Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2018)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018 Workforce housing project approved for Seaside Commissioners impose several conditions By R.J. MARX The Daily Astorian R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian A roadway already in place at Blue Heron Pointe. Audit suggests tweaks to tax system By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — State auditors have found that Oregon’s new tax processing system works well, but that the Department of Revenue could take extra pre- cautions to protect taxpayers’ personal information. The findings are something of a bright spot for the state’s beleaguered Department of Revenue, which has been under the Legislature’s microscope. Last year, lawmakers sought a comprehensive review of the department’s operations, including a financial audit and management assessment, and have told the department to report regularly to the Legisla- ture on its progress. In addition to the processing system audit released Wednes- day morning, the Oregon Sec- retary of State’s Office also plans to audit the agency’s gov- ernance and culture within the next year. Since 2013, the revenue department has been stand- ing up GenTax, an off-the- shelf, integrated tax process- ing system developed by FAST Enterprises. The project was intended to update the state’s decades- old tax software and databases. According to the governor’s 2017-19 recommended budget, the total cost of the new system is $78 million. Overall, auditors say the new system works well, but there are some weaknesses: • The agency can do a bet- ter job monitoring who has access to GenTax. For instance, the audit recommended that the agency remove access rights for department employees, employees of other state agen- cies or contractors when their employment is terminated. Access lists are reviewed about once a month, but there’s no regular schedule for that review. • The Department of Rev- enue hasn’t sought an inde- pendent security review of the outside contractor, FAST Data Services, that analyzes Ore- gonians’ personal income tax return data. The GenTax system sends encrypted data to servers at an external data center to be analyzed by FAST. While the department discussed security measures with the contractor’s security personnel, auditors recommended getting a third party to confirm that the secu- rity controls are sufficient. • GenTax system files are backed up, but there’s no guar- antee that the state could restore the system in the event of a disaster or major disruption. Backup files are kept off site, but the agency hasn’t tested the process to restore GenTax and data files. SEASIDE — Blue Heron Pointe cleared a hurdle as the 59-lot, single-family proposal won conditional Seaside Plan- ning Commission approval Tuesday night. After a verbal decision early this month, a draft of the plan came before the commis- sion with changes and updates. “This is putting the decision in writing,” City Planner Kevin Cupples said. The 2,000-square-foot homes will provide workforce housing, owner Max Ritchie said earlier this month, with prices in the low $300,000 and high $200,000 range. Blue Heron Pointe began in the early 2000s, going so far as to win preliminary approval in 2006. After a downturn in the economy, the project was shelved until late 2016, when the Ritchies presented a 45-unit multifamily proposal. That plan stalled over a requirement for a sidewalk along Wahanna Road. This month, the commission added 19 conditions, including a request for a hazard mitiga- tion plan and requirement for infrastructure approvals. Emer- gency vehicle access, hydrants and fire flow will need inspec- tion from the city fire marshal. Lots along Cooper Street have been added into the proj- ect’s second construction phase to limit potential conflicts with pedestrian and bike traffic. The site plan also addresses the building of sidewalks on Avenue S and design requirements. On Tuesday, the Plan- ning Commission voted 4-2 to approve the plan with con- ditions. Chris Hoth, the com- mission’s chairman, and com- missioners Bill Carpenter, Teri Carpenter and David Posal- ski voted for the plan. Rich- ard Ridout and Lou Neubecker voted against. Ray Romine was absent. Planning Commission deci- sions may be appealed to the City Council. Consult a PROFESSIONAL David Oldham Poindexter Portland Jan. 30, 1929 — Feb. 8, 2018 Q: How often David Oldham Poindexter, a Methodist min- in Latin America. Thomas Donnelly, then with ister who championed the use of radio and tele- the U.S. Agency for International Development vision serial dramas to promote family planning, in Mexico, wrote, “The Televisa family planning gender equity and protection of the environment, soap operas have made the single most powerful contribution to the Mexican population died peacefully Feb. 8 at St. Vincent’s success story.” Hospital in Portland, Oregon, from the Poindexter chaired several U.S. effects of a basilar stroke. NGO planning committees for the Poindexter, who also organized U.N. population conferences around several nongovernmental organiza- tion forums at major United Nations the world, starting one which became the largest NGO forum in U.N. history. conferences, was born in Hood River, For over a decade, he was an officer Oregon, on Jan. 30, 1929, and gradu- ated from