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About Vernonia eagle. (Vernonia, Or.) 1922-1974 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1972)
Library U niversity o f teegon Eugene, Cfregon 9 ^ 3 Demon i a Eagle V O L U M E SO, N U M B E R 51 VERN O N IA . OBBOON W M - l f c N r <toyy T H U R S D A Y , DEC . » , 1972 Autos, Houses Draw Attention Abandoned autos, “ hazardous” dwellings, and “ what to do with our Revenue Sharing funds,” were among the items discussed by the Vernonia City Council Monday eve ning at their regular session Mayor Sherman Fisher presided over the meeting, with Councilmen Dave Banta, Deri Roberts, Lucille Tomlin and Ralph Keasey; Record er Wm. Nelson and Attorney Robert Vagt, also present. Opening with business from the floor, the council was given a run-down on plans for forming a county-wide sanitary authority by County Commissioner Jay Ahlborn After summarizing the situation, Ahlborn again requested council support for resubmitting an appli cation to the Portland Metroplitan Area Boundary Commission to a l low formation of such a service district. If successful in its bid, the sanitary authority would be respon sible for solid waste disposal, surface water drainage, etc. The council voted to support the county in resubmitting the appli cation, since they seemed to feel that it would aid in getting relief for local disposal problems created by closure of the city dump H W Weigand spoke next, again calling attention to the “ health hazard" at a now vacant dwelling adjacent to his home 846 State Avenue. It was reported that Dr. T M Hobart, city health officer, had inspected the dwelling and de clared it “ unfit for habitation ” Also Police Chief Jack Cunningham stated he had investigated the com plaint and found that the house lacked both water and toilet facil- Mystery Santa Contest Ending For those who haven’t yet entered the Chamber of Commeree-spon sored Mystery Santa Contest, just a reminder that 12 noon, Saturday, December 23, is the last chance to submit a guess as to the identity of Old St N ick.” The first six correct entries received w ill be awarded prizes of $7.50, $5. and four of S&H Green Stamps Enteries may be made on the blank provided below. All the clues to the Mystery Santa w ill be found elsewhere in this issue of the Eagle, as well as in local businesses Remember—the last date for entering the Mystery Santa Contest is Saturday, December 23, 12 noon • See clues page 6) ities Upon motion by Keasey, the council voted to institute condem nation proceedings on the house Another dwelling, located at the south half of Lots 2 and 3, Block 13, Eastside Addition, also came under council scrutiny. It also has been declared a “ health hazard,” and Vagt was instructed to check own ership so condemnation proceed ings could be started on It. Another abandoned dwelling is to be burned by the fire department, if owner permission is obtained The house, located across Bridge Street from Lincoln School, and owned by Marie Frazee, has been vacant for several years. Next a request by Ed Balia, who operates the Sears Catalog store. County Sites Fail to Meet State Criteria Members of the Columbia County Park Commission met last Wednes day with officials from the State Park and State Highway divisions to discuss the reason behind the denial of a state park for the county. According to David Talbot, sup erintendent of State Parks, studies of Columbia County in the past have failed to turn up a site that meets criteria In looking at possible sites, natural resources, recreational ac tivities, etc. are taken into conside ration and, as L a rry Jacobson from the Department of State Planning told the group, a state park site seldom has less than 506 acres and needs a variety of recreational pos sibilities. Park Commissioner Jay Ahlborn pointed out that while Oregon has 232 state parks, wayside and re creational areas. Columbia County has one wayside rest station op era ted by the state. Other than Scapoma Park, which is operated by the Bureau of Land Man agement, the remainder of the park land in the area is operated by the county and cities The Park Commissioner also said that he had heard of the possibility that $25. (MX) might become available for development of Dibblee Point near Rainier and suggested that cooperation between the Highway Division and the State Marine Board might aid in its development. A meeting w ill be set up between the various agencies and data ga thered in regard to the area and the possibilities it offers as a park. MYSTERY SANTA ENTRY I think the Mystery Santa is____________ My Name is...