VOL. 42, ISSUE 12
WWW.CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
JUNE 15, 2018
Sandcastle Contest keeps family connected
BRENNA VISSER
Jonathan Jessop works on a windmill structure during the Cannon Beach
Sandcastle Contest on Saturday, June 9.
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
housands came out on Saturday, June 9, to watch people of all
ages transform piles of sand into intricately-sculpted flying sau-
cers, Egyptian pyramids and, of course, the humble but classic
sandcastle.
The Sandcastle Contest, now closing the chapter on its 54th
year, began in 1964 as a way to boost spirits after a tsunami hit the
Oregon Coast. The contest was sandwiched in between the annual Sandcas-
tle Parade on Friday and a 5K fun run on Sunday.
About 32 teams from across the country competed — a number con-
sistent with last year but lower than the average of 50 the contest expects.
T
BRENNA VISSER
The Jessop family says a cheer right before the kickoff of the Cannon
See Sandcastles, Page 7A
Beach Sandcastle Contest.
Cannon Beach Academy
dodges a big rent increase
With lease in hand for next two years, school looks at how to grow
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
PAID
PERMIT NO. 97
ASTORIA, OR
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
Cannon Beach Academy has a home
for the next two years.
The academy agreed to a lease of $100
a year with the city at the June 5 City
Council meeting — up from the $1 orig-
inally negotiated last year.
Originally, the city proposed raising
rent from $1 a year to $1,000 a month — a
steep increase, but one that was discussed
previously when the three-year contract
was discussed last May, City Manager
Bruce St. Denis said.
“The one that I had presented had a
monthly payment of $1,000, which I felt
was in line with the sentiments expressed
regarding future payments when the first
lease was approved at $1 a year,” St. De-
nis said to the City Council. “This is not
a situation in which the city is trying to
maximize our investment in the property,
so you are obviously able to determine the
value that you think is appropriate.”
But the representatives from the acad-
emy argued the increase was too high as
the new school still faces a $58,000 budget
deficit.
“When this started it was a grassroots ef-
forts. We thought when we’d open the door
there’d be a huge growth of support. It’s com-
ing, but much it’s slower,” Cannon Beach
Academy board secretary Patti Rouse said.
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
jority of his life training as a
gymnast, dancer, martial artist
and parkour instructor.
See Anderson, Page 3A
See Food Trucks, Page 6A
See Academy, Page 6A
Anderson brings
unique skill set to
Cannon Beach
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
BRENNA VISSER/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE
Jacob Anderson is the newest recruit at the Cannon Beach Po-
lice Department.
“The first time I saw it, I
was like, ‘Ah — this is just like
parkour,’” Anderson said.
Before becoming a police
officer, Anderson spent the ma-
Questionnaire will be sent
out to business community
to gauge interest
Cannon Beach is exploring ways to possibly permit
food trucks within city limits.
Food trucks are prohibited in Cannon Beach, with
the exception of operating at the farmer’s market, as
they currently fall under the city’s ban on “outdoor mer-
chandising.” But the city is reexamining its ordinance
after multiple presentations from Bob Neroni, owner of
EVOO Cannon Beach Cooking School and food truck
advocate, who initially came to the council months ago
to find a legal way to operate a food cart in his own park-
ing lot on the days his restaurant closes.
At a work session Tuesday, city councilors directed
staff to work with Neroni to create and circulate a ques-
tionnaire around the restaurant community as a way to
gauge interest.
While a rule change would stand to benefit him per-
sonally, Neroni believes food trucks are “a growing
opportunity” that would improve and diversify Cannon
Beach’s culinary scene.
“It’s an untapped, niche market,” Neroni said.
Food carts have long been a contentious issue in both
Seaside and Cannon Beach. Part of what has kept food
trucks at bay has been the fear they would create compe-
tition for brick-and-mortar businesses.
Some, like City Councilor George Vetter, fear allow-
ing food trucks could allow transitory businesses to “cut
in during the gravy season” of summer to make a profit
without having to pay rent like their stationary compe-
tition. Food trucks could also take up parking spaces
when the city most needs them.
“They would want to be here when parking is most
valuable,” Vetter said.
New officer ready for challenge
Before being able to serve,
every police officer candidate
in Oregon must pass a physical
abilities test — think a police
work-themed obstacle course.
The course involves bal-
ance beams, jumping under
and over a variety of objects
and racing up staircases. It’s a
grueling feat, but Jacob Ander-
son — Cannon Beach Police
Department’s newest recruit —
couldn’t help but feel uniquely
qualified.
Food truck
licensing on
city’s menu