but several other, matters were
discussed and the people who come
here also heard Glen H. Hittie,
'manager of the lower Columbia
district of the Bonneville power
administraton, as guest speaker.
Moving pictures were also shown
and lunch was served at noon by
the American Legion Auxiliary.
Three local firms placed displays
of electrical appliances at the hall
for the visitors who also received
14 gifts of electrical items from
the Cooperative.
Lccal firms preparing displays
for the meeting were Bush Furni­
ture, Brunsman Hardware and
Electric and Sundland Electric and
Appliance.
The directors who will act for the
coming year as a result of Sat­
urday’s voting are: Lee Wooden,
Noble Dunlap/ Harry L. King,
Paul A. Gordon, Russell A. Peter­
son, Frank Genzer and Fred Knox.
Power to Be New Police
Off Snnday Chief Named
A shut-off of power for West
Oregon Electric consumers is
scheduled next Sunday, January
25- from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Man­
ager Guy Thomas said early this
week. The Cooperative office re­
ceived word of the time of the
shut-off from
the Bonneville
authority along w(th information
that Bonneville is planning work
at the Warren substation during
that time.
Mr. Thomas also announced that
the south part of Rose avenue
and -Timber route may be off for
a longer time because of work
the Cooperative is planning near
the golf course. If possible, the
Cooperative’s work will be com­
pleted during the two-hour shut­
off scheduled by Bonneville.
•
Scout Executive
Talks Here Tues.
G. H. Oberteuffer, scout execu­
tive of the Portland area council
of' the. Boy Scouts of America,
was here Tuesday evening to meet
with and talk to Odd Fellows
lodge members about the Boy
Scout organization and the work
it is doing.
Mr. Oberteuffer explained that
the Portland area council com.
prised 14 counties from Klickitat
and Sherman down the Columbia
to Clatsop, both in Oregon and
Washington.
He explained the
educational value'of‘scouting being
received by the 13,110 boys in the
council and the work that 4400
volunteer men connected with the
work are doing. The council has
a paid staff of 14 men working
full time to maintain the council’s
work.
Vernonia Man's Case Heard
In Circuit Court Last Week
ROBERTSON GIVEN TRANSFER
CLATSKANIE—Ralph Walpole
was in Clatskanie last Monday fo
get acquainted with the setup of
the West Coast Telephone Co.
plant. Mr. Walpole will be in
Clatskanie and will take the posi­
tion which will be vacated around
the first of the month by Ward
Robertson.
Mrs. Robertson, who will go to
Camas, Washington for the com­
pany, came to Clatskanie four
years ago from Forest Grove.
In addition to his work at
Clatskanie, Robertson acted as
service man for the Vernonia ex­
change.
VERNONIA MAN SENTENCED
ST. HELENS—In the case heard
by Judge Zimmerman in the cir­
cuit court Wednesday of last week,
Melvin C. Whitesides of Vernonia
was sentenced to serve six months
in the county jail when he pleaded
guilty to contributing to the de­
linquency of a minor. Whitesides
was arrested at Vernonia on Jan­
uary 3.
The county grand jury also con­
vened this week and returned an
indictment in the case of Robert
Dickerson of Vernonia, who is
charged with burglary in a dwel­
ling in the night time with intent
to commit adultery. Dickerson was
arrested in August, 1947, indicted
by the grand jury and hearing of
the case was supposed to have
taken place during the November
term of court. However, proceed­
ings were halted at that time by a
legal technicality in the wording
of the indictment and Judge Zim­
merman ordered the matter re­
submitted to the grand jury.
MORE NAMED BY COURT
ST. HELENS—Two additional
men have been named to fill county
appointive offices for 1948, it has
been announced by the county
court. J. A. Bacon of Warren has
been named to the dual posts of
horticultural inspector and weed
inspector and Dr. Gene C. Webb
of Clatskanie was appointed herd
inspector. Both of the men held
the same posts last year.
Sportsmen Oppose Tentative
Game Commission Regulations
The Oregon state game commis­
sion probably has received a com­
munication from the Nehalem Val­
ley Rod and Gun club which in­
forms the commission of objec­
tions, noted by the club at its
meeting last Friday evening, to
the tentative angling regulations
for the 1948 season. The meet­
ing was called last Friday by
Hamy King, club president, to
consider changes being proposed
the commission.
Opposition was registered in the
letter to:
First, the tentative regulation
to extend the trout season in the
coastal area to October 31;
Second, closing the steelhesul
season March 1 (the letter favored
closing the season April 20);
Third, oppose the one bladed
tractor as “screwball."
Recommendations made in the
letter were that no limit on jack
salmon be maintained the same as
last year and that fish and game
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1948
VERNONIA, COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON
problems to be handled by state
game wardens under the direction
of the state game commission.
