OPINION
6A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016
At the PAC, for the PAC
W riter’s
N otebook
By DENISE REED
For The Daily Astorian
T
he PAC refers to the Clatsop
Community College Performing
Arts Center on the corner of 16th and
Franklin in Astoria.
So what is our — the PAC partners — goal
The building was once a church, then the for the center? When we came together origi-
college bought it and converted it to a per- nally our goals were set out clearly: to preserve
forming arts center, housing classes in music, the PAC for rehearsals for all of the volunteer
dance and drama, as well as rehearsals and members of the community who played, sang,
performances.
acted and danced there, and to offer affordable
For years, it was not used for this purpose entertaining concerts for the community.
when the college eliminated its performing
Our long range goals included the offer-
arts department. Several community groups ing of music, dance, and drama instruction
have continued to meet and rehearse in the LQVRPHIRUP¿OOLQJWKHYRLGOHIWE\WKHFRO-
facility.
lege. Not only the partners, but many scholarly
For a period of time, it has also been used authorities, believe that education in the disci-
by other college programs and department plines of the performing arts is essential for the
RI¿FHV )RU WKH ODVW IRXU WR ¿YH \HDUV YRLFH development of members of a discerning and
and piano courses have been taught there, and empathetic society.
students receive college credit for these les-
We want the PAC to be more than a “com-
sons and for participation in the chorale and munity center” but a place where the commu-
orchestra.
nity can come together and practice, listen to,
Many new residents of the community are and perform together. That is the key, not just
unaware of the PAC’s present usage and its discussion of problems that may arise in all
history as a vibrant facility associated with our communities, but working, singing, playing,
college.
and performing together. This is what makes
The center’s partners have revised the a community.
facility to be used for what the col-
Through the years since com-
lege initially bought it for.
ing to Astoria in 2007, I have heard
“Bach Around the Clock,” an
many stories relating happy mem-
all-night event the showcased com-
ories of happenings at the PAC.
munity performing arts, was the
Organ lessons and student dance
¿UVWHYHQWDLPHGDWUDLVLQJIXQGVWR
recitals are just a few.
maintain the facility.
The wife of the former organist
This event came after a ruling
at Trinity Lutheran Church, which
the PAC would no longer be an
purchased the organ long before
entity of the college with college
the college bought the church and
programs since there was no lon-
turned it into a performing arts cen-
ger a performing arts department.
ter, related to me that on Christ-
Denise
We were urged to come together
mas Eve, the church had to hold
Reed
to decide if we wanted to continue
three services to accommodate
our programs (rehearsals and concerts). At all of the community members who came to
one time the college received funds from the this event. Other community members spoke
government for members of the community about bringing their children, who are now in
who participated in community groups that their 50s, to brown bag concerts. Many stories
met at the PAC. This was stopped, I believe abound about those who performed and prac-
when federal and state funds began to dry ticed at the facility as well. Maybe you have a
up.
story to tell about your experiences. I would
“Bach Around the Clock” was followed love to hear about them and perhaps compile
by a revival of the musical “Hitching,” by a book of events through the years at the PAC.
local Brownsmead Flats. Even before these
The PAC partners are accessed a fee by
special events, the North Oregon Coast Con- the college to practice and perform at the cen-
cert Band, the North Coast Chorale, and the ter, consequently each month we are counting
North Oregon Coast Symphony continued to beans to make sure this community facility
rehearse at the center weekly and held several stays above ground. Many of us volunteer in
concerts a year. There were other local com- the areas of maintenance and custodial clean
munity members who also maintained regu- up.
lar concert programing at the PAC, before the
It is the perfect space for the community
college became interested in divesting itself events that occur there, and we would like
from this facility. When this happened, the to keep it as a community venue, just as it
group of regular users of the facility stepped is but with necessary upgrades. We need the
up to the plate and was intent on saving the help of the community for this to happen.
center for rehearsals of community organi- Please support our efforts by attending con-
zations and for affordable concerts for the certs, plays, lectures and other events that are
community.
there. Become a sponsor. The PAC building is
Since then, there have been several drama a part of the community, let’s keep it for the
productions, individuals from inside and out- community.
side the community have performed here in
Denise Reed is the director of the North
support of keeping the doors open.
Coast Chorale, an adjunct instructor at Clat-
This brings us to the fact that the size of the sop Community College, sits on the board of
PAC is perfect for small community events, the Oregon Humanities and is a special con-
speakers, singers and instrumentalists.
tributor to The Daily Astorian.
Denise Reed/For The Daily Astorian
The stage at the Performing Arts Center.
It is the perfect space for the
community events that occur there,
and we would like to keep it as a
community venue, just as it is but
with necessary upgrades.
Open forum
Support recall
expressing their support for Balzer. A number
n recent newspaper articles and letters to the of similar letters from community members
editor, the board of directors of the Cannon were also given to the board.
