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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 Puffing about nothing 5A Frank and his magic tricks T he scenario being played to recall Gearhart Mayor Dianne Widdop, and the hi- larious cast of characters who are staging it, prompts me to recall the popular TV show Seinfeld. A clever comedy with a consistent theme; each episode was about nothing. This local sitcom amounts to be nothing more than some VSLWHIXO SXI¿QJ DERXW QRWK- ing. Vote no on the recall. DOROTHY WELL Former Gearhart City Council member Gearhart B orn April 13, 2009, the handsome black and tan bloodhound named Frank, passed quietly into the night March 1, 2015, in the arms of his best friend, George Gideon. +HVSHQWWKH¿UVWZHHNVRIKLVOLIHZLWK his folks in Warrenton, and it was there that he met the love of his life, George. With his droopy red tinged eyes, foot-long ears and size 12 paws, he was a superb ex- ample of doggy handsomeness. Frank and George went on long trips together, and )UDQNKDG¿YHVWDWHVXQGHUKLVFROODUE\ the time he was 3 years old. It was called to his attention at one point that only three states counted because he did love the occasional snooze and George felt one should actually be conscious for the state to count. A lifelong carnivore was by no means a snob about food. His general philosophy was that if he could get it past his volup- tuous jowls, it was worth the effort. The only time I ever saw him hesitate to eat something, his friend remembered, was when someone had given him a large eel. I watched him play with it for some time, but never saw him swallow the thing. I found it about three weeks later buried in the back of my van. Frank acted like he’d never seen it, but I think he was lying. Though not formally educated, Frank ZDVDYHU\VPDUWER\+HFRXOG¿QGKLV ZDWHUERZOXQDLGHG¿JXUHRXWZKHUHWKH ball was (although, he could care less be- cause he had no intention to run after it or carry it around in his mouth). He could sit on demand, wag his tail without thinking and drool on cue. When his registration Abuse of master plan T he Port of Astoria com- missioners are deaf to anything but their own, nar- row vested interests. Un- less they hear from more of us, they will continue their abuse of the balanced master plan, and some of their lon- gest and most authentic ten- ants, who invested millions under it. The most recent insult is the threatened closure of the boatyard. It is clear to most of us, and to state agencies, that Port commissioners are intent on using the need to clean up their own historic toxics to serve themselves. They blame the boatyard so they can eliminate it, and cov- er the area with yet more logs to ship to foreign users. The commissioners have insulted — and abandoned all pretense of supporting — Englund Ma- rine and the Bornstein opera- tions. Had the voters under- stood that those who ran for the commission were in thrall to local lumber ex- port interests, or to a sin- gular focus on the needs of longshoremen, things might have been different now for the future of the Port. It has been hard to find solid local people to run for Port commissioner, as the forces for these two interests are so thoroughly enmeshed and direct staff priorities, as staff must do as they’re told. Particularly for those of us who live in Astoria, we sup- port growth and development that recognizes and honors WKH KLVWRULF ¿VKLQJ LQGXVWU\ This city welcomes appropri- ate and mixed industrial and commercial uses, and sees them to be of immense value. Yet the Port pursues the nar- row and short-term self inter- est of a few. What will it take to make any impression on this Port Commission? They’ve made the western end of the com- PXQLW\¶V 5LYHUZDON GLI¿FXOW to access and unpleasant, and seem to be doing everything to drive people away. Maybe that’s so we won’t see what is happening? Take a walk, citizens of Clatsop County. JAN MITCHELL Astoria FRIDAY EXCHANGE walking on eggshells, the only WKLQJOHIWLVD¿JXUHKHDG$QG of course, then money steps in and runs the show. We seem to be taking a cue from the na- tional playbook. Unfortunately, The Dai- ly Astorian chose to fan the ÀDPHV E\ JLYLQJ IURQW SDJH headline coverage to the innu- endos and petty accusations, long before bothering to give Mayor Widdop a decent ar- ticle. Soon enough, people were so confused, that we now have to have a divisive and expensive recall election. I guess creating the circus sells papers? If Mayor Widdop is re- called, it will not stop there. Other wonderful Gearhart FLW\ RI¿FLDOV KDYH UHVLJQHG because of this very type of intimidation. It’s time for us to stand with our mayor and say: No. No more bullying. No special favors. No recall. Please vote no. CAROL LUCAS Gearhart Submitted photo George Gideon and his friend, Frank. papers came from the American Kennel Club, they had sent along a pamphlet on EORRGKRXQGVDQGWKH¿UVWFKDSWHUZDVWL- tled, “Welcome to the Wonderful World of Bloodhounds,” you’ll never have a clean house again. Frank was very good at magic tricks, which he occasionally would demon- strate. By my count, three whole pies, a couple dozen steaks and a 5-pound meat loaf that had been cooling on the count- er, had all disappeared. I don’t remember them ever reappearing! Putting all of these achievements aside, Frank’s greatest quality was his ability to show me love. Pure and simple, basic and overwhelming love for his pals. That love was gratefully returned in kind. Mayor Widdop has her own hidden agenda: New, and/or pending ordinances; burning permits for resi- dential fire pits, short-term rentals, mandatory garbage, a new pending recreational vehicle parking ordinance. All unnecessary. All of these are a “solution” where there is no problem. The “Restore Trust” movement to recall May- or Widdop has been based on full facts and integri- ty supported by Oregon’s secretary of state. These values are not going away in the last few days of this recall election, and need to be re-established with the Frank also had the uncanny ability to make me feel like Einstein, even though my IQ can hover around room tempera- ture. At times, he could also make me feel like a superhero if I got my boots tied cor- UHFWO\WKH¿UVWWLPH You see, Frank wasn’t just a dog; he wasn’t a pet or possession, a conversation piece or a burden. Frank was my friend. I’ve had some great (human) friends