Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 14, 2018)
4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2018 editor@dailyastorian.com KARI BORGEN Publisher Founded in 1873 JIM VAN NOSTRAND Editor JEREMY FELDMAN Circulation Manager DEBRA BLOOM Business Manager JOHN D. BRUIJN Production Manager CARL EARL Systems Manager OUR VIEW Tiffiny Mitchell Vineeta Lower Brian Halvorsen Randell Carlson Pam Wev Peter Roscoe Bruce Jones Dulcye Taylor Michael Miller Roger Rocka David Drafall Joan Herman Ron Zilli Henry Balensifer John Washington Kerry Smith Jack Zimmerman Jay Barber John Chapman Robin Risley Mike Benefield Greg Swedenborg Now we all move ahead Local candidates for public office represented themselves well I mportant national matters else- where are still unresolved in the wake of the Nov. 6 midterm elec- tions, but now that the dust has begun to settle from the local campaigns it is time to move on. We believe most Clatsop County residents share our view that we can move ahead in a positive manner. After all, we all have to live as neigh- bors in the same community. While we will inevitably have some differences, we share a common commitment to making our region a great place to live. Many local candidates threw their hats into the ring, and we com- mend them all for taking the time to run. Going door to door, appear- ing at forums, and having your opin- ions scrutinized by voters and the media isn’t an activity that everyone embraces with equal relish. Most significantly, North Coast res- idents decided to dig deep into their pocketbooks to invest in our future, approving the school bonds for Astoria and Warrenton, as well as a new, expanded county jail. Public safety and good schools are the most import- ant services local governments can provide. The North Coast gave these bond measures an enthusiastic thumbs up. The Sunset Empire recreation proj- ect had its core of supporters, but about two-thirds of voters opposed the measure to fund the expansion of the aquatic facility and provide indoor recreation space at the Sunset Pool, opened in 1977. It may be a worth- while project, but it fell victim to com- peting priorities, given the recent pas- sage of the $99.7 million bond to move Seaside schools out of the tsu- nami zone. The other element of our local elec- tions we would like to highlight is the tone. In recent years, the vitriol unleashed by participants in our national debate has become almost unbearable. There are times when we barely recognize the country that we know and love. But here in our part of rural Oregon, we set an example of civility that oth- ers could do well to emulate. Most of the candidates for city councils and other races sought to emphasize that they were not running against their opponents so much as offering voters a choice of philosophy, talents and expe- rience. Many bent over backwards to do so, praising their opponents while pointing out their differences. That is healthy and near short of astonishing these days. There were some exceptions, with outrageous mailers, apparently from outside groups, and some questionable TV ads in one state race. But beyond that we escaped the bombardment of the raw venom of the “them-and-us” that char- acterizes almost all of the national discourse. So, thanks everyone for keeping it civil. We look forward to reporting on the new leaders stepping into their new roles and responsibilities, and wish them well as they make decisions that affect our lives. We hope they will do so openly and collaboratively, lis- tening to all points of view from their constituents. Voters have done their job. Now it is up to them. And for those who were not elected, we hope they will continue to find other ways to serve their communities with the same enthusiasm they showed in their campaigns. Water under the bridge Compiled by Bob Duke From the pages of Astoria’s daily newspapers 10 years ago this week — 2008 Gray skies and blowing rain couldn’t dampen the enthusi- asm more than two dozen people shared as American Legion Post 12 dedicated the flagpole it donated to the city of Astoria and Columbia Field. The city of Astoria has begun a new tradition of having its local youth serving in the U.S. Armed Forces fly a U.S. Flag for one day wherever they are, then send the flag to the city to fly. But the pole at Columbia Field will fly the flag sent home by Sean Johnson of Astoria. “He’s asked that his flag be flown at this pole every day until he comes home,” said Mayor Willis Van Dusen. “He played a lot of baseball here. He was born and raised here. So there’s a real, true significance to this pole.” Like