________________________ A d d ress_____________________________ Phone _______________________________ Bring or Mall io the Eagle Office for a loading zone on Jefferson companies involved. It was sug Avenue was approved It was noted gested the city w rite letters to both that a loading zone already existed Pacific Northwest Bell and General there and the signs would be replac Telephone, and to the Public U tili ed. ties Commissioner requesting that Cleve Robertson next submitted a Vernonia be hooked into the system. request for purchase of two white Pre assessments for the East coats to be worn by ambulance Vernonia Sewer D istrict were dis drivers and attendants. This re cussed with Vagt indicating that he quest also was approved. hoped they would be ready to Committee reports included one publish and call for a hearing on by Keasey that, after receiving them February 5. three price quotes, a new booster The recorder was directed to line nozzle had been purchased for prepare a proclamation and resolu the fire department. Low bidder tion adopting the new city charter was Western States Fire Apparatus The charter—after passing 304-300 of Cornelius, at $128 in a recount—w ill become effective Keasey also reported that speci January 1. Banta reported that a committee fications for a new fire truck had been updated and that it was hoped meeting had produced some p rio r that bids could be called for in ities for expenditure of the c ity ’s January. Federal Revenue Sharing receipts. The priorities as given, are: 1. Roberts reported that the county sanitarian had made an inspection Cemetery drainage, $500 ; 2. fire of the city ’s dump site earlier in the truck. $13,000 (to be added to sinking fund); 3 equipment and day. He added that the sanitarian was to contact the Department of storage shed, $10,000 ; 4 employee Environmental Quality in an a t life insurance. $400 ; 5. water plant tempt to get lim ited use of the automation, $5,000 ; 6 ambulance, fa cility approved by the state $5000 , 7 backhoe. $20,000. The city expects to receive up to Mrs Tomlin told the other council members that the police $30,000 in the next two years from this source. The first check of $9,871 department survey had discovered was received last week, and w ill be 39 abandoned autos on private deposited until a decision is made property which are to be dealt with under the c ity ’s recently enacted for expenditure. Also, a supple ordinance. The next step is for the mental budget w ill have to be police to contact, by letter, the drawn up for these funds. Nelson was named as the c ity ’s budget auto's owners, then to follow through on confiscation proceed officer to prepare the supplemental ings if no action is taken by the own document. ers. The police commissioner also noted that specifications were being drawn for a new patrol car. Police Chief Cunningham report ed on a discussion he had with 1 District Attorney Robert Lucas re garding the central dispatch system now in operation in the county The problem, which has kept Vernonia from participating in the program, A total of slightly more than apparently stems from a disagree $120.000 has been received by ment between the two telephone Columbia County in the firs t dis tribution of so-called "revenue sharing” funds by the federal government. An equal payment w ill be made early in January, bringing J o ap pioxim ately $241,000 the amour, '^o be paid the county for calendar 1972. Members of the Board of Com missioners have ordered the money K thaw following on the heels of deposited in a special trust fund, as unseasonable cold weather has required by law, and anticipate forced the imposition of weight spending little of it before next July lim its on all roads in Northern 1. opening of the new fiscal year. Columbia County. In the interim , priorities w ill be Roadmaster Keith Thompson developed to spend the money on says the ban on loads of more than the basis of guidelines prescribed 10, (MX) pounds w ill remain in effect by Congress Spending w ill be until at least December 26. limited to such programs as law Affected are roads north of town enforcement, sewage and sanitat ship 5 north, those north of an im a ion. pollution control, roads, health ginary east-west line through Deer and social services programs and Island and serving the Rainier- capital purchases. Goble-Clatskanie and Mist areas. County officials say that revenue Additionally, Thompson says, it sharing w ill perm it the continua may be necessary to lim it loads on tion, and in some instances expan the Rock Creek and Caanan Roads, sion, of services without increasing at anytime. local tax burdens. Posted lim its w ill be enforced by Revenue sharing payments in iti sheriff’s officers Thompson adds, ally were authorized for a five-year that inquiries on special permits for period on the basis of a complex overload should be made to the road formula dealing with population, department in St. Helens. local tax efforts, and so forth. Sim ilar freeze-thaw conditions However, the amounts actually last winter did considerable dam paid local governments may vary age to a number of roads as factors change. County Receives first Revenue Sharing Check VERN O N IA