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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016
Boone wins re-election to state House
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Daily Astorian
State Rep. Deborah Boone handily won a
seventh term in the state House Tuesday. She
bested Republican challenger Bruce Bobek,
a physician at Columbia Memorial Hospital
in Astoria.
House District 32 covers all of Clatsop,
most of Tillamook and a western portion of
Washington counties. Boone, who lives in
Hamlet, was first elected the district’s repre-
Jones takes
Astoria
council
position
By ERICK BENGEL
The Daily Astorian
Bruce Jones, a retired U.S. Coast
Guard commander, won a decisive
victory Tuesday over Cory Peder-
son for an east side seat on the Asto-
ria City Council.
Jones won 69 percent of the vote
to Pederson’s 30 and will succeed
City Councilor Russ Warr, a three-
term councilor who chose not to run
for a fourth term.
“I’m very happy for all the sup-
port I received,” Jones said, adding
that going door-to-door throughout
Ward 4 probably made a difference.
“I’m very much looking forward to
just serving on the City Council in
January.”
Jones, 56, will be joined by Tom
Brownson, the new south-side repre-
sentative who ran unopposed.
“Apparently there’s a mandate out
there … I clearly have one,” Brown-
son said, with a laugh.
Brownson, 63, a retired contrac-
tor, replaces former City Councilor
Drew Herzig, who moved with his
partner to Massachusetts in Septem-
ber before completing his first term in
Ward 2. For two months, the council
has had four members.
Mayor Arline LaMear and coun-
cilors Zetty Nemlowill and Cindy
Price are up for re-election in 2018.
Jones and Brownson, newcomers
to local politics, will join the council
at a time when the city faces a slew of
politically divisive issues.
Residents are split, for example,
on what to do about the aging library,
the fenced-in pit at Heritage Square,
the citywide shortage of housing
units and the place of tourism in the
growing local economy.
Come January, when the new
councilors are sworn into office,
LaMear will be the last remaining
figure on the council from the era of
former Mayor Willis Van Dusen, who
led the city for 24 years.
New dynamic
It is too early to know how the
new personalities will change the
City Council’s dynamic. The last two
years have been marked by occasion-
ally ideological clashes between Her-
zig, a liberal, and the more conserva-
tive Warr.
In contrast to the savagely fought
national election and some statewide
battles, the Jones versus Pederson
race was notably positive and cordial,
virtually barren of mutual criticism.
“I’m proud of the campaigns that
Cory and I ran,” Jones said. “I think
we both just focused on what our
positions were, and nobody attacked
each other, which I think is some-
thing we can both be very proud of.”
Pederson, a music teacher, said
the campaign season has been fun
and educational.
“In the end, like I told my wife, I
said, ‘It’s interesting, the process, just
to watch how it works. And whether
it works out or not, part of my thing
is to get my foot in the door and see
what happens,’” he said.
Pederson added that he plans to
keep track of issues in his ward and
in Astoria generally.
Jones ran a more visible and exten-
sive campaign than Pederson, whose
promotional signs mostly appeared in
Ward 4. Brownson, for his part, did
not make use of campaign materials.
None of the candidates ran on a
specific agenda. Rather, each in his
own way emphasized the City Coun-
cil process and the importance of
careful, balanced judgment. Brown-
son said his mission is to help keep
the important issues — from housing
to infrastructure — from stagnating.
“I’m really looking forward to
this,” Brownson said. “I think it’s
going to be a good council. It looks
like we have people that are certainly
not of the same mind except that I
think everybody wants to get some-
thing done. So I think we’re going to
be OK.”
sentative in 2004, replacing Elaine
Hopson. She had previously served
16 years as a legislative assistant to
seven different legislators, as well
as on the Clatsop County Board of
Commissioners.
Boone, who was not avail-
able for comment Tuesday, said
her main issues for running were
to protect education and public
safety, and to improve the region’s
economy.
“I basically wish Debby Boone
well,” Bobek said. “I was above
board, and I ran a positive cam-
paign. I appreciate all the people
who voted for me and helped me.”
Bobek, a physician and presi-
dent of the medical staff at Colum-
bia Memorial Hospital, decided in
January to run against Boone and
Deborah Boone
was unopposed in the primary.
He said his biggest challenge was
name recognition.
“The biggest problem I had was name
recognition, I think,” said Bobek, who last
held office as a Warrenton city commis-
sioner in the 1990s.
Bobek said there are a lot of issues in the
state and Clatsop County, from schools and
fishing to timber, that need to be addressed,
but that he and Boone share some opinions.
During his campaign, he espoused a fiscally
conservative but open philosophy, and has
said his focus was on improving health care
and education throughout the state.
Seaside School District Pot ban
voters back schools bond fails in
Three schools to move
Cannon
out of tsunami zone
Beach
to promote the bond, which, they said, was necessary
not only for the safety of the students but because of
the condition of the schools. Gearhart Elementary
School, Broadway Middle School and Seaside High
School were built with an expected life span of 45
By R.J. MARX
to 50 years. Each has been used beyond that span.
