Deadline Thursday for proposed Warrenton Walmart Comments

The Warrenton Planning Commission extended the comment time regarding  approval of the proposed Warrenton Walmart.  The deadline for comment submission is 5pm on Thursday, Nov. 1st.  Letters can be sent via email to Skip Urling, cityplanner@ci.warrenton.or.us    Your name and address should be included with your comments.

Board of Clatsop County Commisssioners Nov 7th Meeting Topics

The Board of  Clatsop County Commissioners will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, November 7th, 10am, at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial, Astoria.

Among agenda items:

• Purchase and sale agreement with North Coast Land Conservancy
• Highway 101/Necanicum Wetland Mitigation Bank Project contract 
• Siren transfer to Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District 
• Bear Creek Dam Emergency Action Plan 
• ODOT STIP project list review – Westport Ferry Access Road 

 A complete agenda can be found on the Clatsop County website. 

CLATSOP COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE EXECUTES SEARCH WARRANTS IN ASTORIA AND SEASIDE

The Clatsop County Drug Task Force, with the assistance of the Seaside Police Department and Astoria Police Department executed multiple search warrants in Astoria and Seaside Friday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of Leland James Wilson, 34, of Astoria.

City of Ilwaco now offering direct payment option for utility payments

The City of Ilwaco has announced a new direct pay option for city utility accounts. Utility bills can be automatically deducted each month from a customer’s bank account through the city’s direct pay program. Customer payments will be automatically processed for the balance due on or after the 20^th of every month.

Clatsop Cultural Coalition Grant Applications Due Thursday, Nov. 1st.

Applications for funding of arts, heritage and humanities projects through the Clatsop Cultural Coalition are due by 5 P.M. Thursday November 1, 2012.
The application forms can be found on the Coalition website - www. clatsopculturalcoalition.org. Applications must be received at the groups' Post Office Box 864, Astoria, OR 97103 and postmarked no later than November 1. The applications will be reviewed by the Coalition, and successful applicants will be invited to the  December 4, 2012 Awards Ceremony. to be held at the Coaster Theater. Those who have any questions may call Janet Bowler at (503)  325-2431  or Jan Mitchell at 503 836-7820.

ADHDA to launch next phase of “Building Blocks for a Successful Downtown”

On Nov. 14, the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association will bring urban strategist Michele Reeves of Civilis Consultants back for the kick-off of phase two of the Building Blocks program, which is a comprehensive, multi-month downtown assessment and identity process. In addition to community interviews and research, Reeves and Oregon Main Street coordinator Sheri Stuart will provide practical, hands on courses created for property and business owners, and any stakeholders who wish to see enhancements to downtown Astoria.

Astoria and Lewis and Clark Firefighters Repond to Fire at Tongue Point Job Corps

Astoria Fire Department personnel Lieutenant Bob Johnson, Firefighter Tyler Reece, and Firefighter Tom Jaworski access the situation in the boiler room at Tongue Point Job Corp Dormitory 3.

At 8:48 pm on October 29^th, Astoria Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in a building at 37573 Old Highway 30, Tongue Point Job Corp, Dormitory 3.  Fire personnel arrived on scene at 8:58pm to a three story building with smoke and a large amount of heat in the boiler room in the basement of the building.  All students had evacuated the building prior to arrival.  Fire personnel searched the building for smoke and ensure all students and staff had exited the building.  A malfunction had caused the boiler to overheat, reaching temperatures over 900 degrees and setting the insulation in the walls of the boiler on fire. Power and fuel to the boiler were secured, the fire was brought under control and fans were set up in the boiler room to remove the smoke. 

Walmart to open in Warrenton

Walmart has announced their intention to open a 150,000 square foot store in Warrenton.  In a press release Matti Havener, Regional General Manager for Walmart in Oregon and Washington, said the store will employ about 300 people in part and full time jobs. 

The store will be located on the eastside of Highway 101, offering groceries, a pharmacy and general merchandise. 

ASTORIA SUNDAY MARKET DONATES $2,000 TO CLATSOP COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Astoria Sunday Market has donated $2,000 to Clatsop Community College Foundation in support of Clatsop Community College’s Performing Arts Center.   

