CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OPPOSE KITZHABER’S GILLNET PROPOSAL

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners is taking a strong stand against Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber’s plan to restrict commercial salmon gillnet fishing on the lower Columbia River.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, the board approved sending a letter opposing the plan to both the Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife commissions, which are due to consider rules implementing the governor’s proposal at meetings Dec. 6-7 in Salem and Dec. 14-15 in Olympia, Wash.

CLATSOP COUNTY TAX DEPARTMENT OFFERS CLASS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

The Clatsop County Assessment and Taxation Department will host a Business Personal Property training course Thursday, Dec. 13.

The training will provide business owners information on what is considered personal property in business and how to file returns, and explain tax calculations and collection laws. The course is free of charge.

All businesses are required to file a Confidential Personal Property Return with the county assessor’s office each year.

Clatsop County Commisssion Meeting Highlights from Wednesday, November 26

Housing authority action delayed, Board supports gillnetters

The board of commissioners postponed action on a proposal for the board to appoint itself the governing body of the Clatsop County Housing Authority (CCHA) in place of the agency’s current governing board. The commissioners will take up the issue at their Dec. 12 meeting.

Chair Peter Huhtala explained that the issue arose over concerns about past actions involving the housing authority, including the resignation of a property management company contracted by CCHA over the eviction of a tenant from a CCHA rental property in 2009, as well as questions whether the selection of a contractor by the CCHA board to perform work at a property in September complied with the agency’s procurement policies.

Early Morning Burglaries lead to two arrests in Seaside

Monday morning at approximately 5:30 a.m. a Seaside Patrol Officer spotted a male subject in the area of Seaside High School. While watching this subject he observed him trying doors to the high school in an attempt to get inside. After watching him try to open a couple of doors, the subject was able to make entry into one he found unlocked.

After calling for assistance, officers entered the school and found the subject in one of the hallways and when contacted refused to respond to verbal commands. The subject was uncooperative and started reaching towards his pocket. He was quickly taken into custody without incident. Officers discovered a butterfly knife in his pocket.

Marriage equality vote means Washington's marriage, divorce certificates must change

The Washington Department of Health is seeking comments from the public on proposed changes in gender-specific terms for Washington’s marriage and divorce certificates in response to the new same-sex marriage law that takes effect on December 6. A public hearing will be held at 8 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, at 310 Israel Road SE, Rooms 152-153, in Tumwater. The department collects records of all people who marry or divorce in Washington, and issues copies of records to the public. Current forms use gender-specific terms, including bride, groom, husband, and wife. State health officials propose using gender-neutral terms on certificates. The proposal includes identifying the gender of couples on the certificate form, so the public will have information about the number of same-sex couples in Washington.
Proposed changes to the rule defining the content of Washington marriage and divorce certificates (WAC 246-491-149) are available on the agency’s website. Written comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 28, 2012. Comments may be submitted online or by writing to Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47814, Olympia, WA 98504-7814.

CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS INVITE PUBLIC INPUT ON GOVERNOR’S GILLNET PROPOSAL

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners is inviting public comment on a proposal by Gov. John Kitzhaber to restrict commercial salmon gillnet fishing on the lower Columbia River.

The board will accept input at its Wednesday, Nov. 28 meeting beginning at 6 p.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.

The Governor’s proposal, presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission in August, would prevent the use of gillnets by non-tribal fishers on the main channel of the lower Columbia River, and would restrict them to off-channel areas within the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) program. The commission is scheduled to consider a series of rules implementing the proposal Dec. 6 in Portland, and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is taking up a corresponding set of regulations Dec. 14 in Olympia.

The Clatsop County commissioners want to hear from fishing families and others how the proposed rule changes would affect them. The county will submit all comments to the Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife commissions.

Astoria Megler Bridge Open

The Astoria Megler bridge has reopened to both lanes of traffic.

Flood Warning Issued for the Willapa & Naselle Rivers

 The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland has issued a flood warning for the following rivers in Pacific County: 

·      Willapa River: flood warning is in effect until Tuesday morning. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage around 3:00 p.m. Monday and is expected to crest at 22 feet around 10:00 p.m. Monday. Expect widespread flooding. Historically, numerous roads are flooded with deep and swiftly moving water including Heckard Road and U.S. Highway 101. The magnitude of flooding on U.S. Highway 101 will depend on the tide. This evening’s high tide will be around 5:00 p.m.  

