September 8, 2017 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 5A
An unsung hero of Oregon’s Beach Bill
J
uly 6 marked the 50th
anniversary of the 1967 date
when then Oregon Gov. Tom
McCall signed HB 1601 into law,
establishing Oregon’s coastline and
its beaches as public land for all
people to enjoy.
Though accolades mostly
benefi ted McCall, State Treasurer
Bob Straub is also known within
the ranks of HB 1601 supporters.
But, little recognition is given to the
lesser -known men and women who
were part of Oregon’s Legislature,
committees and organizations to
save Oregon’s beaches from land
sales and privatization.
There was Associated Press
reporter Matt Kramer, whose
articles, which appeared in almost
every newspaper in Oregon, kept the
public abreast with the ongoing, and
often heated, battle over Oregon’s
beaches. It was Kramer, who coined
HB 1601 the “beach bill” through his
reporting. And, Gov. Oswald West
set the stage for being the fi rst gov-
ernor to start the process of keeping
Oregon’s beaches public by getting
his 1913 bill passed.
Yet, when Oregon became a state
in 1859, its belief was that what the
state owned, the state could sell. In
1872, the Legislature authorized the
selling of dry-sand land to private
citizens. However, controversy
and concern grew within the state
since the beaches were an important
form of coastal transportation from
north to south along the coastline.
Therefore, in 1899, the Legislature
declared the beach land from the
Columbia River to the south border
of Clatsop County a public highway.
Not to downplay Govs. West’s
and McCall’s defi ning moments
to have the foresight to protect
Oregon’s beaches for future genera-
tions — the beaches had already set
a precedent for being a recreational
playground and there was, of course,
the doctrine of customary rights —
and both governors were known to
be proactive environmentalists of
Oregon’s natural landscape.
Driving force
Still, there was one other. A man
who was a driving force and key
to starting the legislative process
in saving Oregon’s beaches against
burgeoning abuse and misuse by
developers and property owners. His
name was Dr. Robert Bacon.
GUEST COLUMN
Lawrence Bitte (left)
and Bob Bacon (right)
take a stroll on Gear-
hart Beach between
2007 and 2008 for
the documentary fi lm
“Politics of Sand.”
REBECCA HERREN
Bacon, a professor of anatomy at
the University of Oregon Medical
School since 1955, was an environ-
mentalist. During his fi rst trip to Ore-
gon for an interview with the school,
he was in awe of Oregon’s beauty,
remarking that a slope of Douglas
fi rs where the biggest trees he’d ever
seen and the campus gardens were
the “most beautiful in the United
States, except possibly for Duke.”
He described the snow on Mount
Hood as dazzling white and the sky
as a National Geographic blue.
I met Bacon during an event at
the Seaside Aquarium in 2005. His
wife, Sue Daniel, accompanied him.
I knew Daniel through her time
as a board member of Friends
of Haystack Rock, and it was by
Daniel’s prompting I volunteered
with the Haystack Rock Awareness
Program for a couple of seasons.
It was about this time that Bacon’s
name became synonymous with the
Beach Bill among us locals.
Bacon was a low-keyed, nonpo-
litical kind of man, whose intro-
duction into politics began when a
young biochemistry student named
Lawrence Bitte approached him
about an incident that happened
with his aunt and uncle at a family
gathering in Cannon Beach. His aunt,
Betty Wilson, complained to Bitte of
being told they could not use the area
where they were picnicking and were
ushered out of the “private” section
in front of the Surfsand Motel.
The owner of the newly built
motel had outlined the dry-sand area
in front of the property with drift
logs and signs to provide a private
beach for its guests. This commer-
cial exploitation enraged Cannon
Beach residents and visitors alike. A
Portland mathematics professor, J.
Richard Byrne, wrote a letter to the
Highway Commission demanding
clarifi cation of public rights to the
beach. The interpretation given at
that time was the public rights access
only included the wet sands area be-
low high tide, and an inquiry would
be launched. Bitte, on the other hand,
was preparing a letter to McCall.
