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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 2016)
10A • April 8, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Neuwirth: Recall vote ‘really close’ Fire Captain Recall from Page 1A The three ¿re board direc- tors chose to ¿ght the recall by submitting a statement of justi¿cation and facing voters instead of resigning. “We would like to thank all of the good citizens that sup- ported a united effort to recall three ¿re board members,” Neuwirth said in a statement, adding that she was “outplayed and outspent.” “God bless the ¿re¿ghters, volunteers and po- lice who protect us. Sorry we let you down. The people have voted. Enough said.” A volunteer for 30 years be- fore becoming chief and a long- time member of the Cannon Beach Police Department, Bal- zer was locked out of his of¿ce, met with a police escort while Gardner resigns he gathered his belongings and sent home walking in the rain, Neuwirth said in January. She and other signatories objected both to the ¿ring and the man- ner in which it was done. Departure comes at time of recall The dismissal Directors defended their actions, pointing to Balzer’s lack of administrative and leadership skills. The board members stated that the board had a “¿ducia- ry responsibility to those who elected them to provide a high level of oversight, particularly in matters of management and administration.” Balzer was dismissed “when the majority of the di- rectors, elected by district vot- ers, became concerned about his ability to perform the ad- By Lyra Fontaine EO Media Group FILE PHOTO/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District Director Gar- ry Smith, right, and interim Chief Jim Stearns. ministrative skills required of the head of a public agency,” according to their statements. Smith had described Bal- zer’s ¿ring as “strictly busi- ness, not personal.” In December, Balzer ¿led a civil suit in Clatsop County Circuit Court against the ¿re district, seeking more than $525,000 in damages and his reinstatement as ¿re chief. He later amended the lawsuit to seek more than $677,000 in damages and the reinstatement of his employment bene¿ts. That suit is scheduled for a jury trial in October. School combines culinary training, Bible study Chefs from Page 1A completing his pilot’s license, Krizo found his calling when he took a side job cooking. “God said, ‘Hey, you’re not a pilot, you’re a cook,’” he said. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, he has worked in France, Austra- lia, Virginia, Colorado, Arizo- na, California and now Oregon. He was executive chef and owner of a ¿ne dining restau- rant, cooked more than 1,000 meals per day as a Christian convention center chef, and also worked as a catering and sous chef. Krizo said he was “blessed with amazing experiences,” but his end goal was to devel- op an international ministry and a culinary school to help guide and support Christian cooks and chefs worldwide. 7he nonpro¿t Christian Chefs International began in 1998 and currently reach- es 2,000 members in more than 40 countries. Open since 2012, Christian Culi- nary Academy is licensed by the state and can now accept international students. The academy is now enrolling for classes starting Oct. 3. The academy has guest in- structors, including local chef Jonathan Hoffman, owner of Chef’s Table, and Graham Kerr, from “The Galloping Gourmet” cooking show. Christian Culinary Acad- emy’s internships offer stu- dents real-world experience in the local culinary industry and a feel for different restaurants, Krizo said. Students have worked at Stephanie Inn, Newmans at 988, Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge, EVOO Cannon Beach Cooking School and the Christian Conference Center. Culinary school is where aspiring chefs can learn founda- tional skills to build on through- out their careers, Krizo said. “You wouldn’t want a sur- geon doing a surgery right af- ter graduating,” he said. “No one graduates culinary school being a chef...that’s some- thing you earn over many years of experience.” After graduation, previous students have had no trouble receiving job offers. “Anyone that has ever needed employ- ment has found it,” Krizo said. Get Lit gathering opens with authors’ reception Lit from Page 1A Jess Walter will present Satur- day night during the prime rib dinner. A Q&A panel discus- sion, free and open to the pub- lic, will be Sunday morning at the Coaster Theatre. Walter has written eight books, including “Beautiful Ruins,” a notable book of 2012 by the New York Times. The Spokane, Washington, native is a best-selling