With recent funding reductions from the state, Clatsop Community College has faced challenges to finding funding to operate the Performing Arts Center (PAC). A coalition of local arts organizations (Partners for the PAC) has joined forces with the college to help maintain the PAC for affordable public arts & educational events for the 2012-13 calendar year.  

PACIFIC COUNTY CANDIDATE AND ISSUES FORUM

The Willapacific chapter of the AAUW held a candidates and issues forum Thurs Oct 18, in Longbeach Washington.  

Ballot measures regarding Same Sex Marriage, the licensing of Marijuana use and Charter Schools were up for discussion -  as speakers for and against the measures took their turns at the microphone.  

One audience question asked the speakers to comment on studies indicating children do best when raised by their married parents and if the gender of the parents should be a concern.  Jerry Sadler, speaking against the measure, spoke to the children’s point of view.

Sadler1.wav  “Children in a same sex marriage have to wonder why it is that I don’t have a father or why it is that I don’t have a mother.  This has got to be a confusing element for some of these children raised in a same-sex marriage.” (:19)

Supporter Steven Linhart said laws should support all families, regardless of the gender of the parents. 

Linhart1.wav “If we agree and I think we all do, that marriage law should protect children, then we should protect children regardless of how they came into their families” (:08)

NICOLE WILLIAMS MOVES TO CLATSOP COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE

Clatsop County Manager Scott Somers announced that Nicole Williams will become the new Clatsop County Clerk.

Williams, currently assistant county manager, requested the transfer, which will officially take place Dec. 1.

Williams originally joined the clerk’s office in 1999. She was named county clerk in 2005 and held the position until 2008, when she moved to the county manager’s office.

The county clerk is the record-keeper for the county and administers public records, archives, legal recordings, passports and marriage licenses. The office also oversees elections and voter registration, and coordinates property tax appeals.

Lawsuit Filed in Federal Court over LNG Safety

Citizen groups filed a lawsuit in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to challenge the safety of proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tankers on the Columbia River.  Columbia Riverkeeper, Columbia-Pacific Commonsense and Wahkiakum Friends of the River are asking the U.S. Coast Guard to take a hard look at threats to communities, such as explosions and “cascading failures” of LNG, and impacts to the environment.  The lawsuit challenges the U.S. Coast Guard’s green light for the proposed Oregon LNG terminal and associated LNG tanker traffic. 

CEREMONY MARKS GENERATOR DONATION AT ELSIE-VINEMAPLE FIRE DISTRICT

Volunteers with the Elsie-Vinemaple Rural Fire Protection District celebrated the acquisition of a donated generator with the help of Sen. Betsy Johnson in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday at the district’s station on U.S. Highway 26 at the Highway 103 intersection.

The 40-kilowatt diesel generator was acquired last year by Clatsop County’s Emergency Management Division from the Oregon Military Department. The county in turn delivered the piece of equipment to Elsie-Vinemaple.

The generator will provide a critical source of back-up power to the all-volunteer district, which covers approximately 300 square miles, including 25 miles of Highway 26, in southeastern Clatsop County.

RESPONDERS DOUSE STRUCTURE FIRE AT ASTORIA WARRENTON CHAMBER PROPERTY ON SUNDAY

At 9:13 pm on October 21^st, Astoria Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 121 W. Marine Drive.  Fire personnel arrived on scene at 9:17 pm to find a one story building with fire venting from windows on the SW corner of the building.  The fire was brought under control at 9:32 pm and crews stayed on scene until 11:25 pm to overhaul the fire area and secure the scene.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.  The Clatsop County Fire Investigation Team will be called in to help with the fire investigation.

CLATSOP COUNTY INTERAGENCY NARCOTIC TEAM ARRESTS FIVE

The Clatsop County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation resulting in the execution of multiple search warrants and the arrest of five subjects on heroin related charges, in the Elsie area off Highway 26, Friday October 19, 2012.  The Pacific County Sheriff's Office assisted with the execution and service of the search warrants as well as the apprehension of suspects. 

