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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 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
Great choices for Astoria council
A
storia is blessed with a plethora of
riches in the Nov. 6 election.
Not only do we have two
excellent mayoral candidates, as we
noted Friday, but we also have four
smart, enthusiastic and capable candi-
dates for two City Council seats.
David Drafall, Roger Rocka, Joan
Herman and Ron Zilli would all
make outstanding city councilors.
Unfortunately, we can only elect two of
them.
We hope that the two who don’t win
will remain engaged in the public life of
the community. We suspect that will be
the case.
Roger
Rocka
David
Drafall
Ward 1: Rocka vs Drafall
Rocka and Drafall are both longtime
city residents, but say they didn’t meet
until after filing for office.
They have only nice things to say
about each other. They both have a his-
tory of service to the community.
They aren’t far apart on the issues,
either. They worry that the waterfront
is slipping out of locals’ control. They
want to change city zoning to reflect
the will of the people. They want to do
something about the choking traffic.
Neither has a solution for the housing
shortage or homelessness.
The winner will take City Councilor
Zetty Nemlowill’s seat represent-
ing the western corner of downtown,
Uniontown, some Port of Astoria prop-
erty and some of the South Slope neigh-
borhoods overlooking Youngs Bay.
Rocka brings a business background,
both as the longtime owner of a success-
ful dinner theater in California, employ-
ing 50 people, and as executive director
of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber
of Commerce from 1994 to 2004. He
jokes that the business community lis-
tens to him despite his liberal political
views.
Drafall brings a unique perspective as
a longtime hairdresser at a Uniontown
salon. It’s a truism that if you want to
know what people are talking about in
any town, ask the barber.
He promises to be an unabashed
advocate for the people of his ward. As
a small example, he will “fight, yell and
scream” to get parking on Bond Street,
he said.
Another consideration is that Rocka
plans to serve only one four-year term.
Drafall says he’s in this for the long
haul.
Rocka said institutional memory is
important to an organization, and we
agree. However, Drafall’s daily contact
with customers assures feedback and
accountability from his constituents.
We are impressed with Drafall’s fire
and passion, which in our opinion gives
him the edge in the race.
Our choice: Drafall
Ron
Zilli
Joan
Herman
Ward 3: Zilli vs Herman
Ron Zilli and Joan Herman also just
met, though both are longtime city res-
idents. They say they made their deci-
sions to file independently and aren’t
running against each other.
Zilli has served the public for 25
years in the Oregon Department of
Forestry, currently working as the state’s
field operations and policy manager.
He is also a 30-year veteran of the
Navy and Navy Reserve, retiring as
a master chief petty officer. His mili-
tary service includes several overseas
deployments to the Middle East and
Africa.
He describes himself as a details and
numbers guy, with lots of experience
in developing public policy, analyzing
complex issues and involving the public
in decision-making processes.
“If you want something done, give it
to a busy person,” he laughed.
Herman is a retired business-
woman, newspaper reporter and edu-
cator who serves on the city’s Planning
Commission. She hosts two programs
for Coast Community Radio, including
a public affairs show, and serves on the
station’s board of directors.
She is also active in the progressive
group Indivisible North Coast and is a
familiar sight at public events around
the city.
Herman describes herself as socially
progressive, fiscally conservative, a hard
worker and good listener, who relishes
studying issues and talking with people.
“As we grow and change, it’s import-
ant we don’t lose sight of what makes our
community special and unique,” she said.
Whoever wins will replace City
Councilor Cindy Price, whose four-year
term in the downtown Ward 3 seat ends
this year.
Of the two, Herman has been more
active in local city issues, and offered
more specifics about them when talking
with our editorial board.
She is the classic example of the self-
less citizen activist. Her work on the
Planning Commission has been com-
mendable. We believe she’s earned the
chance to serve on the City Council.
Our choice: Herman
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Measure 102 will help
our communities
P
eople who work on the Oregon Coast
should be able to afford to live on the
Oregon Coast. But ask any new arrival
where they are living and watch for the reac-
tion. From Astoria to Brookings, nurses, first
responders, fisherman, shopkeepers, teach-
ers, office workers and tradespeople are no
longer able to afford local neighborhoods.