author, National Book Award ¿nalist and the 2005 Ed- gar Allan Poe Award winner. Another Washington state author, Jonathan Jonathan Evi- Evison son, of Bain- bridge Island, presents at Get Lit after ¿nishing a successful tour for his latest book “This is Your Life, Harriet Chance!” His critically acclaimed “The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving” is being made into a ¿lm with Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez and Craig Roberts that will be out this year. Evison’s other works have received the Paci¿c Northwest Booksellers Association Award. Eugene-based author Eliz- abeth Engstrom has written 14 books and more than 250 short stories, articles and essays. A movie “Candiland,” based on her 2012 novel “Candyland,” will be released this year. The sought-after teacher and speak- er presents at writing confer- ences, conventions and semi- nars across the globe, including a novel-writing seminar this summer in Spain. Full pass tickets are $85 and may be available on-site or by calling 206-914-1255. Fire Capt. Matt Gardner has resigned from the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District. Gardner, who was second in command at the ¿re depart- ment, said his decision was not inÀuenced by the ¿ring of former chief Mike Balzer and a recall election of ¿re board directors. “It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the commu- nity and I wish the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District well,” Gardner said in a statement. “In an effort to avoid speculation, confusion or misrepresentation, my deci- sion to resign from the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District is a personal decision and one that has nothing to do with the current controversy.” Gardner, who resigned in March, began work this week as plant operator for the Arch Cape Water and Sanitary Dis- trict. “In my short time here, Matt was absolutely criti- cal to making my transition easy,” interim Fire Chief Jim Stearns said. Other than the chief, Gard- ner was the department’s only paid, full-time staff member. “The department is very supportive of Matt and we wish him the absolute best in his future effort,” Stearns said. “He left on very good terms. We would welcome him back.” Stearns said Gardner was knowledgeable and familiar with the district, personnel, policies and procedures. “He was my resource, my go-to guy for everything.” Stearns said. “He will truly be missed.” After starting as a volun- teer, Gardner became a train- ing of¿cer in 2010, providing training for ¿re¿ghters, com- munity emergency response and surf rescue teams. Gardner spearheaded a 2014 effort to obtain a brush truck so the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District could ¿ght wild¿res more ef- fectively. In 2014, Gardner and Po- lice Chief Jason Schermerhorn were ¿rst at the hotel crime scene where a toddler lay dead and a second child savagely attacked. Their mother, Jessica Smith, was later charged with the crime. Gardner took on daily op- erational tasks to help ¿ll the void left when Balzer was ¿red in October. In February, Gardner was given the Clatsop County’s High Angle Rescue Team Member of the Year award. Schermerhorn said he was “very saddened” by Gardner’s resignation. “Capt. Gardner was a great partner between the Fire Department and the Police Department,” he said in a state- ment. “We consider him part of our law enforcement family. Matt helped me on so many different projects and is such a great asset for Cannon Beach. He was a very dedicated and self-sacri¿cing employee.” Dope dispensaries OK’d Dope from Page 1A Initiative ahead? Among those who op- posed lifting the ban was Mar- lene Laws, who led a petition drive to ban marijuana sales in Cannon Beach. Laws and oth- ers have pointed to the health risks, public safety concerns and impact on tourism. Along with a vote on the tax, if advocates of a ban can gather enough signatures, it could force a new vote, this time to override the council’s decision. “We will do an initiative,” Laws said after the meeting. FRESH FOODS CANNON BEACH We are looking for about a total of 30 employees! Full and part time positions to come on board between now and June 1st: • 3 full time produce clerks • 3 barista positions • 3 deli clerk/baristas • Numerous grocery clerks and cashiers WORK IN A BRAND NEW BUILDING! COMPENSATION PACKAGE: • • • • • • • • • $12-$20 hr AFLAC Accident Policy (full paid) Paid vacation Paid sick time Matching 401k Flexible spending account program Employee discount Medical insurance (full time) Bonus program (certain positions) Cannon Beach and Manzanita locations
