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T he C olumbia P ress 1 50 ¢ C latsop C ounty ’ s I ndependent W eekly n eWspaper www.thecolumbiapress.com October 19, 2018 Candidates for Warrenton mayor In their own words Henry Balensifer John Washington • Age: 29 • How long have you lived in the city? Ex- cept college, all my life • Occupation: Communications Manager for LEK- TRO, Inc. • Education: Bachelor’s de- gree in political science, George Fox University; diploma, War- renton High School • Community involvement: I volunteer with or am on the board of the following organiza- tions: • Warrenton High School Fisheries Program • Chair, Clatsop County Housing TAC/Task Force • NW Oregon Works Board • Clatsop Economic Develop- ment Resources • Columbia Pacific Economic Development District • Astoria-Warrenton Cham- ber of Commerce • Lower Columbia Tourism Committee • Why should people vote for you? I have a vision for Warrenton, proven and steady leadership skills and I am fo- cused on the issues. Alongside the city commission, I’m already involved in downtown revital- ization, making development code changes to manage future growth, and working on pressing issues like downtown revital- ization, economic development, housing, and elk. • Top three issues affecting the city: • Age: 54 • How long have you lived in the city? 19 years • Occupation: Retired • Education: Associate of arts degree • Community involvement: School board involvement, parent-teacher or- ganization, Safe and Sober Party Chairman in 2013, beach clean- up, assist with library float for parade. • Why should people vote for you? If the people would like transparency, honesty and a voice, then they should vote for John Washington! • Top three issues affecting the city: 1. Low-income housing 2. Bond issues 3. Homelessness See ‘Balensifer’ on Page 10 See ‘Washington’ on Page 10 • How would you approach those three issues? 1. Low-income housing: By ana- lyzing the market and availability of land, and offering incentive packages to contractors. It would not only provide housing, but entry-level and unskilled labor positions as well. 2. Bond issues: I would ask city council members to lift the mor- atorium on marijuana stores and research an increase of tax monies allocated to the city by state agen- cies for participating in the pro- gram, which would lessen the tax burdens of the bond on residents. Vol. 2, Issue 42 Arnie’s Cafe moving downtown B y C indy y ingst The Columbia Press Arnie’s Café, Warrenton’s iconic diner, is moving down- town. Owners Crystal and Mike Green are working with City Commissioner Rick Newton to turn his former Napa Auto Parts store into a slightly big- Arnie’s plans to move 14 blocks north next ger and much better version of year, from 1609 S. Main Ave. to 269 S. Main. Arnie’s Café. “We’ll be bringing it more “The name will stay the same. The into the downtown corridor,” Crys- menu will stay the same,” Green tal Green said. “We’re hoping all the said. “We hope to expand on a few construction will be done by sum- things, but we won’t be open for mer of next year.” dinner. We’ll have the same feel, The Greens have owned Arnie’s just a nicer, cleaner place.” for four years, having purchased The couple plans to hold on to the breakfast and lunch place from the building now housing Arnie’s See ‘Arnie’s’ on Page 8 Mary Garrett. Pacific Seafoods plans Alaska-style bunkhouses for seasonal workers B y C indy y ingst The Columbia Press No one recognizes the need for housing as profoundly as an employ- er with entry-level jobs to fill. Pacific Seafoods wants to turn the old Pacific Fabricators’ metal shop along Hammond’s riverfront into an Alaskan-style dormitory with beds, a kitchen and community areas where residents can socialize. “This is driven by the housing cri- sis everywhere throughout the state,” said Mike Miliucci, an attorney for Pacific Seafood Group. “For the past three to five years, we’ve had a tre- mendously difficult time trying to find housing for our seasonal workers.” While some have been put up in hotels, much of the seafood packing season falls during tourist season, he said. Another option is to purchase an already built apartment complex, but that would mean evicting current residents and “that’s just not the way Pacific operates.” However, Warrenton’s develop- ment code does not allow housing in areas zoned water-dependent indus- trial shorelands. Warrenton Planning Commission, which considered Pacific Seafood’s case last week, voted to amend the code to allow dormitories within the zone as long as they’re for employees who work at water-dependent indus- trial businesses. The special housing would be discontinued if the owner- ship changes or the business ceases to operate. “The proposal is just one specif- ic approach to providing a range of housing options in an area that’s experiencing a housing crisis,” said Kevin Cronin, Warrenton’s Commu- See ‘Housing’ on Page 6