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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2018)
November 2, 2018 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 7A Vote ‘yes’ on Clatsop County jail bond A s your elected sheriff of Clatsop County, I have always tried to do what is right for the majority of the people. This includes everyone, no matter what walk of life they may come from. I can tell you all kinds of stories related to having an inadequate jail and the lack of accountability. We have more than 1,500 outstanding warrants. I can tell you people are released on a daily basis who consistently get out just hours or days after being arrested, then commit additional crimes at every level from shoplifting to domestic violence to murder. I can tell you the vulnerable, mentally ill and those with drug dependencies default to the jail, where we do our best to take care of them — however, again due to lack of space, programs or proper treat- ment, real help is never fulfilled. I can tell you the current jail was originally built for 29 inmates. It was overcrowded the day it opened almost 40 years ago in 1980. Every study (four) over the GUEST COLUMN TOM BERGIN last 20 years has stated we need a minimum of 140 beds with room for future expansion. We have that opportunity now with the closing of the Oregon Youth Authority juvenile prison in Warrenton that was run by the state. It is in a good location away from neighborhoods and close to the current sheriff’s office. We would be repurposing an old building into a modern facility able to meet the needs associated with keeping our community safe. This building would not only create accountability for the incar- cerated, but would also create a safer environment for mentally ill inmates. Most of them should not be there in the first place, but we often have many. It would also provide a better working environment for corrections deputies, mental health workers, drug and alcohol counsel- COLIN MURPHEY/THE DAILY ASTORIAN The county hopes to use the old youth detention facility near Warrenton for an expanded new jail. ors, lawyers, doctors, nurses and clergy, all of whom work within the walls helping to create a place of rehabilitation and again account- ability. Some people say I want a remod- eled jail because of my support of Measure 105, which would repeal the state sanctuary law. They say I want to lock up all illegal immi- grants. That is the furthest thing from the truth. It just doesn’t happen like that. There are still many laws in place to protect everyone, no matter where they come from or what they believe. I have dedicated my life to protecting rights and upholding the law. I will continue to do so as long as I serve as your sheriff. However, without the account- ability of incarceration — coupled with treatment and compassion — we are just spinning our wheels and not helping anyone to become pro- ductive, sober or mentally balanced to integrate back into society. Think what you may about me, but know I have spent 33 years serving this community and doing my best to maintain the integrity of the law. Clatsop County is in dire need of a jail facility that will work with our criminal justice partners such as the courts, mental health and the previously mentioned nu- merous other entities. Clatsop County is a beautiful place to live and a beautiful place to visit. If you truly want our com- munity to be a safer place through accountability and compassion, please vote “yes” on Measure 4-195 to fix our current situation. Thank you. Tom Bergin is sheriff of Clatsop County. Author’s debut novel brings alive Montana’s settlement days T his month, set in Montana during the the Northwest early 20th century. “The River by Star- Authors Series series hosts Portland light,” which received author and journalist the 2018 Independent Ellen Notbohm. She Publisher Book Award will read from and for U.S. West-Mountain discuss “The River Regional Fiction, finds by Starlight,” her first Annie Rushton moving novel, at the Cannon to live on her brother’s Montana homestead after Beach Library, 130 N. leaving her child with an Hemlock St., Saturday, ELLEN NOTBOHM ex-husband following Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. Notbohm, interna- Ellen Notbohm reads episodes of postpartum tionally known for her at the Cannon Beach depression. Not planning Library on Saturday, to remarry, she encoun- award-winning books ters Adam Fielding. They on parenting and teach- Nov. 10. buy out Annie’s brother ing autistic children, spent years researching the true story and form a business and romantic partnership. Efforts to have a child on which she based this debut novel, prompt further depression, yet Annie still loves Adam. They persist and succeed in the face of difficulties. Lamp Lighting ceremony AT THE LIBRARY JOSEPH BERNT The world of Haystack Rock At this fall’s first meeting of Friends of Haystack Rock, Cristen Don, marine reserves program leader at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Newport, presents “World of Haystack Rock: There’s More Be- neath the Surface,” Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., at the library. In leading the Oregon Marine Reserves Program, Don oversees the management and scientific monitor- ing of the state’s five marine reserve sites at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, Otter