A5
THE ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2021
Grocers trying again to put liquor sales on ballot
By GARY WARNER
Oregon Capital Bureau
Oregon grocers are hoping
the third time is the charm for
a ballot initiative to allow for
hard liquor sales in markets.
Lauren Johnson, the
owner of Newport Avenue
Market in Bend and Oliver
Lemon’s markets in Sisters
and Terrebonne, is one of the
sponsors of two possible bal-
lot measures.
Each would loosen the
grip the state’s liquor store
system has on the sale of
most distilled spirits.
“Our measures allow
local, independent and chain
grocers that have safely mar-
keted and sold beer and wine
for over 80 years to sell dis-
tilled spirits,” Johnson said in
a statement announcing the
initiatives.
A portion of sales would
go toward addiction treat-
ment services, Johnson said.
Markets can already sell
beer and wine. But distilled
spirits such as vodka, whis-
key, gin, rum, tequila and
brandy are tightly regulated
by the state.
More than 280 retail
agents contract with the Ore-
gon Liquor Control Com-
mission to sell distilled spir-
its at liquor stores in all 36
Oregon Liquor Control Commission
Grocers want voters to approve liquor sales at more places.
counties. The state funnels
all liquor going to the stores
through a central warehouse
in the Portland area.
Oregon liquor stores sold
just under $57 million in dis-
tilled spirits to consumers
in May , the latest month on
record.
Distilleries are allowed
limited direct sales of facto-
ry-sealed bottled from their
premises.
Allowing sales of liquor
in markets is favored by 65%
of Oregon adults, according
to a poll by DHM Research,
of Portland, on behalf of the
Oregon Values and Beliefs
Center.
But grocers have fi led ini-
tiatives twice since 2014 and
failed to gather enough signa-
tures to qualify for the ballot.
Bill Caldwell, with McK-
ay’s Markets, a small chain of
stores primarily in southwest
Oregon, is the co-sponsor of
the ballot eff ort, along with
Johnson.
Working with the North-
west Grocery Association,
they have fi led two versions
of the measure.
Initiative 31 would allow
markets to sell spirits from
small, craft distilleries.
Initiative 32 would let
markets sell any kind of
liquor.
Proponents must fi rst
gather 1,000 signatures to
begin the process leading
to the circulation of peti-
tions, said Carla L. Axtman, a
spokeswoman for the Oregon
Secretary of State’s O ffi ce.
An initiative that changes
state statutes requires 112,020
signatures to get on the bal-
lot for the November 2022
election.
Johnson and McKay are
working with the Northwest
Grocery Association on the
ballot drive. They plan to
move ahead with just one of
the two initiatives, but hav-
en’t decided which as of yet.
If successful, Oregon
would follow the example of
California and Washington
state in allowing liquor sales
in markets.
The state has already
chipped away at the liquor
store monopoly, allowing
some Walmarts to sell their
chain-branded hard liquor.
The Oregon Liquor Con-
trol Commission has opposed
prior eff orts to make hard
liquor widely available. The
move is also opposed by
license holders of state liquor
stores.
The Oregon Capital
Bureau is a collaboration
between EO Media Group
and Pamplin Media Group.
Poll shows Oregonians split on Greater Idaho
By DYLAN JEFFERIES
The Bulletin
BEND — Imagine Bend
being Oregon’s eastern most
city, a short drive from Red-
mond, Idaho.
“Greater Idaho,” the con-
cept of transferring parts of
southern and eastern Ore-
gon to Idaho — making Red-
mond, Idaho, a reality — is
gaining traction in some rural
areas.
According to Mike McCa-
rter, the chief petitioner of
Move Oregon’s Border, a
nonprofi t advocating for
Greater Idaho, the change
would give rural Oregon
counties a longed-for Repub-
lican-led legislature by leav-
ing liberal strongholds like
Portland and Eugene — and
even Bend and Sisters —
behind in Oregon.
In May, voters in Baker,
Grant, Lake, Malheur and
Sherman counties approved
ballot initiatives that require
county offi cials to study join-
ing Idaho. Union and Jeff er-
son counties passed similar
initiatives in November .
Despite those initiatives, a
slim majority of Oregonians
do not think rural Oregon
counties should be able to
leave Oregon and join Idaho
even with voter approval.
And two-thirds of Orego-
nians think it is unlikely that
the move will occur.
That’s according to recent
polling from the Oregon Val-
ues and Beliefs Center, which
asked respondents if they
think Idaho absorbing e ast-
ern and s outhern Oregon
would be positive or nega-
tive, if they think it is likely to
happen and whether or not it
should be allowed with voter
approval.
