Pacific City Sun, April 24, 2020

Pacific City

SUN

THE BEACH

Whale that’s the end of this mammal’s story

Expansion of elementary school unencumbered by virus

Organizers cancel or postpone all area events through July....................6 TCVA funds tsunami directional signage for South County..................9

8

NVSD successfully starts distance learning program ............14

Vol. 14, No. 341 • April 24, 2020 • FREE!

Quiet at the Cape

Sunny but nearly empty described Cape Kiwanda in mid-April as COVID-19 restrictions continue to be felt

Oregon State Parks & Recreation buries whale found in the Sand Lake Recreation Area Page 2

COMMUNITY

Commissioners extend emergency declaration

County parks and parking lots are now closed through May 15 as COVID-19 restrictions Page 7 continue

IN THE NEWS

Lost log load shuts down Highway 101

Highway closed for five to six hours after log truck overturns on Highway 101 Page 5

we will see you soon!

We believe the right thing to do is to close all Pelican Brewing locations to help control the spread of COVID-19 and protect our employees, our community, and the greater good. If everyone does their part, this will more likely be short-lived and that is the reason we’ve made this decision—we want to be part of the solution.

can you still support?

Visit our PelicanBrewing.com/Beer-Finder to locate beer near you or check out our online shop at Shop.PelicanBrewing.com for gift cards and the latest Pelican gear.

Pacific City

PCJWSA approves plan to create 90-day moratorium on Treatment Plant CIC

SUN PO Box 1085 Pacific City, OR 97135 Phone: 503-801-5221 tim@pacificcitysun.com

Tim Hirsch Editor & Publisher

Vicky Hirsch Editorial Assistant

Contributors: Sally Rissel Photos courtesy of OPRD

On Our Cover:

SAND LAKE RECREATION AREA, a popular beach spot approximately two miles north of Pacific City, was the site of a washed up whale sighting recently. The 40-foot Gray whale carcass washed up on shore Saturday, April 18. The carcass’ rotten condition indicated the whale was deceased prior to landing on the beach.

Whale that’s the end of this mammal’s story

Photo by Tim Hirsch

SUNNY but nearly empty described Cape Kiwanda in mid-April as COVID-19 restrictions continue to be felt.

A 40-foot Gray whale carcass that washed up Saturday at Sand Lake Recreation Area was buried in the sand yesterday by beach rangers from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and a local contractor.

Kirk Barham, park manager at Cape Lookout State Park, said the carcass’ rotten condition indicated the whale was deceased before it arrived on the beach.

Sand Lake Recreation Area, a popular beach spot approximately two miles north of Pacific City, is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The area is currently closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network were on scene before the burial to take tissue samples from the whale.

OREGON PARKS & RECREATION beach rangers, with the help of a local contractor, buried a gray whale carcass that had washed up on the beach at Sand Lake Recreation Area Saturday, April 18.

The Pacific City Joint WaterSanitary Authority Board of Directors unanimously voted on April 14 to formally adopt resolutions to temporarily suspend shutoffs for delinquent accounts and to create a moratorium through June 30 on the capital improvement charge for the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project.

As reported in the April 10 edition of the Sun, the board had approved motions at its April 7 meeting to mitigate financial concerns arising out of COVID-19 “flatten the curve” restrictions, but because those motions lacked formal resolutions, a special meeting was scheduled for April 14.

Residential customers are currently paying a $10 per month WWTP capital improvement charge, short-term vacation rental owners $60 and commercial accounts $70 to $145, depending on the business size. Projections are for the moratorium to cost the Authority $33,000 for a total of $99,000.

Because CICs were first levied in 2016, PCJWSA currently has $1.8 million in its revenue bond fund for the WWTP and will still have more than $1 million after paying the first year’s payment as well as $396,000 for a reserve account and $90,000 for short-lived asset reserves.

For more information about PCJWSA and its operations during COVID-19 restrictions, visit pcjwsa.com or call 503-965-6636.

Made for more love

We were all made for more. More love. More hope.

More connection. And now more than ever, it’s important for us to stay connected. In times of uncertainty we pull together as a community, and together we can overcome anything.

To learn more about staying healthy, active and connected, visit AdventistHealthTillamook.org

WE MISS YOU. Based upon the most recent information, we believe the right thing to do is to temporairly close Stimulus Coffee + Bakery to help control the spread of COVID-19 and protect our employees, our community, and the greater good. If everyone does their part, this will more likely be short-lived and that is the reason we’ve made this decision—we want to be part of the solution. Please stay safe and take care of yourself and those around you.

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Page 2 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

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Page 3 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

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inbrief TPUD to delay planned rate increase due to COVID-19 The Tillamook PUD Board of Directors announced on April 17 it will postpone a previously budgeted 3 percent rate increase.

According to TPUD, consideration of any rate adjustment will be postponed until the Fall of 2020. The organization attributed the decision to several factors associated with the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Given the current economic conditions, and uncertainties that may be ahead, we feel the decision to postpone all rate increases is the most prudent plan of action at this time,” said Todd Simmons, general manager of TPUD. “Our focus is on taking care of our customers and providing our community with safe and reliable electric service.

This continues to be our missioncritical work.”

TPUD reports that its Board of Directors and staff will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as it evolves, and will evaluate any rate decisions based on current developments.

For more Tillamook PUD updates and current events, visit tpud.org, and/ or like and follow the organization on Facebook or Twitter.

ODOT extends studded tire deadline to May 15 The Oregon Department of Transportation announced on April 17 that Oregon drivers will not be required to remove studded tires until 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 15. The deadline had previously been extended from April 1 to May 1.

While studded tires are allowed in Oregon by law from Nov. 1 through March 31, ODOT decided to again extend that deadline in response to the continuing public health emergency of COVID-19.

ODOT encourages drivers to have their studded tires removed before May 15 if it can reasonably be done while maintaining social distancing.

For additional information about the state’s efforts in response to COVID-19, visit govstatus.egov.com/ OR-OHA-COVID-19. For additional information about steps ODOT is taking to slow the spread of the virus, please visit oregon.gov/odot/pages/ incident.aspx.

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Tillamook County to select a pair of commissioners in May 19 election

By VICKY HIRSCH for the Sun

Incumbant Yamamoto says the focus of his efforts the past three years as commissioner have been public safety, ecoWith many aspects nomic development, and fiscal of society shut down or responsibility. Some successes limited due to the curhe points to during his term are rent COVID-19 crisis, the restarting of the Tillamook one thing that has not Narcotics Team by Sheriff Jim been affected in Oregon Horton, inviting more than 30 is voting practices, since commissioners from the state Oregon is a vote by mail of Oregon to tour Tillamook state. Voters in TillaCounty with the Tillamook mook County received Working Lands and Waters their Voters’ Pamphlets Cooperative, which ended for the May 19, 2020 Orwith many of those counties egon Primary Election adopting Tillamook practices, the week of April 20.

Photo courtesy of David McCall Photo by Tim Hirsch and along with Senator Betsy Ballots will be mailed to TILLAMOOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS has two open Positions in the May 19 Johnson, securing $6 million for voters beginning April primary elections.

Running for Position #2 are Bay City Councilor and Tillamook County fish-friendly tide gates.

