3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016 State elections director resigns College support position with little explanation programs receive Williams cited ‘personal reasons’ By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau 6$/(0 ² 2UHJRQ (OHF- tions Director Jim Williams suddenly resigned Tuesday, citing “personal reasons.” “I appreciate the opportu- nity to have served the secre- tary of state and the people of Oregon for the past two-and- a-half years,” Williams wrote in a resignation letter. “I take pride in all that we accom- SOLVKHGLQWKH(OHFWLRQV'LYL- sion during this time and to have been a part of many his- torical election events and activities. I will forever cher- ish those moments and my experience here.” “Unfortunately, I am unable to continue my role in this agency for personal rea- Williams has been direc- WRU RI WKH (OHFWLRQV 'LYLVLRQ since October 2013. Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins has selected Brenda Bayes to serve as interim elections director. She pre- viously worked under Wil- liams as the deputy director of candidate and campaign services. “With Jim’s resignation as our elections director yes- terday, I want to reiterate my FRQ¿GHQFH LQ DQG VXSSRUW IRU RXU QHZ ,QWHULP (OHF- tions Director Brenda Bayes, Jim Williams WKH HQWLUH WHDP LQ WKH (OHF- tions Division, and our part- sons,” he wrote. Asked whether Wil- ners at the county elections liams was forced to resign, RI¿FHV´ $WNLQV ZURWH LQ DQ a spokeswoman for the Sec- email to staff members. Bayes will serve as interim UHWDU\ RI 6WDWH¶V 2I¿FH VDLG she was not authorized to elections director until the new secretary of state takes comment. “There is very little I can RI¿FH LQ -DQXDU\ :KHQ D say except this is a personal director is chosen, Bayes will matter,” said Molly Woon, return to her former position D 6HFUHWDU\ RI 6WDWH¶V 2I¿FH as deputy director. Gov. Kate Brown, then the spokeswoman. secretary of state, hired Wil- liams in October 2013. Wil- liams then had more than 20 years of experience in three states. He was executive secretary of the Cleveland &RXQW\ (OHFWLRQ %RDUG LQ Norman, Oklahoma, before joining the Oregon Secretary RI6WDWH¶V2I¿FH%HIRUHWKDW he worked for the Denver (OHFWLRQV'LYLVLRQDQG$XWR- PDWHG (OHFWLRQV 6HUYLFHV D New Mexico company that provides elections systems support. As deputy director, Bayes RYHUVDZ VWDWH FDQGLGDWH ¿O- ings, processing initiatives and referendums and cam- SDLJQ¿QDQFHUHODWHGHOHFWLRQ law enforcement, and pub- lication of the voters’ pam- phlet, among other duties. 6KHKDVZRUNHGIRUWKH(OHF- tions Division since 1991. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. federal funding Last year, Talent Search served more than 670 stu- Clatsop Community Col- dents in eight high schools lege has received a $322,000, and middle schools in Asto- ¿YH\HDUJUDQWIURPWKH86 ria, Warrenton, Seaside and 'HSDUWPHQW RI (GXFDWLRQ WR Knappa. continue funding the Talent “Talent Search has pro- Search Program, which pro- vided services to thousands of YLGHV VXSSRUW WR ¿UVWJHQHUD- ORZLQFRPH ¿UVW JHQHUDWLRQ tion college students. college participants in Clatsop Talent Search is one of two County,” said John Graves, federally-funded precollege who recently became director programs used for more than of Upward Bound and Talent 20 years. The other is Upward Search, replacing the retiring Bound. Both serve low-in- Robert McClelland. “We are FRPH DQG SRWHQWLDO ¿UVWJHQ- thrilled to be able to continue eration college students. to encourage and support stu- The programs focus on dents to graduate from high academic achievement, col- school, and enroll in and com- lege and career preparation, plete college.” ¿QDQFLDODLGIRUSRVWVHFRQG- ary education, student advo- OREGON CAPITAL cacy and community and cultural exposure. In addi- Get the inside tion, tutoring services and scoop on state government skill-building workshops are and politics! provided. The Daily Astorian INSIDER Clatsop Post 12 Astoria 911 dispatchers recognized The Daily Astorian Three Astoria 911 dis- patchers were recently hon- ored at an Astoria Police staff meeting for their superior performance. Summer Bartlett received a distinguished service com- mendation. Candace Pozdol- ski and Melanie Hughes each received a notice of recognition. Bartlett was recognized for her performance on December 14, 2015, when she handled a residential VWUXFWXUH ¿UH PLVVLQJ DQG endangered elderly resident and a hit-and-run involving a grade-school child all during an early morning shift. Bartlett dispatched four GLIIHUHQW ¿UH GHSDUWPHQWV WR WKH VWUXFWXUH ¿UH DQG WKHQ coordinated multiple agen- cies to search for the missing Submitted Photo Dispatchers Summer Bartlett, left, and Candace Pozdolski and Melanie Hughes were honored for their work. elderly person. It required the coordination of city, county, state and federal partners. Pozdolski and Hughes were recognized for their teamwork and multitasking abilities during a domestic disturbance call October 11, 2015, which involved the dis- FKDUJHRID¿UHDUP Multiple law enforcement XQLWVZHUHVHQW¿UHDQG(06 were staged out of harm’s way, and a perimeter was established to locate the sus- pect, according to police. A search of the residence also uncovered a World War II grenade which required the response of the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad. “I could not be prouder of these three 9-1-1 profes- VLRQDOV´ (PHUJHQF\ &RP- munications Manager Jeff Rusiecki said in a statement. “We have a highly trained and dedicated staff and so often take the great work they do daily for granted. This was an excellent opportunity to recognize these three for some extraordinary work.” BBQ Pork Rib Dinner with Baked Beans, Veggies, Coleslaw & Cornbread Friday July 22 nd $ 8 00 4 PM Until Gone 6 PM “Karaoke Dave” Saturday , July 23 rd 90 th Birthday of the Doughboy Monument “Doughboy Over the Top at Cantigny” Presented to the City of Astoria by Clatsop Post 12, The American Legion on July 21, 1926 PM: Re-Dedication of the Monument at The Doughboy PM: Reception/Dinner/Birthday Cake 3 4 at Clatsop Post 12 Program to include: • Displays on Post 12 and Cantigny, France • Memorial of the Fallen in The Great War • Charter Members of Clatsop Post 12 5 PM : Dinner 6 PM : Ed Chase, DJ (until gone) American Legion | Clatsop Post 12 1132 Exchange Street All is open to the Public including Program, Memorial and Dinner FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED M ore than just paints, stains and janitorial supplies! Pool, Spa & Fountain Packing Materials BACK SUPPORTER MATTRESS SPECIALS! 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