The center conducted the
statewide survey of 1,400
OREGON VALUES
AND BELIEFS
CENTER
The Oregon Values and
Beliefs Center is commit-
ted to the highest level of
public opinion research. To
obtain that, the nonprofi t is
building the largest online
research panel of Orego-
nians in history to ensure
that all voices are repre-
sented in discussions of
public policy in a valid and
statistically reliable way.
Selected panelists earn
points for their partic-
ipation, which can be
redeemed for cash or do-
nated to a charity. To learn
more, visit oregonvbc.org
Oregon residents, selected to
be demographically represen-
tative of the state, between
June 8 and June 14. The mar-
gin of error ranges from 1.6
to 2.6 percentage points per
question.
Survey responses
Survey responses reveal a
deep rift between Oregonians
on the issue.
According to Clackamas
County resident Patti Shanek,
the move would promote sep-
aratism, discourage political
discourse and raise the cost of
living for rural residents.
“The main tax base comes
from primarily Democrat
counties,” she said. “If the
red counties became part
of Idaho, those forming the
new Idaho would have an
increasingly high cost of liv-
ing and limited access to state
programs.”
But
according
to
Deschutes County resident
Amanda Wallace, the move
would give rural Oregon con-
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
servatives political power
which they lack in Oregon’s
L egislature.
“Conservatives don’t feel
like their voices are heard
in Oregon, nor do they feel
like their vote counts,” she
said. “Sadly, Portland, Salem
and Eugene make all of the
decisions.”
Some respondents who
oppose the move cited con-
cerns that breaking up the
state would discourage a
diversity of opinions, setting
a dangerous precedent for
other states.
“This sets a precedent for
reshaping other states along
color lines and harming the
health of our democracy,”
said Multnomah County res-
ident Margarette Puckette.
Many argued that unsat-
isfi ed Oregonians already
have the option of moving to
Idaho.
“If members of these
counties want to become part
of Idaho, then let them move
there,” said Marion County
resident Janis Sabatula.
“Why mess with state borders
that have been there for more
than 160 years?”
Supporters and opponents
of the move raised concerns
that being a part of Idaho
would entail higher state
taxes and a loss of signifi -
cant tax dollars from w estern
Oregon and its metropolitan
counties, plus a loss of reve-
nue and jobs from Oregon’s
booming cannabis indus-
try, which remains illegal in
Idaho.
Some
opponents
expressed sympathy for res-
idents of rural counties who
feel underrepresented.
“The rural counties feel
underrepresented at the
state level, and technically
they’re right,” said Clacka-
mas County resident Hendy
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Appleton. “But a diver-
sity of views and values is
important.”
OBITUARIES
Esther Inga Hubler
Longview, Washington
Jan. 31, 1948 — June 23, 2021
Esther Inga Hubler her children, Anthony
passed peacefully at home Reeves, Andrea Reeves,
in Longview, Washington, Wendi Reeves-Abdallah,
Nathan Reeves
on June 23, 2021.
and Inga Reeves;
She was 73 years
her stepdaugh-
old.
ters, Keri Frates
Esther
was
and Traci Hubler;
born in Portland
and her siblings,
on Jan. 31, 1948,
a sister, Sharon
to Robert Wil-
DeChenne, and
liam Findon Jr.
two
brothers,
and Louise Mae
Robert Findon
Peterson.
and Mark Olsen.
Esther was a
Esther Hubler
Last
but
woman of great
certainly
not
faith in God, and
spent all her adult years least, her pride and joy,
serving the Lord, and being 15 grandchildren and 10
as
active in her church, until great-grandchildren ,
her health prevented her well as many nieces and
from attending in person. nephews.
A memorial service will
Her heart continued to be
with God and her church be held on Sunday, July 18,
2021, at 3 p.m., at the West-
family.
Next to her love of God, port Christian Center, offi -
she loved her family more ciated by Rev. Jason Jones.
than anything, continually The address is 91104 Hun-
showing that love through gry Hollow Loop in West-
the life she lived in service port . A small reception for
her family will be held
to the Lord.
Esther had a way of let- in the church basement
ting you know she was immediately following the
thinking of you, praying for service.
If you wish to donate, in
you and wishing you well.
Despite long-term health lieu of fl owers, please do so
struggles, she was the epit- in Esther’s honor to St. Jude
ome of unconditional love Children’s Research Hos-
and grace, leaving that leg- pital, which was a cause
acy to her family and all close to Esther’s heart. The
link to donate is https://bit.
who knew her.
