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U n iv e r s ity o f Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Panel Discussions at Chamber Meeting Monday Evening Offer Sugestions for Area improvement
A good crowd of interested Ver-
Ver
nonia residents gathered Monday
evening in the meeting room of
the West Oregon Electric building
on the invitation of the Vernonia
Chamber ot Commerce to hear a
panel discussion on the topic
“What Can be Done to Make Ver
nonia a Better Place in Which to
Live.”
Dr. S. A. Thiringer, chamber
president, presided over the meet
ing and introduced the panel mem
bers, William Ambrose, superin
tendent of schools for district 47J:
Hazen Barnard, principal of Ver
nonia high school; Ralph Aldrich
member of the district school
board and termed as an “old tim
e r” on the panel and Dave Stinson
of Forest Grove, an outsider, but
one who is familiar with Vernonia
because of regular contacts here
through his association with the
Broderson Furniture store in For
est Grove.
Ambrose Slates Views
Ambrose was called on first and
he stated that he was here by
choice because he recognized here their
their homes
with
homes and
and community
community with
the possibilities for his work as an an aporaising eye to see how it
educator and also because he saw might look to others.
this as a good community in which
Ambrose stated his interest in
to raise his family. While he has
seeing
more use made of educa
purchased a home in the rural
tional
facilities
and an improve
area outside of the city of Verno
nia, he works within the city and ment in recreation and park facili
he considers it his community and ties. He mentioned the need for
desires for it progress and the tennis courts and his hopes that
best possible development.
the project will be carried through
He stated that he has noticed im to provide some.
provement since he came here
"Old Timer" Speaks
more than a year ago. Some eye
Aldrich was called on next. Term
sore buildings have been removd,
a trend which he hopes will con ed as the old timer on the panel,
his residence here dates back to
tinue to remove blots from the Ver
the early 1920s when his father
nonia scene.
came here as depot agent for the
Improvements Noted
recently constructed railroad. He
He complimented the trend to attended school here during the
ward the building of new homes heyday of the mill and logging op
and the improvement of old ones. erations when classrooms were
He mentioned the fact that some overcrowded by the influx of peo
times residents become accustom ple from all parts of the country.
ed to conditions and fail to notice
He stated that he very much
them until they have visitors which echoed the sentiments of Mr. Am
helps them to see things through brose and he added that improve
the eyes of an outsider. It is ad ments in drainage, streets and oth
visable for everyone to look at er physical features of the com-
munity
in turn
turn encourage
p n en u rsp e
munity would
would in
other improvements by home own
ers.
c o m m n n iiv
community program.
for study of the school buildings
and needs in that area.
His concluding statement was
Hazen Barnard, called on last
Outsider Views Town
from the panel, somewhat summa that improvement can not be gain
Dave Stinson, who formerly rized the points brought out by the ed from mediocrity. Desire, effort
came to Vernonia one day each other members. He spoke of the and ambition must be for the high
week for the Broderson store, dependence of the local economy est and best.
stressed the need for real commu on forestry. During the evening it
Discussion Follows
nity effort. He cited other commu was brought out that under the
After the panel concluded their
nities which had done, much for present tree farm program in for remarks there was a coffee break
their overall economic condition estry, the opportunity for careers and when the meeting was again
as well as in improving appear in forestry should increase.
called to order, it was thrown
He stated that he, too, felt Ver
ance through united programs for
open to general discussion. Several
nonia was a good place in which
upgrading the community.
high school students were in the
He spoke of the economic situa to raise his family and stated that audience and were called on and
although he had been here a short
tion of Vernonia which is so located time he felt very much a part of expressed their feelings of the need
geographically as to make it diffi the community and wanted to see for more receational opportuni
cult to attract the location of new it go forward in every way possi ties outside of school. The tennis
courts and other possible park de
industry. The location here of a ble.
velopments were mentioned and
number of small industries is prob
Thinking Challenged
the problem of supervision for all
ably the best goal for which to
He threw out several thought such activities was raised.
strive. He stated that the geograph
There were those in the audience
ic location and the economic situa challenges to stimulate looking at
tion together make this area more the community with an analytical whose residence in Vernonia steins
a residential area for many who eye. He stated that he felt the back to the pre-mill era when Ver
work elsewhere. This trend tends school was the center of the com nonia was a very isolated and
to give many a feeling of detach munity and that as goes the school small community. In watching the
ment from the community and so goes the community. Then he changes through the years it is
there is need to draw them into the asked: “Is Vernonia high school possible to see that many of the
really a part of the community?” ills of today stem from the mill
He continued, “ Educational pro coming here and bringing a rapid
grams should and can be adapted heavy rise in population with
to community use. Are they here?” which the community could not
Still further he stated that school keep pace. Businesses and homes
and community interaction should were hastily constructed because
be measured and asked “Do the there was the feeling that this
school and community work to boom in prosperity would not last
gether here?” And last he stated long.
that schools should have citizen
Background Outlined
advisory committees and asked if
Those who know logging and mill
it were done here. At present, there
VERNONIA, OREGON
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1966
communities
know the rapid turn
is a citizens advisory committee
over in population that accompa
nies it and this, again, makes it
hard to build real community spir
it. Those who established homes
here with the idea of residing here
for some time became a part of
the community and worked hard
As usual, the Masons have come
for it. A meeting similar to that
up with a very interesting speaker,
of Monday night was held in the
John Owen, from Portland. Owen
late 1920s so history does repeat.
wall tell of his experiences while
The departure of the mill which
serving with the Peace Corps in
took from the community its great
Peru. He is an engineer and help
est source of employment income
ed to construct power lines in the
faced the community with a major
Andes Mountains and also worked
transition. It left the town with
on community development pro
many run down homes and busi
jects in Chimbote and other parts
nesses because many had the idea
of Peru. He made a trip to Peru
that when the mill closed the town
earlier this year.
would die. They had not kept their
Mr. Owen is now employed by
property in repair because they
the Lord Brothers Construction
failed to see Vernonia as a town
company and has recently worked
with a future. It is such property
on the Marquam bridge in Port
land.
