Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 Voter’s pamphlet D o you find it difficult to obtain factual infor- mation about candidates in local elections when there is no voter’s pamphlet? Would you like to have a voter’s pamphlet for the May 2015 election? It could happen, but your help is needed. The Clatsop County Elections Office has sent a letter to the 39 districts par- ticipating in the May 2015 election, asking them if they would like to help fund the publication. The letters pro- vide an estimate the cost to each district, which is apportioned by the number of voters. The total cost in 1999 was $15,000, or an average of $384 per district — a small price to pay for a foundational component of democracy. Please contact the boards in the May election and ask them to support the publica- tion of a voter’s pamphlet. The boards include the Port of Astoria, Clatsop Com- munity College, the school districts, the Sunset Em- pire Transportation District, among many others. If you know board members, give them a call. The response from the boards to the Elec- tion’s Office must be re- ceived by Feb. 6. Clatsop County last pub- lished a voter’s pamphlet for odd-year elections in 1999. Clatsop County In- terim Elections Clerk Val- erie Crafard said the county stopped publishing the vot- er’s pamphlet because there was no demand. However, without a vot- er’s pamphlet, the elector- ate is left to the discretion of the local newspapers or whatever campaign litera- ture the candidates choose to distribute. “Democracy cannot suc- ceed unless those who ex- press their choice are pre- pared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democra- cy, therefore, is education.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt LARRY TAYLOR chairman, Clatsop County Democratic Central Committee Logs encroaching I am concerned over the degradation of the envi- ronment at Smith Point in Astoria owing to the expan- sion of the log-sorting oper- ation and the creation of a truck-servicing yard there. I have walked my dog there twice a day for more than two years. I have no- ticed a wide variety of crea- tures in the grassy meadow near the tip of Smith Point and the adjoining wetland. Many birds frequent the area, including a small shore bird — something like a sanderling — that nests in the grass and com- plains when I walk by. It bravely attempts to lure me away from the meadow side of the Riverwalk where the nests are. Great blue herons over- night in the tall grass. At various times of the year, Canada geese and a variety of ducks and terns inhabit the area. At least one eagle fishes from the area. FRIDAY EXCHANGE Thank you, Astoria City Council D uring the Astoria City Council meeting 7XHVGD\ WKH DSSUR[LPDWHO\ ¿YH\HDU long controversy over where to prosecute $VWRULD¶V 'ULYLQJ 8QGHU WKH ,QÀXHQFH RI Intoxicants (DUII) offenders was brought to an end. By a vote of 4-1, Astoria Police RI¿FHUV ZLOO QRZ FLWH '8,, RIIHQGHUV LQWR Circuit Court, as do all other law enforce- PHQWRI¿FHUVLQ&ODWVRS&RXQW\ Thank you, Councilor Drew Herzig, who was elected in 2012 after campaigning to end this controversy and who was the lone voice on council advocating that posi- tion — until now. Thank you newly elected Councilors Zetty Nemlowill and Cindy Price, who each also campaigned in favor of ending this controversy, and voted in accordance with Many amphibians live there, a chorus of frogs each twilight. Thousands of slugs and snails help to keep the meadow clean. Small groups of deer oc- casionally browse there. It has been a place rich in life. Since the expansion of the log-sorting operation and the addition of the truck-service yard (which has become a mud hole), I have seen almost none of the critters I met there. The logs keep encroach- ing on the meadow and the wetland. Heavy log-han- dling vehicles are stored on the wetland. Now, a large number of huge pipes (I believe they are dredge pipes) have been moved onto the meadow and the wetland, further reducing the inhabitable space while likely killing little critters that were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Port of Astoria should explain why they have allowed this and whether they have weighed the environmental impact of the commercial activity. Maybe the economic advantages of the activity outweigh the impact on the critters’ home. Personally, I don’t think so, nor, I sus- pect, would the critters. We should be mindful that the land belongs to us