City Council and Mayoral Candidates Speak at AAUW Forum

Candidates for Astoria city offices took the stage last (Tuesday) night at a forum sponsored by the Astoria chapter of the American Association of University Women.

Candidates for wards 1 and 3 plus the two mayoral candidates spoke to an audience of about 200 people, answering questions ranging from how to recruit young people to participate in city politics and planning to how the city council should work with the Port of Astoria commission.

George McCartin and Zetty Nemlowill are competing for the Ward 1 position on the council.  Cindy Price is running unopposed for the Ward 3 seat.

Citing a lack of parking spaces downtown, the first audience question sought the candidates takes on what to do with the former Safeway site – now the site of the proposed Heritage Square.  George McCartin said some environmental evaluation would have to take place before any plans could be implemented, and that further development should be prioritized against other city projects according to need.  Zetty Nemlowill and Cindy Price both stressed the need for affordable housing downtown.  Nemlowill said an earlier public input process called for a mixed use space.  She suggested such a space could include rental housing.

            “Lets look at student housing for the college.  If people live downtown, they’re going to shop downtown.  They’re not going to need to get in their cars and drive.” (:08)

Cindy Price added positive comments about mixed use for the site, and referenced a downtown improvement study done by consultant Michele Reeves for the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association

            “The biggest driver of downtown vitality is housing, and this is a really perfect place where we don’t have to worry about blocking other people’s views...” (:10)

Price added more public input should be sought before further design and fundraising plans. 

Some comic relief was generated when moderator Patricia Garner read out an audience question about relations between city officials and the Port of Astoria Commission.

                “Please describe what you believe to be the appropriate relationship between the City and the Port of Astoria.....in two words or less”  (:13)

Astoria’s city council recently acquiesced to the Port of Astoria’s addition of a “master plan” process, to the Riverfront Vision Plan.  The process would allow exemptions for Port property projects on a case-by-case basis if approved by the City Council.

Ward 1 candidate George McCartin expressed a dim view of relations between the two entities:

            “I’m a great believer in consensus, working toward consensus, but after seeing what went on lately with the planning commission - even though I think I’m somewhat talented in leading people to consensus, I’m not quite sure that would work in this case.”  (:19)

Ward 1 candidate Zetty Nemlowill, with 9 years of service on the city planning commission, enumerated some of her doubts:

                “I don’t agree with the provision for the overlay zone for the master plan that the city council adopted.  I don’t agree with the Port partnering with a private developer to fight a public document – that is the Riverfront Vision Plan.  Right now the city does not have a proactive role with the port, and I think that we have to have a more proactive role.” (:24)

Ward 3 candidate Cindy Price agreed the Port’s plan was not consistent with the planning commission’s efforts:

            “The relationship should not include – including the port’s master plan, which it doesn’t have and perhaps may never have, into the Riverfront Vision Plan.” (:10)

In the matter of moving DUI cases from Astoria’s municipal court to the circuit court, Ward 1 candidate George McCartin said over 40 thousand public dollars have so far been spent on appeals with no end in sight, the time for negotiation is past, and stated the cases should be tried in circuit court.

While acknowledging there are two sides to the conflict, Ward 1 candidate Zetty Nemlowill agreed the city has spent too much time and money on the fight, the cases should be tried in circuit court, and it is time to move on.

Ward 3 candidate Cindy Price is married to Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis, the primary force behind the effort to move the DUI cases to circuit court.  Price too, said the DUI cases should be moved.

                “I’m for best practices – and circuit court – you know who does what – every day – from morning to night.  And I think that’s what we should be doing – sending them there.” (:13)

Mayoral candidates Larry Taylor and Arlene LaMear took a different tack on the DUI cases.  LaMear said the controversy was started by the District Attorney.  The city has some financial gain from DUI fines, moving the cases would involve additional costs for the circuit court, moving the cases would incur overtime expenses for the Astoria Police Department, and with no appreciable differences in the quality of justice, that the cases should remain in municipal court.

Candidate Larry Taylor spoke in favor of moving the cases to district court, but said that a hearing should be held to get accurate data regarding costs and benefits to the city, and then a final determination should be made.

In the matter of the Riverfront Vision Plan and the Port of Astoria master plan, candidate Larry Taylor said the decision to allow the Port’s amendment to the plan should be overturned.  Candidate LaMear said she voted against the Port overlay, but voted for the plan as a whole in order to preserve the work the Planning Commission had done to enact building height limits.

The mayoral candidates were also asked about prioritizing city projects in the light of community needs.  Did funding for the Garden of Surging Waves come at the expense of funding for an arts center, a community center and meeting space, and library improvements?

Candidate LaMear spoke of the Garden of Surging Waves and the Heritage Square project being of benefit to the city as a focal point, gathering place and attraction, without draining the public purse:

                “It was paid for almost entirely by grant funds, and donations from our citizenry, so its not taking away from some of these other projects that you’re talking about. (:14)

Candidate Larry Taylor said he would work on restoring the arts commission and fund it, establish an emergency preparedness commission and establish a family health commission to address domestic violence and child abuse.

                “There are some things that we need to do to reduce drug abuse and alcohol abuse because those are the things that fuel domestic violence, and I think that’s how we can address some of these problems.” (:12)

When asked about addressing the unaffordability of Astoria, the two mayoral candidates differed in their responses.  Larry Taylor stated the need for high speed internet to foster a high tech environment and attract well-paying tech jobs.  Arlene LaMear spoke to building on established successes, such as Columbia Memorial Hospital, Astoria’s second largest employer, and encouraging businesses like Co-Commercial, a new-economy rental space for small independent entrepreneurs.

A one hour edition of the candidates’ forum will air on 91.9 KMUN – Sunday night at 7.  The entire forum is available as a downloadable podcast from our website at coast radio dot org.