May 5, 2017 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 5A
Putting our county’s priorities in order
I
n order to serve Clatsop county
residents more effectively, I want
to discuss some issues related
to serving as a commissioner.
Reimbursement for all actual and
necessary expenses incurred on
county business while outside
the county is both required by the
county charter and essential for
commissioners doing that business.
I think the purpose of county
government is to deliver services,
especially to the people who live
here. My goals for my own county
service are:
1. Housing, affordable and
available, for those who live and
work here
2. Economic development,
ecologically sustainable, to create
family-wage jobs
3. Resilience, supporting prepa-
ration, response, and fl ourishing af-
terward for all people in all hazards
situation, for greater public safety.
GUEST COLUMN
LIANNE THOMPSON
The acronym for all this is HER.
I believe that all commissioners
have goals for their service on the
board, and I want to discuss them at
a board retreat or work session.
In the context of providing effi -
cient and effective services to serve
the people and the place, I perform
liaison assignments. Many of my
liaisons are outside Clatsop County,
involving travel that takes time,
energy, and money to support. Other
liaisons are in-county, and they also
take time, energy, and money to
support.
In-county travel expenses (mile-
age and meals) are not reimbursed.
Outside-county travel expenses are,
as required by the county charter, in
a line item in the budget.
How does my work and the
work of my fellow commissioners
integrate with each other and with
the work of staff to benefi t coun-
ty residents? The answer to that
question is defi ned in the board’s
strategic plan, its mission statement
and its goals.
Absent the whole board’s defi ni-
tion of its mission statement, strate-
gic plan, and goals, I abstained from
voting for the county budget in 2015
and gave my reasons in writing. I
called for the whole board to defi ne
its work and a work plan with goals.
I didn’t see an appetite for that
process or result from others, and I
promised to pursue it on my own.
I have done that by defi ning my
goals, above, HER. I have pursued
relationships and collaborative part-
nerships to implement these goals
into reality. That includes attendance
at three conferences: Earthquake
Engineering Research Institute,
March 9 in Portland; Mass Timber,
March 27-30 in Portland; Oregon
Prepared, April 11-14 in SunRiver.
In these and in every travel and
training opportunity, I minimize
expenses by billing as little as
possible. Often there is no lodging
and minimal meals. I depend on the
generosity of friends and family for
lodging and meals, and often eat
energy bars and take-out food from
the grocery store deli. Mileage is the
main portion of my expenses, except
when it saves time to use a hotel.
The board rules are incomplete,
in that they contain no “ends”
policies, and thus don’t allow us
to measure our own or our county
manager’s progress toward meeting
them. There is also an arbitrary limit
on travel and training to 20 percent
of the total line item for travel and
training expenses allocated for each
commissioner, with no correlation to
outside Clatsop County liaisons or
activities.
I received a letter from the board
chair, attached. I then requested and
received data from the county man-
ager about the amounts authorized
and expended in the past four fi scal
years for this travel and training line
item. That is also attached.
Notice that the line item use has
gradually increased, but the amount
authorized has not expanded. Nor
has it ever been exceeded. Nor is it
related to work load, goals, or plan.
Notice also that we have not
had a discussion of commissioners’
work, what it is and how it inte-
grates with staff’s, or how it relates
to goals.
All these questions need address-
ing.
Lianne Thompson
Clatsop County Commissioner
District 5
LET TERS TO THE EDITOR
Don’t raise
water rates
The minimum Cannon
Beach utility bill 20 years
ago was $20.28. Today it
is $46.42, a 129 percent in-
crease. Had utility rates risen
along with infl ation, it would
be $29.
In 1991 the city passed
Ordinance 91-8, raising the
lodging tax from 5 percent to
6 percent, with all proceeds
earmarked for water and sew-
er reserves. I estimate that
the city collected roughly $6
million over the last 25 years
under this ordinance.
In the mid 1990s, the city
built a water fi ltration plant. It
was funded by a bond. In the
last 10 years, the city upgrad-
ed the waste water system. It
was also funded by a bond. I
can only think of three major
water/sewer projects funded
from these reserves: replace-
ment of the pump station in
the Stephanie Inn parking
lot (roughly $750,000); cost
overruns on the waste wa-
ter plant (about $1 million);
and the north end water tank
(maybe $500,000).
If the city claims these
reserves no longer exist, it
would suggest a diversion of
funds or an embezzlement.
A safer explanation would
be that these funds are just
invested in unusual invest-
ments, such as an RV Park
($3 million), 58 acres of clear
cut ($500,000), chicken and
egg sculptures, etc.