CLATSOP COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEARCH AND RESCUE PARTICIPATED IN RESCUE ON SATURDAY

Saturday was busy for the Clatsop County Search and Rescue team.  At about 11:06 AM, the Sheriff's Office received a report of an overdue hunter in the Elsie area.  Rob Kruger reported is brother, Don Kruger of Warrenton, had left the vehicle for a short hunt which was only to take a few minutes.  After two hours had passed and Don had not returned, Rob contacted the Sheriff's Office.  Deputies Walker and Nelson responded and the Search and Rescue (SAR) team activated. 

Pacific County NOAA Weather Radios WILL BE ACTIVATED in Washington Counties During ShakeOut Drill

 NOAA weather radios WILL BE ACTIVATED in Washington's Pacific, Grays Harbor, and Clallam Counties only as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill and tsunami siren test. County residents are asked to provide feedback on the test at www.shakeout.org/washington. 

ELECTION BALLOTS ARRIVE IN MAILBOXES BEGINNING FRIDAY, OCT. 19

 

Ballots for the Nov. 6, 2012 General Election will be mailed out to all Clatsop County voters starting Friday, Oct. 19.

The election features federal and state contests including races for President, Representative in Congress, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Bureau of Labor and Industries, State Representative, Judge of the Oregon Supreme Court Position 3 and Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals, Position 6. There will also be nine state measures on the ballot.

Share Your Expectations and Priorities for Education FundingShare Your Expectations and Priorities for Education Funding - Seven community forums and a webinar scheduled in the month of October

The Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB) will hold seven community forums and a webinar at which stakeholders can provide input and feedback on education funding. The OEIB will present its vision for building a seamless P-20 system and, most important, provide an opportunity for all Oregonians to engage in the conversation and share their own expectations and priorities.  An online webinar will take place on Monday, October 29th, from 3-5pm.    Here's the link:  http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3310

Wahkiakum County Marine Resources Committee Challenges Kitzhaber Salmon Plan with Proposal for Experimental Fishery on the lower Columbia River

 The Marine Resources Committee in Wahkiakum County has proposed the establishment of an experimental commercial fishery on the lower Columbia River. The proposal, approved unanimously by Wahkiakum’s MRC, is the first grassroots challenge to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber’s plan to ban commercial salmon fishing on the Columbia River’s main stem.

“Our aim is to articulate an alternate approach to sound fisheries management in Wahkiakum County,” says the MRC proposal.

MAIN STREET PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR REVITALIZING OREGON DOWNTOWN

Oregon Main Street is accepting applications from organizations interested in receiving downtown revitalization assistance at its Transforming Downtown designation level. Transforming Downtown is for communities who are committed to downtown revitalization using the Main Street Approach(R) but need technical assistance to take them to the next level.

The Oregon Main Street Network also includes "Performing Main Street," "Exploring Downtown," and "Affiliate" levels of participation. Currently, there are 81 communities participating in the network.

Successful applicants receive assistance to help revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their historic downtown or neighborhood commercial district. Services vary from community to community, but generally include work plan and committee development along with specialized training and networking opportunities.

Transforming Downtown level applications are available at www.oregonheritage.org or by calling Sheri Stuart at 503-986-0679 or email at sheri.stuart@state.or.us.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10

Sign rule changes reviewed

The board of commissioners held a public hearing on proposed amendments to sign regulations in the Clatsop County Standards document. The rules, which regulate the size and placement of permanent and temporary signs, were modified to remove any content-based regulations, in order to comply with a recent Oregon Supreme Court ruling.

The board is scheduled to vote on the amended regulations Oct. 24.

State, County and Astoria City Candidates Addresses voters at Clatsop Community College

Candidates for Oregon state and local offices appeared in Astoria Wednesday night in a candidates forum sponsored by the Astoria Chapter of the American Association of University Women. 

In a standing room crowd of over 70 at Clatsop Community College’s Columbia Hall, Audience member submitted their questions for the candidates.   District 32 State Representative Debbie Boone and challengers Jim Welsh of the Constitution Party, and Perry Roll, a Libertarian were asked what each would do to encourage more private sector, unsubsidized jobs.