The local club also notified the
commission that log jams on
Rock creek must be removed if
fish are to be allowed free passage
to spawning grounds.
•
School Meeting
Scheduled Mon.
Taxpayers in school district 47,
Jt., will have the opportunity to
consider the proposed budget for
the district at a school meeting
scheduled for next Monday even­
ing, January 26 at the Washington
grade school.
The meeting is being called for
the purpose of discussing the bud­
get for the fiscal school year be­
ginning July 1, 1948 and ending
June 30, 1949 and to vote on the
proposition of levying a district
tax.
\
By Council
Shirley Kirtland
Appointed at
Special Meeting
A new chief of police for Ver­
nonia was the result of a special
city council meeting held last
Thursday evening when the city
governing body convened to again
consider the matter which was not
settled at the regular meeting on
January 5. The other appoint­
ments made at the January 5 ses­
sion were also accepted by the
council that evening, but the
police chief position remained for
the special session.
The appointment of Shirley
Kirtland as police chief was made
last Thursday by Mayor George
Johnson and was accepted by the
council. The mayor appoints the
police chief and the city recorder
while council committees make
the other appointments, both sub­
jet to ratification by the entire
council.
Under the present set-up, A. D.
Lolley will serve as night marshal
and H. H. King as relief man.
Mr. King will spend the remainder
of his time working in the water
department.
Mr. Kirtland took over his work
as chief officially Tuesday morn­
ing when he received his surety
bond.
Sportsmen Start Drive
To Buy Keasey Property
From West Oregon Co-op
A special meeting of the
Nehalem Valley Rod and Gun
club has been called for Fri­
day evening of this week at
8 p.m. at the Vernonia high
school by Harry L. King, club
president, and every member
of the sportmen’s group is
asked to be present at that
time. Purpose of the meeting
will be to discuss the feas­
ibility of purchasing the Kea­
sey property now belonging
to West Oregon Electric Co­
operative.
Started Monday morning of this
week was a step that may lead
to the purchase of 157 acres of
land and the buildings situated on
the property located at Keasey
which is now owned by West Ore­
gon Electric. The step was taken
by several local sportsmen who
acted after an option to purchase
the property had been taken and
led to the contacting of local people
towards a subscription of $10
each, the fund to be used to carry
out the transaction.
The property at Keasey now
owned by the Cooperative is of no
further use as a generating plant
and is to be disposed of Manager
Guy Thomas has stated. Action
towards that end was taken some
time ago by the Cooperative board
Credit Union
loans $1265
The Vernonia Federal Credit
Union held its annual meeting
Saturday evening, January 17, at
the IWA hall.
There were 18 members and a
number of guests present.
Reports for the past year were
given by the various committees
and officers. Fourteen loans were
made by the Credit Union in the
amount of $1265. There were 83
members at the years end.
After, the reports were made,
an election of officers and com­
mittee members was held. Bessie
Netka, John Roediger, James Mc­
Crory and E. G. Wiederkehr were
elected to the board of directors.
The following committee members
were elected: Edna Engen, credit
committee and Lee Engen, super­
visory committee. Kenneth Ander­
son was appointed president for
the coming year.
After the meeting refreshments
were served.
•
BETTY COUNTS, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herb Counts, Keasey
route is exercising weakened back muscles resulting from a recent
polio attack. She is being helped by Lucille Brauns, physical
therapist while A. L. Greenwait, a March of Dimes volunteer
worker is watching. The current March of Dimes pays the salary
and working expenses of physical therapists who treat patients.
(Cut Courtesy The Oregon Journal)
WATER RENT INCREASE TALKED
BY COUNCIL; COMMENT ASKED
Councilmen for the city of Ver­
nonia met Monday evening for
their second regularly scheduled
session this month to talk over
several matters and take definite
action which led to the adoption
$521.38 Collected
of the franchise between the city
Mrs. Ben Brickel, chairman for and the West Coast Telephone
the community chest campaign company. The franchise was read
which was recently completed, re-, twice before at the first regular
ported Tuesday that the local col­ meeting this month.
The council also acted definitely
lection amounts to $521.38. Com­
munity chest expenditures here at in rescinding the motion appoint­
Christmas time totaled $89.58 she ing a fire chief. The original
said. Mrs. Brickel expressed her motion was made January 5, but
appreciation for the help received the job was not accepted by Frank
in making the campaign a suc­ Slemmons who was appointed
then. The appointment of an­
cess.
other chief will be considered at
•
the first February session, Mayor
Budget Approved
George Johnson said.