CHRISTMAS Special is tfcg sam * given »team log* ging A n y on display in lot at corner of Bridge and Adams. “ Old 1 « " bow aids Santa by bearing load of brightly wrapped gilts, Charter Study Underway; Ben Coleman Named Santa Due Again Santa Claus again w ill be at the C liff’s M arke t building this Satur day. between the hours of 10 a.m . and noon, and 1 and 3 p.m . Youngs ters are invited to drop by and visit with Santa during these hours. While many in Vernonia were moaning over all that flaky white stuff that covered the ground, as the first really cold weather arrived for its annual visit, there was one person in town who enjoyed it immensely. For Alberto Francisco Jose’ Antonio Allegre, it was a rare treat. In his home town of Torreon, Coahulia, it has snowed only once in 23 years In 1966 a small amount drifted down, but quickly disap peared. Although Vernonia’s newest fo r eign exchange student disclaims the tact that he speaks good English, it was discovered, after a rather halting exchange of Spanish County Sets Load Limits For Roads and fumbling for words, that his mastery of the language was much better than many American-born, with little accent and a grave polite ness. when coaxed into talking. Alberto, although from a much warmer climate, said with a quick shy smile, “ I don’t mind the cold,” adding that he had gone skiing once, several years ago on a visit to New Mexico, but, it was only in Vernonia that he had ever had the opportu nity to go sledding, one of Oregon’s favorite w inter activities. Christmas won’t be quite the same for Alberto, who is staying with foster parents, Mr and Mrs. Wm. Nelson He w ill be celebrating the holidays far from home though he may get to enjoy his firs t “ White Christmas,” if the weather cooper ates. While some things w ill be fa m iliar to h im —the Christmas tree, the presents, and the Christ mas dinner —other things w ill be missing. In Mexico, there is the traditional N ativity scene placed under the tree, an integral part of the festi vities; and there are the posadas The posadas. ordinarily held for nine nights before Christmas, re enact the journey of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay The people, carrying lighted cand les. go from house-to-house, singing at each door, pleading for a room—and at each door the occu pants answer their pleas by singing a refusal Finally, on Christmas Eve, they make their plea and are welcomed, symbolizing Mary and Joseph being invited to stay in the stable of the inn in Bethlehem The custom of the posadas was introduced in Mexico from Spain where it is believed the Wise Men —or Magi -pass through each year enroute to pay homage to the Infant Jesus. Even today, in many areas of Mexico, it is the Three Kings—not Santa Claus—who bring presents to the children during the 12 days of Christmas. Following the posadas on Christ mas Eve. there is usually a grand celebration with the beef and pork tamales, fa m ilia r in the United States, and dulce' (sweet) tamales, flavored with raisins and cinnamon, that are relatively unknown here. And for the young—in age and sp irit—the pinatas; clay pots or paper mache form s of many shapes, decorated to resemble ani mals, angels, birds or other objects which are filled with candy and small gifts, then hung from the ceiling. One is chosen to try to break the piñata; blindfolded, turned three times, then hande^l a long stick, he tries to smash the contain er, releasing all the treats for the gathered crowd. For the very devout, the feast comes only after fasting and the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Alberto has been quite an asset to Vernonia High School, not just because he provides a new exper ience for the students in internation al relations, but he was also their ace extra-point kicker on the foot ball team, helping them win their second place standing in league this year, gaining his prowess from soccer, a popular sport in his own country. The new year w ill also bring a change for Alberto. He w ill move from the Nelson home to the home of a new set of foster parents, Mr. and Mrs Frank Deckebach Dec- kebach is the new manager of Crown Zellerbach's E.P. Stamm Managed Forest, replacing Wesley Hicks, who was transferred last summer to Port Angeles Earl Wantland Slated to Speak at January Event Earl Wantland, Vernonia High School graduate, now the president of Tektronix, Inc., in Beaverton, w ill be the guest speaker for the A full investigation of alterna Distinguished Service Award-Citi tives has been pledged by members zen of the Year banquet sponsored of the committee that could recom jointly by the Vernonia Jaycees and mend fundamental changes in the Chamber of Commerce. form of Columbia County’s govern Wantland. who graduated from ment. VHS in 1949, w ill speak on the Representatives of the newly ap subject, “ Social Responsibilities of pointed charter study committee Business.” While