THE PEOPLE SPEÄK
Editor
The Eagle
Vernonia, Oregon
Dear Sir:
There is a problem which we
would like to call to your atten-
tmn which should be of interest
to the community of Vernonia
from the standpoint of civic pride.
The Oregon Highway Depart­
ment does everything possible to
keep the highways of our state
clean and beautiful. In this res-
pett, 630 litter barrels are now
in use in strategic points on main
highways throughout the stat?.
It costs about $32.000 a year just
to empty these litter barrels
The State Highway Department
maintenance crew in servicing
litter barrels on the Sunset High-
way has found that one barrel
at the Davies Overcrossing is
being used for regular domestic
gn-nage disposal, apparently from
a citizen or citizens in Vernonia.
The garbage has been wrapped
in magazines which bear the spe­
cific address of a Vernonia citi­
zen.
The litter barrels are operated
fo' the specific purpose of keep­
ing the highways free from litter
that distracts from the natural
scenery and appearance of the
loadside. This litter barrel sys-
tern has been requested by vari-
ous civic and motoring orgamza-
tions and has their wholehearted
backing. In addition, it has re­
duced maintenance cost for the
reason that less time is needed to
clean up the right of way.
Our purpose in calling this to
your attention is that we ask
everyone’s cooperation in giving
full use of the barrels to their in­
tended purpose. Barrels contain­
ing garbage other than highway
litter can readily create an un­
satisfactory sanitary condition as
well as burden the State with
garbage disposal costs that are
rightfully the obligation of the
householder. In a few locations
we have found it necessary to
remove barrels as they were be-
lrg used extensively for deposit­
ing houshold garbage and waste.
We do not want to do this as it is
defeating the purpose of the bar­
rel, but sometimes are forced to
do so and find a new location.
We have brought this to your
attention for the reason that we
thought that if the citizens of
Vernonia understood the reasons
and purposes for this program,
that they would cooperate along
with all the other communities of
the state in helping ke?p the
highways clean and beautiful.
Gene Huntley, Director
Personnel and Public Relations
AND ALL GOOD WISHES
FOR THE NEW YEAR
Sunnyside Service
GENE AND MARY AND ALL THE CREW
helpful
holiday
hint
“Use party lines sharingly...
the call that comes through
may be for you!”
replace receiver carefully..
TELEPHONE fflMPlM
■ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
]
I would like to clarify some of
the facts of this garbage disposal
franchise that Councilman Stur­
devant has so conveniently (for
him) left unsaid
First as to asking him to re-
sign:
I did not at that time stated in
his article in the Vernonia Eagle,
nor have I ev^ asked any city
official to res V*
Second, does Mr. Sturdevant
explain how he proposes to make
the changes that he refers to in
his "report to the people?" He
does not tell you how he would
go about changing the section in
the franchise that states that the
collector may clos? the dump ex-
cept on Saturday morning, no r
the section that states that the
collector may charge a nominal
fee for people who choose to haul
their own garbage.
He does not explain because he
know’s that to summarily make
any change in the franchise that
was duly signed by elected rep
resentatives of this city, would
very likely involve the city in
litigation. Litigation would make
that $2.000.00 that he mentioned
in his article look like a drop in
the bucket compared to the
judgements, attorney fees and
court costs that the city would
very likely have to pay.
Let us take his arguments
point by point. In his article he
says that the former dump was
closed because of the deplorable
condition it was allowed to get
in. He does not tell you that that
dump was illegal for two rea­
sons, first because it was too close
to a county road; second, that
there was a stream through it
which is strictly forbidden by th.'
health authority. That dump was
at the mercy of anyone who hap
pened not to like it for the rea-
son that anyone could close it
merely by making a complaint
to the district attorney.
Let me ask you if you think
this council would have looked
pretty silly to spend $700 or $800
in the development of that dump
only to have someone come along
and close it.
Another thing before I
that subject. The main reason it
got into such deplorable condi­
tion was because it was so close
to the road and very handy for
people to dump their garbage just
inside the fence, and some did
not even bother to put it inside.
Now let us take the subject
of selling the present dump to
the collector for $10 00. Mr. Stur­
devant very carefully leaves out
the fact that it will be specified
right in the deed that it will be
turned back to the city at the
termination of this franchise for
the very same amount of money.
