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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2018)
DARKNESS RISES AT FORT GEORGE BREWERY 145TH YEAR, NO. 158 COAST WEEKEND INSIDE ONE DOLLAR DailyAstorian.com // Audit finds problems with pot tracking OLD BECOMES NEW DOWNTOWN Not enough inspectors By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregon’s systems for licens- ing and tracking recreational marijuana have weaknesses that could allow illegal activity to fly under the radar, state auditors found. The recreational marijuana program also lacks important security measures that could protect sensitive information and IT infrastructure from being compromised. The Oregon Liquor Control Com- mission helps regulate the recreational marijuana program, including issuing licenses to producers, retail- ers and others in the recre- ational marijuana busi- ness. The agency also runs the seed-to-sale tracking program that is intended to track marijuana on its journey to market. Among other issues auditors found, data in the cannabis tracking system is self-reported by cannabis businesses, raising auditors’ con- cerns about its reliability. There aren’t enough trained compliance inspectors to adequately keep an eye on rec- reational marijuana activity. And auditors also found that the liquor commission lacks an overall IT security management plan for the agency and a disaster recovery plan for its information. Wednesday’s audit report comes as there’s renewed attention on marijuana, especially in states that have legalized the drug. In early January, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued guidance to U.S. attorneys in states that have legalized marijuana saying they may use their discretion when it comes to prosecuting marijuana cases. Marijuana remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. U.S. Attorney Billy Williams in Oregon said at a marijuana conference he hosted last week that Oregon produces far more mari- juana than residents can consume, and that product is leaking into the black market. Oregon voters approved recreational mar- ijuana in a November 2014 ballot measure. Recreational marijuana became legal on July 1, 2015. The popularity of the program is greater than state officials had expected. Through November, the state had col- lected about $115.5 million in state marijuana taxes since retail sales began in January 2016, according to the audit. Oregon Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Steve Marks said in a written response to the audit that the agency “is actively following up on all aspects of the audit” and wants to get more money to move forward on the technology issues raised by the review. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Aleesha Nedd sets out baked goods in the display case of The Naked Lemon. Several storefronts receive face-lifts By EDWARD STRATTON The Daily Astorian A children’s store has turned into a boutique bakery. A longtime donut shop transformed into a to-go lunch counter. A former office supply store is being remade into a miniature mall modeled after a Roman courtyard. As some older businesses close along Commercial Street, worrying some of an emptying downtown, an influx of replace- ments has been changing the fabric. Eryn Tomlinson and Jackson Boone started out in a small cart on 11th Street near City Hall, until their location went up for sale. The couple was hesitant, but took the leap in November and built out a new storefront for Nourish Juice Bar at the eastern edge of downtown inside the Astor Hotel Building, next to a new housewares shop called Chariot. “I didn’t know how we were going to do in the cart throughout the winter,” Tomlinson said. “I think it would have been rough. Here, it’s been kind of a nice place for people to come get out of the rain.” Locals were distraught when Lind- strom’s Danish Maid, a staple since 1986, Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Eryn Tomlinson grabs fresh fruit to create one of the concoctions at Nourish Juice in downtown Astoria. Edward Stratton/The Daily Astorian After local standby Lindstrom’s Dan- ish Maid Bakery closed, Daniel and Heidi Dlubac moved into the store- front and opened Good to Go, a to- go lunch counter. closed in 2015 after the hospitalization and eventual death of co-owner and baker John Lindstrom. The shop’s replacement, Good to Go, has seen a positive response and a strong showing since opening six months ago, said owners Heidi and Dan- iel Dlubac. People have to remember that even Lindstrom’s replaced previous busi- nesses, Heidi Dlubac said. “I feel like the new businesses have helped fill a need,” she said of new shops like the juice bar. “These are businesses that cater to the tourists and locals.” Since Lindstrom’s closing, two new boutique bakeries have opened along Commercial Street, including Table 360 Bakery & Bistro in the former Curious Caterpillar children’s store, and Alee- sha Nedd’s shop The Naked Lemon in the Spexarth Building on the west end of downtown. Nedd, 27, who grew up in Astoria, moved away for college and came back, said there’s a lot more going on down- town now than when she was a teenager. See DOWNTOWN, Page 7A ELECTION 2018 Jewell farmer files for county commission seat Gladwin aiming for Thompson’s position By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Jewell farmer Susana Gladwin has filed for a Clatsop County Board of Commissioners seat held by Lianne Thompson. Gladwin, 71, has served on the county Planning Commission along with Thompson, who has expressed her desire to seek re-election. Thomp- son represents Dis- trict 5, which cov- ers most of South County — including Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Elsie, Jewell and parts of Seaside. “I think I have Susana a lot of knowledge Gladwin of that area — Sea- side, Arch Cape, Cannon Beach — to be a good commissioner,” Gladwin said. “I study things carefully. I like being a team player. I have a lot of See GLADWIN, Page 7A Astoria land use consultant to run for county commission Wev announces for Clement’s position By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian Pamela Wev, an Astoria land use planning consultant, has announced she will run for a Clatsop County Board of Commissioners seat held by Lisa Clement. Wev, 70, applied for a Port of Asto- ria Commission vacancy created last year when Robert Mushen resigned due to health rea- sons. The commis- sion eventually tapped retired Coast Guard Capt. Robert Stevens of Warrenton. Clement, part- owner of Clemente’s Pamela Seafood, has said she Wev is undecided about whether she will seek re-election in Dis- trict 3. Peter Roscoe, the former Asto- ria city councilor and owner of Fulio’s Pastaria, has filed for the position. See WEV, Page 7A
