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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 2015)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 Don’t sign petitions O ur freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution are being whittled away by the liberal Democrats. Are we once again to allow the liber- als to take away our freedom to choose? Presently the voters of Clat- sop County choose the Port of Astoria’s commissioners from a slate of prospective candi- dates. Both petitions that are being presented, if passed, will take away our freedom to choose whom our Clatsop County Port commissioners should be. The Port is an im- portant source of revenue for the whole county, not just As- toria or Warrenton. We should be allowed, as a county, to choose who these people are who will be the administrators of this public service, the Port of Astoria. Dianne Widdop, mayor of Gearhart, proposes that the governor of our state appoint the commissioners — appar- ently, she believes the voters are not intelligent enough to make good decisions or the right decision. Larry Taylor who is the chairman of the Democratic Party of Clatsop County, be- lieves that, again, the voters need help, so we should divide the county up into districts. If this passes, you will only be allowed to choose a candidate from your small district, not the whole county. Will we allow the liberal Democrats to take away our freedom to choose? It is up to you, Clatsop County voters, to stop them now. Don’t sign the petitions. Read them, be in- formed, by all means, but think of what you will give away if either proposal passes. KAREN CUSTER Seaside FRIDAY EXCHANGE 5A Mayor explains dog park postponement D ear Friends of the Dog Park, As you know, at the April 6 City Council meeting, we voted to de- lete our goal of supporting the building of a dog park here in Astoria for this ¿VFDO\HDU7KLVGHFLVLRQZDVQRWPDGH lightly, and I’d like to explain the rea- sons behind our decision. City Council goals are a road map for what the council believes we should work on for the year. They are devel- oped by the City Council to provide direction to the city staff for how we want them to use their time and mon- ey. A goal should be attainable, or should at least show some progress GXULQJ WKH ¿VFDO \HDU 'XH WR VWDI¿QJ DQG¿QDQFLDOOLPLWDWLRQVZHNQHZWKLV goal was unattainable for now, so we asked that it be deleted. Parks and Recreation Director An- gela Cosby has spent many long hours trying to develop a dog park. As you know, the search for a site has prov- en extremely frustrating. Site visits, community meetings, meetings with the Dog Park committee, phone calls, HWFKDYHEURXJKWXVQRFORVHUWR¿QG- ing a site. We thought we had at least a temporary site at John Warren Field, but we found out the site was going to be used for the Combined Sewer Over- ÀRZVWDJLQJDUHD You may remember that during the Eighth Street CSO project, all the sup- plies and equipment were stored at a lot at Eighth Street and Irving Avenue. This time the work is being done on WKWKVWUHHWVDQGWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQ company needed a staging area closer to their job site. We may still be able to use John Warren Field as a temporary dog park at the completion of the CSO project, but it won’t be this year. If we ZHUH DEOH WR XVH WKDW ¿HOG LW ZRXOG make start-up costs far less. There’s already established sod and also some fencing we could utilize. Ms. Cosby KDVHVWLPDWHGWKDWVKRXOGZH¿QGDVLWH and have to develop it from scratch, the start-up costs would be about $200,000 with annual maintenance costs of be- tween $16,000-$20,000. The city sim- ply doesn’t have that kind of money. The Parks Department is going to be working on a Parks Master Plan this year, trying to determine what the com- munity wants most in terms of parks and recreation services. If the dog park rises to the top, the Parks Board may decide we need to push for the dog park and perhaps eliminate some other ser- vices. I do know that many of the Parks Board members have questioned the development of any other facilities un- til we can properly maintain the parks that we have. Our decision to remove the dog park from city goals is not to shut down the LGHD:HKDYHVDLGWKDWGXHWRVWDI¿QJ DQG ¿QDQFLDO UHDVRQV WKH 3DUNV 'H- partment should no longer pursue this JRDOGXULQJWKH¿VFDO\HDU One suggestion might be to inves- tigate developing a dog park inde- pendently of the city. We seem to have run out of options for land owned by the city, but maybe a private own- er would donate some land, and you could build the facility with private funds. I’d be happy to donate to the cause! ARLINE LAMEAR Mayor of Astoria nue, as was suggested to the business