6A • July 13, 2018 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com
Steidel, Risley plan to run for Cannon Beach posts
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
Longtime resident and real estate
agent Robin Risley has announced
her intention to run for the Cannon
Beach City Council.
Risley intends to vie for the seat
held by City Councilor George Vet-
ter, who announced earlier this year
he will not seek re-election.
Mayor Sam Steidel also an-
nounced his re-election campaign
at the Tuesday, July 3, City Council
meeting.
Over
the
course of three
decades, Risley
has served on
several boards
and committees,
including
the
Cannon Beach
and
Clatsop
Robin Risley
County
plan-
ning commissions, the Oregon State
Parks and Recreation Commission
and Cannon Beach Chamber of
Commerce board. She was also ap-
pointed the president of the Clatsop
Association of Realtors last year.
Her decision is largely driven by
timing, as she will be ending terms
as a planning commissioner and
chamber board member this year.
“I love Cannon Beach, and I want
to be a part of the decision-making,”
Risley said.
If elected, Risley would work
on finding solutions for the Cannon
Beach Elementary School property,
rebuilding City Hall and other capi-
tal projects on the city’s plate. Priori-
ties for Risley are bolstering the arts,
as well as preserving the character of
Officials plan to reinstate
testing of water outfalls
Water from Page 1A
The cause for the spike is
unknown. The city is in con-
tact with the state Department
of Environmental Quality
and is conducting additional
in-house tests to identify the
problem, City Manager Bruce
St. Denis said.
“This has been an ongoing
situation that has resulted in
extensive testing (including
DNA testing) and research in
the past,” St. Denis wrote in
an email. “Numerous proj-
ects have been undertaken to
address isolated contributing
sources but the overall situa-
tion keeps reoccurring. This is
common for municipal beach
outfalls.”
In response, the city plans
to reinstate routine testing of all
outfalls, including testing loca-
tions further upstream of the
outfalls than have been done in
the past to try to drill down on
where contamination is being
picked up, St. Denis said. The
city will also be scheduling
tests the day before predict-
ed rainfall and day after since
spikes seem to occur near large
rain events. DEQ has agreed to
review the data after it has been
collected, St. Denis said.
Cannon Beach has a histo-
ry of high bacteria test results,
especially after rain washes
waterways out and during
the height of tourism season
when public infrastructure is
heavily used. In July 2015, a
sewage leak led to a spike in
bacteria readings in the Ecola
Creek watershed.
In general, sources of con-
tamination to surface waters
include wastewater treatment
plants, septic systems, domes-
tic and wild animal manure,
and storm runoff, according
BRENNA VISSER/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE
Beachgoers cross a bridge over the Ecola Court outfall in
Cannon Beach. Recent samples shows bacteria levels higher
than state standards at this location.
to the EPA. Ingesting bacteria
contaminated water can result
in illness, according to the Or-
egon Health Authority.
While the federal BEACH
Act allows the monitoring
program to issue health advi-
sories for readings that exceed
the limit in marine waters,
there is no equivalent require-
ment for freshwater sources.
Mike Manzulli, of the Eco-
la Creek Watershed Council,
said the process is “flawed”
and that the state should rem-
edy the way findings are no-
ticed.
“The streams from these
outfalls are where the chil-
dren on the beach play and
where the dogs drink. Chil-
dren have most likely gotten
sick from these waters in the
past and will continue to un-
til the problem is remedied,”
Manzulli wrote in an email.
“Tourists don’t know their
children and pets are playing
in contaminated water. Until
the source of contamination
is fixed, families visiting our
beach deserve a proper warn-
ing to avoid this water.”
St. Denis said the city is
working with the Department
of Environmental Quality for
guidance on proper signage to
advise beach goers.
“This is a very complicat-
ed issue and is a top priority
for staff at this time,” St. De-
nis said.
Cannon Beach’s Best Selection
of Oregon and Washington Wine!
UPCOMING
TASTINGS
Shack Hours
Sunday - Thursday
11am to 5pm
Friday & Saturday
11am to 5:30pm
Tasting Room Hours
Daily • 1 to 5pm
July 14 • Spindrift Cellars
July 21 • Brandborg Wines
July 28 • Angel Vine
August 4 • Owen Roe
“Best Wine Shop”
- 2016 & 2018 Reader’s Choice Award
124 N. Hemlock, Cannon Beach - 503.436.1100 - www.thewineshack.wine
Cannon Beach for both full-time res-
idents and tourists.