Beach Rural Fire Protection District has repeat-
7KH PDLOHU KLJKOLJKWV ¿UH GLVWULFW DFFRP-
HGO\GHIHQGHGWKH¿ULQJRIWKHFKLHIDVDPDWWHU plishments over the past 20 years, all of them
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nity. Fiduciary responsibility is taking care of and chief, while ignoring his contributions. The
another’s matters, in this case our public safety. mailer states that the recall will only appease a
It requires trust, honesty and good faith.
small group of people not associated with the
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ELOLW\WR0LNH%DO]HUE\¿ULQJKLPZLWKRXWDGH- than 150 Cannon Beach residents who signed
quate cause. In doing so, they’ve also violated the recall petitions. As Cannon Beach residents
WKHLU ¿GXFLDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ WR WKH FRPPXQLW\ and taxpayers, we are all associated with our
by exposing it to thousands of dollars of extra ¿UH¿JKWHUV
expense and a wrongful termination lawsuit.
$V D IRUPHU ¿UVW UHVSRQGHU , DP PRVW
Board members continue to dodge their respon- SURXG RI RXU YROXQWHHU ¿UH¿JKWHUV DQG WKHLU
sibility by continuing their assault on Balzer and service, leaving their families and putting their
his supporters in print and social media.
own lives at risk to protect our community. It
Many of the letters and articles are based on is well past time for a change in the Cannon
misinformation, mistruths and plain untruths. Beach RFPD board of directors. Please vote
Over the past years, Cannon Beach residents “yes” to support the recall.
have all observed Balzer doing what he was
ERIC REITER
hired for, to protect our community, even as he
Tolovana Park
was being assigned a myriad of extra tasks by
board members, without the necessary support
to complete them. It is an interesting side note *et ÀuorLGe out
that the board, in its March meeting, voted to
aving the courage to stand up for your
fund a matching grant from the Special Dis-
beliefs is something we all strive for. Hav-
tricts Association of Oregon (SDAO) to hire ing the science to support your convictions is
an intern to assist the chief with his adminis- HTXDOO\ LPSRUWDQW WRR :KHQ WKH SUR ÀXR-
trative duties.
ride editorial appeared on March 14, I was left
Cannon Beach voters recently received wondering how a sensible dialogue regarding
a mailer signed by the three members facing WKHSUHVHQWVWDWHRIZDWHUÀXRULGDWLRQLQ$VWR-
recall. In it, they claim to have received only ria could continue (“Thank you LaMear, Price
VL[ OHWWHUV IURP ¿UH¿JKWHUV VXSSRUWLQJ FKLHI and Warr,” The Daily Astorian).
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, GLGQ¶W VHH DQ\ UHVHDUFK RQ ZDWHU ÀXRUL-
¿JKWHU(ULN0H\HUSUHVHQWHGDSDFNHWFRQWDLQ- dation in the article. Since being diagnosed
LQJ OHWWHUV VLJQHG E\ &DQQRQ %HDFK ¿UH- with hypothyroidism in the mid-1990s, I try
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such things as water, toothpaste, foodstuffs,
etc. One of the latest and largest epidemiolog-
ical studies in England showed “higher levels
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contribution for predicting the prevalence of
hypothyroidism.”
:KDWHOVHGRZHNQRZDERXWLQJHVWLQJÀX-
oride? Plenty. The Department of Health and
Human Services lowered the recommended
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Astoria done this? Since the typical target of
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ing to publicly medicate a small group with
absolutely no controls in place?
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and get it out of our water supply. Councilor
Zetty Nemlowill was right in bringing this to
the table.
THOMAS OWEN
Astoria
No thanks
T
he news that the grocery store we fre-
quent is being replaced by a brew pub?
That is the last thing we need, and will change
the fabric of this small but close-knit commu-
nity. I must say that I am in shock that this has
been passed (“Brew pub plan gets conditional
go-ahead,” The Daily Astorian, March 14). It
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It is not in the best interest of the peo-
ple who live in Gearhart. My husband and I
strongly object to this ridiculous approval by
members of the Planning Commission. There
are more places to get a beer than one can
count, so leave Gearhart out.
LIZ AND ED MEANEY
Gearhart
Vote no recall
P
lease vote no on the recall of three
Cannon Beach fire board directors. I
support the Cannon Beach Fire District
Board of Directors, as do the majority of
the fire district officers at our last officers’
meeting.
In the 10 years I have been a volun-
teer for the fire department, this board has
always been there for us and the district
taxpayers. They are very supportive of the
fire fighters, and have always made the
effort to give us the best equipment and
training available.
Recalling three of these directors, and
turning control of our district over to the
Clatsop County Commissioners, will not
benefit the fire department, or the taxpayers
of our district. Again, please vote no.
BRIAN SMITH
Lieutenant, Cannon Beach Fire & Rescue
*ooG neZs"
T
he news of the great number of vis-
itors to Astoria from cruise ships is
quite exciting, and what a great boost for
our merchants — however, I wonder if Ore-
gon LNG sets up shop, will the cruise ships
still visit us, or just go on by? It is possible
they will cross us off their list of ports to
visit, and we will lose that added boost to
our economy.
Do we really need that big bomb sitting
there in our yard, just waiting for a mishap
to cause ignition? I wonder if it’s really the
right thing for us.
DON V. JOHNSON
Astoria
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