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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2016)
June 24, 2016 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 5A Time to get our heads out from under the sand Existing city bridges I as well as Highway 101 recently attended the disaster preparedness meeting conducted by State of Oregon that was sponsored by the City of Astoria. This meeting was well attended and was covered by the Seaside Signal. The potential Cascadia 9.0 earthquake and 80 foot tsunami with a 40 percent chance of happening in the next 50 years was, understandably, the subject of most audience’s interest. Because it is not directly on the coast, Astoria is more concerned about the impact of the earthquake than the tsunami. Residents were shocked to hear that the impact of the earthquake alone is likely to generate landslides, which will cut off any road access to the entire north coast for months. It is also expected that power transmission lines servicing the North Coast will be downed for at least a year and that lo- cal water, sewer and road bridges will be nonfunctional for many months. North Coast beach communities could suffer these same impacts plus the devastating impacts of a tsunami. Based on geological research, major GUEST COLUMN JOHN DUNZER tsunamis have occurred 41 times in Seaside with an average occurrence every 300 years. Our last seaside tsunami occurred over 300 years ago as documented by records kept by the Japanese. The 15 minutes between a Cascadia fault earthquake and the arrival of a tsunami will allow many Seasiders and visitors to reach high ground on foot (any motorized escape is unlikely because of gridlock and bridge failures). If you are south of Av- enue I, you can probably reach a safe height on Sunset Drive on Tillamook Head by a quick walk. If you are east of Neawanna Creek, you can reach high ground by a quick walk going east on Cooper, Broadway or Lewis and Clark. If you are north of Avenue I and west of the creek, your escape will involve crossing either the creek or the river or both. Existing city bridges as well as Highway 101 bridges are not presently designed to survive a strong earthquake like Cascadia. It is unlikely that earthquake victims in the major portion of Seaside can reach safety regardless of what the city or state evacuation route map presently describes because these escape routes and the siren system were designed to work with a distant tsunami from Hawaii or Alaska. For the majority of Seaside residents and visitors in a local Cascadia earthquake and tsunami, these routes are nothing more than a pipe dream. What is required is a ver- tical escape parking structure next to the convention center, but this has been deleted by the City of Seaside. The school district will propose again that property owners pony up $100 million to acquire land, develop new infrastructure and rebuild schools above the tsunami inundation zone. But students only spend a small por- tion of their time in school and most actually live in homes that are within the tsunami inundation area. Is this the bridges are not presently designed to survive a strong earthquake like Cascadia. best use for scarce resources to provide safety? With half the investment the new safe schools could be built above Seaside Heights Elementary School parking lot, but the school board has deleted this alternative. The City of Seaside is going to spend millions to rebuild the Avenue U Bridge across the river. A quick look at a city map will illustrate that the Avenue U Bridge is totally useless in a Cascadia tsunami evacuation. Anyone west of the bridge would be much closer to safety by proceeding to Sunset Blvd., up to Tillamook Head. Is this the best use for scarce resources? Wouldn’t a better use of this money be to make our other existing bridges, which are essential for the safety of residents and visitors, to survive a major earthquake? The City of Seaside may expand the Seaside Civic and Convention Cen- ter without any additional parking or without any consideration of state law that requires design features to mitigate tsunami impacts. The City of Seaside has spent countless public hearings and consultant fees to expand the boundar- ies of the city to handle future growth, but all the population data for the last six to seven years shows that there has been no growth at all in population; and other than pot shops and thrift shops, most local commercial needs are being met by the expansion of the regional shopping complex in Warren- ton. The list can go on and on. Do you, the voters and taxpayers, really want this type of local government or do you just want to keep your heads buried in the sand? John Dunzer is a candidate for Clatsop County Board of Commission- ers, District 2. OBITUARIES Steven Lee Wucherpfennig Prentice L. ‘Bill’ Wallace Mary Doty Anderson Dec. 10, 1948 — June 8, 2016 Nov. 6, 1925 — Feb. 7, 2016 May 6, 1931 — June 3, 2016 It is with great sadness that the family of Steve Wucherpfennig announces his passing on the morning on June 8, 2016, at the age of 67. He spent his last earthly days enjoying a bowl of pop- corn, a Diet Coke, and had his family at his side. Steve will be lovingly remembered by the love of his life and wife of almost 40 years, Sharon, whom he met in Fairbanks, and was married at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alas- ka. He will also be great- ly missed by his children, Christy Wucherpfennig and Leesa Wright, and son-in- law Jim Wright. Papa will also be remembered fondly for his jokes and silly nature by his grandchildren, Mia and EJ Wright. Steve is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Dave, Chuck, Ann, Theresa, Julie and Pat. Steve started his journey to become a long-standing and well-loved member of the Seaside community when he moved here in 1983 to manage the Sprouse Ritz store. From there he worked in various roles and was