Highlights of Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Meeting Wednesday February 27

Veterans program examined

During a work session the board heard a presentation from Veterans’ Services Officer Phil Simmons, who asked the commissioners to consider increasing his level of compensation under the veterans services contract.

Simmons, who took over the contract in 2011, said the position has required more work – an average of 35 hours a week – than he originally envisioned. Without an increase in the contract, he and his wife Buffy Simmons, who shares the program duties with him, would likely have to cut back on their hours, he said.

The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs provides $43,100 a year for the program. Clatsop County provides an additional $6,200.

The veterans’ services officer assists local military vets in applying for benefits through the federal Veterans Administration. Simmons said since he took over the contract, the total monthly payments coming to Clatsop County vets has increased from about $57,000 to $80,000. There are currently 4,518 veterans in the county, he said.

County Manager Scott Somers said staff would develop three funding options for the program contract and present them to the board at its March 27 meeting.

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Takes Constituents Questions in Live Web Chat Wednesday February 27

Oregon Congressional Representative Suzanne Bonamici participated in a live web chat earlier today sponsored by the Hillsboro Argus and Forest Grove Leader newspapers.  The congresswoman addressed topics ranging from the Violence Against Women Act to small port dredging.

In response to participant’s questions, Bonamici affirmed her support for renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, and said stronger provisions to protect victims would be added to the Senate version of the bill, including programs to prevent human trafficking, sexual assault on college campuses, and additional resources to address rape kit backlogs.  In response to questions about weapons availability and gun violence, she said discussions are underway about prevention, and reiterated her support for the second amendment, “as interpreted by the US Supreme Court”.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park tourism creates more than $10 million in local economic benefit

Part of $30 billion impact that supports 252,000 jobs nationwide

A new National Park Service report shows that the more than 191,000 visitors to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in 2011 spent $10,157,000 in communities surrounding the park.  This spending supported 151 jobs in the local area.
“Lewis and Clark National Historical Park attracts visitors from around the world who come here to experience the park and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities,” said Acting Park Superintendent Andrew Rasmussen. “The National Park Service is delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state, and national economy.”

Share Your Vision for the Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Center

The public is invited to participate in a facilitated community conversation regarding the future operation of the Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Partners for the PAC. This visioning session is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the CCC Performing Arts Center, 16^th and Franklin. Light refreshments will be provided. A goal of the project is to develop a sustainable structure and business plan that will ensure the future of the PAC as a community-wide asset.

City of Ilwaco seeks Black Lake Fishing Derby sponsors/logo contest entries

 The 21st Annual Black Lake Fishing Derby will be held on April 27, 2013, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This event is entirely funded by generous sponsorships and donations from community members and local businesses. In order to create a memorable experience for the children who attend this event, the Ilwaco Parks and Recreation Commission is offering several sponsorship levels that include logos or names included on t-shirts given to every child who participates and on signage at the event. In addition, raffle prize donations are also needed. To ensure sponsors receive all the benefits of their sponsorship package, the commission is requesting contributions by March 30, 2013.

JOHNSON, BOONE AND WITT TOWN HALL MEETING ON YOUTUBE

OR ST. SENATOR BETSY JOHNSON

State Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), State Representative Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach), and State Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie)  held a virtual town hall on Wednesday, February 20. The physical location for the town hall was the State Capitol in Salem, but constituents from their districts were able to listen live on the radio, view the event live on the internet and ask questions of the three legislators on Twitter and via email.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtVeee9_2iI

5 DRUG ARRESTS IN SEASIDE FRIDAY, TWO RELEASED

The Clatsop County Drug Task Force, with the assistance of the Seaside Police Department, executed 3 search warrants in Seaside, resulting in the arrest of 5 subjects, Friday afternoon.  Detectives received information regarding a high volume of drug traffic, in a residential neighborhood, involving the residence located at 811 10th Street in Seaside.  Further information included a pregnant female currently using methamphetamine and the residence to have hazardous living conditions. 

