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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