in my life, and they know who they are. Frank knew who I was, it was like he was put on this earth to make me happy, and he GLGDPDJQL¿FHQWMRE It was a bit hard in the recession like a lot of us were: lost some property, stock, ¿OH IRU EDQNUXSWF\ QR UHWLUHPHQW LQ WKLV lifetime, but through it all, I like to think I handled it well — it’s one of life’s little tsunamis that you either give up or you survive. This is something that did matter. I mean, who else is going to look at me like I’m a genius or a superhero. You were my hero, Frankie. It was my great fortune to know you and to love you, and you will live in my heart and in my memories for- ever. Adios, my friend. In lieu of milk bones, Frank would want you to take some time each day to give a gentle pat or a loving hug to your friend, and maybe, occasionally leave the room while a meatloaf is cooling. A special thanks to Dr. Hasse at Safe Haven Vet Hospital and her staff for their kindness and help at the worst of times. And thank you to Laroy and Katie Smith for their love and support. GEORGE GIDEON Seaside election of a new mayor in Gearhart. You can read more at Re- storeTrustGearhart.com, We spoke to residents for three full months. Most want a successful recall — we’re called the “Silent Majority.” Please join all of us and vote yes to recall Mayor Di- anne Widdop. HAROLD T. GABLE, DMD Gearhart Insulting behavior N o one can deny that Astoria has been bless- ed with great abundance — scenery, activities, good people, etc. However, abun- dance is not always benefi- cial. For example, we seem to have an unending pool of incompetent, self-serv- ing, uncooperative political hacks ready to run for a po- sition on our Port of Astoria Commission. Once there, it appears that whatever ex- pertise they might have had immediately disappears, leaving the voters to ques- tion why they ran. This is not a new phe- nomenon. It has been going on for years. For some obscure rea- son, our commissioners cannot seem to recognize a good money-making deal when they see one; for ex- ample, existing business ex- pansion. And yet they cling with a death grip to money losers like the Astoria Riv- erwalk Inn. Beyond the incompe- tence of the commission is the issue of trust. The com- mission said it wanted a strong maritime service — including a boat lift — and on the strength of this plan, it sweet-talked England Ma- rine and Columbia Pacific Marine Repair into moving nearer to the boatyard. Moving these businesses could not have been conve- nient, nor inexpensive, and the commissioners should have been grateful to have solidified their plan for the maritime hub, but that has not been the case. Like small children with shiny toys, the commission was distracted by the offer of more money from another source: logging companies. Lord knows, I’m not against the Port making money. In fact, that would be an unexpected and un- precedented experience for local taxpayers, but I don’t believe it must be “logs or nothing.” I believe that di- versity is the proper direc- tion, and keeping promises is key to having good oper- ations. If the Port of Ilwaco, Wash., can have a success- ful boatyard, there is no rea- son that Astoria cannot have one, too. Our new Port manager has not had an opportuni- ty to show his capacity for leadership, but he is not off to a very good start when he practices a “smoke and mirrors” and a misdirec- tion campaign to unilateral- ly remove our boat lift and yard. He will not last long by insulting us with the be- lief that we are too stupid to understand what he and the commissioners are up to. “The DEQ made me do it” is not an acceptable an- swer. KEN CHAPMAN Astoria ReÀections and going forward I have been coming to Gearhart with my family to visit my stepmother, El- eanore Latourette since the early 1970s. We’ve had our own home in Little Beach since the mid-1980s, so I feel I have inherited the long-standing Gearhart mindset that I love: Unwind and enjoy the quiet lifestyle beach. Are you confused? of the After attending Gearhart re you confused? It’s re- City Council meetings for ally simple. If you live in the past year, I have pieced Gearhart, and love it like it is, together the bigger picture. you must vote to keep Mayor In summary, this wonderful 'LDQH :LGGRS LQ RI¿FH /HW lifestyle is being taken away me tell you why. under the administration of Much more is at stake Mayor Dianne Widdop. We here than the mayor’s of- really need a new mayor. fice. Gearhart has a com- In 20 years of city gov- prehensive plan, laws and ernment, the last two as elections; all of which mayor, Mayor Widdop has are threatened. Unfortu- learned very little about nately, Gearhart has some city council and how it mean-spirited people, let’s functions. She has no un- just call them the Barn Bul- derstanding of, or the im- lies, who, when it became portance of, following Rob- clear they would not be al- ert’s Rules of Order, making lowed to operate outside the many in the audience won- law, joined forces and chose der: “Was that done correct- to attack. They have resort- ly?”; “Is this going to be le- ed to lies, innuendos, legal gal?”; “What are they doing threats and martyr behavior. up there?” Gearhart’s city I have attended a number of attorney offers little, if any, city meetings and seen these guidance to help sort out the folks in action. chaos. We are a very small town. There is a repeated vot- 2XU HOHFWHG RI¿FLDOV LQFOXG- ing pattern consisting of the ing Mayor Dianne Widdop, same individuals in a 3-2 are unpaid volunteers. May- decision each time. It’s as or Widdop is both dedicated if the decisions were made and intelligent. She believes ahead of time, in what’s strongly in keeping the Gear- called in the corporate world hart that we know and love, a “daisy chain.” All perfect- alive and well. ly legal, but it doesn’t pass I am concerned about a cli- the smell test. It has become mate where political correct- clear that we have a major ness masks as a front for keep- blockade in service to the ing politicians from having citizens of Gearhart. Resi- any opinions. By effectively dents’ comments are not re- gaging them, by censoring spected as valuable during their every word and keeping City Council meetings, or at them constantly on guard and coffee with the mayor. Get your remodel rolling today. 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