they do every year, the Astoria and Seaside boys soccer teams dominated the all-league selec- tions, announced over the weekend. The Fishermen and Gulls combined for 13 of the 22 members of the all-league team, including seven of the 11 first-team selections. Astoria junior Jair Macareno was selected as the league’s Player of the Year, and Seaside junior Bren Bletscher was named Goalkeeper of the Year. The Newport City Council nearly scrapped the joint air service project with the Port of Astoria. But Port of Astoria leaders put up a united front to keep the $4.3 million opportunity alive. And after some strong words from state Sen. Betsy John- son, D-Scappoose, Newport councilors reversed their course. By the end of the teleconferenced joint session, both gov- erning bodies voted unanimously to award a contract to Sea- Port Airlines for service from the coast to Portland, uniting at last behind the Portland-based carrier after months of dis- agreement and false starts. 50 years ago — 1968 A dream came true for Mrs. Chet Love of Asto- ria when she raised one of her hand made, authen- tic replicas of the Lewis and Clark 15-star, 15-stripe flag over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., recently. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Thompson of Warrenton, 2008 — Youngs River Falls flows fast and furious after heavy rains soaked the North Coast. The two-day rainfall in Astoria was measured at 5.21 inches. Mrs. Del Kernes, Mrs. Lee Porter and Mrs. Ken- neth Wright, all of Astoria, also participated in the ceremony which took place on the roof of the Capi- tol Building. Mrs. Love became interested in flag making when she, as one of a group of Astoria women who belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, vol- unteered to make a 15-stripe, 15-state flag for the 1955 Sesquicentennial celebration here in Astoria, to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The director of the Tongue Point Job Corps Center said she’s afraid President-elect Nixon’s desire to eliminate the Job Corps would not result in an adequate alternative. Nixon said during the campaign and after the election that he would elim- inate the federal program. He indicated that the work done in many War on Poverty programs should be done instead by pri- vate industry. There was an 87.9 percent turnout of voters in Clatsop County in the Nov. 5 general election, with a total vote of 12,911 out of 14,684 registered. Republicans, as in the past, voted heavier in percentage figures than did Democrats, but not by much. There were 6,283 registered Republicans and 5,635 of this number balloted for 89.6 percent. Dem- ocrat percentage was 87.0, with 7,016 votes cast out of 8,064 registered. A poll of 1½ percent of the Astoria-Warrenton-Hammond population shows 82 ½ percent favor continued operation of the Tongue Point Job Corps Center. 75 years ago — 1943 Astorians who have served at the Astoria warn- ing center during the two years it helped safeguard the defense of the Pacific coast will receive letters of commendation, citations, and service bars this week from the Clatsop County Defense Council, according to David J. Lewis, defense coordinator, who said the envelopes are now in the mail. The world’s oldest sailor on active duty will visit Astoria on Wednesday, in the interest of Navy recruiting, announces Hal Eustis of the naval recruiting substation. The old salt is Chief Boatswain’s Mate George (Sandy) Sanderson, who is 81 years “young” and has 41 years of ser- vice in the U.S. Fleet to his credit. Chief Sanderson had been on the retired list for 20 years at the time of the Jap sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and he immediately volunteered his services. The Hotel Astoria was declared “out of bounds” for transient navy use by the command of the Asto- ria naval station in an order which bans the hotel to navy personnel for only transient occupancy, but which permits permanent navy residents to continue renting facilities there, it was learned today. The order was issued by Capt. J. D. Barner after investigation of disturbances in the hotel. Navy and Coast Guard surface craft, planes and a blimp searched the Pacific 20 miles west of the Columbia River mouth today for signs of a Navy flier who bailed out of his light plane after colliding in mid-air with another Navy plane from the same squadron off the Astoria naval airport. Presentation of 100-hour aircraft warning ser- vice arm bands and 500-hour watch service for observers at the Astoria station featured the gath- ering of “sky watchers” at the Lewis and Clark junior high school auditorium.
