April 21, 2017 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 5A
Love for our beaches keeps them alive for posterity
E
ach year, thousands make
their way to Cannon Beach to
enjoy our pristine beaches for
weddings, beach fi res, clamming,
tide pool exploration, surfi ng lessons,
early morning yoga sessions, and the
list goes on. Without thinking of it,
countless visitors remove their shoes
and walk our sandy shores free from
garbage and restricted private zones.
The beaches of our small town
are free of restricted areas thanks to
the love former Governor Oswald
West had of our Oregon coastline.
West took offi ce in 1911 and served
as the Governor of Oregon until 1915.
During West’s term, his priorities
included the women’s suffrage move-
ment, abolishing capital punishment,
and implementing a new parole
system for prisoners. West’s most
important and recognizable legacy to
Oregon was the bill he established in
1913 that was Oregon’s beach high-
way law, declaring the entire Pacifi c
coastline to the high tide to be a pub-
lic highway. The law protected public
access and remains in effect today.
West’s love for Oregon’s beaches
can be traced directly to his retreat in
Cannon Beach. With the whole coast
to choose from, the Governor select-
REFLECTIONS
ELAINE TRUCKE
ed, a then, remote wooded section
south of Cannon Beach to construct
his summer retreat. Cannon Beach
has been a destination location for
nearly a decade. Many of us could not
picture a beach with fences demarcat-
ing private land, but there are many
places in the world that are.
For decades families enjoyed fi res,
long walks on the beach, and even
the occasional swim, unrestricted.
It wasn’t until 1967 that West’s bill
came under scrutiny. A loophole
had been discovered that sparked a
legislative confl ict over public access
and private land rights. During a
highly charged time in Cannon Beach
history, Governor Tom McCall fl ew
by helicopter to Cannon Beach in
order to address concerns over West’s
highway beach law.
In the coming months Cannon
Beach and other locations in Oregon
will be celebrating the 50th anniversa-
ry of McCall’s Beach Bill. The Beach
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Oswald West at age 15.
Bill was the product of differing
perspectives, the love of our sandy
shores, and the vision that McCall had
of what Oregon should be. The bill
declared all wet sandy lying within
sixteen vertical feet of the low tide
line to be the property of the state.
Moreover, it recognized public ease-
ments of all beach areas up to the line
of vegetation. The law required that
property owners seek state permits for
building and other uses of the ocean
shore and it declared that the public
would have free and uninterrupted
use of the beaches. At the bill signing,
McCall honored former Governor
Oswald West. He quoted West on
protecting the state’s beaches: “No
local selfi sh interest should be per-
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Promotional photo released in 1940 of a group enjoying the favored
past time of a beach bonfi re.
mitted, through politics or otherwise,
to destroy or even impair this great
birthright of our people.”
Anyone who has ever planned
a large event on the beach knows
that you go through Oregon State
Parks. While they might manage the
beaches, it is the SOLVE program that
keeps them free of garbage. It is the
Haystack Rock Awareness Program
that keeps visitors educated. It isn’t
just the laws that keep our beaches
so pristine. It is the sense of owner-
ship that one gets from enjoying an
area generation after generation. It is
the fi ght of former politicians, local
residents, concerned citizens and
organizations that continue to keep
Oregon’s beaches the most beautiful
in the world. It is the love of our
beaches that keeps them alive for
generations to come.
LETTERS
Letters from Page 4A
they likely won’t survive a
magnitude 9 earthquake, if a
tsunami destroys the distribu-
tion system, and the homes
and businesses that use the
water, what purpose will the
surviving reservoirs serve?
If a rate hike is truly nec-
essary to maintain the system,
then I can support it. But, if
these “alternate facts” are the
best the City has to offer as
justifi cation, then I oppose it.
When capital improvements
such as replacing reservoirs
are needed, funding should
come from bond sales, not
rate hikes. Another possi-
ble source of revenue is tax
imposed on motel rooms and
vacation rentals. In the past,
much of this money has been
spent to buy statuary and
artworks of questionable taste
(the polite term) as well as to
support many optional pro-
grams and organizations in
Cannon Beach, and in other
parts of the county. The City
should prioritize those dollars
to provide essential city ser-
vices and leave the frills for
someone else to fund.
Cleve Rooper
Cannon Beach
Cast your vote for
port commissioner
Please vote for Frank
Spence, Dirk Rohne and Jim
Campbell for Port Commis-
sioners.
I have worked with Frank
Spence, a retired city manager,
on the Astoria Planning Com-
mission and found him to be a
very intelligent and personable
man. Dirk Rohne distinguished
himself on the County Board
of Commissioners for two
terms as chair. Jim Campbell
has been a steady and capable
chairman of the Port Commis-
sion. All will bring civility and
rationality to the Port Com-
mission.