·      Naselle River: flood warning is in effect until Tuesday morning. The river is forecast to rise above flood stage around 1:00 p.m. Monday and is expected to crest at 16.6 feet around 5:00 p.m. Monday. Expect minor flooding causing mainly pasture land flooding at this point. Some roads may have water over them in spots.

Wild Weather hits NW Oregon and SW Washington

A commercial truck driver received minor injuries Monday morning when high winds blew his truck and semi-trailer over onto their side on the Highway 101 Astoria-Megler Bridge. The bridge remains closed until a tow truck can remove both vehicles later this afternoon.

According to Trooper Jessica Spurlock, on November 19, 2012 at approximately 10:00 a.m., a 2011 Volvo truck pulling an empty 53-foot semi-trailer driven by RODNEY L WOODZELL, age 50, from Dayton, Ohio, was traveling southbound on Highway 101 near milepost 3 over the Astoria-Megler Bridge when it lost control in high wind conditions. The truck and semi-trailer rolled onto their left side with the trailer coming to rest partially against the guardrail.

Oregon State Police (OSP), ODOT and local emergency personnel responded to the scene. WOODZELL was transported by an Astoria policer officer to Columbia Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

Due to severe weather conditions and high winds, recovery of the truck and trailer will be delayed until later this afternoon. The bridge remains closed on both the Oregon and Washington sides.

 Alternate routes include the Westport to Puget Island Ferry and the Lewis and Clark bridge over the Columbia River between Longview Washington and Rainier Oregon.

Corps of Engineers Seeks Public Comment in Astoria Tonight

The Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a public scoping meeting tonight at the Holiday Inn Express in Astoria, 204 West Marine Drive Astoria, OR 97103.

 

The Corps is developing an Environmental Impact Statement about the predation of ESA-listed salmon in the Columbia River Estuary and is seeking public input for the various alternatives and scope of the EIS. 

Ocean Park library to close to complete remodel

As construction nears completion on the expansion project that began in July at the Ocean Park Timberland Library, the building will close for approximately three weeks beginning Saturday, November 24 to finish the renovation. The library is expected to re-open to the public on Tuesday, December 18. The outdoor book drop will stay open during the library closure.

CLATSOP COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTS TWO ON DRUG CHARGES

A Clatsop County Drug Task Force investigation has led to the arrest of CASEY DWAYNE HAMPTON DOB: 11/07/73 and JAMES RICHARD MCGUIRE DOB: 07/11/69 on drug related charges as well as outstanding warrants Friday morning. 

HAMPTON was the target of a previous heroin trafficking investigation involving the Clatsop County Drug Task Force and the Pacific County Drug Task Force resulting in his arrest in Pacific County on 06/29/12.  Detectives received information HAMPTON had since relocated to Clatsop County where he resumed his heroin trafficking. 

Columbia River fisheries management workgroup to meet in Seaside on Nov. 15

The workgroup considering changes to fisheries on the lower Columbia River, including the eventual removal of non-tribal commercial gill nets from the mainstem, will meet in Seaside on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Best Western Ocean View Resort at 414 North Prom, Seaside, OR 97138. The meeting will go from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is open to the public with some opportunity for public comment late in the morning.
This will be the third and final meeting of the Columbia River Fisheries Management Workgroup

UNCOUNTED BALLOTS TALLIED; MARGIN GROWS IN GEARHART RACE

A tally of uncounted ballots from the Nov. 6 General Election conducted Friday by the Clatsop County Elections Division resulted in a wider margin between the two candidates in the close race for Gearhart mayor.

The new totals, following the count, are now 356 votes for Dianne Widdop and 350 for Bob Shortman.

But the complete tally will not be finalized until after Nov. 16, the deadline to resolve some uncounted ballots.

CLATSOP COUNTY SEEKS FUNDING APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED

The Clatsop County Health and Human Services Council and the Board of Commissioners are seeking funding applications from local agencies that serve people in need.

