www.TillamookHeadlightHerald.com
Fall Home Improvement • 2015
•
2021
Family Owned Business Section Inside
Headlight Herald
STORMY WEATHER
1
ARTS FESTIVAL 2021
Featured Festival Artist 2021: Coastal Nocturne by Randall David Tipton
34TH ANNIVERSARY
November 5-7, 2021
Stormy Discussion on Prepared Food Tax page 2 & 4 Weather Arts Festival Section Inside
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Citizen North Coast
VOL. 45, ISSUE 21 FREE
CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
October 29, 2021
And the winners are...
Camp Castle crowned contest champs
State Sen. Betsy Johnson announces bid for Governor
K
arlen Trucke, Sue Winter, Mark Winter, Brad Harmon and Dave Weltstein, teammates of Camp Castle are the Cannon Beach Summer of Sandcastles Virtual Contest winners and have won bragging rights, winner’s medallions and free entry into the 2022 Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest Large Division. Voted on by our very own 2021 Cannon Beach Sandcastle Sponsors- Coaster Construction, Columbia Bank, Wave’s Motel, and Jeffery Hull Gallery our esteemed judges this year. Special thanks to Form Finders for coming by invitation to build a Sandcastle promotion build to kick off our summer of Sandcastle’s 2021. Look for our “ how to build a sandcastle” video coming soon.
S
Gatsby’s Oceanside Speakeasy & Steakhouse opens in Cannon Beach Hilary Dorsey
T
Staff Writer
here’s a new restaurant in town for date night. Gatsby’s Oceanside Speakeasy & Steakhouse opened with a soft opening Thursday, Oct. 14. Located at 1355 S. Hemlock St. in Cannon Beach, the restaurant offers decadent dining in the newly renovated venue. Chef Owner Jeff Schutt is approaching his 44th year in the hospitality and entertainment industry. He has owned steakhouses in north Scottsdale and Sedona, Ariz. He owned a steakhouse also there called Gatsby’s. Schutt said he has been looking for a space in Cannon Beach since 1995. He toured as a musician in the 1980s and 1990s and felt the area would be a good place to someday retire. “I continue soft openings for months to work out all the bugs,” Schutt said, “We’ll actually do a grand opening probably at Valentine’s Day.” Schutt said in the meantime, he wants to learn the market. With Gatsby’s, the theme is the Roaring ‘20s, with mobsters and flappers of the Prohibition
Era. Soft jazz music and décor help set the theme. Schutt used to do speakeasies in Arizona and found it intriguing to find a place with a theme. “When you come to a Gatsby’s or speakeasies, there’s going to be something fun and intriguing there,” Schutt said. “You’ll always have a memory of it a little bit better I think.” Menu items at the prime steakhouse include steak, chops and seafood and global wines, vintage era cocktails and more. Schutt said the steaks come from Snake River Farms. “I am doing some Oregon lamb chops out of Junction City at Cattail Farms,” Schutt said. “Those are quite delicious as well.” Lamb comes from Cattail Creek Farm in Junction City. Ora King salmon comes from New Zealand. Gatbsy’s features global wines, as visitors come far and wide to visit Cannon Beach. A Prohibition-era cocktail list includes a Flappers Delight Cosmopolitan, Machine Gun Kelly Manhattan, and many more. “After the first of the year,
Chef, owner Jeff Schutt. Courtesy photo we’re going to build an outdoor dining area out front,” Schutt said. “We got approved through the city already.” This will provide an additional 24 seats outside. There are currently 24 seats inside.
The restaurant also boasts allgreen technology kitchen. Schutt does sous vide, which is a precise way of cooking, and involves
n See GATSBY’S, Page 2
Musicians Adams & Costello perform at the Coaster Theatre
T
he Coaster Theatre Playhouse welcomes the soulful sounds of Adams & Costello to the theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, as part of the Stormy Weather Arts weekend. Admission is $20; tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office (503 436-1242) or online at coastertheatre. com. Space is limited; seats will be socially distanced by groups. West Coaster Julie Adams meets New Englander Michael Costello in this synergistic guitar and vocal duo. Costello’s love of roots music combines with Adams’ strong draw to driving rhythms. Based in Oregon and regulars on the North Coast music scene, they perform and record together regularly in a blend of visceral songs and emotional performances. To ensure everyone’s safety, patrons
must show proof that they are fully vaccinated when they enter the Coaster Theatre. Those unable to be vaccinated must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time in addition to a matching photo ID. Face coverings also are required at all times for everyone inside the theater regardless of vaccination status. Acceptable face coverings are listed on the theatre’s website. Any patron not wearing a face covering, regardless of a medical exemption or age, will not be admitted entrance to the Coaster Theatre. Anyone who does not wear a face covering inside at all times will be asked to leave the theatre. No exceptions will be made to the face covering policy.
tate Sen. Betsy Johnson, of Warren, announced Thursday on her Facebook page that she is running for Oregon Governor, “as an independent leader unaffiliated with any party and loyal only to the people of Oregon.” The Oregonian first reported Johnson’s announcement following her Facebook post. The following is Johnson’s Facebook letter. Dear Friends: With an election for Governor fast approaching, Oregonians are eager for a fresh start and new leadership. But having to choose between another left-wing liberal promising more of the same or a right-wing Trump apologist – is no choice at all. Oregonians deserve better than the excesses and nonsense of the extreme left and radical right. Oregonians are
n See JOHNSON, Page 3
Rep. Suzanne Weber announces campaign for Oregon State Senate I
n a video statement on Oct. 14, State Rep. Suzanne Weber announced her candidacy for the Oregon State Senate. “I’m excited to take this next step in serving my community,” said Weber. “I hope I can count on your support like I did last year when I ran for State Representative to bring our common sense to Salem.” “There are no bigger shoes to fill in Oregon politics than those of Senator Betsy Johnson,” continued Weber. “But I will work every day to live up to her legacy as an independent, non-partisan leader here in Rural Northwest Oregon.” Johnson, who has served Senate District 16 for the last 16 years, announced the same day that she is running for
n See WEBER, Page 2
2
October 29, 2021
CannonBeachGazette.com
|
Cannon Beach Gazette
Fire Chief discusses district’s use of prepared food tax if passed Kathleen Stinson For The Gazette
Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District Chief Marc Reckmann talked with The Gazette on Monday about the proposed 5 percent prepared
food tax on the November ballot. The ballot states the tax money would be used to fund the city and the fire district. Reckmann said ECONorthwest did a study on the proposed tax and estimates that it would generate about $1.6
million a year. Half would go to the city and half to the district. So each would get about $800,000 a year. If the voters approve the tax, he said the fire district’s goal would be to use their share of the money to pay for staffing. The funds would pay
for three firefighter paramedics. “One paramedic would be on staff 24 hours a day,” he said. The chief said the district would also like to use the money to hire a full time fire marshall, who could do fire
prevention public education, plan reviews and fire inspections. “And last, we would like to fully fund the apparatus reserve fund, which we use to replace hoses,” he said. Instead of having to go for levies or bonds when the
hoses are up for replacement,” the fund could pay for that. He said if the tax does not pass, “it will be a decision of the board whether to go back for a new levy in May, which would increase property taxes.”