Be aware that all South
County voters can vote for all
of these Port Commissioner
positions.
Mike Morgan
Cannon Beach
Tell Fulton no
I witnessed the most
disgraceful performance of my
30 plus years working with or
for ports by an elected offi cial,
Stephen Fulton, at a recent Port
of Astoria commission meet-
ing. In my opinion, his total
disregard for decorum, process
and truth is an insult to the
many who voted for him in his
fi rst bid. It is vital for any level
of decency and progress going
forward for the Port of Astoria
that Fulton is turned back and
Jim Campbell is retained in his
current position.
During the meeting, which
was disjointed due to constant
interruptions by Fulton, who
sat lazily in his chair smirking
and taking great relish in chal-
lenging, arguing and pontifi cat-
ing to some unseen audience
he seemed to be playing to.
His disrespect for the board
chairman, the manager and the
recently retained legal counsel
is an affront to the profession-
al staff, and the mission and
vision of the Port of Astoria.
Fulton has shown us repeat-
edly that he respects no one
and nothing while he banters
for attention as some type of
expert, of which he is not.
Fulton told us in his fi rst
bid that he wanted to bring
an experienced and collegiate
personality to the board and
assist in mending broken rela-
tionships with other agencies;
he has done exactly the oppo-
site. His credibility is nil and
allowing him to remain on this
essential board for all Clatsop
County residents will further
undermine this port’s ability to
succeed.
Tell Fulton NO and re-elect
Jim Campbell who has shown
dignity and professionalism
while serving the port district.
And, while you are doing so,
check the boxes for Frank
Spence and Dirk Rohne who
have pledged to re-connect this
public body while respecting
the voters who deserve better.
Bill Cook
Astoria
Vote for Campbell
It has been my pleasure
to know Mr. Jim Campbell
socially and professionally for
nearly 30 years. He has always
been a devoted husband,
professional man and public
servant
In his business, he has
excelled in marine construction
while demonstrating a unique
stewardship of the environ-
ment. In his recreational life,
he has been diverse and com-
plex. From boating to motorcy-
M U N I C I PA L M E M O
APRIL 2017
Is published monthly by the City of Cannon Beach
163 E. Gower Street • P.O. Box 368 • Cannon Beach, OR 97110
(503) 436-1581 • Fax: (503) 436-2050 • TTY (503) 436-8097
MEETINGS
Of Interest...
MAY 2017
2
9
10
17
18
24
25
City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Work Session
Budget Meeting
Budget Meeting
Design Review Board
Budget Meeting
Planning Commission
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, April
4, 2017
• Considered Draft Ordinance 17-XX ; For
the purpose of amending parts of the
Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Council requested further changes and
the ordinance will come back for consider-
ation at the May 2, 2017 meeting;
• Adopted Ordinance 17-04; For the
Purpose of Amending
Municipal Code, Chap-
ter 10.080.280; Timed
Parking;
• Adopted Ordinance
17-05, For the Purpose
of Amendments to
Chapter 17.77, Short-
Term Rentals;
• Adopted Resolution
17-05, For the Purpose
of Approving Increases
& Decreases to the FY
2016-17 Budget by
Making an Intrafund
Transfer of Appro-
priations in the General
Fund, RV Park Reserve
Fund and RV Park Fund;
• Adopted Resolution
17-06, For the Purpose
of Approving Changes
to the FY 2016-17
Budget by Increasing
Appropriations in the
General Fund to Allow
for a Specific Purpose
Grant from Oregon Military Department,
Office of Emergency Management;
• Adopted Proclamation 17-01; Sexual As-
sault Awareness Month
• Adopted Proclamation 17-02; National
Child Abuse Prevention Month;
• Adopted Proclamation 17-03; Arbor Day;
• Approved the Intergovernmental Agree-
ment Providing Building Official Services
to the City of Manzanita;
• Agreed to remove the deed restrictions
7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m
5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
from the properties at 1340 Cascara Lane
and 401 Elk Creek Road.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AND
WORK SESSION, April 11, 2017
• Voted to support the Blue Sky Challenge;
a Pacific Power initiative involving county
and city participation;
• Agreed to support a letter or resolution re-
garding “Inclusivity” at the
May 2, 2017 City Council
meeting;
•
Public Works
Director and OTAK, Inc.
consultants presented the
draft version of the Parks
and Trails Master Plan,
to be considered at the
May 2, 2017 City Council
meeting;
•
Mike Cook rep-
resenting Renew Oregon
made a presentation and
requested support from
the City Council regarding
HB 557 coming before
the Oregon Legislature
regarding carbon tax and
clean energy jobs;
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
– The Design Review
Board meeting for April
20, 2017 is CANCELED.