In the meantime, the controversy
in Cannon Beach continued, inciting
inquiries into other instances of
commercial development along the
coast. Not hearing back from Mc-
Call, an irritated Bitte made contact
with Bacon, who had the reputation
of caring about his students.
Since Bitte had not received a
reply to his letter, Bacon suggested
they travel to Salem to express their
feelings and try to get clarifi cation
regarding public rights to the beach.
Bitte was unable to attend a hearing
on the privatization of Oregon’s
beaches because of schedule con-
fl icts and sent his wife, Diane, with
Bacon instead.
Bacon and Bitte’s wife missed
the hearing, but were not deterred
in their efforts to be heard. They
walked to the hearing room where
they met Rep. Sydney Bazett and
explained to him why they wanted
Oregon’s beaches to remain public
lands. Bazett encouraged the two to
return after lunch and state their case
before the committee of about 20 .
Bacon and Bitte were the only two
who came forward to weigh in on
the issue.
Bitte’s wife described it as intim-
idating — a room of all older men in
pinstripe suits and smoking cigars.
They both felt the hostility in the
room that seemed to be directed at
them, said Bacon in a 2005 Seaside
Signal interview.
Word spread that the hearings
on the Beach Bill would contin-
ue. Bacon who had no interest in
Surfsand owner William
Hay’s plans to bring a bit
of Hawaii and Florida to
Oregon was allowed, what
would have become of Ore-
gon’s beaches? Would there
be miles of beach littered by
masses of brightly colored
umbrellas and cabana tents?
Would there be fences erect-
ed, extending to the low-tide
line blocking off sections of
private beaches?
If legislative initiatives and
natural resource preservation
activities had not been passed
during the 108 years since the
state’s admission to the Union
and the passage of the Beach
Bill, could the Beach Bill pass
legislation today?
The Beach Bill was ap-
pealed several times. Judge
CANNON BEACH HISTORY CENTER AND MUSEUM
Alfred Goodwin, the Oregon
Supreme Court judge wrote
the 1969 decision upholding
politics, traveled across the state on
the constitutionality of the Beach
behalf of keeping Oregon’s beaches
Bill, declaring Oregon’s beaches to
public. Together, Lawrence Bitte
remain public property. A Cannon
and Bacon formed the Citizens to
Save Oregon’s Beaches (CSOB). He Beach motel owner sought to have
jokingly recalled how the group was the Beach Bill declared unconsti-
tutional in an U.S. Supreme Court
referred to as the SOB s in the 2009
1994 appeal, and again, the court up-
documentary “Politics of Sand.”
held the lower court’s decision favor-
Bacon remembered many of the
ing a doctrine of custom. However,
people who helped make the Beach
Justice Antonin Scalia noted, “To say
Bill a reality. Among them were
that this case raises a serious Fifth
journalists Matt Kramer, Ken Fitz-
Amendment issue is an understate-
gerald, Jim Long and media mogul
ment. And it is serious in the sense
Ancil Payne of King Broadcasting
Co . who kept the bill in the forefront that the land grab may run the entire
length of the Oregon coast.”
of news coverage.
Oregon is the only state to have
In the documentary, Bacon
open public access to its entire
showed concern over the Beach
coastline, with Texas and Hawaii
Bill’s continuing battle of being
following in suit. And, though it is
modifi ed and weakened. CSOB, he
the birthright of all Oregonians to
said, never supported the 16-foot
have open access to all the beaches
vegetation line of the Beach Bill.
edging its shores, we shouldn’t be-
“We wanted it to state a “natural
come complacent in this right or take
beach line” since the landscape
it for granted. Developers, politicians
is ever-changing. In a lecture last
and private citizens will continue
December at the Cannon Beach
to threaten and challenge Oregon’s
Library, conservationist Neal Maine
Beach Bill.
noted that the public should keep
In 1997, Bacon gave an interview
in mind the shoreline and beach are
for the 30th anniversary of the Beach
transitory, and the Beach Bill was a
Bill. About his part, he said it best,
political event with no mention of
“I taught 4,300 physicians about the
ecological processes.
structure of the human body, but
Crucial trip
I felt this (the Beach Bill) was the
If Bacon had not taken that cru-
most important thing I ever did.”
