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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 12, 2018)
4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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 Water under the bridge Compiled by Bob Duke From the pages of Astoria’s daily newspapers 10 years ago this week — 2008 Seaside will receive international attention as the town where hundreds of runners finish the Hood to Coast relay race when a documentary film is released next spring. A film crew accompanied the race organizers during the event, which took runners 197 miles from Mount Hood to Seaside Aug. 22 to 24. The documentary will be shown at the Cannes and Sun- dance film festivals, race organizer Bob Foote told the Sea- side city Council. “It will provide worldwide exposure for Seaside,” said Foote, who gave the city “kudos” for being a “great host.” Foote then presented the Council with a $17,000 check from race proceeds. He said the money was to go to renova- tion of Seltzer Park near the Cove in South Seaside. The Port of Astoria and the city of Newport have been struggling to agree on how to select an airline to provide passenger air service between the coast and Portland. On Tuesday, the Newport city Coun- cil rescinded its 5-2 vote to contract with Cape Air of Massachusetts and agreed to go back out for bids. About 200 U.S. Coast Guard aviators descended on Asto- ria as the annual Pterodactyl Roost began. The annual meeting of the Coast Guard Aviation Associa- tion, a fraternal organization also known as Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl, brings together pilots and other flight-crew members for four days of sightseeing at the Graveyard of the Pacific. Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, vice commandant of the Coast Guard, will also attend part of the event. Second in command in the Coast Guard, Crea is the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. military. 50 years ago — 1968 Port of Astoria Manager C.E. Hodges told the port commission, “I have been assured by the Northwest Aluminum company that in spite of the revenue bonds, they are going to build the Warren- ton plant.” Northwest Aluminum Vice President Richard 2008 — A Civil War re-enactment at Fort Stevens State Park. Peck was in Astoria but could not be reached for comment. It was fairly apparent, however, that Peck had been told of Hodge’s statement to the commis- sion. Peck issued no word himself. What the phrase “in spite of the revenue bonds” meant was not clear. Sale of $150 million in municipal revenue bonds by the Port of Astoria to finance construction of Northwest’s plant will reportedly be made this fall. The sale was first scheduled for this summer, but Peck said on his last Astoria visit that the tremen- dous job of getting the necessary backing for the bonds was responsible for the delay. There has also been some question on what firms would go into the Warrenton venture with North- west. Japanese firms were at first announced as par- ticipants with Northwest, which is headquartered in New York. In recent weeks, however, there have been several reports that the venture will involve U.S. firms only. A proposal to give downtown Astoria a facelift — put- ting in big areas of off-street parking, making the retail area more attractive and forming governmental and tourist-com- mercial complexes — was presented to city officials and the public. Richard Ivey of Cornell, Howland, Hayes and Merry- field (CHHM), engineers and planners, presented the results of a year’s planning financed by a grant from the federal government. Proposed plan — what Ivey called “a general concept” — would involve vacating parts of the business section for park- ing, mall-like areas and new businesses and realigning part of Marine Drive, among other things. “If we don’t move soon to make a logical downtown area, a lack of convenient downtown parking may give rise to shop- ping centers on the perimeter of the city,” said Allen Cellar, acting chairman of the city planning commission. “I think the time is late for acting.” 75 years ago — 1943 Mrs. Wilburt Bjork made one of the outstand- ing catches of the Labor Day weekend fishing when she landed a previously hooked fish from the river near Megler. Reeling in her line when the strike came, Mrs. Bjork found that she hooked another line. First came the 35-pound fish from the river and then another fisherman’s line, pole and complete angling outfit. Ensign Lucia Brown of the WAVES will be in Astoria Sep- tember 13-18 to assist young women in this area in present- ing their applications for the WAVES, it was announced by Recruiting Specialist Hal Eustis, in charge of the Astoria U.S. Navy recruiting substation. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please spell Leif Ericson correctly A s I grew up, surrounded by Norwe- gians (my family), I was told many sto- ries about the heroic figures in our past. My favorite was Leif Ericson. He was admired for his love of adventure and his fearless explorations, including establishing a set- tlement in North America in 1,000 A.D. He was described as being a thoughtful, kind and handsome man. My hero. Moving to Astoria a few years ago, I dis- covered I was surrounded by Scandina- vians. but I was shocked to see a large road sign pointing out “Lief Ericson Drive.” My frequent Norwegian relatives were equally shocked to see our hero’s name misspelled. “At least write a letter to the newspaper,” they told me. I went to City Hall for some background and they gave me copies of previous efforts to correct the spelling, dating back to 1934. A bit discouraging, but Norwegians are known for being stubborn. It might be timely to try again, since a monument has been approved to be con- structed at the Peoples Park by the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Foundation. On behalf of all us perfectionists who want our heroes’ names spelled correctly, please consider this situation. BARBARA BALSEIRO Astoria President Trump is keeping his promises uring his rallies, President Donald Trump baits television pundits and reporters. He knows television folks will always bite, and talk about him all day long. President Trump uses tweets to get his unedited message out to the public. But hos- tile press folks aren’t used to being thwarted like that. And, in their panic to manipulate his message, they show their bias. President Trump talks like most average guys. He isn’t the smooth-talking, say one- thing-and-do-another phony like