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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 2017)
6A • February 10, 2017 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Cannon Beach public works director to leave Dan Grassick credited with upgrades, parks master plan Cannon Beach police chief, officers receive commendations By R.J. Marx Cannon Beach Gazette Dan Grassick, the city’s public works director since 2013, will be leaving Cannon Beach to spend time with his family. The public works di- rector supervises the work of 13 employees and manages an average annual operations budget of $5 million and an average capital budget of $500,000. “The expertise you had with that guy was amazing — you almost never find it in a town of this size,” City Man- ager Brant Kucera said. Because of vacation time accrued, Grassick plans an April 28 departure. “My life priorities shift- ed recently and I realized I need to focus on my wife and grandkids while I am still able and healthy,” Grassick said. “I have enjoyed my time here with the entire management team and especially the pub- lic works staff. These are very dedicated and passionate staff who take pride in the work they do every day for the citi- zens, as well as environmental sustainability.” maintain our streets, as well as to look to maintain the un- paved streets,” Kucera said. The city’s RV Resort wit- nessed a “huge upgrade” un- der Grassick’s supervision, bringing in electrical, water and sewer to the area east of U.S. Highway 101, Kucera said. “That property has gone seamlessly. It really positions us in the future for the kind of experience campers are look- ing for.” Grassick said, “Every week seems to bring a new topic for discussion and po- tential problem solving. The community involvement has been interesting and empha- sizes the importance of both written and verbal communi- cation to a very diverse audi- ence with wide ranging per- spectives on all issues.” Nationwide search The qualifications Grassick was hired in 2013 after a nationally advertised search that drew 35 appli- cants. With the U.S. Air Force for 29 years, both active duty and reserve, he worked in an engineering capacity as an in- structor, liaisons officer and commander before acquiring municipal works experience in Albany and Lebanon. Kucera credited Grassick with water, wastewater and parks master plan develop- ment during his nearly four years in Cannon Beach. “The other thing, too, that I’m really proud with Dan is the street-overlay program, where he’s tried to routinely The position is advertised at a salary range of $73,000 to $88,000. According to the advertise- ment posted on the city’s web- site and published nationally, the director plans, organiz- es, integrates and directs the programs and maintenance functions of the Public Works Department including water treatment and distribution sys- tem, roads and streets, waste- water treatment plant and wastewater collection system, stormwater, recycling, and parks and all facilities. “I’m looking for someone who has really strong person- nel experience,” Kucera said. R.J. MARX/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE By R.J. Marx Dan Grassick is leaving his post in April after be- ing Cannon Beach’s public works director since 2013. Cannon Beach Gazette R.J. MARX/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE CANNON BEACH GAZETTE/FILE PHOTO Dan Grassick, left, at a 2013 tabletop exercise. ‘The expertise you had with that guy was amazing — you almost never find it in a town of this size.’ Brant Kucera city manager “We have a wide array of workers in public works, from very experienced to brand new.” Candidates experienced in budgeting, managing bid pro- cesses, project management and the performance of con- tractors are sought. “While this is not a typical engineering project design and construction position, the opportunities for working on standard fare such as water lines, sewer lines, streets and treatment plant operations are there, as well as all the subtle community issues that come with being a very pop- ular tourist destination com- munity,” Grassick said. “It’s a continuous education and learning environment that en- sures you stay energized and engaged every day.” All applications and re- sumes must be received at Cannon Beach City Hall by Feb. 28. “Dan really brought a lot to the table,” Kucera said. “One person doesn’t make an organization, but Dan was a very important part of Can- non Beach. He’s a great guy to work with. I felt like he’s a friend. It’s going to be hard to replace him.” Short-term rental rules made simple(r) Rentals from Page 1A Barnes said. “It grows every month. It grows faster than our housing at this point.” He said the number of 14-day permits increases by about four per month. Short-term rental homes make up “roughly 10 percent” of the city’s housing stock, Barnes said. Commissioners leaned to recommending the changes, Local officers honored for response after Goodding death but opted to keep the meeting open to provide more public comment. “I think given how poten- tially explosive this could be — this whole process started in the ’90s —I’d feel more comfortable if there were more people complaining about this,” Commissioner Joe Bernt said. The City Council will con- sider the new terminology at their March meeting. R.J. MARX/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE Members of the Planning Commission Janet Patrick, Rob- in Risley, Joe Bernt, Bob Lundy and Hank Johnson. Along with commissioners Lisa Kerr and Charles Bennett, they voted to keep comment open on a short-term rental rec- ommendation. Chief Jason Schermerhorn and Cannon Beach Police of- ficers were among those hon- ored at a ceremony for first responders Monday, Feb. 6, at the Seaside Civic and Con- vention Center. Schermerhorn, a former Seaside police officer, was among the hundreds of first responders who attended a private memorial for Good- ding, who was shot and killed in the line of duty trying to apprehend Phillip Max Ferry on a felony warrant one year ago. Goodding’s death brought an outpouring of support from the community and emer- gency responders around the nation, including members of the Cannon Beach Police, who assisted Seaside Police in the aftermath. Schermerhorn and officers were honored for their “val- ued contribution after the loss of our beloved officer,” Sea- side Police Chief Dave Ham said Wednesday. Cannon Beach Police also receiving commendations were Lt. Chris Wilbur, Of- ficer Josh Gregory, Officer Seth Collins and Cpl. Joseph Bowman. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Wilbur received spe- cial recognition for his work as the liaison to work with agents from the Bureau of Al- cohol, Tobacco and Firearms to track down the handgun Police Chief Jason Scher- merhorn and other offi- cers were honored earlier this week for their service in the aftermath of the shooting death of Sgt. Ja- son Goodding. used to kill Goodding. As a result of that investi- gation, Jamie Jones of Sea- side plead- ed guilty to Jason p o s s e s s i o n Goodding with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug traffick- ing crime. Jones’s sentencing is set for March 27. On Wednesday, Seaside’s chief thanked Schermerhorn for his “continuing support, not only to the Seaside Police Department, but the Good- ding family,” Ham said. “He and his wife have both been tremendous liaison and sup- port and friends of the family. I know Amy (Goodding) is appreciative of that, as we are at the department.” “We were honored to help them and we’d certainly do anything to help them in the future,” Schermerhorn said. “It was a pretty dark time for all of us. I was proud of the community and all the sup- port we got from the different agencies.” Dining on the North Coast OPEN Wednesday - Sunday for Lunch & Dinner Live Music • Wine Tasting 271 N. 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