no more than it does to the critters. The logs and pipes should be removed from the meadow and wetland. The log and truck operations should be kept on the areas already paved without fur- ther paving to the west be- ing allowed. The meadow and the wet- land are or were a treasure. PAUL HAIST Astoria Pushback T he recent Astoria Plan- ning Commission’s town hall meeting left me with significant concerns. What characteristics of Astoria matter the most? There’s the stimulating mix of cultures: fishers and log- gers work with skill and cleverness, physical cour- age and brawn. Artists and intellectuals work with skill and cleverness, social and cultural courage and sensi- tivity. There’s a vital down- town business community. Visitors love this, and their spending helps us thrive. their stated positions. Thank you newly elected Mayor Ar- line LaMear, who cast the toughest vote. LaMear read a prepared statement at the be- JLQQLQJRIWKHGLVFXVVLRQLQZKLFKVKH¿UVW listed arguments in favor of keeping DUII prosecution in Astoria Municipal Court, but then went on to explain that she had become convinced it was in the best interest of Asto- ria to put this behind us, and that this was an important part of her wish to be inclusive in her administration. I believe the council’s decision was the right one, for many reasons. Therefore, WKDQN\RXDOOIRUSXWWLQJSXEOLFVHUYLFH¿UVW and foremost. SHEL CANTOR Astoria Every day we’re im- mersed in awesome beauty of the river and sky, and in dramatic and melancholy weather. Best of all, views of this are available from affordable homes as well as from the Riverwalk. The planning process proposes standards for ma- jor construction on the Co- lumbia between Second Street and the bridge. Such buildings would destroy many views from homes and from the Riverwalk. The views from homes mat- ter immensely: they’re why many of us are here. David Carter asked about views of ships. It was then admitted that views from homes were not considered, and his que- ry about ships was never even acknowledged. There’s a problem here. Please pro- tect all of the views. It was explained that the proposed restrictions for new buildings north of the Riverwalk are for smaller and lower structures than now allowed. That’s great. But why allow any? No mo- tivation was given in the presentation, but in discus- sion afterward, I heard ref- erence to a state requirement that 125 acres be available for development for wa- ter-dependent uses. We have such uses already. In fact, NOAA recently reported that the Astoria area topped the West Coast in pounds of fish landed. We’re doing enough. It’s time for major pushback against require- ments to do more. Reassurances were heard that there won’t be any de- velopment anyway, because building over water is too expensive. I hope that’s true, but it sounds like a sucker deal to rely on that. For another issue, con- trary to a proposed standard of concealing machinery along the Riverwalk, one of the great things about a working waterfront is see- ing interesting operations and equipment. I watch fish in the chutes between 11th and 12th streets. I love see- ing machinery. The brew pubs all have windows and glass doors so we can see. Are they making a mistake, or are they on to something? DAVID LEE MYERS Astoria Obama is MIA A over the fact that he failed to attend the massive an- ti-terrorism demonstration held in Paris recently. That’s when the leaders of some 40 nations joined the unprece- dented display of solidarity against the horrific mass murders there by Muslim extremists aka terrorists. There was wide-ranging and myriad number of reasons and/or excuses as to why the community organizer turned up MIA (Missing In Action) from that stunning show of civilized-world solidarity. Based on a reading of sev- eral public pronouncements he has made in the past and actions he has taken, I would venture that the empty suit in the Oval Office either is a closet Muslim himself or, at least, a strong sympathizer of the “Religion of Peace.” That’s the opinion of one American citizen — me — given freely in a nation that still protects the right of freedom of speech. E. ROBERT NASSIKAS Astoria Doomsday letter T he “Polluters should pay” letter in the Jan. 16 Daily Astorian is about as biased, untrue and hyper- bolic a doomsday article as any I have ever read. According to the writer, in 10 years the oceans are going to be destroyed by acid. The rising oceans will flood most of the world’s