THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017
Got Dirk?
urge all voters to vote for Dirk
Rohne for Port Commission No.
I
2.
Dirk has proved his sincere
interest in community service and
vaulted leadership during his years
on the Clatsop Community Col-
lege Board and as a Clatsop County
Commissioner.
He is intelligent, thoughtful and
fair in his decision making. He will
serve our community well and help
lead the Port into the future.
Got Dirk?
RUSSEL HUNTER
Astoria
Campbell has integrity
he May 16 election is critical
for the future health and direc-
tion of the Port of Astoria. Three
commission seats (a quorum) will
be determined by the voters. I urge
voters to support Jim Campbell.
He is an experienced and capable
candidate who brings with him the
knowledge and ability of operating
and managing multi-million dollar
projects and seeing them to fruition.
He will not lose sight of the
Port’s goals and mission by get-
ting bogged down in special inter-
est pursuits, grandstanding and
political gamesmanship. He has the
maturity and integrity do what is
right for the citizens of our county-
wide Port district. Please join me in
voting to re-elect Jim Campbell to
the Port Of Astoria
STACEY DUYCK
Warrenton
T
Port needs Spence
our vote this spring election
could help the Port of Asto-
ria to become the strong economic
force it should be. The Port needs
forthright, competent and coopera-
tive leadership from the Port Com-
missioners. Frank Spence, can-
didate for Position 5, could help
move Port governance in the right
direction.
Frank has decades of experience
in leadership as manager of several
Florida cities and counties, once
ran a large hospital in Saudi Arabia,
and has served locally on the Asto-
ria Planning Commission and on
the Port Budget Committee. He gets
along well with others, and knows
how to rein in the nut cases, vital
skills for a Port post.
Frank cannot fix the Port by
himself, but a vote for him is one
solid thing you can do to put the
Port on its feet again. It’s time to
take the Port back.
DAVE KRUGER
Astoria
Y
Rohne is accomplished
am writing to recommend Dirk
Rohne for the position of Port
Commissioner. Dirk has an exten-
sive history of volunteerism in his
local community and our county at
large, including with the Browns-
mead Grange, Brownsmead Dik-
ing Improvement AssociationRh
Knappa Water Association, and
being a Brownsmead-Knappa vol-
unteer firefighter.
He served as a member of the
Clatsop County Planning Com-
mission and went on to serve as a
county commissioner for two terms.
In addition to his government ser-
vice, Dirk has served as a board
member for Clatsop Community
College.
The list of Dirk’s activities and
accomplishments is extensive.
He has demonstrated his commit-
ment and willingness to serve our
community in multiple capaci-
ties. Clearly, he has the experience
to make him an effective member
of the commission. I recommend
Dirk Rohne for the position of Port
Commissioner.
LAURA DOUGHERTY
Gearhart
I
Vote for Life Flight
n May 16, Clatsop County vot-
ers will decide the fate of Bal-
lot Measure 4-187 dubbed the “Life
Flight” measure. If successful, this
bond issue will allow the Port of
Astoria to extend access and utility
infrastructure to the south end of the
airport and provide the most ideal
site for a permanent Life Flight sta-
tion. Additionally, this buildout will
create several acres of aviation and
industrial usage properties.
There is only one opportunity
to built it right the first time, and
this is it. I strongly encourage you
to vote yes on this three-year bond
measure and secure a permanent
home for Life Flight Networks.
JOHN P. RAICHL
Astoria
O
Not a rented hangar
t is amazing to me that a building
built and owned by me and my
husband, housing our aircraft, on
Port of Astoria property, is contin-
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FRIDAY EXCHANGE
ually referred to by Commissioner
Steve Fulton as a “rented hangar.”
He thinks that we can move out
and Life Flight can move right in,
although he has been told that the
place is unacceptable, inadequate
and not desired by them. He knows
that the FAA would not approve
of the location for their operations
in that facility, and he also knows
that the conflict between their air-
craft in that proximity is hazardous.
He even knows that the crew facil-
ity needs peace, quiet and a heated
place to accommodate all of their
aircraft.
I guess what galls me the most
is that Mr. Fulton didn’t even have
the common courtesy to speak with
either of us about closing down the
“Speakeasy,” but rather chose to
attack to make political points. It
appears that his modus operandi is
to attack, create unneeded and divi-
sive controversy and confusion, and
personally rise from the leftover
rubble.
We don’t need a confused per-
son such as him in government, and
we will keep our personally-owned
hangar.