Astoria High School in 1947. of the Committee on Sustainable Devel- After receiving a bachelor of arts opment of the conference of NGOs in consultative status with the U.N.’s Eco- degree at Willamette University in 1951, and both bachelor’s and master’s David Poindexter nomic and Social Division. He also degrees in theology at Boston Univer- served on the executive committee of sity (where he became friends with Dr. the Conference of U.N. Representatives Martin Luther King, Jr.), David served as pastor of the Council of Organizations of the U.N. Asso- of Parkrose Heights Methodist Church in Portland ciation-USA (UNA-USA). for eight years. He then moved to New York City He was an honorary fellow of the Population to work with the National Council of Churches for Reference Bureau, and received the Ninoy Aquino five years as director of utilization of the NCC’s Human Rights Award, a distinguished alumni cita- Broadcasting and Film Commission, and then as tion from Willamette University in 1982, the Elea- nor Schnurr Award of the UNA-USA, and received director of promotion services. At the request of his bishop, David became a distinguished service award of the Population director of the communication center of the Pop- Institute. ulation Institute from 1970 to 1985. At the Pop- He was an honorary life board member of the ulation Institute, and later as founder and presi- Council on International Non-Theatrical Events. dent of Population Communications International In 2008, he won the Everett M. Rogers Award as (1985-1998), David championed the use of enter- founder and former president of Population Com- tainment as a powerful way to change social norms, munications International. particularly focusing on gender equality and fam- Following retirement from Population Commu- ily planning. nications International in 1998, Poindexter served Poindexter worked to bring about and develop as honorary chairman of the Population Media long-running, entertaining shows and educational Center, where he was instrumental in establish- television programs in numerous countries, includ- ing and implementing social change serial dramas ing Brazil, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, in 54 countries. David is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mar- Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, St. ian Sayer Poindexter; his son, Jim; his sister-in-law, Lucia and Tanzania. In the early 1970s, he collaborated with John Audrey Poindexter; his nieces, Kathleen Teeple D. Rockefeller III to hold a meeting of the three and Jan Van Dusen; his grand-nieces and neph- network CEOs — a meeting also attended by then ews, Nick Lanzadoro, Rachel Van Dusen, Adrianna U.N. ambassador George H.W. Bush and U.S. Sen. Perrault, Kristin Zedwick and Jake Savage, along Robert Packwood — to discuss treatment of gen- with their families; and his great-grand-nieces and der, reproductive health and family planning issues nephews. in television. After his brother passed in 1989, Uncle David He convinced the CEOs of the three major net- unofficially stepped up as surrogate patriarch, tak- works to host a large gathering in New York of key ing over the grandfather role as a pillar of the fam- network entertainment producers and writers. Fol- ily. He made it to every family reunion and event, lowing that event, he organized annual awards cer- organized annual holiday family gatherings at his emonies in collaboration with the National Acad- home, and started traditions, came for holidays, and emy of Television Arts and Sciences to recognize always greeted family and friends with warmth, the best entertainment shows addressing those hugs and kisses, and with a true interest in each of our lives. issues. One of the outgrowths of Poindexter’s outreach He was our unofficial professional, political, to Hollywood leaders was a long-standing relation- progressiveness and cultural mentor. He would ship with Norman Lear and his head of drama, Vir- visit family, organize dinners and get-togethers ginia Carter. At Poindexter’s suggestion, the char- with family around the country when he was in acter Maude, in the series by the same name, had a town for business, and of course, he would take mid-life abortion — six months before the Roe vs. us to the coolest, hippest spots in each of these cit- Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. As Nor- ies including Boston, Los Angeles, New York and man Lear later put it, “David got Maude pregnant.” Washington, D.C. And when not accompanied by Similarly, he suggested the vasectomy of Rob Rein- him, would always give the best recommendations er’s character, Michael, on “All in the Family.” for cultural activities wherever we traveled. David said many times that family was the most During his work in Hollywood, Poindexter worked closely with Mary Tyler Moore, who was a important thing in his life, and regularly reminded great supporter of his work, which helped to bring all of us how dearly he loved and cherished us. He about the discussion of sexism in the workplace took care of his wife, Marian, faithfully for over on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” 30 years as her primary caretaker after her own In the mid-1970s, Poindexter began working stroke. He forever will be remembered for how in Mexico, where he discovered and promoted the gentle and wise he was, and for being a selfless work of Miguel Sabido, a well-known Mexican being of light and action. playwright and television producer who became a Poindexter’s life and work are captured in his pioneer in entertainment-education. As vice presi- autobiographical book, “Out of the Darkness of dent of Televisa, Sabido produced six telenovelas Centuries,” published in 2009. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Feb. in the late 1970s and early 1980s, modeling fam- 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Port- ily planning use for Mexican audiences. During that time, Mexico experienced the land, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested most rapid decline in fertility rate of any develop- ing country in the 20th century up until that time. memorial contributions may be made to Popula- These programs had similar effects when they were tion Media Center, Suite 302, 30 Kimball Ave., broadcast in several Spanish-speaking countries South Burlington, VT 05403. should I get x-rays? most people, a com- A: For plete radiographic survey JEFFREY M. LEINASSAR DMD, FAGD 503/325-0310 1414 MARINE DRIVE, ASTORIA www.smileastoria.com should be done every 3 years, and a “check up” or “recall” set every 6 to 12 months. A com- plete set of x-rays is estimated to expose you to the same amount of radiation you get on a flight from San Francisco to Seattle. Doctors use x-rays as an aid in diagnosing prob- lems. Without x-rays, “seeing” the problem will be difficult if not impossible. Q: My doctor says I need surgery for a ruptured disk. so fast. At least 1/3 of adults A: Not have a ruptured disk and no ASTORIA CHIROPRACTIC Barry Sears, D.C. 503-325-3311 2935 Marine Drive Astoria, Oregon symptoms. The presence of a bulging or herniated disk may have preceded the current complaints. Most pain is from inflammation. If that can be reduced, the pain goes away from the back, arms and legs. Chiropractic manipulation is an effective tool to reduce spinal inflammation and reduce pain. There is rarely a time when surgery should be done before a 3-4 week trial of conservative chiropractic care. At least 1/3 of spinal surgeries do not eliminate the patient’s problems. Once done, it can’t be undone. Try chiropractic first. Call 503-325-3311 to see if we can help you. Q: When I click on a link, my original web page vanishes. LEO FINZI keep your original page Astorias in A: place To when clicking on a link additional information, Best.com to use view the right-hand button of your W e match all on - line prices ! M-F 10-6 Sat . 11-4 77 11th Street, Suite H Astoria, OR 503-325-2300 mouse. “Right clicking” on a web page brings up lots of useful options (Open in new tab, new window, copy picture.) If you have ever wanted to reopen a page you just closed, right click one of the still open tabs at the top of your page, and you will be able to “reopen” a closed tab. Q: Do I need to feed my chickens oyster shell? shell is sometimes fed to A: Oyster chickens because it is an excellent BRIM’S Farm & Garden 34963 Hwy. 101 Business Astoria • 503-325-1562 For beautiful gardens & healthy animals source of calcium. Purina complete feeds such as Start N Grow, Layena or Meat Builder are formulated to meet calcium requirements so supplementing with oyster shell is not necessary. However, for older hens in hot weather, calcium may be beneficial. A rate of one pound per 100 hens daily is recommended for large growers; reduce proportionally for your flock. Over-feeding calcium can lead to the same symptoms that you are trying to reduce which is weak egg shells and reduced egg production. www.brimsfarmngarden.com A friend told me she paid Subscribe today! WANTED Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber Northwest Hardwoods • Longview, WA Contact: John Anderson • 360-269-2500 less for her Q: considerably mom’s cremation and coast weekend Jan. 11, 2018 • coastwee kend.com NG UN SU HERO Your local guide to art, entertainment, food and fun Available at locations throughout Clatsop County John R. Alcantara - Funeral Director A: Hughes- Ransom Mortuary R ussian classics AT THE LIBERTY THEATR E JAN. 13 | STORY ON PAGE 10 Astoria: 576 12th St. 503.325.2535 Seaside: 220 N. Holladay 503.738.6622 www.hughes-ransom.com memorial service at your place than I paid for at the storefront funeral-service provider the hospital recommended we take to have my husband cremated? First, I should point out that it is illegal for any hospital/ care facility to recommend any funeral estab- lishment. The simplified answer to your question begins by dispelling the common misconception that the public can’t afford our services. We will also accommodate anything within the confines of the law. The second part is accurately representing prices. When I get calls asking for what we charge for cremation I could give what tech- nically qualifies as an answer, which is $693 (our crema- tion cost); but we all know that isn’t what was asked for. Integrity is built by respect which is earned through trust. When you are the gold standard that the competition is always trying to measure up to, it becomes unnecessary for sales gimmicks, slick advertising that self-promotes or deceptively associates your name with a cemetery you don’t own. No, for us its simple, it’s not about us, it’s about you, the community, our extended family.