PLANNING COMMISSION - At their March
23, 2017 meeting the Planning Commission
had a work session on:
Tsunami Resilience Planning led by Meg
Reed of DLCD: No action is required at this
time.
The Planning Commission meeting sched-
uled for April 27, 2017 at 6pm is CANCELED.
The Cannon Beach Recycle Center is open
Tuesday - Sunday, 8am - 4pm for residential
and commercial use.
NOTICE OF VACANCIES CITY
COMMISSIONS, BOARDS &
COMMITTEES
The City of Cannon Beach is seeking
applications for the following vacancies:
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: TWO (2)
vacancies to fill four-year terms. The primary
responsibility of the Public Works Committee
is to review all public works projects and
make recommendations to City Council. The
Public Works Committee holds its regular
meeting on the third Tuesday of each month
at 9:00am.
To be eligible to serve on a City committee,
applicants must have resided within the city
or its urban growth boundary during the one
year immediately preceding appointment; or
at the time of appointment, shall have owned
real property located within the city or its
urban growth boundary for at least one year
immediately preceding appointment. Council
has implemented an interview process
consisting of a set of questions particular to
each committee/board or commission and
written answers must be submitted with the
application. Applications with questions are
available at City Hall, 163 E. Gower Street,
Cannon Beach, by email addressed to riggs@
ci.cannon-beach.or.us, or online at www.
ci.cannon-beach.or.us. For consideration
at the May 2, 2017 City Council meeting,
applications must be returned to Colleen
Riggs, Assistant City Manager, Cannon Beach
City Hall, at P.O. Box 368, Cannon Beach,
OR 97110 by 4:00 p.m., April 21, 2017. Late
applications will not be accepted. For more
information, please contact Colleen Riggs by
email or phone at (503) 436-8052.
RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED!
The Red Cross is looking for volunteers
to train and respond to local, regional and
national disasters. Training is available for
new and existing volunteers. No previous
experience necessary. Learn about Red
Cross services in our community. How to
cling, or fl ying to motorhome-
ing, he still is more active than
most people I know.
All these things, while lead-
ing the community in pursuit
of excellence with the Port
of Astoria, is now in a much
better posture than four years
ago. His calm, steady stance
on the Board of Commis-
sioners has benefi ted all those
under the veil of the Port of
Astoria. His demeanor during
meetings, dealing with fellow
commissioners and relating to
Port staff has been a model to
emulate.
Additionally, supportive of
the bond measure to improve
the airport to make a perma-
nent home for Life Flight
North West, he is positioning
the Port of Astoria for future
positive growth. To preserve
him in his place as a commis-
sioner for the Port of Astoria is,
by far, the best move.
Philip Bales
Astoria
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
MAYOR: Sam Steidel
COUNCILORS: Mike Benefield,
Nancy McCarthy, Brandon
Ogilvie and George Vetter
CITY MANAGER: Brant Kucera
get involved in local, regional and national
disaster responses. Complete volunteer
registration and sign up for training at the
same time. Date: April 27, 2017 5:30 p.m. –
7:30 p.m. Location: Cannon Beach Chamber
of Commerce, Community Hall, 207 N. Spruce
St., Cannon Beach, OR 97110. For more
information, contact Jenny Carver: 503-528-
5713 or jenny.carver@redcross.org
NOAA SKYWARN
WEATHER SPOTTING TRAINING
The National Weather Service in Portland
and the Clatsop County Emergency
Management Division, in conjunction with the
City of Cannon Beach, welcomes volunteers
with an interest in weather to attend one of
our upcoming training sessions. On Saturday,
April 29th we will be holding a weather
spotter training class in Cannon Beach from
11 AM to 1 PM. The training is free and will be
held at the Cannon Beach City Hall located at
163 E Gower St in Cannon Beach, OR.
Anyone who wants to become a volunteer
weather spotter or those who are already
weather spotters and want refresher training
are welcome to attend. We hope to see you
there!
CITY OF CANNON BEACH
BUDGET MEETINGS
The Cannon Beach City Council and Budget
Committee will be meeting Wednesdays,
May 10, 17 and 24, 2017 in the City Hall
Council Chambers for FY 2017-18 Budget
deliberations. The meetings will start at
5:30pm. More information and details will be
forthcoming on the city website.
FY 2017-18 TOURISM & ARTS
FUND (TAF) APPLICATIONS
Non-profit organizations providing
programs/projects that further tourism and
the arts in Cannon Beach are invited to apply
for TAF funding from the Tourism and Arts
Commission (TAC) of the City of Cannon
Beach by filing an application. Applications
must be submitted to City Hall by 2:00pm,
Wednesday May 3, 2017. The TAC will hold
interviews for allocation of FY 2017-18 grants
on May 24 and May 25, 2017. The meetings
will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers
beginning at 1pm both days.