DUANE COLE HONORED AT RETIREMENT RECEPTION

PHOTO: Clatsop County Manager Duane Cole reads the inscription on the stock of a BB gun presented to him by Sheriff Tom Bergin on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office at Wednesday’s reception marking Cole’s retirement.

Clatsop County employees and community members bid farewell to County Manager Duane Cole at a reception Wednesday May 23rd at the Judge Guy Boyington Building in Astoria.

“Duane has truly left Clatsop County a better place,” Board of Commissioners Chair Peter Huhtala told the assembled guests. “We’ve been honored to work with you.”

Cole is retiring effective May 31 following 35 years as a public administrator with cities and counties in Oregon, Washington and California. He joined Clatsop County in 2009.

Cole expressed his appreciation for the county staff and department heads. “I’m always inspired by this team, and how this positive culture is so much a part of us here.”

A native of Milton-Freewater, Cole began his career at the age of 23 when he was hired as city administrator of Pilot Rock, Ore. He subsequently worked in Pendleton, Susanville, Calif., Newberg and Walla Walla, Wash.

During his tenure, Clatsop County completed an ambitious strategic plan charting dozens of capital and planning projects; led a collaborative effort on a fix for the chronic flooding problem on Highway 101 south of Seaside; sold the former Darigold Building in Astoria to Coastal Family Health Center; completed an update of the North Coast Business Park master plan; and adopted a new development review process for the county’s territorial sea.

As one of his last duties for the county, Cole will be available May 30 to speak with the six finalists for the county manager position when they travel to Astoria for interviews.

“There’s something really special going on in this municipal corporation that you don’t find everywhere, and I’ll be sharing that with the finalists next week,” he said.