City looks at system development charges for water, sever, storm and parks Kathleen Stinson For The Gazette
The city of Cannon Beach has been losing some revenue on putting in utilities for new construction because Oregon Law requires cities to first have master plans before instituting system development charges, said city Public Works Director Karen La Bonte. The city is now in a position to correct this and start charging a parks fee and when the transportation plan is completed, a fee for transportation too. La Bonte said the city is also currently in the process of updating its fees for sewer, water and stormwater and adding a system
development charge for parks. Transportation will probably not have its master plan completed in time for this update. “The transportation System Development Charges should be recalculated when the Transportation System Plan is finished,” as stated in a power point by FCS Group, consultants. These system development charges for capital improvements are one-time charges. On Dec. 7, the council will hold a public hearing on the SDCs, La Bonte said. On December 14, at a work session, council will discuss the public hearing feedback and on January 4, the council will vote on new SDC rates for water, sewer, storm and now to include parks.
City begins elementary school remodel project Call center volunteering Kathleen Stinson For The Gazette
The city of Cannon Beach is proceeding forward with its remodeling project at the former Cannon Beach Elementary School. Mayor Sam Steidel told The Gazette on Monday: “The roof repair contractor is currently working on the leaks and trying to stop them. They have had material supply issues. The floor is in bad shape and may need total replacement, though that was most likely during refurbishment anyway.” “We are having both buildings tested for asbestos, which as you know is difficult to remove,” the mayor said in an email. “(In) the era when the old buildings were built, this material was common in glues and binders. No word back on that yet. This will
determine our next move. “That said we are in the process of drafting the Request For Proposals for an architectural firm who will help us wrangle the ultimate dream of our ‘Gathering Place.’” According to a staff report by City Manager Bruce St. Denis: “One of the tasks in the scope of the classroom roofing project was to remove the canopy between the classrooms and gymnasium. The removal required patching the sides of both buildings at the point where the connection had been terminated. Shortly after that work was completed, the city experienced two of our heaviest rain days of the fall season. The patch on the classroom side was effective and no rain entered the classroom area. However rain did enter the west side of the gym wall and flowed eastward across the gym floor.
The floor had been damaged by leaks over the years, but these particular leaks put the floor material past the point of consideration of salvageability. A complication is that there is a possibility that the floor materials or the adhesive used to lay the floor down contains asbestos or other hazardous materials that will require mitigation. Staff authorized an analysis of the floor and adhesive materials to determine if the materials are “hot” or benign.” Funding to pay for the removal of the wet floor does not currently exist, St. Denis said in the report. The council has considered borrowing the funds for the project and “repaying the debt service from the TLC funds from the county’s jail operation levy.” This was discussed at the October 12 meeting.
offers rewarding experience A crucial part of Clatsop County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic is its Public Information Call Center (PICC). Since almost the beginning of the outbreak, the PICC and its all-volunteer roster have performed the vital tasks of sharing information with residents and signing them up for testing, vaccinations and other services. As the response to the pandemic continues to evolve, with new directives on testing, booster shots and, eventually, treatments, new volunteers are needed more than ever. The PICC operates from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers work shifts of one-
and-a-half or two hours. The number is (503) 325-8500. “PICC volunteers are the heart and soul of our County’s COVID-19 response,” PICC Supervisor Ellie Jansen said. “We have a great sense of camaraderie here in the PICC. We all want to play our part in protecting our community, providing good information and reducing the burden of the pandemic.” A number of PICC volunteers shared their reasons for signing up, and the rewards and challenges of the position. “Helping with the COVID response seemed to be the right thing to do when the need was so great,” retired federal worker Chris Woolsey of Gearhart said. “It’s good for me to learn new things and being involved with the county’s effort has been a very positive experience.” Like Woolsey and many others at the call center, Dr. Roy Little of Astoria came to the PICC after volunteering at community vaccination clinics. “With respect to working at the PICC it was in part to get a better understanding of how information on our local COVID response was being conveyed to the public and to learn more about what questions or concerns people in our area have.” The volunteers also agreed that keeping up with the ever-evolving information on vaccines, tests and federal, state and local guidance can be a challenge. PICC supervisors brief the volunteers daily on new developments to make sure the information
n Weber
Continued from Page 1
governor as an independent candidate. Rep. Weber was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2020 on a platform of bringing rural common sense to Salem. She served 10 years as a Tillamook city councilor, followed by 10 years as mayor
they’re sharing is as accurate as possible. “I’ve been very impressed with how well the PICC operational staff have organized this complex material to we volunteers,” Little said. “PICC volunteers are trained and given time to listen in to calls on their first shift, so they feel ready to take calls from the public,” Jansen said. “The supervisors are here to support them in taking calls, navigating our booking system and answering questions.” When vaccines became widely available earlier this year and community vaccination clinics were organized, PICC volunteers helped residents navigate the online sign-up system. As vaccine demand has declined while vaccines have become more widely available, the PICC’s main focus has shifted to taking appointments for the community drive-thru testing service at Camp Rilea. But many calls also involve helping individuals “gently” work through the decision to get a vaccine. “I was so excited each time I was able to schedule someone for a COVID vaccine,” retired Knappa schoolteacher Sandra van Meer said. “Everyone I have dealt with has been so polite and grateful. Each phone call has given me a sense of satisfaction.” “Initially, callers were happy to talk to someone with current information about vaccine availability and
n See REWARDING, Page 4 of Tillamook, both non-partisan positions. In the House, she serves as vice-chair of the House Committee on Education, as well as a member of the House Committee on Housing, House Committee on Early Childhood, and House Committee on Health Care. Representative Weber’s video announcement can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQAMgFxVSLg
Cannon Beach Gazette
|
CannonBeachGazette.com
I
October 29, 2021
At the library
Book, authors and blue carbon
3
n the last “At the Library” column, I mentioned having just finished reading “Peril,” Bob Woodward’s and Robert Costa’s portrait of President Donald Trump’s schemes to block the peaceful transition of power following President-elect Joe Biden’s victory last November. As a teaser, I mentioned the extensive use of profanity Woodward and Costa attributed to numerous people in the Trump administration, particularly President Trump, that the authors included in direct quotations throughout “Peril.” In addition to page after page containing F-bombs from Trump, many other examples of F-bombs and indecorous expressions were contributed by General Colin Powell, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. These glimpses in “Peril” of everyday life in the Trump circle after his election loss made the salty language and stories for which President Lyndon Johnson and Nixon were famous seem tame by comparison. Among all of President Trump’s cabinet members, attorneys, cowed politicians and