29 and can be filled out Solid Waste Program manager David McCall, above left, who is trying to oust incumbant His appointments inand mailed back postDavid Yamamoto, above right, from his current seat. Position #1 candidates are Bay City clude those such as Ocean age prepaid or dropped Mayor Christopher Krueebe, below left, and Erin Skaar, below right, executive director of Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) off in an official drop Tillamook County Action Resources Enterprises, Inc. and Bureau of Ocean Energy box by 8 p.m. May 19.

Management (BOEM.) State Postmarks do not count level appointments include for mailed in ballots; chair of Council of Forest Trust they must be received Land Counties and co-chair of

by May 19.

Governance, Executive Steering, Locally, Tillamook Legislative Federal Forest, NatuCounty Board of Comral Resources, and Public Safety, mission Positions 1 and while national appointments 2 are up for vote. Vying include Rural Action Caucus for Position 1, which is (RAC), Environment Energy & currently held by ComLand Use Steering Committee missioner Bill Baertlein, (EELU), and Western Interstate who will be retiring Region (WIR). at the end of the year, For more information on are executive director Yamamoto’s campaign, visit of Tillamook County dave4BOCC.com, email him at Community Action dave4BOCC@gmail.com or call Resources Enterprises, Photo courtesy of Erin Skaar Photo courtesy of Christopher Kruebbe 503-701-1235.

Inc. Erin Skaar and Bay McCall is Tillamook CounCity Mayor Christopher laborative problem solving to issues facing ty’s Solid Waste Program manager and has Kruebbe. Tillamook County CommisTillamook County. helped organize the Tillamook Farmers sioner David Yamamoto will be running To learn more about Skaar, visit her Market, serving as president of the Board for reelection for Position 2 while Bay City website at VoteErinSkaar.org or find her on for three years. He plays an integral role in Councilor David McCall will be challenging Facebook at VoteErinSkaar. advancing emergency preparedness in Bay him for the spot.

Kruebbe, who initially filed for City and also coordinates the activities of Skaar was raised in the small town of Position 2, has changed his candidacy to the Master Recyclers. He has been active Maupin in central Oregon where her family Position 1. In addition to being the mayor within the Democratic Party on local and ran a small restaurant and motel business. of Bay City, he is a licensed clinical social state levels, as well as in Hungary, where he After earning a bachelor’s degree in geoloworker and certified addictions and drug gy, she found her passion in helping others counselor for Tillamook Medical Group. He received a Service Recognition Award from the American Chamber of Commerce in while working in leadership positions for says he would like to focus on the county’s Hungary in 2004. not-for-profit organizations. Her experimental health programs, as well as work McCall states he would focus on ence includes community leadership in to improve the business climate of the important local issues such as housing, both professional and volunteer capacities, county. including being a long-time member of the Kruebbe’s volunteer work has included quality services, recycling and sustainabilTillamook Kiwanas and she has served on time working as a volunteer firefighter with ity, infrastructure repair, and emergency preparedness. He says the county needs a number of local boards and committees. the Bay City Fire Department, serving on to balance its traditional roles of forestry, She and her husband Jim moved to the board of directors for both the Bay City fishing and farming with tourism.

Tillamook 16 years ago to live and raise Arts Center and the Women’s Resource He is a member of the Solid Waste their family. She says they were drawn to Center (now Tides of Change), and time Association of North America (SWANA), the area by the rural community and natuon the leadership team for the Tillamook the North American Hazardous Materials ral environment.

County Crisis Intervention Stress ManageManagement Association (NAHMMA), She has worked at CARE for 15 years, ment Team. and the Association of Oregon Recyclers including serving as the executive direcHe has cited attracting both large and (AOR) and has received numerous awards tor for the last 10 years. Pointing to her small businesses to the county, keeping in the industry of recycling and hazardous experience at CARE as a community leader Tillamook parks attractive, and continuing materials management. actively working on solutions to Tillamook the Behavioral Health Court as some goals For more information on McCall’s County’s housing crisis and many other as commissioner. campaign, visit VoteMcCall.org, email dacommunity intiatives, she says she is For more information on Kruebbe’s vid@votemccall.org or call 503-801-7866. excited to bring her leadership skills in col- campaign, visit kruebbe.weebly.com.

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HIGHWAY 101 just north of the junction with Brooten Road intersection was closed down for five to six hours Friday, April 10 after a log truck lost its load after rolling and then turning a full 180 degrees before righting itself again.

Lost load shuts down highway

Emergency personnel responded to an afternoon accident on April 10 where a truck lost its load of logs on Highway 101 just north of the Brooten Road intersection.

The incident closed the highway for five to six hours according to Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District Fire Chief James Oeder, but the driver had non life-threatening injuries and was able to walk under his own power to an ambulance, which transported him to North Lincoln Samaritan Hospital.

“It appears the accident started at

the intersection of Brooten and Highway 101 and ended up 300 to 400 feet (up the highway),” Oeder told the Sun, and added that the log truck was originally headed northbound, but, by the time it was over, it had rolled and then righted itself after turning a full 180-degrees — eventually coming to rest in a southbound position.

Other agencies responding to the accident included Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Police, and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office.

Tillamook County achieves Top 10 health ranking For the past decade, the County Health Rankings have taken the pulse of the nation, showing the public how where they live matters to their health. And on April 22, Tillamook County Public Health reported that Tillamook County has seen a positive trend, moving from an overall ranking of 26th, out of a total of 34 Oregon counties included in 2016, to a 10th place ranking out of 35 Oregon counties included in 2020.

“Health indicator data is just one measure we use to drive investments to improve community health and well-being,” said Marlene Putman, public health administrator for Tillamook County Public Health. “This trend shows that the hard work and collaboration of our community partners is moving us in a positive direction.”

The Health Rankings illustrate that good health is influenced by many factors beyond medical care such as access to physical activity and healthy foods, factors that Tillamook County partners say they can do something about.

Tillamook County Wellness coordinator Michelle Jenck says the news is well worth celebrating, noting that there have been numerous actions taken by leaders and organizations in Tillamook County in the past five years that contributed to this positive trend.

She says congratulations are in order to all community members for this success and that it is also worth noting that the “Year of Wellness” was launched in 2016 and continues to build momentum as Tillamook County Wellness into 2020 and beyond. More than 46 community

partner organizations, and nearly 100 individuals, have made a commitment to work collectively to reduce risk for type 2 diabetes. Jenck says this collective action is changing the community and people’s lives for the better.

For one, County Commissioner Bill Baertlein is credited by health officials as being instrumental in many of these efforts.

“I’m really pleased with everything that has happened,” Baertlein said about the rankings. “It has really exceeded all my expectations and I think this report will add fuel to existing efforts. I’m excited to see where we go from here.”

Jenck says that areas where the county continues to improve include people’s perceptions of their personal health and well-being, as well as a lowering of smoking rates. Helping the issue, she says, is that the county has a lot of access to places to be physically active — especially outdoors. Health issues needing improvement include obesity rates and sedentary behavior, as well as people not getting enough sleep — all of which are factors that influence risk for chronic disease. Other areas the county hopes to see improvements in include flu vaccination rates, the number of children in poverty, college attainment, teen birth rates, and premature deaths — including those that are drug or alcohol related, as well as suicides.

For more local health and wellness information, visit tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org or follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Page 5 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

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PACIFIC CITY DORY DAYS, originally slated for July 17-19, has been cancelled due to cautionary measures in place to assist in halting the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

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had been some discussion on how they could put on a scaled-down event, it was ultimately decided there was no feasible way to maintain social distancing in events like the Dory Days Parade and the Artisan Fair.