The Daily Astorian
Dougherty described the schools as unsafe, deterio-
rating and “very inefficient.”
SEASIDE — Seaside School District voters said
With a land gift of 80 acres from Weyerhaeuser
a resounding “yes” Tuesday to a $99.7 million bond
Co. in the East Hills, along with favorable inter-
to move three schools out of the tsunami inundation
est rates and a likelihood of lim-
zone.
ited matching funds from the state,
In a 65 percent to 35 percent
said “this was the best
vote, residents endorsed the plan to
‘I couldn’t be proponents
time” to pass the bond.
replace deteriorating schools at an
“It really shows that this com-
80-acre location in the city’s East
more proud of
munity cares about its kids, its
Hills adjacent to Seaside Heights
our community families and its economic prosper-
Elementary School.
ity,” said Gail Dundas of Vote Yes
“This victory belongs to our
for stepping
for Our Local Schools. “I’m still
community which had the fore-
just reeling from the wonder of it
sight to see how important high
forward and
all.”
quality schools are to the future
“We’ve very happy, “ said Sea-
of everyone who lives in the Sea-
making a
side School District Superinten-
side School District,” Superin-
truly historic dent Sheila Roley. “What I’m
tendent-emeritus Doug Dough-
is an incredible level of
erty said. “New schools benefit
decision that feeling
gratitude to our community and
the entire community, strengthen
our students, and the way peo-
our economy and, in this case, pro-
will improve
ple have come together to support
vide a safe place for all in an emer-
our students and our learning. It’s
gency. From retirees to those just
the lives of
a wonderful testament to how our
starting out, employees to busi-
children and
community operates.”
ness owners, children and families;
Next steps, Dougherty said in
education touches everyone and
families for
October, the school district would
strengthens the fiber and opportu-
the City Council for an
nity of our community.”
generations to approach
urban growth boundary expansion,
The bond came three years
a process joined by the county and
after a failed $128.8 million dol-
come’
the state. The expansion enabling
lar plan. The scaled-back proposal
roads and services could be com-
eliminated an auditorium, covered
Doug Dougherty
superintendent-emeritus
pleted within a year. Schools are
bleachers, long-term emergency
expected to be completed at the
shelters and a varsity playing field.
new location within four years.
The new bond equates to about
“Thank you to so many people who made this
$1.35 per thousand, a 37.5 percent total reduction in
happen for our kids,” Roley said.
cost from the previous bond. A home with an assessed
“I couldn’t be more proud of our community for
value of $200,000 would see a tax hike of about $270
stepping forward and making a truly historic decision
and a $400,000 home about $540.
that will improve the lives of children and families for
Advocates of the proposal, including Vote Yes For
generations to come,” Dougherty added.
Our Local Schools, presented a sustained campaign
Horning wins Seaside council race
infrastructure.
Horning estimated the cost of replacement at $5
million for each of seven at-risk bridges. Upgrades
could be financed by five-year city bonds, he has said.
SEASIDE — Tom Horning, a geologist who has
During the Ward 3 campaign, Johnson empha-
called for greater disaster preparation, defeated Sea-
sized his 16 years of council experience and past lead-
side City Council President Don Johnson on Tuesday.
ership on the budget committee and Plan-
“It goes to show that the public is expect-
ning Commission.
ing more actions toward tsunami prepared-
Johnson had said the city is doing a
ness than they’re receiving,” said Horning,
“great job” of preparing for the Big One
who serves on the city’s Planning Com-
with limited resources. He said the city
mission. “I’m looking forward to being of
should not only consider the dangers of a
service.”
potential tsunami, but remember storms
Johnson said he was “disappointed” and
come through much more frequently.
congratulated his opponent.
Johnson said Wednesday that the vote to
“I feel an honor and privilege to have
move the schools was “a wonderful thing.”
served the community and I’ll do my best
Ward 4 Councilor Seth Morrisey and
whenever called upon again,” he said. “It’s
Wards 1 and 2 Councilor Randy Frank ran
been great working with all the councilors
Tom Horning
unopposed and will retain their seats.
I worked for all these years. They’ve got
Morrisey previously served for two years, mak-
some great things in store for Seaside.”
ing this his first full-time term. He thanked his
Horning was with friends when he learned of the
constituents.
initial results.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with a talented
“We were all thrilled. I got a lot of hugs and a lot
city staff and caring City Council,” he said. “While
of people shook my hand,” he said. “I guess I’m really
we don’t always agree on the issues, we always work
gratified that the public feels confident enough to vote
together respectfully for the good of Seaside. Going
for me.”
forward, I encourage feedback and participation from
Horning said a tsunami is long overdue in Seaside,
residents over the next four years.”
and campaigned on building up the city’s evacuation
By LYRA FONTAINE
The Daily Astorian
Brown dominates in Gearhart mayor’s race
residents of Gearhart believe in and that’s what reso-
nated with our citizens, for sure.”
