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
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oyster shell is not necessary. However, for
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be beneficial. A rate of one pound per
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growers; reduce proportionally for your
flock. Over-feeding calcium can lead to
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Q: considerably
mom’s cremation and
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weekend
Jan. 11, 2018 • coastwee
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John R. Alcantara - Funeral Director
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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.