“We’re sad (about the cancellation),” she said. “It’s horribly disappointing.”

PCNV Chamber President Susan Amort also expressed regret of the cancellations.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to basically cancel the whole 2020 summer season, but we’re following (examples of) some other communities,” she said. “Both Neskowin and Pacific City tried to make an informed decision. This is what we felt was in the best interest of the community.”

And Craig Wenrick, co-chair of the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, said

Summer may be around the corner, but it will have to brighten our days without the full slate of events that both locals and tourists have come to expect over the years.

Among the events that have now put off their festivities due to cautionary measures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 are: the Pacific City Birding & Blues Festival, the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association’s Blessing of the Fleet, Clover’s Day, the Pacific City 4th of July Fireworks Display, all Neskowin Memorial Day weekend and 4th of July events, the Pacific City Dory Days celebration, and the Neskowin Cottage Walk.

Amongst the Neskowin events cancelled are Memorial Day weekend’s Trash to Treasures rummage sale, and the 4th of July events, which include the Walkabout, the 5K Runabout, a patriotic sing-along, and “kites and castles” on the beach — all of which the Neskowin Community Association Board of Directors voted to cancel during its board meeting on April 4.

“It hurts our hearts to have to cancel all these (events) that people love so much, but, at this point, we couldn’t take the NESKOWIN’S annual 4th of July Walkabout is one of many risk,” said NCA President Robin local event cancellations due to COVID-19 concerns and Crowell. “It’s just a hard time for restrictions. everyone.” he, too, was concerned about community Also disappearing from 4th of July safety. offerings is Clover’s Day. “Even if (the government) opens “We are very sorry for people that things up, I don’t think the virus (will be) look forward to it each year,” said coorganizer John Seymour. “We’re hoping to completely gone,” he added. “We don’t want to be responsible for attracting do something later in the year, but we’re people and potentially causing a second in the wait-and-see mode right now.” flare up.”

Similarly, the decision to cancel this Wenrick said similar concerns exist year’s Dory Days event was made on for the PCDA’s Blessing of the Fleet, norSaturday, April 11 after the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association consulted with the mally held on the first Saturday of June.

The event tradiionally features prayers Pacific City-Nestucca Valley Chamber of from area clergy as well as patriotic songs Commerce and the PCDA Board of Directors, via conference call, voted to not hold as the dory fleet honors the beginning of the fishing seasons. an event in 2020.

Chamber board member Doug Event chair Melita Spath told the Sun the decision was made both for safety and Olson told the Sun that the decision to cancel the Pacific City Fireworks was fiscal responsibility reasons. predicated on the safety concerns as well “The main point is we think it’s iras the thinking that now is not the best responsible to expose our community (to visitors who might be carrying the virus),” time to ask for the community donations necessary to put on the display. she said.

The Chamber had previously signed a And with the event coming up on contract for $13,000 with Western Display deadlines for ordering fish for the fish Fireworks — half of which was to be paid fry as well as event merchandise, there for by a donation — for the second year in was concern over those purchases being a row — by Pelican Brewing Co. But that wasteful if a cancellation was necessary plan still would rely on another $6,500 somewhere down the line.

“We’re looking at protecting the com- from the community. Western Display Fireworks has agreed to hold the $3,200 munity and not taking a huge financial already paid by the Chamber for either loss with (potentially) not being able to a display later in the year or for the one reimburse (expenses). We had to make a planned for 2021. call and be proactive about the funds. We Olson said there is also concern with can’t take a huge hit like (it would be if we inviting people to come to town even aren’t able to get our investment back). if the restrictions are lifted as there still It would be way too big of a loss for both may be a fear of potentially spreading the (PCDA and the Chamber).” virus.

She also noted that though there

Page 6 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

Commissioners extend emergency declaration to May 15 Tillamook County Commissioners unanimously voted on April 22 to extend until May 15 an emergency declaration originally passed on March 22 as part of an effort to mitigate the potential spreading of COVID-19 in the county.

The declaration will keep all transient lodging including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals including condos closed to all visitors not providing essential services or who are in the county for commercial reasons such as construction, trucking, etc. As well, boat launches will continue to be closed to all but commercial fishermen that provide a retail food source. Beach access points and parking lots also are to remain closed, and no parking zones in public right of ways will be extended.

In an April 17 memo in support of the extension, Gordon McCraw, incident commander for the Tillamook County COVID-19 Incident Command Team, wrote he believed the original April 28 date to be too early to reopen the closed facilities. He added that though the State of Oregon believes the models show a flattening of the COVID-19 curve, the fear is that visitors from counties to Tillamook County’s east, each of which have a much higher rate of positive COVID-19 cases, could potentially come to the area. “(The) three counties (of Multnomah, Washington and Marion) alone account for over half of the Oregon deaths,” he added.

McCraw also noted that testing and medical personal protection equipment remains at “very low levels throughout the state” and that “grocery deliveries continue to be outpaced by customer purchase levels which also directs our restaurants’ ability to serve current customer levels.”

Further, McCraw recommended that Tillamook County convene a “workgroup, with a facilitator, made up of members of the affected businesses to work through the best manner to bring back the busi-

Brown’s framework for reopening Oregon and offered his take on how the phased opening could play out throughout the state.

“The governor understands that one size does not fit all for the state of Oregon, and I think that’s a great thing,” he said. “Eastern Oregon is different than the Willamette Valley, (which) is different than the Oregon Coast. I think under this framework that she has created, we’re going to see counties in Eastern Oregon — where they have so few people per square mile and some of those counties Photo by Tim Hirsch still have zero cases of COVID-19 PARKING AREAS near Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area will — start to open up. I think you’ll remain closed until at least May 15. see this happening in Eastern Oregon first.” nesses in a phased approach.”

But Yamamoto doesn’t see the Oregon “This needs to be done,” said ComCoast following too quickly. He said he missioner Bill Baertlein in his opening worries a quick reopening could be putting remarks on the issue. “We have to keep the out the welcome mat to visitors before the emergency (declaration) in place.” county is ready and the virus is sufficiently Commissioner David Yamamoto, contained. too, shared his support for extending the “Are (visitors) going to say: ‘Well, closures.

Tillamook County’s open. Let’s all go to “This is a very difficult decision,” he Tillamook County?’ I think the question we said. “It was a very difficult decision to need to ask ourselves is do we want to have impose this initially, but I think the crowds anywhere near a normal summer here on that we saw here in Tillamook County that the Oregon Coast? I think that is fraught first weekend of spring break was indicawith danger if we try to do that.” tive that the do not travel bans placed But he also addressed the other side of by the northwest governors — both by the coin — the hardship local businesses Washington and Oregon — were not beare suffering through. ing followed. And that to me was a huge “I understand that our small busiproblem. That’s why we had to call that emergency meeting on Sunday, (March 22) nesses in Tillamook County are hurting,” Yamamoto said. “I keep hearing that when in order to discuss how we were going to this is all said and done, a lot of those busido what we did. nesses are not going to reopen. And I un“Looking back on it, it was absolutely derstand that. We are starting to talk about the right thing to do. People need to unhow we reopen on a very slow, calculated derstand (that) the big reason for me to do basis. And I think that could start happenwhat we did was to protect the life, health, ing sooner rather than later. We have no (and) safety of the residents of Tillamook time frame yet, but when you look at the County.” criteria that the governor has set out for Yamamoto also referenced Gov. Kate

us to start to reopen things in Tillamook County, we’re very close to meeting that criteria.”