business associates highlighted in “Peril,” one stood out as a genuinely decent government official trying his best to please his president while also protecting the constitution. Woodward and Costa never caught Vice President Mike Pence flinging F-bombs, never captured him instinctively engaged in objectionable discourse. I also promised to provide a short review of “Peril,” Woodward’s second tell-all account of a President’s messy departure from office, the first being the one-two punch of “All the President’s Men” and “The Final Days,” in which forty-five years earlier, he and Carl Bernstein chronicled President Richard Nixon’s path to resignation and a one-way flight to San Clemente, California. Those two journalistic books, particularly “All the President’s Men,” still define the Watergate scandal and subsequent collapse of Nixon’s presidency. With publication of “Peril,” Woodward and Costa likely have written what will do for our understanding of Trump’s political collapse what he and Bernstein did for public understanding of Nixon’s fall from grace. “Peril’ was added to the library collection earlier this month. The World of Haystack Rock Library Lecture Series will
sponsor Bobby Hayden and Jazmin Dagostino from the Pew Charitable Trusts speaking about “Oregon’s Blue Carbon Policy: Where We Are and What’s Next?” on Facebook Live @Friends of Haystack Rock, Wednes- Joseph Bernt day, November 10, at 7 p.m. Oregon recently positioned itself as a national and international leader on blue carbon when the Oregon Global Warming Commission adopted the first Natural and Working Lands Proposal that recommends incorporating blue carbon into the state’s climate goals and strategies. Groups in Oregon asked the Commission to emphasize blue carbon, and the Pew Charitable Trusts played a key role in bringing scientists and data analysts together on this proposal. Before joining Pew Charitable Trusts, Hayden worked at Clmate Solutions to engage new audiences for climate and clean energy campaigns throughout the Northwest. He also was the national repre-
sentative for the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, mobilizing support to restore the Columbia-Snake River Basin. Dagostino works to leverage blue carbon accounting in state greenhouse gas inventories in order to increase protections for coastal and marine habitats along the West and East coasts of the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Science in marine biology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. While in Hawaii, Dagostino researched intertidal communities and squid at the Kewalo Basin Marine Laboratory and at Our Project in Hawaii’s Intertidal (OPIHI). She volunteered at the Waikiki Aquarium. The library’s Northwest Authors Series will feature novelist Deborah Reed, on FacebookLive, Saturday, November 13, at 2 p.m. Join from Facebook: www.facebook. com/cannonbeachlibrary/ (click on posts). Reed has published seven novels, most recently “Pale Morning Light with Violet Swan” and “The Days When
Birds Come Back” through Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Earlier novels include “Olivay,” “Things We Set on Fire” and “Carry Yourself Back to Me.” “Pale Morning Light with Violet Swan” tells a saga of a girl who escaped rural Georgia at fourteen during the Second World War, crossed the country and met her devoted husband. She becomes a celebrated artist and lives her life on the Oregon coast as she imagined it would be—her greatest masterpiece. In “The Days When Birds Come Back” June is divorced, in transition, attempting sobriety, and stuck in her career when she returns to her native Oregon. She must decide what to do with her grandparents’ cedar-shingled, coastal home that holds memories from her childhood. Jameson, a carpenter, arrives to renovate the house to sell. He and June, both trailing baggage from marriages, sense a connection that leads to rebuilding lives and the possibilities of coming home. Reed holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oregon State University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Pacific University. She has taught novel writing at the Hellenic American University in Athens, Greece, and at the UCLA extension program in
Los Angeles. Previously she was co-director of the Black Forest Writing Seminars at Albert-Ludwig University in Freiburg, Germany. She divides her time between Berlin and the Oregon coast. An increasingly prominent Oregon author, Reed lives in Manzanita, where she also owns and manages the Cloud & Leaf Bookstore. Lila Wickham will lead members of Cannon Beach Reads in a Zoom discussion of “How to Educate a Citizen: The Power of Shared Knowledge to Unify a Nation” by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. Wednesday, November 17, at 7 p.m. Hirsch, a Yale professor of English and later of humanities and English at the University of Virginia, became a controversial figure in the late 1980s and 1990s after publishing “Cultural Literacy” in 1988 containing a list of 5,000 cultural products that all educated citizens should know and appreciate so they can talk to each other and bind the nation together. Hirsch, a socialist, was viewed by liberal educationalists as a heavy-handed elitist. Cannon Beach Reads is open to anyone interested in reading important books. To join this library reading group, contact Joe Bernt at berntj@ ohio.edu.
n Johnson
more than who gets credit. As Governor, I will force the two parties to work together to put Oregon ahead of narrow partisan politics. Our campaign will be like no other in Oregon history – because the stakes for Oregon’s future have never been higher. Freed from the distraction of a primary election, I will formally launch my general election campaign after the first of the year. Until then, I will be listening to Oregonians, raising money, and building a first-rate campaign organization. Next summer, I will be nominated for Oregon Governor by the
people through the power of their signatures. Taking on the entrenched two parties will be difficult and expensive. Oregon’s state motto is “She Flies with Her Own Wings”. But this Oregonian can’t fly anywhere without your early and generous financial support. The decision to run independent of any party, by law, requires me to give-up my Democratic Party registration by next Spring. Rest assured, my bedrock values will not change. I was raised in a moderate Republican family and became a Democrat because the Republican Party
had moved too far to the right. For twenty years, I’ve been an independent-minded, pro-choice, pro-jobs Democrat proudly serving the people of Northwest Oregon. This is who I am. Governor Tom McCall, in his first inaugural address, urged Oregonians to “put aside the temptations to be guided by regionalism, factionalism, or anything which fragments the public interest.” Tom McCall was a maverick Governor the likes of which we have not seen since. I believe we need leadership that reaches beyond
partisan labels and geographic boundaries and that unites Oregonians around our shared values. As I begin this exciting and important journey, there is only one thing I need to know – will you join me? Sincerely,Betsy Johnson Sen. Johnson serves Senate District 16, which includes the cities of St. Helens, Clatskanie, Rainier, Tillamook, Astoria, and Seaside.
date for Oregon Governor in 2022, including Democrats Speaker of the House Tina Kotek and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Sandy Mayor Stan Pulliam, who brought an exploratory effort to St. Helens earlier this year, and Bud Pierce are running as Republicans. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof said he is also considering a bid to be Oregon Governor. Under Oregon’s term limits, current Governor Kate Brown cannot seen an additional term.
Continued from Page 1 ready to move to the middle where sensible solutions are found. That’s why I have decided to run for Governor as an independent leader unaffiliated with any party and loyal only to the people of Oregon. I will be a no-nonsense leader with the backbone and life experience to tame the partisan excesses and with the humility to know that delivering results matters
e4
The race Several others have also announced or indicated their intention to run as a candi-
4
October 29, 2021
Opinion and Letters
Will We Cross that Bridge After it Collapses?
