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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 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
Code enforcement should be high priority
L
iving in the country can be
heavenly — unless you’ve got
problem neighbors. Then it can
be pure hell.
Our Nov. 8 story, “Clatsop County
searches for better ways to enforce
code violations” reported what it’s like
to be “pretty much like … living in a
war zone.” We focused on one situa-
tion on Youngs River Road. The issues
described, however, are widespread
throughout the rural Pacific Northwest.
At the property we reported on,
squatters are behind threats of vio-
lence, possible drug odors, loud noise,
piles of trash, human waste and burn-
ing of large items like a trailer and mat-
tress. The term “squatters” makes it
sound like a random invasion. Reality
usually is more complicated. Renters
invite or allow friends and family to
move in, usually in violation of leases.
Landowners who neglect basic man-
agement functions unintentionally per-
mit smaller issues to fester and grow
into neighborhood-wrecking free-for-
alls. Violators themselves may be rot-
ten jerks — or simply overwhelmed
by poverty, illness or substance abuse.
Although there are certain common-
alities, in some ways each situation is
unique.
The county has at least 20 other
problem properties. It is managing
about 200 unresolved code violations.
Until recently, there wasn’t a full-time
code compliance specialist. In weigh-
Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian
A property on Youngs River Road with vehicles and trailers in states of disrepair and
piles of refuse.
ing competing priorities, counties and
other local governments understandably
struggle with how to allocate funds. In
the most clear-cut example, in a con-
test between hiring a sheriff’s deputy
or a code officer, protecting the pub-
lic against outright criminals is always
likely to win.
It’s essential to recognize that code
disputes can and do blow up into
crimes. Tempers flare when dogs bark
all day or chase horses. Arguments
about illegally burning smelly garbage
can easily turn into assaults.
Looming over all this are protec-
tions for private property rights. One
person’s awful mess may be anoth-
er’s cherished stockpile of old farm
equipment and vehicles kept for parts.
As a local official observed, even the
most egregious violators deserve due
process.
Carried to an extreme, such prop-
erties negatively affect the value of
neighboring addresses. Lack of appro-
priate rule enforcement drags everyone
down.
Beyond admonishing everyone to be
better neighbors, what’s the solution?
The current county commission has
shown it appreciates the seriousness of
the worst code violations. It recently
conducted a first-of-its-kind hearing
to accelerate seizure of a property that
So my thanks goes out to the CMH Pavilion
staff: Physical therapists Nathan Nagy, Joshua
Rogers, Katherine Kahl, Virginia Shaw; Julia
Bangs (patient access); PT administrators
Melissa Paterson, Haley Jump and Claudine
Rivera for most excellent service, above and
beyond their job descriptions.
DANE JACONETTI
Hammond
understanding and treating bacterial infec-
tions, HIV, Huntington Disease and other ail-
ments. In agriculture, genetic diversity, dis-
ease resistance plants, and pest control are
grounded in evolutionary theory.
One more thing — the writer mentions
punctuated equilibrium, a theory put forth by
Stephen Jay Gould, a Harvard paleontologist
and firm evolutionist. I, too, am a paleontolo-
gist, and knew Stephen Jay Gould. Knowing
Stephen, I’m sure he would sit up in his grave
if he knew that his elegant theory of punc-
tuated equilibrium was being twisted to dis-
credit evolution.
ED JOYCE
Astoria
was swiftly losing value due to vio-
lations. This is commendable, but it’s
important to stay in front of such situa-
tions before they become emergencies.
As Chief Deputy Paul Williams of
the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office
remarked, the land use code should
have ways to prevent similar situations
and deter people from violating in the
first place.
This ought to include larger fees for
problem properties and shorter time
periods before action is taken. Facing
the prospect of liens against their prop-
erty to pay for cleanup and damages,
most owners will step up efforts to
avoid allowing problems to get out of
control.
From a broader public perspec-
tive, we all can help by letting elected
and appointed officials know this is a
high priority, and by supporting per-
sonnel like new code officer Nancy
Mendoza, who has started working her
way through the county’s “terrible 20”
list. Area real estate brokers and agents
should wield their considerable influ-
ence to make the point that the county’s
future depends in part upon a reputation
for protecting property values and qual-
ity of life.
As the 21st century moves forward,
our region will have to accommo-
date more and more residents. It’s vital
that we get along. Intelligent and dili-
gent code enforcement is a key way to
ensure this result.
