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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2019)
OREGON WOMEN REACH FIRST FINAL FOUR PAGE 9A 146TH YEAR, NO. 195 DailyAstorian.com // MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2019 ONE DOLLAR Mental health agency sole bidder for contracts Some interest, but no other formal bids By DERRICK DePLEDGE The Daily Astorian Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Jetties may be damaged after an earthquake and tsunami. SEVEN MINUTES New study highlights what boaters should do after the Big One By BRENNA VISSER The Daily Astorian B Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare was the sole bidder for the county’s behav- ioral health and developmental disability contracts. The county put the two contracts out for bid in February, the first time in several years the county invited competition to its longtime partner. But no other providers attended a man- datory preproposal conference in early March or submitted requests for proposals by Friday’s deadline. “Responding to this RFP has been an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we hope to do in the future to serve this community,” Amy Baker, the executive director of Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, said in an email. “Whether we were the only bidder or not, this in no way influenced how we approached the process. “We look forward to the county’s response.” Monica Steele, the interim county man- ager, said the county will score the bids and call Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare for an interview. County commissioners have the final say over the contracts, which start in July. The county had been in discussions for several months about putting the contracts out for bid, but the public announcement in See Agency, Page A5 oaters in the Columbia River Estuary have about seven minutes to decide Former district attorney defends controversial opinion column how to evacuate during a tsunami. The estimate comes from a study, published by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Indus- tries, exploring how a tsu- nami would impact mari- time traffic. For the most part, the study was aimed at provid- ing guidance to the Port of Astoria and the Coast Guard on what to expect and how to prepare, said Jonathan Allan, a coastal geomor- phologist who wrote the paper. But unlike other studies the organization has done for ports along the Oregon Coast, researchers decided to ask a different question: If aCascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami were to happen, what are the options for boats that may be all the way up to Tongue Point? Do they have time to respond? Where do they go? “The original model- ing we did (for the Colum- bia River) didn’t incorporate friction. It was very ori- ented toward life safety with evacuation on land,” Allan said. “The thinking with the Columbia River work was, ‘We need to incorporate more realistic, real-world conditions that mariners in particular would need to know and be aware of.’” The study found boaters on the river would have lim- ited, but realistic, options. Now the task is educat- ing people — especially vis- itors — to make the most of their seven minutes. “With anything tsuna- mi-related, this is all about preparing for an event before it happens,” Allan said. “And that’s quite a challenge to make people aware of information and to read about it.” Marquis compared inappropriate touching to home burglary By BRENNA VISSER The Daily Astorian High ground The answer to the study’s first general question: Yes, boaters could have time to get to safety, if they react correctly and quickly. The study shows the peak of the wave is antici- pated to hit the mouth of the Columbia River in roughly 24 minutes, with subsequent See Study, Page A7 Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Guidance from the state Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on how far vessels need to evacuate when a tsunami strikes. Former District Attor- ney Josh Marquis stands behind an opinion col- umn that contrasted inap- propriate touching at the state Capitol with home burglary, a comparison several lawmakers and some prosecutors found offensive. The column, which appeared in the Port- land Tribune in Febru- ary, said lawmakers are “obsessed with the lin- gering hugs and sugges- tive comments” but dis- miss the fear of property crime victims. Josh Marquis Sara Gelser See Marquis, Page A7 Warrenton chiropractor follows calling James sees treatment as an important option By KATIE FRANKOWICZ The Daily Astorian WARRENTON — Robert James took up golf two years ago for the usual reasons: To get out- side, to socialize and to under- stand the sport’s unique injuries. The Warrenton-based chiro- practor believes hands-on expe- rience is the best way to get at a problem — and golf presents some interesting problems to the human body. “No other sport requires you to repeatedly put your body in a position that’s completely unnatu- ral,” James said. Playing the sport has given him a better understanding of the way golf contorts and stresses the body. He now treats golf-related injuries and rehabilitates injured players in a different way than he did before. Besides, he just really likes playing. It’s a strategy game, and he enjoys that. So, how’s his game? “Oh,” he said with a sudden laugh. “I am not good. Not good.” In February, James, who was raised in Virginia, was singled out in a report from the Oregon Employment Department that looked at African Americans in the state’s workforce. Residents who identify as black or African American make up only 3% of Oregon’s popula- tion, but they are a growing pres- ence in the state’s workforce. Self-employment, however, is less common, state workforce analyst Shawna Sykes noted in the report. James, however, has been self-employed for many years. He counts himself lucky to have found work he is passionate Katie Frankowicz/The Daily Astorian See James, Page A7 Robert James runs his chiropractic practice out of an office in Warrenton.