As representatives for nearly half our
coastline, we hear the impact that housing
affordability has on families, seniors, work-
ers, and the local businesses that need those
workers. We joined our colleagues in the
Oregon Legislature in voting nearly unani-
mously to refer to voters a measure that will
make it easier and more efficient to build
affordable housing — Measure 102.
Measure 102 will remove an outdated
restriction that prevents affordable hous-
ing bond dollars from being used in partner-
ship with nonprofits and affordable housing
developers. This will give a boost to smaller
cities and towns who otherwise might not
have the ability to carry out an affordable
housing bond.
This measure includes added safeguards,
requiring local governments to complete
annual audits and to publicly report spending
of bond funds. If Measure 102 is approved,
bond funds will be treated just like other
funds for affordable housing, within a strong
system of accountability that ensures resi-
dents with low incomes are being properly
served.
Not only is taxpayer investment pro-
tected, but Measure 102 will make your tax
dollars go further, by allowing access to new
funding sources. Please join us in voting yes
on Measure 102.
REP. DAVID GOMBERG
REP. DEBORAH BOONE
Salem
post-corrections; now, only 19 percent.
Before two years ago, 4 percent were chil-
dren; now 10 percent. Before two years ago,
8 percent were seniors; now, 18 percent.
Overnight emergency shelter has exponen-
tially spiked.
Barber’s mayoral policies are creating the
end result that drives our vulnerable citizens
into the arms of Helping Hands. While tout-
ing his prolific fundraising abilities for Help-
ing Hands, this is like a toxic chemical plant
raising money for cancer victims. Let this
sink in.
Jay Barber moved here with a presum-
ably securely funded retirement. I wonder if
he understands what it means to struggle to
raise a family, to earn a living, and to try to
create a retirement plan in our town.
Can we trust Jay Barber for another term?
CYNTHIA MALKOWSKI
Arch Cape
Vote Smith for
Gearhart City Council
W
e support Kerry Smith for Gearhart
city councilor for these reasons:
• Kerry is a very good listener, willing to
listen to his constituents, and act upon their
suggestions.
• He has special expertise in water issues,
and is very concerned that Gearhart has
good, clean water.
• Kerry has lived in Gearhart for over 33
years, has deep roots here, and understands
the issues facing our community.
• Kerry has run a successful remodeling
and construction business, and knows the
problems facing business.
• He was instrumental in constructing a
very fair and equitable solution to the short-
term rental issue.
This is why we support Kerry Smith for
Gearhart city councilor.
JUDITH and JAKE REDEKOP
Gearhart
Has Barber earned new
term as Seaside mayor?
A chicken? Really?
H
W
as Jay Barber earned a new term as our
mayor? A look at the numbers:
In June 2017, I lobbied Jay Barber in an
effort to persuade him to not sign an agree-
ment with Airbnb. Despite having hard data,
including a Harvard study that specifically
outlined negative effects on affordable hous-
ing, Jay Barber signed an agreement with
Airbnb.
Jay Barber sits at the mayor’s desk and
on the board of Helping Hands. City data
demonstrates Barber’s failure to regulate
vacation rentals that rob us of family hous-
ing and drive up rents. I now see work-
ing poor sleeping in a derelict house in my
neighborhood. This cuts to the bone.
From Helping Hands: Before Barber’s
last two years, 90 percent of clients were
hat the editor or publisher of this
paper deems as newsworthy amazes
me. On Oct. 17, there was the annual “Com-
munity Leaders” tour. As the very short
paragraph buried on page 3 of the Oct. 18
paper stated, the theme of this year’s tour
was “Working Forests — More Than Just
Trees” (“A walk through the trees,” The
Daily Astorian).
The tour was attended by many of the
candidates running for public office in the
upcoming election, as well as some cur-
rent officials and members of the local envi-
ronmental community. I’m confident that at
least some of these people would have com-
ments, both negative and positive, regarding
the tour and the current state of forest man-
agement. Forest management is an important
issue to most Clatsop County residents.
Instead of being featured as an important
subject, it was on page 3. Front page news
was … a chicken (“This is Evelyn, Miss
Fancy Feathers,” The Daily Astorian).
