COAST
WEEKEND
INSIDE
WHAT
A DRAG!
ASTORIA • FISHERMEN
SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
SPORTS • 4A, 10A
DailyAstorian.com // THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018
145TH YEAR, NO. 198
ONE DOLLAR
PORT OF ASTORIA | EAST MOORING BASIN
NEW WAY
FORWARD
Agency sees potential
for future development
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Daily Astorian
taff at the Port of Astoria, needing several mil-
lion dollars to modernize the aging causeway
closed to vehicles at the East Mooring Basin,
are wondering whether the agency bears the full
responsibility.
“We have not found any documents that clearly
dictate that the Port is the sole owner of the cause-
way,” Port Executive Director Jim Knight told the
Port Commission late last month.
With a rough estimate from the state of $4 mil-
lion to modernize the causeway, Knight said, the
Port needs to weigh whether to tackle the issue
by itself, sit on it or try to engage partners to help
develop the area.
“Either it’s the Port’s sole responsibility, or it’s
the community’s,” he said. “Right now, the benefit
of the causeway is a community benefit.”
The marina, mostly empty, plays host to two
docks lined with commercial fishing boats and
maritime-support vessels. Most of the docks have
been removed to avoid damage by an increasing
number of sea lions that haul out in the basin, an
unofficial tourist attraction for wildlife viewers.
The Port also owns several acres along the
banks of the marina. Staff and commissioners
see the potential for future development, includ-
ing the possible docking for cruise ships along the
breakwater.
S
Photos by Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian
Visitors to the East Mooring Basin take photos with the sea lions in
the background.
Jim
Knight
Port Executive
Director
‘Either it’s the Port’s
sole responsibility, or
it’s the community’s.
Right now, the benefit
of the causeway is a
community benefit.’
Parking
enforcement
pays off
New officer has issued
193 tickets this year
By KATIE FRANKOWICZ
The Daily Astorian
A new parking officer in downtown Asto-
ria issued 193 tickets in the first three months
of the year.
Enforcement got off to a “bit of a conten-
tious start” as people adapted to having park-
ing rules enforced again, but most downtown
business owners are now complying, Sarah
Lu Heath, executive director of the Asto-
ria Downtown Historic District Association,
told the City Council on Monday.
The city and downtown merchants hope
to increase parking for visitors, residents
and businesses by policing what’s there and
opening up more parking in the future.
The downtown association agreed to hire
an employee to manage parking on the city’s
behalf in 2016. Ronni Harris, an artist and
Astoria resident, was brought on as the com-
munity outreach officer at the end of last year.
Her role includes handing out tickets
when cars are parked illegally or overstay
the one- and two-hour time limits for down-
town spots.
Already, Heath said, “you can see
a definite change for customer parking
downtown.”
Harris monitors a territory that extends
roughly from Eighth Street to 15th Street
and from the Astoria Riverwalk to Exchange
Street. The tickets she issues go to Munici-
pal Court, and fines vary depending on the
offense. Someone who violates a two-hour
time limit faces a $10 fine, whereas parking
in a no parking zone or for over 24 hours in
one location come with $25 fines.
In March, the City Council approved an
arrangement where a portion of the money
See PARKING, Page 3A
See PORT, Page 7A
Congressional
candidates on
display in Astoria
By EDWARD STRATTON
The Daily Astorian
The aging
causeway
at the East
Mooring Basin
has become
a point of
contention
for the Port of
Astoria.
In the absence of U.S. Rep. Suzanne
Bonamici, five challengers vying for her
seat in the 1st Congressional District pitched
themselves to voters during an election
forum Tuesday night at Astoria High School.
Astoria Mayor Arline LaMear started
the exchange by reading a statement from
Bonamici, a Democrat who has served in the
U.S. House for six years.
“Over the past year and a half, things in
Congress have become more challenging, to
say the least, and as a country we’re facing a
growing number of critical issues for Con-
gress to address,” LaMear said for the con-
gresswoman. “I’m running because I’m up
to the task and I want to continue to create a
better future for Northwest Oregonians.”
See CANDIDATES, Page 3A
BATTLE OF THE BIRDS
In puffin country, Cannon Beach
may honor a red-winged blackbird
By BRENNA VISSER
The Daily Astorian
ANNON BEACH — As a part of the 12 Days of Earth
Day celebration, Cannon Beach will be asked to consider
designating an official city bird.
But don’t get too excited, tufted puffins. A different bird could
be brought into the spotlight: the red-winged blackbird.
The medium-sized, black-and-red songbird loves marshes,
brushy swamps and chirping on city power lines. They relish
pecking out the seeds of invasive plants and fiercely protecting
habitat — whether the trespasser be a fellow bird or an elk. But
most importantly, the species is an abundant and longtime inhab-
itant of the beach town.
C
RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRD
TUFTED
PUFFIN
See BIRDS, Page 7A