THIS house owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barnett
that
has presented problems in the
of what can be done. Repair, painting and landscap
transition period.
who moved here from Portland to retire is one of the
This promises to be a most en
ing of the yard have made it outstandingly attractive.
former mill houses and is the last m e on the right
tertaining program and it is hop
This is one of the exam ples of the things that are
Future Meets Planned
side
of
the
road
as
one
drives
toward
Riverview.
ed there will be a large turn-out
making Vernonia a better and more attractive place
Vernonia today has a greater
When purchased by Barnett, it was in rundown condi
to hear Mr. Owen speak. Wilbur
in which to live.
feeling of permanence on the part
Wilson will be in charge of refresh
tion and an eyesore but it now stands as an example
of residents because they are es
ments after the meeting.
tablishing homes in which they ex
Prior to the PTA meeting, Mr.
pect to live many years. This ac
Owen will speak to the Vernonia
counts for the many attractive
Lions club.
homes being built.
It was brought out Monday that
Shop Started
the low property values and rents
The Columbia county building here have attracted many retired
Activity has been noted this
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts the filled bags to send to the Good
department’s October report of people who are past the years of
week in the former Hawken garage worked last Saturday to distribute
will Industries in Portland.
construction activity shows 26 per active participation in community
building on Bridge street where Goodwill Goodturn bags to houses
Don Tipton, Cubmaster, asks mits issued with a total valuation affairs. However, as each of these
the Phipps brothers from Banks throughout the Vernonia area and
are in the process of establishing they will be working this coming anyone who did not receive a bag of $4,094,246. This figure, in com improves a house and makes it an
a general automotive repair shop. Saturday, November 19, to gather to call him this evening or tomor parison with October 1965, shows attractive part of the community,
a $314-million gain for the month, they have contributed a great deal.
row evening, Thursday or Friday, the figure is misleading as it in
Dr. Thiringer indicated Monday
after 4:30 p.m. and a bag will be cludes one permit for $4-million. that other forum meetings will be
brought to them. His number is
Boise-Cascade corporation has held and it is honed that others
429-6273.
launched another phase of their will attend with constructive ideas
All householders are asked to $30-million expansion program in for the betterment of Vernonia
put their filled bags on the porch, augurated last May. The permit Meantime, each resident is asked
issued in October covers the addi to remember that this is his com
in an open garage door or other
tion of a new newsprint machine
place where they can be readily and building, with a complete pulp munity and to it he has the duty
to give his best efforts in making
seen Saturday morning. The Scouts mill to be located behind it, stated it a better place in which to live.
will be out gathering them by 9 Mr. Taranoff of Boise-Cascade.
Every bit of paint aDnlied, every
In other building, new residences unattractive thing removed, every
a.m. The bright yellow bags will
be easily seen if they are set out dropped from $551,323 in 1965 to tree and shrub planted contribut
and if any are missed, Tipton may $70,500 this October.
es its bit to the overall picture.
be called for pick-up.
Economy Assessed
Demonia Eaote
VOLUME 44, NUMBER 46
Masons Prepare Program for
Meeting of PTA Next Monday
Monday evening, November 21,
the Masonic Lodge, under the di
rection of Master Frank Serafin,
will provide both the speaker and
the refreshments for the PTA
meeting which will be held at the
Washington school at 8.
Youth Rally to
Meet Saturday
The Christian Youth Rally will
be held this Saturday evening, No
vember 19, at the Assembly of God
church at 7:30 p.m. and promises
a real treat for all who attend.
Wally de Smit, a missionary to
Patagonia in Northern South Am
erica, will speak. His subject has
not been announced and his topic
will not necessarily be on missions
but will be something of vital in
terest to young people.
In addition to being an excellent
speaker he is also an accomplished
saxophonist and will entertain
with a variety of numbers.
Following the meeting, refresh
ments will be served. All young
people are cordially invited to at
tend, and the invitation is extended
to those young in spirit as well
as years.
Goodwill Bags Placed by
Scouts, Pick-Up Saturday
BoiseCascade
Plans Additions
GOODWILL-MOP TUPPI
%
NOV.
X»|9
H élpthê
sca r; fill
TWE¿COP TURN (?A6rS
Two Listed for
Cowapa League
building in Riverview next to King’» Grocery
met Ito fate las* Friday evening when the pick-up
operated by Martyn Eide apparently didn't tom the
curve and hit K. The building formerly boused
Polly’s Variety and in owned hy Mr. and Mrs. H. T.
Hudson Recently it has been used on certain days
each week by the LDS church for rummage sales
and it U understood ladies had left it shortly before
the accident. ¡Eide had as passengers Dave Hammond
and John Beamish of Riverview. All three were well
shaken but otherwise uninjured.
In all star listings announced
this week for the Cowapa league
football season, two Vernonia boys
achieved places on the second
team. They are Larry Holsey who
was named for tackle in both of
fense and defense and Lorry Elton
who was named defensive half-
hack.
It was noted in the selections
that North Catholic, league cham
pions, placed heavily in first team
listings with six on the offensive
team and six, defensive.
AMONG the lucky elk hunter» last week end were Orval ( lausen of
Keaney route, right; his uncle. Dale Dressel of McMinnville, left, and
D ressel’s too Dave of Rockaway, not pictured, who bagged the three
elk shown in this picture in the Northrup creek area Saturday morning
They attracted much attention Saturday afternoon when they were
brought into Vernonia.