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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 2019)
Friday, October 25, 2019 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com • A3 County leaders reflect on new state tsunami building policy By EMILY LINDBLOM The Astorian Leaders in Clatsop County say they wouldn’t want to build new schools or police and fi re stations in the path of a tsunami, although Oregon now allows it. Cannon Beach Mayor Sam Steidel said he was dis- appointed when the Leg- islature repealed a nearly 25-year-old ban on the con- struction of critical facilities in tsunami inundation zones in June. “It seems very irrespon- sible to allow for public buildings to be built in an area known to be danger- ous,” Steidel said, adding he didn’t feel there was enough discussion about the issue before the repeal. Seaside Mayor Jay Bar- ber shared Steidel’s dis- appointment. “We are dis- mayed by the action to eradicate the ban before really having something else to offer,” he said. Seaside is relocating schools outside of the tsu- nami inundation zone, as well as a water reservoir, with space for emergency radio communications, emergency medical techni- cians and fi re services. “But we do know the state is preparing to meet with local leaders to discuss what is needed in the inun- dation zones,” Barber said. Gov. Kate Brown’s offi ce plans to hold a meeting with local leaders this month about creating new stan- dards for construction in areas at risk in a tsunami. The new law was driven by coastal lawmakers, partic- ularly from the central coast, who said the ban could have signifi cant economic conse- quences for towns unable to build critical infrastructure. The state House and Sen- Colin Murphey Several bridges in Seaside have been determined to be insuffi cient in an earthquake or tsunami. ate voted overwhelmingly to repeal the ban. State Rep. Tiffi ny Mitchell, D-Astoria, and state Sen. Betsy John- son, D-Scappoose, voted for the repeal. Preparation Like Steidel and Bar- ber, Astoria Mayor Bruce Jones said he can’t see his city building any new pub- lic safety facilities in places where they could be fl ooded in a tsunami. However, Jones noted the state is in a transitional period in preparing for a potential Cascadia Subduc- tion Zone earthquake and the tsunami that’s expected to follow. He said he sees the new law as part of that pro- cess, not the fi nal word. “There’s a lot of work going on with the state right now, so we’re going to let this process play out,” he said. “Building public awareness and encourag- ing members of the commu- nity to have their own pre- paredness plan and supplies is an ongoing challenge, but I hope that in 2020 the city will focus more on prepara- tion and resilience.” Warrenton Mayor Henry Balensifer said he doesn’t think Warrenton would start developing new facilities in the tsunami area, but there are many factors to consider when deciding where to build, such as expense and accessibility. Warrenton’s police department, fi re department and city hall are located inside the inundation zone. “The fi re station isn’t likely to be moved because most of the fi refi ghters live in that area,” Balensifer said. “If there was a major tsunami, you’d have to con- sider whether the volun- teer fi refi ghters would even make it to the facility. Most of what the city of Warren- ton would be responding to would be underwater.” He added the city has almost maxed out its abil- ity to develop east of U.S. Highway 101, so in the future he’d be interested in expanding the city limits to include higher ground fur- ther east. According to Balensifer, the intent of the new law is Exploring the Oregon Film Trail The rugged, iconic coastline at Ecola State Park has played a star- ring role in several mov- ies, from the stormy fi nale of “Point Break” and a beachside stroll in “Twi- light” to a school carnival in “Kindergarten Cop” and the Fratelli family hideout in “The Goonies.” The Oregon Film Trail on Monday, Oct. 14, unveiled two signs mark- ing the park’s contribution to Hollywood history. Ecola fi lm sites Edward Stratton A new sign at Ecola State Park describes the scenes of “The Goonies” and “Kindergarten Cop” shot at the iconic viewpoint. “The Fisherman’s Bride” shot in Astoria. “There’s been 500 mov- ies shot in this state,” Wil- liams said. “We’re trying to recognize them in some way.” Teri Wing, the North Coast district manager for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, remembers working at a seasonal job at Fort Stevens and sneaking on set at Ecola during the two-week fi lm- ing of “Point Break.” She reminisced about spotting Patrick Swayze sitting in a hot tub and Keanu Reeves walking across a parking lot looking haggard. The two new signs at Ecola State Park make 12 on the Film Trail. The state hopes to raise up to 25 within the year and con- FREE TASTING Infused Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar & Gift Wrapping At WESTPORT WINERY Home of Seaside Kites All Ages Welcome — Daily 11-6 810 Broadway — 503-739-7322 nect them with a digital app that will guide people to the fi lming locations. “Each one of those stops along the way will have some kind of stories about it … have places to go along the way, local ven- dors, and hooking back into the (Oregon