“I agree we need to extend the emergency (declaration),” added Commissioner Mary Faith Bell. “The governor has set forth a good plan (with) good parameters for (Oregon) to reopen. One of the considerations for us in Tillamook county is it’s not just us. When we reopen, we will get a huge influx of folks from the valley… so I favor extending the emergency. I think it’s the right thing to do.”

“We need a little time to plan out how we’re going to reopen,” offered Baertlein.

“We’ve been working on this so hard over the last month. I have to say that (the governor’s) plan for opening is a good plan, and I think it gives us some gates to go through and gives us some guidance.”

In the meantime, commissioners say they understand the plight of not just the area’s businesses but its residents, too.

“We understand that people are getting very antsy to get out and recreate,” Yamamoto said. “That’s one of the first things we want to do. We want to make sure that people from Tillamook County can go out and fish and crab and clam. I think that’s important. It’s important for physical health but it’s also important for the mental health of the people of Tillamook County — just to be able to get out there and do the things that we want to do.”

Both Baertlein and Yamamoto said that as the county progresses in the effort to reopen, they will be working with Lincoln, Clatsop and Columbia counties.

“We’re going to start to collaborate,” Yamamoto said. “If one county does one thing and the adjacent county does something else, it’s going to create a real problem. People are going to be (going) back and forth to counties that are open so collaborating with the north coast counties I think is really important. I think we’re going to start that conversation next week.”

We’re All In This Together!

Nestucca Valley Sanitary Service and our family of local employees, would like you to know that we are with you and your family during this unprecedented time!

We will not disrupt your service due to financial challenges you may be experiencing and encourage you to call us so that we may work with you individually should this occur.

Solid waste management, including garbage and recycling services, are essential to the protection of the health, safety and welfare of our communities, join us as we support one another during this challenging time!

Paul and Sandy Carbaugh, Jennifer Carbaugh Smith, Kim Darby, Darrell Daggett, Ed Lamers, Phil Hurlimann, RJ Coleman, Kole Brunkow

Page 7 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

TBCC launches new degree in Healthcare Administration Beginning this fall, students at Tillamook Bay Community College will have a new healthcare degree option to choose from, announced the college on April 22. TBCC has added an Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Administration, which includes three career pathway certificate options.

In the new program, courses in business administration, finance, and human resources will prepare students for positions that oversee a department or team by learning how to lead people and manage office operations. Students will also gain clinical hands-on training in their choice of a career pathway certificate in medical assisting, emergency medical services, or phlebotomy. The college says the degree was designed to help meet the needs of local healthcare providers seeking to hire locally.

This new degree joins a lineup of healthcare-related options already offered through the college such as a degree in Nursing that is a collaboration with Oregon Coast Community College.

There are also partnership programs in Diagnostic Imaging, Medical Laboratory Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and a Pharmacy Technician.

The degrees and certificates are granted by partner colleges, but TBCC offers program prerequisites, general education requirements, and related coursework.

There is also a Basic Healthcare Certificate, which teaches basic skills needed for employment in an entry level position in a healthcare setting. This certificate can be completed as early as high school through the Health Occupations program offered in partnership with the three Tillamook County school districts.

TBCC says that these partnerships are only feasible through the generous on-going financial support provided by Adventist Health Tillamook.

To learn more or to apply, visit tillamookbaycc.edu or contact the Student Services team at studentservices@ tillamookbaycc.edu or 503-842-8222, ext. 1100.

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District’s construction efforts move ahead unencumbered

By TIM HIRSCH of the Sun By all reports, the COVID-19 crisis has caused physical, emotional and financial harm to many from coast-to-coast, but it has also meant that the Nestucca Valley School District has been — and will be able to — proceed with construction efforts at the high school and elementary school campuses unencumbered by full classrooms a little bit earlier than originally planned for.

NVSD Superintendent Misty Wharton told the Sun that because of school being moved into a distance learning model, construction efforts at the district’s renovation portion of its elementary school expansion is advancing in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if students and teachers were lining the classrooms.

“What it has allowed us to do is have a five-month window (without students instead of a) three-month window,” she said. “At this point, the teachers are completely out of their classrooms. And we’ve put together a more expeditated work schedule for the existing building. And while that’s happening, the continued work on the new construction is going gang busters.”

Also helping the construction is the fact that as a government project it is considered essential and thus construction is allowed to continue as long as social distancing guidelines are met.

As of press time, construction crews had begun the process of preparing the current building for new siding and windows and the campus playground was being installed, both of which are efforts that originally had been planned for next summer.

“We’re just trying to do as many things within the social distancing rules that we can now,” Wharton said.

Also either already completed or under construction is the framing of the middle school wing and the district office.

And two of the gym walls are framed but not yet erected.

As well, the district is working on the design of its new water system, a design that will include its own treatment room, and the last major foundation slab was poured on April 23.

Upcoming tasks include a new septic and drain and the first phase of the installation of heating and cooling infrastructure, as well as conduits for new electrical and plumbing.

But there also was an unexpected expense as the district discovered that its septic lines under the school are no longer operable and need to be replaced. Still, Wharton said the project is on budget.

“I feel fortunate to be where we’re at with the construction project,” Wharton said. “O’Brien and Co. and Day CPM, our project managers, are doing a great job. I think we’re going to get an end product our

Photo by Tim Hirsch

Photo courtesy of NVSD

NESTUCCA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT’S renovation and building project at its elementary school site has been ongoing despite Oregon schools being shutdown

by Governor Brown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pictured above is what will be the middle school wing.

Construction workers are shown laying conduit, at left, and pictured below is what will be the new district office building.

Photo by Tim Hirsch

community’s going to be really proud of.”

And there’s good news at the high school as well. Wharton said the district will now be able to start its planned seismic retrofit in that facility in May — one month earlier than had originally been planned. The project is expected to be completed by August. As well, the district is planning on renovating the football

Page 8 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

field, which has had a history of sinkhole problems due to the old fill it is built on.

“We haven’t been able to renovate it in the past (because) we’re always using it,” Wharton explained. “(We’ll be) removing all of the debris, excavating (it), building it back up, and seeding it so that the kids will have a new baseball field, new football field and new softball field in the fall.”

Gov. Brown unveils framework for the reopening of Oregon Governor Kate Brown, on April 14, introduced her framework for Reopening Oregon: a plan to restart public life and business while maintaining healthy Oregon communities. The framework sets specific prerequisites based on science, which Oregon communities must meet to begin reopening, and also outlines the actions Oregon must take to move forward.

“We all want to get back to work and return to normal life as quickly as possible,” said Governor Brown. “But the truth is: the best path forward is a cautious one — a path that proceeds gradually, carefully, and incrementally.

A path that relies on science and facts to determine each step forward.”

In order to begin reopening communities, Oregon must first slow the growth of COVID-19, as well as acquire adequate personal protective equipment to protect health care workers and first responders. Once those prerequisites are met, Oregon can begin to reopen by: ramping up COVID-19 testing capacity in every region of Oregon; developing robust contact tracing systems to track and contain COVID-19 cases; and establishing a quarantine and isolation program for new cases.