Jim Welsh favored tax reductions: 

Welsh1.wav “Do away with capital gains taxes.  We are in competition with 49 other states, and several countries in the Pacific Rim – and every dollar that we cost a business, cause businesses to go away from this state and settle in other states – are jobs lost in this state.”  (:20)

Wahkiakum Candidates speak at Grays River Grange

Candidates for Wahkiakum County elected offices presented their positions in a candidate’s forum Tuesday night sponsored by the Grays River Grange.  An audience of 60 people listened as the candidates for State senator and representative offices,  county commission, treasurer and PUD commission talked about their campaigns and answered questions from the floor.

Jobs and the economy dominated the candidates remarks.

CLATSOP PROPERTY TAX BILLS WILL BE MAILED OUT SOON

Property tax bills for the 2012-13 fiscal year will arrive in mailboxes in the next few days.

The tax bill that you will be receiving will show market values in most areas have decreased, but this may not translate into lower taxes. The primary reason can be found in the provisions of Ballot Measure 50, the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1997.

Under Measure 50, your assessed property value cannot increase by more than 3 percent annually unless you have made significant improvements to the property. In addition, your assessed value cannot be higher than your real market value.

The real market value (RMV) on your tax statement represents the market value of the property as of Jan. 1, 2012, based on 2011 sales.

GOVERNOR’S MARKETPLACE ROAD SHOW COMES TO ASTORIA

Small business owners and those interested in starting a business in Oregon can take advantage of a free all day event: “The Governor’s Marketplace 2012Road Show” on Wednesday, October 24^th, in Astoria at Clatsop Community College, Columbia Hall- Room 219.  
          
Multiple state agencies will present the tools and resources available to the small business community, including how to make products and services available to federal, state and local agencies, with specific help with Oregon procurement programs.   Employers will find help with payroll tax reports.  All businesses will find help with navigating state agencies online resources and filing reports online.

BOONE HOSTS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EVENT

          Oregon State Representative Deborah Boone will hold a coastal emergency preparedness legislative town hall meeting Thursday, October 25th, 7pm at the Pine Grove Community Center in Manzanita.  

Citizens will hear about the Oregon Resilience Plan, scheduled to be delivered to the 2013 Legislative Assembly in February.  Attendees will also learn about emergency preparedness and coordination of efforts during emergency events.  

OREGON VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION IS OCT. 16

Tuesday, Oct. 16 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election for anyone not currently registered in the state of Oregon.

If you are registered in Oregon, but have changed your name or address, you must update your registration. People have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to update their registration and receive a ballot.

Ballots for November election will be mailed out to voters on Oct. 19.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS IN NORTHWEST CORNER OF OREGON

The G.A.P.S. Foundation (Generating Assistance for Public Schools), is offering its sixth annual grant program this fall to public school staff working with special needs and at-risk populations for projects and supplies that are beyond normal operating budgets.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, at www.gapsfoundation.org/grants.

Weekly Tours of CCC’s Main Campus Now Available

Clatsop Community College is now offering tours of the  campus.  The guided tours will aid those who are thinking of attending or just interested in seeing all of the changes that have taken place on campus.  

Free weekly tours of the main campus facilities are lead by current student guides knowledgeable about the campus and its workings. Tours are offered Fridays by reservation from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. For additional information or to sign up go to www.clatsopcc.edu/campus-tour.  Phone sign up is available at 503-338-2371.

Patrick Wingard Fills Vacant CCC Board Position

Patrick Wingard

The Clatsop Community College Board of Directors has appointed Patrick Wingard to fill a Zone 2 position left vacant by the resignation of Dr. Stephen Berk who has returned to teaching at CCC.

Wingard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University. He has 12 years of public and private planning experience on the north coast including Planning Director for the City of Warrenton, Principal Planner for Clatsop County and North Coast Representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development.