Neither does he give you th? rea­
sons for this transaction. We do
this to remove the city from any
liability that might occur. Lia­
bility that could cost the city
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Now let me suggest to you
folks that you ask Mr. Sturd ivant
to explain how (not what he
would doi. but how he proposes
to make the changes without
running the risk of involving the
city in litigation.
I for one will be very interest­
ed to learn just how he wouii
accomplish these changes.
I would also like to suggest to
the citizens of Vernonia, that
right now is the time for them to
express their desires concerning
their city government.
Do you want your city govern­
ment that is administered in a
safe and sane manner or do you
want your city government run
on a personal grudge basis?
Speaking for myself, if it is
indicated to me by the majority
of the people that you do nut
think I am doing the job for
which I was elected, I will im­
mediately resign my position.
Personally *1 would rather enjoy
having Monday night to sit in my
easy chair and watch television
instead of sitting at the city hail
and having to discuss garbage.
Let me also add that there are
many hours besides Monday
nights that are put in by your
councilmen and myself.
I am going to take this oppor-
tunity to issue a challenge to Mr.
Sturdevant to a full scale débat-'
on this issue at any time and
place that he wishes.
In the event that he accepts this
challenge, the people of Vernonia
would learn the full facts of this
case.
Donald E Bayley, May >r
TO THE EDITOR
This is the first in a series of
letters to be written in regards to
our highways located in Columbia
county.
In the letters to be written will
be discussed: what has been done,
what has promised to be done,
and what is proposed to be done
It seems our highway depart­
ment m this state takes very
much interest in all the highways
| of this state with the exception
| of highway 30 in Columbia coun­
ty
I
Of course we do appreciate all
the work that has been done in
I the piece meal fashion.
When will we ever get this
; stretch of Highway 30 completed
between St. Helens, Oregon and
Astoria, Oregon’
It is understood that the poli­
tical pull now exists in Astoria
and that the Youngs Bay bridge
now has priority over any furth­
er work to be done on Highway
30 in this area.
There have been considerable
amounts of money spent on high­
ways between Portland and As­
toria with little regard to High­
way 30, even though the high­
way was and still is on the map
We have Art Stecie of Clats-
kame, Oregon, and his organiz.i-
tion to thank for the greatest
part of the work that has been
done under the organization
known as the Lower Columbia
Highway association.
President Art Steele has
ceived numerous promises in
past which will follow in
series of letters to the editor.
Signed, Rainier Lions Club,
Highway chairman. L. E. Odb'
THE EAGLE, VERNONIA, ORE
THURSDAY. DEC 19. 1957 9
Portland Family Dinner Guests
(Held over from last week)
MIST — Sunday dinner guest
at the Sam Devine home were
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hirtbel and
children of Portland and Mr.
and Mrs. Clair Devine of Clats-
kame.
Mr. and Mrs. L. 1». Wikstrom
were Portland business motor-
ists last Friday.
Ernest Lane of Portland was
in the village on business one
day last week.
Recent callers at the Sam De
vine home were Mr. and Mr
Bill Devine and baby from Kla­
math Falls.
Lincoln Peterson was a cal •
ler one day last week in the vil­
lage.
Lawrence Jepson was a visitor
of his father, Henry Jepson one
day recently
Fire cause of deaths averaged
five pei-sons every month during
1956. Most of these deaths oc-
cured in residences, and 16 child­
ren under 5 years of age. Is your
home safe from fire?
It may be labeled a heart-t-
heart talk, but it doesn't make
the bawling out any easier
take.
DR. ÄBRflMS
DENTAL PLATE
LABORATORY
Broken Plate
Repair 1 hour
BE YOURS TO ENJOY
ALL THROUGH THE COMING YEAR
We thank you for your consid­
eration last year, and look for­
ward to your continued good
will next year and for many
years to come.
Loose Plates
Relined 4 Hours
New Plates
Made 1 to 3 Days
Phone 1871—Hillsboro
132 So. 2nd St.
Vernonia Milk Farms
HENRY AND ISABEL ANDEREGG
MERRY CHRISTMAS
«
Greetings to the many folks we have
had the pleasure of serving during
the past year and to those we hope
to serve in the future.
Ai the Noriliwcat's own railway we take pride
in offering the finest, most modern fraset
accommodations and shipping service
to all major points in the United States.
I
1
J
(PORTLAND)]
General Officer
Ameritan lank iuiid.nj
Portland. Oregon