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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 2018)
5A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2018 LETTERS Smith, Cockrum for Gearhart council T hese days, “Keep Gearhart Gearhart” is an easy slogan to use if you want to win a seat on the City Council. No one will argue with it, no matter what your ultimate agenda might be. I’m sticking with the people who’ve actu- ally walked the walk. They know the nuts and bolts of keeping Gearhart Gearhart, because they know and have followed the comprehen- sive plan (the city’s covenant with the commu- nity), and the ordinances that implement it. They’ve been faithful to that plan all along, as their record on short-term rentals and dune vegetation (to name a couple of more recent issues) shows. Please join me in re-electing Kerry Smith and Paulina Cockrum to the Gear- hart City Council. BILL BERG Gearhart Don’t mess with our views of the river P lease, all who care for the quality of our city’s environment, dump the idea of the view-blocker Fairfield Hotel building. We do have at least a glimmer of local qual- ity possible. I refer to Buoy Beer’s (and oth- ers’) idea of converting an existing struc- ture into a “boutique” hotel (“Riverfront hotel planned near downtown Astoria,” The Daily Astorian, Oct. 19). This can be a good one. No additional messing with our views. DICK DARBY Astoria Vote Balensifer for Warrenton mayor T he difference in the two candidates for mayor of the city of Warrenton is strik- ing. Henry Balensifer, as the current mayor, has been exemplary in his determination to provide transparency for all citizens of the city. John Washington’s complaints often cen- ter around the issue of transparency. One such complaint specifically concerns the executive sessions of the commissioners. Mr. Washing- ton charges that the city commissioners and the city manager, with the compliance of the city attorney, are using these sessions to conceal what they are actually doing. Mr. Washington further states that he, if elected mayor, would convince the city attor- ney that these executive sessions should stop. Typically, however, elected officials (i.e. the mayor) do not decide when or whether to hold executive meetings, as this is the duty of the city manager and staff. Mr. Washington fails to understand either the scope or the limitations of the office he seeks. Furthermore, contrary to another of Mr. Washington’s complaints, the press is and always has been, welcome at these sessions. Henry Balensifer, because of his excellent ser- vice to the city of Warrenton, deserves our sup- port in his bid for re-election to the office of mayor. LORI BETH KULP Warrenton Vote ‘yes’ for Astoria school bond I ’ve learned a lot as a member of the Asto- ria School District Board the last few years. I’ve learned that our staff really live by the dis- trict’s credo: Every student can learn. But I’ve also learned that our buildings need major improvements. Throughout the district, our mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems are at or past their useful lives. Our roofs leak. Our science and vocational class- rooms are outmoded. Additional classroom space is needed at Astor Elementary School. The classrooms at Astoria Middle School, built in 1968, lack ventilation and natural light. They are tiny and triangular-shaped. Our schools also lack critical safety and security features that are dangerous to neglect. The high school has 77 separate doors to the outside, and can be entered sight unseen from almost any direction. None of the schools have digital security cameras or secure vestibules. All need upgrades to their fire suppression systems. The only way — the only way — to pro- vide funding for our school buildings is the Astoria School District bond on the Novem- ber ballot. Without bond financing, we cannot implement any of these necessary renovations. That’s why I am asking you to vote “yes “on Measure 4-197. DAVID OSER Astoria Benefield, Risley for Cannon Beach council W e encourage Cannon Beach citizens to vote for Mike Benefield and Robin Ris- ley for City Council. Mike has proven himself a valuable asset on the council. He has a good understanding of the Cannon Beach comprehensive plan, and an appreciation for the beautiful environment that attracts people to the area. When a dissent- ing voice of reason has been required, Mike has shown himself willing to state clearly an alternative point of view, and to work well with other council members. Robin would bring a long history of experience as a Cannon Beach business person active in the Chamber of Com- merce and as a public servant. As chair of the Cannon Beach Parks and Community Services Committee and mem- ber of the Cannon Beach Planning Commis- sion, Robin has demonstrated an understanding of the needs of the city, and her concern for the environment. The conflicting interests of residents, visi- tors, business and nature require study of the issues, fair minds, and thoughtful negotiations. We believe that Mike Benefield and Robin Ris- ley have shown themselves able to work on solutions that will benefit the city. REX and DIANE AMOS Cannon Beach Vote ‘yes’ for new county jail dle School also really need secure entrances. We need to keep our kids safe, and give them an environment they can learn