The purpose of this funding is to provide an investment in community programs that target those population groups that are most in need socially and economically.

This year up to $10,000 is available to provide grants to high-quality programs that can demonstrate viable collaboration to integrate and align services to as many residents of Clatsop County as possible. 

COMMUNITY CELEBRATES BRIDGE/POWERLINE PROJECT

“This is a lot of people for one tiny bridge,” Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Chair Peter Huhtala told the crowd of roughly three dozen who assembled for Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new span on Ziak-Gnat Creek Road in Knappa.

The group gathered to celebrate not only the newly rebuilt bridge but a unique public/private partnership benefitting local wildlife. In conjunction with the bridge project, overhead utility lines that injured and killed numerous birds were placed underground.

Clatsop County staff were joined by representatives of Pacific Power and CenturyLink utilities, Bergerson Construction, Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, community members and Oregon Sen. Betsy Johnson and Rep. Deborah Boone.

Pacific County Emergency Mgmt. Seeks Facilities Willing to Offer Emergency Shelter

 The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency is embarking on a long-term project to identify and assess the sheltering capacity within Pacific County. 

In the initial phase of the project, PCEMA has developed a ten question survey where respondents can indicate their interest in sheltering persons, animals, or both persons and animals.  

The survey is primarily electronic and a link is being emailed to various facilities in the county who may be interested in participating. 

Backman Wins Wahkiakum County Commission Seat

With a 20 vote lead, Independent Mike Backman has defeated Democrat Greg Prestegard for the position 1 seat on the Board of Wahkiakum County Commissioners.

The final unofficial tally on Tuesday night had Prestegard ahead by 20 votes. Today the tables were turned, and in the latest unofficial tally, Backman had a 20 vote lead, with 1111 votes over Prestegard’s 1091. The position carries a four-year term.

Certification date is November 27th

Clatsop Meth Dealer Sentenced to 68 Months

Erin Alber Ayles, age 59, was sentenced to 68 months in prison by Judge Cindee Matyas on 11-1-12 for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.  Ayles was arrested on 9-2-12 at the time of a Clatsop County Drug Task Force search warrant and 11.5 grams of methamphetamine was seized from him at the time of his arrest.  Chief Deputy DA Ron Brown sought and Ayles was given an “upward departure” sentence due to his persistent involvement in the same type of offenses.  This was Ayles 3^rd conviction for DCS meth this year.  The court also forfeited drug money seized from Ayles.  Brown said that Ayles was one of the bigger dealers of meth in our county and Ayles was dealing multiple ounces of meth on a weekly basis which he obtained from his source in Portland.  The Drug Task Force arrested 23 individuals on or about 9-2-12 for various drug charges (both methamphetamine and heroin) after an investigation which lasted several months, Brown said.  Ayles pled No Contest to the charge midway through trial when a co-defendnat  agreed to turn state’s evidence and testify against Ayles, Brown said.

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 regular meeting

Highway project approved

 

The board approved a $728,092.50 contract with Henderson LLC of Lake Oswego for the flood control/wetland mitigation project on U.S. Highway 101 south of Seaside.

The project will involve the removal of earthern berms and road fill along the Necanicum River and nearby property. The work is designed to allow water in the river to flow into the adjacent fields during rain-driven high-water periods and reduce flooding on the highway that often causes traffic restrictions. The neighboring property is owned by the North Coast Land Conservancy, which is participating in the project as part of a plan to restore wetland habitat to the former pastureland. Funding comes from the Oregon Department of Transportation wetland mitigation bank program.

The project’s completion date is Sept. 30, 2013. Public Works Director Ed Wegner and County Engineer Ron Ash told the board that some work on the project could begin this month with some favorable weather.

Tight Area Races Still Undecided

Greg Prestegard, 3rd from left and Mike Backman, far right Wahkiakum Eagle photo.

While most area races have been essentially decided, candidates for two local races are still waiting to find out who will be the victor.  A hand recount is likely in the race for Gearhart City Mayor. Candidate Dianne Widdop received 346 votes to fellow office seeker Bob Shortman’s 344.   Just two votes separated the two candidates as of last night’s unofficial tally.