Rock, Cape Perpetua and Redfish Rocks. Each of these marine reserves, ranging in size from 1.2 to 14.1 square miles, is closed to ocean development and the taking of ocean fauna and flora. Don, who holds a bachelor’s de- gree in marine biology from the Uni- versity of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in marine affairs from the University of Washington, has 15 years of experience in such ocean studies as marine protected areas, ocean renewable energy and fisheries. The Library Holiday Tea and the Sandpiper Square Lamp Lighting Cer- emony mark the traditional opening of the holiday season in Cannon Beach. Visit the library between 1 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, to enjoy home-baked holiday cookies, tea, hot cider and conversation. Then cross Hemlock to enjoy the lamp lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. During the Holiday Tea, the winning ticket for the vintage Grand- mother’s Flower Garden quilt will be drawn. Feeling lucky? Make a point of purchasing drawing tickets ($1 each or $5 for six) this month at the library. All these events at the library are free and open to the public. LETTERS Letters from Page 6A Vote for Risley, Benefield Please join me in voting for Robin Risley and Mike Benefield for City Council, Cannon Beach. These experienced candi- dates have each spent innu- merable volunteer hours on city committees, serving the interests of the citizens of Can- non Beach. They offer a judi- cious balance of economic and environmental perspectives, which reflect the values of our residents. All three candidates bring care and commitment to the community, but Robin and Mike stand out for longevity, experience, and balance. Please vote! Let’s set a re- cord for voter turnout in Can- non Beach this fall. Betsy Bamford Ayres Cannon Beach Risley, Benefield are most qualified This council election, Rob- in Risley and Mike Benefield stand out regarding the need to balance the quality of life for residents versus maximizing the profits from tourism. As a fifth-generation Ore- gonian and long-time Cannon Beach resident, Robin Risley is superbly qualified and ex- perienced to serve on Coun- cil. She has served us well in numerous positions (includ- ing the Planning Commission and Parks and Community Services Committee) and has served us at the state level as an Oregon Parks and Recre- ation Department commis- sioner. Robin gets things done. She does her homework, is a good listener, has unshakable ethics, and makes good deci- sions. Risley has proven that she is willing to make the right decision, even when it might not favor her financially. Similarly, we whole-heart- edly support Mike Bene- field’s bid for a second term. Benefield has served on the Planning Commission and is currently on Council. As evi- denced by his outstanding ser- vice on both bodies, Benefield has demonstrated that he will stand firm for what he knows is right and in the best interest of Cannon Beach. We are for- tunate that he is willing to give more of his time and extensive talents for our betterment. Tourism of course adds a great deal to city coffers. Our businesses thrive because of it, and we all benefit when they are healthy. But there can be too much of a good thing. Over-selling any asset brings negative consequences. CB is no secret, and already the increasingly high numbers of visitors are affecting the qual- ity of life for residents. There must be a balance. Robin Ris- ley and Mike Benefield under- stand this and will continue to protect our village feel for residents first while respon- sibly managing the impact of visitors. Jeff and Jennifer Harrison Cannon Beach Tiffiny Mitchell for state representative Three candidates are on the ballot to replace retiring Dis- trict 32 State Representative Deborah Boone. Only one, Tiffiny Mitchell, will be able to continue Boone’s experi- ence of working successfully on behalf of our local issues: • Housing stability and availability for all of our fam- ilies, at prices and rents that provide safe homes for all workers; • Affordable health care, including treatment for sub- stance abuse and mental health services; • Stable funding for edu- cation at all levels, including career readiness and technical training, to reduce class sizes, improve the graduation rate and restore classes like phys- ical education, art and music; • Protection of our beauti- ful north coast, while investing wisely in our crumbling infra- structure; and • Maintaining a strong economy, with safety and se- curity for all. Tiffany Mitchell will col- laborate with like-minded legislators from around the state, and with state and local elected officials, to direct our scarce resources in ways that benefit the residents of District 32 as well as all Oregonians. Dan Seifer Arch Cape Vote for Robin Risley Cannon Beach residents have a unique opportunity to elect Robin Risley for a city council seat who has years of experience from many posi- tions held on local and state- wide entities served on since the 1980s. From chair of the annual Sandcastle Day committee, arts and environmental com- mittee positions, member of city and county planning commissions, Realtor of the year (twice) lead sponsor of the curriculum and profes- sional development commit- tees to Oregon State Parks & Recreation commissioner and much more in between, Robin had demonstrated her leader- ship