“Keeping the culture of the com-
munity I think is a high priority,”
Risley said.
Steidel, elected in 2014, wants to
run again to keep working on “un-
finished business.” He also said he
“didn’t get a sense of someone else
stepping up.”
“It would be nice to have some
kind of a horse race, though,” he said.
Many of the priorities Steidel held
in his last campaign remain the same,
including purchasing the Cannon
Beach Elementary School site, devel-
oping the 55-acre South Wind prop-
erty and building affordable housing.
Most of these issues have been
stalled during his first term, but
Steidel hopes a fresh staff at City
Hall and the benefit of council con-
tinuity will lead to progress.
“You have to keep discussions
going to get to our goals,” he said.
There are three council positions
on the ballot in November, including
Steidel’s seat. City Councilor Mike
Benefield has not indicated whether
he plans to run again.
City Council seeks a focus on arts
Tourism from Page 1A
The controversy points to a
larger disagreement within the
city and the commission about
the evolving purpose of the
grant money.
Since 2008, the Tourism
and Arts Commission has
been charged with review-
ing grant applications and
regulating the distribution of
the Tourism and Arts Fund,
which was established with
an increase in the lodging tax.
Local nonprofits are to use the
money to promote tourism
activities that encourage peo-
ple to rent rooms in Cannon
Beach, with an extra emphasis
on supporting the arts.
But some grant applicants
have shifted away from this
focus, with recent awards
going to support new events
like the Fat Bike Festival and
promotional videos for the
Cannon Beach Chamber of
Commerce.
“The whole reason this
started was to focus on the
arts,” said City Councilor
Nancy McCarthy, who voted
with Benefield and City Coun-
cilor Brandon Ogilvie against
the money for bike trails.
Mayor Sam Steidel and City
Councilor George Vetter vot-
ed to defer to the commission.
The Tourism and Arts
Commission itself was split
when evaluating the request
from the trail alliance.
Commissioners in favor
saw the project as a year-round
CLATSOP COUNTY
Klootchy Creek County
Park off U.S. Highway 26.
benefit to the tourism industry,
which is trying to attract more
visitors with interests in out-
door sports.
“It’s an investment in the
future. I liken it to surfing.
Twenty years ago, you just
saw a few surfboards on cars.
Now they are everywhere, and
we have multiple surf shops
to support it,” Commission-
er Greg Swedenborg said.
“That’s where biking is go-
ing.”
Some voted against the
grant request after former City
Attorney Tammy Herdener
raised legal questions about
whether lodging tax dollars,
which come with restrictions,
could be used to finance the
trail project.
There was debate about
whether the trail system qual-
ified as a tourism facility,
which is defined by the state as
“real property that has a useful
life of 10 or more years” and
substantially supports tourism.
The trail alliance and the pri-
vate landowner have a five-
year agreement, which could
raise questions, Herdener said.
Others took issue with the
fact that the project had no
ties with the arts and was not
based in Cannon Beach.
While Weintraub recog-
nizes the arts emphasis of the
grant money, he said nothing
in the ordinance precludes
other tourism-based propos-
als from being considered. He
pointed to the Fat Bike Festi-
val he pitched last year, which
was also met with skepticism,
but turned out to be successful
when it debuted in April.
“This is a Tourism and
Arts Fund, and the city’s di-
rective is to give preference
to arts,” Weintraub said. “But
preference doesn’t mean to
exclude.”
Weintraub said he person-
ally is in favor of expanding
arts funding in Cannon Beach,
but believes the city also needs
to find ways to fund opportu-
nities for “a broad array of vis-
itor attractions.”
The bike trail system near
Klootchy Creek will still be
built, Weintraub said, but per-
haps not as quickly because of
the loss of the grant money.
If the city is not going to
fund the trail project, then
Weintraub wants city coun-
cilors to use the $12,143 to
improve trails and walkways
in town.
Five out of the top Ten Brokers in Sales volume in the Clatsop
Multiple Listing Service in 2017 were Windermere Brokers.
Put Windermere to work for you.
NEW LISTING
CHARMING GEARHART COTTAGE
456 “D” St., Gearhart
NEW LISTING
NEW PRICE
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! CLASSIC ENGLISH CRAFTSMAN
124 E Madison St., Cannon Beach
1481 S Prom, Seaside
A treasured retreat is found! This gorgeous
3-bedroom home is just 2 blocks from the beach. Top
quality throughout with a stunning fenced backyard
offering privacy & peaceful serenity for outdoor living.
