Team Hollywood takes on Polar Plunge
SHHS, CMHS softball season check-in PAGE A10
PAGE A9
Chronicle & Chief THE COLUMBIA COUNTY
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | Columbia County, Oregon
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13 Nights at McCormick Park
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Dance band Hit Machine playing in 2023. WILL LOHRE
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ue to various construction projects that will disrupt the riverfront district, the St. Helens City Council has unanimously voted to hold the 13 Nights on the River concert series at McCormick Park this year. The council cast their votes at a regular session on Apr. 3. Mayor Rick Scholl said that city staff, including the police department, public works, engineering, and planning, met and agreed that hosting the concerts downtown would not be feasible this year. “Everybody said, with all these projects going on downtown, that it would not be a safe venue this year,” Scholl said. The projects include: • The Streets and Utilities Extension Project, which is currently under construction. • The Riverwalk Project, which is anticipated to start construction in a few months. • Undergrounding utilities project at South 1st and St. Helens Street intersection. At the Mar. 6, 2024, City Council meeting, Landis and Landis Construction, LLC was awarded a contract for this work. • The Columbia County Court-
house remodel and elevator project. • The Olde School (John Gumm) renovation project by Columbia County. The city’s contracted event coordinator, Tina Curry of E2C Corp, had proposed that the event be held in Plaza Square downtown. At a Mar. 20 council work session, Curry said that holding the series at McCormick Park would present operational challenges, including permitting, fencing, lack of power, vendor control, security, limited parking, stage location, and lack of space for dancing. During the work session preceding the Apr. 3 regular session, Curry tried to explain potential solutions that would see the series performed at the plaza. Scholl said that while he could “see what she was trying to do,” hosting the event downtown would not be safe. Council President Jessica Chilton thanked Curry for her creativity in trying to keep the event downtown; she said she didn’t think it would work this year. “It’s just going to be temporary. One year. Do it one year, then we’ll move it back to the river on a beautiful new riverfront,” Chilton said. Councilor Mark Gundersen echoed Chilton’s sentiment, saying that while he’s always impressed with what Curry produces, holding
the concert series downtown is not realistic this year. “I’ve gotten a lot of emails from local businesses that would prefer that it was not here just because of the whole distraction, and they’re supportive of putting it in McCormick Park,” Gundersen said. “As much as I would rather not see it at the park, and remain down here, I just think it’s the safest cleanest way to do it.” Curry said if the city does opt to move 13 Nights to the park, she would “put forth” that the city cover insurance for the event at McCormick Park. Scholl interjected, saying, “Hogwash! You’re tourism. You can deal with it. You should be able to do this. That’s B.S.” Chilton said a “professional way” to say that would be a conversation with City Administrator John Walsh regarding the contract and what it specifies regarding insurance and events. Curry said some “operational” issues presented by McCormick Park include garbage collection, crowd control, parking, foot traffic from citizens, and the potential permitting of a beer garden. Chilton thanked Curry for her flexibility and emphasized that both the council and the contractor are on the same side. After more discussion, Curry said that moving the
concert this year may affect businesses’ profits downtown. Scholl said that the issue ultimately comes down to public safety. To close the conversation, Scholl apologized for the tone he took, but he said that he stood by the “content” of what he said. In an email interview with Walsh after the meeting, the Chronicle & Chief asked whether the city would address insurance, garbage management, and spacing issues referenced by Curry. Walsh said as part of the contract for event coordination, “E2C will be responsible for managing the necessary logistics required for the new venue.” Walsh said that the city wants citizens to understand that the City Council wants to “support the existing Riverfront District businesses during construction.” “Part of that support involves getting these construction projects done as fast as possible with minimal disruptions,” Walsh said. “Moving the concert series to McCormick Park allows the community to enjoy this beloved annual event in a safe location without putting the excessive pressure that comes from large events on the Riverfront District, which will already be taxed by significant construction impacts starting soon.” Limited parking and street closures will considerably limit the space available for large events. Despite these limitations, Walsh said the Riverfront District will remain open for day-to-day business during construction, and the council and the city encourage everyone to support their local St. Helens businesses during this phase of work.
