A3
THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2021
Homelessness: ‘We’re
the lifeline in some cases’
Continued from Page A1
Seaside has seen a growing number of vacation rentals.
Vacation rentals: Zoning
ordinances would need to be
updated to match plan revisions
Continued from Page A1
ferent options, see what we think is
going to work and see what works for
of that property because it is over the other places. We’re not taking away
density requirement? That’s the fi rst something that somebody already has.
question we get asked when someone What we’re saying is, from this period
calls when a property goes for sales. of time, no new VRD licenses.”
‘Can it be a vacation rental?’”
Density should not be the only way
If the density is over 40%, property of measuring their needs, Planning
owners are discouraged from apply- Commissioner Kathy Kleczek said.
ing for the permit because the recom-
“Whether we’re talking about sew-
mendation coming out of the planning age and water and electricity and
department is going to
broadband, emergency
be to deny it based on
and the rest
‘MY CONCERN services
policies that are already
of the community ser-
IS THAT NEW
set in place, Flory said.
vices are also impacted
That density may
by all of these things,”
VACATION
be too high, planning
she said. “This is some-
commissioners
and
RENTALS ARE thing that we need to
councilors said, lead-
look at and reduce so
DISPLACING
ing to adverse impacts
that we can be for-
on housing aff ordabil-
ward-looking instead
LONG-TERM
ity and demands on
of trying to catch up
city infrastructure.
all the time with what’s
RESIDENTS.’
“My concern is that
happening to us.”
Seth Morrisey | planning
new vacation rentals
In future weeks, the
commissioner
are displacing long-
city will need to “basi-
term residents,” Plan-
cally face-lift the entire
ning
Commissioner
comprehensive plan,”
Seth Morrisey said.
Planning Director Kevin Cupples said.
Vacation rental dwellings are turn-
Zoning ordinances would need to
ing into a business model, he said, and be updated to match plan revisions.
their numbers will accelerate.
“And then from that, you’d know
City Councilor Randy Frank said whether you want to move forward or
competition for vacation rental dwell- not,” City Manager Mark Winstanley
ings could create a bidding war, arti- said. “This would be a discussion that
fi cially infl ating the price of lodg- the council should be having at a coun-
ing . “That ultimately could harm our cil meeting as to whether they want to
ability to stay competitive with other move forward with that kind of work.”
places on the coast,” Frank said.
As for a potential moratorium on
City Councilor Tita Montero said vacation rental permits, Barber asked
the density of vacation rentals in a city staff and City A ttorney Dan Van
neighborhood is a factor that should Thiel, in conjunction with the League
determine how many dwellings are of Oregon Cities, to provide the steps
allowed, but there are others as well, necessary if a moratorium is consid-
including how they aff ect the people ered the right path.
who live here.
The city may consider a part-time
“We don’t want an overpopulation consultant to help with the research,
of the VRDs in any segment of the Barber said.
city,” Montero said. “What we need is
“I’d like someone to tell us what
a pause and moratorium, that we stop we would need to undertake so we
providing any more VRD licenses or could have a moratorium, so we could
permits over a period of time so that make the decision on solid ground,”
we can look at every one of these dif- he said.
Fire chief: ‘Volunteers are our most
important asset. Volunteers choose to do this’
Continued from Page A1
“I always strive for professional goals,
whether it is getting into another degree pro-
gram, taking some more classes or becoming
a better leader,” Como said during an inter-
view with the selection committee in Novem-
ber. “I feel that if you’re not taking classes, if
you’re not learning, you’re standing still. Not
just for yourself — but for the volunteers who
serve.”
He has served on a volunteer recruiting
committee, seeking ways to recruit and retain
volunteers. “Volunteers are our most import-
ant asset,” Como said. “Volunteers choose to
do this.”
He hopes to be able to motivate people
and share the department’s vision to serve the
community.
Along with fulfi lling the duties of the job,
Como said he hopes to provide a vision to the
2021 STUFF
future and to make the fi re station “the heart of
the community.”
“I know it may sound kind of cheesy,”
he said. “In old movies, the fi re station may
not be in the center of town, but it’s the core
of the community. It’s what the community
revolves around, and it’s my hope to continue
that eff ort.”
City Councilor Brent Warren asked Como
how he would deal with morale with fi refi ght-
ers if a bond for a new fi rehouse does not pass.
“Making sure I’m there for the fi refi ghters
is very important,” Como said. “It’s a family,
the second part of a personal family. At the end
of the day, we still have a job to do, and they’re
still here to do that.
“These volunteers aren’t here because
they’re going to get a new station, they’re here
to serve the community as best they can. A
new station would be great, but that’s not what
they’re here for.”
situations, Rogozinski said, it is crucial for
Suever to be assertive with outreach to fami-
State data from previous school years lies . Particularly with remote learning during
shows the number of students designated as the pandemic, he said, it was evident that
unsheltered usually sits around 2% to 3% many students relied on the resources that
of the total enrolled population. The num- schools provide .