Beach!
It’s far safer to fund our Fire Department before your house catches on fire or you have a medical emergency. It’s much better to build a new City Hall and Police Station before the next earthquake, when they will collapse. There are critical upgrades to our Water and Sewer infrastructure that are badly needed before the next seismic event. All of these things cost money, and we need to find the best way to pay for them. The increasing number of visitors is stressing our Emergency Services and City Infrastructure. Residents of Cannon Beach should not have to shoulder the burden of paying more Property Taxes. The proposed 5% Prepared Food Tax is a pass-through tax that will be paid by restaurant customers. THE RESTAURANTS WILL NOT PAY THIS TAX. The restaurants will keep 5% of the money to compensate them for their efforts. This tax will not be implemented until July 2022. If restaurants are closed due to a natural disaster, how much will that cost them? Some of the restaurant owners feel that they are being singled out. The City helped them during the Covid shutdown, and now they don’t want to help the City? Residents complain about the volume of visitors and the impact on our town. Overnight visitors to Cannon Beach are paying a 10.5% Lodging Tax, and a few restaurant owners have proposed raising this tax instead of implementing the Prepared Food Tax. Overnight guests are already paying enough and are contributing to the improvement of our town, while day visitors, who have the most impact, contribute very little. This tax is a logical way for them to help pay for the services they are using. Please Vote Yes for Cannon
Vote No on the meals tax
Deb Atyieh Cannon Beach
I agree that the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Department needs additional resources to maintain operations and I believe the City Hall needs to be safe and functional, and the police department needs to be optimized. One resource that has not been discussed is the excess Transient Lodging Tax dollars collected by local lodging properties for the City of Cannon Beach. This past year the city collected $5,526,367 but the budget was $3,343,941 – an excess of $2,184,421. Many would lead us to believe that 70% of the excess money is legally required to go towards tourism or tourism related functions or events. The truth is 75% of these excess dollars goes directly to the city’s General Fund. The question: Where does the excess $1.638,315 go and why can’t these excess dollars be leveraged towards the development of a new city hall? It would make fiduciary sense that these excess dollars be utilized before creating another sales tax. Please vote “NO” sales tax on Meals. Patrick Nofield Cannon Beach
I pray the majority will vote NO on Prepared Food Tax Measure As a long time full time resident of Cannon Beach, I have questions regarding the proposed Food Tax the City is pushing to get passed. The information of how much revenue will be collected from the restaurants, what those funds will be used for by the City and how the tax revenue will be split with the CBFD seem to change depending on who is giving the information and having another
City meeting. Let alone all the fear mongering regarding the Fire Department. And have just now come to learn that the City in the 11th hour had the City Council pass an IGA giving them (the City) full control of appropriating funds to the CBFD after deducting for Administrative costs, Clerk costs, Attorney fees, Levies, Bonds, Annexation and also any expenses or costs incurred by the CBFD must be authorized by the City. Yet there doesn’t seem to be any oversight for how the City will be spending their share of the Meal Tax revenue. The City has also authorized itself to audit restaurants and put a lien on the business if the Auditor (who ever that turns out to be) decides the restaurant is not paying enough in Meal Tax. And lastly, it will take an enormous number of Halibut dinners sold at 5% tax to reach the 17 to 32 million dollars the City is salivating to collect. I am voting NO MEAL TAX. I pray the majority do as well.
Anita Dueber Cannon Beach
City has not done their homework Let’s recap… Here are statements from members of the City Council and the community that was published in the voters pamphlet. “Buildings are unlikely to withstand a medium seismic event and are located in a tsunami inundation zone.” “Both buildings would be completely destroyed during an earthquake or tsunami.” We are legitimately concerned about the possibility of a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami. City Hall will be the Emergency Operation Center and MUST be relocated to a safe, secure location to remain operational in a disaster.” So why would any sensible committee vote to rebuild on the same location? This is a severe mishandling of our city’s funds and simply put, a waste. Then when the tsunami comes what will we do then? It just doesn’t make sense. We are willing to work with you. Are you willing to work with us? There are so many alternatives. Please give us a chance to help with other solutions. Please vote NO on the Food and Beverage Tax. Crystal Marshall Cannon Beach, Pig-N-Pancake
Proposed Food Tax Only Gives Fire District False Sense of Security Did you know Cannon Beach City Council voted unanimously Oct 12, 2021 to adopt the proposed Intergov-
n Rewarding Continued from Page 2 eligibility,” retired educator/ librarian Geri Fick of Astoria said. “Seniors especially were thrilled to be offered a vaccine appointment. We are now taking testing calls and again, callers are appreciative to talk to someone who can assist
CannonBeachGazette.com
ernmental Agreement (IGA) that clearly states there is NO GUARENTEE (1.5) of any minimum funding for the Fire District. All adjusted distributions are based on collections, less qualified expenses and administrative fees. One of the qualified expenses is the entire 5% of the collected tax the City has stated they are letting the businesses take to offset their cost. The City will actually make the Fire District pay those fees. Administrative fees and qualified expenses are at the discretion of the City. The proposed tax is not a 50/50 split as you’re being led to believe. It actually leans heavily in favor of the Cities own benefit and they’re attempting to hide the truth.
