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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
VOL. 133, NO. 3 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
CCCC says goodbye to longtime member WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
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he Columbia County Cultural Coalition (CCCC) is saying farewell to beloved longtime board and founding member Ernie Carman. Carman submitted a resignation letter to the CCCC board amid a battle with cancer of the esophagus and numerous taxing surgical procedures. At the recent board meeting, the CCCC members celebrated Carman and his many contributions to the community. History
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Ernie Carman, center, and fellow board members, left to right, Kannikar Petersen, Jasmine Lillich, Margaret Trenchard-Smith, and Dee Vadnais.
Carman has committed much of his life to public service in Clatskanie, where he has spent most of his life. In the community, Carman has dedicated his time to various causes. Carman refounded the Friends of the Clatskanie Public Library 28 years ago, was a founding member of the Clatskanie Arts Commission, a charter member of the CCCC since 2006, and served as a long-term president of the Clatskanie Senior Center, Inc., and volunteered as a member of Kiwanis. “It’s been my whole life,” Carman said. “So, I have spent a lot of time volunteering, and I don’t regret any of it.” Born in Nebraska, Carman and his family moved to Clatskanie when he was 3 years old. When his family came out, they purchased a property originally owned by the famous Oregon logging legend Simon Benson. Carman said he has spent nearly his whole life on Highway 30, as the thoroughfare runs through Central City, Nebraska, where he was born, all the way to Clatskanie,
where he’s lived his whole life. Carman spent almost his entire life in Clatskanie, leaving to attend college before serving his country in the airforce during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, Carman hoped to resume schooling but ended up staying in the community and getting involved in various public service opportunities. Carman said his love of people has always made it easy to make connections. Carman was instrumental in the foundation of the annual Raymond Carver Writing Festival in Clatskanie each year. He said he has a passion for writing, art, and poetry, and those passions drove him to support similar efforts within the Clatskanie community. While there have been many changes in the Clatskanie, Carman said that the people make it a great place to live. “I love Clatskanie because, for one thing, [the people] have an inner strength to grow and to be. And if they have a problem, they figure out something to help it and make it better,” Carman said. “And, of course, I’ve been here all my life.” Carman is one of seven members on the CCCC board, and with his departure, the board is looking for a new seventh member. The board consists of Kannikar Petersen, Dee Vadnais, Margaret Trenchard-Smith, Catherine Ridenour, Ernie Carman, and Jasmine Lillich. Each of the board members agreed that is Carman’s kind and has demonstrated a cooperative nature as a board member. “Everybody loves Ernie. That’s the thing about Ernie,” Fellow CCCC board member Margaret Trenchard-Smith said. “You’ll
See CARMAN Page A7
Oregon Republican legislators boycott, walkout BEN BOTKIN Oregon Capital Chronicle Chief Guest Article
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ov. Tina Kotek spent about two hours listening to Republican and Democratic senators in separate closed-door meetings in the Capitol building Monday, May 22, as the GOP-led walkout that started May 3 continued to stall the Senate. Kotek entered the Senate majority office to visit with Democrats at noon, on the heels of a meeting she had with Senate Republicans shortly after 11 a.m. Applause rang out from inside the room. But Republican senators were less enthusiastic about meeting the Democratic governor. Just one, Dick Anderson of Lincoln City, turned up in person while the others joined through Zoom, a choice that clearly rankled Kotek. “I think that says a lot about who’s interested in resolving the crisis,” Kotek later told the Capital Chronicle and another reporter. “It’s very difficult when the Senate
Republicans don’t show up in a room.” She called their refusal to attend the meeting in person “very disrespectful.” She said she didn’t talk to the Republicans about whether they’d return on Tuesday, and didn’t indicate whether she was trying to strike a deal. “We were just listening today,” Kotek said. “We were not negotiating.” Ten senators are now ineligible to serve for another term because they have 10 or more unexcused absences. The only Republican senators on the floor Monday morning were Anderson and Sen. David Brock Smith of Port Orford. The chamber needs 20 senators to do business and 18 were present. It’s unclear how fruitful any negotiations might be. Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, declined to comment after the Senate floor session ended. Wagner and Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, were unavailable for comment after their
meetings with Kotek. Deputy Minority Leader Daniel Bonham of The Dalles told the Capitol Chronicle he doesn’t trust Kotek because of his experiences with her when she was House speaker. As one example, he said, she backed out of a deal to give Republicans an equal voice in the 2020 redistricting plans. That move is partly why he joined the meeting via Zoom instead of in person, he said. “She has burned me one too many times,” Bonham said. “I’m not going to let the governor have the potential to change her mind on utilizing the state troopers or whatever to pull us back into the building.” Kotek has said she doesn’t want to use state troopers to round up absentee senators. But she hasn’t entirely ruled it out, either. Bonham also noted that the timing of the meeting – shortly after 11 a.m. – would have put senators in
See AWOL Page A2
Courtesy from Amanda Loman / Oregon Capital Chronicle
The Oath of Office on the desk of State Senator Tim Knopp in Senate chambers at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.
Pay attention, be prepared on the waterway Obituaries ................ A3 Opinions .................. A4 Classified Ads ........ A5 Legals .................... A5-6 Crossword ............... A6 Sports ....................... A7
Contact The Chief Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051
JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
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s summer arrives, people are flocking to local waterways and the Pacific Ocean to enjoy Oregon’s incredible boating opportunities. Regardless of what’s calling you to the water and the type of boat you’re in, be aware of your surroundings, be prepared, and make good decisions, the Oregon Marine Board advises, adding that rivers and the Pacific Ocean, even the surf zone, are the most inherently dangerous. It’s important to always scout ahead, mind the tide, decide on the safest route, and expect the unexpected, the Oregon Marine Board states on its website, adding that most accidents and fatalities are due to falling overboard, collisions, and operator error/misjudgment, and reckless behavior. “Inexperience and solo operation continue to be a growing trend of boating fatalities in Oregon,” Oregon Marine Board Boating Safety Program manager Brian Paulsen said. “Planning ahead, boating with others, always keeping a sharp lookout, and wearing a properly fitted life jacket for
your boating activity should be at the top of all boaters’ focus. The Oregon State Marine Board advises boaters to plan ahead and check out the Marine Board’s interactive boating access map. The map displays public boat ramps and local rules for boat operations.
Inexperience and solo operation continue to be a growing trend of boating fatalities in Oregon. ~ Brian Paulsen, Oregon Marine Board
Also, check the weather forecast, water levels, and tides. See if there are any reported obstructions and have the right gear for your boating activity. Boaters can also check the Marine Board’s website to find out what equipment is required based on the size and type of boat. The Marine Board reminds boaters:
Courtesy from the Oregon Marine Board
See WATERWAY Page A7
Most accidents and fatalities on Oregon’s waterways are due to falling overboard, collisions, and operator error/misjudgment, and reckless behavior, according to the Oregon Marine Board.