Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2017)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017 Cannon Beach considers New mayor, council new tree rule changes president in Gearhart Nearby property owners would get notification Jesse is Gearhart’s second in command By LYRA FONTAINE The Daily Astorian CANNON BEACH — More requirements for tree removal requests on city- owned property could be ahead. After residents complained in November about tree cutting on city property near the city- owned RV Resort, the Plan- ning Commission approved recommending amendments to the city’s tree removal ordi- nance at a late December meeting. The City Council will discuss the recommended changes on Tuesday and hold a public hearing on Feb. 7. If the council follows the Planning Commission’s rec- ommendations, tree removal requests on city-owned property could be subject to additional requirements. The city would need to notify property owners within 100 feet of the trees requested for removal and give notice to any person who has com- mented on the request. The city would also be required to post its tree removal request on the city’s website and at City Hall. In November, the city removed about 35 trees from the RV Resort. Some trees that were removed were dead or dying, according to the per- mit application. Residents who live near the RV Resort expressed concerns to the the Cannon Beach Gazette about the removal. The trees were selectively thinned as part of the sec- ond phase of the RV Park util- ity upgrade, Public Works Director Dan Grassick said in November. “Thinning will allow the healthy tree specimens that By R.J. MARX The Daily Astorian GEARHART — With a change at the top of city government came a call for a second in command, council president. Mayor Matt Brown ushered in the new year at Gearhart’s first council meeting of 2017 and among his agenda items was the job of appointing a council president. Dan Jesse was unani- mously elected to serve the role. The position, man- dated in the city’s charter, calls for council members to elect a president among themselves. In the may- or’s absence from a council meeting, the council presi- dent would preside. When- ever the mayor is unable to perform the functions of office, the president acts as mayor. Sue Lorain held the post under the term of Dianne Widdop. In nominating Paulina Cockrum, Kerry Smith called for a “well-rounded council.” “Instead of re-electing a person, I’d like to see some- body else has the chance,” Smith said. “It makes sense another council member to get the experience.” Lorain nominated Jesse, who is serving his second four-year term after running unopposed in November. Cockrum, the junior member on the council, withdrew her name from consideration and joined Brown, Lorain and Smith in voting for Jesse. Jesse’s career in pub- lic service began with the Seaside Civic and Conven- tion Center and the Sea- side Improvement Com- mission, before he and his wife, Julie, moved to Gear- hart, where he served on the Planning Commission before election to the City Council. “Being the council pres- ident in Gearhart is largely symbolic, but if the mayor were to be absent, at that point I would be next in line,” Jesse said after the meeting. The Daily Astorian/File Photo Trees fill the city, like this reaching to the sky at Spruce and Harrison streets. remain to branch out and fill in the upper canopy while cre- ating a more park-like atmo- sphere versus dense forest,” Grassick said. “The under- ground utility construction also will damage a few trees that likely will need to be removed as a result of the excavation. Those will be evaluated on a case-by-case.” The park was over-planted with the idea that not all of the trees would survive since it was too dense, but nearly all the trees survived and were never thinned, Grassick said. This has led to forest health issues, such as one pine spe- cies starting to die off, Gras- sick said. The overcrowding has also created challenges with RV sites since the RVs have become larger with more accessories. The city is following the recommendations of licensed arborist Joe Balden, who was hired to evaluate the health of the park’s forested area. More than 250 trees will remain, Grassick said. COAST COMMUNITY RADIO KMUN 91.9FM IT’S BACK!!! Assistance League ® Columbia Pacifi c ACCESSORIZE SALE IS ON! SAVE FEBRUARY 5 TH THE SUPER BOWL DATE SUNDAY 2017 RED BUILDING LOFT in Astoria Look for the BIG RED BINS in all Columbia Banks starting January 3rd to give your donations of purses, jewelry, belts, scarves, etc.. YOU KNOW WHAT A GREAT SALE THIS IS AND FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE! All proceeds will go towards programs of Assistance League ® the Columbia Pacifi c seeks CLASSICAL Watch for more information, but for now SAVE THE DATE of February 5th! Assistance League the Columbia Pacifi c is a non-profi t organization whose volunteers raise funds to assist school children in our community. music show hosts for morning shifts If you love classical, we will train you! For more information about this event, call Mary Davies at (503)738-2672 Call Elizabeth | 503.325.0010 For more information about ALCP or becoming a member, visit our website at www.assistanceleaguecp.org for more information www.CoastRadio.org YEAR END CLOSEOUT P SHEE L A LOC SAVE ON SELECT UP $ TO SA L E 500 N OBDY SELLS FOR LESS , NOBODY ! TM SPECIAL FINANCING MATTRESS SETS 0% INTEREST 0 DOWN 12, 24, OR 26 MONTHS Plus ON APPROVED CREDIT / SEE STORE FOR DETAILS FREE LUXURY LINENS FREE FREE FREE Mattress Set-Up 300 $ Delivery * * Min. $599 Purchase VALUE Recycle * T HE S LEEP Y OU N EED GUARANTEED UP TO SAVE 50 OFF % select fl oor models & save up to 60 % OFF CLOSEOUT ACCESSORIES Warrenton 503-861-6085 Located next to Big 5 and Fred Meyer HOURS: FRI 9-7; SAT 10-6; SUN 11-5 www.americasmattress.com With 5 convenient locations NEWPORT | FLORENCE | COOS BAY| LINCOLN CITY | WARRENTON