CITY OF ASTORIA SEEKS VOLUNTEER MEMBERS FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Astoria Mayor Arline LaMear will soon be making appointments to the City’s various Boards and Commissions in 2015. Selection of Board and Commission members is a function of the Astoria City Mayor using recommendations by City Council members, City staff and department heads, and through volunteer applications. Volunteer committees offer citizens the opportunity to be involved in the community in a number of ways. Volunteers are a huge and valuable resource without which the City would not be able to provide a number of services.
A brief description of the various Boards and Commissions is included on the “Citizen Advisory Committees Application Form”. If you are interested in serving on any of the City of Astoria's volunteer committees, the application form may be accessed by visiting the City of Astoria’s web page at www.astoria.or.us.    The application form is also available in the Mayor’s Office on the third floor of City Hall. To apply for current vacancies, submit an application form to the Mayor’s Office by 5:00 p.m. January 15, 2015. Appointments will be made by January 30, 2015.

Free CERT Training in Pacific County, Washington

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency (PCEMA) is offering a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course in Raymond. Training is scheduled as follows:
 

Saturday, January 17, 2015 · 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 18, 2015 · 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 24, 2015 · 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 25, 2015 · 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The course will be held at the Riverview Education Center (600 Washington Avenue, Raymond, WA 98586). Pre-registration is required and is limited to 24 participants. 

The CERT program is an all-risk, all-hazard training. The course is designed to help citizens protect themselves, family, neighbors, and neighborhoods in an emergency situation. CERT members receive 20 hours of initial training provided free of charge. The course is taught with classroom instruction for the first two days and practical exercises during the third day, the fourth day will be devoted to more advanced training and is optional. Participants under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian permission to attend.

To register or for more information, contact Scott McDougall at (360) 875-9338 or email smcdougall@co.pacific.wa.us. 

CLATSOP COUNTY OFFERS HEALTH COVERAGE ENROLLMENT EVENT JAN. 5-6

Oregon residents looking to enroll or re-enroll for health insurance through a certified community partner or agent are invited to attend an event Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 5-6 in Astoria or Seaside.

Assistance will be available for those applying or re-applying for coverage under the Oregon Health Plan or seeking a plan under the federal health coverage marketplace.

The event runs from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. on Monday and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesday. The event will be held at both Columbia Memorial Hospital, 2021 Marine Drive in Astoria, and Providence Seaside Hospital, 725 S. Wahanna Road, Seaside.

You may choose either location, and no appointment is necessary.

Participants are asked to bring the following information:

·   Birth dates for all applying for coverage

·   Employer and income information

·   Any self-employment deductions

·   Policy number(s) and plan name(s) for any current health insurance

·   Information about health coverage available through an employer

·   Social Security Number (or Alien Resident Number) for everyone applying

Come prepared with an email account if possible.

ASTORIA MAYOR TO HOLD COMMUNITY MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Astoria Mayor Arline LaMear will hold “Meet the Mayor” community meetings on the first Wednesday of each month in 2015. All meetings will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Astoria City Hall, 2nd Floor, Walldorf Conference Room, 1095 Duane Street. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7th where the public is invited to share comments, questions or concerns with the Mayor. 

Subsequent meetings will be held:
February 4
March 4 
April 1
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 2
November 4
December 2 

ASTORIA CHRISTMAS DEATH INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Investigation into the Christmas morning death of Steven Lynn Russell, age 63, of Astoria continues. An autopsy was conducted by the Oregon State Medical Examiners office on Friday, December 26th. The Autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a single gunshot. The investigation into the manner of death continues.
Russell’s death was reported early Christmas morning.  At 12:10 AM, on December 25,  Astoria police responded to a report of the death of a 63-year-old Astoria man. He was found deceased in his Astoria home. There was at least one person in the home with him at the time of his death but that person, while cooperative, was unable to provide details about his death.
The Clatsop County Major Crime Team (Comprised in this case of Astoria Police Department, Oregon State Police, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Seaside Police Department, Cannon Beach Police Department, Clatsop County District Attorney's office, and the Clatsop County District Medical Examiner) was assisted in the search of the residence by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab.
People with information about Russell or his death should contact Detective Sergeant Eric Halverson at (503) 325-4411 or ehalverson@astoria.or.us.

Oregon Cultural Trust seeks to exceed last year's total -- Give by Dec. 31!

Oregon Cultural Trust is seeking the public's help in meeting or exceeding the $4.2 million donated last year.

Tax credits are available for donations -  up to $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a couple, $2,500 for a corporationa 

The trust has an online quiz that helps people test their Oregon cultural IQ.

There is still time to support culture AND qualify for a 2014 tax credit. Anyone who has made a gift to one of 1400 qualifying cultural nonprofits qualifies for a 100 percent tax credit* if they give a matching gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust by Dec. 31.

CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONER ACCUSED OF ACTIONS OUTSIDE SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

    A copy of a letter accusing Clatsop County Commissioner Dirk Rohne of improper behavior was distributed from Clatsop County to local media outlets Wednesday morning.     The letter, dated December 18th, was sent by Commission Chair Scott Lee to Rohne, his fellow commissioners and commissioners-elect.  In it, Lee said Rohne had acted outside of the scope of his authority by contacting labor law attorney Akin Blitz with concerns about the behavior of the county manager and another county employee toward subordinates.  Lee said Rohne’s actions “violated open meetings law and subjected yourself and other commissioners to liability”

    Commissioner Rohne responded to Coast Community Radio this morning, saying that in effect, Chairman Lee did what he was accusing Rohne of doing, by contacting county staff or an attorney.   Rohne said  “I think an attorney wrote the letter, and he (Lee) signed it, without consulting the board”.  
    The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners met in executive session on Tuesday.   Rohne was not present.  The next Clatsop Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for January 14th.     

SEASIDE POLICE SEEK ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEATH OF TWO YEAR OLD EVANGELINA WING

Seaside Police Chief David Ham announced Wednesday morning that the Clatsop County District Attorney's Office had filed an Information accusing Randy Lee Roden, 26, of Seaside of Aggravated Murder in the death of 2-year-old Evangelina Wing.

An autopsy performed on Sunday December 21st determined Evangelina to be the victim of a homicide and that the cause of death was blunt force trauma. Other injuries were noted, but not determined to be the cause of death.

He will be arraignedat 11:30 a.m. on December 24th in Clatsop County Circuit Court and the case will likely be set for arraignment if the grand jury returns an indictment next week. Roden has been held on an un-related post-prison detainer since Saturday.

Wing's body was discovered by Seaside emergency personnel responding to a residence at 1250 s. Wahanna Road, Seaside after the local 911 center received a callat 5:24 a.m. Saturday morning.

Emergency personnel arrived and determined Evangelina was dead, Seaside Police arrived simultaneously and called in child protection workers from the state Department of Human Services, who placed two other children, boys aged 2 and 5 in protective custody. Both children were determined to have suffered an undetermined number of injuries and are being treated at Portland-area hospitals. The children's mother, Dorothy Wing, has spoken to police but has not been charged with a crime at this point. Roden was living with her at the time of her daughter's death.

National Park and Clatsop Community College Team to Protect Historic Sites

The National Park Service and Clatsop Community College have entered into a multi-year agreement to collaborate in the study and documentation of several culturally-significant sites that are related to the mission of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Oregon and Washington.

The project will include historical research, reports documenting cultural significance and integrity, and recommendations for site protection.  Clatsop Community College students will gain experience in the protection of historic sites through research and documentation. The resulting reports and recommendations will be used by the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in future study, interpretation and management of the cultural resources of the Park.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Superintendent Scott Tucker says, "Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is thrilled to be partnering with Clatsop Community College to further the education mission of both of our institutions. To be able to provide local students the opportunity to have hands on experience in their national park is just one way the NPS hopes to inspire the next generation of park employee, supporter and steward."

Clatsop Community College is uniquely situated to participate in this work. Through the College's award-winning Historic Preservation and Restoration Program, students learn construction and restoration skills in hands-on experiences where they work to preserve structures across our region. They combine this with classes on researching and documenting historic structures, a complicated process that is critical for many preservation projects. For more information, visit www.clatsopcc.edu/preservation.

GRIMES TERMINATED FROM CLATSOP COUNTY CLERK POSITION

   

County Manager Scott Somers announced Friday, Dec. 19 that Clatsop County Clerk Maeve Kennedy Grimes has been terminated from her position, effective immediately.

Grimes was placed on administrative leave Oct. 20 after two errors were discovered in the Nov. 4 General election mail-in ballot. As a result of the errors the county was required to distribute supplemental ballots to county voters.

An investigation by Somers found that the Clerk’s Office did not follow its established protocol for proof-reading the draft ballots before the election.

Grimes served as Clatsop County Clerk from 2011 to 2012, then returned to the position in June 2013.

Clerk of the Board Valerie Crafard, who was appointed Interim County Clerk after Grimes was placed on administrative leave, will continue in that role while the county moves forward to fill the position on a permanent basis.

TEMPORARY JOBS WITH US FOREST SERVICE FOR 2015. APPLICATION PERIOD STARTS IN JANUARY

More than 600 temporary jobs will be advertised with the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon and Washington starting in January

There will be openings in specialties such as fire, trails, timber, recreation, fisheries and archaeology.

