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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 19, 2021)
A2 • Friday, November 19, 2021 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com Cannon Beach will pay legal fees for Business Directory public works director in ethics case B M E c , . CONSTRUCTION oB By KATIE FRANKOWICZ The Astorian CANNON BEACH — Karen La Bonte, the city’s public works director, racked up an estimated $14,000 in legal expenses this year while dealing with an ethics probe by the state, City Man- ager Bruce St. Denis said. Last week, he asked the City Council to cover half. It was a step back from a resolution St. Denis pro- posed last week that asked the city to pay for up to $15,000 of La Bonte’s legal fees. His suggestion faced almost immediate pushback from some in the commu- nity. St. Denis later removed the item from the council’s meeting agenda. Since then, the city’s insurance carrier has deter- mined it will cover up to $7,500. On Tuesday, city councilors voted 4-1 in favor of an updated proposal from St. Denis to pay up to an additional $8,000. In October, the Oregon Government Ethics Com- mission determined La Bonte violated state confl ict of interest laws when the city used a company she co-owns with her husband to produce pandemic-related signs and other products. La Bonte had verbally disclosed her ties with Can- non Beach Design Co., but failed to declare a potential confl ict of interest in writing before city transactions with the business, the state found. La Bonte was fi ned $1,000. St. Denis called the ethics violation a technicality. The purpose of the resolution he proposed Tuesday was not just to reimburse La Bonte. It was to off er support for her as well, he said. St. Denis contends La Bonte has been the victim of harassment by Manza- nita resident Rusty Morris, who fi led several complaints with the Ethics Commission against La Bonte. Morris has also fi led complaints with the Clatsop County Sher- iff ’s Offi ce and circulated an online petition to remove La Bonte from her position. La Bonte and St. Denis say the complaints are not based in fact and stem from a personal grievance. “As city manager, I believe the city has an obli- gation to support public employees in a situation like what Ms. La Bonte has expe- rienced,” St. Denis wrote in a lengthy memo to city coun- cilors. “One in which some- one used her position with the city to settle a grudge. “Failure to do so,” he added, “sends a message to current and future employ- ees that in a situation which results in them experienc- ing signifi cant, undeserved humiliation and personal expenses, they should not expect to be supported by the city and its citizens.” An investigator with the Ethics Commission said it did not appear that La Bonte used her position to benefi t herself fi nancially. But Morris refutes St. Denis’s characterization. He says he fi led the complaints because of sincere concerns that La Bonte was abusing her position. He was not alone in opposing St. Denis’ request to reimburse La Bonte for her legal expenses. City Councilor Robin Risley voted against the resolution last Tuesday, the only “no” vote. Insurance is already cov- ering up to its maximum, Risley said. The money the City Council was being asked to approve would be coming from taxpayers. “This sets a bad precedent to pay for employee ethical violations over and above what’s covered in insur- ance,” Risley argued. While a number of peo- ple wrote in support of La Bonte, others asked the city to reconsider the resolution. La Bonte violated state ethics laws, noted Hannah Buschert and Erik Ostrander, managers of Sea Breeze Court. For the city to cover her legal fees further erodes public trust, they wrote in a letter to city councilors. “If La Bonte were to have been found not guilty of these violations then, with- out a doubt, her legal fees should be covered by the funds in support of protect- ing employees from false accusations by a former associate,” they wrote. “However, to cover these fees after being found guilty shows that whistleblow- ing on the city is going to be ignored, as if the city is above the rules,” they added, “and if the