A4 • Friday, April 30, 2021 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com
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No place to go for homeless
SEEN FROM SEASIDE
R.J. MARX
“Martha Stewart doesn’t live here,”
reads a makeshift sign posted to a tree
in a Mill Ponds encampment. A tangled
picket fence made out of sticks creates an
outer border and sense of space. Nearby,
a tent, pizza box and a scattered col-
lection of personal belongings. A vase
filled with fresh flowers lends a splash of
color under the pine branches. The Sig-
nal spoke to Jeremy Garcia, who set up
the camp.
Q: How long have you been here?
A: Oh, since last year.
Q: Are you working? Are you look-
ing for work?
A: I’m absolutely looking for work.
Q: What do you do?
A: I worked at all three Presbyterian
Photos by R.J. Marx
hospitals in Albuquerque (New Mexico),
and I did the fire alarm system and elec- ABOVE: Jeremy Garcia in front of the tent he shares with his wife and their dog at the Mill
trical systems. I also worked at America Ponds. RIGHT: Garcia at his camp site at Mill Ponds.
Online before they went under. I was a
coach. I had six teams of 30 people.
government. What we do is, we can a lot. I get over the lack of a phone. The lack of a
Q: Did you say your wife’s here with do get food stamps. But we struggle a lot of phone really, really does me under.
you?
the time. She has a son in Washington that
Q: The Seaside City Council is
A: She’s out right now. But she’s nor- she helps out with whatever money she can addressing homelessness now on a city-
mally here.
send him.
wide level. Do you have thoughts on that?
Q: That’s a beautiful bouquet by the
Q: If I can ask you, how did you lose
A: I’m also an advocate for the home-
tent.
your digs in Albuquerque?
less. I can go two ways with it. If they’re
A: Those are her ﬂ owers. It’s not like,
A: I started having grand mal seizures. on drugs, they need to be harassed. But if
“Oh, I screwed up and got her ﬂ owers.” I And I fell down at work, split my hand they’re not on drugs, then there’s no reason
didn’t screw up, they’re just a present.
open, split my head open. They said “you that the police should continue to harass
Q: How do you handle food? Do you are now a liability,” and they ﬁ red me.
them knowing that they are not a threat. So
have some savings or any money? Do you
Q: Are you entitled to medical beneﬁ ts I’m kind of trying to ﬁ ght that battle right
get some welfare checks or food stamps? or insurance?
now.
A: Not even, not even. My wife really
A: Since I moved to Oregon, I got a
A lot of the drug addicts around here
doesn’t believe in taking money from the lawyer in Portland. I haven’t been able to kind of got mad at us because we told them
we don’t want needles out here. I’ve been
picking up all the needles and caps, and all
the drug paraphernalia, getting sharps con-
tainers, disposing of it correctly. I just do it
on my own. I lived a lifestyle in the past of
the same sort, but I had enough respect to
keep all that stuﬀ out of the eye of the pub-
lic, out of the eye of the children. We don’t
want drugs out here. Those guys wrecked
the place. If it wasn’t for all the trash they
left behind, we would be welcome here.
Q: Would you live in a house if
available?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Would you live in a trailer?
A: Absolutely.
Q: So you don’t want to be here?
You’re not camping for fun.
A: No. I can work for room and board.
My wife and I, we’re both fully capable.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Incumbents will lead park
district to full potential
We always feel a deep sense of respect
and admiration for citizens who step up to
serve their community in elected positions.
These are often thankless jobs and are often
caught up in controversy and criticism.
Saying all that we are thanking all of the
candidates for the Sunset Empire Park and
Recreation District, 5 incumbents and ﬁ ve
challengers who have been willing to step
up to serve.
We will be voting for the ﬁ ve incum-
bents in this case: Su Coddington, Celeste
Tuhy Bodner, Michael A Hinton, Erika
Marshall Hamer and Katharine Parker.
These ﬁ ve directors made a bold deci-
sion to purchase the old Broadway Middle
School in an eﬀ ort to preserve this land for
public use and to expand the recreational
and childcare needs of the district.
