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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2022)
The Columbia Press January 7, 2022 Senior Moments 7 Mayor’s Message with Emma Edwards by Henry Balensifer III Time to adjust your attitude Town halls are back on schedule in 2022 It seems strange to be say- ing “Happy New Year” on Jan. 7, but it is, after all, our first issue of The Columbia Press in the new year of 2022. I have always looked for- ward to the new year and, over the years, thought of it as kind of a restart, a time to think ahead and not only study my resolutions for the new year, but to think about the year ahead. One of my neighbors re- cently had a check-up with her heart doctor. The doctor was going over her questions and concerns and sudden- ly a big smile lit up his face. He kindly said, “Well, that’s the price you pay for living so long.” I looked upon the answer as good news for our attitude and gratitude! Many of us, seniors espe- cially, like to go to our Bibles for comfort, instruction, in- spiration, and reproof. Some may wonder – I can’t help it if I wonder -- what the new year holds for us. Maybe this is getting off the subject, but recently I had a meal from the local Panda Express. It included a fortune cookie, which I joy- ously opened for that day’s inspiration. This is what it said: “Your sense of humor will get you through difficult times.” It was the first time I’d eaten there. I had kung pao chicken and black angus pep- per beef and fried chow mein noodles. And yes, I will enjoy that restaurant again! Talk about enjoyment, I have been reading through the book of Philippians written by the Apostle Paul around AD 62. One may ponder how some- thing that old could possibly contain anything relevant to our present day. We all want to get out of this never-end- ing pandemic, of course. I’ll offer two obvious solu- tions as an antidote: attitude and gratitude. The Philippi- ans epistle, or letter to the church in Philippi, was writ- ten by Paul while he was in prison and covers those sub- jects well. “No, dear brothers and sis- ters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. -- Philippians 3 Restart the year with some realistic and doable goals. Over the years, this writer has learned that we simply cannot achieve success over- night. I am told by experts that once we do something for three weeks it can become a habit spurring us on to an- other three weeks. And guess what I’m refer- ring to? Yes, a gigantic per- centage of new year’s resolu- tions are to eat more sensibly and maybe lose some weight. I guess I have to do it myself now. Wish me luck. Some of us seniors wonder – I can’t help it if I wonder -- what the new year will hold for us. Well, let’s work on that restart no matter what our resolution involves. Yes I can, I can, I can! said the little red engine. 2022 is finally here. 2021 was a bruiser of a year, but it also didn’t dampen the spirits of Warrentonians as much as it could have. We had the largest turnout for the Fourth of July parade this year, we had great par- ticipation at the Fall Festival, and we began planning for new events that we hope will provide additional value to residents while creating fresh annual traditions to cherish. The city had its share of challenges in 2021, COVID issues notwithstanding. Chief among them were stormwater and flooding is- sues, staff turnover in the public works and planning departments, and livability issues and complaints. In response, the city has held multiple work sessions regarding how to address the impacts of new development or fill on surrounding proper- ties, particularly as it relates to the displacement of storm- water. A final policy package is be- ing drafted and should be up for public comment on or be- fore the end of summer. We finally have a perma- nent planning director, after several interims — including one that lived in Taiwan and filled in remotely. I will admit livability con- cerns have been among the hardest issues to address. We have been able to resolve many, but there are still some we cannot fix because we either lack the personnel to enforce the issue, or — in some of the most vexing cases — it was simply bad neighborship. You can make laws until you’re blue in the face, but you can’t make people like each other, let alone be good neighbors. Overall, there’s one thing I missed most in 2021: town halls. I am pleased to say that I will be resuming in-person town halls. For those unfamiliar with the meetings, I always do my town halls on specific topics. They open up with informa- tion about the chosen top- ic, and end with a forum for residents to air their ideas or concerns. The town halls have been very helpful to our staff, res- idents, and myself. The first issues I would like to address are the old community li- brary building in the Ham- mond district and what to do with it, as well as the projects and programs planned for that district within our city. This was supposed to have occurred in 2020, but COVID upended those plans, among others. If there is a topic you would like to know more about that has a local connection, please email me, send me a letter, or message me on Facebook. I hope you can join us at these upcoming town halls. Stay tuned for more informa- tion. Here’s to seeing each other again! Warrenton Mayor Henry Balensifer can be reached at hbalensifer@ci.warren- ton.or.us or by leaving a message for him at City Hall, 503-861-2233. Transit district seeks budget help Sunset Empire Transporta- tion District seeks volunteers willing to serve on the agen- cy’s budget committee. The committee is com- prised of the seven SETD board members and seven community members ap- pointed by the board to serve three-year terms. There are five open seats. The committee typically meets once each year in the spring, but they may hold ad- ditional meetings if needed. Meetings in 2022 are expect- ed to be held via Zoom. To apply, submit a letter of interest to Executive Direc- tor Jeff Hazen at jeff@ride- thebus.org, or at the Astoria Transit Center, 900 Marine Drive; Seaside Transit Office, 39 N. Holladay; or mail it to SETD on Marine Drive. Ap- plications are due Jan, 31. Special columns in The Columbia Press Every week: Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Week 1: Mayor’s Message by Henry Balensifer Week 2: Financial Focus with Adam Miller Week 3: Spotlight on the City Week 4: Here’s to Your Health from CMH