Jim Pena, the Pacific Northwest regional forester, said in a press release:  "If you are interested in working with a dedicated team of people who take pride in managing public lands, we invite you to consider joining the Forest Service,".

Applications can be completed online.

CLATSOP MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY

OSU Clatsop County Extension Service Master Gardener Program, is taking applications until tomorrow (Dec 19) for one of the most popular volunteer programs in Oregon. Classes will be held at Clatsop Community College main campus on Wednesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Jan. 6 and ending March 18.
 
Volunteers receive over 60 hours of intensive gardening education in exchange for 60 hours of volunteer time.
The master gardener curriculum provides volunteers with information and references on subjects such as botany, soil management, pruning techniques, integrated pest management and more. OSU Extension faculty, veteran master gardeners and experts in their respective fields will teach the classes.
Students of all ages and abilities, beginners and experienced gardeners alike, are welcomed to participate in the program.

Apply to the Extension office by Friday, Dec. 19.  Applications are available online at www.extension.oregonstate.edu/clatsop/gardening/master-gardener-classes-events, at the Clatsop County Extension office located at 2001 Marine Drive, room 210, or by calling 503-325-8573.

PIPELINE RULING: COURT SIDES WITH COUNTY ON COMMISSIONER BIAS ISSUE

  

The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned a state land-use board ruling that a Clatsop County commissioner showed bias in rejecting an application from Oregon Pipeline Company LLC.

The decision, issued Wednesday, Dec. 17, sends the issue back to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) for further review of the issues surrounding the project, which involves the construction of 41 miles of pipeline to serve a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Warrenton.

FREE GUIDED FIRST DAY HIKES RETURN TO OREGON STATE PARKS ON JAN. 1

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will ring in 2015 with 31 guided hikes in state parks on New Year's Day. This is the fourth year that OPRD has participated in First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative sponsored by America's State Parks.  Last year, more than 940 people participated in First Day Hikes in Oregon.

Oregon Parks and Recreation will waive the day-use parking fees on Jan. 1 for all visitors to participating state parks that normally require a permit. 29 parks are participating in First Day Hikes this year, including Ecola State Park and Fort Stevens State Park.  The guided hike at Ecola will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.--meet at the Ecola Point parking lot near Indian Beach trailhead.  The Fort Stevens hike will take place from 9-11 a.m.--meet at Coffenbury Lake north parking lot.

ASTORIA REGATTA ASSOCIATION ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2015.

Kathy Koppen Dean and Kevin Leahy have been elected co-Presidents of the Astoria Regatta Associationfor 2015.

Vice-President is Mitch Mitchum. Secretary Sara Crowell. Treasurer Dan Arnoth.

Peter Roscoe serves as the Past President.

Other board members are Becky Johnson, Carol Olson, Cliff & Roxanne Fick, Dena Tuveng, Len Tumbarello, Paul Winiarz and Sue Gallagher

The board has apporoved the addition of a part-time project coordinator, a new funded position within the Regatta Association. Request for Proposal (RFP) will be sent out through media and other channels for this position. Interested parties are asked to send inquiries to astoriaregattaassociation@gmail.comAjob description and other details will be provided.

2015 will be the 121^st Astoria Regatta, and there will be a major community effort to engage more members of the entire region to aid in planning and being part of this recognized and honored “Oregon Heritage Tradition” festival. Email the astoriaregattaassociation@gmail.com to learn more information of how to get involved, or contact Kathy Koppen Dean at 520-437-8431 or Kevin Leahy at 503-325-8841.

The theme for the 2015 Astoria Regatta will be decided at the January general membership meeting.

SUNSET EMPIRE TRANSPORTATION NEW BOARD DIRECTOR

Mitch Mitchum has been appointed to the Sunset Empire Transportation District’s Board of Commissioners.  Mitchum has a background of experience in transportation management and community service. Mitchum served as a Public Works Officer and Manager of Transportation Services while in the Navy and was the Public Works Director for the City of Astoria for 11 years. Mitchum is a volunteer in the community serving as the President of the Astoria Sunday Market, he is on the Board of the Clatsop County Health District and is the Vice President of the Clatsop Cruise Hosts. He was appointed to the position 7 seat.  The term expires on June 30th of 2015.

Kotek announces 2015 House committee assignments

Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek has announced house committee assignments for the 2015 Legislative Session. 
 

The assignments come after Kotek met with every returning and incoming member of the House of Representatives to discuss their priorities and interests.   

District 32 Representative Deborah Boone will be Vice Chair of the Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee; she will also be a member of the Energy and Environment Committee

District 31 Representative Brad Witt will chair the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  He will also be a member of the Rules Committee and the Rural Communities: Land Use and Water Committee.  

The House will convene January 12, 2015 for an organizational session, which will include the swearing-in of all House members, the official election of the constitutional officers and the introduction of the first set of bills. The 2015 Session will officially begin February 2.  

