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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2017)
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY 145TH YEAR, NO. 2 DailyAstorian.com // TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2017 FALLING INTO PLACE Logging makes way for Seaside’s new schools By BRENNA VISSER The Daily Astorian By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Seaside School Board members gather around an inclinometer at their feet at the new school construction site. The inclinometer is a device that monitors the stability of the ground. See SEASIDE, Page 4A Police and state parks will take some steps to ensure safety and respect tonight, but they also are calling on residents and visitors to regulate themselves on Independence Day. Police typically receive a high volume of fi reworks complaints around the holiday . Astoria Police, Warrenton Police and the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Offi ce have already received about 20 such complaints this week. Astoria Police will have at least one addi- tional offi cer patrol the city tonight during the fi reworks show , though the department is still limited by staffi ng shortages. Offi - cers will pay particular attention to possi- ble open -container violations on the Astoria Riverwalk and illegal -fi rework use, Deputy Chief Eric Halverson said. Differing fi reworks laws between Oregon and neighboring Washington state are partly to blame for the illegal use, Halverson said. See FOURTH, Page 4A In the zone In 1999, the state published earth- quake hazard maps showing Can- non Beach and Gearhart elementary schools, Broadway Middle School and Seaside High School would all be severely damaged in a major earth- quake and tsunami. These schools were also identifi ed as having a high potential for collapse. Bang, pow, boom — but safely Caution called for on July 4th holiday S EASIDE — The new Seaside School District campus sits 200 to 300 feet above sea level with a panoramic view of the Pacifi c Ocean. The breathtaking beauty is not only a reminder of life on the coast, but the earthquake and tsunami danger that prompted the move to higher ground. “Yes, this view is nice, but the nic- est thing about this is our schools not being wiped out by a big wave,” Sea- side School District Superintendent Sheila Roley said. “We needed new schools, but safety for all kids was the catalyst.” Forty-two acres of the city’s largely wooded backdrop have been logged and cleared so far to make way for the schools. On a tour through a maze of logging roads Thursday to check progress, school board members saw an undefi ned fi eld of stumps, inter- rupted only by loggers and equipment loading the last of the timber. The property is part of an 80-acre site given to the school district by Weyerhaeuser , which will sell the tim- ber to local distributors. “It’s simply breathtaking,” school board member Lori Lum said. ONE DOLLAR Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian ABOVE: Timber is being harvested to make way for schools. BELOW: Seaside School Board members take a tour of the new school construction site that is being logged and developed. Port’s case against Smithart on hold Separate suit over inn will go fi rst By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian The Port of Astoria’s legal case against heavily indebted former Astoria Riverwalk Inn operator Brad Smithart will have to wait for a lawsuit fi led against the Port by Param Hotel Corp. to play out. The Port sued Smithart and his company, Hospitality Masters, in November, claiming he failed to make $323,000 in required pay- ments during his operation of the hotel from 2012 to 2015. Smithart admitting to not pay- ing the rent the Port seeks, but has denied other claims. During a hearing Monday on the Port’s motion for summary judgment against Smi- thart, who did not show up, Circuit Court Judge Dawn McIntosh said she had received a letter asking her to set aside judgment against Smithart until after the trial between the Port and Param. Param had sought since 2014 to take over the remainder of Smithart’s lease in exchange for paying his debts. The Portland company See PORT, Page 4A New era hailed at Port New commissioners sworn in Monday By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian The seats in the Port of Astoria Commis- sion’s chambers were full Monday for the swearing in of two new c ommissioners, part of what has been hailed as a new era for an agency long mired in controversy. The fi ve-member Port Commission now includes Frank Spence, a former city and county administrator who was elected in May to replace Commissioner John Raichl; and Dirk Rohne, a Brownsmead dairy farmer and former elected county and col- lege representative . “When I fi rst got to this area four years ago, they said, ‘I wouldn’t touch the Port Commission with a 10-foot pole,’” Spence said of the lackluster public perception . “So here I am, and I’m very excited about what is forthcoming. I look at it as a new era for the Port.” Spence was appointed president by his fellow commissioners, while Rohne was selected vice president. Spence takes over as president from Commissioner Robert Mushen, who will now serve as secretary. Commissioner James Campbell was named treasurer. Commissioner Bill Hunsinger, who was away in Alaska, was chosen under-secretary. Rohne, who has called for “boring but productive” Port meetings, thanked those who helped him get elected. “I look forward Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian See COMMISSIONERS, Page 4A Dirk Rohne, left, accepts the Port of Astoria Commission oath of office from Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin Monday.