LETTERS
And the rain comes
I
n Astoria we have had such a beautiful
summer. I thought it was great — maybe
never stopping. Now all of a sudden I get a
shock, and the rain comes.
I believe it rained lightly about three times
during the summer, and the rest was sun and a
little fog. The days warmed up and the hearty
people of the coast wore short-sleeved cloth-
ing. I also see this clothing when it’s really
cold.
The rain is sneaky. It comes and goes, but
can stay for days. You get used to it, and live
with it. If you have problems with the rain,
and the often accompanying cold, there are
other beautiful places in Oregon where it’s
dryer, but can be colder.
I like the rain and approaching win-
ter months. To me the dark, wet days offer a
new excitement of living. When I lived in the
South we had around six months of heat and
varying degrees (many times over 100) along
with the humidity. I will take my spot here
any day.
When the rain and cold comes, it seems
that typical outer garment is the raincoat and
hood. I like my coat and umbrella. That’s for
the heavy weather. For light rain and short
distances, I just go.
The rain will come, and there will be cold
and dark days. This will be the challenge and
the fun of living here. It can be a good life to
enjoy.
NORM HOOGE
Astoria
Giving thanks
T
his Thanksgiving, I thank the physical
therapy staff at the Columbia Memorial
Hospital Pavilion. Without them, I would not
be swimming, walking without a limp, nor
doing household chores. Any hospital has its
drawbacks, especially on the coast, but CMH’s
shining star is their Physical Therapy Clinic’s
administrators and therapists.
I’ve served our nation honorably in both the
Navy and the Marine Corps during the Viet-
nam conflict and Desert Storm, spied on the
Soviets, and benefited from travel all over the
northern hemisphere. Time off was as good as
the rest was bad.
The worst was a radiation experiment the
Navy conducted on us on board the submarine
Skipjack. But there were accidents at sea, in the
air and in port, as well. All you loggers, fisher-
men, farmers, those who work in industry and
transportation know, we’re all vulnerable and
some injuries may not leave one whole, ever.
So we make the best of the hand we’re dealt.
Well thanks to CMH Pavilion staff, I’ve had
access to the Veterans Affairs Veteran’s Choice
program, and physical therapy that now allows
me to walk, drive my car, get in and out of a
car seat or theater seat, watch a movie, swim,
shoot, exercise on some machines, grocery
shop, and best of all — sleep straight through
the night.
Don’t twist theory
to discredit evolution
R
egarding the recent letter “Examine the
truth about evolutionary theory” (The
Daily Astorian, Nov. 13): Evolution arose
from the same scientific tradition that brought
us nuclear theory, gravitational theory, elec-
tricity, etc.
Yet no one had problems with these
advancements. Why? Because they were ideo-
logically benign and evolution appeared to
be a threat to deeply held beliefs. The writer
implies that evolution is a theory in cri-
sis because details remain unsolved. Rather,
unsolved questions are affirmation of a
healthy scientific debate.
Evolution has been studied for over 150
years, and represents arguably one of human-
ity’s major intellectual achievements. In med-
icine, evolutionary theory forms the basis for
In the US, nobody
is above the law
C
ongratulations to Clatsop County vot-
ers. Once again we led the way in Oregon
voter turnout. We are part of a movement of
millions defending democracy.
Therefore, we are especially concerned
that President Donald Trump has acted uncon-
stitutionally by appointing an acting attorney
general. The U.S. Constitution requires that
the president nominate to the Senate for con-
firmation those who would fill offices that
report directly to the president.
We are also deeply concerned that his
appointee, Matthew Whitaker, has previously
and publicly criticized the Robert Mueller
investigation, and suggested ways to under-
mine it. The investigation must be protected.
In the U.S., nobody is above the law.
We urge readers to contact their members
of Congress and tell them to protect our Con-
stitution. More information is at indivisible-
northcoastoregon.org
DAVID DELK
CHERYL JOHNSON
SUE ZERANGUE
LAURIE CAPLAN
CAROLYN EADY
CAROL NEWMAN
CINDY CARSON
MICHELLE BISEK
Indivisible North Coast Oregon Astoria
Know your rights
with smart meters
H
ey property owners: Know your rights.
Power companies are installing “smart
meters,” and you have the right to opt out. Get
informed. Learn the pros and cons of smart
meters. Make the decision before it is made
for you.
AMY GUNN
Seaside