association by their visionary for hire, the motto should be “go slow and keep the door bolted.” Even innocuous-sounding proposals, such as the enter- prise zone, should be looked at with a jaundiced eye, espe- cially since it requires part- nering with the bungling and self-serving Port of Astoria. ROGER DORBAND Astoria to: “Smell. Go. Let us know.” If you smell rotten eggs or hear a hissing sound, immediately leave the area on foot and then call 911 and NW Natural’s 24- KRXU HPHUJHQF\ OLQH DW Be safe this spring and be sure to call before you dig. TERESA ACCUARDI NW Natural community affairs manager Astoria Stop the sea lions U nfortunately, there has been a record-setting inva- sion of California sea lions this year. These mammals are not only loud and obnoxious, but WKH\ DUH QRW OHWWLQJ ¿VKHUPHQ get to their boats, and harming other tame animals. Without any state help, there needs to be a stop. These animals are a danger to society, and before something really bad happens, there needs to be change. It is just a matter of time before an adult or little kid goes running down to the dock and gets bitten or maybe even worse. These sea lions are a nuisance to Clatsop County because of their diet; they are killing salmon, which are es- sential to the Columbia River ¿VKHUPHQ DQG WKH HFRV\VWHP If we do not put a stop to these killers, it will get more out of hand than it already is. TYSON BURNARD Astoria I hear SeaWorld and other Pam Pearce held a training ses- demonstrate different rescue sion, open to public viewing. scenarios. They demonstrated marine entertainment parks She is a hard worker and takes their abilities to rescue an active are being pressured to release her job seriously. After all, how drowning victim, an inactive these wonderful mammals many aquatics managers do drowning victim, a submerged back into the wild. Astoria you know who lap swim during victim, a victim with a bro- could be a great location to the week? Why does she do ken neck, victims that weren’t host such a rehabilitation proj- this? Rather than run the pool breathing, and victims whose ect, and never worry about what to feed them, either. a guard short, she stands in for hearts had stopped. They exhibited knowledge Just a thought. guards who don’t show. That on how to use advanced life- THERESA ROBERTS doesn’t happen too often. 3DFL¿F&LW\ Guards who are either sloth- saving tools ... the external A valuable part ful, unreliable, or irresponsible GH¿EULOODWRUDQGSRUWDEOHR[\- believe a boatyard at the Port are let go. No nonsense with gen just as the CDC states they Dig safe of Astoria is an integral part her, and her teenaged guards should. I am impressed in a pring is in the air, and gar- of this community, and ought step up to the plate because of positive way. I am grateful for Excellent lifeguards it. They have adult responsibil- these professional lifeguards deners in Astoria will soon to be preserved and improved ccording to the Center ity, and they know it. One of who provide a safe environ- start working in their yards. by our Port, not dismantled. for Disease Control’s In- their lead guards is only 17, yet ment at our pool. The Port should honor its If that work includes digging, jury Prevention: Lifeguards KH¶V DSSO\LQJ WR EH D ¿UHPDQ DANE JACONETTI NW Natural reminds you to FRPPLWPHQWV WR WKH ¿VK SUR- KDYHDOZD\VSURYLGHG¿UVWDLG These “minors” are making Hammond ¿UVWFDOO²WKH8WLOLW\1R- cessors, Englund Marine, and as well as rescue. Cardiopul- things happen in their lives. WL¿FDWLRQ &HQWHU ² WR ORFDWH the other related industries monary resuscitation (CPR) and in our community. Too underground gas and other which have pledged to be a Money madness part of the Port complex, and DQG JHQHUDO ¿UVW DLG WUDLQLQJ young, you might say? Well, Orcas wanted utility lines. t’s springtime in Astoria, the are standard requirements for our grandparents went to war at ust a comment on the sea This is a free service and have put their moneys on the economy has improved, and most lifeguards. In addition, that age. Ask them if they think lion problem in Astoria and it’s not only a smart thing to line to do so. The boatyard is a the smell of money is in the many lifeguards are now both it’s too young to lifeguard. Newport: Rather than us hu- do to help prevent damage, it’s valuable part of this infrastruc- air. It’s an intoxicating scent to WUDLQHGDQGFHUWL¿HGWRXVHDG- Most of these guards are on PDQVFRQVWDQWO\WU\LQJWR¿QG the law. Once you call, a tech- ture and community. Shame on the Port for even development zealots, some of vanced lifesaving tools such as the swim team, and swim miles a way to reduce the sea lion nician will visit the property whom would drastically alter WKH H[WHUQDO GH¿EULOODWRU DQG each