“While we have to be careful, we also cannot stand still,” said Governor Brown. “The shuttering of an economy at this scale has never happened before.

Likewise, the reopening of a shuttered economy of this scale has never happened before.

“As we prepare in the months ahead to get Oregon back to work, we must remember the importance of doing so in a smart and deliberate fashion that keeps us moving forward instead of sending us backward.”

Tsunami signage on the way

TCVA funds emergency management signage for South County

$35,218.

The funding comes from the portion of the Tillamook County transient lodging tax granted to Tillamook Coast Visitors Association by the county commissioners for destination management As part of its county-wide wayfindand sustainable tourism projects. ing program, the Tillamook Coast VisiThe tourism organization worked tors Association (more widely known as with Jean Cameron, Bill Busch, BarVisit Tillamook Coast) recently funded bara Triplett and Marge Jozsa from the two emergency management signage STCEVC, and volunteer Dan Doyle and projects in South Tillamook County.

Volunteers with the South Tillamook Fire Chief Jim Oeder from NRFPD. Sarah Absher, director of Community DevelopCounty Emergency Volunteer Corps (STment, and Chris Laity, director of Public CEVC) worked with community memWorks, are also being credited as being bers, local organizations instrumental for their and Tillamook County assistance during the government officials over process and approving the past 16 months to the plans. develop the tsunami way“I’m in awe of the finding signage plan for time, effort and comthe area extending from mitment it takes for the Neskowin to Winema. volunteers to develop a The STCEVC, now a thoughtful, comprehen501(c)3 organization and a sive plan, get it approved, partner with the Nestucca TILLAMOOK COAST VISITORS ASSOand submit it for fundVolunteer Firefighters CIATION has funded two emergening,” said Nan Devlin, Association, also received cy management signage projects executive director of funding assistance from Tillamook Coast Visitors in South Tillamook County.

Oregon Department of Association. “Because of Geology and Mineral their efforts, both of these projects can Industries (DOGAMI) tsunami signage be models for other communities in the program. TCVA provided $8,782 toward county.” the project.

The wayfinding program is a top The Nestucca Rural Fire Protection priority of TCVA, and there are several District (NRFPD) was approved for a sign community plans completed. Each plan that will provide emergency and commutakes a minimum of 18 months to get to nity messages along Highway 101 near the request-for-proposal stage.

Cloverdale. The LED sign will let motor“We involve community members ists know of emergencies such as road along each step of development, getclosures, landslides, flooding, fires and ting their input and feedback on what’s burning restrictions, but also local meetimportant to them,” said Devlin. ings, volunteer needs and events. Similar For more information on the countyto the sign installed at Nehalem Fire wide wayfinding plan, visit tillamookand Rescue, which TCVA also funded, coast.com/industry. the Nestucca sign project was awarded

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FEMA awards over $7.5 million to Oregon for COVID-19 response The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced it has provided more than $7.5 million to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for eligible activities related to the COVID-19 response. The funding was made available under major disaster declaration FEMA-DR-4499-OR. FEMA has expedited funding of $7,509,180.04 to assist the state of Oregon in its purchases of Personal Protective Equipment such as disposable gowns, masks, face shields, gloves, and sanitizer. This equipment will assist hospitals, medical clinics, city and county governments, and certain private-non-profits across the state.

This obligation is in accordance with section 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, under which eligible emergency protective measures taken at the direction or guidance of public health officials to respond to the COVID-19 emergency may be reimbursed under Category B of the agency’s Public Assistance program. Emergency medical care activities eligible under COVID-19 disaster declarations include the purchase of PPE, durable medical equipment, and consumable medical supplies necessary to respond to COVID-19 cases.

For the COVID-19 response, FEMA has simplified the Public Assistance application and funding process to address the magnitude of this event and to allow local officials to receive eligible funding more quickly. These reimbursements can play a critical role as state, local, and tribal officials work tirelessly to assist their communities during this response.

For more information on the whole-of-America response to COVID-19, visit fema.gov/coronavirus.

Jeremy Strober 503-550-9419

Tom Pitcher 541-647-8466

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Windermere West Pacific City wants you to know that safety is our highest priority, and we are dedicated to supporting our buyer and seller clients through this unprecedented time. As always, we will be looking for ways to step up and help our community.

Every time you ou buy or sell a home with Windermere a donation is made to the Windermere Foundation.

Thanks for helping us support local al organizations in Tillamook South County community!

Page 9 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

Tillamook PUD readies program to inspect, treat power poles

Tides

(at Nestucca Bay) Date

Low Tide Height High Tide Height

Apr 24 8:36 am -0.2 ft

8:23 pm 2.0 ft

1:36 am 2:44 pm

7.3 ft 5.9 ft

Apr 25 9:12 am -0.4 ft

8:54 pm 2.3 ft

2:03 am 3:27 pm

7.3 ft 5.8 ft

Apr 26 9:51 am -0.4 ft

9:29 pm 2.7 ft

3:06 am 5:08 pm

7.2 ft 5.4 ft

Apr 27 10:35 am -0.3 ft

10:10 pm 2.9 ft

3:06 am 5:08 pm

7.2 ft 5.4 ft

Apr 28 11:25 am -0.2 ft

11:03 pm 3.1 ft

3:45 am 6:10 pm

6.9 ft 5.3 ft

Apr 29 12:22 pm -0.1 ft

4:35 am 7:18 pm

6.6 ft 5.3 ft

Apr 30 12:15 am 3.2 ft

1:26 pm -0.1 ft

5:39 am 8:21 pm

6.4 ft 5.5 ft

May 1

1:41 am 3.0 ft 2:29 pm -0.1 ft

6:57 am 9:13 pm

6.2 ft 5.9 ft

May 2

3:01 am 2.5 ft 3:28 pm -0.1 ft

8:20 am 9:57 pm

6.2 ft 6.5 ft

May 3

4:08 am 1.7 ft 9:37 am 4:21 pm 0.0 ft 10:37 pm

6.3 ft 7.0 ft

May 4

5:05 am 0.8 ft 10:45 am 5:10 pm 0.2 ft 11:16 pm

6.5 ft 7.6 ft

May 5

5:56 am 0.0 ft 11:46 am 5:56 pm 0.5 ft 11:54 pm

6.7 ft 8.1 ft

May 6

6:45 am -0.8 ft 12:44 pm 6:41 pm 0.8 ft

6.8 ft

May 7

7:33 am -1.4 ft 7:26 pm 1.3 ft

1:12 am 2:34 pm

8.7 ft 6.7 ft

May 8

8:20 am -1.7 ft 8:11 pm 1.7 ft

1:12 am 2:34 pm

8.7 ft 6.7 ft

May 9

9:08 am -1.7 ft 8:58 pm 2.1 ft

1:53 am 3:30 pm

8.6 ft 6.5 ft

Tillamook PUD announced on April 22 it has contracted with National Wood Treating Co. to perform detailed inspections and essential treatments on 4,500 wood power poles throughout the District’s system, but primarily in the South Tillamook County area.

During inspections, TPUD says it may be occasionally necessary at some locations for a National Wood Treating Co. contractor to cross private property to access poles located within the District’s easements and rights-of-way.

According to TPUD, the process of pole inspections and treatments is vital to the District’s system safety program. Officials say the program enhances public safety, reduces long-term operating costs, and lessens the occurrence of unexpected power outages.

