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DailyAstorian.com // THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2022
150TH YEAR, NO. 21
$1.50
Johnson
takes next
step in
governor’s
campaign
Independent submits
over 48,000 signatures
By DIRK VANDERHART
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Betsy Johnson took a long-expected
step Tuesday in her quest to be Oregon’s
fi rst nonaffi liated governor in almost nine
decades, submitting 48,214 signatures to
state elections offi cials.
With the move, Johnson well overshot
the 23,744 valid signatures she’ll need to
qualify for the November ballot without
a party endorsement. The former Demo-
cratic state senator has been circulating
petitions in support of her candidacy for
months, using a mix of campaign events
and paid signature gathering.
In brief remarks in front of the Ore-
gon Secretary of State’s Offi ce in Salem,
Johnson said it was a “historic day” and
thanked several people who’d helped col-
lect signatures for the eff ort.
‘My children are
fi nally included’
See Johnson, Page A5
Alexis Weisend/The Astorian
Children play at the summer camp hosted by First Steps Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
Summer camp recognizes neurodiversity
By ALEXIS WEISEND
The Astorian
W
ARRENTON — Shelly Miller
is the mother of two children
with autism, which can make
participating in community
activities more diffi cult.
Loud movie theaters and crowded
parades can be overwhelming. One
of her sons has been sent home from
six or seven diff erent community
programs. “If you don’t have kids
like this, you don’t understand,” she
said.
Finding the right resources was a
challenging and lonely eff ort. Then
she found First Steps Center for
Autism and Developmental Disabil-
ities and enrolled her children in its
free summer camp.
‘WE’RE GOING TO SHOW THEM THAT IT’S
OK TO HAVE YOUR MOMENT. IT’S OK TO BE
EMOTIONAL, AND THEN COME BACK FROM IT
AND MOVE ON TO YOUR ACTIVITY. THIS IS A
SAFE SPACE TO DO THAT.’
Brandi Lindstrom | founder of the day camp
“For my kids to be able to come
and interact with other kids, with
parents that are understanding and
understand their skills, like I’m
going to cry,” she said. “I’ve never
— this is not something that happens
in communities where you can have
like-minded people that know your
struggle.”
At the day camp held at the War-
renton Community Center, children
in kindergarten through 12th grade
with autism and other developmen-
tal disabilities participate in classic
activities like sports, arts and crafts
and science experiments.
Vesta
Hospitality
purchases
Surfsand
Resort
Sale price was $58 million
By ABBEY McDONALD
The Astorian
Vesta Hospitality has added Surfsand
Resort in Cannon Beach to its collection of
hotels for a price tag of $58 million.
Surfsand, established in 1977, is a
beachfront property with views of Hay-
stack Rock. It was previously part of the
Martin North hotel group, which includes
the Stephanie Inn and Public Coast Brew-
ing Co.
Vesta is planning a $9 million renova-
tion for the property. Rick Takach, Vesta’s
CEO , said plan details will be fi nalized in
the fall.
“We’re forecasting a top-to-bottom ren-
ovation with updated public areas, guest
rooms, meeting spaces, a refreshed restau-
rant and a new suite of guest amenities,”
Takach said in an emailed statement to The
Astorian. “We plan for construction to take
See Summer camp, Page A6
See Surfsand, Page A6
CANNON BEACH
Several candidates step forward to lead
Priorities include
housing and livability
By NICOLE BALES
The Astorian
CANNON BEACH — Candi-
dates have emerged for the City
Council in the November election.
Terms for the mayor and two
councilors-at-large are expiring at
the end of the year.
City Councilor Robin Risley,
who was elected in 2018, intends
to run for reelection. Lisa Kerr, a
planning commissioner, and Gary
Hayes, the owner of a media and
marketing fi rm, have fi led for
councilor-at-large.
Barb Knop, who
serves on the Planning
Commission, and Erik
Ostrander, a hotelier,
will run for mayor.
Mayor Sam Steidel
and City Councilor Mike
Benefi eld have termed
out after serving two,
four-year terms. The election fi ling
period extends through Aug. 30.
The candidates said challenges
like housing and livability issues
that stem from tourism need to be
addressed. The city is also balanc-
ing several major projects, includ-
ing the construction of a new C ity
H all and police station, the rede-
velopment of the former elemen-
tary school, a code audit and a
transportation
system
plan.
Risley, a principal
broker at Cascade Has-
son Sotheby’s Interna-
tional Realty, said she is
proud of the projects the
City Council has accom-
plished and started over
the past four years, including the
work to redevelop the former ele-
mentary school her daughter
attended.
She cited the improvements
made to the city’s water system
and the city’s eff orts to continue
the famous “mooing” tsunami
warning sirens.
Risley also pointed to victo-
ries when the state sided with the
city after it was challenged over a
restrictive dune management plan
and again when it was challenged
over an oceanfront setback rule.
One of the things she is the
most proud of is the monthly Cof-
fee with Councilors meeting she
hosts with City Councilor Nancy
McCarthy. Risley said the discus-
sions are well attended by people
of all ages.
“They’re lively and people
really care,” she said. “And you
See Cannon Beach, Page A6
Gary Hayes
Robin Risley
Erik Ostrander
Lisa Kerr
INSIDE
Barb Knop
Phillips
chooses not
to run for
reelection in
Seaside • A6