If these proposed improve-
ments are actually needed —
which I question — then the
discussion should be about
which investments will be
sold, not how to raise more
money.
Ken Quarles
Cannon Beach
Vote for Lori
Lum-Toyooka
My name is Stephanie
Snyder and I, along with my
husband Ryan Snyder, own
and operates Martin Hospital-
ity and a small collection of
hotels and restaurants in Can-
non Beach. I am writing this
letter today in support of Lori
Lum-Toyooka for a board po-
sition on the Seaside School
District.
I have known Lori for 15
years and have watched her
impact on the community
in which she lives and the
communities in which her
company serves throughout
Clatsop County. She is ex-
tremely involved in the local
schools and currently serves
alongside me on the Parent
Teacher Organization (PTO)
for Broadway Middle School.
Lori is very involved with
volunteering for fundraising
efforts and in efforts to help
kids have special opportu-
nities at school like cultural
events, assemblies and fi eld
trips. Lori has been strategic
in her leadership and has an
ability to inspire those around
her.
Professionally, Lori is
striving with their business
at Lum’s Auto, not only be-
ing considered one of the best
employers in Clatsop Coun-
ty, but also in their efforts to
meaningfully engage locally
and give back in time and
treasure to the community.
These brief comments
share my absolute support of
Lori and her efforts to join the
school board for the Seaside
School District. I know she
would be a fantastic fi t; ded-
icated and passionate.
Stephanie Snyder
Cannon Beach
Vote for civility,
common sense
On May 16 we have a very
important choice to make.
That choice is, what kind of
Port Commission we want to
have. There are three posi-
tions up for election. This bal-
loting is for the entire coun-
ty. In other words, all voters
can vote the three positions
up for election. There are no
boundaries or districts. The
commissioners represent all
the citizens of Clatsop Coun-
ty, so you may for all of the
positions.
There are three candidates
who should get your vote.
They can help restore credi-
bility and bring much-needed
civility and common sense
back to the Port: Jim Camp-
bell, Frank Spence and Dirk
Rohne. These men all bring
experience to the job.
Jim Campbell has been
on the Port Commission.
He has shown the ability to
work with the others on the
commission and to be a calm-
ing force. Frank Spence has
years of experience in fi nance
working as a city manager
and county administrator.
Dirk Rohne served as a coun-
ty commissioner and on the
Clatsop Community College
Board. He understands how
to get things done.
The present situation at the
Port is, to put it mildly, unac-
ceptable. It seems that daily
we read about something, be
it costly mistakes that cost
the Port money, outbursts at
a meeting, or commissioners
making accusations of other
commissioners. This is no
way to operate a Port. By vot-
ing for Jim Campbell, Frank
Spence and Dirk Rohne, you
will help restore order, conti-
nuity and just plain sanity to
the Port of Astoria.
So join many others and
me and vote for Jim Camp-
bell, Frank Spence and Dirk
Rohne on May 16.
Bob Lennon
Warrenton
No shows
Last Wednesday, April 26,
a candidate forum for those
seeking an Astoria Port Com-
mission position was held at
the Warrenton High School.
Three of the candidates did
not appear. Two had agreed to
participate and the third made
excuse after excuse for not
coming. What part of a repre-
sentative democracy do these
men not understand?
They are seeking to rep-
resent all citizens of Clatsop
County not just those who live
in Astoria.
By not appearing, the 30
plus members of the audi-
ence who came to hear all the
candidates did not hear what
these three know, why they
are seeking offi ce, what they
see as the issues facing the
Port and what solutions they
have to solve those issues.
These three have not demon-
strated they understand the
basic requirement of an elect-
ed offi cial to be accountable
to the public they seek to rep-
resent.
I am voting for the three
who did attend and did an-
swer the audience’s questions.
Dick Hellberg, Pat O’Grady
and Steve Fulton will repre-
sent the public interest of all
Clatsop County.
Patricia Roberts
Gearhart
Return sanity
to Port
I can only express total dis-
gust at the behavior of some
of the board members of the
Port of Astoria at the board
meeting on Tuesday, April 4
as reported in The Daily As-
torian and by someone who
attended the meeting.
During the past 22 years, I
have sat on the board of sever-
al local governments and have
also attended the meetings of
many others. In all that time
I have never seen any board
member act in the manner that
is constantly reported in The
Daily Astorian concerning
some on the board members
of the Port of Astoria.
When the Port board meet-
ings become so contentious
that one of the board members
ends up in the hospital —
there is defi nitely a problem
that must be addressed. The
voters must get involved —
say “enough” — and vote off
the board those creating the
problems.