Consideration was given Mon­
The hearing held at Vernonia
day to a proposal that will effect
high school last Saturday, Jan­
every person within the city limits.
uary 17, was uneventful in that
That proposal was an increase of
the budget proposed for the fiscal
25c in the water rental charge
school year beginning July 1/ 1948
in order to provide additional
and ending June 30, 1949, brought
income to meet city expenses.
forth no objections. The hearing
The present minimum charge of
was held in accordance with the
$1.75 would be increased to $2.00
new rural school board law.
if the change is made. In com­
•
menting on the proposal, Msyor
Johnson said that the increase
Building Inspected
would bring into the city treasury
Carrol B. Howe from the state between $1200 and $1500 more
department of education was here each year. The increase of water
Monday to inspect the high school rental would prevent the necessity
building. Upon his inspection is of levying a property tax in the
based the amount of money the city.
high school district will receive
No definite action was taken on
from the basic school support the increase, but the Mayor asked
fund.
that city residents make their
opinions known on the subject
JOIN THE MARCH OF DIMES! and meet with the council Feb­
ruary 2 to talk over the matter.
HELP CRIPPLED CHILDREN
The water pumping plant also
was considered and the purchase
of a new pump for that depart­
ment. authorized.
The airport and street signs
were the remaining two subjects
for Monday. Councilmen are plan­
ning to sell the port and will
advertise soon for bids for the
property.
The street signs are ready to
be erected and authorization has
been granted by the two utilities
to mount the signs on their poles
when possible. At corners where
no poles now stand,-the city will
install posts for the signs.
At the February 2 meeting bids
will be opened for furnishing the
city 3500 gallons of heavy fuel
oil for use in the furnace at the
city hall.
•
Dime Bottles
Placed Mon.
Dime collection bottles with ap-
propiate placards explaining the
worthiness of the March of Dimes
campaign were placed in business
places here Monday for the cur­
rent infantile paralysis campaign.
Coffee drinkers at Betty’s Cafe are
contributing to the fund because
all money from the sale of coffee
there is being placed in that bottle
Betty English said Tuesday.
Coin cards will be mailed out
to rural boxholders this week
so they may do their part in the
campaign, Chairman Paul Gordon
said.
of directors, but no purchaser has
been found to date.
The meeting to be held Friday
night at the high school will give
sportmen an opportunity to dis­
cuss the purchase in order that
the fishing area at Keasey may
be kept open to all people wish­
ing to make use of the recreation
are». Local opinion has expressed
the thought that, should an in­
dividual purchase the land and
buildings located there, the area
would be closed to public use as
a place to fish. Rock Creek at
that point is rated as one of the
best fishing spots in the State
and many visitors have not only
enjoyed catches of steelhead, but
have remarked about the beauty
of the region. The 157 acres of
land gives a stream frontage of
three-fourths of a mile.
The option to purchase the land
and buildings was given to Pete
Brunsman who was one of the
sportmen contacting local people
respective to pledges Monday.
Several other people interested in
the proposition were also making
contacts
towards raising the
amount of money needed.
Up to Wednesday morning 58
individuals had been contacted and
pledges totaling $580.00 had been
made. Those making the contacts
were confident the fund would be
sufficient by Friday evening when
the meeting is scheduled to as­
sure steps towards the purchase.
Tentative plans being talked
early this week were that the most
satisfactory method of making
the purchase would be to form a
non-profit corporation, thereby
giving each person making a sub­
scription to the purchase fund a
voice in administering the handl­
ing of the property after it was
purchased.
More definite plans
along that. line will probably be
worked out Friday evening at the
high school.
•
2nd Youth-Christ
Rally January 29
The second Youth for Christ
rally will be held at the Legion
hall Thursday evening, January
29 at 7:30. The turnout for the
first rally last week was fine of­
ficials of the Vernonia Ministerial
association said Wednesday when
they expressed the hope that at­
tendance would continually in­
crease.
Unusual talent has been se­
cured for the coining rally. Mr.
and Mrs. Carl Kirkpatrick will
feature a large chimes, something
new that everyone will enjoy see­
ing and hearing. The Kirkpat­
ricks also sing. Charles Freed, a
soloist, will also sing as well as
be the speaker of the evening.
Mr. Freed is a student at Pacific
Bible college.
Laughs, fun, singing and speak­
ing are promised next Friday and
a good turnout is expected.
•
Contract for
Labor Rejected
The labor-only bid accepted by
the West Oregon Electric board
of directors for construction of
68.91 miles of transmission line
was rejeted according to word re­
ceived here last week from Wash-
■ngton, D. C. The bid was con­
sidered by the board in December
and forwarded to Washington for
approval or rejection by the RE a
administrat'on.
The bid which was accepted here
by the board war that of the
W. R. Crastle Co. of Portland for
$50,979.15.
Materials for doing
the work are to be furnished by
the Cooperative and practically
everything is on hand now.