whistleblowing is found to be truthful, and founded by a third party, that there are no repercussions for the guilty parties within the city.” OBITUARIES c wan 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 REAL ESTATE Melissa Eddy REAL ESTATE BROKER EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Your real estate vision is my expertise. melissaeddy@windermere.com beachhomerealtor.com 503-440-3258 ELECTRICAL • Repairs • Generator installation & servicing • New construction • Remodels Serving the North Oregon Coast since 1950! Serving Clatsop & Tillamook Counties 503.738.8391 CCB#3226 ELECTRICAL Judith Gale Capellen • New Construction Seaside 1942 — 2021 Judith “Judy” Gale Capel- len was born in a small north Idaho sawmill town where everyone knew your name. She grew up with music in her life, starting piano lessons at age 5, joining a dance band in high school and dancing to a Louis Armstrong band in college. She purchased a Ham- mond organ, took a few organ lessons and eventu- ally served as an organist for two churches. One of Judy’s greatest joys was sitting at the organ or piano making music. With a degree from the University of Idaho, Judy moved fi ve times before set- tling in Astoria. She loved being a full-time mom to three, and started working outside the home when her youngest was in the third grade. As every Mom in that era did, she struggled balanc- ing the requirements of home and work. Judy was deeply proud of her kids, who were bright, fun and motivated to help when needed. Her three chil- dren, their spouses and her six grandkids were a source of tremendous joy. Judy organized many family gatherings at the beach, the mountains, Lake Pend Oreille and in Seaside. She wrote plays for Hallow- een and Christmas with parts for all, and room for made-up lines and spontaneous action. After working in fi nance and accounting as a control- ler and chief fi nancial offi - cer, Judy decided to return to graduate school, and earned a master’s degree at Portland State University at a time when many of her peers were contemplating retirement. Judy loved working with small businesses. Helping owners understand the num- bers was important to her, for it kept businesses alive and people employed. Judy battled lymphoma for three years, surrounded by prayers from pillars of her church, friends and family. Recently, Judy’s cancer resur- faced. She was sometimes • Remodels • Panel Changes & Upgrades overwhelmed by the love and support she received, and was always grateful for it. Judy hiked Mount Hood and Mount Baker when younger. More recently, she roasted sandy hot dogs at the beach, and would drive 10 hours with kids, grand- kids and a dog to Lake Pend Oreille to swim in the icy cold waters. To honor Judy’s mem- ory, please have a party with friends and family, enjoying good food, a glass of wine and lots of music. In lieu of fl owers, memo- rial contributions may be made to Lower Columbia Hospice or the Seaside Pub- lic Library. • Add Circuits or Lighting CCB #198257 • Generators CALL US for your next electrical project! • Repairs 503-739-7145 712 S. Holladay Dr. • Seaside, OR Monday-Friday 8 am -5 pm www.jjelectricservice.com FLOORING CCB# 205283 Luxury vinyl planks and tile. you walk on our reputation Flooring Installation 3470 Hwy 101 Suite 102 • Gearhart, Oregon 503.739.7577 • carpetcornergearhart.com Carla Lee Hall FLOORING Warrenton Aug. 22, 1956 — Oct. 31, 2021 Carla was born Aug. 22, 1956, in Everett, Washing- ton, to Leslie and Donna Hanson. In 1983, she met Don Hall, fell in love, and two years later they married in 1985. Carla had four children: Lon, Trisha, Adam and Brandon. She also had four grandchildren: Kimber, Bri- anna, Augusta and Nathan- iel; and two step-grandchil- dren, Addison and Paislie. Carla had three sisters, as well, Cheryl, Carmen and Candie. Carla had an eye for art. She enjoyed doing stained glass, watercolor painting, hand-crafted art from the beach and gardening for many years. She loved walk- ing through antique shops, and had an eye for treasure. She loved working in the garden and the greenhouse; she so loved the fl owers. Her favorite was the fi rst fl ower of the spring, daff o- dils, followed by