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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 2018)
4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018 editor@dailyastorian.com KARI BORGEN Publisher JIM VAN NOSTRAND Editor Founded in 1873 JEREMY FELDMAN Circulation Manager DEBRA BLOOM Business Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN Production Manager CARL EARL Systems Manager OUR VIEW Hood to Coast can be a boon to our region M ention the Hood to Coast Relay around Seaside and sur- rounding areas and you will receive a strong reaction. It’s an annual event that few are indifferent about. It began in Oregon in 1982, but it wasn’t until 1989 that Seaside became the finish line. Teams of sponsored run- ners and walkers from around the world take part in a relay from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood to the coast. Although the organization that runs the race is a for-profit group, it raises enough money to donate significant amounts to worthy causes. Last year, the race gave $730,000 for Providence Cancer Center. For the good folks at the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, it’s a major fundraiser whose revenue — $30,000 last year — allows staff, leaders and members to do such positive work year- round to enhance the business climate and promote the resort. The relay turns the eyes of the state and region on Seaside, generating more publicity than money could buy. In gen- eral, television news coverage is pos- itive, focused on tales of personal achievement and fun times on the beach. Sunny skies provided a backdrop for the 2017 Hood to Coast. But some residents along the 198- behavior, have frayed tempers more Washington, for example, have learned mile route, and many year-round than any other annual event. Back in tough lessons from squeezing too Seasiders, have viewed it as a week- 2015, some 87 merchants demanded many people into a narrow space. In end-long nightmare. 2002, Long Beach changes — many wanting the race to go Eighteen thou- responded tep- elsewhere. sand runners and The relay turns the idly when the relay That’s why we are greeting with cau- their support crews eyes of the state and explored relocat- tious optimism the news that Seaside put enormous pres- ing its finish line City Council has signed a five-year deal sure on the region. region on Seaside, there, realizing the with race organizers. It calls for the race Coastal areas like generating more south Washington to pay the city $25,000, plus additional ours delight in coast was already costs of police, fire and public works attracting visi- publicity than money at its limits in late crews’ time, with 5 percent increases tors to enjoy spar- could buy. August. each year. It provides a toll-free phone kling summer number for complaints the week before Years ago, one weekend events. and after the event. major Hood to When problems occur, it is invariably What gives us cause for hope is the Coast mistake was too few portable because communities have exceeded manner in which this agreement was toilets along the route, causing some their “carrying capacity.” Organizers reached; some negotiating, like City unpleasant cleanup issues; that has been of the Cannon Beach sandcastle con- Councilor Randy Frank, were among addressed. But the extraordinary traf- test and the kite festival in Long Beach, the race’s most ardent critics. fic congestion, plus instances of unruly Jeff Ter Har/For The Daily Astorian We’re crossing our fingers. But be warned: Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 will be a busy time on the entire North Coast. There will be extra traffic; downtown Seaside and highways 101, 26 and 30 will be choked. Restaurants will be hop- ping; hotels will be full. But, if all goes well, Seaside’s city, chamber and some other worthy organi- zations can benefit greatly. And, hope- fully, participants will enjoy North Coast hospitality so much that they return with friends and families to boost our economy further. Let’s hope this deal — and the increased awareness of the priority to tackle any problems head on — will mean we’ll all be applauding rather than grumbling when the teams make their way home Aug. 26. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Help lessen trash in our community ’m so troubled by all the trash I see all over town. I regularly exercise on the Riverwalk and walk downtown. The worst I’ve seen is around the Safeway property, which I’ve called about on occasion. Besides just trash, I see bags of pet waste left behind. Come on folks. Take pride in your town. Can we come up with ideas for cleaning up the trash? I have seen people picking up trash around the Maritime Museum. Can we offer tokens that can be turned in for food/drink to the homeless, or to anyone inter- ested in picking up trash? There would be guidelines and amounts to pick up for numbers of tokens. Maybe college students could get tokens to use in the college bookstore. I’m one person trying to come up with ideas to rid our beautiful area of the great amount of trash I see, and trash that I know ends up in the river. Join me by adding your