OUR 112th Year
SEASIDESIGNAL.COM
April 26, 2019
District
unveils $22M
school budget
Kids race for the eggs at Broadway Field
By KATHERINE LACAZE
For Seaside Signal
The Seaside School District is proposing
a $22.2 million budget for the 2019-20 fi s-
cal year to continue pursuing the district’s
top priorities and strategic plan adopted in
November, superintendent Sheila Roley
explained during the budget committee’s
fi rst meeting April 16.
“Our budget is clearly based on the core
values of our district to provide our students
with equitable, safe learning environments,
an engaging and well-rounded education,
and a focus on collective wellness and com-
munity partnerships as we pursue our mis-
sion of strengthening community, inspiring
possibility, ensuring opportunity,” Roley
stated in her budget message.
During the meeting, held directly before
the district’s regular board meeting, budget
manager Justine Hill reviewed the proposed
budget, large portions of which contain no
major changes. The budget committee is
comprised of several community mem-
bers, business owners, and parents of stu-
dents currently served by the district; mem-
bers include Kelli Brenden, Darrell Walker,
Nancy McCune, Cathy Peinhardt, Mary
See Budget, Page A7
EGG HUNT
By R.J. MARX
Seaside Signal
Leaders share concerns of
shortages, costs
T
hey’re
jockeying
into position, clos-
ing into the line,
elbowing each other
aside —
And those were
just the parents.
Families converged on Broadway
Park on Saturday for Seaside’s annual
egg hunt, an event presented by the
Sunset Empire Park and Recreation
District.
The district’s Darren Gooch hasn’t
missed an egg hunt in 16 years. He
provided patter for the crowd from the
Broadway Field press box.
The Easter bunny was much in
demand, posing for photos with ador-
ing fans.
Today’s 54-degree temperature was
perfect for the crowds — 600 to 800
kids, with an additional 1,000 parents,
grandparents and onlookers from Sea-
side, Clatsop County and beyond.
The fi eld, fi lled with 6,000 eggs, was
divided into fi ve areas divided by age
group, from newborns to older kids,
executive director Skyler Archibald
said.
While the youngest children received
parental assistance, the older children
were on their own, baskets in hand.
One egg in each area came with a
special prize, Archibald added.
Volunteer Barbara Murray had one
of the toughest tasks: she stood inside
Rep. Bonamici
at housing
listening session
By R.J. MARX
Seaside Signal
Eve Marx
A four-legged friend accompanies this youngster.
the roped areas before the egg hunt
began.
“My job is to make sure they don’t
go early or push anyone away,” Murray
said.
As the clock struck 10:30, the race
was on, parents and toddlers fi rst, then
the preschoolers and older kids.
Kids raced onto the fi eld in waves,
collecting eggs in baskets, bags, hood-
ies and pockets.
And in minutes, the fi elds were
picked clean.
Proud children displayed their bounty
and parents snapped family selfi es.
Alas, a few tears came from young-
sters who came up short.
Luckily, siblings had enough to
share, so everyone went away with a
smile, and a lasting memory.
How can the federal government help
ease the North Coast’s housing crunch?
U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici came to
Seaside Tuesday, April 16, as part of a series
of visits along the Coast. The goal was to
crack the code of the South County’s ongo-
ing housing crisis, one which sees a dearth
of affordable workforce housing — a prob-
lem hindering economic development, lead-
ing to a rise in homelessness and higher
housing costs.
“Oregon and much of the nation is fac-
ing this affordability crisis,” Bonamici said.
“There are so many issues that contribute:
inadequate housing stock, new units are
often unaffordable, especially for the middle
and lower income households. The federal
support for the cost burden is insuffi cient
and frankly declining, and income growth
has failed to keep pace with housing costs
and other expenses.”
Her remarks were echoed by those in
attendance, including Warrenton Mayor
Henry Balensifer, Helping Hands Re-En-
try and Outreach Center Executive Director
Alan Evans and Clatsop County Commis-
sioner Lianne Thompson. Kevin Leahy of
Clatsop Economic Development Resources
hosted the event.
Thompson suggested using federal and
state forestlands to build housing throughout
See Housing, Page A7
Write On Seaside! promotes library access, programs
By KATHERINE LACAZE
For Seaside Signal
Eight local authors shared
their work and insight into
the literary process in a writ-
ers extravaganza during a
community event to raise
money to support library
services and programs in
Seaside and the surround-
ing area.
The third annual Write
On Seaside!, a fundraiser for
the Seaside Public Library
Foundation and Libraries
Rural Outreach in Clatsop
County, was held April 14 at
the Seaside Civic and Con-
vention Center.
“Libraries are one of the
last places on the planet
where you can get things
for free,” said Melissa
Eskue-Ousley, chair of the
foundation’s board. She
referenced several of Sea-
side’s services and pro-
grams, such as checking
out books, DVDs and audio
books; attending storytime
and Teen Tuesday, featur-
ing a slate of engaging proj-
ects for youth; and using
computers and accessing the
Internet.
“Libraries really do
serve the entire commu-
nity,” Eskue-Ousley said.
“They serve all of us. That’s
one of the reasons I support
libraries.”
The local authors who
See Write On, Page A7
Katherine Lacaze
Astoria Library Director Jimmy Pearson, Warrenton Community Library Manager Nettie-Lee
Calog, and Seaside Public Library Director Esther Moberg give the opening presentation at
Write On Seaside!