so many politicians. President Trump’s comments about sex and women were crude and rightly criticized. But Democratic Party leaders didn’t criticize President Bill Clinton’s actual sexual esca- pades, even when women claimed Clinton raped them. President Trump’s vast wealth makes him financially secure. He’s able to ignore big- money pressure Washington politicians face. President Trump’s making long-needed D changes career politicians refused to make. Or, perhaps didn’t know how to make. President Trump’s an advocate for Amer- ican workers. Democrats gave up doing that years ago, while claiming they still did. President Trump exaggerates, which Democrats label as lies. But the House of Representatives impeached President Clinton for committing perjury by lying under oath, and for obstructing justice for telling other folks to lie. President Trump has extraordinary risk-taking gumption to become a billion- aire in the real estate business. To be born in obscurity, and to become a worldwide house- hold name, is a classic American success story. President Trump’s keeping promises he made when campaigning for votes. And that’s a stunning surprise to just about everybody. DON HASKELL Astoria Clatsop County commissioner. Pam has an incredible 40-year back- ground as a planner and consultant on both coasts. She will use that experience to help tackle the issues of housing for workers, and attracting economic development which improves our county, rather than drawing from it without contributing. She will bring new approaches to work- ing cooperatively with other governments on emergency preparedness and social service and mental health needs. She cares deeply about this community. Today, this is a job for someone with real professional skills. Fortunately, we have a candidate who meets those requirements: Pam Wev. JAN MITCHELL Astoria Michael “Sasha” Miller has been the voice of real change in these times of home- lessness, political division, mental health care and facing the coming Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. He thinks a lot more must be done. “How we care for the least among us defines us as a community” was the sign he held on Memorial Day weekend. Miller thinks not enough is done to help those in need. He thinks setting up more of a dia- logue with the community might bring forth both more help, understanding and some solutions. I am voting for David Drafall to represent Ward 1, and for Michael “Sasha” for mayor. I hope you give them consideration. MARY TANGUAY WEBB Astoria Astoria Co-op cares about community Herman has values, vision, vitality Mitchell will help protect health care W Y am voting for Democrat Tiffiny Mitchell to represent me in Salem because she knows the importance of access to affordable health care. I have a pre-existing medical condition; maybe you do, too. Most of us do. I get my health insurance through the health insurance exchange. Currently insurers cannot deny me coverage, or charge me more because of my medical condition. That will change if Republicans have their way. Pre-existing condition protections are an integral part of the Affordable Care Act, which has been under constant threat by the Trump administration and the Republican Congress. I know that Tiffiny Mitchell will do every- thing she can as our state representative to help people like me, who depend on pre-ex- isting condition protections. Think about your own health care when you vote this November. Make a plan to vote, and join me in voting for Tiffiny Mitchell. BEBE MICHEL Gearhart I Wev will provide creative leadership C latsop County is facing some complex challenges which demand creative lead- ership. That is the primary reason that I am working for the election of Pam Wev for e’d like to commend our fantas- tic Astoria Co-op. Not only will they bring us a beautiful new store, but they clearly care about our community. When a small group of privileged retirees — who bought still-undeveloped lots directly across from this commercially zoned Mill Pond property decades ago — repeatedly delayed the project, and threatened to derail it with legal threats, the Co-op worked to offer extensive special concessions in order to move the process forward. Thank you, Co-op, for focusing on expanding a beloved community asset that will serve Astoria for years to come. BILL GRIESAR AND FAMILY Astoria Vote Drafall, Miller for Astoria offices e are a fortunate town. Two commu- nity activists have come forward to run for office. One, David Drafall, to represent Uniontown Ward 1, and the other, Michael “Sasha” Miller for mayor. Drafall has been a force in Uniontown for years. He is a member of the Uniontown neighborhood association, active in the Scan- dinavian Festival, helps maintain the Dough- boy Monument and more. His is co-owner of a small business, and an all-round fine fellow. I found it curious that on the very last day, another candidate with lots of name familiar- ity and many accolades put his name on the ballot. It’s kosher, but is it nice? Isn’t it time for a little new blood? W ou’ve probably seen Joan Herman at meetings, concerts, special events, ral- lies, and even parades. Nothing stops Joan from enjoying Astoria’s people and places, and from serving on committees and boards behind the scenes. She is a treasure, and I’m delighted she’s running for Astoria City Council from Ward 3. I’m one of the lucky people who gets to work with Joan as a volunteer. Her integ- rity, intelligence, and respect for others are well-known. From her years as a newspa- per reporter and as a radio interviewer, she asks the questions that need to be asked, and doesn’t hesitate to respectfully push for better answers and more information. She is com- mitted to effective public service. I especially admire Joan’s calm deter- mination. She is unflappable in the face of storms and stormy decision-making. Asto- ria City Council faces many tough issues in the coming years, including housing, devel- opment, the Riverfront Vision Plan, men- tal health treatment, and the city’s tight bud- get. Joan has been following these and other city issues for years, so she’s ready to work with City Council to make wise decisions for Astoria. Her campaign slogan — Values, Vision, and Vitality — perfectly describes her. Please join me in voting for Joan Herman for Asto- ria City Council on Nov. 6. You’re invited to talk with Joan at her campaign kickoff on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Lovell Showroom, 426 14th St. in Astoria. LAURIE CAPLAN Astoria