A controversial decision for sure! Some
think irresponsible others think bold and
farsighted. The district now owns that prop-
erty and what we haven’t heard from any of
the challengers is what their plan or strat-
egy is to develop and utilize the property
the district now owns. Do they plan to give
it back to the school district?
On the other hand, the SEPRD board
and their executive director are proceeding
with aggressive plans and ﬁ nancial analy-
sis on how best to utilize the facility to best
serve the taxpayers in the district. We, as
taxpayers in the district would like to give
the directors and the leadership of the dis-
trict the opportunity to see this project out
to its full potential.
Let’s not change horses in midstream!
Jay and Jan Barber
Seaside
Will work to provide
foresight, insight, oversight
In response to Michael Hinton’s let-
ter to the editor, let’s just set a few things
straight.
The Sunset Empire Park and Recreation
district should focus on services to the pub-
lic as a whole and should beneﬁ t every-
one equally, without preferences for niche
groups. If the park district is currently oper-
ating equitably, why are discounts given to
city employees? Employees, living within
and outside the park district, are oﬀ ered
services for almost half of what residents
are charged. Is this fair and equitable?
Michael Hinton states “We’ve saved our
residents about $14 million and will gener-
ate millions in revenue that feed our local
economy.” The current board borrowed
$2.5 million to purchase Broadway Mid-
dle School. The estimate they obtained in
December 2020 indicated that $5.2 mil-
lion in repairs would be required for the
severely damaged structure, antiquated
heating system and asbestos removal. The
insurance company had “major concerns
moving forward” and indicated that “before
the building should even be considered for
any occupancy/use” they should “wait for
the structural report” and “follow through
with (possible) repairs on the following
items,” asbestos, roofs, structural issues,
and HVAC. The insurance company would
not insure the building for replacement
value, and oﬀ ers no additional coverages
for debris and pollution cleanup. Where are
the millions in savings Mr. Hinton is allud-
ing to?
Hinton indicates that the ﬂ ex-lease uti-
lized to purchase Broadway Middle School
“is a manageable debt within a carefully
crafted budget.” Tens of thousands of tax-
payer dollars have been spent on consul-
tants and contractors, and still no busi-
ness plan. The district is actively searching
for a consultant to ﬁ gure out a use for the
already purchased property. Their request
for proposal indicates “the district is pre-
pared to budget and fund the repayment
of the loan, but in order to implement the
HABU (highest and best use) recommenda-
tions, the district will need to identify other
revenue sources including but not necessar-
ily limited to grants, tenant improvement
contributions, appropriate collaborative
investment agreements, etc.” There is and
never has been a plan for the property, just
a snap decision to purchase it.
Contrary to Mr. Hinton’s comments,
none of the above is misinformation. The
data was obtained through a public records
request from Sunset Empire Park and Rec-
reation. Hinton stating that the district tax
rate was established in 1969 is misinforma-
tion. It was established in 1997, after the
passage on Measure 47/50 and a previous
failed bond measure.
I will work for a dedicated capital bud-
get for renovation, rather than relying
on loans, and ﬁ ght for a ﬁ ve-year capital
spending budget. I will invest in the pool
to reduce the nearly $1 million in person-
nel services and materials required to run
it. I will team with local organizations in
the development of outdoor hiking and bik-
ing trails. I will work on the foresight of
the district, provide insight and oversight to
ensure prudent use of all assets, people and
good will towards the community.
Its time for a change and I ask to be con-
sidered for your vote.
Patrick Duhachek
Seaside
Insensitive lyrics,
inappropriate music at pool
According to CNN, 47 mass killings
have occurred in a month from March 16
through April 16. On Tuesday, March 30,
one of the songs being played in the pool
during the 10 o’clock swim was “Pumped
Up Kicks,” by Foster The People. Some of
the lyrics go like this:
“All the other kids with the pumped up
kicks
You better run, better run, out run my
gun
You better run, better run, faster than my
bullet.”
I sent two emails regarding this incident.
One to board chair Katharine Parker who,
“thanked me for my feedback” and told me
to “have a great evening!” (Is that all the
board chair had to say about this egregious
situation? Are you kidding me?)