In Wahkiakum County, Washington, another close race will likely be essentially decided tomorrow afternoon.  In the race for position 1 on the Wahkiakum County Commission,  Democrat Greg Prestegard (PRESS-teh-gard) had a nearly 6% lead over Independent Mike Backman in the August Primary.  In last night’s count, there was just a 20 vote difference.  

RECOUNT LIKELY IN GEARHART RACE; VOTER TURNOUT AT 81 PERCENT

The Clatsop County Elections Division will likely conduct a recount of ballots in the race for Gearhart mayor cast in the Nov. 6 General Election.

Just two votes separate the two candidates. Dianne Widdop received 346 votes to Bob Shortman’s 344 based on the current unofficial tally.

Interim County Clerk Nicole Williams said the two-vote margin triggers an automatic recount under state law, which requires hand recounts when the margin is less than one-fifth of 1 percent.

The Elections Division still has a number of uncounted ballots to process. These primarily involve ballots in which the signatures on the mail-in envelopes do not match voters’ signatures on their registration cards, Williams said.

Those voters will be contacted by elections staff and asked to come to the Elections Division office to resolve the discrepancies. Under state law those voters have 10 days from the election – Nov. 16 – to respond.

Following the processing of those ballots, if the vote count in the Gearhart race remains within the current margin, a hand recount will be conducted.

Voter turnout in Clatsop County totaled 17,522, or 81.03 percent of registered voters. For complete results go to www.co.clatsop.or.us.

Area Election Results

In updated local election returns this morning:
 
For Ward 2 on the Astoria City Council, Drew Herzig prevailed over incumbent Peter Roscoe.  In final returns last night,  Herzig had 512, or 53 percent of the vote, Incumbent Roscoe garnered 438 votes, or 45 percent.

Tom Bergin has been re-elected for another term as Clatsop County Sheriff.  Returns last last showed he got  8,812 votes, or  55 percent to win another four-year term.
His challenger Oregon State Trooper Jim Pierce pulled in  7,025 votes (44 percent)

In the Warrenton City Commission race, Incumbent Commissioner Mark Kujala keeps his position 1 seat, with 1,395 votes, or 69% of the total. His challenger Merianne Myers got 602 votes, or 30% of the total. 
For position 2 , Henry Balensifer (bal-en SIFE-er) is in the lead, with 1,079 votes or 52 percent, His challenger Roble Anderson took 923, or 47%.
And for position 3, Tom Dyer is the winner with 59% of the vote.  He won 1,120 votes over Ken Yuill’s (YOU-ill) 655 votes, or 34%.
 The Warrenton Community Library levy passed with 68% of votes cast.  1,440 in favor, 669 votes against. 
And Warrenton citizens voted to amend their city charter to allow direct election of the office of Mayor.  Currently the council decides who will occupy the Mayor’s seat.  

Some Local Election Results:

Clatsop County

Clatsop County Sheriff

Incumbent Tom Bergin              55.73 %     7,261

Challenger Jim Pierce                43.90%      5,719

City of Astoria

Ward 2

Incumbent Peter Roscoe           46.06%      403

Challenger Drew Herzig             53.37%      467

Unopposed Ward 4

Russ Warr

City of Cannon Beach

Councilor at large

Melissa Cadwallader                 39.74%    364

Wendy Higgins                         46.83%    429

City of Gearhart

Mayor

Dianne Widdop (current council member, running for mayor)    52.12%   308

Bob Shortman     47.21%    279

Councilor

Position 2 (open seat)

Carolyn Anderson (current Cannon Beach postmaster)     37.13%    183

Sue Lorain (retired teacher)     62.47%     308

Position 4 (open seat)

Dorothy Well, retired marketing representative for the American Red Cross    41.87%   224

Daniel Jesse, property manager and owner of a construction business     57.94%   310


Pacific County

Pacific County COUNTY COMMISSIONER #01
Candidate	Vote	Vote %
Scott McDougall (Prefers Republican Party)	4,183	46.95%
Steve Rogers (Prefers Democratic Party)	4,726	53.05%