and excel in. I’ve seen that there are repairs and invest- ments needed. For example, the high school orchestra walls are moldy, and need to be sealed up. Chemistry experiments can only be done on one station because the natural gas only works on one. The tracks are in bad shape. We need something we can be proud of, and it’s going to require a money from a bond to get there. CHRIS NEMLOWILL Astoria C Vote Brown for governor latsop County’s capacity to house inmates has experienced critical shortages for decades. This has negatively impacted your public safety and suppressed the effective- ness of every law enforcement agency in our area. Whether you live in one of the county’s five cities, or in the unincorporated areas, you equally share the resulting risk, as there is only one county jail. When the state of Oregon built the Oregon Youth Authority youth detention center, consid- erable investment was made by local taxpayers to prepare and build the supporting roads and infrastructure necessary to site this facility. It has now been mothballed and dormant for sev- eral years. The plan to re-purpose the facility into a county jail/corrections center is the most sensi- ble and best possible use for the existing build- ings and our local investment. The proposal will greatly increase the jail capacity, provide for inmate reform program areas and alterna- tive sanction programs. The redevelopment of this site will meet Clatsop County’s needs for many decades to come. I would strongly encourage you to vote “yes” on Ballot Measure 4-195. JOHN P. RAICHL Clatsop County sheriff, retired Astoria Heaven help us O ur forefathers rationalized away things in their lives they refused to admit were wrong (like slavery), just as all men do. How- ever, they were men who were cautious and discreet about their decisions in office, for they knew they were going to answer to God Almighty someday. But, what a bunch we have put in author- ity over us today, who have no respect for life, nor are they cautious about viciously attacking the innocent who disagree with them. Shame on them, shame on senators like Ron Wyden, Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren and the like, who take part in such ruthless methods of gov- ernance. They all should take another look at Panel Three on the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. The trouble is that as a people, when we put others in charge who act this way, it only shows that we, in fact, deserve them. Heaven help us, before it is too late. CARL YATES Seaside Astoria schools best investment we could make T he best investment we can make for the future of our community is our schools, and educating children so that they are pre- pared for tomorrow — prepared to go off and learn more, and then potentially come back to our community. I urge you to join me in supporting the Astoria School District bond, which would pay for critical upgrades to schools. I grew up in Astoria, and my children attend the elementary schools. I was a member of the Astoria School District Facility Committee, assessing schools and prioritizing needs. Part of my work on the committee included tours of the schools, and I’ve seen that what it really comes down to is our school are unsafe. When the high school was built, there was no such thing as school shootings. We live in a society in which we really need secure schools. Currently, there’s no way to keep the high school secure. Astor Elementary and the Mid- I f you think that the climate is changing, and that it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then for no other reason you must vote for Kate Brown for governor. Gov. Brown strongly supports Clean Energy Jobs legisla- tion, to move our economy away from fos- sil fuels, limit fossil fuel emissions, and invest in jobs and energy production from renewable sources. If you have any question about the current state of the climate change debate, just Goo- gle the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- mate Change (IPCC) report. It is quite sober- ing. Oregon must join other states in moving forward to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and build an energy economy for the future. Knute Buehler opposes Clean Energy Jobs legislation, a position we cannot afford. Vote for Kate Brown for governor for the energy future we need. ERIC HALPERIN Gearhart Astoria needs Jones’ leadership T he Astoria mayoral debate on Oct. 10 made it easy for me to decide that Bruce Jones is the person I want to lead our city forward. Michael “Sasha” Miller moved everyone with his advocacy for Astorians who are poor, men- tally ill, or without housing. Dulcye Taylor added imagination and entrepreneurship to the conversation. Bruce combines the best of Sasha and Dul- cye — plus abundant other skills and experi- ence. Throughout his 30-plus year Coast Guard career, people trusted his integrity, positive out- look, and sense of responsibility. They trusted him with their lives. Now as an active volunteer, including serv- ing on City Council, Bruce understands the spirit and needs of Astoria. Bruce was chief of strategic planning for the Coast Guard before transferring to Astoria in 2011. This tells me he’s just the person to help City Council set achievable goals and steer the right course for our beloved town. He’ll provide effective leadership so Astoria can deal with more tourists, more people seek- ing affordable housing, more sea lions and deer — and of course, for an earthquake and tsu- nami. Should disaster strike us, Bruce’s emer- gency response leadership with Hurricane Katrina and waterway pollution will serve us well. I encourage you to listen to the podcast of the mayoral debate at bit.ly/AstMayor. Visit his website: brucejonesformayor.com. Most importantly, join me in voting for Bruce Jones for mayor. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Nov. 6. LAURIE CAPLAN Astoria Vote ‘no’ on Measure 105 A s a proud and lifelong resident of Oregon, I ask with urgency and deep sincerity that you vote no on Measure 105. Immigrants are our neighbors, friends, col- leagues, and local business owners. They are part of our families, communities, workplaces, and places of worship. Today, just as through- out our country’s history, immigrants journey to the U.S. in search of a better life for their families. Measure 105 would throw out Oregon’s existing anti-profiling law, which has protected Oregonians from racial profiling and the over- EDITOR’S NOTE The Daily Astorian will not publish any election-related letters after Friday, Nov. 2. We will devote additional space to letters next week, and will endeavor to publish as many as we can. Letters are generally published in the order received. Any leftover letters will be published online. Letters should be fewer than 250 words and must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. We highly encourage submitting them via our online form at dailyastorian.com/submit_letters. reach of the federal government for over 30 years. If this measure passes, our already thinly stretched local police could be asked to use personnel, funds, equipment, and facilities to locate, arrest, and jail people suspected of only an immigration violation. Our jail, police, funds, and equipment should be used to protect our community from those that commit crimes and pose a threat to our safety. If passed, Measure 105 will do the opposite by deterring cooperation with local police and further diverting local resources to the federal government. Thank you for the platform, and please join me in voting no to Measure 105. ALEX CARNEY Seaside Ignore commercials and vote W atching the current crop of political com- mercials on TV just makes your stom- ach turn. Character assassination, false narra- tives, misrepresentation and lies are the stuff of which many are made. I have to trust that people see today’s polit- ical ads for what they are, and refuse to allow the themes of fear, distrust and deception to affect their thinking as they vote. TV political ads strike me as the worst possible way to learn any truth about candidates or issues. I feel lucky to be running in a local race in our unique community where the election campaigns are characterized by civility and respect, rather than hysteria unhinged from truth. I wish good luck to my worthy oppo- nent David Drafall, and to all of the candidates running for office in Astoria, and all of Clat- sop County. As for the other races, I hope you’ll ignore the acrimony as you vote for the candidates or issues you think best. And most of all, I hope you absolutely will vote. It’s a tragedy that many young people feel their vote won’t make a difference, when in fact they would control the outcome of almost every race if they would turn out in force. ROGER ROCKA Astoria Vote Herman for Astoria City Council am writing today in support of Joan Her- man for Astoria City Council. Joan is an intelligent, approachable, and engaging woman, with both drive and desire enough to make a difference. Joan cares about North Coast residents and businesses, as well as our issues. She possesses sufficient courage, imagination and good judgment to assist the council and lead our city toward solutions. Joan is connected. She has a long his- tory of home and small business “invest- ment” in the community, and a long list of loyal friends and trusted associates in town to show for it. Joan is concerned. As a teacher and news reporter (in print and on radio), she has made it her business to gather information for and about the issues which challenge us, for- mulated thoughtful questions, and had the unique opportunity to listen intently to the responses of those who are most involved. Joan is charismatic. From both her non- profit board and planning commission seats, she has demonstrated an ability to lead and a willingness to serve. Please vote for your neighborhood ambas- sador and advocate, Joan Herman. BILL VAN NOSTRAN Astoria I Support Benefield, Risley to lead Cannon Beach s I made my slow trip down Hem- lock Street to get my mail, I was over- whelmed by the number of visitors in our vil- lage. This may be good for business, but it is not so good for the full-time residents of Cannon Beach. We should strive for a better balance in quality of life services for both our guests and residents. I have worked on many community efforts with Mike Benefield and Robin Ris- ley. They both recognize the local issues and understand how we can be good stewards and still be welcoming to visitors. Please join me in supporting Mike and Robin for Cannon Beach City Council. They both have hands-on experience to lead us in these times. LES WIERSON Cannon Beach A