ANN RUNYAN BALES
Astoria
Hellberg, O’Grady
and Fulton for Port
ere in the isolation of the Ore-
gon Coast our outlook can at
times become very narrow with
talk of rain. Most of us don’t have a
clue what the Port of Astoria Com-
missioners deal with, and what is
reasonable to expect in managing
the Port business in the best inter-
est of the taxpayer, who is foot-
ing the bill. Most of us don’t
take the time to attend the pub-
lic meetings of the Port Com-
mission, so no wonder we are
confused by the news articles
we read.
But what gets my atten-
tion in a big way is when
elected officials, or citizens, in
their letters to the editor or on talk
radio suggest a commissioner is
micro-managing. In my experience
as a business owner, this simply
means that employees don’t like the
idea that someone is directing them
and asking them to do their job.
I’m tired of the belly-aching of
staff and some current commission-
ers. We should be asking these pub-
lic employees to do their job. We
should make sure they are doing
the work they are paid to do. We
should demand that the Port operate
with open communication, and no
secret deals.
I am supporting Dick Hell-
berg, Pat O’Grady and Steve Ful-
ton because they agree with me —
let’s not let the fraudulent actions
of past executive directors (Peter
Gearin) be repeated. Please vote
for Hellberg, O’Grady and Fulton
to ensure the majority of the com-
mission cares about truth and hon-
esty, rather than pet projects like the
Astoria Airport.
JIM BENSON
Astoria
H
Representing residents
ote for Jim Campbell, Dirk
Rhone and Frank Spence. The
Port of Astoria is like a business,
and its commissioners are like a
company’s stockholders. They are
appointed to represent the inter-
ests of its owners. In the case of
our Port, this includes all of the
residents and taxpayers of Clat-
sop County, not the personal inter-
est of individual commissioners or
a particular group. Please vote for
Campbell, Rohne and Spence.
JACK BLAND
Former Port of Astoria
commissioner
Gearhart
V
Sanity and civility
he state and county have done
their job and mailed out to all
registered voters their ballot for
the upcoming May special districts
election. Now it is our turn to do
our job, gather information regard-
ing the candidates and — making
an informed decision — vote.
Probably the most contentious
and important race on our ballot
is the election of the Port of Asto-
ria commissioners. Three posi-
tions (1, 2 and 5) are up for grabs.
Regardless of the position stated,
please remember all candidates
stand for election throughout the
entire county, and voters can sup-
port whomever they feel is best
qualified.
Checking “OreStar Pub-
lic Search” on Google will allow
you to look at the finances (con-
tributions/expenditures) reported
by each candidate. If a candidate
doesn’t expect to either receive/
spend $750 for their campaign, reg-
istration may not be necessary.
Steve Fulton has reported no
contributions or expenditures of
T
monies since his 2013 campaign.
Difficult to believe, with all his
signs around the county, that $750
wasn’t spent and no one contrib-
uted, but I guess it’s possible.
Dick Hellberg and Pat O’Grady
both appear to have received most
of their campaign contributions
from longshoremen. If they’re
elected, along with Bill Hunsinger,
does this mean a majority with a
personal agenda? Who knows!
Jim Campbell, Dirk Rohne and
Frank Spence’s financials show
contributions from a large variety of
people and businesses with appar-
ently different interests. I believe
that’s good.
After reading the articles and let-
ters to the editor in the newspapers
concerning the qualifications of
each candidate, and doing a public
search for information about how
their campaigns have been financed
— it’s always good to know to
whom a candidate might be obli-
gated — I’ve made my decision.
The job of a board of a spe-
cial district is to set policy, not to
attempt to micromanage staff. It is
also expected that they will not per-
sonally attack other commission-
ers, staff or members of the public.
After my due diligence, I believe
Campbell, Spence and Rohne will
best bring sanity, civility and no
special interest agenda to the Port
Commission. I’m voting for them,
and I urge you to join me.
CAROL GEARIN
Warrenton
Support Life Flight
am writing this letter as a private
citizen, and would like to express
my support for three candidates for
Port of Astoria Commission: Jim
Campbell, Dirk Rohne and Frank
Spence. I believe these three indi-
viduals will be an excellent addition
to the Port Commission with their
combined experience and integrity.
I also wish to urge Clatsop
County voters to join me in sup-
porting the Port’s bond measure
that will enable a faster response
time for Life Flight emergency air
ambulance service, with a perma-
nent hangar and operations facil-
ity. Having spent 16 years on a vol-
unteer fire department, I have seen
what a fast response and a matter of
minutes can mean to someone who
has been in a serious motor vehicle
accident or suffered a life-threaten-
ing event.