coronavirus still raging. On three occasions I asked Bruce if any of his financial schemes included insurance to pay off the bonds in the event of a tsunami. He repeatedly told me the insurance would rebuild the city hall and I repeatedly asked him what would rebuild the tax revenues to pay off the loan. Everything west of Hemlock will be gone along with much of the east side. Property taxes will dry up within a year. Room tax will be a distant memory. The proposed sales tax wouldn’t be there even if it did pass. And we will be left with a mostly destroyed city and a mostly destroyed city hall carrying a mortgage of somewhere between 15 and 25 million The IGA also goes on to dollars. say that the funding can be If insurance isn’t there canceled at any time. Any to pay off the mortgage the time! city will start off it’s next life The City and supporters of deep in the hole or bankrupt. the ballot measure want you Bruce has refused to answer to believe the prepared food my questions on this for tax is only for the safety of three years. I wonder why ?? our community by funding Folks there are far more the Fire District. But when important things in Cannon you read the IGA it is clear Beach to concern ourselves the City has taken every with than six people getting opportunity, in a document their names on a brass plaque drafted completely by the on the corner of their fantasy City’s legal counsel, to opt city hall. out of their commitment to Get the coronavirus the First District. Giving our completely behind us. Restart Fire District a false sense of a public process with citsecurity. How fair is that? izen involvement. Put the Please vote NO for a food police in portables so they tax in Cannon Beach! have a safe environment and fund the fire department in Deanna Hammond a more reliable way. Make Cannon Beach smart business decisions. City councils and city managers come and go. Some of us have been here for three four City’s site plan for or five decades, and some new city hall is a of us a shorter time. We all huge mistake, and deserve better than this. Vote No. the city leaders
already know this
What a great saying that so fits where we, the citizens of Cannon Beach, have found ourselves today. Before the pandemic the city hall project was somewhere between stopped and slow which is where the blue ribbon committee left it and the city council should have left it. But then along came the coronavirus. The city council meetings were closed except for electronic participation. What a clever time to push through a new city hall project with very little citizen scrutiny. Bruce could mix up his own blend of municipal building Kool-Aid and serve it to a city council thirsty for their legacy. Bruce once told me that he had built a municipal building at most every city he worked for. Clearly then that’s his priority. And equally clearly his priority is not to sit down either individually or collectively with the restaurants to get a feel for the impact on their businesses, their customers, and their lives. Especially with the them in their time of need or give them reassurance.” “Volunteer work is rewarding in a lot of different ways,” Mark Chadwick of Astoria said. “Not only am I helping individuals, I am helping the community. I would encourage anyone who has the time to volunteer.” Learn more about volunteering at https://bit.ly/3Aw4Bz7
James Litherland Cannon Beach
Everyone supports the fire district, but not the tax
|
Cannon Beach Gazette
I write this letter to our First Responders who are Brave, Strong & Highly Respected. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE supports the Fire District! WHAT WE DO NOT support is taxing the unreliable and unpredictable Food Establishments. There is no, Low Cost Housing in Cannon Beach, no place to live for the locals anymore. All the little houses are being bought up, built-up then become Vacation Rentals. As a result restaurants cannot find enough staff to fill positions. Look around, restaurants are open shortened hours, closing extra days and provide limited seating options. THAT IS NOT NORMAL. It’s not going to get better. Taxing Food Establishments, for 30 years, for your Fire District funding is Extremely Risky. Yet, again, the City somehow will be the weaner if this tax passes. Poor Fire District, it will be required to pay the (City’s) Administration Fee, legal and research expenses associated with the Meals Tax proposal. City takes no responsibility, again. City gets their full 50% while the Fire District is stuck dealing with the City’s baggage. City, let them just go save someone! That’s what they signed up for! Lastly, Bruce, if your New City Hall is built on YOUR proposed documented Tsunami Zone. Are you going to have employees sign a Hold Harmless Agreement? At least provide everyone with bright orange tennis shoes so.. seriously now....all of us truly concerned citizens can immediately help find your hard working employees. VOTE NO SALES TAX, PLEASE Respectfully, Mary Ann Oyala Cannon Beach
Chamber announces treats for trick-or-treaters available at local businesses According to the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, these local businesses have informed the chamber they will have treats for trickor-treaters on Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31. This is not an official, organized event. • EVOO Cannon Beach Cooking School – from 4-7 p.m.
• Ecola Seafood • Child’s Play: Crafting Memories Together – open until 6 p.m. • Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Bronze Coast Gallery
Check the chamber’s website for updates at https://bit. ly/2YCdQ3M
Cannon Beach Gazette
|
October 29, 2021
CannonBeachGazette.com
5
Public Notice
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING CLATSOP COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clatsop County Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, via GoTo Meeting to consider the following: 1. Amendments to the Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan, revising Goal 5: Open Spaces, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Natural Resources 2. Ordinance 21-05: Subdivision and Partition Plat Procedural Revisions and County Road Standards Revisions To join the meeting: https://global.gotomeeting. com/join/717331381 You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1-877-568-4106 United States: +1 (312)757-3129 Access Code: 717-331-381 An agenda will be posted seven days prior to the hearing at: https://www.co.clatsop. or.us/calendar. Those wishing to provide testimony on public hearings
or provide oral communication at the designated time must register in advance by calling 503-325-8611 or email comdev@co.clatsop. or.us. Once registered, you will be notified when it is your opportunity to speak for a three-minute presentation. The public may also submit comments via email to be read to the Planning Commission at the designated time. Please send submissions to comdev@co.clatsop.or.us. All documents will be available for inspection by appointment at the Clatsop County Planning Division at 800 Exchange St, Suite 100, during normal business hours (M-F 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) at no cost. Paper copies may also be obtained at reasonable cost. The full agenda packet will be posted seven days prior to the hearing at: https:// www.co.clatsop.or.us/calendar. If you have questions about this matter or need more information, please contact the Planning Division at (503) 325-8611 or at comdev@ co.clatsop.or.us. Publication dates: Cannon Beach Gazette: November 4, 2021
Help Wanted CREPE NEPTUNE is NOW HIRING On the job training... Learn how to make delicious crepes and bubble tea. F.T & P.T. Starting wage $15 + tips Free shift meal Apply in person: Crepe Neptune “Creperie” 175 E. 2nd St., Cannon Beach. Apply Online: https://crepeneptune.com/ employment
6
October 29, 2021
CannonBeachGazette.com
|
Cannon Beach Gazette
COVID-19 booster shots coming following federal approval Clatsop County and its health care partners plan to begin offering booster shots of all three COVID-19 vaccines for eligible individuals. This week federal health authorities gave approval for boosters of the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines. The Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine was approved for booster doses in September. Pfizer vaccine boosters will be offered every Tuesday beginning Oct. 26 at Camp Rilea at a drive-thru clinic.
Shots will be available by appointment only – individuals can reserve a time online at https://bit.ly/3pulQzg The county plans to begin offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots weekly at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds beginning Nov. 3. These clinics will also be open by appointment only – sign-up information will be provided shortly. Clinics will be open 4 -7 p.m. Federal regulators have also endorsed a “mix-andmatch” policy for the boosters
County Clerk announces election information November 2, 2021: Election Day: The Clatsop County Elections Office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ballots must be delivered to an official drop site or the County Clerk’s Office, 820 Exchange Street, 2nd Floor, Astoria no later than 8 p.m. this date. Postmarks are not considered. • November 10, 2021 Information identifying voters with ballots challenged for missing or non-matching signatures are available for public inspection. • November 16, 2021-Last day to resolve ballot challenges. • November 22, 2021-Last day to certify election, prepare and deliver abstracts. • December 8, 2021-Last day to file November 2021 Regular Election recount demand. • December 13, 2021-Last day to file contest of 2021 Regular November Election if no recount. Official drop sites Clatsop County Clerk & Elections Office
820 Exchange St., Suite 220, Astoria Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Election Day: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
– meaning individuals can receive a booster vaccine different from their initial vaccine. Booster doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccine are available to those 65 or older or adults 18 and older who have health issues or jobs or living environments that put them at increased risk of infection, and are recommended at least six months after a person’s initial vaccination. All adults 18 and over who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine are
proof of their original vaccination at the time of their booster shot. If a person has lost their vaccination card, but received their initial vaccination in Oregon, clinic staff will be able to verify their vaccine status in the online database. People who received their initial vaccination out of state must obtain proof of their vaccine status before scheduling an appointment. COVID-19 booster shots are also available at other local providers; check with your local pharmacy or health
PEDIATRIC VACCINES Federal health authorities are currently weighing authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Clatsop County has ordered doses of the vaccine and will announce vaccination plans if and when approval is granted.
