The Columbia Press 1 50 ¢ Clatsop County’s Independent Weekly www.thecolumbiapress.com October 16, 2020 Vol. 4, Issue 42 In their own words Warrenton commission candidates speak out Allen Berry Brandon T. Williams Age: 37 Years here: 32 Occupation: Self-e mployed Gerald Poe Age: 56 Years here: 10.5 Occupation: Retired electrician Education: High school + Community in- volvement: Previously active volunteer in my church, where I served as deacon, went on mission trips to Mexico to build church buildings, and delivered an ambulance to a city in Mexico. Why vote for you? My mot- to is “For honesty, integrity, and courage, elect Allen Berry on Nov. 3.” That sums me up pretty well. I am willing to get done what needs to be done. Having lived here nearly 11 years, I’ve listened to people talk and I’ve heard them say what they want. Being that I’m retired, I can spend more time focusing on city issues and help my community. Top issues: 1. Expanding without losing nat- ural habitat for wildlife. 2. Improving the water filtration system (new) without raising tax- es. 3. Lack of transparency between City Commission and residents. How would you approach those three issues? I will be a representative of the people, by the people, for the peo- ple. Top issues : 1. Infrastructure 2. Education 3. Safety How would you approach those three issues? Age: 62 Years here: 40 Occupation: Merchant sailor, Washington State Ferries; past oc- cupations include commercial fish- ing, logging, con- struction, ocean-towing tugboats; I have been involved in the mari- time profession for 40 years. Education: Clatsop Commu- nity College GED with honors in mathematics and English; Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Creden- tial training and licensure, unlim- ited tonnage mate inland waters, 1600-ton master towing vessels upon oceans, licensed deck officer Community involvement: I currently serve on the War- renton Urban Renewal Commit- tee and the Budget Committee. I also serve on the Hammond Basin Committee and Hammond Mari- na Task Force. I have been serving the city of Warrenton/Hammond in different volunteer positions for approximately seven years. Why vote for you? I have been a Hammond homeowner for 26 years and care deeply for our area. I have the experience and knowl- edge to know what issues face the city through my years of service as a volunteer. This gives me the See ‘Berry’ on Page 4 See ‘Williams’ on Page 4 See ‘Poe’ on Page 4 general contractor Education: Bachelor’s de- gree in fire service administration, Western Oregon University; asso- ciate’s degree in fire science/EMS, Clatsop Community College; high school diploma, Seaside High School. Community involvement: Stakeholder in the city of War- renton; former volunteer firefight- er/emergency medical responder, Warrenton Fire Department; pre- cinct committee person and for- mer vice chairman, Clatsop Coun- ty Republican Party. Why vote for you? I will put Warrenton/Hammond first! I am a constitutional candidate who believes in civil service and pro- tection of life, liberty and the pur- suit of happiness. Hammond’s new water line in the works By Cindy Yingst The Columbia Press A new water line to Hammond took a step closer to reality this week as city commissioners issued a call for bids on the estimated $2.5 million project. “Wait, this is actually happening?” Mayor Henry Balensifer joked. The project has been on the books almost as long as he’s been alive. Hammond residents long have had issues with water flow and low wa- ter pressure, which poses problems when fighting fires and has all but halted new development. The new 18-inch water line will be built above the existing sewer lines and run from Warrenton Marina along the waterfront trail into down- town Hammond. The city received a $1.65 million loan several years ago from the Ore- gon Infrastructure Finance Author- ity, with $929,500 of the principle forgiven upon completion. Unfortunately, the pandemic has raised prices on many of the mate- rials needed for the project, Public Works Director Collin Stelzig told commissioners. “Materials are hard to come by right now,” he said. “What we’re proposing right now is to (place the) advertise- ment, but wait until materials come See ‘Water line’ on Page 5 Oct. 17th & 18th Saturday: 9 am- 3 pm ◆ Sunday: 10 am- 3 pm Seaside Convention Center You Never Know What You’ll Find At A Collectors West Gun & Knife Show! 415 1st Avenue, Seaside collectorswest.com $ 7