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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2015)
March 20, 2015 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 5A Letters to the Editor Lack of Leadership To the editor, This recall of Mayor Widdop is about her two years as mayor. In these two years, Mrs. Widdop has consistently shown a lack of leadership, disre- gard for citizens’ rights, abuse of power and, often, poor judgment. Mrs. Widdop refuses to work with the entire City Council, instead working with only two of the other four members. These two share her ideas and agen- da and it’s obvious this will not change until she is recalled. One of these favored council members surprisingly referred to her actions as “stupid.” Gear- hart deserves much better from its mayor. Mrs. Widdop uses the word “we” so she will not be questioned about her unilateral decisions. These unilateral decisions bla- tantly ignore council proto- col. Example: Her self-ap- pointment to represent CEDR and her co-sign- ing of a letter suggesting changes in the way Port of Astoria commissioners are chosen. Mayor Widdop says she is in City Hall every Wednesday to listen to the concerns of residents. When they do not agree with her or her agenda, she has become verbally abu- sive. Residents told us they feel she is there only for self-promotion. Mayor Widdop takes credit for the work of oth- ers. Example: She did not ask Sen. Jeff Merkley or Rep. Suzanne Bonamici to come to Gearhart. Check- LQJZLWKWKHLURI¿FHVWKH\ contacted the city; the same with Larry Galizio, president of Clatsop Com- munity College. He called the city and asked to make a presentation before the City Council. We have received threats towards our home, our pets and us. We take them seriously. Is this re- taliation? Residents on the east side of U.S. Highway 101 are being ignored. They want and deserve street- lights and attentive, reg- ular street maintenance for starters. They are not getting the services they deserve. Mrs. Widdop has shown no interest in reach- ing out to these residents. They often expressed frus- tration and anger when we spoke with them. In two years as mayor, Mrs. Widdop has accom- plished little. A new noise ordinance that is ineffectu- al. RV and fence ordinanc- es that still, after one year are not in place. There is more. This is just the tip of the iceberg. These transgressions are not trivial. They are im- portant. They set the tenor of our city. People are un- happy with Mayor Widdop and her divisive behavior. She is not the victim, but the cause. The three-ring circus masquerading as a city council that you, Mrs. Wid- dop has created in the past two years needs to play its last performance. Thank you for your “yes” vote to restore trust in Gearhart’s government. Jane Gable Gearhart Open and transparent To the editor, We have always found Dianne Widdop to be very open and transparent in all her work for the city of Gearhart and the commu- nity. Her weekly “open house” at City Hall each Wednesday morning for any citizen to stop by for a chat and visit is a class act. What a pleasant invitation to say, “Let’s talk.” Her interests are di- rected strictly for the bet- terment of Gearhart. She carries no baggage, no hid- den interests or personal agendas to City Hall. She is well educated, bright, articulate and professional. Dianne, you and your husband, Bob, are welcome anytime into our home. We are proud to support you as our mayor. Marty and Jean Gill Gearhart one should actually be conscious for the state to count. A life-long carnivore, Frank was by no means a snob about food. His gen- eral philosophy was that if he could get it past his voluptuous jowls, it was worth the effort. The only time I ever saw him hesi- tate to eat something was when someone had given him a large eel. I watched him play with it for some time but never saw him swallow the thing. I found it about three weeks later buried in the back of my van. Frank acted like he’d never seen it, but I think he was lying. whole pies, a couple dozen VWHDNV DQG D ¿YHSRXQG meat loaf that had been cooling on the counter, had all disappeared. I don’t remember them ever reap- pearing! Putting all of these achievements aside, Frank’s greatest quality was his ability to show me love. Pure and simple, ba- sic and overwhelming love for his pal. That love was gratefully returned in kind. Frank also had the un- canny ability to make me feel like Einstein, even though my IQ can hover around room temperature. At times, he could also make me feel like a super- hero if I got my boots tied FRUUHFWO\WKH¿UVWWLPH You see, Frank wasn’t just a dog; he wasn’t a pet or possession, a conver- sation piece or a burden. Frank was my friend. I’ve had some great (human) friends in my life, and they know who they are. Frank knew who I was; it was like he was put on this Earth to SUBMITTED PHOTO make me happy, and he did Frank, the bloodhound DPDJQL¿FHQWMRE I was hit a bit hard in the To the editor, recession like a lot of us Born April 13, 2009, were, lost some property, the handsome black and Though not formally VWRFN ¿OH IRU EDQNUXSWF\ tan bloodhound named educated, Frank was a very no retirement in this life- Frank, passed quietly into VPDUW ER\ +H FRXOG ¿QG time. But through it all, I the night March 1, 2015 in his water bowl unaided, like to think I handled it the arms of his best friend, ¿JXUH RXW ZKHUH WKH EDOO well — it’s one of life’s George Gideon. was (although he could little tsunamis that you ei- +HVSHQWWKH¿UVWZHHNV care less, because he had ther give up or you survive. of his life with his folks no intention of running af- This is something that did in Warrenton, and it was ter it or carrying it around matter. I mean, who else there that he met the love in his mouth). He could sit is going to look at me like of his life, George. With on demand, wag his tail I’m a genius or a superhe- his droopy, red tinged eyes, without thinking and drool ro? foot-long ears and size 12 on cue. When his registra- You were my hero, paws, he was a superb ex- tion papers came from the Frankie. It was my great ample of doggy handsome- American Kennel Club, fortune to know you and ness. they sent along a pam- to love you, and you will Frank and George went phlet on bloodhounds and live in my heart and in my on long trips together, and WKH¿UVWFKDSWHUZDVWLWOHG memories forever. Adios, )UDQN KDG ¿YH VWDWHV XQ- “Welcome to the Won- my friend. der his collar by the time derful World of Blood- In lieu of milk bones, he was 3 years old. It was hounds”; you’ll never have Frank would want you to called to his attention at a clean house again. take some time each day to one point that only three Frank was very good at give a gentle pat or a lov- states counted because he magic tricks, which he oc- ing hug to your friend, and did love the occasional casionally would demon- maybe, occasionally leave snooze, and George felt strate. By my count, three the room while a meatloaf Adios, my friend is cooling. A special thanks to Dr. Hasse at Safe Haven Vet Hospital and her staff for their kindness and help at the worst of times. And thank you to Laroy and Katie Smith for their love and support. George Gideon Seaside Thank you To the editor, Re: “Free confer- ence gave local woman WINGS” (Seaside Signal, Feb. 20): The AAUW of Astoria and Seaside want to say a big thank you to the EO Media Group for publishing Andrew Tonry’s story about Nichole Soares, a 2010 WINGS graduate. Her front page story of struggle and triumph res- onated with local wom- en who signed up for this year’s March 7 WINGS Conference, co-hosted by Clatsop Community Col- lege and AAUW. Designed for Wom- en Interested in Going to School, our all-day free conference was attended by over 50 women this year. They received infor- mation on all aspects of returning to school and en- joyed free lunch, child care DQGHGXFDWLRQDOEHQH¿WVWR help get them started in the process. One hundred local busi- nesses and individuals do- nated money and/or door prizes this year, an out- standing contribution to opening the gateway to a promising and productive future for these women. Undoubtedly, the support we received with front page stories in The Daily Astorian, the Seaside Sig- nal and the Cannon Beach Gazette facilitated the largesse from our donors and the enthusiastic turn- out of the 2015 women of WINGS. Thank you so much. 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