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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2018)
6A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 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 Re-elect Bonamici to Congress T here is a wide disparity between U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and the two challengers for her 1st Congressional District seat. In the primary, Bonamici handily defeated two Democratic challengers — Ricky Barajas and Michael Stansfield — with zero political or government experience between them. The Nov. 6 general election looks much the same. Neither of her oppo- nents — John Verbeek, a Republican, and Drew Layda, the nominee from the Libertarian and Pacific Green parties — has held public office before, either. Verbeek, a business strategist, has run unsuccessfully for Portland metro councilor, state senator (twice) and state representative. He has referred to his home city as “the people’s republic of Portland,” believes President Donald Trump’s policies are working — includ- ing separating immigrant families at the border — and is unhappy with the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Republicans comprise only 24.6 percent of the voters in the 1st Congressional District, which cov- ers the northwest corner of the state — including Clatsop, Columbia, Washington and Yamhill counties, and a portion of southwest Multnomah County in Portland. Verbeek hasn’t said anything in the campaign that we believe would appeal to the 39 percent of the district’s voters who identify themselves as unaffiliated. Layda, a Navy veteran, former com- mercial diver, self-employed consultant and technical writer, has run an almost invisible campaign. His statement in the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet rails against the “entrenched EDITOR’S NOTE This is the first of The Daily Astorian editorial board’s endorsements for the Nov. 6 general election. Endorsements for nine other contested races will run over the next several days. BEVERAGES WITH BONAMICI Want another chance to talk with the con- gresswoman before filling out your ballot? She has scheduled two appearances in the county this weekend. The first, “beverages with Bonamici,” is 6-7 p.m. Saturday at Fort George Brewery, 1483 Duane St., Astoria. The second, “coffee with Suzanne,” is 10-11 a.m. Sunday at Cannon Beach Community Hall, 207 N. Spruce St. WATCH THE DEBATE Bonamici, Verbeek and Layda debated Sept. 17 at a public affairs forum in Wash- ington County. Video is available online. Part 1: bit.ly/washco-forum-1 Peter Wong/Beaverton Valley Times Democratic U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici speaks at a forum in Washington County. Op- ponents Drew Layda, left, and John Verbeek also participated. duopoly” of the major political parties. He promises to fight corruption, audit the Federal Reserve, end the nation’s unconstitutional military interventions, end Trump’s trade wars and end the war on cannabis, among other things. Bonamici, on the other hand, has years of commendable public service in the state House, state Senate and now Congress. She could have the opportu- nity to fight even more effectively for our interests if the Democrats are suc- cessful in taking back control of the House of Representatives this fall. She has been vocal in criticizing the Trump administration’s misguided pol- icies on immigration, health care, edu- cation, energy and the environment, among other issues. “What this administration is doing — ripping children away from their fam- ilies — is completely unacceptable, inhumane and must be called out for what it is,” she said at a Sept. 17 pub- lic affairs forum in Washington County, according to the Beaverton Valley Times. “It is not what America stands for.” We could not agree more. Bonamici is based in Beaverton when not in Washington, D.C., but she has been visible and active in Clatsop County. She has a formidable work ethic and a first-rate staff. She has hosted town halls in Cannon Beach, Seaside and Astoria in the past year. In the past few months, she has appeared at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and South Tongue Point to discuss her support of park main- physical and social attributes evolve. Those memories include his leadership among what must be regarded as one of those legendary classes graduating from Seaside High School, 1989. He has returned to his Cannon Beach home after college graduation, as well as success- fully serving in the corporate world. I have had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues facing Cannon Beach, and am finding certainty that he has a clear focus on what will correct some of its ills, and strengthen what we all love. Yes, he has a strong environmen- tal core — take it from Earth Day Ed. EDWARD JOHNSON Cannon Beach trict Association, this was a sleepy 10-member group with a sometime-somewhere fund of $675. Somewhere, as no one knew what bank held the money. Today membership is at 150, with revenue of $10,675 and a strong pres- ence in Astoria. They sponsored last month’s Brew