Esther is survived by her ly/EHubler, which has also
husband, Steven K. Hubler; been posted to Facebook.
OBITUARY POLICY
Polling highlights
Overall, 38% of Orego-
nians believe eastern and
s outhern Oregon should be
able to join Idaho with voter
approval, and 34% believe
the move would be positive.
Among Oregonians liv-
ing outside of Portland and
the Willamette Valley, 44%
support counties being able
to join Idaho with voter
approval, while only 37% of
residents living in the greater
Portland area support coun-
ties’ ability to do so.
Oregonians older than 75
are the most likely to say that
eastern and s outhern Oregon
joining Idaho would be neg-
ative (55%), and respondents
ages 45 to 54 are the most
likely to say the move would
be positive (40%).
The Astorian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary
can include a small photo and, for veterans, a fl ag sym-
bol at no charge. The deadline for all obituaries is 9 a.m.
the business day prior.
Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctua-
tion and style. Death notices and upcoming services will
be published at no charge. Notices must be submitted by
9 a.m. the day of publication.
Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at Dai-
lyAstorian.com/forms/obits, by email at ewilson@dai-
lyastorian.com, placed via the funeral home or in person at
The Astorian offi ce, 949 Exchange St. in Astoria.
For more information, call 503-325-3211, ext. 257.
facebook.com/dailyastorian
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REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
68 57
Mostly cloudy
66 56
66 54
Clouds and
sunshine
Partly sunny
72 56
70 55
69 56
69 57
A shower in the
Partly sunny;
Partial sunshine
Some sunshine
area
pleasant
Aberdeen
Olympia
72/57
82/58
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
84/56
84/54
Salem
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Sunday
Tonight’s Sky: Earth is at Aph-
elion (farthest from the sun) at
15:27 PDT. The sun-Earth distance
is 1.02 AU.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 67/58
Normal high/low .................. 66/52
Record high .................. 84 in 1975
Record low .................... 45 in 2012
Precipitation
Sunday ..................................... 0.00”
Month to date ........................ 0.02”
Normal month to date ......... 0.19”
Year to date .......................... 37.29”
Normal year to date ........... 36.10”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Sunrise today .................. 5:31 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 9:09 p.m.
Moonrise today .............. 2:56 a.m.
Moonset today .............. 6:37 p.m.
First
Full
12:26 p.m. 5.9 6:11 a.m.
11:33 p.m. 7.8 5:37 p.m.
Cape Disappointment
12:19 p.m. 5.6 5:28 a.m.
11:12 p.m. 7.8 4:58 p.m.
Last
12:24 p.m. 5.9 5:46 a.m.
11:21 p.m. 8.0 5:15 p.m.
Warrenton
12:21 p.m. 6.3 5:55 a.m.
11:28 p.m. 8.2 5:21 p.m.
Knappa
1:03 p.m.
none
0.3
3.4
0.0
3.3
0.1
3.2
6.2 7:12 a.m.
6:38 p.m.
0.0
2.6
11:38 a.m. 5.7 5:00 a.m.
10:25 p.m. 7.9 4:23 p.m.
0.1
3.6
Depoe Bay
July 9 July 17 July 23 July 31
0.0
3.1
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
86/71/t
92/73/t
91/73/t
91/75/t
80/59/t
88/74/pc
87/75/t
84/65/pc
86/80/r
93/72/pc
109/87/s
69/58/pc
95/76/pc
83/69/t
93/67/t
80/61/t
90/75/t
89/65/s
87/74/r
86/75/t
83/67/pc
89/79/t
93/74/s
109/89/s
71/57/pc
95/75/pc
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
92/61
Kennewick Walla Walla
100/70 Lewiston
102/67
103/71
Hermiston
The Dalles 102/68
Enterprise
Pendleton 97/63
100/67
101/71
La Grande
100/64
92/59
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
New
Time
Pullman
100/70
85/58
68/57 Portland
90/61
94/67
Yakima 99/67
Longview
Astoria
Spokane
98/70
Corvallis
90/56
Albany
92/59
John Day
Eugene
Bend
92/56
98/60
101/62
Ontario
107/72
Caldwell
Burns
100/59
104/68
Medford
100/61
Klamath Falls
96/52
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
98/58/s
60/52/s
66/57/c
89/58/s
63/55/pc
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
92/51/s
65/54/pc
65/58/c
82/53/s
60/52/c
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
65/56/pc
92/58/s
68/56/pc
94/56/s
88/61/s
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
65/54/pc
83/54/s
67/56/pc
81/52/s
77/55/s