Webinar looks at human impact on Oregon coastal landscapes For The Gazette
Cannon Beach City Hall 24-Hour Drive-up Drop Box Located outside of City Hall at entrance of parking lot 163 E. Gower, Cannon Beach Election Day: Up to 8 p.m. Knappa High School 24-Hour Drive-up Drop Box Located outside of High School 41535 Old Highway 30, Astoria Election Day: Up to 8 p.m.
An online panel discussion, hosted by Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition Thursday, Sept. 30, discussed human impact on Oregon coastal landscapes. Moderators discussed how the coast has been transformed by human impact over the course of history to present day. William Robbins, a professor of history from Oregon State University, discussed how market-related values reshaped the ecology and landscape of the coastal environment. This began with the Europeans’ presence becoming dominant around 170 years ago. “On the Oregon Coast especially, there is a plethora of language groups and tribal peoples,” Robbins said. “It’s that indigenous world that was relatively stable that was abruptly disrupted beginning in 1800 but especially in 1830s and 1840s.” The reoccurring malaria epidemics, around 1830, were devastating to Native Americans along the lower Columbia River, in the Willamette Valley and in the villages on Oregon’s coastal estuaries, Robbins said. Around 90 percent of the indigenous population was killed from 1830 to 1833. The Eu-
FALL IS SWEET! Explore our unique seasonal confections and gifts in store or online at www.brucescandy.com. We can ship directly to you. Curbside pickup is available.
ro-Americans brought values of trade. In the 1840s through the 1880s, systematic changes were brought to the valley and coastal regions. Euro-Americans realized the market value of fish and timber. This led to the development of the lumber business. Saw mills were established to capitalize on timber. “Nothing was more disruptive to weaken systems in the coast range than logging,” Robbins said. “This was especially true with the advances in technology.” Robbins said the steam donkey, a steam-powered engine, quickened the pace of logging and increased production. He said this increased production escalated disturbances in coastal areas, including landslides and erosion. Estuaries filled over time for commercial development. Scott Burns, professor of geology at Portland State University, discussed forestry practices and their impact on the slopes of the mountains and the
sediment in the streams. The coast is continuously moving from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, causing erosion, Burns said. Landslide sediments go into the streams. Sediment from rivers will move back and forth between headlands. Burns said there is extensive erosion because of logging. Now, forest practices say loggers cannot log areas that are highly prone to landslides. Along the coastline, there is a better understanding of sediment movement. As climate is warming with increased storms, there will be more landslides and sediment movement, Burns added. Congress passed the National Landslide Hazard Map and are commissioning all landslides to be mapped. With time, we will know what the problematic areas are. Send comments to: headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
n Gatsby’s Continued from Page 1
ater The only saltw taffy made in h! Cannon Beac Downtown Cannon Beach
256 N. Hemlock St • 503-436-2641
www.brucescandy.com
H64354
Rinehart Clinic
Dr. Monte Gores
Doctor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Rinehart Clinic welcomes Dr. Monte Gores, our new Acupuncturist. Dr. Gores brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, pathology, physiology, and nutrition. He received his Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Emperors College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Santa Monica, California.
sealing food in an airtight container and then cooking the food in temperaturecontrolled water. “It’s a beautiful, precise way of cooking,” Schutt said. Schutt also uses commercial induction cooking surfaces, which use no open flame. “It gets about 98 percent energy right to the pan immediately,” Schutt said. Schutt is the entire kitchen staff. There are two servers currently and he is bringing two more from Scottsdale in the spring. The focus of Gatsby’s is for people to come in to try something a little different, Schutt said. He said he is not here as a competitor to other restaurants in the area. Gatsby’s focus is on super high-end steaks and seafood. Gatsby’s is a date-night experience. Schutt said 2-4 people usually come in
together. People get dressed up and come enjoy high quality meals while listening to period-era music, while relaxing and having fun. In the spring, the Lite Bites menu will be offered on the patio. This is a sampler of the dinner menu and is an affordable option to interest people to come in. Reservations are required and due to limited seating, it is recommended you call to reserve your spot. Make
Rinehart Clinic is excited to offer acupuncture services to the North Oregon Coast once again! If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gores, please call the clinic at 1-800-368-5182 and our staff will be happy to assist you. The mission of the Rinehart Clinic is delivering compassionate team-based health care and wellness education to improve the lives of ALL in our community.
230 Rowe Street Wheeler, Oregon 97147
1-800-368-5182 rinehartclinic.org
cannonbeachgazette.com
Monte.indd 1
clinic. Research shows that all three vaccines’ protection against COVID-19 declines over time, and that booster doses help restore their effectiveness.
Hilary Dorsey
Astoria 24-Hour Drive-up Drop Box Located outside of County Office 9th & Exchange St., Astoria Election Day: Up to 8 p.m.
Joining the team at
eligible to receive a second Johnson & Johnson dose two months after their first shot. At the Pfizer booster clinic at Camp Rilea, individuals will remain in their cars for their shot, then be directed to a parking lot for their 15-minute post-shot observation time. At the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster clinics at the fairgrounds, shots will be administered inside. Both clinic locations will only offer booster shots. Individuals must show
8/31/2021 12:47:50 PM
Interior look. Photos by Hilary Dorsey
reservations by calling 503436-4884. The restaurant is open 5-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for dinner and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for lite bites on the patio. Send comments to: headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
Cannon Beach Gazette
|
October 29, 2021
CannonBeachGazette.com
7
Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge hosts annual pumpkin carving contest Staff Report Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge hosts their annual pumpkin carving contest Friday, Oct. 22, through Saturday, Oct. 30. The restaurant is also hosting a virtual contest that began Oct. 16. The best jack-o-lanterns will be posted on Facebook for people to vote. Manager Jordan Maier said the restaurant has been hosting a pumpkin carving contest since 2005. It began when the owners and some local citizens were trying to think of something fun to do for the day. For the virtual contest, people can carve at home and then share a picture of themselves and their jack-o-lantern
on the restaurant’s Facebook page’s post of the contest, at https://bit.ly/3n7wJUx On Oct. 23, judges will choose the four best entries and those will be posted for a vote on Facebook. At 5 p.m. Oct. 30, the one with the most likes will receive a free Driftwood hoodie. Winners will be announced on Facebook. There will be first, second, third and people’s choice prizes when the contest ends at 4 p.m. Oct. 31. The on-site contest begins Oct. 22 and runs through Oct. 30. Judging will be held on Oct. 31. Guests 21 and older can carve every day during the week on the deck. Pumpkins and basic carving tools will be provided.
