County School Men Seek Vocational Education Study
Action by the Columbia County
School Administrators Wednesday of
last week, January 13, may possibly
result in a study of the employment
needs and opportunities available
within the county and also the voca
tional education needs and work-ex
perience programs available to high
school students.
Coordination in the use of the var
ious vocational education facilities
of the five high schools in the coun
ty to better meet the training needs
of high school students may be
achieved by the administrators’ ac
tion Wednesday,
The action by the administrators,
at this meeting in St. Helens at the
county school superintendent’s office,
resulted in Joey Acaiturri, Vernonia
school superintendent, being named
chairman of a research committee
which has asked the Educational Re
search Bureau of the University of
Oregon to conduct the study. Fa
cilities are not available in the coun
ty to handle the research necessary
and to complete the study by June
30, the deadline date set in order
to get the program underway this
summer.
County action was also taken last
Friday as the result of a meeting
of Acaiturri and the county court.
The county has established the Co
lumbia County Youth Opportunity
committee to study means of pro
viding on-the-job training for youths
16-21, training and further education
for high school dropouts and means
City Approves House Number
Plan, Hears Reports on Work
A plan for house numbering in
the City of Vernonia which will re
quire very little, if any, changes in
present numbers in the area includ
ed in the city prior to last years an
nexations, was presented Monday
evening to the Vernonia city council
by Ralph Keasey and was approved.
Numbering for the city previously
started at the north-south center line
of section 4 which runs along the
bottom of the hill and extended east
ward, allowing 100 numbers for each
block. For instance, the Linn Gro
cery is in the 100 block, the Serafin
house in the 200 block, etc.
Under the new plan, the same
starting line would be used, and for
numbers extending westward, the
west designation would be used and
those extending eastward, would be
designated as east. For instance, the
Linn Grocery number would be 160
West Bridge street.
The council confirmed the fire de
partment election of Don Webb as
fire chief. James Davies and David
Banta were reappointed to the plan
ning commission and Robert R. Vagt
was reappointed as city attorney.
Mayor T. M. Hobart will make
his committee appointments at the
next meeting, February 1.
E. V. Robertson called to the at
tention of the council the lack of re
stricted parking signs at the west
side of the fire hall and the council
voted to instruct the fire department
to post the area “for official park
ing only,” through a sign on the
building.
Other business dealt with rat con
trol and Councilman Horace Hertel
stated that he ascertained that poi
son could be obtained for $25 for a
50 pound sack, retail price and he
thought that a discount was possible.
Reports showed that patching is
being done on streets damaged by
recent storms; the addition of the
Riverview distribution to the water
system has apparently added about
one and a half hours to the needed
pumping time to provide adequate
supply; Fisher’s Electric is obtain
ing a heating element far the water
heater in the Scout cabin and ar
rangements are being made for re
planting of shrubbery donated to the
city by Wesley Bolmeier.
It was also reported that a person
al notice had been served on the
property owner concerning unsafe
sidewalk near Deans Market as of
January 15 and he was given 30 days
in which to take action.
Mayor Hobart proposed that a
meeting be arranged between the
council and school authorities to dis
cuss recurring problems during
flooding when water apparently
backs up through drains. He also
officially entered an opinion that a
residence at lot 2, block 7, Rose ad
dition, constitutes a dangerous build
ing as defined in city ordinances and
March 1 was set as the date for a
hearing regarding it. An official no
tice of the hearing will be printed
later.
Routine payment of bills concluded
the meeting at 10:05 p.m.
Election Held
By Credit Union
The Vernonia Federal Credit Un
ion held its annual meeting Saturday
at the West Oregon Electric building
After hearing committee reports,
elections were held to fill vacant po
sitions on the board of directors and
credit committee.
Doris Skidmore, Marion Steers,
Dudley Spofford and George Laws
were elected to the board and Clau
dine East to the credit committee.
Fred Keller, state manager for
Cuna Mutual Insurance Society, pre
sented a plaque to the credit union
in recognition of its being in business
for 25 years. He stated that the m a
jority of credit unions have noi
been in existence that long.
He gave an explanation of insur
ance coverage on savings and loans.
All savings deposits are covered by
life insurance at the expense of the
credit union. Loans are covered by
disability and life insurance without
charge to the borrower.
A dividend of four percent was de
clared by the board on savings on de
posit at the end of the year.
Appointed to the supervisory com
mittee were Wilbur Wilson, Francis
Dinger and George Koski. New offi
cers are Marion Steers, president;
Dudley Spofford, vice-president; sec
retary, Richard Peterson; Doris Skid
more, treasurer and George Laws,
assistant treasurer.