and consensus building work in both her profession- al and volunteer capacities. She brings a collaborative approach to city issues that concern councilors statewide, gained by her relationships with colleagues on the Ore- gon Parks and Recreation De- partment learning from oth- ers’ efforts and mistakes how to solve the many municipal problems that small towns like Cannon Beach faces. If one considers all of the responsibilities that come with her broad experiences along with her ability to bring peo- ple together to find solutions she is well-qualified for this job. The variety of sectors in which Robin has served will make her effective from her first day on the job. Please vote Nov. 6 and please vote for Robin Risley, Cannon Beach City Council. Deborah Boone Cannon Beach Vote for Mike Benefield and Robin Risley As I made my slow trip down Hemlock Street to get to my mail, I was overwhelmed by the number of visitors in our village. This may be good for business but it is not so good for the full time residents of Cannon Beach. We should strive for a better balance in quality of life/services for both our guests and residents. I have worked on many community efforts with Mike Benefield and Robin Risley. They both recognize the local issues and understand how we can be good stewards and still be welcoming to visitors. Please join me in support- ing Mike and Robin for Can- non Beach City Council. They both have the hands-on experi- ence to lead us in these times. Les Wierson Cannon Beach Robin Risley for Cannon Beach council I am writing this to give my full support to Robin Risley for Cannon Beach City Council. I have known Robin for 30 or more years. She has served our community well with the many jobs she has done. Because Robin has lived, worked and enjoyed Cannon Beach’s special ambiance for many years she understands the fierce love the local residences have for their village. Robin also knows that we must protect as much as we can of the village feeling, even though we have now become a destination resort, unfortunately. The advertising of Cannon Beach all over the world was overkill in my mind. I have trav- eled in many parts of the world and whenever I mention Cannon Beach, the response is, “That’s where Haystack Rock is.” Please vote for Robin. I am confident that we will not have paid parking meters, high rise apartments and will still retain the village feeling. Molly Edison Cannon Beach Vote for Swedenborg, Risley I am writing in support of Greg Swedenborg and Rob- in Risley for Cannon Beach City Council. Cannon Beach is facing several important is- sues that need to be addressed by the community and its City Council. Those issues include affordable workforce housing, downtown parking, city hall’s deteriorating condition, possi- ble purchase of the old school property and development of the South Wind site. Because of the importance of these issues to our city’s future, we must vote for the right City Council candi- dates. Greg Swedenborg is the current President of the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce and sits on the city’s Tourism and Arts Commission. A long- time resident, Greg is smart, articulate, action oriented and is looking for a balance between the interests of Cannon Beach businesses and residents. Robin Risley, another long-time res- ident, has held positions in the city (Planning Commission, Tourism and Arts Commission and Parks Commission) as well as the business community. Robin is currently the pres- ident of the local Realtors’ as- sociation and has served on the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for many years. I believe this ex- perience gives Robin the ability to see both sides of the issues we face and make decisions benefi- cial to the entire community. For the past couple of terms, we’ve watched our city council’s in- ability to make decisions. During those years, the problems hav- en’t resolved themselves. We need a city council that is going to tackle the issues and make decisions. I support Greg Swe- denborg and Robin Risley for Cannon Beach City Council and ask you to do the same. Steven Sinkler Cannon Beach THANK YOU SO MUCH! On behalf of all of our members, volunteers and most importantly, THE KIDS who benefit from our programs, the Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific would like to thank everyone who made the 11 th Annual Home & Chef Tour a huge success! Home Owners: Daniel & Nicole Sturgell, Michael & Becky Johnson, Sami & Bill Weed, Kristin Finnegan & Larry Grant, Ira & Linda Goldfarb, and Traci Williams Home Sponsors: Dr. Roger & Sheila Miller, Dr. Russ & Linda Keizer, Dr. Richard & Barbara Crass, Dr. David & Cindy Leibel, US Bank, TOTEM Properties, Englund Marine Industrial Supply, Autio Company, and Bigby’s Tree Service. Chefs: Nisa’s Thai Kitchen, El Catrin Mexican Cuisine, Finn’s Fish House, Drake Radditz Guide Service, The Wayfarer Restaurant, and The Sweet Shop Florists: Bloomin’ Crazy, Natural Nook, and Erickson Floral Graphic Design: Buckelew Graphic Communications Poster & Cover Art: Cory Logan Printer: Anchor Graphics Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific is a nonprofit, all-volunteer, organization whose philanthropic programs promote the well-being and self-esteem of children and teens throughout Clatsop County. To learn more or get involved please visit www.assistanceleaguecp.org
