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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2016)
12A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016 Recall: Directors defended their actions Continued from Page 1A “We would like to thank all of the good citizens that sup- ported a united effort to recall WKUHH ¿UH ERDUG PHPEHUV´ Neuwirth said in a statement, adding that she was “outplayed and outspent.” “God bless the ¿UH¿JKWHUV YROXQWHHUV DQG police who protect us. Sorry we let you down. The people have voted. Enough said.” A volunteer for 30 years before becoming chief and a longtime member of the Can- non Beach Police Department, Balzer was locked out of his RI¿FHPHWZLWKDSROLFHHVFRUW while he gathered his belong- ings and sent home walking in the rain, Neuwirth said in Jan- uary. She and other signato- ULHVREMHFWHGERWKWRWKH¿ULQJ Joshua Bessex/The Daily Astorian and the manner in which it was Audrey JoHanson, left, stacks ballots before counting them at the Judge Guy Boyington done. Building on Tuesday. The dismissal Directors defended their actions, pointing to Balzer’s lack of administrative and lead- ership skills. The board members stated WKDWWKHERDUGKDGD³¿GXFLDU\ responsibility to those who elected them to provide a high level of oversight, particularly in matters of management and administration.” Balzer was dismissed ³ZKHQWKHPDMRULW\RIWKHGLUHF- tors, elected by district voters, became concerned about his ability to perform the admin- istrative skills required of the head of a public agency,” according to their statements. Smith had described Bal- ]HU¶V¿ULQJDV³VWULFWO\EXVLQHVV not personal.” ,Q 'HFHPEHU %DO]HU ¿OHG a civil suit in Clatsop County &LUFXLW &RXUW DJDLQVW WKH ¿UH district, seeking more than $525,000 in damages and his UHLQVWDWHPHQW DV ¿UH FKLHI He later amended the lawsuit to seek more than $677,000 in damages and the rein- statement of his employment EHQH¿WV That suit is scheduled for a MXU\WULDOLQ2FWREHU Weed: Tax will be on the ballot in November Continued from Page 1A There are already limita- tions in place, City Attorney Tammy Herdener said at pre- vious meetings. Dispensaries must be located more than 1,000 feet from schools. The prohibition does not apply to day care facilities or institu- tions like the Christian Confer- ence Center. 0DULMXDQD ZLOO EH RQ WKH ballot in November in any case, as councilors also voted 4-1 to approve a 3 percent tax on its sale, a tax that must be endorsed by voters. “Because we can tax doesn’t mean we should tax,” Vetter said in opposing the levy. Vetter, the sole dissenter, said it was unfair to single out or “burden a potential business even more” with an additional tax. “We’re not doing it to fat- ten our budget,” Cadwallader said. “The council would look for the 3 percent to be used for treatment and enforcement.” Initiative ahead? Among those who opposed lifting the ban was Marlene Laws, who led a petition drive WREDQPDULMXDQDVDOHVLQ&DQ- non Beach. Laws and oth- ers have pointed to the health risks, public safety concerns and impact on tourism. Along with a vote on the tax, if advocates of a ban can gather enough signatures, it could force a new vote, this time to override the council’s decision. “We will do an initiative,” Laws said after the meeting. Seidel: ‘I don’t accept them monitoring me’ Continued from Page 1A don’t want to prevent you from participating in the democratic process.” Seidel, an activist who is suspicious of government and authority figures, had WROG WKH MXGJH EHIRUH VHQ- WHQFLQJWKDWKHSUHIHUUHGMDLO to probation. “I don’t accept them monitoring me,” he said. 6HLGHO VWURQJO\ REMHFWHG to the mental health evalu- ation. He referred to doubts about his mental state as “gaslighting,” a term for psychologically manipulat- ing someone into thinking they are insane that origi- nated with the 1944 classic movie “Gaslight.” But Matyas told Seidel that he appeared disorga- nized at times and might benefit from an evaluation. Unusual trial The sentence followed an unusual trial where Seidel acted as his own attorney and Mayor LaMear, Police Chief Johnston and City Councilor =HWW\ 1HPORZLOO WHVWL¿HG DV witnesses for the prosecution. At the City Council meet- ing last June, Seidel wanted to speak about a plan to move an aging communications tower off Coxcomb Hill near the Astoria Column. He believes the city was too cozy with the LQÀXHQWLDO)ULHQGVRIWKH$VWR- ria Column and Verizon Wire- less on the deal, but has not been able to substantiate his convo- luted claims of corruption. Seidel missed the por- tion of the meeting that dealt with the communications tower, and when he tried to speak as the council was about to discuss the River- front Vision Plan, LaMear cut him off. Seidel announced he was making a citizen’s arrest of LaMear, and then John- ston, and was wrestled to the ground by Johnston after refusing to leave. Deputy District Attorney Steve Chamberlin played MXURUVDQDXGLRUHFRUGLQJRI the council meeting and a video Nemlowill had taken on her smartphone that doc- umented the disruption and arrest. Constitutional rights Rather than aggressively cross-examine the wit- nesses or present his own Road repairs: Review could cost $300,00 to $500,000 spent since 2003 to send a staffer to Washington, D.C., the committee Tuesday after- Brussels, Barcelona, Singapore noon. Baney said a contractor and the Gold Coast of Austra- might complete the review lia to research alternatives to by December, although she the gas tax, as reported by Wil- added that “we may need to lamette Week. The state shared buy a bit more time.” the tab for some of those trips The Oregon Department with conference sponsors. of Transportation estimated State Sen. Betsy Johnson, last year the review could cost D-Scappoose, was at the meet- $300,000 to $500,000. ing Tuesday, where a panel dis- Brown asked the Oregon cussed transportation spend- Transportation Commission in ing and funding ideas for 2017. November to launch the per- Johnson said the management formance review, with the goal review would address concerns of reassuring lawmakers about she frequently hears from busi- ODOT’s capabilities as the nesses and lawmakers. Legislature prepares to negoti- “It was, what are you buy- ate a transportation ing with the money, funding package in and do we have the 2017. That legisla- capacity to deliver?” tion could send hun- Johnson said. dreds of millions Johnson said that of dollars in addi- given the current tional funding to the pace of contract- agency. ing for the review, Concerns about WKH¿QLVKHGSURGXFW ODOT’s manage- might arrive too late ment were in the for lawmakers. Betsy spotlight last year, “I’m not being Johnson as Brown and a disparaging, but group of eight law- it’s a complicated makers negotiated a deal that undertaking,” Johnson said of would have raised the state gas the management review. “(Law- tax and vehicle registration fees. makers) come back in February The legislation would have and the package needs to start generated a total of $202 mil- PRYLQJRQWKH¿UVWGD\:H¶UH lion annually for state and local damn near out of time.” roads and repaid $400 million in State Sen. Lee Beyer, ERQGVIRUVSHFL¿FKLJKZD\SURM- '6SULQJ¿HOG DJUHHG LW LV ects listed in the bill. LPSRUWDQW WR ¿QLVK WKH UHYLHZ The proposal died soon in order for a transportation after it was unveiled, when funding package to proceed. ODOT director Matt Garrett “That’s really important to said during a hearing the plan get done hopefully by the start would not reduce carbon emis- of the legislative session in Feb- sions by the amount initially ruary, and I think you’re push- promised. ing it,” Beyer said. Both Beyer Lawmakers had raised con- and Johnson were in the group cerns about the agency’s man- of lawmakers who negotiated agement even before that hear- the 2015 transportation pack- ing, and the 2015 funding age with Brown. package would have required a The Capital Bureau is a col- performance audit of ODOT by laboration between EO Media WKH6HFUHWDU\RI6WDWH¶V2I¿FH Group and Pamplin Media The Legislature questioned Group. Hillary Borrud can be some of the agency’s spend- reached at 503-364-4431 or ing decisions, such as $65,000 hborrud@eomediagroup.com. Continued from Page 1A EO Media Group A review of the Oregon Department of Transportation in November by Gov. Kate Brown has yet to begin. Leg- islators say if the review in incomplete before the next session it could hamper work on a transportation plan. Joshua Bessex/The Daily Astorian Zachary Seidel gives clos- ing remarks to the jury during his trial at the Clat- sop County Courthouse Tuesday. Seidel acted as his own attorney with legal advice from attorney Tatja- na Queener (not pictured). ‘There’s a limit on what you may do on behalf of decorum.’ Consult a PROFESSIONAL Q: Zachary Seidel speaking to the jury evidence, Seidel, who was advised by attorney Tat- MDQD4XHHQHULQVWHDGDUJXHG that his constitutional rights to free speech, assembly and to petition government were violated and ques- tioned whether LaMear had the authority to order him to leave the meeting. LaMear, as the mayor, presides over council meet- ings and has the discretion over the agenda and pub- lic comment. Typically, the public is allowed to speak on individual agenda items and on broader topics at the end of meetings. The council has adopted, but does not always enforce, a three-minute time limit. Seidel insisted that he did not pose a violent threat and should have been allowed to finish his remarks even if they were out of order. “There’s a limit on what you may do on behalf of GHFRUXP´KHWROGWKHMXU\ JEFFREY M. LEINASSAR DMD, FAGD 503/325-0310 1414 MARINE DRIVE, ASTORIA www.smileastoria.com I was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Are there any dental problems that are associated with this disease? A : Diabetic patients are at a higher risk for dental problems and gum disease. These patients must adhere to a very closely monitored blood sugar level, follow the recommendations and prescriptions from their physician, AND take exquisite oral hygiene care of their teeth and gums. This is not the time to be lackadaisical. You must be on top of your game!!!! I project my Q: Can computer screen to my flat screen TV? LEO FINZI See a good deal on a computer? Shop LOCALLY. 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