T he C olumbia P ress
January 31, 2020
Mayor’s Message
by Henry Balensifer III
Getting a handle on history
The library survey results
are in and they affirm some-
thing I’ve been actively pur-
suing for some time -- local
history.
Kelly Knudsen, our library
director, reported on these
findings. The top response
was for more programs and
info on local history and ar-
chitecture. This dovetails
with an effort we’ve started to
map out all the old towns that
existed in what is now our
fine city, and declare those
historic districts.
Eventually, in a few years,
I’d like to see an annual city-
wide competition between
the districts to both spur local
pride, and deepen the ties we
have to our roots as a people.
While many towns that lat-
er were annexed into War-
renton were founded earlier,
the named town of Warren-
ton was incorporated Feb.
11, 1899, which we currently
celebrate as our city’s birth-
day.
History revolves around the
place in which an event oc-
curs just as much as the peo-
ple who were part of it. This
is why it’s such a big deal to
get these districts mapped
and designated.
I’m glad to see the current
leadership of the Clatsop
County Historical Society
is working with Diane Col-
lier to map out our districts.
My hope is we can use this
effort as a springboard to
delve more into our history
through partnership.
Last week, I held a town hall
on the topic of land use that
was very well attended. It was
the longest town hall I’ve ever
held – more than three hours
-- but most who attended
found it quite helpful in un-
derstanding the roles and
responsibilities citizens, the
city, and applicants have as
well as the process for land-
use decisions.
It was so comprehensive
that it was considered a land-
use training for the Planning
Commission and City Com-
mission.
Despite this, we only
scratched the basics of land-
use law. As we compile the
feedback we’ve received,
the commission will consid-
er what it can do to ensure
smart growth in the future.
Land-use decisions rarely
make everybody happy. They
are, at their core, the most
controversial decisions a city
can make. Why? Because the
decisions affect how we live
and our quality of life.
The whole purpose of my
town halls is to inform and
empower residents.
A three-session grant-writ-
ing workshop for nonprofit
groups begins in February,
with course credit offered to
those who want it from Clat-
sop Community College.
Participants of “Ready, Set,
Grant!” will have their pro-
posals reviewed by experts,
gain access to customizable
templates, and receive one-
Conservancy group set to expand holdings
The State Land Board is ex-
pected to approve the sale of
mineral rights on a former
shooting range when it meets
Feb. 4 in Salem.
The Seaside-based North
Coast Land Conservancy
proposes buying the 34-acre
property in Tillamook County
so it can be returned to hab-
itat and preserved for the fu-
ture.
The property is along Bur-
ton Fraser Road southwest of
the city of Tillamook and ad-
jacent to tidal wetlands.
The 33-year-old conservan-
cy has multiple land holdings
from Warrenton to Knappa
and south to Lincoln County.
The Tillamook Shooters
Association lost the property
through in a tax lien sale.
A Department of State
Lands staff report determined
“the sale of the mineral rights
for this property will provide
the greatest benefit for the
people of this state through a
sale to the NCLC to improve
tidal wetland functions and
hydrology to improve and
conserve salmon habitat.”
Once approved, the sale
goes before legislators in their
2021 session.
Warrenton trio safe after becoming stranded
Three Warrenton residents
missing in the Hamlet area
east of Seaside were found by
a search team after becoming
stranded overnight on a log-
ging road, the Clatsop County
Sheriff’s Office reported.
Family members described
the three as friends and re-
ported them missing Mon-
day. Deputies began search-
ing shortly after dark for a
25-year-old man, a 17-year-
old girl and a 14-year-old boy.
“Based on very limited cel-
lular telephone data, depu-
ties were able to locate the
disabled vehicle, but found it
unoccupied,” according to a
press release. “Deputies con-
tinued searching through the
WHS seniors to
hold fundraiser
The senior class at Warren-
ton High School is having a
can and bottle drive from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb.
8.
Cans and bottles can be
dropped off at the high school
bus barn during those hours.
on-one support.
Sessions are from 9 a.m. to All proceeds will go toward
3 p.m. on Feb. 18, March 10 Safe & Sober Graduation
and March 31. Cost is $129 Night activities.
per person, with lunch in-
cluded
For more information or to
sign up, contact Jessie Katon
of Rural Development Initia-
tives at 541-684-9077, Ext. 5,
or email jkaton@rdiinc.org.
Grant sessions set for nonprofit groups
3
night and launched a full
search and rescue operation
at daylight Tuesday.”
Deputies determined the
girl hadn’t been with the
group, but a 16-year-old boy
was with them instead.
The trio were driving on a
narrow logging road in the
remote area off Highway 26
and became stuck when they
encountered another motor-
ist and attempted to pull to
the side, according to the re-
port.
While the three weren’t in-
jured, they’d left the vehicle
in search of cell service and
were exposed to the elements
overnight.
“The Sheriff’s Office wants
to remind people traveling
in the forest to go prepared
with proper food and cloth-
ing,” the press release states.
“Always let friends or family
know your travel plans and
never assume you will have
cellular service. Even if your
vehicle becomes disabled, it’s
generally safer to stay inside,
when possible.”
The Clatsop County Sher-
iff’s Office was assisted by
the Coast Guard, Tillamook
County Sheriff’s Office, Clack-
amas County Sheriff’s Office,
Hamlet Rural Fire Protection
District, Medix Ambulance,
Pacific Northwest Search and
Rescue, and Mountain Wave
Search and Rescue.