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Dec 10 Meeting Highlights

Flood map study

The board of commissioners approved contributing up to $7,000 to fund an independent technical review of a new flood study released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency identifying flood areas in Clatsop County for the purpose of flood insurance coverage. County staff told the board that due to a data anomaly, the new maps give a higher base flood elevation and place many inland areas within the “velocity zone” flood designation, which would result in new, severe restrictions on development if the maps are adopted without change. The cities of Astoria and Warrenton and Port of Astoria will also contribute to the technical study, which is estimated to cost $15,000 to $20,000.

Wetland discussion

The board held a joint work session with the county Planning Commission and Southwest Coastal Citizens Advisory Committee to discuss wetlands regulations and protection measures in the Arch Cape area. The discussion followed the board’s decision last month to accept an opinion from county land-use counsel that the county could no longer enforce setback requirements on most wetlands.

At the conclusion of the session, Board Chairman Scott Lee said the board would explore the creation of an ad hoc committee to further investigate possible protective wetlands regulations.

CEDR NAMES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS

Clatsop Economic Development Resources elected new board members during their Annual Meeting on November 25^th.  The new board members were elected for a three year term. 

The new board members are Chris Nemlowill, Co-owner of Fort George Brewery representing the Craft Brewing Cluster, Kurt Englund, Owner of Englund Marine Supply representing the Marine & Fishing Sector, Linda Beck Sweeney, Owner of Cannon Beach Vacation Rentals representing the Hospitality Industry, and Mark Morgans, Area Manager for Lewis & Clark Timber/Campbell Global Group, representing the Forestry & Forest Products Sector.

 

Rosemary Baker-Monaghan, Executive Director of the Liberty Theater, representing the arts & culture cluster, was re-elected to a three year term, and will also continue to serve on the CEDR Executive Committee as Board Secretary and Treasurer.

Clatsop Community College Welcomes New Board Members

At a special meeting on December 8, 2014, the Clatsop Community College Board of Directors elected two new members to fill recent vacancies resulting from the departures of Dr. Frank Satterwhite and Larry McKinley.

Esther Moberg was elected to fill a position in Zone 3 that is generally described as the City of Cannon Beach, City of Seaside, City of Gearhart, Arch Cape area, City of Warrenton, Clatsop Plains area, Necanicum area south of Seaside, and Stanley Acres north of Seaside.  Moberg currently serves as Director of the Seaside Public Library. She holds a Masters in Library Science from Emporia State University and a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University. She is also a former Clatsop Community College student. Moberg is engaged in a variety of community initiatives including the Columbia Pacific Assistance League, P.E.O.-Chapter FE and the City of Seaside Emergency Preparedness Team.

Clatsop Community College Lives in Transition Program Expands to Serve Latina Community

Clatsop Community College’s Lives in Transition (LIT) Program has announced an expansion specifically for the Latina Community. The new program, Transiciones Costa, will be taught in Spanish. The culturally-appropriate program will align with the goals found in Lives in Transition, and will provide an educational forum for Latina adult learners. Topics covered will include: learning about Clatsop Community College resources, exploring career and work possibilities, developing basic computer skills, enhancing self-esteem, improving communication skills, exploring life goals, and establishing educational goals.  

 

Transiciones Costa includes two classes. One class will be taught each term and classes will alternate from term to term. Both three-credit classes are free to participants. The Winter Term class will meet on Wednesday mornings, 9:00am-11:50am, beginning January 7, 2015. 

Para obtener más información en Español: 503-338-2379. For more information in English: 503-338-2377. 

Lives in Transition programs are designed to support adult learners complete or continue their education. Program participants typically see themselves as displaced homemakers, single parents, or dislocated workers. Lives in Transition encourages students to develop greater self-awareness about their educational goals, enhance self-esteem, overcome personal barriers, and establish clear career directions. 

CLATSOP COUNTY NATURAL HAZARDS PLAN UPDATE AVAILABLE TO VIEW

   Clatsop County’s plan for handling natural disasters is updated and available to view.

The Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan identifies the types of hazards that threaten the county and local communities, evaluates vulnerability to those hazards and outlines a strategy to reduce or eliminate the risk to life and property.

The multi-jurisdictional plan was developed in 2008 in coordination between Clatsop County and the cities of Astoria, Cannon Beach, Gearhart, Seaside and Warrenton. The state and federal governments require local jurisdictions to adopt hazard mitigation plans to be eligible for certain disaster assistance and recovery funding. The county launched an update of the plan earlier this year.

The updated plan has been submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review and adoption. Citizens are invited to view the plan and provide their own input on their biggest natural hazard concerns through an online survey at www.co.clatsop.or.us.