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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 22, 2021)
The Columbia Press October 22, 2021 Sen. Betsy Johnson to run for governor; Suzanne Weber seeks Senate seat The Columbia Press Betsy Johnson, Clatsop County’s representative in the State Senate, announced late last week that she’s seek- ing the governor’s office. And she’ll run as an independent. “With an election for gov- ernor fast approaching, Ore- gonians are eager for a fresh start and new leadership,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “But having to choose be- tween another left-wing lib- eral promising more of the same or a right-wing Trump apologist – is no choice at all. Oregonians deserve better than the excesses and non- sense of the extreme left and radical right. Oregonians are ready to move to the middle where sensible solutions are found. That’s why I have de- cided to run for governor as an independent leader un- affiliated with any party and loyal only to the people of Or- egon.” Johnson, currently serving her fourth term in the Senate, also has served in the House. She has been a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the state budget, since her first session and currently is one of its chairs. She holds a law degree from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, owns an aviation company and is a licensed commercial pilot. Since Gov. Kate Brown cannot run due to term lim- its, the field to replace her is growing. Johnson joins House Speaker Tina Kotek, State Treasurer Tobias Read, San- dy Mayor Stan Pulliam, New York Times columnist Nich- olas Kristof and a number of others. On Johnson’s heels, newly elected state Rep. Suzanne Weber, a Republican from Tillamook, announced she’ll seek Johnson’s seat in the Senate. In her announcement, We- ber said Johnson has “been a model for me for working in a nonpartisan, independent manner.” They’ve worked “hand in hand” in addressing the unique challenges on the North Oregon Coast, fighting for constituents, Weber said. “There are no bigger shoes to fill than those of Sen. Betsy Johnson.” Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown will read his works during a presentation at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, in the Liberty Theatre, 1203 Commercial St., Astoria. His appearance is spon- sored by The Writer’s Guild. Brown received the 2011 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for Poetry and a Pulitzer Prize for his most recent work, “The Tra- dition.” Tickets are $10 to $65 and available at libertyastoria. showare.com. Following the reading, Brown will be available to sign books. Johnson Weber Pulitzer winner to read in Astoria 3 Tide Gate Partnership wins state accolaides A collaborative effort to fix Oregon’s aging tide gates was honored recently by the State Land Board. Tide gates keep farm fields, roads, and other areas dry and protected from flooding by letting fresh water out during low tides and pre- venting water from entering during high tides. Salmon and other migrating fish are able to swim through the tide gates when properly func- tioning. But improperly func- tioning tide gates can impact infrastructure, water quality, and wildlife. Oregon has more than 1,000 tide gates in coastal areas, including Warrenton and other parts of Clatsop County, with many of them in need of repair or replace- ment in order to function properly. The Oregon Tide Gate Part- nership has brought together a diverse group of interests dedicated to identifying bar- riers and solutions for updat- ing tide gates. Partners include coastal counties, watershed boards, conservation groups, farming and ranching associations, tribes, and federal and state agencies. The collaboration is coordinated by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. “When tide gates work well, everyone benefits,” said Sec- retary of State Shemia Fagan, who presented the award during the 17th annual Land Board Awards in Salem. “This collaborative effort by many partners helps ensure Oregon’s tide gates will keep protecting communities and natural resources.” To date, the partnership has developed an inventory of Or- egon’s tide gates, established funding and engineering re- sources for landowners, and created tools to help com- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tide gates were removed from Warrenton’s Eighth Street Dam in hopes of improving conditions for salmon and other species. munities prioritize projects. Regulatory agencies also are working to coordinate the permit process for tide gate repairs or replacements. “Now that those resources are built, it feels like we’re finally at the starting line,” said Jillian McCarthy, tide gate coordinator with Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. “The next year will fo- cus on testing the tools, mak- ing refinements, and working together to complete projects on the ground.” The Land Board Awards honor exceptional projects and partners for their contri- butions to protecting and en- hancing Oregon’s treasured natural resources.