lilacs and hydrangeas. She loved all of God’s critters. She had two cats, two birds and several fi sh. Agates collected by Carla Lee Hall. She loved her bird feeders, and loved watching all of the diff erent birds that came to them. She so loved her ring- necked doves. Carla loved beachcomb- ing, and enjoyed long walks on the beach holding hands with her husband. Her favor- ite place was the Inn At Spanish Head in Lincoln City. The waves would crash at the base of the room, and when the tide went down, she would walk for hours picking up sea glass and agates. She also loved Canada. Three years ago, she went to Whistler, and fell in love with riding the gondolas. She loved to travel. Carla enjoyed being pam- pered, and enjoyed fi ne din- ing. She loved going to win- eries to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. Her favorite was Mexican food, Mexican PUBLIC SAFETY LOG SEASIDE POLICE DEPT. PUBLIC SAFETY LOG Nov. 8 5:39 p.m., U.S. Highway 101 and Fifth Avenue: Motor vehi- cle accident with serious inju- ries reported. EMS on scene. 3:08 p.m., 800 block S. Roo- sevelt: While responding to a reported disturbance at a gas pump, police arrest a subject wanted on a felony warrant issued by the Clatsop County Sheriff ’s offi ce. Nov. 7 6:13 p.m., 10th and Ne- canicum: A disturbance is reported. 10:05 p.m., Avenue U: Sus- pects are trespassed from a location after a disturbance is reported. 8:21 a.m., Avenue K and the Prom: Caller reports transient sleeping on a bench with all their belongings scattered. Police make contact with the person and advise them to clean up their mess. 11:51 p.m., 12th and Franklin: Caller reports “a half-naked fe- male running down the road, screaming.” 1:31 p.m., Avenue G: Juveniles are reported acting suspicious. Patrol says they will canvass the area. Randall Lee’s 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE Window Treatments, Fabric, Designer Wallpaper, Counter Tops, All Flooring and Miele Vacuums rlflooring@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 LANDSCAPING YARD DEBRIS DROP-OFF (no scotch broom) • La urelwood Compos t • Soil A mend ments • Pla nting Ma cMix • Mulch 503-717-1454 3 4 1 5 4 HIGHW AY 2 6 SE ASIDE , O R Laurelwood Farm CHILD CARE Quality Child Care Optimal Learning Environment Infants Toddlers Preschool After School 4:28 p.m., Avenue T and the Prom: Police are advised of a transient camp; on arrival, they fi nd it unoccupied. Nov. 9 6:45 a.m., 1900 Spruce Drive: Caller says a man is at his front door threatening to kill him. On arrival, police determine the sub- ject is on drugs. Medix is called. 503.717.2364 www.newbeescdc.com Judith Gale Capellen Nov. 10, 2021 CAPELLEN, Judith Gale, 79, of Seaside, died in Seaside. Ocean View Funeral & Cre- mation Service of Asto- ria is in charge of the arrangements. OREGON CAPITAL INSIDER Get the inside scoop on state government and politics! Visit Our Outlet! Randall Lee’s Seaside • 2311 N. Roosevelt Dr. • 503-738-5729 DEATH NOTICE Nov. 6 Nov. 5 shrimp cocktails and a bowl of tortilla soup. Carla had many health challenges in 2010. She went through open heart sur- gery, and in 2012 she sur- vived cancer. She had many surgeries, and always fought through it. She was a survi- vor, and the toughest person that I have ever met. She loved sitting by a fi re in the back yard, some- times till dark, having dinner outside by the fi re and, of course, a glass of pinot gris. Carla and Don were mar- ried for 36 years and loved each other every day. Carla, you will be missed by many, but never forgot- ten. She was a pure and lov- ing soul. On Oct. 31, 2021, God came and took her home. She will be reunited with her parents and her sis- ter in heaven. Sweetie, you did an awesome job. We all love you so much. Please send any dona- tions to the Oregon Health and Sciences University Northwest Clinic for Voice and Swallowing, P.O. Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296 (give.ohsufoundation.org). CONSTRUCTION COWAN CUSTOM FINISHING We work in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook county! NOW LICENSED IN WASHINGTON! 503-791-7473 acowan1216@gmail.com CCB# 225044 Decks, Fences, Siding, Rot Repair, Windows and Doors