Photo courtesy of TPUD While conducting TILLAMOOK PUD announced it began performing inspections of and neinspections, contractors cessary treatments to power poles beginning the week of April 20-24. The will visually inspect each inspections are expected to take approximately two years to complete. pole, sound poles with a hammer, and bore holes to determine if the pole Oregon Department of Agriculture for the is decayed. Some poles may need to be commercial application of pesticides. replaced; all other poles will be treated.

Inspection activities began early the To treat a pole, holes are bored into the week of April 20-24 and will continue pole and filled with fumigants, which are over the next two years with an estimated registered with the Environmental Proteccompletion date of April 2022. Those with tion Agency. The holes are then plugged any questions or concerns can contact Tilwith a wooden dowel. National Wood lamook PUD at 503-842-2535 or service@ Treating Co. contractors are licensed by the tpud.org.

Stock photo

TILLAMOOK COUNTY LIBRARY recently announced a Spring Reading Program that will run April 20-May 31.

Tillamook Library Spring Reading Program promises wealth of at home activities The Tillamook County Library system has unveiled its first-ever “Spring into Reading” program, which promises activities residents can do from home.

Both the youth program (ages 1018) and the adult program (ages 18+) will run from April 20-May 31.

To sign up, participants are asked to visit tillabook.beanstack.org and login or register as a new user, then follow instructions to complete activities and earn badges. Tweens and teens will be entered into a drawing for one of several Amazon gift cards for each activity completed. Adults must log four hours of reading and complete two additional activities to be entered in a drawing for several prizes.

The program is free. For more information, those interested in participating can contact the Tillamook County Library at 503-842-4792 or via email at aowens@co.tillamook.or.us with any questions.

David Yamamoto

Tillamook County Commissioner

A True Friend to Tillamook County Citizens

“Real Problems - Real Solutions”

*Covid 19 Response

*Public Safety

*Carbon Cap & Trade

*Ocean Windmills

*Economic Development

*Tourism, Transient Lodging Tax

*Linn County Lawsuit

*Emergency Preparedness

*High Speed Fiber Internet to the Home

Visit David Yamamoto’s webpage and Facebook to find his responses to these problems

www.dave4bocc.com “He is a man of integrity and he gets the job done!”

Earl Engle, Neskowin “Commissioner Yamamoto has demonstrated his commitment to this County and those of us that live here. I support him in his candidacy to continue his important work as a Tillamook County Commissioner. “ Susan Amort, Neskowin; President Pacific City Nestucca Valley Chamber of Commerce “Accessibility to David is one of his hallmarks, as well as his willingness to listen.”

Alex Sifford, Neskowin; Past Council Coordinator, Nestucca, Neskowin, and Sand Lake Watershed Council

Commissioner David Yamamoto

“David has made issues surrounding our local industries a priority in his tenure. He asks good questions, listens carefully to the answers, and takes a balanced approach to problem solving.”

Bill Hagerty, Cloverdale; Director, Soil and Water Conservation District; Retired logger and dairy farmer “David is an extremely hard worker and supports a balanced approach in managing our natural resources. He sees both the details and the big picture. He has made an excellent Commissioner.”

Doug Olson, Pacific City; Chair, Tillamook County Budget Committee

Paid for by the Committee to Elect David Yamamoto Page 10 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

“I am thrilled to endorse David Yamamoto for County Commissioner. David and I have worked together on emergency preparedness for several years. He is a very thoughtful listener who is committed to the people and issues of Tillamook County.”

Marge Jozsa, Neskowin; Former CEO Rinehart Clinic in Wheeler; President, Board of Directors, South Tillamook County Emergency Volunteer Corps

OSHA to formally begin spot-checks in ramped up effort against COVID-19 Ramping up its enforcement activity, Oregon OSHA recently announced it will begin systematically conducting spot checks to verify that employers are complying with requirements – including closures to the public – aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic.

The spot checks – which are in addition to more time-intensive, on-site inspections initiated by the division – are intended to confirm whether employers are actually doing what they are telling the division they are doing in response to complaints.

Those complaints include allegations of failures to heed the requirements included in Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order including certain businesses that must close to the public and others that are required to implement proper socialdistancing practices.

As it moves forward, Oregon OSHA will also focus its enforcement activity on more recent complaints, and on those that provide specific allegations as well as include contact information for the complainant.

The division can protect a complainant’s confidentiality on request – a legal shield against an employer obtaining a complainant’s identity – while still being able to engage with the complainant.

“This approach will allow us to verify the responses to complaints that we’ve received so far from employers while focusing our enforcement resources on those employers most likely to be in continued non-compliance,” said Michael Wood, administrator for Oregon OSHA. Recent analysis suggests Oregon’s collective efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus are working.

As reported by the Oregon Health Authority, new projections from health researchers https://govsite-assets. s3.amazonaws.com/CjmGprg8S1... estimate that Oregon’s aggressive social distancing measures have prevented as many as 18,000 cases of COVID-19 and 500 hospitalizations. However, these restrictions must be maintained into May to prevent new cases from rising above current daily

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levels of active coronavirus cases.

The responsibility for prevention includes certain employers staying closed to the public, and employers who remain open maintaining social-distancing and other safe practices.

Tasked with enforcing the order with respect to employers and worker exposure, Oregon OSHA continues to screen complaints, initiate inspections, and consider additional inspection candidates.

From March 2 through April 12, the division received 2,887 complaints related to the coronavirus. More than 1,200 of those came during the week of March 23, when the governor’s executive order was issued. Since April 6, the number of complaints has noticeably tapered off. The division typically receives just over 2,000 complaints per year.

In screening complaints, Oregon OSHA’s work has included clarifying employers’ responsibilities under the governor’s order and asking employers to specifically respond to the allegations outlined in complaints.

So far, the division has opened a dozen on-site inspections. The opening and closing of an inspection – and a decision whether to issue a citation – can take several weeks, depending on the specifics of a case. The division is working to accelerate that process.

The division may conduct on-site inspections for a variety of reasons, including whether it determines an employer’s response to the complaints may not be credible. Responses include phone calls and written documentation. The formal introduction of systematic spot checks – about two dozen of which have been conducted previously on a less formal basis – is aimed at verifying what employers are telling the division about their actions without requiring the more resource-intensive formal inspection process.

For more information about Oregon OSHA workplace guidance and resources related to the coronavirus outbreak, visit https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/re/covi d-19.aspx

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NVS cancels Earth Day Run, Golf Tourney due to COVID-19 but will fundraise with Spring Raffle Due to the current social distancing guidelines to combat COVID-19, Neskowin Valley School has had to cancel two of their annual fundraising events – the Earth Day Run and their annual NVS Golf Tournament. In lieu of those events, NVS has announced a social-distancing fundraiser, the Neskowin Valley School Spring Vacation Raffle.

The vacation raffle offers five winners the opportunity for a vacation getaway after the quarantine is over. All packages are good through June 2021.

The five vacation packages include three Otter Rock, Ore. weekend getaway and dinners (up to $650 value), a Bend, Ore. getaway and dinner (up to $800 value) and a grand prize Family Fun Resort Vacation and $1,500 for travel expenses (up to $3,000 value,) Tickets are $20 each or six for $100.

Visit neskowinvalleyschool.com for more information or to purchase tickets online.

The drawing will take place on June 5, 2020, at 5 p.m. and can be viewed live on Facebook.

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Ad Deadline is May 4.