Pacific County COUNTY COMMISSIONER #02
Candidate	Vote	Vote %
Frank Wolfe (Prefers Democratic Party)	4,491	59.03%
Richard H. Makowski (Prefers Democrat Party)	3,117	40.97%
Total Votes	7,608	100%

EMS

Emergency Med. Service 1 PROPOSITION NO. 1 ambulance and emergency medical services
Measure	Vote	Vote %
YES	2,533	64.6%
NO	1,388	35.4%

WAHKIAKUM COUNTY Commissioner #1
Candidate	Vote	Vote %
Greg Prestegard (Prefers Dem Party)	966	50.52%
Mike Backman (Prefers Ind Party)	946	49.48%

WAHKIAKUM COUNTY Commissioner #2
Candidate	Vote	Vote %
Joan Harvey-Chester (Prefers Ind Party)	645	34.25%
Dan L. Cothren (Prefers Independent Party)	1,238	65.75%

WAHKIAKUM COUNTY County Treasurer
Candidate	Vote	Vote %
Tammy Peterson (Prefers Democratic Party)	1,065	58.52%
Marlena G. Silva (Prefers Democratic Party)	755	41.48%

 

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown Statement on the Status of Clackamas County Ballot Fraud Investigation

Kate Brown

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown issued a statement  updating the investigation in Clackamas County and correcting information that reportedly was shared at yesterday’s emergency commission meeting in Clackamas County.

“To date, Clackamas County, under supervision of my elections monitors, has identified six ballots that were potentially altered by the accused temporary county elections employee.   The total number of ballots potentially affected is still under investigation by the Department of Justice.

WorkSource Oregon Launches Mobile Websites For Job Searches

WorkSource Oregon’s statewide job bank is now accessible on mobile devices.  The website www.WorkInOregon.jobs gives Oregonians access to job listings 24/7 anywhere there is Internet access.  And, www.WorkInOregon-Veterans.jobs allows military veterans the opportunity to search job openings in Oregon by their military job title or code.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to discuss Columbia River fisheries management, audio will be streamed

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Nov. 9 to hear public comment on possible reforms to fisheries on the lower Columbia River.

The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at ODFW Headquarters at 3406 Cherry Ave. NE in Salem and the only significant agenda item will be Columbia River fisheries.

The Commission first will be briefed on the progress of the Columbia River Fisheries Management Workgroup – created at the request of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber to consider changes to sport and commercial fisheries on the lower Columbia River.

The meeting will then continue with public testimony.

Wahkiakum County Commissioners will appoint Mark Howie as County Sheriff

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 6th, Wahkiakum County Commissioners will appoint Mark Howie to the County Sheriff position.  He will fill out the term of recently deceased Jon Dearmore.  The office will next be up for election in the 2013 general election.

Also on the agenda:  a request for budget modification by County Prosecuter Dan Bigelow.

Public open house scheduled to review plan for U.S. 101 south of Warrenton

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is holding an open house for the public to review and comment on a plan to improve safety and traffic flow on U.S. 101 from Camp Rilea to Surf Pines Lane, south of Warrenton. The public open house will be held on Thursday, November 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Camp Rilea (33168 Patriot Way) in the Log Cabin Room.

CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS ADD LETTER TO OR/WA FISH AND WILDLIFE TO WEDNESDAY'S AGENDA

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.

An addition to agenda items: A Draft letter to the Fish and Wildlife Commissions of Oregon and Washington, expressing concern over Select Area Fisheries replacing commercial opportunities on the mainstem of the Columbia.  This is a public meeting. 

The complete meeting agenda is on the Clatsop County website.  

 

NW NATURAL REDUCES RATES

Northwest Natural Gas Company, has announced that the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) approved a rate reduction for NW Natural gas customers. The company has been approved to raise its base rates.  The adjustments will result in about a 5 percent rate reduction for residential customers and about a 6 percent reduction for commercial customers. 

In a press release, Gregg Kantor, NW Natural president and CEO, said,  "Natural gas costs have fallen steadily, in large part because of robust domestic natural gas supplies," "That means that over the last four years, our customers have saved about $400 million from lower gas prices."

NW Natural’s customers will see the change on their bills starting today.