Cup, raising $61,000. Also recently Dulcye, an inventive prob- lem solver, launched the 0K Fun Run netting $4,500. As she consistently advocates for chil- dren, this money will sponsor the Family Val- entine Dance. Also of her design, the annual Jane Barnes Review netted a $23,000 profit this year Dulcye is a master of consensus leadership where everyone loses some, but gains some as well. A charismatic leader, she can gather diverse people and leverage this diversity to fully deliberate decisions. Dulcye joins people and process to form sophisticated decisions — decisions still holding with the test of time. Let us not be fooled again. Let us not elect an overly optimistic candidate for mayor who assures us “Well no, I can have an executive position at a major city institution and be an active city leader as well.” No you cannot. Dulcye has the time and qualities to honor our Part 2: bit.ly/washco-forum-2 tenance funding and salmon recovery efforts, respectively. She also knows when to drop every- thing and wield the power of her office on behalf of her district. When OSG Tools — a Japanese manufacturer of taps, end mills, drills and indexable cut- ting tools — was considering a partner- ship with the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center in Scappoose last year, state Sen. Betsy Johnson called her to appeal for her help. Bonamici cleared her schedule to come to Scappoose and meet face- to-face with the company’s leaders, Johnson said. “I credit her with helping to close that deal,” Johnson said. Bonamici has served the district ably and well, and we strongly endorse her re-election bid. LETTERS Our spot of paradise has been discovered storia faces a crossroads. The sleepy town of just 20 years ago is no more. Our beautiful spot of paradise has been dis- covered, judging by the throngs of visitors. Developers want to erect multistory riverfront hotels, which would forever alter the look and character of our town. Ironically, this comes at a time when many local employers can’t fill job vacancies — and even if they could, their employees can’t find affordable places to live. I am running for Astoria City Council, Ward 3 (central Astoria) because I love this community and want to ensure that at this piv- otal point in our town‘s history, we not lose sight of what makes this place so unique — its rich past and eclectic architecture, its vibrant, locally owned business/arts communities, its remarkable sense of community and its stun- ning natural beauty. Preserving what makes Astoria special will keep our town thriving, and visitors returning year after year. Part of keeping Astoria “Astoria” is to ensure that our town does not become a place where only the well-to-do can afford to live. Creating workforce housing for service workers and others living below the median income must be prioritized. And we must sup- port businesses that offer living-wage jobs, as well as take steps to attract such jobs. These are just a few of my priorities if elected as your Astoria city councilor. Contact me at joan4ward3@gmail.com. And please vote “Joan Herman” by Nov. 6. JOAN HERMAN Astoria A Vote Swedenborg for Cannon Beach council hough the margin is thin, and regardless of who is elected, our city will be in good hands. I have already endorsed Robin Risley. Greg Swedenborg is a native Cannon Beach son, making him a third-generation res- ident, starting with his grandparents. They, along with his mom and dad, have contributed to the well-being of this community. Frank Swedenborg, his dad, has been one of those omnipresent individuals while a member of the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Department. As for Greg, our friendship extends to the time of his childhood, and his being a friend of my son, Jake. He remarked he loved those cookies we served. Being a coach, freshmen class advisor and science teacher gave me additional opportunities to watch his mental, T Vote Taylor for Astoria mayor ot all leaders run at the same speed. Would a leader from a strict hierar- chal system be an effective city government leader? I’m with Dulcye Taylor for mayor. This city is her ground, and the following list affirms her abilities and accomplishments: Before her 10-plus years’ service as pres- ident of the Astoria Downtown Historic Dis- N heritage and move us all forward. BLAIR COCKING Astoria Taylor would make a great mayor met Dulcye Taylor a couple of weeks ago at a gathering concerning her running for mayor. I was struck immediately how down to earth she was, and how much she loved Asto- ria. As board president for the Astoria Down- town Historic District Association for eight years, she has shown that she gets along with people, and can work well with them. She has helped make Astoria vibrant and welcoming. She and the downtown businesses have put in planters, bike lockers, helped clean the streets and put in new street signs. Also, she wants to preserve our waterfront from being overdeveloped, which is very important. These are just a few things that she has done. I am convinced Dulcye Taylor would make a great mayor. SYLVIA DAVIS Astoria I
