T he C olumbia P ress 1 50 ¢ C latsop C ounty ’ s I ndependent W eekly www.thecolumbiapress.com May 1, 2020 City considers selling old library B y C Indy y Ingst The Columbia Press City commissioners want to sell the former Hammond Library, but not without get- ting plenty of feedback from residents first. Many in the communi- ty have high regard for the building – or at least fond memories – as it’s the sym- bol of Hammond’s indepen- dence and place in the city of Warrenton’s history. But the structure, estimat- ed to be 100 to 120 years old, isn’t in good shape. The city was forced to move the li- brary out of the building in 2017 when walls and floors became unstable, partially from the weight of the books. All assets of the former town of Hammond were turned over to Warrenton when residents voted to dis- incorporate and join their bigger sister city in 1991. “It’s a sensitive piece of real estate for the city,” May- or Henry Balensifer said. “There are many people who have a sentimental attach- ment to that building.” I n theIr own words Commission candidates talk about county’s top issues District 2 (Gearhart & south Warrenton) Cindy Yingst/The Columbia Press The city of Warrenton is considering selling the 1900-era building that once served as Hammond Town Hall and, more recently, the city’s library. How to help To donate to the VFW’s effort, send a check to Fort Stevens Post 10580, Atten: building fund, P.O. Box 233, Warrenton 97146. Send comments of support, opposition or recommendation to City Recorder Dawne Shaw at dshaw@ci.warrenton.or.us or PO Box 250, Warrenton 97146. A recent appraisal obtained by the city set the value of the small lot and building at $90,000. “I wouldn’t give you a hundred dollar bill for that,” Commissioner Rick Newton said of the struc- ture. “I’d like to be out from under the load of owning the building.” In 2018, the local Veter- ans of Foreign Wars post proposed taking over the building for use as a hall and a community gathering See ‘Building’ on Page 3 City, county extend emergency closure orders The Columbia Press Warrenton leaders extend- ed until May 31 the city’s emergency order that closed hotels, campgrounds and other temporary-stay lodg- ing. Clatsop County commis- sioners also voted to extend both the county’s emergency declaration and the emer- gency order closing hotels, Vol. 4, Issue 18 vacation rentals and camp- grounds to May 31. Both closures were to end April 30. Warrenton com- missioners also chose to tie their order’s timeline in with the county’s in whatever fu- ture decisions are made. Representatives of the county and the state phoned in to Warrenton’s Tuesday night commission meeting to provide details of a three- phased plan for reopening commerce. The state has required counties to have a two-week downward trend in corona- virus cases, adequate testing supplies, a way to track con- tact spread, and adequate personal protection equip- ment and hospital capacity. See ‘Closure’ on Page 3 s arah n eBeker J ohn t oyooka Age: Old enough for Social Security and Medicare Years in county? 49 Occupation: Incumbent Clatsop Coun- ty commissioner, District 2 (includes portions of War- renton); semi-retired small arts business, and real estate manager Education: Studied busi- ness management at Clatsop Community College; studied fine arts at Portland State University; studied social sci- ences at Linfield College. Community involve- ment: More than seven See ‘Nebeker’ on Page 4 Age: Left blank Years in county? 24 Occupation: Manager, Lum’s Auto Center Education: Bachelor’s de- gree, U.S. Naval Academy Community involve- ment: Past chair, Providence Seaside Hospital Founda- tion Board; member, Clatsop Community College board. Why should people vote for you? I have business ex- perience. Candidates need to understand how a business works, including budgets and balance sheets. I have leadership experi- See ‘Toyooka’ on Page 4 District 4 (East Astoria, Knappa) k athleen s ullIvan Age: 61 Years in county? 14 Occupation: County Commis- sioner, office man- ager, educator Education: Master’s de- gree in liberal studies, Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.; bachelor’s degree in secondary English education, Michigan State University Community involve- ment: Chair, Clatsop Coun- ty Board of Commissioners; chair, Northwest Senior and Disability Services Board; member, Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee; mem- ber, Ambulance Service Area See ‘Sullivan’ on Page 8 C ourtney B angs Age: 41 Years in county? 13 Occupation: Teacher and head tumbling instructor at Encore Dance Studio Education: Master’s de- gree in agriculture education, bachelor’s degree in Animal Science Community involve- ment: In addition to the involvement that naturally occurs through my work, I serve on these groups vice president, Clatsop chapter of Oregon Women in Tim- ber (educational nonprofit); co-coordinator and volunteer, See ‘Bangs’ on Page 8