Last year’s pumpkin carving contest. Photos by Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge
Scientists say, rising seas could change coastal regions David Rupkalvis Country Media
With climate change impacting the Earth, sea levels are beginning to rise again, and as they rise it will impact the shorelines many in Oregon and California call home. That’s the message Kim McCoy shared during a virtual meeting celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition. McCoy recently updated the book, Waves and Beaches, which was originally written by Willard Bascom. The book is considered the leading authority on beaches, shorelines and the impact waves and weather have on them. McCoy, a physical oceanographer, adventurer and expert on coastal wave dynamics, said the impact on the coast is directly linked to weather events far away. “Everything that happens upstream impacts what happens on the coast,” McCoy said. “What happens upstream could very easily push out millions of pounds of sediment.”
For decades, Bascom was the expert when it came to coastal areas. McCoy worked under Bascom and was asked to write the third update of Waves and Beaches. McCoy said the book covers coasts worldwide, but the work began in Astoria when Bascom was hired for the Waves Project. Last year, McCoy brought the new edition of the book to Astoria, going full circle. “Where Willard Bascom started studying waves was in Astoria, and here it was returning a book all these years later,” McCoy said. McCoy said as the Earth’s temperature has slowly risen, it has caused ice, both on shore and in the sea to melt. “When things melt above sea level, they raise the sea level,” McCoy said. “When it’s sea ice, it doesn’t, so it’s important what happens inland. As the Earth warms, ice not only melts and fractures, but it also melts from below because the water is warming.” As far as climate change, the ocean is the key to changing weather, McCoy said. “The ocean is the key component to climate
change,” he said. “The ocean is turbulent. Turbulence is everywhere in the universe. The warming Earth is causing the rapid fluctuations in our weather patterns. You can’t separate what’s happening anywhere on Earth. It’s all connected.” One impact on the coast is the loss of ice. McCoy explained that permafrost and ice on the coast protect the coast from waves and change. As the ice disappears, waves have a greater impact on shorelines. And the changes could be devastating if something doesn’t change. “If there’s a two-degree centigrade increase in global temperature, this is what will happen,” McCoy said. “Miami will be underwater.” In Indonesia, rising water is putting 5 million people living in the capital city of Jakarta at risk. The risk is so severe, plans are being made to move the capital. The danger is rising waters lead to rising waves. And waves change everything they touch. “Every time a wave come into shore, it moves some sediment,” McCoy said.
“Every single wave moves particles, millions of grains of sand. Every wave is unique. There’s no one wave that is repeated over time. Every single wave stirs up sediment, and that sediment goes someplace.” The good news is, the changes are just starting.
“The sea level hasn’t changed much in the last 4,000 years,” McCoy said. “It’s starting to change. In the last 20,000 years, the sea level has gone up 400 feet, but not much in the last 4,000 years. But it is rising again.” And if climate change continues to lead to a warm-
ing Earth, sea levels will begin to rise quickly. “We’re all connected, and I can’t stress enough, we need to have an understanding of what’s happening,” McCoy said. “We need to have average citizens have a sane approach to our coast.”
Federal disaster relief requested for Oregon commercial salmon industry At the recommendation of Oregon’s coastal legislators, Gov. Kate Brown issued a formal request in early October to the U.S. Department of Commerce for federal disaster relief for Oregon’s commercial salmon industry. This request comes in response to diminished salmon landings for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons. The Coastal Caucus, a bipartisan coalition of Oregon’s coastal legislators, worked in conjunction with the Oregon Salmon Commission to pursue this request. In response to the gov-
ernor’s letter, Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis), the Coastal Caucus chair, stated, “Salmon landings in Oregon have fallen from $14 million in 2014 to $1.5 million in 2020. The salmon industry is reeling and the Oregon Salmon Commission asked coastal legislators for help. I’m pleased the Governor is lending her support to the hardworking men and women of our commercial salmon industry and our coastal economy.” In her letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Brown stated, “Salmon are a
vital component of Oregon’s natural resources and provide significant commercial, recreational, economic, and aesthetic benefits to the state. Salmon are also highly valued by Native American tribes for cultural, subsistence, and economic benefits. While economic assistance will be essential to address the impacts of closures and restrictions on our salmon fisheries, it is vitally important that federal, state, tribal, and local governments continue to work together to recover and restore salmon populations and develop management
strategies to ensure the longterm health and sustainability of our salmon fisheries.” The 2020 fleet-wide salmon landings of approximately $1.5 million in value represent a historic low only surpassed by the results of the season closure in 2009. Salmon landings in both 2018 and 2019 sit at $2.4 million and $2.1 million respectively, far below the 2016 season, which was declared a disaster at a fleet-wide $4.3 million. The Oregon Legislative Coastal Caucus includes bipartisan representatives and senators from coastal
districts from Astoria to Brookings. It is chaired by Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis), Vice-Chair Sen. Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City), and includes Senators Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) and
Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg) and Representatives Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook), Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay), and David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford).
OSU Extension in Clatsop County to hold 2022 Master Gardener Training The Oregon State University Extension Service in Clatsop County welcomes the public to participate in the 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Training from Jan. 3 to March 25, 2022. The Master Gardener Training will take place online, and will be offered in a self-paced format. This course will feature weekly Zoom hangouts for participants to ask questions, and connect with other new and continuing Master Gardeners. The extension service will also livestream lectures from horticulture professionals across the state, and will offer hands-on learning experiences as conditions allow. This ten-week online training will be available for $100, with scholarships available. Registration is
open now and will close on Dec. 15. Volunteer hours are also a key piece of becoming an OSU Master Gardener.
Participants are expected to complete 45 hours of volunteer service during 2022 in order to complete their Mas-
ter Gardener certification. Find out more or apply now at [beav.es/UMP]beav. es/UMP. Or call OSU Extension in Clatsop County at 503-325-8573 for more details. Accommodation requests related to a disability or lack of at-home internet connection should be made by Dec. 15 to Julia Wentzel at 503-325-8573 or Julia.wentzel@ oregonstate.edu. About OSU Extension: The Oregon State University Extension Service shares research-based knowledge with people and communities in Oregon’s 36 counties. OSU Extension addresses issues that matter to urban and rural Oregonians. OSU Extension’s partnerships and programs contribute to a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future for Oregon.
H64248
Joining the team at
Rinehart Clinic
Caitlin Simons, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner Rinehart Clinic welcomes Caitlin Simons, our new Family Nurse Practitioner. Caitlin received her Masters in Science of Nursing from Yale University and worked in the Acute Care and Inpatient Care unit of Yale Health before joining the Rinehart Clinic team. She has special interests in pediatric care, youth development, and rural community health. Caitlin’s primary focus will be supporting NKN Student Health & Wellness Center (the new school-based health center on-campus at Neah-Kah-Nie High School). She will also offer care to patients at Rinehart Clinic. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Caitlin at Rinehart Clinic, please call 1-800-368-5182. The mission of the Rinehart Clinic is delivering compassionate health care and wellness education to improve the lives of ALL in our community.