Please remember that all
registered voters who are res-
idents of Clatsop County are
eligible to vote for all three
(3) positions listed for the Port
of Astoria Commission. The
Port is an economic engine
for the entire county, which
makes this election very im-
portant to all residents of Clat-
sop County.
We need to return some
sanity to the Port of Astoria
Commission.
Please join me in voting to
elect Campbell, Spence and
Rohne to the board of the Port
of Astoria.
Carol Gearin
Warrenton
Tell Fulton no
I witnessed the most dis-
graceful 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
meeting. 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 Camp-
bell is retained in his current
position.
During the meeting, which
was disjointed due to constant
interruptions by Fulton, who
sat lazily in his chair smirk-
ing and taking great relish
in challenging, arguing and
pontifi cating to some unseen
audience he seemed to be
playing to. His disrespect for
the board chairman, the man-
ager and the recently retained
legal counsel is an affront to
the professional staff, and the
mission and vision of the Port
of Astoria. Fulton has shown
us repeatedly 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 re-
lationships with other agen-
cies; he has done exactly the
opposite. 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 profes-
sionalism while serving the
port district. And, while you
are doing so, check the box-
es for Frank Spence and Dirk
Rohne who have pledged to
re-connect this public body
while respecting the voters
who deserve better.
Also, please vote, the elec-
tion in May is open to all of
Clatsop County registered
voters, so regardless of your
location within Clatsop Coun-
ty, you can choose one each
from each position on the bal-
lot.
Bill Cook
Astoria
A thank-you
from AAUW
As a member of the Sea-
side Branch of American
Association of University
Women (AAUW), I would
like to thank eight of our local
businesses for participating in
our Equal Pay Day activity on
April 4. Sleepy Monk Coffee,
Sea Level Bakery & Coffee,
Divine Grounds, Caffe Latte
Espresso & Gifts, Seaside
Coffee House, Java Reef, By
the Way, and Mé Latte all
offered discounted prices for
women on that day to help
raise awareness to the issue of
pay equity.
Equal Pay Day is the sym-
bolic day on which women’s
earnings fi nally catch up to
what men made in the previ-
ous year. In the U.S., there is
currently an approximate 20
percent gender pay gap be-
tween women and men — and
that percent is even worse for
women of color and moms.
This takes its toll over the
years for women and their
families. The pay gap is clos-
ing but at such a slow pace it
will not reach equal pay until
2152.
Kudos to the previous-
ly mentioned businesses for
bringing attention to this im-
portant issue.
Nancy Kruger
Warrenton
Integrity and
smarts for Port
Jobs. The local economy.
Our kids and their future.
These are just some of the
issues at stake in the May
16 Clatsop County election.
That’s when voters get to elect
the policy-makers for the Port
of Astoria, Clatsop Commu-
nity College, local school
boards and the Clatsop Care
Health District.
I’m supporting Frank
Spence to be commissioner of
the Port of Astoria. The port
Vote for Mary
Beth Cottle
The reasons I am voting
for Mary Beth Cottle for a
board member of the Clatsop
Community College are her
experience, her vision and op-
timism to meet the challenges
of the 21st century.
As an educator in English
literacy development and
technology for 23 years ages 5
through 21, she has also eval-
uated and developed curricu-
lum for those same ages. As
a member of an active week-
ly Cannon Beach committee
called “Voices in Action,”
Mary Beth is an excellent lis-
tener and team player dedicat-
ed to improve our democracy.
As a technology board mem-
ber for the Cannon Beach
Community Chorus, she is
enhancing communication for
busy members via Facebook.
You can rest assured that
Mary Beth will work tireless-
ly to advocate for the arts, vo-
cational training and technol-
ogy for both the main campus
and satellite centers.
Jeanie McLaughlin
Cannon Beach
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benefi ts the entire county and
is partly supported by coun-
ty taxpayers. The port deals
with all kinds of challenges,
including pollution from up-
river, safety requirements,
industry demands, increased
automation, and federal rules
regarding oversight, safety
and trade.
Frank has served on the
Port’s budget committee for
two years and knows what it
takes to keep the Port running
effectively and within budget.
His career as a city manager
and county administrator has
provided him with the skills,
experience and integrity to
keep our Port running well
and wisely.
I’m especially glad Frank
is running because it’s more
important than ever to have
commissioners looking out
for the welfare of the entire
county. Frank doesn’t create
dramatic headlines. Instead,
he wants to do the right thing
— and make the best deci-
sions for all of us.
I’m voting for Frank Spen-
ce and hope you will, too.
Ballots are due by 8 p.m.
Tuesday, May 16. Postmarks
don’t count.
Laurie Caplan
Astoria
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