CMLS#18-951
$679,500
Craig Weston 503-738-2838
Dana Weston 503-738-2839
One Block to the Beach and a short walk to Town. One story
floor plan with secondary bedrooms divided from the master
suite. Oversized corner lot with abundant parking and attached
sheds. Rental history for vacation tenants to help pay for your
Beach House! Call Talking ad 1-800-784-9541 ext. 421
CMLS#18-900
$575,000
Jackie Weber 503-440-2331
Extraordinary remodel of vintage 1928 home located
on Seaside’s Prom. Impeccable attention to detail of
owner’s design highlights this era.
CMLS#17-881
$2,199,000
Christy Chaloux Coulombe 503-724-2400
Pam Ackley 503-717-3796
NEW PRICE
NEW LISTING
NEW PRICE
OCEAN FRONT, OCEAN VIEW
1216 S Pacific, Cannon Beach
ADORABLE COTTAGE!
240 S. Ave., Seaside
GO BIG AND BE HOME!
547 Antler Rd., Cannon Beach
Perfectly located 2 blocks to the beach in SW Seaside. This
cozy 2 bd, 1.5 bath cottage has an additional sleeping room
and the garage has been converted into a game room. Low
maintenance landscape and a fenced back yard. Move in
ready, partially furnished. It is a vacation rental.
This massive home is supremely flexible. You can enjoy it
as a single dwelling or share it as two units (up/downstairs)
without compromise, because each bedroom has its own
bath and both levels have covered porches and views of the
mountains and ocean.
CMLS#18-933
$324,500
TIna Chapman 503-440-9957
CMLS#18-463
$799,000
Kate Merrell 503-739-2324
Light, bright and airy with exterior log look. Wall wall
of ocean view. Sits high above tsunami zone, yet easy
beach access just across the street. FOR DETAILS
CALL 1-800-784-9541 x876.
CMLS#18-702
$649,000
Jackie Weber 503-440-2331
OCEAN & FOREST RETREAT
79209 Ray Brown Rd., Arch Cape
OCEAN-FRONT BEAUTY
3232 Sunset Blvd., Seaside
From the moment you enter, you are surrounded by
all of nature’s wonders, the hypnotic sea, whispering
trees. The sound and fury of civilization vanishes.
CMLS#18-464
$649,500
Kate Merrell 503-739-2324
Own a home others will covet! Amazing sea views as
far as the eye can see from every angle, spectacular
outdoor space. You must see this home! 3200 Sq Ft.
CMLS#18-8
$1,125,000
Tina Chapman 503-440-9957
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
NEW LISTING
OUTSTANDING OCEAN VIEWS!
8770 Tides Trail, Manzanita
SUNSET VIEW ESTATES
2186 Skyline Dr., Seaside
LODGES AT CANNON BEACH
132 E Surfcrest #D-2, Cannon Beach
Quality, custom built Seaside home with river rock
fireplace, theater room, upper and lower decks,
private treed setting, listen to the rambling creek, all
out of the tsunami zone!
CMLS#18-922
$625,000
Barbara Maltman 503-717-2154
Looking for an investment? The Lodges allows
nightly rentals with excellent management by the Inn
at Cannon Beach. Fully furnished.
CMLS#17-1686
$579,000
Karen Meili 503-440-5806
Steve Crane 503-440-6310
Midtown location, this stylish, modern, versatile 7
year old large home or duplex has 2 kitchens, 2 great
rooms, 6 bd 4 bth, 2 car garage, located close to
everything midtown & downtown.
CMLS#18-320
$1,799,000
Karen Meili 503-440-5806
NEW PRICE
Join this
SIMPLY SURPRISING!
1740 View Point Ter., Cannon Beach
movement
Physical activity is a proven path
to a happier, healthier life.
Pleasing light and airy yet cozy design with central courtyard,
fabulous ocean views nearly every room, and 11 foot ceilings.
Relaxing elegant setting. Gourmet kitchen, second family room,
1,438sf undeveloped space lowest level. Bedrooms and baths
both levels. CALL TALKING AD 1-800-784-9541 x540
Creating health together.
CMLS#18-932
$1,348,000
Jackie Weber 503-440-2331
CANNON BEACH OFFICE
GEARHART OFFICE
colpachealth.org
M @columbiapacificcco
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
A CareOregon Company
Serving the Entire North Oregon Coast