p.m. F
CELEBRATE GARIBALDI DAYS FIND A SCHEDULE OF THIS WEEKEND’S EVENTS, PAGE A9
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS. JOIN THE MOB. CALL 5:30 P.M. JULY 27, MEET OUTSIDE SHILO RESTAURANT 842-7525.
Headlight Herald TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM • JULY 25, 2012
State finds concerns in Rockaway budget
LONGEST RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY • SINCE 1888
County to silence sirens Officials decide to decomission tsunami warning system BY JOSIAH DARR
OPINION:
sports@orcoastnews.com
Gordon McCraw on ‘Safety without Sirens,’ Page A4
BY ERIN DIETRICH edietrich@countrymedia.net
ROCKAWAY BEACH Following up on a complaint by citizen group “Friends of Rockaway Beach,” the Oregon Department of Revenue pointed out several instances in which the City 2012-13 budget is in non-compliance with state budget law. The issues were raised in a letter dated July 2 to City Manager Lars Gare, and are a result of the Department’s review of 2010-11 financial statements from the City’s independent auditor, budget documents found on the City’s website and discussion with specific citizen concerns. “We would not have looked [at the City’s 2012-13 budget] had we not received the complaint,” said Derrick Gasperini, communications manager for the Oregon Department of Revenue. An area of particular contention in the 2012-13 budget, which passed June 27 by a vote of 4 to 1, is the budget’s beginning fund balance.
County officials met July 16 at the Tillamook County Courthouse to discuss the effectiveness, response and hopefully to “find a consensus on the future of sirens in Tillamook County,” said County Commissioner Mark Labhart. Representatives from local cities, fire departments, 9-1-1, State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service attended the meet-
ing, where the group decided to phase out of their antiquated tsunami sirens after Jan. 1, 2013, in favor of newer and likely more effective technology. One of the meeting’s top priorities was the availability of 30 new sirens given to Tillamook County by the Umatila Weapons Depot. These new sirens would be an upgrade to the existing, aging sirens, which were once used at the Trojan nuclear power plant, fol-
lowing its decommission almost 20 years ago. The new sirens would cost approximately $3,390 to install in a new location, or around $2,000 to be placed on the same same pole. They would also cost approximately $1,000 per year each to maintain and have a life expectancy of 15 to 17 years.
See SIRENS, Page A7
Meet the Fleet
What is TURA? City’s request prompts discussion of the purpose of Urban Renewal Agency BY MARY FAITH BELL mfbell@countrymedia.net
See BUDGET, Page A7 BY JOSIAH DARR
INDEX
sports@orcoastnews.com
Classified Ads .........................B5 Crossword Puzzle....................B2 Fenceposts ..............................B3 Obituaries................................A6 Opinions..................................A4 Sports......................................A8 Tides .....................................A10
P
acific City has a very special niche in the world. The beautiful beachside community is the unofficial dory boat capital of the state. And though the world is continually moving toward new technologies, Pacific City’s dory tradition has all the right characteristics to remain relevant throughout the ages. “Back in 1945 to 1965, we used to use the original double-ender dories, which were similar to the whaling vessels used in places like Portugal, Mexico and other places around the world,” said Dorymen’s Association Co-Chair Paul Hanneman. “In the years between about 1959 to 1963, we developed square-stern style boats and this became the largest place in the world where this style of boat was used. That style became adopted all over the world.” The long, high-bowed and fairly narrow profile of dories make them ideal for launching directly off the beach into the teeth of the pounding surf, as opposed to being launched in a bay or between jetties like most boats. And the beach at Pacific City is ideal for this style of launch because Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock reduce the surf, making the waves less aggressive. For those reasons, the dory boat is so connected to Pacific City. And once a year, the community celebrates its unique fleet with the three-day Dory Festival, complete with food, music, and a parade of boats.
WEATHER JULY 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
HIGH 62 69 65 67 65 65 71
STATS LOW 57 57 57 56 55 50 54
RAINFALL .00 .01 .00 .00 .00 .00 --
WEATHER COURTESY OF WEATHER UNDERGROUND
1908 2nd St. 503-842-7535 www.TillamookHeadlightHerald.com
Vol. 123, No. 30 75 cents
From top, the Kellow family earned the best decoration award in the Dory Days parade while onlookers enjoyed dressing up, face painting and being in their beloved dories.
See DORY, Page A5
Is it blighted? And will it increase property values and tax revenues? Those are the first questions the Tillamook Urban Renewal Agency (TURA) will ask in reference to the City’s request for $225,000 to remodel the newly purchased City shops. The Tillamook City Council debated in their July 16 meeting whether to ask TURA to fund a $225,000 remodeling project for the new City shops on Third Street. Three councilors, led by Doug Henson were opposed to the idea of using TURA funds for the City shop, and three councilors, led by Steven Forster, were in favor of the request. Mayor Suzanne Weber cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of requesting TURA funds for the City remodeling project. The Headlight Herald is taking this opportunity to look at the proper use of TURA funds; what are TURA dollars meant to fund? According to Oregon law, (ORS 457.020) the necessity and purpose of urban renewal funds “is hereby found and declared: (1) That there exist within the state blighted areas. (2) That such areas impair economic values and tax revenues.” The ORS definition continues from there; summing up: blighted areas may be acquired and cleared, or conserved or rehabilitated, in whole or in part, in partnership with private owners or by eminent domain. Urban renewal activities will stimulate residential construction, providing better housing and more desirable neighborhoods and community development at lower costs, etc.
See TURA, Page A7
Third St. construction slowed by utility lines; businesses feel the pinch BY ERIN DIETRICH edietrich@countrymedia.net
TILLAMOOK – With zigzags, detours and 20-minute delays, access to East Third Street has been bumpy this summer. Construction began in May of this year on the stretch of Third Street from Pine Avenue to just east of Marolf Loop. Ultimately, the project will result in a new road surface, sidewalks, lighting, bike lanes, a new waterline and storm drainage. But until it is completed in late-October, access to businesses, services and homes along that stretch of road remains difficult. The project has also run into unexpected conflict with Century Link utility lines located underground, which has altered the course of the original construction plan, according to Tillamook County Public Works Director Liane Welch. “At this point we’re all working together to resolve issues, but it’s certainly made our con-
tractor hop around to avoid conflict,” Welch said. “That’s why traffic is zigging all around Third Street.” Project managers began working with local utility companies as early as 2010 to determine what lay beneath Third Street. Welch said at that time, Century Link reported no conflict with the project design. But as construction began, workers found utility lines that run the entire length of the project site. Welch said the unexpected find hasn’t had an impact on Century Link customers. Construction snags aside, the project has had a profound impact on businesses located along the project site. Franz Bakery Outlet cashier Lynne Jacob leaves her house 45 minutes early to get to work on time. She reports that business is down by at least 50 percent for the store, located at 3516 Third Street.
See THIRD, Page A5
PROPANE “Cenex: Your Go-To people
TILLAMOOK FARMERS’ CO-OP Tillamook’s Country Store
Serving Tillamook County Since 1935
BUCKET SALE!!
Whatever you can fit inside is 10%,15%, or even 20% OFF
8 qt Bucket - 10% 20 qt Bucket - 15% 70 qt Washtub - 20%
for propane.”
- Debra Greenlee San Dune Pub
Excludes Oils & Chemicals. Sale only on Regular Priced Items.
1920 Main Street North Tillamook, Oregon 97141
503-842-4457 Fax 503-842-7684
ERIN DIETRICH/HEADLIGHT HERALD
Expect serious delays along Third Street through October.
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