Loggers Win Second League
Game, Lose Third in Series
The Vernonia Loggers won their
second league game out of three at
tempts as they defeated the Neah-
Kah-Nie Pirates last Friday night
63-59.
A 13 point scoring spree by guard
Dan Steele in the final period spark
ed the Loggers from a two point
deficit.
Steele was top point producer for
the evening, scoring 23 points. He
was followed by Terry Larson with
17.
The game was close all the way
with neither team able to gain more
than a five point advantage. Neah-
Kah-Nie led at the end of the first
quarter 16-14. Larson sparked the
Loggers during this period scoring
seven points.
Six Logger players scored during
the second quarter as they gained a
one point halftime edge, 32-31. At
the end of the third period, Neah-
Kah-Nie once again gained the lead,
45-43.
As a team, the Loggers shot 42
percent, making 26 field goals on 61
attempts. They shot 21 freethrows
and made 10. Jim Bellingham pulled
in 12 rebounds to be the big man
on the boards.
Scoring: Bellingham 8, Larson 17,
Hanson 7, F. Smith 2, Steele 23. Hol
sey 6.
The Vernonia JVs had to go into
three overtime periods before they
finally defeated the Neah-Kah-Nie
JVs, 54-51.
High point man for the Loggers
was Dave Larson with 13 points, fol
lowed by Dennis Pederson and Joe
Curl with 10 apiece.
Scaring: Pederson 10, Holsey 8,
Medges 5, Cameron 0, Curl 10, Ellis
0, Larson 13, Mattson 6, Minger 2.
The Vernonia Loggers lost their
game to the North Catholic Royals
Tuesday night 56-49.
Denny Holsey led the Logger scor
ers with 12 points followed by Jerry
Hanson with 11.
Scoring: Bellingham 5, T. Smith 0,
Larson 9, Johnston 0, Hanson 11, F.
Smith 2, Steele 4, Bateman 6, Hol
sey 12, Redmond 0.
The Vernonia JVs lost their game
to the North Catholic JVs by a 48-41
score.
Scoring: Pederson 9, Holsey 3,
Medges 6. Cameron 4, Blackburn 0,
Curl 3, Ellis 3, Larson 8, Peddicord
0, Mattson 1, Minger 4.
This Friday the Loggers travel to
Seaside to take on the Seagulls in
their fourth league game So far the
Loggers are in second place in the
western half of the COWAPA league
with a 2-1 record. For the season,
they have five wins against four
losses
to provide summer employment for
young people still in school.
Named on this committee are Don
Coin Walrod, county agent, chair
man; Ray Godsey, county school
superintendent; Mrs. June Simmons,
member of the county park conunis-
sion, erf Scappoose; J. C. Cranford,
St. Helens Sentinel-Mist news editor;
and Acaiturri.
The county's youth opportunity
program will be financed up to 90
percent of the cost under the Econom
ic Opportunity Act of 1964, the so-
called war on poverty program, and
it is hoped to have the set-up under
way this summer.
The study to be conducted by the
U of O Research Bureau, if the
school administrators’ request is
granted, will tabulate information on:
Job opportunities and potential
manpower resources in the county;
Economics of the county;
Facilities available for voactional
education and work-experience pro
grams in the county;
Availability and adequacy of pre
sent vocational education facilities;
Geographic factors that hinder
utilization of vocational education fa
cilities of the five high schools (Ver
nonia, St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier
and Clatskanie);
Cost of new vo-ed facilities to up
grade present separate high school
programs;
Cost of constructing new regional
vo-ed facilities to serve the entire
program of all five high schools;
Cost of constructing new regional
facilities to supplement and be in
addition to existing vo-ed programs
within present five high schools;
Tax structure of county to inaugu
rate proposed program;
Recommendations and f i n d i n g s
from unbiased group which may not
be evident to those proposing study.
The Columbia County Research
committee, which is headed by Acai
turri, will be comprised of ten mem
bers, five of them being the five high
school administrators, and five to be
chosen, one from each district.
If the study indicates that county
high school districts need to consoli
date their efforts in vo-ed prepara
tion. the committee has prepared a
program for this movement.
Demoni a Eagle
VOLUME 43, NUMBER 3
Registration
In Schools
Nearly Same
Monday marked the start of the
second semester for the schools in
47J and a check of attendance re
cords shows the present enrollment
holding fairly close to that recorded
at the beginning of the year.
As of Monday, the total district
enrollment was 690. On the first day
of school in the fall, enrollment was
679 and by the second week it had
climbed to 697. The figure has flucu-
ated during the year as some families
moved away and others moved in.