Bacon retired to the coast in 1982
cial trip to Salem, what would have
after teaching anatomy for 45 years.
been the fate of Oregon’s beaches?
He lived in Gearhart until his death
Or, if the confrontation with Bitte’s
in January 2009.
aunt and uncle never happened and
OBITUARIES
Gary LeRoy Laws
June 30, 1939 — Aug. 25, 2017
Gary LeRoy Laws was
born in Portland, Oregon,
to Burrage and Doris Laws
on July 30, 1939. He moved
to Seaside at the age of 6,
where he attended school
and went on to be a student
at the University of Oregon.
He married his high school
sweetheart, Marlene Ordway,
in 1958.
Gary began his lifelong
meat cutting career at Safe-
way in Tillamook, then
moved to Seaside where he
purchased the Ocean Vista
Meat Market and set meat
cases in small grocery stores
throughout town. His meat
cutting vocation continued
at Reed and Hertig, and con-
cluded at Safeway in Seaside
in 1988.
Gary honorably served in
the Oregon National Guard,
Seaside Fire Department,
Seaside Kids, the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, and
was an avid sports fan.
Gary loved supporting his
four children in their school
and after school athletics and
activities. He rooted for his
mighty Oregon Ducks, the
Trailblazers, Seahawks, Mar-
GARY LAWS
iners, and was even known to
lend the Oregon State Bea-
vers his occasional support.
Gary was an accomplished
woodworker who constructed
a few local houses for resale.
In 1987 Gary and Marlene
moved to Tolovana Park,
where Gary assembled an
elaborate workshop for build-
ing custom furniture, toys
and supplying crafts for their
in-home gift shop “Country
Giving,” which they operated
until full retirement in 2005.
They then moved to Cannon
Beach.
He loved the outdoors,
was an active hunter, liked
to travel, and was known as a
very kind and compassionate
person who loved his family,
friends and pets. He was a de-
voted follower of Jesus Christ
and an active member of the
Cannon Beach Community
Church, where a celebration
of life service was held on
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at 11
a.m., with lunch to follow.
Gary is survived by his
wife, Marlene; daughters
Suzy Rotunna and Pam For-
ster; twin sons Troy Laws
(wife Debbie) and Todd Laws
(wife Cheryl); grandchildren
Sean Forster, Kiley Laws,
Nick Forster, Kathryn Laws,
Caleb Laws, Conor Laws
and Mia Rotunna; nephews
Randy and Mike Laws; and
nieces Neisa Stahly and Trina
Sleeman.
Gary was preceded in
death by his parents, Burrage,
Doris and stepmother Marga-
ret Laws; brothers Bill, Dar-
rel and Ron; sister Shirley;
and his nephew Scotty.
Memorial gifts may be
given to the Cannon Beach
Community Church. A guest
book is available online at
www.hughes-ransom.com.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Tuesday, Sept. 12
Cannon Beach City Council,
5:30 p.m., regular meeting and work
session, City Hall, 163 E. Gower St.
Monday, Sept. 18
Cannon Beach Design Review
Board, 6 p.m., City Hall, 163 E.
Gower St.
Thursday, Sept. 28
Ecola Creek Watershed Council,
4:30 p.m., City Hall, 163 E. Gower St.
Cannon Beach Planning Com-
mission, 6 p.m., City Hall, 163 E.
Gower St.
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Friday, Sept. 29
Cannon Beach Public Works
Committee, 9 a.m., City Hall, 163
E. Gower St.
Thursday, Sept. 21
Cannon Beach Parks and Commu-
nity Services Committee, 9 a.m.,
City Hall, 163 E. Gower St.
Emergency Preparedness Com-
mittee, 10 a.m., City Hall, 163 E.
Gower St.
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Cannon Beach City Council, 7 p.m.,
City Hall, 163 E.Gower St.
Tuesday, Oct. 10
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
OWN THE VERY BEST
3632 S Pacific, Arch Cape
CAPE COD
596 Antler Rd, Cannon Beach
LODGES AT CANNON BEACH
132 E Surfcrest, #D-2, Cannon Beach
Oceanfront masterpiece, designed
and built by the finest craftsman with
the finest materials.
