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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2022)
The Columbia Press March 11, 2022 3 Kujala unopposed, but Wev, Thompson face county challengers The Columbia Press Pamela Wev and Lianne Thompson both face chal- lengers in their races to retain seats on the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners. Nathan Pinkstaff of Astoria, a deck mechanic for Tidewa- ter Barge Lines in Vancouver, Wash., filed papers Monday to run against Wev for the District 3 seat. He has no prior government experience and previously has worked in the fishing and logging industries. Steve Dillard of Seaside, an innkeeper and computer business owner, filed Tuesday to take on Thompson for the District 5 seat. Mark Kujala of Hammond, a former Warrenton mayor, is running unopposed for his District 1 seat on the county commission. District 3 Pinkstaff was born and raised in Clatsop County and said his primary focus is on bringing businesses back and helping them thrive. “I was born and raised here and I love it here,” Pinkstaff said. “I want to try and tack- le, from the county side, the homelessness/transient pop- ulation. I want to be a con- duit between the city and the county, someone people can contact.” He hates seeing the negative changes that have impact- ed businesses in the past few years. “Those who own businesses in our county, my heart hurts for them,” Pinkstaff said. “I want to be that person who fights for them.” Wev, the incumbent, has a background in urban plan- ning and economic develop- ment. While she’s primarily retired, she still does some consulting work. “I know good, effective gov- ernment when I see it,” she said in announcing her candi- Historical park announces youth openings Applications are being ac- cepted for the 2022 Youth Conservation Corps, a non- residential work-based ed- Courtesy Fort Clatsop A former Youth Corps volunteer shows off items she has learned about or constructed. ucation program for young adults at Lewis and Clark Na- tional Historical Park. The 10-week YCC season runs from June 13 through Aug. 19. The paid positions feature work training and op- portunities to work with re- source, interpretative, main- tenance and administrative park teams. Candidates must be citizens of the United States who are at least 15 years old by job start and not older than 19 by the above stated end date. No previous wilderness experi- ence is required. Applicants should possess a positive attitude, a willing- ness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program and get along well with others. Lead and crew positions are available. Completed application ma- terials must be received by mail or in person by April 9 at Fort Clatsop Visitor Center, 92343 Fort Clatsop Road, As- toria OR 97103, or by email to Barbara_Clark@nps.gov. Applications are available at the visitor center or online through nps.gov/lewi/getin- volved. dacy several weeks ago. Her motto is “Everything is related to everything else,” she said. During her first term on the County Commission, she has been active in hiring the new county manager, updating the Comprehensive Plan, and managing the county’s public health response to the COVID crisis. Her primary interests in- clude the county’s Business Park in Warrenton, the relo- cation of the Public Works fa- cility, and the relocation of the county jail. District 5 Dillard operates Sandy Cove Inn and Red Door Properties vacation rentals in Seaside. He currently serves on the Port of Astoria’s Airport Advi- sory Committee. Incumbent Thompson, who lives in Arch Cape, describes herself as a community activ- ist and small business owner. She previously served on the county’s Planning Commis- sion. Other races • U.S. Senate: Incumbent Ron Wyden is opposed by William Barlow of McMinn- ville and Brent Thompson of Gold Beach; seven Republi- cans are running. • Congressional District 1: Democrat Suzanne Bonami- ci, the incumbent, faces Scott Phillips of Beaverton and Christian Robertson of Hill- sboro. The Republican ticket features Chris Mann of Hills- boro and Armidia Murray of Beaverton. • Governor: 17 Democrats and 19 Republicans have qual- ified for the primary. Former Democratic Sen. Betsy John- son will run as a nonaffiliated candidate in November. • Oregon Senate District 16: Republican Suzanne Weber hopes to win the seat vacated by Johnson when she stepped down to run for governor. Me- lissa Busch seeks the Demo- cratic nomination. • Oregon Representative District 32: Glenn Gaither is signed up on the Republican side.