attending high met for the first time Thursday to school, he participated in several begin a task that could last as long sports and also was employed part- as two years and culminate with the time at Sam’s Food Store. After submission of a proposed charter to high school he attended Portland the voters. State University then served in the Committee members indicate navy for four years before going they intend to reach no decisions into the electronics field. before looking into the strengths Married to a form er VHS student, and weaknesses of the present form Edna Fuller. Wantland joined of government and surveying char tered governments in other Oregon counties and cities. Heads of present county depart ments have been invited to meet with the committee on January 25 to describe their legal responsibilities and operational structures. Repre sentatives of charter study com mittees from Clatsop. Washington, Benton and Cowlitz counties w ill be asked for their views during meet ings to be held in February. Retired St. Helens and Astoria businessman Ben Coleman has been selected as chairman pro-tem of the committee, whose next order of business w ill include the selection ol a ninth member. It was reported Thursday that several committee members have been urged to press for the ap pointment of a voman to the group, and considerable discussion was devoted to the desirability of se lecting the ninth member, of what ever sex, from the Vernonia or Rainier areas. The next meeting of the group has The telephone lines to the North been set for 7:30 p.m January 4 in Pole are up and w ill be in operation the new courthouse wing. Commit Friday, December 22, when all the tee members have emphasized that hoys and girls who wish, may speak their meetings are public. to Santa Claus in person. Present members include Cole According to Project Chairman man, Ted White of Scappoose, Pete Jim Coulter, Santa w ill be in resi Bartlett of Columbia City, Buford dence between the hours of 6-9 Hayes of Deer Island, M.B. (Jim ) p.m . To reach Santa, dial 429-8854 or Morton of Clatskanie, E.T. (Boone) 429-8203. Johnston of Birkenfeld and David The annual phone service to B Williamson and Charles T. Santa Claus at the North Pole is Brownlow, both of St. Helens. sponsored by the Vernonia Jaycees. Santa's Phone Numbers Given Alberto Allegre Enjoys Cold, Snowy Weather by B. Wayne Rhoades where it formerly was used to haul logs front the woods la Ore gon-American operation. The locomotive was Ughtod aad decor ated by the Chamber of Commerce; aad the tree by the G irl Scouts. “ Tek’’ in 1953, and was named as the firm ’s president September 30, 1971. The annual dinner w ill be held Saturday, January 20 in the Wash ington Grade School cafeteria, at 7 p.m. Nominations for the awards must be in by January 6. Those for the Citizen of the Year are to be sent to Chamber Secretary Mrs. Evelyn Heath, and DSA nominations to the Jaycees at P.O. Box 74. There are also boxes placed at Brunsman Hardware, C liff’s Sentry Market and Sam’s Food Store for letters of nomination for the awards. County Shares In Utility Tax The Department of Revenue has announced the transfer of $484,137- 44 to the treasurers of 31 counties. This money represents collections by the department of gross earnings taxes from electric cooperatives throughout the state. Columbia County’s share of the tax levy is $7,170.65. The proceeds from this tax are distributed 75 percent td the county school fund and 25 percent to the county general fund Highway Funds Go to Museums The State Highway Commission approved the distribution of $27,500 to 17 counties to cover eligible costs of maintenance and operation of local museums during fiscal year 1971-72, it was announced Decem ber 12 by George M. Baldwin, administrator of highways. The appropriation is authorised by statute and goes to the various counties as reimbursement for amounts spent in support of local museums The amounts ranged from $132.17 to $2,643.47. The counties participating aad the amounts they received included the Columbia County H istoric*! Society Museum, Vernonia, $837.04. OLE BERGERSON added seven potato to the Loggers’ total of to, ) as the local eager* downed Clats kanie Saturday evening. Logger Sports Reports Sports fans are reminded that coverage of Vernonia High Logger winter sports activities —basketball and w restling—is being done by the Timberline staff. Follow the Digger action by reading the Timberline each week. Merchants to Extend Houn With Christmas just days away, some of the local merchants in Ver nonia w ill be extending their busi ness hours for the convenience of shoppers who need those last m in ute gifts Several have indicated they w ill be open Thursday and Friday evening, and on Sunday afternoon Check with the local merchants for their exact tim e for extended hours of service. Rest wishes from the staff & management of Demonia Eagle I
