Volume 18, No. 11 Including E-Edition northcoastcitizen.com Like us on Facebook facebook.com northcoastcitizen
May 30, 2013
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Stay put or move?
By Dave Fisher
Calendar
NEHALEM BAY CRAB DERBY THIS SATURDAY A fun-filled, family-friendly crustacean celebration awaits visitors on June 1 Page 3
Inside
The Citizen
Jerry Taylor said, “they’re all over the board.” The most “radical” he noted: Sell the existing city hall, fire station and parking lot properties and buy Underhill Plaza on Manzanita Ave. and build all new facilities there, since it is considered to be out of the tsunami inundation zone, whereas the other cityowned sites are not. Prompting the discussion is the fact
Voters in Tillamook County finally gave the county the go-ahead to improve its roads, passing a countywide $15 million general obligation road bond. Prior road measures had been defeated, the most recent in November 2011 by a fairly narrow margin giving officials hope that the measure on the May 21 Special Election ballot might find success at last. In unofficial results, the measure passed by a slim margin with 3,712 (51.28 percent) voting in favor and 3,525 (48.72 percent) casting a no vote. The election drew a big turnout – unusual for an “off” election – with over half (7,363) of Tillamook County’s 14,573 eligible voters casting ballots. The voters’ approval of the measure means Tillamook County will be issuing $15 million in bonds, in two separate bond sales five years apart, for road improvements. As for the other major bond issue on the ballot, voters rejected a $1 million general obligation bond for the Tillamook School District #9; Yes – 1,390 and No – 2014. “I would like to thank the Sustainable Roads Committee
See CITY HALL, page 5
See ELECTION, page 5
No matter what the Manzanita City Council decides to do about Manzanita’s city hall – renovate the present building and storage area, move into the old fire station or build something new on the city’s parking lot on Fifth St. – one thing is clear; it will be done without taxpayer money. Photos by Dave Fisher
That’s the question as the Manzanita City Council mulls what to do with its city hall By Dave Fisher The Citizen
SUSTAINABLE FOOD CULTURE ALIVE AND WELL ON NORTH COAST
Voters give county road measure thumbs up
As one of its goals for 2013-14, the Manzanita City Council looks to identify and evaluate options for utilizing city-owned buildings while determining long-term locations for its administrative and police offices and developing an implementation plan. A daunting task, council members, nonetheless, sat down at a special meeting and work-
shop on May 16, to discuss alternatives focusing on whether or not the present city hall should stay put with modifications, move into a renovated site, once home to the city’s fire department before the creation of the Nehalem Bay Fire District, or build a new structure on the city-owned parking lot across the street from the old fire station. In creating a list of alternatives developed by city staff or suggested by community members, City Manager
Memorial Day, a time to remember
Farmers on the north coast are working to producemore organic foods Page 4
Braving the wind and rain, 50 to 60 people gathered at Nehalem American Legion Cemetery near Manzanita for a shortened version of the annual Memorial Day observance. While inclement weather this time of year isn’t unusual, many in attendance noted that Monday’s weather was probably the worst they had seen in recent memory for the event. Still, it didn’t stop them from taking time out this special day to pay their respects to America’s fallen heroes. Photo by Dave Fisher
Index Classifieds...........................8 Events calendar...................3 NBFR District Log................6 Public Safety Log.................6 Golightly Gourmet............10 Commentary.......................4
Couple recounts many connections to the Rineharts
This year, The Rinehart Clinic is celebrating 100 years of providing healthcare service in north Tillamook County. The North Coast Citizen is publishing a monthly historical profile or vignette about The Clinic’s founders, history, and stories from past patients and employees. Enjoy exploring the history of The Rinehart Clinic and its many valuable contributions to the community. This article profiles Neal & Shirley Magnuson and their many connections to the clinic. Amassing 100 years of history, there are many stories and connections that are being uncovered, discovered and remembered. Early in the quest for patient stories, Neal and Shirley Magnuson contacted The
See RINEHART, page 7
Port officials take issue with criticism over recent dredging By Dave Fisher The Citizen
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Despite what the critics say, Port of Nehalem officials are generally satisfied with the results of the recent dredging operation along the Nehalem waterfront. The Port took some heat when an “island” made up of dredge spoils suddenly appeared at low tides in mid-January just above the Nehalem Bridge, while others felt that the City of Wheeler and businesses along its waterfront got a raw deal. The $370,000 project involved dredging the Deer Island channel along Nehalem’s waterfront to keep it open for navigation and access for the Port’s working tugboat, The Gregory. The scope of the project, in keeping with the Port’s mission
to maintain and keep clear the navigational channels of the Nehalem River, was to dredge the channel to a point above the Port dock in Nehalem some 1,150 feet, a volume just under 5,000 cubic yards, and remove of snags and deadheads in the area. The City of Nehalem kicked in, nearly $14,000, to have the area around the city-owned docks dredged, as did those private property owners along the waterfront that wanted to have the area around their docks dredged as well. “The City of Nehalem didn’t get a free ride,” said Port of Nehalem paid consultant Bill Campbell in response to a charge that the city got preferential treatment On a rainy morning in May, the Port of Nehalem’s working tugboat, The Gregory, sits tied to the Port dock on over nearby Wheeler. “Mithe Deer Island channel of the Nehalem River, an area dredged recently to keep the navigational channel See DREDGING, page 5 open. Photo by Dave Fisher
‘I like the people...’
Meet Manzanita Grocery & Deli checker Deb Helbig, a relative newcomer having worked at the store the past five years. Says Deb, “I like the people,” she says of her co-workers. “It’s a great group of people to work with and I have a couple of awesome bosses.” Friendly people... it’s just one more reason to shop Manzanita Grocery & Deli. H50616
“the little apple” 503-368-5362
Friendly people, friendly service...that’s Manzanita Grocery & Deli
Located in the heart of downtown Manzanita on Laneda Ave. – open 7 days a week!