The present enrollment by schools
is as follows: High school, 206; Wash
ington, 376; Lincoln, 77 and Mist, 31.
The second week of the first semester
showed 204 in the high school, 381
at Washington school, 78 at Lincoln
school and 34 at Mist.
Total elementary school enrollment
for the district was 493 last fall.
It climbed until at one time it reach
ed the 500 mark, the first time in
many years. It is now down to 484.
Willamette Band
Scheduled Here
James Fiske, band director for the
Vernonia schools, announced this
week that arrangements have been
made for the appearance here Jan
uary 29 of the Willamette University
band. Their appearance is sponsored
by the school bands and Band Par
ents club.
The Willamette band goes on tour
each year in Washington, Oregon,
California or Idaho and this concert
is a part of the 1965 tour and Ver
nonia is fortunate to be included in
their itinerary.
Tickets are 75 cents for adults and
50 cents for students and funds de
rived will be used toward the pur
chase of new uniforms for the Pep
band.
Youth Group
Offers Tickets
Young people in the various local
churches who make up the Youth
Rally group ,now have on sale tickets
for the mother-daughter banquet to
be held February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at
the Evangelical United Brethern
church. Tickets are $1.50 for mothers
and $1.00 for daughters.
The King’s Men quartet will be
guests and provide entertainment. At
7:30, the meeting will be opened to
the public so that men and boys may
also have the opportunity of hearing
this fine group.
VERNONIA, OREGON_______________________________ THURSDAY. JANUARY 21, 1965
PTA Hears Panel Talks
On Preparation oí Child
The PTA meeting held January 18
proved to be a most constructive one
with Joey Acaiturri, school superin
tendent, Welcome Rumbaugh, high
school principal, and Mrs. Wesley
Bolmeier, dean of girls and guidance
director, making up a panel to dis
cuss, “What your high school, com
munity, and home should do to pre
pare your child for the future.”
Under what the schools should do,
Acaiturri stated that there should be
no limit to the accomplishments of
a school system. The goal of the
school should be to provide the over
all education that is best suited for
the individual student to prepare him
for living in a democracy. He said
that for a school of this size, Ver
nonia has excellent facilities and
need take a back seat to no one.
Mrs. Bolmeier talked about schol
arships, saying their importance
was over-emphasized. Most scholar
ships are a “drop in the bucket” to
what is needed. The Crown Zeller-
bach scholarship was cited as best
in this area and it has recently been
expanded to include other areas of
education besides teaching. It also
includes any college in the United
States.
Mrs. Bolmeier said the private col
leges were actually not much more
expensive than state colleges when
everything was considered and that
many of these schools will now let
the student pay on a monthly basis.
She stated the National Defense
Act was a very valuable help in mak
ing loans for a college education.
However, they are usually not given
until the student has proven himself
worthy. These loans may be re-paid
starting after graduation within a
five-year period with a low interest
rate. Also, the debt will be reduced
by half if the graduate goes into the
teaching profession. Some banks al
so give good educational loans as
do some finance companies. It was
emphasized that one could really be
“taken” by some finance companies
and that the fine print should be care
fully perused.
Students not suited for college have
the opportunity to attend vocational
training school to further their edu
cation.
Rumbaugh spoke especially of
these vocational schools and urged
the prospective student to make sure
the vocational school he plans to
attend is accredited so that he will
be employable on comlpetion of his
training. It is hoped there will be
more vocational training available
in Oregon soon and Acaiturri now
heads a county organization promot
ing a county vocational school pro
gram.
What the home can do was then
discussed. Acaiturri emphasized the
need to have reading material avail
able and to encourage the child in
its use. He said that most important,
however, was to give the child a good
moral foundation, teach him cleanli
ness and leave teaching to the
schools.
The community could be very help
ful by following the example of
Florence, Oregon. This town, not
much larger than Vernonia, has a
community program far scholastic
recognition. This organization raises
funds to send deserving students on
educational tours, to concerts and
festivals, plays, American Heritage
Tours, English and Science Institutes,
and to provide scholarships.
After the panel gave their talks,
George Laws brought up the subject
of post graduate work. This was
highly recommended by Acaiturri
who agreed that students could take
subjects missed during the four year
period and then enter college at a
more mature age.
The discussion continued while re
freshments were served by the kin
dergarten mothers. Entertainment in
cluded a dance by Vicki Lawler and
Debbie Curl.
31 Donate to
Bloodmobile
There were 31 donors who gave
blood Monday at the visit of the Red
Cross Bloodmobile, a much better
response than the last few visits.
Guy I. Thomas and Mrs. Charles
Minger, local representatives in
charge of arrangements for the visit,
expressed their appreciation to all
those who donated as well as to
those who assisted with the visit.