ideas, as well as helping in whatever way you can to lessen the trash in our community. ROBIN RODGERS Astoria I Remembering Rev. King’s assassination ifty years ago, my husband was employed by the State Department and we were in Warsaw, Poland, when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis. I thought it would be of interest to readers that in their grief and respect, the Poles lined up for days at the embassy to bring flowers and sign a memo- rial book. It was an amazing sight. MARY TANGUAY WEBB Astoria F Think of trees when you vote ohn Orr is the Democrat for whom to vote if one is concerned about the restoration and protection of Oregon’s forests. Orr has cared deeply about forests for many years, and as a lawyer, is experienced enough to be an effec- tive advocate. Orr’s only serious opponent is Tim Josi, who represents the interests of the timber indus- try, and can be expected to support more of the J same clear cutting and spraying that have made our region a place of which to be ashamed. Please think of the trees when you vote. ROBERT ADAMS Astoria Elect Orr to state House grew up with John Orr. Passionate and inde- fatigable — on the tennis court or the kan- garoo court of youthful discussion about poli- tics, music, or virtually any other subject — and now, with the benefit of wisdom and moderation which come from additional life experience. If we are not always in perfect agreement on conclusions or actionable approaches, he always holds a strong position, vigorously, with intelli- gence, reason, and facts to back it up. John is a born and raised advocate, and now listens just as well as he speaks — a hard-won maturity. In my view, he will make a fine representative if you are anywhere close to where he stands. John is a voracious reader and a student of history. So, it’s not just the issues of the day that arouse his passions, but also deep-running, archetypical human outlooks and conditions. He supports me, and he has my support. I encourage anyone to engage likewise with John Orr, and elect him to the Oregon State House. DAVID GRAFF Providence, Rhode Island I Let’s give everyone the ballot artin Luther King Jr.’s advocacy to elim- inate voting restrictions was captured in his “Give Us the Ballot” speech. His call to end voting restrictions culminated in the Vot- ing Rights Act. In Oregon, we have made vot- ing easier than King could have imagined, with mail-in ballots and automatic voter registration. Oregonians were the first in the nation with automatic voter registration for any resident who is at least 16 years old when they obtain or renew a driver’s license or permit or identi- fication card. But we can do better. Many Oregon residents may not receive ballots because they moved or changed names and need to update their voter registration. There are still Oregonians who are not registered to vote. You don’t need a driver’s license or identifi- cation card. You can register using the last four digits of your Social Security number or a bill M or other document with your name and current address. To vote in the May 15 primaries, you must be registered to vote by April 24. One more thing: Even if you are registered to vote by April 24, you can’t vote in the primaries unless you are registered with your party. Go to oregonvotes.org to register or update your voter or party registration. Or visit your county elec- tions office. Eighty eight percent of Oregon’s voting age residents were registered to vote for the Novem- ber 2016 elections, up from 77 percent in 2008. In 2018, let’s give everyone the ballot. LAURA ALLEN Seaside Vote Wev for county commissioner e are so lucky to have Pamela Wev run- ning in the upcoming Clatsop County Commissioner District 3 election. I am impressed with her listening skills and open, honest, and civil discourse. But more impor- tantly, I like her views, which encompass the environment, small businesses and unions. She is the perfect combination of the best qualities of the other candidates running for the position. Her energy, knowledge, and appreciation of our part of Oregon is the kind of attitude that can get things done. Meet her, if you can. She might convince you, too. KITTY PAINO Astoria W LETTERS WELCOME Letters should be exclusive to The Daily Astorian. Letters should be fewer than 250 words and must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. You will be contacted to confirm authorship. All letters are subject to editing for space, grammar, and, on occa- sion, factual accuracy. Only two letters per writer are allowed each month. Letters written in response to other letter writers should address the issue at hand and, rather than mentioning the writer by name, should refer to the headline and date the letter was published. Dis- course should be civil and people should be referred to in a respectful manner. Letters in poor taste will not be printed. Send via email to editor@dai- lyastorian.com, online at dailyasto- rian.com/submit_letters, in person at 949 Exchange St. in Astoria or 1555 North Roosevelt in Seaside, or mail to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 210, Astoria, OR 97103.