We are fortunate to have the ser-
vices of Life Flight in our commu-
nity now, and will benefit greatly
from a permanent home here and a
response time that will get patients
to a trauma center faster. Please
vote.
DEBORAH BOONE
Cannon Beach
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Port accountability
ur community expects and
deserves accountability, good
stewardship and effective manage-
ment of our tax investment at the
Port of Astoria.
I have attended most of the Port
meetings for the past year or more,
and the consistent 3-2 vote by the
Port Commission has not shown
responsible oversight of projects
or expenditures at the Port of Asto-
ria. There has been over $1 million
of project overruns, Department of
Environmental Quality fines and
financial losses as a result of this
poor management.
There has been no Port budget
presented this fiscal year so we, the
bill payers, the Commission and the
Budget Committee have not been
properly informed of revenue and
expenditures. This, in itself is a vio-
lation of our democratic/representa-
tive process.
The Port Commission needs
responsible members who will be
accountable and transparent so
our Port can be the job-creator and
economy-booster we deserve. Vote
for Pat O’Grady, Dick Hellberg and
Steve Fulton.
BOB BRIDGENS
Warrenton
O
No hangar subsidy
utrageous. We should not sub-
sidize Life Flight. If you have
read a recent issue of Consumer
Reports magazine, you will see the
O
fact that air (not wing) ambulances
have boosted their prices up way
over the actual cost, plus a decent
profit (“Air Ambulances: Taking
Patients for a Ride,” April 6).
Consumer Reports says the true
cost is $7,000 to $10,000, and the
billing seems to be going up. Some
are billing $32,000 to $50,000.
Insurance won’t cover all of this.
Let helicopter ambulance build its
own hangar.
DICK DARBY
Astoria
Why saddle taxpayers?
o, about Measure 187. It seems
that there are a lot of people that
assume that “not for profit” means
that a particular company depends
on donations and the kindness of
others for their survival; this is,
however, not the truth. A not-for-
profit company such as Life Flight
makes substantial revenue through
the services that it provides. This
particular company generates suf-
ficient income that it can pay its
employees and directors quite hand-
somely, and still have sufficient rev-
enue to purchase the finest equip-
ment to accomplish their mission.
Just recently, Life Flight pur-
chased a three-engine jet aircraft
for its longer-range missions, and is
now considering the purchase of a
second, like aircraft. These aircraft
(Falcon 50s) sell for over $1 million
on the used market, and that is a
proverbial drop in the bucket, com-
pared to the cost of the outstanding
rotor wing aircraft that this com-
pany owns and operates.
I think, therefore, to assume
that Life Flight cannot afford to
establish service in any area
they choose, with their own
resources, is flawed think-
ing. This company appears to
have the capital to expand as
they desire, so I really do not
see why the taxpayers of Clat-
sop County should be sad-
dled with the burden of pro-
viding facilities for them, when
they are clearly in a better position
to support the cost than the local
taxpayers.
Perhaps it would be logical to
look into what benefits the Port of
Astoria is deriving from this pro-
posed bond measure?
That is what I think, I could be
wrong.
DAVID GRAVES
Astoria
S
Fulton’s hostility
nough is enough. Most of us
are damned tired of years of
turmoil at the Port of Astoria. I
make no bones about the fact
I’m a conservative. But I agree with
my liberal friends that Steve Ful-
ton’s actions as Port Commissioner
have become poisonous. I find this
sad, because I thought he would
bring stability to Port operations
when I voted for him the last time
around.
Simply put, the outright hostil-
ity Fulton shows to other commis-
sioners, and the Port’s highly pro-
fessional and expert staff proves
he doesn’t have what it takes for a
public official to be successful at
the job. He shouldn’t be re-elected.
Steve Fulton decided to
run against his fellow commis-
sioner, Jim Campbell, who’s also up
for re-election — so we voters must
choose one or the other. Camp-
bell has common sense and vast
business experience, which means
Campbell doesn’t try to microman-
age a staff of professional experts.
Campbell knows that to
do so causes nothing but anxiety
and turmoil. Yet Steve Fulton seems
to enjoy causing anxiety and tur-
moil at both the staff and commis-
sion levels — almost on a daily
basis.
Unlike Steve Fulton, Campbell
knows his role is to set Port pol-
icies and let professional manag-
ers and experts do their job to carry
out that policy. And, unlike Ful-
ton, Campbell has shown team
effort to advance the Port’s efforts
to improve Clatsop County’s econ-
omy. In short, Jim Campbell has
earned re-election.