week. And it shows. There population, why not bring in within two business days to lo- considering dismantling this WKH SUR¿OH DQG GHPRJUDSKLF potable oxygen. were three stations around the a few orcas, since they are the cate your gas and utility lines. facility. JOSIE PEPER of our fair city. And all for the During spring break, As- pool that night. All the guards sea lions’ natural predator and If a gas line has been acci- Astoria sake of the one thing valued toria Aquatic Center Manager rotated to all the stations to a most tasty delicacy? dentally damaged, remember above all else: Money. H.L. Menken said, “When somebody says it’s not about the money, it’s about the mon- ey.” In the present circum- stance, if they say it’s about jobs and the community, it’s about money — money that will make rich developers and The 17 th Annual CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Celebration for 2015 at the investors richer, and will ulti- BRIDGEwater Bistro was a successful and enjoyable event, funding advocacy for a year for mately drive up our property taxes, displace old established up to 20 more children who need a CASA! Thank you to our generous sponsors, donors, EXVLQHVVHV ¿OO RXU VLGHZDONV and volunteers. You truly are making a positive difference in children’s lives. with strangers and destroy the small-town atmosphere that most of us love. Special Thanks To: A case in point is the pro- Ann & Tony Kischner posal of Great Ocean Capital Chef Geoff Gunn & the BRIDGEwater Bistro Staff Holdings LLC CEO Huy Ying Chen, who recently arrived in town with a broad vision that CELEBRATION 2015 SPONSORS & MAJOR DONORS would have made John J. As- tor giddy. In maturity, it would include an international airport Alice Stull Gary Gillam Sally LaCoste and a 30-acre visitor center Arline LaMear Gino Fellin Scott Reuter& Ann Lederer that he likens to San Francis- Bank of the Pacific Jeremy Rust Steve Emmons co’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Bill Logan John & Jan Nybakke Steve Forrester & Brenda Penner The ingredient missing in Bob & Gerry Swenson John & Janet Niemi Steve & Jody Heverly his vision is an understanding Burr & Sally Allegaert Knutsen Insurance The Samuel S. Johnson Foundation of what community and liva- Bruce’s Candy Kitchen LEKTRO, Inc. Ted & Wendy Osborn bility mean. Is he aware that Christine Lolich Martin Hospitality Inc. Tom & Marilyn Flanagan most resident San Franciscans consider Fisherman’s Wharf a Columbia Memorial Hospital NW Natural United Way of Clatsop County crass tourist trap, and avoid it Craft 3 Patsy & David Oser US Bank like the plague? Diane Heintz Raymond & Jennifer Lund Wauna Credit Union 7KH ¿UVW SKDVH RI &KHQ¶V Elizabeth Martin Roger Rocka & Jan Mitchell Wimahl Family Clinic proposal, creation of a pri- Elizabeth Stricklin Ron Borgardt William & Deborah Armington vately owned shipping port at Eric Paulson Tongue Point, is most seduc- tive because it promises jobs in the relatively short term. Food/Beverage Donors The purchase of North Tongue Point is particularly attractive Astoria Coffee House & Bistro Fulio’s Pastaria Peter Pan Market to the Port of Astoria, because Astoria Co-Op Grocery Harold Gruetzmacher Pizza a’fetta it would allow the Port respite from an onerous lease and Baked Alaska Jill Smith Raili Vedenoja compensation. Blue Scorcher Bakery & Café Jonathan Hoffman Sari Vedenoja-Hartman The danger of allowing a BRIDGEwater Bistro Marco Davis Seaside Brewing Company conglomerate of Great Ocean Bruce’s Candy Kitchen Marju Jaakola Tongue Point Culinary Class investors to plunk down $220 Buoy Beer Co. McKeown’s Restaurant & Bar PLOOLRQ RQ WKH ¿UVW SKDVH RI S A I I J CLATSOP CASA THANKS YOU! their project is that it gives them tremendous leverage to develop the rest of their vision. Political and economic lever- aging is the norm whenever big money from outside of the area is allowed to get a foot- hold. Witness the gyrations and duplicity that have result- ed from the Port of Astoria’s autocratic decision to open the door for Westerlund Log Han- dlers to export logs to China from Astoria’s waterfront. When dealing with those who want to bring Fisherman’s Wharf to Astoria, or wish to rebrand Astoria and make it more like Mississippi Ave- Our Thanks To: Hon. Judge Cindee Matyas Senator Marko Liias Dave Drury and Todd Pederson – Basin Street NW Duo Tongue Point Job Corps and Astoria High School youth volunteers Dan Arnoth Eventscape, LLC Coast Community Radio-KMUN Hits 94.3-KRKZ Ohana Media Group Clatsop CASA Board of Directors Christine Lolich, Board President Deborah Armington, Celebration Co-Chair Patsy Oser, Celebration Co-Chair Sherri Crawford Chris Dugan Jill Smith Sari Vedenoja-Hartman Christian Zupancic