coastlines. War, pestilence, economic disaster, star- vation, homelessness and more will be everywhere. Society as we know it will be gone, forever. But, the writers miracu- lously have a solution. They say lil’ ol’ Oregon will save the world. How? Gas is too cheap. They want polluters (i.e. gas companies) to pay to pollute. They don’t have to stop polluting, just pay a fine. Then, we will have carbon fees, carbon mitiga- tion fees, higher taxes and on and on and on. Al Sharpton-style shake- downs of so-called polluters by extorting money from them for things that are never going to happen on that scale is coming soon. A company like Oregon Cli- mate has got to get funds from somewhere. Why not just try to scare everybody to death? The only solution that I see that will work in all honesty for such a predic- tion is to ban all internal combustion autos from our highways. Ban lawn mow- ers, weed eaters, barbecues, outdoor fires, generators, trimmers, heavy equipment, fertilizer and so on. Dire predictions require dire consequences. The problem of underpriced fossil fuels is a joke. Please, Oregon Climate go away! I worry more about our sun going super nova in a few million years. Now that’s societal disruption. STEVE SIMMONS Astoria Sense of place I am a born-and-raised Astorian, 32 years old, living there as recently as August. I just moved to 5A Wyoming to attend gradu- ate school for the next two years, studying historic preservation and sense of place. I would like to move back to an Astoria that val- ues historic buildings, fos- ters sustainable develop- ment, provides low-income housing and encourages community trust. These ide- als were loosely in place as I came of age in the 1990s. After the recent demolition of the historic Darigold building at Ninth and Duane streets, to make way for an expanded parking lot hole, I have begun to lose trust in Astoria’s leaders. Now they want to de- molish the historic Merwyn Hotel (aka Waldorf Hotel) in order to expand the pub- lic library. The proposed demolition of this historic, soundly built structure runs counter to every popular movement in Main Street USA. Demolishing histor- ic buildings erases a col- lective memory — erases it for all eternity. Adaptive reuse is smarter and green- er, but takes more thought, more dreaming. Buoy Beer Company is one recent ex- ample of Astorians daring to dream. Right now, the city lead- ers seem to value turning As- toria into some overpriced community for retirees. I’ve witnessed these same values turn Ashland, into a country club for the rich. This does not bode well for the future of Astoria. Young professionals will lose their sense of place in the city and look elsewhere for progres- sive small towns that value cultural heritage and social diversity over real-estate profits. Yes, the Merwyn sits empty. As does the haunted Flavel house on 15th and Franklin. What these vacant properties give Astorians is an imagination to dream. To ponder the “what ifs. …” A demolished building is noth- ing to dream about. CHUCK ADAMS Laramie, Wyo. Visit us online at www.DailyAstorian.com You Tube Join us! flood of criticism has been directed at the af- firmative action president PUBLIC NOTICE CMH ENT/Cosmetic Surgery Clinic to close Feb. 20, 2015 After two years of dedicated service, Dr. Christopher Nyte will be leaving Astoria and the CMH ENT/Cosmetic Surgery Clinic will be closing. Dr. Nyte will continue to keep scheduled appointments until Feb. 20, 2015, and will ensure that his patients have alternative options if they have been under his care. Any patients who have seen Dr. Nyte in the CMH ENT/Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in the past 2 years will be able to access their records through the CMH Medical Records department; the phone number is 503-338-7528. FREE! Fun for the whole family! Community Health Fair February 14, 9am-2pm Clatsop County Fairgrounds 92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria, OR Join the CMH/OHSU Cardiology Clinic on Valentine’s Day for a fun and informative, heart-friendly Community Health Fair. < Get basic health screenings. < Get advice from experts on heart health, medication interactions, orthopedic surgery and more. < Learn about local health & fitness programs. < Talk with local medical specialists. < Test your strength and balance. < Win prizes hourly! Fun for the whole family!! &YDIBOHF4USFFU"TUPSJB0SFHPOt XXXDPMVNCJBNFNPSJBMPSHt"1MBOFUSFF%FTJHOBUFE)PTQJUBM