6A • August 19, 2016 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com Flood map revisions could affect mortgage rates Maps from Page 1A “Each of the cities here that have been involved in this particular study area saw reduction,” said Jed Roberts, a fl ood mapping coordina- tor with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Warrenton’s Diking District No. 1 — now provisionally accredited by FEMA — boasts a 9.2 percent net reduction in fl ood hazard area; Gear- hart a 7.7 percent reduction; Seaside an 8 percent reduction; and Cannon Beach a 27 percent reduction. Robin Risley, a R ealtor who sits on the Cannon Beach and Clatsop County planning commissions, ex- pects many property owners in Sea- side and Cannon Beach to be “happi- ly surprised” by the results. Though some acreage was added to the fl ood plain, much of it is un- developable anyway, like property along the ocean that may be subject to high-force winds and wave im- pact, Hansen said. The county, she added, has al- ready mailed letters to property own- ers in unincorporated areas who will see a portion of their land added to the fl ood plain on the revised maps. A separate set of preliminary fl ood plain maps is undergoing a technical review funded by the cities of Warrenton and Astoria, Clatsop County, the Port of Astoria and Dik- ing District No. 9. The stakeholders argue the maps exaggerate the fl ood risk and would force property own- ers into paying extra in fl ood insur- ance. Check out the fl ood map revisions online: Go to http://maps.co.clat- sop.or.us/applications/ index.html Click on “Map Layers” tab and select “Draft FEMA Revisions 2016.” ‘A lot at stake’ The next step is a 90-day appeal period, which David Ratté, fl ood plain engineer with FEMA Region X, said he anticipates will begin in late September or early October when the agency publishes notifi - cations in two local papers of re- cord. Assuming FEMA doesn’t receive any signifi cant appeals, the agency ERICK BENGEL/EO MEDIA GROUP During Monday’s open house at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center, David Ratte, fl ood plain engineer with FEMA Region X, explains why the agency updated its fl ood insurance rate maps for the coastline of Clatsop County. will issue a letter of fi nal determina- tion to the communities either late this year or early next year. Then follows a six-month adop- tion period for communities to up- date their fl ood plain ordinances. At that point, the fl ood insurance rate maps become effective. Wingard urges anyone with con- cerns about the maps to raise them during the appeal process so the hearings on the ordinances during that crucial six-month window can play out uninterrupted. “Hopefully, folks will understand that the cities and the county have a lot at stake,” Wingard said. DINING SEASIDE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION Seth Morrissey Don Johnson runs on the NORTH COAST runs for re-election for new term Youngest councilor praises city’s ‘good mix’ Council president represents Ward 3 By R.J. Marx By R.J. Marx Seaside Signal Seaside Signal Seth Morrisey joined the Seaside City Council two years ago, replacing longtime councilor Stubby Lyons. Mor- risey announced his intention to run for a second term in Ward 4, a district representing East Wahanna, that is, “every- thing up on the hill” east of Highway 101. Morrisey, at 33 the young- est councilor, said he has en- joyed his service to date. “In politics, you’re always going to make someone mad, but I just try to do my best, and look at the issues objectively,” he said. “I’m trying to represent the people.” A Seaside High School grad, the 33-year-old Mor- risey studied business at Lane Community College and then Portland State University. He owns and manages a video production company and a search engine optimization company based in Portland. His wife, Aimee, is owner of Life Naturally, an online health food store. “Aside from being gone for college, I’ve been here all my life,” Morrisey said. “I’m the youngest guy on the board by a long shot. I think I bring a different perspective.” He said the current board is a good mix. “Young people sometimes think they know everything,” he said. “It’s good to have people with ex- perience to balance that.” Seaside Ward 3 Council- or Don Johnson is seeking for his fi fth term in Novem- ber. Johnson, as council president, is second in com- mand and liaison between the mayor and the council. He is serving his 16th year on the council. “My wife Annie said to me, ‘Why are you doing this?’” Johnson, 64, said. “I said, ‘This is my hobby.’ She said, ‘When it’s not your hobby, that’s when you’re quitting.” The lifelong Seaside resident works as head cus- todian at Astor Elementary School. Johnson identifi ed hous- ing as the council’s biggest issue facing the city. “We’re trying to establish work- force housing,” he said. “ We’ve worked very well to be come as popular a des- tination as we are, but now we have to fi gure out how to get workforce housing so (employees) can live in the area and go to work.” Johnson said the pro- posed Seaside School Dis- trict bond to move schools out of the tsunami inunda- tion zone was not a City Council issue. Instead, he invited an increased state and federal emergency pre- paredness role. “Look at Ja- pan, how bad they were hit — and they were prepared,” R.J. MARX/SEASIDE SIGNAL Seth Morrisey The most contentious issue he’s considered so far was a proposal to charge panhan- dlers and street merchants a licensing fee. “I don’t think it’s heading anywhere,” he said. “I think the opposition was real- ly outspoken and there was no one really in support of it.” Morrisey said he has yet to make up his mind about a pro- posed room tax plan to fi nance a $15-million convention center upgrade plan. “I don’t decide in advance what I want to do, but try to listen to the