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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
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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
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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
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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
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