The other email went to Justin Smith the
pool manager. I am relieved to report that
Justin responded to my email because the
music being played the next day was far
more appropriate.
However, the mere fact that the life-
guards on duty are at liberty to even play
this sort of music, (and I use the term
“music” loosely), needs to be addressed.
Once again I ask the board to establish
strict guidelines as to the genre of music to
be played. Furthermore, the music should
be appropriate for those who are using the
pool. I don’t think, “Highway to Hell” by
AC/DC is an appropriate selection for any
audience, especially the morning arthri-
tis class being held in the therapy pool! I
would also ask that gangsta rap, indie pop
and heavy metal also be prohibited from
being played at any time.
Marti Wajc
Seaside
Be sure to vote
Next week we will receive our voters’
pamphlet and ballot for this year’s special
election. This election chooses leaders for
our community college, local school dis-
tricts, port, water, health and ﬁ re districts,
parks and rec, and transportation services.
These folks will be responsible for lead-
ing our agencies in carrying out the ser-
vices we depend on every day. This is what
citizen-led government is all about. Read
the voters’ pamphlet, make sure you’re a
registered voter, then vote. Voting is our
responsibility as citizens.
The voters’ pamphlet will be mailed Fri-
day April 23, ballots mailed Thursday April
29, last day to register is Tuesday April 27,
and ballots are due by election day Tues-
day May 18. Ballots can be mailed, or
dropped oﬀ at 7 convenient local election
drop boxes around the county. If you use a
drop box your ballot must be in the box by
8 p.m. of election day. Voting is our most
basic act of citizenship. Not voting is giv-
ing up your voice.
Rebecca Read
Seaside
It’s ‘Time for a Change’
at park district
Reelect!
Folks, this is not correct. Reelect does
not honestly label the four ladies running
for the Sunset Empire Park and Recreaction
District board. You cannot reelect someone
if they were never elected. Only one person
on the current board was elected and he has
been there for 19 years; maybe it’s time for
a change. The rest were hand-selected.
Sure, they will tell you it was a rigorous
selection. I know this is not true. I was on
the board for a short time and I was elected.
I won my seat by talking to the voters and
promising I would do my best for them.
Unfortunately, I was asked to leave because
I was told we would not be able to replace
the pool instructors if they quit; as they had
promised to do if the board forced them to
get certiﬁ ed. I didn’t believe this was the
case so I posted an ad in the Nextdoor app
to see if there was anyone who might be
interested. I was told I had to resign, not
realizing a recall was the only way I could
be removed.
Reelect is an untruth and they are aware
of this lie.
Under the direction and encouragement
of the executive director, this board spent
taxpayers money like it grows on trees. The
purchase of a very old questionable unsafe
building. They paid $2.5 million of tax-
payer money and say they saved you mil-
lions. Time for a Change.
Lindsey Morrison
Seaside
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Contact local agencies for latest meeting
information and attendance guidelines.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5
TUESDAY, MAY 4
Seaside Urban Renewal Budget meeting,
6 p.m., City Hall, 989 Broadway.
Seaside Planning Commission, 6 p.m., 989
Broadway.
Seaside Improvement Commission, 6 p.m.,
City Hall, 989 Broadway.
CIRCULATION
MANAGER
Jeremy Feldman
ADVERTISING
SALES MANAGER
Sarah Silver-
Tecza
PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Kari Borgen
R.J. Marx
PRODUCTION
MANAGER
CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS
John D. Bruijn
Skyler Archibald
Darren Gooch
Joshua Heineman
Rain Jordan
Katherine Lacaze
Esther Moberg
SYSTEMS
MANAGER
Carl Earl
Gearhart City Council, 6 p.m., work session,
cityofgearhart.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 6
MONDAY, MAY 10
Seaside City Council, 7 p.m., cityofseaside.us.
TUESDAY, MAY 18
Gearhart City Council, 5 p.m., public hearing,
state revenue sharing, cityofgearhart.com.
Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District
Board of Directors, 5:15 p.m., 1225 Avenue A.
Seaside Signal
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