Ambre Energy Financial Woes Cited in Report Released by Sightline Institute

Proposals to export coal from Pacific Northwest ports to overseas markets have provoked criticism in the Northwest and along the lower Columbia River. Yesterday the nonprofit environmental research group Sightline Institute added to the controversy in its newly released report on Ambre Energy, an Australian company currently promoting plans for a pair of coal export terminals along the lower Columbia.  The Sightline report says mounting financial, regulatory and other challenges will make it unlikely the company can deliver on its promises in the U.S.

Coast Guard medevacs fisherman 2 miles west of Tillamook Bay, Ore.

A Coast Guard boatcrew from Station Tillamook Bay, in Garibaldi, Ore., medically evacuated a 64-year-old crewmember from a commercial fishing vessel in the Pacific Ocean approximately two nautical miles west of the entrance to Tillamook Bay, Wednesday afternoon.

Crewmembers aboard the 64-foot fishing vessel Blue Water Too, based in Bay City, Ore., notified watchstanders at Station Tillamook Bay at 3:53 p.m., that a crewmember was experiencing chest pains. The crewmember's name is not being released.
The Tillamook Bay boatcrew launched aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and an aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Ore., launched aboard an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter. The boatcrew safely embarked the man and transferred him to Emergency Medical Services at Station Tillamook Bay at approximately 5:30 p.m. He was reportedly in stable condition.

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED ON CONSERVATION AREA LABEL FOR STATE FORESTLANDS, THE FIRST IN CANNON BEACH ON MARCH 12

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has scheduled public hearings on a change to state administrative rules regarding how state forestlands are classified.

The proposed rule refines language within ODF's Forest Land Management Classification System (Oregon Administrative Rule 629-035-0055) to add the classification of "High Value Conservation Areas" within state forest management plans.

The intent is to more clearly organize and display - on land use maps and in data systems, for example - areas of state-owned forests that are currently managed with a conservation emphasis. The rule change seeks to affirm state forests' current contributions to conservation. No changes to projected harvest levels or designations of additional conservation areas are proposed.

OREGON STATE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION NAMES COASTAL PARK AFTER BRIAN BOOTH

Ona Beach State Park

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously at its January 30 meeting to name a newly-combined coastal state park after Brian Booth, the late first chair of the Commission. Booth passed away in March 2012. Ona Beach State Park and Beaver Creek State Natural Area, 10 miles south of Newport, were being combined into a single park through a planning process that's still underway, and now they have a unified name.

PORT OF ASTORIA SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 12

Port of Astoria Commissioners will hold a special meeting Tuesday evening at 6pm at the Port’s Board Member Conference Room at 422 Gateway Avenue in Astoria.  Included on the agenda: Department of State Lands Lease rents, a memorandum of understanding with upriver organizations regarding a Quick Response Vessel and a parking plan work session.  This special meeting is open to the public.  

FILING DATE NEAR FOR LOCAL BOARD POSITIONS IN CLATSOP COUNTY

Interested in serving your community?

Positions on the boards of more than three dozen service districts around Clatsop County are up for election on the May 21, 2013 ballot. The filing period for the election opens Feb. 9 and continues through March 21.

ASTORIA REGATTA OFFICIALS AND THEME NAMED

Planning for this summer’s Astoria Regatta is underway.  At an organizational meeting last night, Regatta Association President Peter Roscoe announced this year’s Admiral will be Helena Barbey Langton.  The Barbey family was recently honored when the restored Railroad Depot near the Columbia River Maritime Museum was christened as the Barbey Marine Research Center.  The Grand Land Parade Marshal will be Michael Ironside.  He appeared in the movie Free Willy as the aquarium owner. And for the theme:

Roscoe.wav :37  “The theme of this year’s Regatta is sort of a consensus and I’m open to some discussion about it, but most of the people on the board seem to like this idea  - Astoria Regatta 2013 – A River Runs To It.  We kind of like that as an idea and visual artists in the area have already kind of clicked onto the idea and there’s been some other discussion about possibly some of the better known artists in the area lending some of their images to this or even creating a new one”   

Roscoe added the association is still looking for a Float Chairperson.  Those interested can call 503-440-2805.  Contact information can also be found on the association’s website. 