constituents,” he said. “People were adamant- ly opposed to the old plan. They felt they didn’t have a say in it. I’m going to wait and see what people think.” City’s tsunami prepared- ness measures are a “work in progress,” Morrisey said. “I think we’re ahead of most areas in term of what we’ve done, but the problem is the only way to properly prepare is to move the whole city up on the hill. That’s not going to happen. We’re in an in-be- tween zone where we’ve done what we can but we have to keep working toward it.” Great Restaurants in: GEARHART SEASIDE CANNON BEACH R.J. MARX/SEASIDE SIGNAL Don Johnson at a presenta- tion at Seaside City Council. he said. “It’s beyond the scope of the city.” Four bridges in Seaside have been replaced in the last decade, he said. “There’s just so much a city can do without putting a huge bur- den on our residents.” Members of the Seaside City Council are in tune with each other. “We agree to dis- agree, and it’s fi ne, move on to the next step,” Johnson said. “We’re friends as well as colleagues.” A $15 million expansion of the convention center “is the next big thing,” Johnson said. The plan could be fund- ed by an increase in the city’s room tax rate. Despite past discussion, it is unlikely the city will pursue an itinerant merchant ordinance, he said. An ordi- nance would have created a fee schedule for street ven- dors, performers and others. ’“I’ll just do my best,” Johnson said. “Go to meet- ings and try to make the right decisions. I think I’ve done OK so far.” NATIONALLY FAMOUS CLAM CHOWDER • FRESH OREGON SEAFOOD R E STAU R A N T S CANNON BEACH 503-436-1111 Ocean Front at Tolovana Park www.moschowder.com Discover Patty’s Wicker Cafe on the Beautiful Necanicum River BREAKFAST & LUNCH MONDAY thru FRIDAY 6AM to 2PM Great Atmosphere •  Great Food • Great Prices 600 Broadway Suite 7 & 8 • 503.717.1272 Candidates invited to run for Seaside City Council Three City Council seats are open in Seaside. A position is available for councilor Ward 1 and 2, Pre- cinct 37 and 38; a position is available for councilor Ward 3, Precinct 39; position is available for councilor Ward 4, Precinct 40 A city councilor shall be a registered voter in Seaside and shall have resided in the City during the 12 months immediately before being ap- pointed to offi ce. To qualify for council of- fi ce, the candidate must reside in the ward or wards which the council position rep- resents, and must continue to reside there through the term of offi ce for which the coun- cilor is elected or appointed. The council is composed of seven members, six coun- cilors elected from four city wards and a mayor elected at large. Each councilor, includ- ing the mayor, is entitled to make motions, participate in debate, and to vote on every subject which is to be decided by a vote of the council, ex- cept as limited by confl ict or potential confl ict of interest. The council is the poli- cy-making body of the city. The council speaks with one voice or not at all; many deci- sions are not unanimous, but once voted upon defi ne the position of the entire council. The council meets at least once a month. The usual procedure is to meet in the council chambers at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mon- days of each month. Council- ors should plan at least three hours of preparation before each meeting. An additional meeting may be held on the fi fth Monday of months hav- ing fi ve Mondays, except Me- morial Day. Special meetings of the council may be called at any time with 24 hours notice. The Improvement Com- mission consists of the seven council members and sev- en appointees. Usual proce- dure is to meet in the council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. the fi rst Wednesday of each month. For more informa- tion or if you are interest- ed in applying please come to Seaside City Hall, 989 Broadway and speak to Admin- istrative Assistant Kim Jordan, It is recommended that all forms and petitions be turned in at least one to two weeks in advance. Petitions must be fi led by Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. Excellence in family dining found from a family that has been serving the North Coast for the past 52 years Great Great Great Homemade pasta, Clam Breakfast, lunch and but that’s dinner steaks & Chowder, not all... menu,too! seafood! Salads! Seaside • 323 Broadway • 738-7234 (Open 7 Days) Cannon Beach • 223 S. Hemlock 436-2851 (7am-3pm Daily) Astoria • 146 W. Bond • 325-3144 WANNA KNOW WHERE THE LOCALS GO? • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner BEST BREAKFAST IN TOWN! • Lighter appetite menu • Junior Something for Everyone menu Fish ‘n Chips • Burgers • Seafood & Steak Friday & Saturday - Prime Rib Lounge Open Daily 9-Midnight All Oregon Lottery products available 1104 S Holladay • 503-738-9701 • Open Daily at 8am Seaside High School class of 1966 celebrates reunion Seaside High School, class of 1966, will be celebrating its 50-year class reunion Saturday, Sept. 10, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Seaside. Graduating class- mates from any year are welcome to attend with their family and friends. Cost is $20. Reservations are re- quired. A no-host bar will be available along with a barbeque and a buffet of hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers (in- cluding condiments), a salad bar and lots more. Coordinators for the reunion have made possible several ways to RSVP. Reservations can be mailed to P.O. Box 6625, Portland, Oregon 97228; by calling 503-246-3398; by email to myrafurnishlee@comcast.net; or through the Facebook or Classmates websites at SeasideHighSchoolClas- sof196650yearreunion. For additional information, con- tact Myra Furnish Lee at 503-246- 3398. The American Legion Post 99 is located at 1315 Broadway. MAZATLAN M E X I C A N R E S TA U R A N T Phone 503-738-9678 1445 S. Roosevelt Drive • Seaside