ASTORIA SUNDAY MARKET CLOSES SEASON WITH DOWNTOWN COFFEE WALK SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 14

­ Coffee lovers are invited to take a self-guided tour of Astoria’s best coffee shops on Sunday, October 14. Each of the four participating coffee shops and restaurants are planning something special that morning from 8 to 10 am as part of the first Downtown Coffee Walk. Astoria Coffee House & Bistro is providing the Cargo Store with coffee cocktails to sample for Breakfast. The Rusty Cup is to serve samples their newest seasonal lattes; Wet Dog Café & Brewery is sampling special baked goods for that day only and Columbia Chocolates at ABECO Office Supplies is offering samples of their Dark Chocolate Latte Truffle. The tour ends at 10 am in time to enjoy Astoria Sunday Market for its closing day of the 2012 season.

Wahkiakum and WA District 19 Candidates to appear in Grays River

The Grays River Grange will host a forum, Tuesday, October 2nd in Grays River.  Candidates running for Wahkiakum county offices, including the County Commission, Treasurer and PUD commissioner have been invited, as well as candidates running for State Senator and Representative for Washington’s 19th District. The forum will take place at the Grays River Grange Hall at State Route 4 and Hull Road, at 7pm. 

Meet the Candidates in Astoria

 

Clatsop Community College and the Astoria Chapter of the American Association of University Women are hosting a Candidates’ Forum, Wednesday, October 10, starting at 7:00pm in Columbia Hall, Room 219, 1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria.

Participating candidates include: Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries: Brad Avakian, Oregon State Representative-District 32:  Debbie Boone and challengers  Perry Roll and Jim Welsh.  Clatsop County Sheriff: Tom Bergin and challenger Jim Pierce, also City of Astoria Councilor-Ward 2: Peter Roscoe, and challenger Drew Herzig, and City of Astoria Councilor-Ward 4: Russ Warr.

Voters are invited to attend this Candidates’ Forum in order to meet the candidates and learn about their positions regarding important issues. Questions will be taken from the audience to ensure attention to issues of locally defined significance. Voter registration forms will also be available. The deadline for registration to vote in the November general election is Tuesday, October 16, 2012.

Halsey Street Grass Fire Doused

photo courtesy Astoria Fire Dept

On October 5, 2012 at 8:34am, Astoria Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a grass fire at the end of Halsey Street in Astoria.  Maintenance personnel at Emerald Heights initially discovered and reported the fire, then used four fire extinguishers to try and extinguish the fire.  Fire personnel arrived on scene to find the fire burning in the wooded area behind the apartment complex.  The fire, estimated initially as approximately 50’ x 20’ in size, was burning in the underbrush and blown down timber.  Fire personnel extended water hose lines into the wooden area to the fire.  Firefighters cleared a perimeter around the fire to keep the fire from spreading to the nearby standing timber.  The fire was brought under control at 9:55am and fire crews mopped up the area to ensure all “hot spots” were extinguished.   The fire was contained to a 60 foot by 35 foot area equivalent to .047 acres.

CLATSOP COUNTY APPROVES CONTRACT FOR BUSINESS PARK ACCESS ROAD

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Friday, Oct. 5 to approve a contractor contract to start work on an Ensign Lane access road.

The board approved a $2,755,717.75 contract with Thompson Bros. Excavating, Inc. for the project, which involves the extension of S.E. Ensign Lane through the county-owned business park in Warrenton. The Vancouver, Wash. company is expected to start work Oct. 8.

“We will be moving dirt Monday morning,” company vice president Joe Thompson told the board.

Clatsop Community College Releases Student Career Satisfaction Survey Results

 

Clatsop Community College has released results of an annual survey of previous year’s graduates to measure students’ career success and satisfaction with the preparation they received at CCC for work or further education.  

Highlights of the survey results for 2011 graduates include the following:

• All responding graduates who were seeking work were employed.

• Nearly two thirds found that their work was related to their studies at Clatsop, and 95% were satisfied or highly satisfied with the preparation provided by Clatsop for the job.
• 95% of those rating the preparation for further study were satisfied or highly satisfied with the preparation provided by Clatsop.
• Of those who rated their satisfaction with the Clatsop Community College experience, 88% reported being “Satisfied” or “Very satisfied.”

The results of the survey of 2011 graduates are posted on the college website at

https://www.clatsopcc.edu/about-ccc/fast-facts.  The full report shows the questions asked and frequency counts of those who responded in addition to an interpretive introduction.