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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 2016)
12A • February 26, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Residents disappointed by the decision to disband committee Arch Cape from Page 1A Marty Francis, of the Marty Francis Group in Portland, spent a year “dealing with” the Arch Cape Design Review Committee while trying to build and sell a residential beach house in Arch Cape, which he sold last fall. “I was amazed that the county was not in line with what the folks were doing in Arch Cape,” Francis said. “I was approved by the state and county. Then all of a sudden, Arch Cape design review stopped me dead in my tracks.” Although he described Clatsop County as “great,” Francis said it was frustrating to get “chewed out” by the Arch Cape com- mittee. “I was surprised by how vehemently op- posed they were to any development in any wetland,” Francis said. “Frankly, they put me through hell.” Committee members ‘disappointed’ A reason given for disbanding the com- mittee was its “hostile” attitude toward a staff member with a disability. Committee members said they were being portrayed in a “false light,” and comments were taken out of context. “It’s tragic that the staff and commission used one incident as an excuse to eliminate something with that legacy,” Gardner said. “It’s a real slap in the face to people who have given much of their time and heart to the county and community.” Although the disability-related issue played a role in the decision to disband the committee, other concerns drove the deci- sion, interim County Manager Rich Mays said. According to Mays, commissioners were responding to complaints of a “two- step” review process and building delays as a result of the advisory committee’s oversight. HRAP from Page 1A Volunteer duties include sharing marine life information, answering visitor questions, sup- porting conservation and stewardship of the area, data collection and recording, and edu- cating visitors to prevent prohibited activities, such as collecting and climbing. The program normally has about 100 to 200 volunteers, and hopes to have close to 200 this season. Since people can volunteer just several days out of the year, people come from all over the North coast, Oregon and even from Washing- ton. Many volunteers come to Cannon Beach from 3RUWODQGIRUVHYHUDOGD\VVSHFL¿FDOO\WRYROXQWHHU This year, the program will also provide two tablet computers for volunteers to reference and LGHQWL¿FDWLRQFDUGVZLWKSLFWXUHVDQGLQIRUPDWLRQ on birds, intertidal animals, plants and geology that volunteers can take to the rock. Volunteers can RSVP for a training session at the Cannon Beach City Hall on April 9 or June 11. These sessions include training on plants and ge- ology, bird ecology, intertidal animals and emer- gency preparedness. Volunteers may also train on the beach with experienced staff and volunteers. Longer season with new summer beach events LYRA FONTAINE/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE Residents of Arch Cape hope to resurrect a committee dissolved by the county earlier this month. ‘It’s tragic.… It’s a real slap in the face to people who have given much of their time and heart to the county and community.’ Nadia Gardner Association to replace committee While county commissioners dissolved the Arch Cape Design Review Committee, they agreed to formally recognize a neigh- borhood association in Arch Cape. The as- sociation could provide input on land use projects, but would lack legal authority. Gardner, Lundy and Seifer said the neighborhood associations would be a far cry from the role played by the former com- mittee, and Arch Cape would no longer have an official role in land use planning. Moving forward, Lundy said that neigh- borhood associations are “an opportunity,” HRAP season is extended this year Arch Cape resident but ultimately they have “no teeth.” County Commissioner Lianne Thomp- son, who represents Arch Cape and joined other commissioners in voting to dissolve the committee, said Arch Cape residents were almost evenly divided on the commit- tee. Thompson said she attempted to delay the commission’s vote and give neighbors time to be heard, but was unsuccessful. “People lost something that mattered to them,” Thompson said. “I understand peo- ple are disappointed and there’s a loss of something precious. They put their heart and soul in it.” Thompson said she is optimistic about a “fresh start.” “Neighborhood associations are a way to maintain positive relationships and resolve differences,” she said. “It was a wonderful tradition, but it’s time to evolve. I hope it’s going to be better.” The HRAP season, which ends in October, was extended about three months this year, Key- ser said. “We’ll have more time to spend educating and on the beach with visitors,” Keyser said. Haystack Rock has attracted more visitors than usual this February, she noted. The team has consistently counted 40 to 50 people on the beach every hour. This year, HRAP will introduce a summer speaker series on the beach, with monthly events from May to September. Dwindling sea stars The Haystack Rock area has lost a majority of its sea star population, which is still recovering. /DUJH QXPEHUV RI VWDU¿VK KDYH GLHG DORQJ WKH 3DFL¿F&RDVWLQUHFHQW\HDUVIURPDZDVWLQJV\Q- drome, possibly caused by “densovirus.” Recent- ly, the sea star wasting system has been linked to warmer temperatures, according to scientists in a paper published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. ³,¶PRSWLPLVWLFWKDWWKHVWDU¿VKSRSXODWLRQLV going to rebound,” Owen said. However, Haystack Rock has a large, healthy seabird population, and its intertidal species are doing well, Keyser said. Earlier in February, the program noticed a huge population of common murre birds at the URFNDUDUH¿QGEHIRUHEUHHGLQJVHDVRQ Those interested in volunteering can contact volunteer coordinator Kelsey Brown at 503-436- 8095 or hrapvolunteer@ci.cannon-beach.or.us. We are ready when you are. No one wants to have surgery. But isn’t it nice to know the highest quality and latest technology are available at Providence Seaside Hospital? As part of our surgery team, Holly Barker, M.D., and Manfred Ritter, M.D., are board certified by the American Board of Surgery and have a vast experience in providing excellent, compassionate care. We are fortunate to have these high-caliber physicians in our community. For more information, please call 503-717-7000. Providence Seaside Hospital 725 S. Wahanna Road, Seaside, OR 97138 www.providence.org/northcoast Holly Barker, M.D. General surgeon Manfred Ritter, M.D. General surgeon