“We’re the lifeline in some cases,” he said.
ber in emergency shelters is typically under
Heyen and Jannusch emphasized that the
fi ve students, and is not recorded to protect
community has stepped up to help temper the
confi dentiality.
Rod Heyen, the principal of Warrenton struggles many families face.
One of the largest contributors is the
High School, and Josh Jannusch, the princi-
pal of Warrenton Middle School, said many Assistance League of the Columbia Pacifi c,
of the students who fi t the homelessness des- a nonprofi t that seeks to strengthen commu-
ignation live in mobile home parks and shared nities through philanthropic programs. Each
school in the county has a representative at
— often multigenerational — housing .
Warrenton is the fastest-growing city the organization.
Kathleen Macdonald, who works with
in the county and often the most attrac-
tive for younger families. But the county’s Warrenton High School through the Assis-
tance League, said one of
lack of aff ordable hous-
their main focuses is pro-
ing has created competi-
‘I DON’T THINK
viding clothes for stu-
tion, particularly for low-
dents, and in turn, helping
and-medium
income
ANY OF US IN
reduce the social pressure
households.
THE PUBLIC
that comes with having
Viviana Matthews,
less
wardrobe options.
the executive direc-
SECTOR —
Before the pandemic,
tor of Clatsop Commu-
they would take a busload
nity Action, said she was
SERVICE
of students to retail stores
not surprised by the per-
SECTOR —
and supply a volunteer for
centage of students fac-
each one to pick out essen-
ing homelessness in
IS FEELING
tial clothing .
Warrenton.
LIKE WE GOT
“We want to (provide)
“One of the biggest
the one-on-one expe-
barriers that we have is
IT FIGURED
rience, which is about
the lack of housing. The
increasing their self-es-
inventory, especially in
OUT, OR WE
teem,” Macdonald said.
Warrenton, is nonexis-
WOULDN’T
“If I have hole y shoes or
tent, either for purchas-
I don’t have clothes that
ing or renting,” she said.
HAVE 15.8%
fi t or I don’t have clothes
While the social ser-
at all, I may have some
vices organization cannot
OF OUR KIDS
self-esteem issues that
work directly with stu-
DESIGNATED AS could be solved with some
dents if they are minors,
new clothes. It’s a pretty
school districts often
HOMELESS.’
amazing thing.”
refer families to Clatsop
Tom Rogozinski | Warrenton
Rogozinski said Con-
Community Action if
superintendent
sejo Hispano, the Sun-
they need assistance with
set Empire Transportation
housing.
District and the local food
Another barrier for
struggling families, Jannusch said, is that bank also support students.
“What I am constantly impressed by and
many social services are based in Astoria and
amazed by is how there is no doubt it is an
Seaside.
Mary Suever, a middle school counselor, increased challenge for many students — it is
serves as the school district’s liaison to iden- absolutely impressive and amazing how well
tify and provide services to students expe- many of them learn and thrive, even in those
riencing homelessness to help ensure they environments that make it diffi cult to do so,”
he said.
have equal access to education.
While homelessness casts a shadow on
“One of her biggest (responsibilities) is
identifi cation and that’s not always as easy the school district, educators know that solu-
as one would think,” Rogozinski said. “It tions will likely require a greater state and
doesn’t always just show up on the registra- federal focus .
“I don’t think any of us in the public sec-
tion form. There’s conversation, and getting
tor — service sector — is feeling like we got
to know kids and families, and follow-ups.
“But I think a lot of it is the continuous it fi gured out, or we wouldn’t have 15.8%
and continuous communication to ensure of our kids designated as homeless,” Rogo-
that if families have any social service-type zinski said. “I think we are doing a good job
of needs, whether that’s food, clothing, of not letting it be defi ning for the kids, but I
around the holidays — gifts and meals — think we can’t take our eye off that.
“The intentionality around that is huge
Mary is the conduit to which that informa-
and it’s clear from the numbers … it’s a true
tion gets to us.”
Because students face so many diff erent challenge for us.”
The Astoria City Council
wishes everyone a
NEED PRUNE TARTS
FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
SAFE AND JOYOUS
HOLIDAY SEASON!
Suomi Hall auxiliary workers
are taking orders.
Wear your mask and enjoy
the lights and holiday
festivities while social
distance shopping in
Downtown Astoria
www.astoriadowntown.com
Friday, November 26, 2021
to Saturday, January 1, 2022
Customers can park downtown
longer than posted time limits
One dozen frozen
(ready to bake)
tarts is $20.
(except in metered spaces)
Call 503-440-9002 to place
your order by December 7.
Free pics
with Santa
th
th & 19
8
1
r
e
b
m
e
Dec
ED TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER FAMILIES
Home
Furnishings
More children are in need of foster services than ever before.
Help foster children feel safe and loved this holiday season.
DROP OFF NOW until DECEMBER 15 TH
1033 COMMERCIAL ST. • 503-325-5620
Your donation will go directly to a foster child in Clatsop County!
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