Steve Fulton’s failed tenure
on the Port Commission should
come to an end. And remember the
“Fulton” you see on lawn signs is
“Steve Fulton” — not some other
Fulton you might know with a dif-
ferent first name.
Be sure to vote. And let’s
re-elect Jim Campbell as a Port
Commissioner.
DON HASKELL
Astoria
E
Cast vote for Rohne
A vote for Dirk Rohne for Port
Commissioner Position 2 is a vote
for a broader point of view, stability
and forward momentum at the Port
of Astoria.
Dirk, for many years, has shown
a commitment to our commu-
5A
nity through his service on sev-
eral boards and budget committees.
He shows up for the job prepared.
Being a dairy farmer and business
owner, he is no stranger to the con-
cepts of creating jobs, long-range
planning and looking at the eco-
nomics of a situation from several
points of view.
These are the qualities we need
in making decisions for our Port.
Join me in casting a vote for Dirk
Rohne for Port Commissioner Posi-
tion 2.
LINDA HOLMES
Astoria
Keep Fulton at Port
any of us remember the bad-
old-days of the Peter Gearin
era at the Port. To avoid a repeat of
that miserable period, we must have
someone on the Port Commission
who provides proper oversight. It
is not micromanaging, it is making
sure that fraud does not occur, as it
did less than a decade ago.
Commissioner Steve Fulton is
the person we need to continue at
the Port, as he brought the above
facts to the public’s attention:
1) A five-minute Google search
of “Conway Construction of Ridge-
field, Washington” would have told
Port staff that Conway was unqual-
ified to construct the Port of Asto-
ria’s surface water treatment sys-
tem that is unfinished and over
budget (Commissioner Fulton
voted against Conway; Commis-
sioner James Campbell voted for
Conway.)
2) For five months, Port staff and
Treasurer James Campbell failed to
inform the full Commission of Con-
way’s $750,000 cost overrun.
3) Port staff failed to
inform the commission that the
Oregon Department of Environ-
mental Quality penalized the Port
$69,319 for delays in construc-
tion of the surface water treatment
(two commissioners learned about
the huge penalty through an April 6
article in The Daily Astorian,
“State fines Port over
stormwater.”)
We need someone who pays
attention to waste, and tells the pub-
lic about it, even if it isn’t very good
news. Please give Steve Fulton your
vote in the May 16 election.
KATE KRIZAN
Astoria
M
Supporting Campbell
support James Campbell for Port
Commission Position 1. Jim
Campbell is an experienced com-
mercial mariner who has worked
out of Astoria for many years. A
Navy war veteran, Jim is familiar
with the Port of Astoria from both
a seafarer’s view and from 16 years
experience as a Port commissioner.
He knows how vital the Port is to
our community and our maritime
industries.
Jim returned to the Port Com-
mission four years ago. He was
instrumental in guiding the Port
to financial stability. Hiring new
staff, Jim made policy that restored
the Port to the revenue generating
engine that it was supposed to be.
He recognizes the Port as a bene-
fit to all Clatsop County businesses
and citizens.
Jim has stated his support for the
airport bond measure. His vision for
the Port includes our underutilized
airport. Our regional airport, built
with an expansive runway and clean
approaches, is the best in our Pacific
Northwest coastal community. Jim
encourages development to support
Life Flight, and attract other avia-
tion-related business to the airport.
He wants to create jobs and oppor-
tunity for entrepreneurs to gener-
ate local commerce. The bond mea-
sure, at very low cost to taxpayers,
will be paid off in three years, and
has the potential to foster jobs and
development for decades to come.
We do not want to lose Life Flight.
Jim has the wisdom to oversee
the Port staff interfaces with Port
Commissioners. Jim and his fel-
low commissioners are supposed
to set policy and allow the execu-
tive director and hired staff carry
out the commissioners’ vision and
long term goals. Let the managers
manage.
In addition, and perhaps Jim
Campbell’s greatest strength, is his
calm voice of cooperation and civil-
ity. Jim is a team player. He pro-
motes teamwork. I have observed
his calm demeanor at conten-
tious Port Commission meet-
ings. His unflappable manner gets
much more work done than dis-
ruptive, boisterous interruptions
and baseless outrageous state-
ments we observe by others at the
commission.
Please join me in bringing the
Port of Astoria Commission back to
a body of healthy deliberation and
discussion that it should be.
CAPT. R. STEVENS
(U.S. Coast Guard, ret.)
Warrenton
I