Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2018)
A8 THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2018 2018: YEAR IN REVIEW routinely released early from the jail due to overcrowding. One of the leaders of the bond campaign was Sheriff Tom Bergin, who announced this year that he will not seek re-election in 2020. County offi cials expect the move to the new jail will take place within the next two years. Continued from Page A1 Jones launched his candidacy for mayor after Price dropped out. Throughout the campaign, he cited his years of experience working with and for government agencies, his time dealing with the aftermath of nat- ural disasters and the work he has already been involved in as a city councilor. His election creates a vacancy in the east side’s Ward 4, which councilors will likely fi ll in January by appointment. School bonds Waterfront hotels A proposal to build a four-story hotel on the waterfront underscored tensions in Astoria over development along the Colum- bia River. Opposition to the project became a cam- paign issue during the November elec- tions. Hollander Hospitality wants to build the hotel at the site of the former Ship Inn restaurant at the base of Second Street, an area where hotels are permitted as an out- right use. But the 60-plus room, Marri- ott-brand Fairfi eld Inn and Suites also falls under the city’s Bridge Vista overlay, a part of the Riverfront Vision Plan that shapes development on the waterfront. Critics called the hotel’s design boxy and generic, too large and out of line with city codes intended to preserve views and pub- lic access. Hollander Hospitality weathered multiple denials by city boards, appealing to the City Council. The developer altered the hotel’s design, hoping to echo other large, historic buildings in the area. The City Council, in a 3-2 vote, ultimately upheld an appeal in December, allowing the project to move forward. By contrast, many in the city welcomed the October announcement that developers behind Buoy Beer Co. and the Adrift Hotel are interested in a boutique hotel at a former seafood processing plant on the river near downtown. Homelessness Long-hidden homeless camps were cleared from the woods in Astoria and War- renton, but the sweeps were examples of — rather than solutions to — the North Coast’s struggle to help people in need. In Warrenton over the summer, police issued eviction notices to homeless peo- ple living in a sprawling camp in the woods behind Goodwill. In Astoria, city councilors gave Police Chief Geoff Spalding direction to more aggressively enforce city rules on camp- ing, trespassing, public intoxication and off- leash dogs. The City Council also strength- ened Astoria’s “no camping” ordinance by including city-owned forestland. But Mayor LaMear, Spalding and other city leaders wanted to deal with the home- Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Trash and other debris is removed from a homeless camp in Astoria. less camps in the most humane way possi- ble. They gave people extra time to move out and sought to connect many with social services. A sweep in late fall was successful in cleaning up the woods, but few people found housing. Many of them just moved on to other camps.Helping Hands opened a new facility in Uniontown, providing re-en- try services to homeless people looking to fi nd jobs, housing and sobriety. LaMear was an outspoken supporter of the proj- ect, which involved the purchase of an old boarding house from the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority. Housing A Clatsop County housing study found that much of the housing being built is priced higher than many people can afford, pushing would-be fi rst-time homebuyers toward rental units. Local governments and businesses con- tinue to identify a lack of workforce and affordable housing as a major barrier to eco- nomic growth. In Astoria, the city celebrated the pur- chase of the old Waldorf Hotel by Innovative Housing Inc., a nonprofi t affordable hous- ing developer from Portland. Though work has yet to begin on the dilapidated building next to City Hall, the space could provide around 40 units of housing downtown. In Warrenton, Pacifi c Seafood pushed through a zoning amendment to allow the company to create dorm-style housing for seasonal workers. The seafood processor hopes to use an existing fabrication facil- ity near the city’s dog park. The idea raised concerns among some neighbors, but city leaders ultimately supported the project. County leadership dysfunction Clatsop County Manager Cameron Moore announced his retirement in Septem- ber after more than a year of bubbling ten- sions with some county commissioners. In April, Moore skipped a commis- sion meeting, citing the behavior of Com- missioner Lianne Thompson and Commis- sioner Kathleen Sullivan. The episode was a public example of the behind-the-scenes infi ghting over whether commissioners should have a greater role. The county charter gives the county manager authority over day-to-day oper- ations, but some commissioners want an expanded focus. Thompson was re-elected in November, and she and Sullivan gained a potential ally when land use planner Pamela Wev prevailed in a rare runoff over former Astoria City Councilor Peter Roscoe. Former Warrenton Mayor Mark Kujala was elected to replace Scott Lee, the com- mission chairman, who chose not to seek re-election. Moore is retiring on Friday. Jail bond After two failed bond measures since 2002, voters in November approved the relocation of the county jail from Duane Street in Astoria to the former North Coast Youth Correctional Facility in Warrenton. The $20 million bond will allow the jail to increase capacity from 60 inmates to 148, with room for future expansion. Inmates are Two years after Seaside voters approved nearly $100 million in school bonds to build a new master campus, voters in Astoria and Warrenton passed large bonds in November to rebuild and refurbish schools. Astoria voters approved $70 million in bonds, the fi rst since $20 million in 2001 that paid for the construction of Lewis and Clark Elementary School. Among various building and security improvements, the bonds will pay for a new academic wing at the aging Astoria Middle School, an enclosed campus at Astoria High School and the renovation of a former gym into a multipurpose room at John Jacob Astor Ele- mentary School. Voters in Warrenton approved $38.5 mil- lion in bonds to buy a master campus and construct a new middle school. Warrenton and its schools have grown rapidly, with Warrenton Grade School an estimated 40 percent over capacity and one of the fi ve most-populous K-8 campuses in the state. Marquis retires Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis announced in January that he would not seek re-election, stepping away after 25 years in offi ce. The outspoken prosecutor built a national reputation as an advocate for the death pen- alty, truth in sentencing and crime victims’ rights. “A graceful exit is as important as a graceful entrance,” Marquis said in January. Chief Deputy District Attorney Ron Brown ran unopposed for district attorney and was elected in May to replace Marquis. Mitchell wins Tiffi ny Mitchell, a social worker and political newcomer, won a surprise victory in the Democratic primary in May in state House District 32. Mitchell upset Tim Josi, a Tillamook County commissioner and for- mer state legislator who had fi nancial back- ing from timber interests and establishment political support. Labor unions and environ- mental groups helped push Mitchell over the top in the big-spending campaign. Mitchell defeated Vineeta Lower, a Sea- side teacher who was the Republican nom- inee, in November. Josi crossed party lines to endorse Lower. Mitchell, who takes offi ce in January, will replace state Rep. Deborah Boone, D-Cannon Beach, who served for 14 years. EMERALD HEIGHTS APARTMENTS Astoria, OR NEWLY REMODELED NEW APPLIANCES, NEW LIGHTS NEW CARPET/VINYL FLOOR NEW BATHROOM VANITIES & MIRRORS 2-BEDROOM APARTMENTS Small and Large Unfurnished 2 Bedroom Units Now Available! Happy Holidays from the Astoria Parks, Recreation and Community Foundation Locals get $10 off! Use your Zip code for the Discount code SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2019 All Rents Include: Electricity · Garbage · Water Monday - Friday 9-5 • NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY for more information call 503-325-8221 AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Email: emeraldheights@charter.net or visit our website: emeraldheightsapartments.com #runontheriver Registration and prices at astoriaparksfoundation.com