CMLS#17-903
$2,295,000
Tina Chapman 503-440-9957
If you are looking for elbow room, this
home sits on 2/3 acre and close to
the ocean and downtown.
CMLS#17-524
$668,500
Karen Meili 503-440-5806
Fully furnished 2 bedroom, w bath
townhome with gourmet kitchen,
2 fireplaces. Just 1 block from the
beach.
CMLS#16-1512
$629,000
Steve Crane 503-440-6310
NEW PRICE
NEW PRICE
NEW PRICE
ALMOST OCEAN FRONT
31921 Cottage Ln, Arch Cape
NEW CONSTRUCTION
9370 Dewolf Rd, Manzanita
DIFFERENT AND ADORABLE
79917 W Beach Rd, Arch Cape
Relax in the hot tub and view the ocean
while listening to the waves. FOR DE-
TAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 EXT 575.
CMLS#17-1022
$535,000
Jackie Weber 503-440-2331
Thoughtfully designed, light-filled
spaces are ample and open with
wonderful flow on nearly 1/2 acre.
CMLS#17-1093
$378,000
Kate Merrell 503-739-2324
This tidy cottage will make you smile
the minute you walk in the door. An
easy walk to the sand, this house
oozes charm and whimsy.
CMLS#17-1108
$350,000
Kate Merrell 503-739-2324
NEW LISTING
NEW PRICE
NEW PRICE
TOOTHBRUSH READY
3621 S Hemlock, Cannon Beach
PRIVACY PLUS OCEAN VIEWS
Parcel 2, Ray Brown Rd, Arch Cape
Adorable free-standing condo comes
mostly furnished and turn-key ready.
One block to the beach, your beach
spot is here.
CMLS#17-1230
$325,000
Tina Chapman 503-440-9957
SPECTACULAR OCEAN VIEWS
32 Braeridge Dr, NeahKahNie
Building site on .32 acres with all
utilities installed, paved roads in gated
community.
CMLS#16-322
$239,900
Chuck Overton 503-440-2653
Build you beach getaway between
Cannon Beach and Manzanita. FOR
DETAILS, CALL RECORDING 1-800-
784-9541 EXT 669.
NEW PRICE
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
CHOICE SPOT
12895 A Street, Nehalem
CMLS#17-455
$225,000
Jackie Weber 503-440-2331
Cannon Beach City Council, 7
p.m., work session, City Hall, 163 E.
Gower St.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
Cannon Beach Public Works
Committee, 9 a.m., City Hall, 163 E.
Gower St.
GREAT LOCATION
160 E Siuslaw St #3, Cannon Beach
RELAX, ITS BEACH TIME
401 Cannon Beach Ridge #102, Cannon Beach
Just one block to the beach, 3 bedroom
condo, 3 fireplaces and a carport. Zoning
allows nightly vacation rental.
Thursday, Oct. 19
CMLS#16-1644
$272,000
Dana Weston 503-738-2839
Craig Weston 503-738-2838
Adorable, 2 bedroom, one bath condo
affords you the best of both worlds,
away from it all yet close enough to
the sea.
CMLS#17-1303
$210,000
Tina Chapman 503-440-9957
Cannon Beach Parks and Commu-
nity Services Committee, 9 a.m.,
City Hall, 163 E. Gower St.
Cannon Beach Design Review
Board Meeting, 6 p.m., City Hall,
163 E. Gower St.
Affordable building site, in quiet coastal
town, 2 miles to Manzanita Beach. FOR
DETAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 EXT
777.
CMLS#17-1077
$55,000
Jackie Weber 503-440-2331
CANNON BEACH OFFICE
GEARHART OFFICE
255 N. Hemlock, Ste. B1 • Cannon Beach, OR 97110
800/676-1176 • 503/436-1027
cannonbeach.withwre.com
588 Pacific Way • Gearhart, OR 97138
800/275-7773 • 503/738-8522
gearhart.withwre.com
Serving the Entire North Oregon Coast