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St. Helens Water Taxi has arrived WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
T
he water taxi that the City of St. Helens purchased has arrived and is scheduled to be operational for the summer’s city tourism events. The total cost of the refurbished boat is around $230,000 and was fully paid for by tourism-related event revenues, according to St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King.
The boat will support the city’s tourism programs, such as the annual sandcastle competition and Halloween activities which occur on Sand Island. ~ Crystal King, City of St. Helens
The boat will seek to provide convenient and safe travel for people to and from Sand Island, and support other waterfront tourism efforts. According to the Chronicle’s original report in May 2022 about the boat. The capacity of the water taxi will be 30 occupants. “Sand Island is a unique location that St. Helens is lucky to
have. It’s been underutilized for decades,” King said. “Now, both community members and visitors will have better access to one of the few recreational islands maintained by a city on the Columbia River.” The original budgeted cost for the water taxi was $250,000 and was offered by Bargeworx, LLC. When functional, it will be operated by a certified, licensed captain who will be paid out of the city’s tourism funds, according to the Chronicle’s original report. King said that the boat is a strategic investment for the city that will enhance the city’s tourism efforts. “The boat will support the city’s tourism programs, such as the annual sandcastle competition and Halloween activities which occur on Sand Island,” King said. “Sand Island is an asset for creating unique tourism experiences in our region,” St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh told The Chronicle in the May 2022 report. “Having a boat will allow the city to capitalize on the recreational opportunities and tourism-related events which can be developed along our riverfront.” The St. Helens Marina currently operates a shuttle service to Sand Island to access the island’s campground. The new water taxi would be in addition to that shuttle. The St. Helens City Council
Courtesy photo
The new tourism passenger boat has arrived.
approved placing a deposit for the water taxi following a public hearing on May 18, 2022. According to the Columbia County Events Facebook page, the boat arrived June 5. Boat controversy The announcement of the boat’s purchase sparked controversy on social media. The original article
from the Chronicle was posted on Facebook on June 6, 2022, and generated more than 70 comments. Among the comments, some community members and Facebook users expressed dismay about using city money to procure a boat that needed repair and cost nearly a quarter of a million dollars. The city has emphasized that the cost was covered by tourism revenue, and not property taxes, but the
comments still reflected opposition to spending city money in this way. With the summer fast approaching, the city will seek to get the boat in ship shape as the demand for waterfront tourism comes into full swing. Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.
CRFR board election, Board President reaction 3215 deliver a vote of no confidence in CRFR Fire Chief Joel Medina, and a lawsuit filed by two former employees against CRFR on the grounds of sexual harassment, retaliation, and creating a hostile work environment. On April 28, Monica Cade, a third former employee, joined the lawsuit filed by former employees Anika Todd and Jennifer Motherway. The lawsuit demands a jury trial and claims damages of $1,247,114.32. On the other hand, Medina and his command staff have raised concerns over financial malfeasance committed by current and former employees and family members within the district before his arrival. As a result, the CRFR
WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
T
he Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) District has been the focus of much public attention in recent months, and big changes are coming to the board this July following the May 16 Special District Election. According to uncertified early election returns, current board members Kimberly McLane, Mark Kreutzer, and Board President Hans Feige will be replaced by Richard Fletcher, Austin Zimbrick, and Ryan Welby. This development comes after a turbulent couple of months that saw the Helens Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local
and their legal counsel are conducting a forensic audit of the district’s finances. District Attorney Jeff Auxier has opened an investigation into the findings presented by Medina. The investigation and audit are ongoing. New board members Zimbrick, Welby, and Fletcher will take over their new board positions in July, and the local firefighters union backed their campaign. When asked by The Chronicle what their priorities would be as they assumed office, the message of increased transparency was echoed between the three candidates. Welby won Director
Position 1 against Board President Feige. “I would like to thank everyone that voted! With just over a 32% voter turnout for this election, it’s pretty clear that our community felt the need for change, and that’s why I was overwhelmingly voted in,” Welby said. “Transparency is my #1 goal once in office. I strongly believe that “we, the taxpayers,” need to see how and where our money’s being spent.” Fletcher, who ran against McLane for Director Position 2, won his seat, getting 63% of the votes compared to McLane’s 23%. McLane sparked controversy by posting allegations and records from CRFR of multiple disciplin-
ary meetings against Fletcher while at CRFR and that Fletcher had been selling scrap metal and keeping petty cash from the transactions. Fletcher denied the allegations and won his race by a margin of 2,317 votes, according to the most recent vote count on June 6. Fletcher said he hopes to restore faith in the district. “What it means to me is that the voters have spoken and want some accountability in their emergency services,” Fletcher said. “My top priority is to start providing the accountability to the public and restore community faith in the fire district.”
See CRFR Page A8
Columbia View Park stage demolished JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
R
otting roof support beams at the stage in Columbia View Park has sped up a demolition project at the site. The discovery On Wednesday, May 31, St. Helens Public Works crews were performing routine maintenance in at the park when they discovered a structural failure of the Wauna Credit Union stage. The crew found that the wooden roof support beams had rotted below the deck due to age and weather exposure. This caused the beams and stage roof to sink about one foot. After examining the structure, Opinion ..................... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Graduation 2023 ...... A5 Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Crossword ............... A8 Sports .................. A9-10
Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051 Vol. 141, No. 24
crews determined that the stage was too dangerous to use, and the roof needed to be removed. As part of the City’s Riverwalk Project, which is scheduled to break ground this fall, the stage was already set to be demolished and replaced with a new stage. St. Helens Public Works crews demolished the stage Thursday, June 1 and June 2. The first concert of the City’s annual 13 Nights of the River summer concert series was scheduled to take place, June 1, with the band set up next to the stage location. City staff were contacting people who have reserved the gazebo for private events this summer to offer alternate locations or a full refund of their reservation.
History
The Columbia View Park gazebo was donated to the City of St. Helens by Grace Chambers Sonneland in October 1987. The gazebo was originally placed in a different location at Columbia View Park. Through community fundraising efforts and donations from the City of St. Helens, an amphitheater was constructed in the park starting in 2004 and the gazebo was relocated to the center of the amphitheater and named the Columbia View Amphitheater in 2005. For nearly two decades, the
See PARK Page A10
Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.
The stage has been taken down. A new stage will be built at the site in Columbia View Park.
St. Helens
St. Helens Elks Lodge Annual
COMMUNITY FLAG DAY CELEBRATION
Historic Flag Ceremony Special salute to our veterans & first responders. Flag Retirement Ceremony (bring your old worn flags). ENJOY LIVE MUSIC By Dean Lemire & Friends The American Heritage Girls Scappoose & St. Helens VFW FREE Ice Cream, Cookies & Soda FREE mini US Flags for all in attendance Door prizes & fun for all
St. Helens Elks Lodge — 350 Belton Rd. St. Helens, OR - Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 - 2 pm - 3:30 pm