The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current, October 15, 2020, Image 21

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The daily Astorian., October 15, 2020, Page 21, Image 21

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Newspaper Page TextA5 THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Compromise A re politicians necessary? For decades, people have become increasingly mis- trustful and angry towards the stereotypic politician, with good reason. However in effort to ﬁ x this, and try some- thing new, they used an atom bomb (Presi- dent Donald Trump) instead of making stra- tegic changes in how we govern our country. Disruption of our government was clearly not the way to go. What we need is to revisit how we collec- tively deﬁ ne the role of our representatives, and how they conduct themselves. A large part of their role is to be an ambassador for their state or district and utilize their knowl- edge of government etiquette and represent their constituents’ needs in the context of the nation’s needs. Managing expectations of their constitu- ents without being disingenuous is an abso- lute skill set for all. If they can’t do it, they don’t belong there. Democracy requires intense effort in good faith to search for, and reach, solutions which provide a reasonable beneﬁ t for all, not just your own party. If any group is routinely discounted and loses face, then everyone loses. It becomes like a bad marriage where hostile ﬁ n- ger-pointing, threats, name-calling and with- holding destroy the relationship. Expect- ing one half of the country to be the winner, and the other half be dismissed as losers, will defeat any chance for decent government. Stop acting like the other party needs to disappear or be defeated; our system requires compromise with dignity, not derision. BRENTON KAHLE Astoria Conﬁ dently recommend I have known David Posalski for eight years, and conﬁ dently recommend him for the Ward 4 seat on the Seaside City Council. Posalski supports our police department. He will ensure that our police department will never be defunded. Our department, ably led by Chief Dave Ham and Lt. Bruce Holt, has been such a gift to our community for so very long. Chief Ham and all of his ofﬁ cers have selﬂ essly served and protected us, many times at the risk of their own health and safety. If elected, David will make sure that our police department is protected and respected in the same way that they protect and respect us. A vote for David is a vote for our honor- able local police department. BILL MONTERO Seaside Back to the future G earhart faces another election season, and the same old and worn-out tactics from the past are brought forward to today’s election. The old guard politicos are marching out in force, acting as if a major campaign is at jeopardy, instead of a small-town election. However, there’s a twist in 2020. As Mayor Matt Brown leaves — hav- ing labeled many in Gearhart as oppositional haters — our incumbents Paulina Cockrum, Reita Fackerell and Dan Jesse are huddled together in an act of solidarity, avoiding pub- lic positions and status on a host of issues facing our residents. It’s clear the less political positions said, the less there is to explain. In the middle of great economic and pan- demic disruption our incumbents leave us facing the following: • A divided city. • Multiple legal challenges to business ordinances. • Businesses abandoned, individual busi- ness investment lost and existing owners hanging by a thin economic thread. • A legally disputed and expensively planned and undeﬁ ned ﬁ re station. • Abandoned elementary school exposed to private exploitation. • Neglected infrastructure, and a host of safety issues facing the east side of Gearhart. Once again, Gearhart must endure the equivalent of a high school popularity con- test, replete with friends electing friends, and incumbents unwilling to either defend or deﬁ ne their political goals or agenda. Gearhart’s political social club is once again putting the city’s best interests in deﬁ n- ing jeopardy. I ask for your vote for Gearhart City Council, Position 4. JACK ZIMMERMAN Gearhart Record of leadership A s a successful businesswoman and proud resident of Seaside, Kathy Klec- zek deserves your vote for Seaside City Council. Since the early 1990s, she has had a record of leadership and service. As a resident of neighboring Cannon Beach, a hostess at Mo’s Restaurant in Can- non Beach and a former teacher in Astoria and Seaside, I have respected Kathy’s com- mitment to make her Seaside community livable for its residents and inviting to its visitors. Kathy has always impressed me with her ability to communicate and collaborate with residents of other Clatsop County commu- nities. She listens to all sides, speaks clearly, problem-solves and promotes opportunities for Seaside and the North Coast. One major focus of Kathy’s is to reduce trafﬁ c impacts by promoting alternatives like bicycling and walking. When Kathy owned and operated La Luna clothing shop in Cannon Beach, she also made time to