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U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley addresses attendees of his town hall meeting Apr. 6.
Merkley continuing the ‘Oregon way’ WILL LOHRE
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After discussion of the location of 13 Nights during the work session, tourism was on the agenda of the regular session on Apr. 3 as the council discussed a resolution that would have authorized “emergency procurement of tourism services.” The resolution would see Curry’s contract extended through the end of 2024. Chilton asked Walsh whether this resolution would extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2024, and in that time frame, whether the city would still work on enacting an updated contract and performing and executing an RFP process. Walsh said the city is waiting for materials on the contract side from the city’s attorney before moving forward. Councilor Russell Hubbard asked why there had been a delay. Walsh emphasized that it has been a frustrating process. In an email to the Chronicle
n an effort to connect with communities across Oregon, United States Senator Jeff Merkley held several town halls over the weekend as part of his promise to visit every county in the state each year. On Apr. 6, Merkley visited St. Helens to engage with Columbia County, holding a town hall in the Lewis and Clark Elementary School gymnasium. The event had more than 60 people in the audience, including many of Columbia County’s elected officials, including St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl, Scappoose Mayor Joe Backus, each of the Columbia County Commissioners, and even former State Representative Brad Witt. Merkley began the meeting by saying that he and Senator Ron Wyden are the only senators still holding town hall meetings. He said this is because the United States has become “such a divided nation.” “Here in Oregon, we’ve been trying to sustain the Oregon way. Which means if somebody is speaking that you disagree with and, in fact, makes you really angry, please still be respectful to that individual and let them have their say,” Merkley said. On that note, Merkley said there is still much work to be done to bridge the divides in America. During the meeting, the crowd asked Merkley about various topics, including education, money in politics, energy, environmental issues, and the opioid epidemic. Merkley said that
See 13 NIGHTS, Page A3
See MERKLEY, Page A2
Tourism contract
Themes unveiled for Clatskanie’s Heritage Days and Car Show WILL LOHRE
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COURTESY PHOTO FROM NIKOLE YOUNG
Left to Right: Kylee Smith (car show logo winner), Nikole Young (Heritage Days Committee member and art contest manager), Kelsey Olson (WCU Creative Designer and volunteer logo digitizer), Bayleigh Lopez (Heritage Days logo winner).
IN THIS ISSUE Police Reports .............. A3 Opinion .......................... A4 Obituaries ...................... A5 Market ............................ A6 Public Notices .............. A7 Crossword .................... A7 Games & Puzzles .......... A8 Sports .......................... A10
7 DAY FORECAST
he Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce has announced two winners for this year’s 2024 Heritage Days theme art contest, Bayleigh Lopez and Kylee Smith. Chamber Board Director Nikole Young is a member of the Heritage Days Committee, and she explained why two winners were selected this year. “Since the Heritage Days Committee took over the car show that historically was planned by the Clatskanie Cruisers, we haven’t had a logo to match that specific event,” Young said. “This year, we had two pieces of work that stood out. One happened to be a beautiful illustration of a collectable’s car! So, we decided to select our top choice for Heritage Days and our top choice for the Heritage Days Car Show.” Lopez is the winner for the
2024 Heritage Days Theme Logo, and Smith supplied the winner of the 2024 Heritage Days Car Show Logo. The artists were honored with cash prizes and art kits during a Clatskanie Chamber mixer on April 4 at the Clatskanie Wauna Credit Union branch. “The theme this year is ‘Great Times. Good People. Sweet Memories,’ inspired by Bayleigh Lopez’s artwork that includes our town’s welcome sign,” Young said. “Clatskanie is full of good people and great times, promising a lifetime of sweet memories!” Young said that the committee was impressed with all of the submissions that they received this year. With two winners, no honorable mentions were recognized, but Young said it “feels good” to recognize two “talented artists and pay them for their work.” See CLATSKANIE, Page A10
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