Film Museum) as we do all of this, so everything driving itself to fi lm tourism overall,” Wil- liams said. “We can use Astoria as a hub to send people out across the state and get a sense of what is a 500-movie, 110-year his- tory of fi lmmaking here in Oregon.” The 4-H Cloverbud pro- gram is an educational pro- gram designed especially for younger age youth. The program helps kids learn self-control, build self-con- fi dence, improve deci- sion-making skills, learn social skills and more. The program has about 20 Cloverbud-aged partic- ipants and seeks leaders to volunteer and help form clubs. An informational meet- ing on what 4-H leader- ship for this age group takes place Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. at the 4-H Club House by the Fair- grounds. For more infor- mation or directions, call the extension offi ce at 503-325-8573. Dog agility class Classy Canines 4-H Club holds the annual pub- lic-participation Dog Recre- ational Agility CGC Event (or “Dog R.A.C.E.”) on Sat- urday, Nov. 16, at the Clat- sop County Fairgrounds and Expo Center arena. This event gives dogs and their owners a chance to try some beginning level dog agility. There will also be an opportunity for participants to test for the American Kennel Club Canine “good citizen” or “trick title” certifi - cation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This dog activity day will be No previous experience is needed. Par- are ticipants asked to help to put the equipment away at the end of the day. The competitions will feature ribbons for the top placements. A spectacu- lar prize drawing will take place after lunch. Pro- ceeds from the fun compe- titions and the drawing will be donated to River Song Foundation. There will also be ven- dors organized by Angels for Sara Sanctuary Spectators are welcome. For more information or to donate to the drawing, please contact Sally Freeman at youngsriver@ yahoo.com or 503-325-7161 or text 503-308-2372 prior to the day of the event. DINING on the NORTH COAST Great Restaurants in: GEARHART • SEASIDE CANNON BEACH WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE LOCALS GO? • Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Junior Menu RESTAURANT & LOUNGE • Lighter appetite menu R I L EY’ S Ecola State Park has played host to several movie shoots. Oregon Film works with partners like Travel Ore- gon, the Oregon Coast Vis- itors Association and local agencies to place signs that identify iconic fi lming loca- tions and production facts. Astoria has signs for “The Goonies,” “Short Circuit” and “Kindergar- ten Cop.” The Hammond Marina has a sign for the escape scene in “Free Willy.” Tim Williams, the exec- utive director of Oregon Film, said the state agency tries to get fi lmmakers to work in Oregon, but also honors the 110-year history of fi lms shot in the state, starting with the 1909 fi lm HAPPENINGS IN BRIEF 4-H Cloverbud volunteer leaders needed By EDWARD STRATTON The Astorian to allow public buildings to be constructed in towns that don’t have land outside the tsunami or landslide zones. “It wasn’t designed to open the fl oodgates of emer- gency services to be built in the tsunami area, it was to enable exceptions,” he said. But Gearhart Mayor Matt Brown said the original ban already built in exceptions for towns that didn’t have other options. “I don’t really understand why Gov. Brown changed the law because you could always get an exception if you didn’t have an area above the tsunami line to build,” he said. Before the repeal, Gear- hart had already been work- ing with the state Depart- ment of Land Conservation & Development to amend its codes and ensure future crit- ical infrastructure is built at high enough elevations. “So even though the state got rid of it, we’ve had it in our city code,” Brown said. “That being said, even within our code there are also exceptions.” Chad Sweet, Gearhart’s city administrator, added the city plans to relocate its fi re station to a place above 60 feet but still within a close enough range to be able to respond to everyday calls. “Not allowing fi re depart- ments or police departments in tsunami inundation zones sounds like a good idea ini- tially, yet taking it away from people who need it could create problems in everyday life,” he said. Each community in Clat- sop County is different in its layout and exposure to potential tsunamis, so Sweet said maybe the state should provide a framework for preparedness and let each city make its own decisions. Disaster resilience Sarah Nebeker, the chair- woman of the county Board of Commissioners, said she thinks the repeal is a good start to look at the future safety of the county’s public buildings. “I understand this is not easy, there’s all kinds of issues with it,” she said. “But we see what happened with Seaside passing a bond to move the schools, so we see when people come together things work out.” Nebeker said she’s not aware of any new county buildings to be constructed in the tsunami zone. She added that Tiffany Brown, the county’s emergency manager, has been work- ing to inform herself and the county about improving the area’s disaster resilience. BEST BREAKFAST IN TOWN! 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 Every Saturday! Families Welcome. 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