serve on the Sunset Empire Transportation District. She always listened to transportation needs of my col- leagues and Clatsop Community College students who depended on the SETD bus to get to work or class on time. Kathy worked tirelessly to make the bus schedule work for them. She valued the input of all North Coast residents, regardless of age or ethnicity. Kathy is a very inclusive human being, respectful of diversity. Please vote for Kleczek. She will be a competent connector and leader for Sea- side’s residents, shop owners and visitors. Kathy will accept the responsibility and challenges that Seaside faces. JEANIE McLAUGHLIN Cannon Beach Something positive N o city is immune from the criticism of citizens when its performance is gener- ally regarded as lacking, or when a speciﬁ c department fails to respond, help or rectify a problem a citizen has. That is exactly the time criticism is called for, and it is incumbent upon the institution and the people whom it is directed at to lis- ten and respond. The city of Astoria is not without prob- lems or faults. I know, I have had issues here in the past. I have advocated my point of view, and listened to the view point of department heads, City Council members, the mayor and the city manager, and in all of those discussions never once did I think any person representing the city was unable to communicate effectively. Quite to the contrary. Communication skills are vital in any leadership role, but they are only as good as the comprehension skills of the people they are directed to. I was a bit taken aback when I read that a local businessperson was running for an elected ofﬁ ce here, and was making a state- ment to the effect that city ofﬁ cials have failed to communicate effectively. I think if that were really true, we would all be com- plaining loudly. Complaint, like grievance, is something that should be taken care of long before you take a seat at any table, or you risk making everyone else as upset as yourself. Please vote for someone who brings something positive to the table. WESLEY WAITE Astoria criminals. Without the protection of law enforcement, people will have to enact laws that protect their right to self-defense. The Second Amendment Sanctuary Amendment, Measure 4-205, would elimi- nate local enforcement of the laws regulat- ing ﬁ rearms and ﬁ rearm accessories. Dis- trict attorneys fear this law because it would make it more difﬁ cult to prosecute gun own- ers with enhanced charges and increased sentencing. County ofﬁ cials oppose the SASA because the law would eliminate qualiﬁ ed immunity. It levies a punishment for county employees who violate someone’s Second Amendment rights, which upsets the public employee unions. Unions work to indemnify their members from any responsibility for their actions, and they will try to defeat any policy that jeopardizes those protections. The SASA does not stop county ofﬁ cials from enforcing laws against criminals who commit crimes with a ﬁ rearm. It does not protect a felon in the possession of a ﬁ rearm. It does not even regulate ﬁ rearms or ﬁ rearm accessories. The wording of the SASA is clear. It does not violate Oregon’s preemptive state statute. It prevents county ofﬁ cials from using county resources for the enforce- ment of laws that regulate ﬁ rearms and ﬁ re- arm accessories. It does not stop the state or the feds from enforcing these laws, but it keeps them from commandeering county resources. Please consider voting for the SASA Measure 4-205. ROB TAYLOR Bandon Valuable W e need to retain Tom Brownson as Astoria city councilor, Ward 2. Over the years, I’ve seen Tom take a leadership position in dealing with government agen- cies, helping community members and even responding to an emergency at sea. In all of these situations, Tom has shown the qualities that make him a valuable member of City Council. While interacting on behalf of our com- munity association with the Port of Asto- ria, Tom has shown patience and persistence when making and maintaining productive communication channels with a wide assort- ment of administration staff. When communitywide projects called for needed leadership, Tom stepped up and vol- unteered to serve on boards, take on proj- ects and lend his creative skills to solve entrenched problems. In offshore waters on his boat, I’ve wit- nessed ﬁ rsthand how Tom, as captain, han- dled an emergency situation at sea with a calm head and steady hand, while always keeping the safety of his crew foremost in his decisions. It will beneﬁ t us all to retain steady lead- ership on the City Council, working for the citizens of Astoria as we take on the chal- lenges of our time. Please vote to retain Brownson. THOR SORENSON Astoria What is going on? I f have you have a doubt that this city gov- ernment is working for you, then there is no doubt. One trip to Ocean View Cemetery will tell you where their priorities are not. The recent endorsement by the mayor of the city of Astoria for my opponent for C ity Council creates question and surprise. But underneath it all, it should indicate