BUD HENDERSON
Knappa
Bunnies not a ‘problem’
B
oo hoo! Talk about First World prob-
lems. If bunnies are the biggest issue in
Cannon Beach, then we are one lucky com-
munity. Is it really worthy of so much news
coverage? (“No easy solution for Cannon
Beach bunnies,” The Daily Astorian, Oct.
12)
Yes, there are lots of bunnies. How-
ever, they are nothing like rats. They are not
aggressive, they don’t attack garbage cans
and spread litter over the street, and they
don’t live in your house.
Many of us who actually live here love
the bunnies. They are cute and friendly, and
they brighten our day. Moreover, a properly
constructed fence will keep them out of your
garden and yard.
So instead of complaining about our furry
residents, why don’t you just relax and be
grateful you have a home in one of the most
beautiful places in the world.
LISA KERR
Cannon Beach
Women on the ballot
can make a difference
U
nhappy with the current situation in our
country or community? Change is possi-
ble with informed citizens. Don’t complain,
vote. At one time, half of the U.S. citizens
could not vote. “Time is up.”
There is still wage discrepancy, environ-
mental issues, education for kids, affordable
housing and preserving what is Astoria to be
worked on locally. Vote. Join me in voting
yes on 4-197 to improve building safety in
local schools. Educated kids are our future.
Voting is a privilege, and a responsi-
bility. We are standing on the shoulders
of women who came before us, who cam-
paigned for women’s suffrage for almost 100
years; many were jailed, some died before it
became a law in 1919. Vote. This midterm
election can turn the tide. We have willing
women on the ballot who can make a differ-
ence in politics as usual.
I have met and talked to candidates
Pamela Wev for Clatsop County Commis-
sion, Joan Herman for Astoria City Council,
Dulcye Taylor for mayor, Tiffiny Mitchell
for state House District 32, and incumbent
candidates Suzanne Bonamici, Betsy John-
son and Kate Brown. These women have a
background in public service and a history of
volunteerism and are committed to the citi-
zens of Clatsop County and Oregon.
We need new voices, new views, and
the experience to work collaboratively pre-
serving what is uniquely Astoria, including
our waterfront, as well as disaster planning.
These candidates will propel Astoria into a
future that residents and tourists can value.
Your vote counts.
LaREE JOHNSON
Astoria
Downtown merchants should
focus on customer service
O
pen letter to Astoria downtown mer-
chants: I hadn’t been into the shops for
quite a while, and decided it would be fun to
spend a lovely fall day exploring my down-
town again. However, I went into several
shops where the clerk/owner/manager never
bothered to greet me.
I was so disappointed and dismayed. Was
it because it wasn’t cruise ship day, and I
wasn’t taken as a tourist with money … and
because I was dressed in my casual walking
clothes? Not an answer.
In these days of so much online shopping
competition, and stores disappearing from
our downtown, it seems that customer ser-
vice should be at the top of the list, no matter
the day. I know the stores, though few, that
I’ll visit again.
Come on Astoria, you can do better than
what I received — or should I say, didn’t —
that day.
ROBIN RODGERS
Astoria
County jail is not inhumane
T
he current jail is not “inhumane” by any
reasonable standard. It definitely has
some shortcomings as far as comfort is con-
cerned, and the food was much better years
ago, when it was cooked on site in the local
jail kitchen.
If this measure fails to pass, the sheriff
and his deputies will continue to do a great
job of keeping our county safe.
Murder, child abuse, drunk driving,
domestic discord, mental illness, drug viola-
tions, robbery, burglary, stalking, etc., etc. —
it’s all out there, and one jail, one criminal
justice system is supposed to address it all.
A large number of people in jail are wait-
ing for a trial and sentencing in an over-sub-
scribed court system, or waiting for men-
tal health evaluations in an underfunded,
undermanned mental health system, or fail-
ing parole and probation requirements. The
state wants to house more state prisoners
in county jails, and the federal government
wants the counties to do the job of federal
immigration authorities.
No wonder people are confused about
whether to vote for a new jail.
THOMAS DUNCAN
Astoria