OHSU expands COVID-19 hotline statewide Line offers advice for patients without primary care, clinicians throughout Oregon Oregon Health & Science University announced on April 22 it has unveiled a toll-free hotline for people anywhere in the state to seek guidance about symptoms and care for COVID-19. The hotline, or Connected Care Center, is staffed by OHSU registered nurses and other clinicians.

Oregonians can call 833-OHSU-CCC (833-647-8222) if they are worried about being able to access care for symptoms of the novel coronavirus. The hotline is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

The hotline is made possible with the support of a $1.6 million gift from the Andrew and Corey Morris-Singer Foundation, intended to support patients, the broader community and health care clinicians across the state. The first phase of the buildout focused on providing a resource to OHSU patients.

As Oregon’s academic health center, OHSU is working to ensure all Oregonians can get access to care from a clinician during the pandemic. The hotline will address the needs of Oregonians who don’t already have a primary care clinician and health care clinicians and practice managers seeking advice about patients with COVID-19.

Nurses can evaluate symptoms of concern over the phone, and, if necessary, direct callers to a virtual visit using two-way video with a clinician, said Eric Herman, M.D., chief primary care and population health officer for OHSU Health. The hotline is currently staffed by a pool of 12 to 15 registered nurses working from their own homes.

“We can expand it based on the need and public demand,” Herman said.

Herman said the hotline is also useful for clinicians and practice managers from around the state seeking advice about topics such as conserving personal protective equipment, adapting clinics to prevent the spread of the virus and other operational questions.

Many of the clinicians staffing the hotline are ordinarily assigned to units involved in surgical procedures that are

currently suspended to make room at OHSU for an expected surge of people with COVID-19. Others come from areas in the hospital and ambulatory care clinics. The group convenes daily to air common questions and update a reference guide with frequently asked questions.

Herman said several of OHSU’s ambulatory clinics first established a line for a few nurses to help answer phone calls early in the crisis.

“Nurses were getting inundated with calls from anxious and understandably concerned patients,” he said. “People wanted to come in and get immediate answers to all of their questions.”

The Singer Foundation grant enabled OHSU to significantly ramp up staffing for the hotline and associated telemedicine services.

Telemedicine is a critical tool to support Oregon’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” initiative, which includes a statewide stay-at-home order, school closures and other measures to contain the spread of the virus. OHSU’s ambulatory teams have exponentially expanded telemedicine services to meet the needs of patients while maintaining physical distancing.

The growth of telehealth services reflects the fact that many people infected

by COVID-19 most likely will not need to go to a clinic or a hospital, although some may have symptoms that require further evaluation or testing.

Whatever level of care callers need, hotline teams are ready to triage them to the right place. Virtual visits are available for all callers, and in-person care for callers in the Portland area can be routed to OHSU respiratory care clinics at Physicians Pavilion on Marquam Hill and Orenco Station in Hillsboro. Patients who already have a primary care physician will be encouraged to maintain care in their home clinic. All callers who qualify can be tested at OHSU’s mobile testing sites.

Community clinicians and practices can also call the hotline or they can email CCCoperations@ohsu.edu with questions about managing coronavirus patients or modifying clinic operations during the pandemic.

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Financial help for those in need Adventist Health, Ford Family Foundation and CARE, Inc. join forces to help local families impacted by COVID-19 crisis CARE, Inc. announced on April 20 that $20,000 in funding has been made available to assist Tillamook County individuals and families economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a community wellness partnership with Adventist Health, CARE was awarded $10,000 through a Community Strength grant program that is supporting local organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis throughout Adventist Health’s west coast service area. Adventist Health Tillamook recently received a $10,000 COVID-19 emergency response grant from The Ford Family Foundation to support community needs. Funds from these awards will be administered by CARE and will support low- to middle-income Tillamook County residents who need rental assistance, energy assistance or help with utilities payments due to an inability to pay related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This partnership with Adventist Health is yet another good example of how Tillamook County residents and organizations come together to help those in need during times of crisis,” says Erin Skaar, executive director at CARE, Inc. “To get through this pandemic, it will take all of us working together as hard as we can. CARE is grateful for partnerships like this that support our frontline work in meeting the emergency needs of our community.”

Like the rest of the state and the country, Tillamook County has seen significant growth in the number of unemployment claims. In the last four weeks, unemployment claims in the county rose by close to 1,800 percent. The first wave of industries hit by this crisis employ many of the county’s low-income families. Many of Tillamook County’s low-wage workers are employed in the retail, food service, hospitality and recreation industries that have been forced to close in response to this pandemic. In the Tillamook’s hospitality sector alone, the state reports that 80 to 90 percent of these workers have already been impacted by the shutdowns related to the virus.

“During this time of health and economic impact, Adventist Health is honored to work with CARE as a vital community

Photo courtesy of Erin Skaar

ERIN SKAAR, executive director of CARE, Inc., announced that $20,000 in funding has been made available through the cooperation of CARE, Adventist Health, and the Ford Family Foundation to help local families economically affected by the COVID-19 crisis. partner to support the well-being of Tillamook County residents,” added Adventist Health Tillamook president Eric Swanson.

“The investment of The Ford Family Foundation alongside the Community Strength grant from the Adventist Health Community Integration Office adds $20,000 into Tillamook County that will be used to strengthen CARE’s ability to meet emergency needs of individuals and families and to inspire hope for a brighter future.”

Those interested in learning more about CARE or the resources they offer can visit CAREINC.org. For those who might be in need of emergency rental assistance, applications are available at CAREINC.org/ emergency-services. Those that would like to support CARE and the work they are doing in response to the COVID-19 crisis, can make a donation at CAREINC.org/donate or mail checks to 2310 First Street, Suite 2, Tillamook, OR 97141. For all other inquiries, CARE can be reached at 503-842-5261.

NVSS offering customers a reprieve during COVID-19 crisis Residents of South Tillamook County that find themselves unable to keep current on their garbage collection bill are being given a reprieve from the Nestucca Valley Sanitary Service, which offers garbage hauling service to South Tillamook County.

NVSS has adopted a policy in which they will not discontinue service for a lack of payment during the restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Though county commissioners reportedly have encouraged garbage haulers to not suspend service for delinquent accounts, NVSS made a decision prior to that advice, Sandy Carbaugh told the Sun. She said it was important to both her and her husband, co-owner Paul Carbaugh, to make sure that service continues because not having garbage removed can cause health concerns and also possibly lead to illegal dumping.

She also noted that any discontinuance of garbage service could raise issues such as attracting rodents and other “crit-

ters.”

“We have a big problem with (animals) out there — more so than any other area of Tillamook County,” she said. “We have a lot more waterways, areas that attract deer and elk.”

It’s because of all these reasons she feels it’s important to make sure garbage is moved off property in a timely manner so as to limit dangers to residents.

But health concerns and potential abuses aside, the decision also stems from the Carbaugh’s commitment to and love for the community.

We know some folks are having a harder time than others paying bills on time,” she said. “We (don’t) want to put an even more difficult hardship on folks we serve down here. We look out for the people that we serve. Our commitment is to the community.”

For more information about the services of Nestucca Valley Sanitary Service, visit nvssgarbage.com.

corrections& clarifications In “Local food pantries see need grow,” a feature on the South County Food Pantry in the April 10, 2020 edition of the Sun, we mistakenly reported in the photo caption in the print edition that the pantry is open every other Thursday. It is actually open every other Page 12 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

Tuesday. We also mistakenly referred to it as the South County Food Bank, when it is correctly named the South County Food Pantry.