Shortman, a general contractor, ran in 2012
against Mayor Dianne Widdop. A full-time Clatsop
GEARHART — Matt Brown dominated the
County resident since 1979, he is semi-retired and
Gearhart mayor’s election with a convincing win
manages long-term rental properties. He
over Bob Shortman on Tuesday.
said he saw the mayor’s role as “a business
The candidates pitted two visions of
and management position.” He conceded
Gearhart and some sharp contrasts on the
the election Tuesday night.
direction of the city.
“I concede him the race and wish him
Two City Council candidates, Dan
the best of luck,” Shortman said. “I think
Jesse and Sue Lorain, ran unopposed.
the city will be in good hands with Mr.
“We’ve very excited,” Brown said from
Brown.”
New York City, where he was celebrating
Brown, 41, attended Gearhart Elemen-
the win and an award for Merchandiser of
tary School, Seaside High School and Lin-
the Year from the PGA of America. “Looks
field College, where he graduated with a
like we got a good percentage, for sure.”
Matt
degree in business. As a PGA professional,
Brown said the key was citizen involve-
Brown
Brown served at Astoria Golf & Coun-
ment. “We ran on a platform of citizens
try Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and
being involved, following our comprehen-
Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club before returning to his
sive plan, which is a blueprint for a sustainable, res-
hometown in 2006, where he lives with his longtime
idential Gearhart, and making common-sense deci-
sions,” Brown said. “That’s what the majority of
girlfriend, Julie Visser, also a native.
By R.J. MARX
The Daily Astorian
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Daily Astorian
A measure to ban marijuana sales
in Cannon Beach narrowly failed
Tuesday with a 51 percent to 49 per-
cent vote.
Astoria, Seaside and Cannon
Beach voters, meanwhile, over-
whelmingly approved a 3 percent
local tax on recreational marijuana
sales to support public safety.
In 2014, marijuana-legaliza-
tion Measure 91 passed with 63 per-
cent of the vote in Cannon Beach. In
July, a group of residents gathered
155 certified signatures and success-
fully brought forth Measure 4-179,
asking voters whether recreational
sales should be banned. Heading the
committee of residents were Jeremy
Randolph, Marlene and Gary Laws,
Nancy Giasson and Molly Edison.
In all, more than 50 cities and
counties across Oregon considered
banning marijuana sales Tuesday.
“The primary purpose of putting
the measure on the ballot was to let
the people of Cannon Beach vote on
it,” Randolph said.
Randolph said he was a prose-
cutor in Washington state and sup-
ported legalizing marijuana. “None
of us dealt with marijuana users com-
mitting crimes,” he said.
Randolph said he is not excited
about the prospect of marijuana
stores opening near his home, but
that the stores would not have a sig-
nificant effect on crime.
“People do not come to Cannon
Beach to buy marijuana,” he said. “If
they want to get high, all they have
to do is look at the natural beauty of
this area.”
The Cannon Beach City Coun-
cil had already voted 4-1 in July to
restrict marijuana sales to three sep-
arate commercial zones. Under the
ordinance, retailers could operate
downtown from Ecola Creek south
to Washington Street, midtown
from Harrison Street south to Elliot
Way and in Tolovana Park from
Delta Street south to the Sandcastle
Condominiums.
“To have marijuana sales in the
window downtown where there are
families, it seems out of character,”
Councilor Mike Benefield said at the
time. “It doesn’t seem like a proper
image for Cannon Beach.”
City Manager Brant Kucera said
marijuana retailers have waited to
apply for spots in Cannon Beach
until after Tuesday’s vote.
“They have so much access in
other communities, it doesn’t seem
to be a pressing need,” added Cham-
ber of Commerce Executive Director
Court Carrier in July.
Meanwhile, voters in Manza-
nita, home to Oregon Coast Canna-
bis, also rejected a ban on marijuana
businesses in city limits.
Pot taxes
Under Measure 91, the state set a
17 percent tax on all marijuana sales.
The measure also allowed cities to
tack on an additional 3 percent tax to
support public safety.
Some marijuana retailers have
been supportive of the local tax.
Nicholas Palazzo, co-owner of The
Farmacy in Astoria, said it’s only fair
that police get extra funding while
having to cover all the new mari-
juana stores.
Besides The Farmacy, there are
four other dispensaries operating in
Astoria, along with three in the plan-
ning stages. Seaside has four mari-
juana stores, with a fifth near the Ore-
gon Highway 103 turnoff for Jewell.
Warrenton, which has adopted
an ordinance restricting marijuana
stores to the east side of U.S. High-
way 101, has one in the planning
stages on East Harbor Drive. The
business was granted a license before
the restrictions came into place.