230 Rowe Street Wheeler, Oregon 97147
1-800-368-5182 rinehartclinic.org
8
October 29, 2021
CannonBeachGazette.com
|
Cannon Beach Gazette
We Love Cannon Beach. As owners and operators of local restaurants and small businesses here, we chose to establish ourselves in this community among our friends and neighbors. We support the Fire District and the men and women who risk their lives to keep us all safe.
We also support funding the Fire District as they face the challenges many cities and districts are facing right now: More demand for their services and less money to pay for what is needed. The Sales Tax on Meals on the ballot right now is not the best way or the right way to fund the Fire District.
It’s unfair, it’s unpredictable and it has turned our community against itself in sometimes very ugly ways. This Sales Tax on Meals is unfair because it places the burden of not only collecting the tax but also explaining it to customers solely on restaurants. No other businesses will have to deal with the customers who will argue about why they must pay more money and not receive more food. It’s also unfair because when customers, especially those on a fixed income, receive their bill, they already have in mind how much they are willing to spend on eating out. Faced with an additional five percent tax on top
of their food, customers may choose to tip less, hurting our employees who have already had a tough time. It’s unpredictable because it assumes restaurants will continue to be open and operate at the levels the City’s experts have predicted. But no one could have predicted a global pandemic, supply chain issues, staff shortages and restaurants having to close several days a week or month because they just simply don’t have enough people or product to open their doors. Every day a restaurant is closed, is a day the City is expecting to collect money and won’t. Unfortunately, this Sales Tax on Meals has turned our close community into a political war zone. Personal attacks, finger pointing, and misinformation have been part of the tactics used by some and in a community as small as Cannon Beach, those wounds may never heal. We aren’t saying no to the Fire District.
In fact, based on the way this measure is written we think the Fire District comes up short and the City will get more money to do whatever it wants rather than funding public safety. The Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Cannon Beach and the Fire
District makes it clear:
The City keeps 50% of the money, no matter what. Out of the Fire District’s
50% though, a 5% Administrative fee will be paid, meaning the Fire District will only get 45%.
After that, the Fire District is also responsible to pay for:
• Legal expenses challenging the Sales Tax on Meals • Research expenses incurred by the City (these are not at all defined) • Grant funding • Any other unanticipated expenses incurred by the City The Sales Tax on Meals never expires. If the City and the Fire District terminate their agreement, does the City keep 100% of the money after that? There are too many unanswered questions and no guarantees public safety is funded. What we are saying is there is a better, more stable way to fund emergency services in our community.
An Economic Improvement District would be shared by all businesses, not just single out restaurants, providing a more stable, more fair, potentially larger pot of money for the Fire District.
Please join us in voting “NO” on Measure 4-210. It’s unfair, unpredictable and we can do better. Gib & Deanna Hammond Cannon Beach Bakery
John and Sandy Newman Newman’s at 988
Jacob Bond Cannon Beach Smokehouse
Nancy Teagle Driftwood Inn
Jan-Siebert Wahrmund Resident, Cannon Beach
Lindsey Oyala Bond Archimedes Gallery
Ryan H. Dewey Cannon Beach Hardware & Public House
Dixie Gentry Golden Whale
Joe Oyala Bill’s Tavern
T.R. Huntington Resident, Cannon Beach
Mike Weber Driftwood Inn
Linda Haskell Cannon Beach Bakery
Jim Litherland Resident, Cannon Beach
Robin Hill Driftwood Inn
Leticia Farfan Cannon Beach Bakery
Bob Peterson Resident, Cannon Beach
Morgan McFarland Driftwood Inn
KaSandra DeHart Mariner Market
Donald S. Masterson American Legion Post 168
James A. Christy Jr. Driftwood Inn
Hector Velazquez Mariner Market
Jeffrey Shull Resident, Cannon Beach
Stefanie Childs Driftwood Inn
Soon Cho Mariner Market
Scott Dancer Resident, Cannon Beach
Cristianna Weigel Driftwood Inn
Hyun Su Kim Mariner Market
Jock Wise Resident, Arch Cape
Paul Nofield Driftwood Inn
In-cha Lee Mariner Market
Emily Spalding Student
Jordan Maier Driftwood Inn
Michele Johnson Resident, Cannon Beach
Krystal Berry Driftwood Inn
Wes Wahrmund Resident, Cannon Beach
Patrick Nofield Escape Lodging Company Anita Dueber Former Owner of The Bistro Shelley Crane The Oil and Vinegar Bar Zachary Poole Pig ‘N Pancake, Inc. Crystal Marshall Pig ‘N Pancake, Inc. Lavinia Albers Pig ‘N Pancake, Inc. Brittney Garcia Pig ‘N Pancake, Inc. Jason & Liz Menke Sea Level Bakery + Coffee David Johnson Fultano’s Pizza
A Sales Tax on Meals Takes Money from Restaurant Workers Restaurant workers compete for tip income when taxes appear on receipts. After a year of COVID-19, it is immoral to take income from frontline workers trying to put food on the table for their families.
Jim & Mary Ann Oyala Bill’s Tavern & Brewhouse, Warren House Duane Johnson Duane Johnson Real Estate Cheryl Johnson Beach Fun Investment Mike Johnson Mike Johnson Landscaping Michael Henderson Duane Johnson Real Estate Megan Miller Castaways Josh Tuckman Castaways Colin Woody Castaways
A Sales Tax on Meals During a Global Pandemic is Unpredictable and Wrong No industry was more negatively impacted by COVID-19 than the hospitality industry. Massive layoffs of employees, complete shutdowns or limited hours of operation, limits on indoor dining and increased prices or shortages from suppliers have all contributed to devastate the restaurant industry. During any economic downturn and with closures still happening monthly, sales will decline and so will funding from this sales tax on meals.
A Sales Tax on Meals Will Impact Residents Although one City Councilor claimed residents would not be affected by a sales tax on meals, nothing could be further from the truth. Residents will pay the sales tax on meals every time they go out to eat with friends and family unless they choose to stop patronizing local restaurants in favor of establishments outside the city limits.
A Sales Tax on Meals is Unfair Picking on a single industry in a single city like restaurants in Cannon Beach and asking them to shoulder the burden for the entire county is unfair. The fire services are needed by–and will benefit–the entire county. A 5% sales tax on meals in Cannon Beach is like asking one neighborhood to pay property taxes for the rest of the county.
NoSalesTaxOnMeals.com - Vote NO on Measure 4-210