For various reasons, there were
six would-be donors who were reject
ed.
Dr. T. M. Hobart and Dr. S. A.
Thiringer donated their services for
the visit.
Among others who assisted were
two high school boys, Ron Boden-
hamer and Merle Long who assist
ed with unloading the unit; three
high school girls, Kathy Minger, Jan
et Bruce and Christine King, who as
sisted with typing; two nurses, Mrs.
George Koski, RN, and Mrs. C. L.
Blackburn, RPN; Harry Culbertson
who assisted with preparation of the
IOOF hall for use; and the following
ladies: Mrs. Henry Anderegg, Mrs.
Owen East, Mrs. Don Webb, Mrs.
Melvin Schwab, Mrs. Marie Atkins,
Mrs. L. E. Atkins, Mrs. Wayne Lau-
rila, and Mrs. Ralph Markham.
Fruit juices were furnished by the
Rebekah lodge, coffee by the Pythian
Sisters and cookies by the American
Legion Auxiliary.
Plan Group
Given Report
On Research
Cyrus R. Nims of the Bureau of
Municipal Research and Services,
state board of higher education pre
sented a preliminary land use and
street plan to the Vernonia city plan
ning commission January 13 as a
part of the urban planning assistance
program.
Investigations completed by Nims
indicate that 87 people residing in
Vernonia are employed outside of
the area. New houses constructed in
the city in reecnt years total 33.
Twelve percent of the total city resi
dences are vacant. City, county and
state land area within the city limits
totals 30 acres, with an additional
20 acres of school lands.
Nims recommended the early
adoption of a city building code and
zoning ordinance to adequately pro
vide for city development and im
prove property values. On the basis
of Nims’ recommendation, the city
planning commission will recommend
to the city council that a public
hearing be held within 60 days to con
sider incorporating the adoption of
a city building code on the ballot at
the next school district election.
Two Students
Enter Displays
Steven Poetter and David Thomas
entered projects in the Oregon Mu
seum of Science and Industry elec
tricity fair Saturday, January 16.
The projects are to be on display at
OMSI through January 31.
The electricity projects relate to
the historic development or use of
magnetism, electricity, static elec
tricity, and/or electronics. Steven’s
project displays parallel and series
circuits and David’s project demon
strates how a battery powered tran
sistor radio can be connected to
house current .
Although the electricity fair has
no direct connection with the North
west Science Exposition conducted
in May, it is hoped that students will
gain enthusiasm to prepare projects
for the regular science fair.
Plans are now being made to con
duct the district 47J local science
fair April 9, according to Wayne
Markham, science teacher at Wash
ington school and science fair co
ordinator.
Last Friday evening, Markham
and Darrold Proehl, principal of the
Washington school, were at OMSI
to attend a symposium regarding
science fairs in which the results of
past fairs were evaluated and plans
for this year were made.
Welfare Report Indicates Low Income, Unemployment in County
The following report was prepared
by the state public welfare commis
sion during December, 1964 and just
released. The report is entitled, “Ore
gon’s Poor. Who They Are and Where
They Live”. The report covers the
state in general and also goes into
detail on county conditions. The fol
lowing is an excerpt from the above
mentioned report as it specifically
deals with Columbia county.
Columbia: Population, 22,379. Co
lumbia county’s problem c e n t e r s
around low-income, frequent unem
ployment and limited education. The
median school years for Columbia
county residents were 10.3 for per
sons 25 and over, according to the
I960 census. This was the lowest in
the state.
Per capita personal income was
$1,494 in 1960, $1,611 in 1961. In the
ently high rate of insured unemploy-
lies had income under $3,000 com
pared with a statewide average ot
17 percent; 13.7 percent had income
under $2.000 compared with a state
wide average of 9.8 percent. Net ef
fective buying income in 1962 was
the fourth lowest in the state, both
on a per capita and per household
basis at $1,497 per person and $4,787
per household.
Columbia county has had consist-
from 10.1 percent to 7.5 percent com
ment from 1960 until 1963, ranging
from 10.1 percent to 7.5 percent com
pared with a statewide average of
6.8 percent to 4.5 percent for the
same period. It has only recently
been removed from the list of coun
ties designated as having substantial
and persistent unemployment.
Columbia county is in the upper
quarter of the state with regard to
the percentage of aged persons in
the population.
With only 1.3 percent of the total
number of families in the state, Co
lumbia county had 8 4 percent of the
families receiving public assistance
in January 1964.
It is pointed out that much of the
report is based on the 1960 census,
states Roy K. Smith, administrator,
Columbia county public welfare com
mission.