Deceptive Mailing to Oregon Businesses

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is warning Oregon companies to be on the alert for a mailing that deceptively looks like it is from the Oregon Corporation Division. 

 

A number of businesses have reported receiving an official-looking invoice entitled, "Compliance Filings Center -- Annual Minutes Compliance Notice." The mailing requests detailed information about the business and a $150 "Certificate of Minutes" preparation fee. The invoice lists a return address of 4676 Commercial Street SE, #169, Salem, OR 97302. 

 

An example of the scam is posted on the Secretary of State website.

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER IN ASTORIA

On February 7th, 2013 at 4:08 a.m., Astoria dispatch received a 911 call from a male individual claiming to have shot his mother. Clatsop County Deputies responded to a residence on Norland McCoy Road just off Hwy 202. Upon arrival, the 3 deputies were met by the 26 year old male suspect Brian Mathew Hall, outside the residence who was taken into custody without incident.

The residence was found to have a female gunshot victim, Delores Hall, age 57,  with a serious wound to her torso who was conscious but in serious condition. Medix transported her to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria where she is being stabilized and will be taken to Portland for further care.

Johnson, Boone, Witt to Host Virtual Town Hall Legislators to Use Technology to Connect Constituents to Salem

OR St. Sen. Betsy Johnson

State Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), State Representative Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach), and State Representative Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) will hold a virtual town hall on Wednesday, February 20. The physical location for the town hall is at the State Capitol in Salem, but constituents from their districts will be able to listen live on the radio, view the event live on the internet and ask questions of the three legislators on Twitter and via email.

WHAT:           Virtual Town Hall Featuring Area Legislators

WHO:             Senator Betsy Johnson, Representative Deborah Boone, Representative Brad Witt

WHEN:           Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

WHERE:         State Capitol, Hearing Room C

                        View Online at http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/asx/HRC.asx

                        Live audio broadcast available on  Coast Community Radio:  90.9 FM KCPB                                             and 1600 AM KOHI, St. Helens.

                       

HOW:             Ask questions of legislators via email or Twitter by mentioning @TownHall16 in the tweet

TWITTER:      @TownHall16

EMAIL:          townhall@betsyjohnson.com

ASTORIA CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS 19TH STREET BRIDGE, SLIDE DEBRIS PAYMENTS AND RIVERWALK CATS

Astoria’s Irving Avenue and 19th Street Bridge Replacement project was the topic of a presentation to the Astoria City Council last night. Council members were advised on options for the project, then Acting City Manager Bret Estes asked for action.

Estes.wav (:27)  “What we’d like to be able to have from the city council this evening is direction with regards to the bridge replacement alternatives, the bridge railing alternatives, and the temporary traffic control alternatives, and whether sidewalks are included on one side only or on both sides, and once we have that direction this will provide our design engineers with the ability to move forward.”

The council approved motions for a single span, double sidewalks with esthetically pleasing handrails, and for a construction plan with the earliest possible completion date.

Clean Energy Works Oregon Offers Rebates

Homeowners in Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes can now take advantage of the services of Clean Energy Works Oregon, the statewide home energy remodeling program.

Now in its fifth year, Clean Energy Works Oregon brings homeowners together with local contractors, lenders, and utilities. The organization has grown from a City of Portland pilot project to a statewide program operating in 19 Oregon counties. It has generated more than $38 million in economic activity and helped create jobs for hundreds of remodeling workers.

MANDATORY BOATING CLASS LEADING TO BOATER EDUCATION CARD OFFERED FOR BOATERS

Gary Kobes, Staff Officer for Public Education shares an important tip about boating
at one of the classes.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Astoria, Oregon in partnership with the Oregon
State Marine Board will teach a Mandatory Boater Education Class leading to a boater education card. The class will be held Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm in the 2nd Floor Conference room at Englund Marine & Industrial Supply located at 95 Hamburg, Astoria, Oregon. The cost for the class which includes the manual will be $ 15.00.