in- volved in the Elks Club, as well as the American Legion. Steven Wucherpfennig He always had a smile, sar- castic joke, and/or laugh for anyone who crossed his path. Steve is a spirit that will be truly missed by all of his fam- ily and friends. He worked hard to provide and care for his family, and loved them all the way through to his last breath and beyond. However, his love and jokes will be car- ried on by his family, friends, and everyone who was bless- ed to know him. His family will be hold- ing a celebration of life from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, at the Seaside American Legion. Hughes-Ransom Mortu- ary in Seaside is in charge of the arrangements. Go to www.hughes-ransom.com to share memories and sign the guest book. Prentice L. “Bill” Wal- lace was born on Nov. 6, 1925, in Portland, Oregon. He passed away on Feb. 7, 2016, in Seaside, Oregon. Bill spent many years in the service of the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of com- mander. He was extremely proud of his military ser- vice. After retiring from a long career in public educa- tion, Bill and his wife, Don- na, owned and operated an oceanfront motel in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Many of their guests became lifelong friends. After again retiring in 1980, Bill and Donna enjoyed many travel adven- tures in the U.S. and abroad. Bill was an avid golfer who took pride in his golf trophy collection and the hole-in-one he got on his 69th birthday. He enjoyed woodworking projects, making a number of furni- ture pieces for the family. We remember with some humor how his little red rowboat — so carefully constructed in the basement — barely made it up the narrow stairway to enjoy the light of day. Bill is survived by The Bob Chisholm Com- munity Center in Seaside is in the process of raising $80,000 for the Main Hall Refresh Project. The building is an es- sential part of our commu- nity and we are keeping the beautiful glulam beams, as well as the tongue in groove ceiling. This old girl desper- ately needs updated lighting, flooring, wall coverings and window treatments so she will be able to accommo- date the next generation of events, meetings, classes, parties and weddings — big or small. We are reaching out to our generous community for their help. Your donation is tax-deductible and checks can be made payable to Sun- set Park & Recreation Foun- dation, PO Box 514, Seaside, Oregon 97138. Donors of $500 or more will have their name engraved on a bronze leaf of the Donor Recogni- tion Tree that will be perma- nently displayed in the main hall after the renovation. daughters Cathy Wallace, Sandra Iovanne and Wen- dy Intiso; sons-in-law Tom Iovanne and Patrick Intiso; six grandchildren; and four great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, in 2006. Interment for both Bill and Donna will be at Willa- mette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 16, 2016, at 11 a.m. Memorials in honor of Bill’s life may be made to Lower Columbia Hospice, 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103, or to a charity of your choice. Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. And online guest book may be signed at www.cald- wellsmortuary.com Mary Anderson Doty; and two grandchildren, Daniel Doty and Katy Doty. BUSINESS DIRECTORY F LOORING Randall Lee’s 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE Window Treatments, Fabric, Designer Wallpaper, Visit Our Counter Tops, All Flooring and Miele Vacuums Outlet! 2311 N. Roosevelt Dr., Seaside, OR 97138 • 503-738-5729 rlfl ooring @ yahoo.com • www.RandallLeesFlooring.com Randall Lee’s Flooring Outlet • 3579 Hwy 101 Gearhart • 503-738-6756 Warehouse pricing • Open to the Public • Hundreds of instock rolls & remnants • In House Binding L ANDSCAPING LETTERS Chisolm Center refresh is worth supporting Prentice “Bill” Wallace Mary Doty Anderson was the daughter of Marion Bar- ney Sr. and Ruth Barney, and sister of Marion Barney Jr. and Robert Barney. Both brothers preceded Mary in death. Mary loved books and was an avid reader. She is the only daughter of one of the irst pioneer families in Oregon, and she is listed in the book “Who’s Who in Oregon.” Mary is survived by her husband, Jack; two sons, Richard Doty and Steven ROBERT CAIN LD, I have had the privilege of serving on the nine-mem- ber Community Center com- mission since 1991 with our last update to the building in 1995. This building de- serves to be a compliment to our community and the sur- rounding rental facilities. Please stop by today and see what is in store for this grand old building and thank you in advance for being a part of such an exciting proj- ect. Piper O’Brien Seaside 45 Years of Experience Laurelwood Compost • Mulch • Planting MacMix Soil Amendments TWO LOCATIONS SEASIDE & HILLSBORO YARD DEBRIS DROP-OFF (no Scotch Broom) 503-717-1454 740 Ave H • Ste 2 • Seaside 232 NE Lincoln • Ste B • Hillsboro 34154 HIGHWAY 26 SEASIDE, OR FREE CONSULTATION • Dentures for all ages, New, Partials and Custom Dentures • Dentures for implants • Relines & Repairs • Denture repairs done same day! • Personal service and attention to detail Open Wednesday and Friday • 9-4:30 • 503-738-7710 CELEBRATE FREEDOM FOURTH OF JULY! Laurelwood Farm C ONSTRUCTION B OB M C E WAN C ONSTRUCTION , INC . E XCAVATION • U NDERGROUND U TIITIES R OAD W ORK • F ILL M ATERIAL S ITE P REPARATION • R OCK OWNED AND OPERATED BY M IKE AND C ELINE M C E WAN 503-738-3569 34154 Hwy 26, Seaside, OR P.O. Box 2845, Gearhart, OR S ERVING THE P ACIFIC N ORTHWEST S INCE 1956 • CC48302 NEW PARADE ROUTE! 11 AM 11 AM - 3 PM 2 PM 10 PM Parade Old Fashioned Social at Seaside Museum Free Concert/Broadway Field Fireworks on the Beach M ASONRY NW Masonry Chimney Repair Chimney Repair for all types of Masonry Work Call JERID for FREE ESTIMATES 503-455-2599 CCB# 203499OR WALIC# NWMASMC846JQ S easide Fireworks Fund Committee BUSINESS DIRECTORY