to you and create the question: What is going on? Currently, there are no native Astorians on your C ity C ouncil. There are no combat veterans, no local retailers or local business property owners. There are no current Astoria city coun- cilors who graduated from Astoria High School, or even attended any of the Asto- ria K-12 programs. None of them carried or delivered this newspaper to your homes. I am, I do and I have. Who asked me to run for this C ity C oun- cil position? It was not the recent following letter-writers to The Astorian: Mayor Bruce Jones and his campaign supporter , Dan Stein, or former M ayor Arline LaMear, and it wasn’t the chairman of the Port of Astoria Commission, Dirk Rohne . It wasn’t one political party, or represen- tatives of it. It was not the management at KMUN r adio. The people who petitioned for me to run: The nonpartisans, the apoliticals; it was you, wanting a Filipino-Finn from Uniontown. And you all know why. Because of you, not me, Floyd Holcom is going to be your next city councilor. Thank you all, very much. Vote for Floyd for Ward 2. FLOYD E. HOLCOM Astoria Believes in equality T hroughout history, our nation has strug- gled to make good on the promise of equality and civil rights for all Americans. No matter how difﬁ cult to achieve, this promise sets America apart from other coun- tries that treat people unfairly. I believe Suzanne Weber would support legislation that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ employees. In my view, that’s anti-American discrimina- tion. It’s also morally wrong. I want a representative in Salem who believes in equality and civil rights. I want someone who believes in treating people fairly. That’s why I’m voting for Debbie Boothe-Schmidt. I hope you will, too. TESSA JAMES SCHELLER Warrenton CLATSOP POWER EQUIPMENT , INC. SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS Poisoned P olitical correctness has poisoned the ofﬁ ce of the district attorney, and there is a growing trend of defunding the police, disarming the citizens and discharging the SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA TODAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY 34912 HWY 101 BUS • ASTORIA 503-325-0792 • 1-800-220-0792 TUESDAY WEDNESDAY REGIONAL FORECAST Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Seattle 62 47 Sunny 61 49 60 47 60 43 59 44 60 44 Mostly cloudy Rather cloudy Rather cloudy Clouds and sun Rain possible 56 44 Rain possible Aberdeen Olympia 60/47 59/48 Wenatchee Tacoma Moses Lake 60/42 ALMANAC UNDER THE SKY TODAY'S TIDES Astoria through Tuesday Tonight’s Sky: Nearly overhead before midnight is the constel- lation of Cygnus the Swan, also known as the Northern Cross. Astoria / Port Docks Temperatures High/low ................................ 61/51 Normal high/low .................. 62/45 Record high .................. 79 in 1982 Record low .................... 33 in 1966 Precipitation Tuesday ................................... 0.61” Month to date ........................ 2.76” Normal month to date ......... 1.82” Year to date .......................... 44.63” Normal year to date ........... 42.31” Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020 Source: Jim Todd, OMSI Sunrise today .................. 7:33 a.m. Sunset tonight ............... 6:29 p.m. Moonrise today .............. 5:48 a.m. Moonset today .............. 6:24 p.m. First Full High (ft.) Time Low (ft.) 12:18 a.m. 7.8 6:47 a.m. -0.2 12:53 p.m. 8.3 7:15 p.m. -0.1 Cape Disappointment 12:27 p.m. 8.2 5:54 a.m. -0.1 none 6:24 p.m. 0.0 Hammond SUN AND MOON New Time Last 12:04 a.m. 8.2 6:15 a.m. -0.3 12:39 p.m. 8.6 6:44 p.m. -0.1 Warrenton 12:13 a.m. 8.2 6:31 a.m. -0.1 12:48 p.m. 8.7 6:59 p.m. 0.0 Knappa 12:55 a.m. 8.1 7:48 a.m. -0.2 1:30 p.m. 8.5 8:16 p.m. -0.1 Depoe Bay Oct 16 Oct 23 Oct 31 Nov 8 11:41 a.m. 8.7 5:22 a.m. -0.1 11:59 p.m. 8.4 5:53 p.m. 0.1 City Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Honolulu Houston Los Angeles Miami New York City Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC Fri. Hi/Lo/W 80/62/pc 72/58/s 54/35/pc 76/52/s 56/29/s 87/73/s 89/62/pc 96/69/s 87/79/t 74/60/s 99/69/pc 90/65/s 78/59/s 70/49/s 68/52/t 55/38/pc 71/51/s 68/47/pc 88/75/c 69/52/sh 98/65/s 87/76/t 67/49/t 100/70/s 94/61/s 62/44/r Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow ﬂ urries, sn-snow, i-ice. 59/41 Hermiston The Dalles 63/39 Enterprise Pendleton 52/33 59/41 64/40 La Grande 56/32 63/42 NATIONAL CITIES Today Hi/Lo/W 54/36 Kennewick Walla Walla 58/44 Lewiston 63/43 62/44 Salem Pullman 62/37 Longview 62/47 Portland 65/46 55/39 Yakima 61/40 60/42 Astoria Spokane 58/43 Corvallis 63/42 Albany 62/41 John Day Eugene Bend 64/41 60/38 58/36 Ontario 63/32 Caldwell Burns 59/22 60/32 Medford 74/40 Klamath Falls 69/31 City Baker City Brookings Ilwaco Newberg Newport Today Hi/Lo/W 57/29/s 73/59/s 60/49/s 63/41/s 62/48/s Fri. Hi/Lo/W 68/40/s 77/58/s 60/52/c 66/49/pc 64/51/s City North Bend Roseburg Seaside Springﬁ eld Vancouver Today Hi/Lo/W 67/51/s 65/43/s 62/47/s 63/40/s 62/43/s Fri. Hi/Lo/W 67/51/s 73/48/s 61/50/c 69/46/s 64/50/pc