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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
JIM VAN NOSTRAND
Editor
Founded in 1873
JEREMY FELDMAN
Circulation Manager
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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
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