Also, since that edition ran, the pantry has temporarily expanded their hours to 12:30-6 p.m.

talkback

Yamamoto praised as champion for the county To the Editor: Commissioner David Yamamoto is a champion for Tillamook County with a proven track record and working tirelessly over the last several years to ensure our county is well-represented at the state and national level. Those who have had the pleasure to listen to or speak with Yamamoto have undoubtedly witnessed his passion, interest, and knowledge.

Tillamook County is the “land of cheese, trees and ocean breeze.” Our economy is based primarily in natural resources. Yamamoto has raised statelevel awareness of the realities of life in rural communities, the work that has gone into building and improving our natural resources, and ongoing efforts to protect clean water and enhance fish habitat County wide.

Yamamoto has represented our county well on many notable issues, here are a few specific to natural resources: • Yamamoto lobbied for and received a 3-year reprieve from federal implementation of devastating FEMA policy resulting from the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion allowing time to work collaboratively with the federal services to receive credit for the work already being performed in Tillamook County to protect water quality and restore habitat.

• As Chair of the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties and a member of the Association of Oregon Counties, Yamamoto fought for our local communities and the forests we depend on by advocating for smart, sustainable forest management practices.

• Yamamoto opposed Oregon’s Carbon Cap & Trade legislation. He recognized early that the proposed carbon tax would inflict significant long-term harm to our rural county while doing little to address global climate change.

Yamamoto is an effective, outgoing leader. One year into his term, he brought more than 30 newly elected county commissioners from all over Oregon to Tillamook County to learn more about coastal natural resources and how local business, agencies, educational institutions, and organizations work together to achieve clean water, habitat restoration and fish recovery. Through-

out his time in office, he has been proactive on challenging issues and sought to build partnership and understanding through mutual respect and dialogue.

This is exactly the kind of leadership we need. Please join me in supporting David Yamamoto for Commissioner.

David Kunert Tillamook

Skaar hailed as natural choice for commissioner To the Editor: It’s an easy call this election for Tillamook County Commissioner, position number one. Erin Skaar is the perfect choice. Unlike Home Rule counties in Oregon, which have a full-time paid county administrator and a board of commissioners, Tillamook County is like most smaller counties where the commissioners are both administrators and policy makers.

That’s why Erin is the natural choice for that position. She has significant experience as the executive director of CARE, the county’s premier social service agency. She oversees a staff of 80 plus employees and contractors and a multimillion-dollar budget.

She also serves on the Tillamook County’s budget committee. As the chair of that committee, I have watched her quickly learn the details of a complex, $90 million budget I have also seen her take a leadership policy role on the governing board of our local hospital.

Erin grew up in Maupin, Oregon in the family’s hospitality business. She’s familiar with rural Oregon where the economy is based on natural resources, agriculture, tourism and ranching. She will clearly understand and support our traditional industries in Tillamook County of forest products, dairy, tourism and agriculture. Again, a perfect fit.

On top of all that, she’s intelligent, educated, patient and a very good listener. With recent events, the next few years will be very challenging for Tillamook County. Erin Skaar is the right person to lead us to the next level.

Doug Olson Pacific City The Pacific City Sun welcomes reader input.

Please send Letters to the Editor via e-mail: tim@ pacificcitysun.com. Submissions must be 350 words or less and may be edited for length and grammar.

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ditional resources.”

The shipments of PPE to Oregon’s long-term care facilities include approximately 177,000 surgical masks, 127,000 gloves, 55,000 N95 masks, 33,000 face shields, and 2,500 gowns. Members of the Oregon National Guard began deliveries of this equipment Saturday.

“Long-term care providers across the state have been in dire need of personal protective equipment to ensure that our caregivers can follow best practices for infection, prevention, and containment,” said April Diaz, vice president of clinical services for Marquis Companies. “We are grateful to all those involved in acquiring these much needed resources for Oregon’s long-term care facilities.”

“Long-term care workers are on the front lines of this crisis, but just like every other year, they are under supported,” said Melissa Unger, executive director of SEIU 503. “Prioritizing PPE for these facilities will save lives and protect the front-line workers who are putting their health at risk to support Oregon’s seniors and people with disabilities.”

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What are people saying...

Erin is a mentor, a facilitator, a collaborator, a community leader, an advocate, a champion and a force for unlimited potential for goodness. She is person who works for solutions. ~Mayor Suzanne Weber, Tillamook

Erin Skaar will be an effective and fair Tillamook County commissioner. I have had the pleasure of serving with Erin on many committees and have observed her many skills. Two of these skills are notable and important for the job. First, Erin is an active, thoughtful listener. She is able summarize all sides of a given question while honoring diverse opinions. Erin really cares about everyone who lives here. I will cast my vote for Erin. ~Leila Salmon

Erin can be counted on to bring her considerable talents and extensive management experience to the job of Tillamook County Commissioner.

She has significant budget knowledge, analytic skills as well as a keen understanding of current issues facing Tillamook County, including housing. Erin will make a terrific commissioner! ~Doug Olson, Pacific City

Photo courtesy of Nestucca Valley School District

NESTUCCA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT is continuing a free once-a-week food delivery service for any chiild 0-18 years old who lives in the district. The food is enough to last two meals a day for each weekday.

NVSD launches distance learning program

By TIM HIRSCH of the Sun

ERIN SKAAR

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Our heroes wear scrubs!

In addition to treating Health Center patients, Melissa Paulissen, M.D., is our public health officer for Tillamook County.

She may not always wear scrubs, but she is always working, whether it is with her health care team or behind the scenes, on everything from communicable diseases, environmental health, immunizations to vital statistics. She and her team are true public health heroes!

Dr. Paulissen went to medical school at OHSU and did her residency in Family Medicine with Providence Health & Services.

She is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

In answer to state mandate and in the wake of restrictions put in place by Gov. Kate Brown to stem the tide of infection of COVID-19, the Nestucca Valley School District successfully launched its distance learning program the week of April 13-17.

The district followed suit by handing out 92 laptops during the following week to kids that needed them to access learning opportunities.

NVSD Superintendent Misty Wharton says that the school now relies on both virtual platforms and printed educational materials, which, beginning April 27, will be picked up by families once a week on Monday at the high school via a drive-thru set-up.

“A lot of teachers have moved to an online platform,” Wharton told the Sun. “They use Google Classroom and Seesaw — Seesaw for the primary grades and Google Classroom for the older grades.

That allows the kids and the teacher to interface via computer, and they get instant feedback.”

She said in all of this, amongst the issues everyone is facing is the newness of all the challenges.

“Parents are trying to help educate their kids at home and that’s not something that the parents have been trained to do, (and) our educators haven’t been trained for this online teaching platform,” she added. “There’s a lot of questions and a lot of frustration. I think the only comforting thing is that’s true across the board.

It’s not just our community. We’re all going through this together. So, when all the brains start thinking in that same direction, we’ll start to generate some original ideas and resolutions. My message is to hang tight. It’s a new normal, but it’s going to get easier.”

The district is also continuing a oncea-week food delivery service, which prom-

ises two meals a day for each weekday and distributes on Wednesdays for free for any child, 0-18, who lives in the district. In the last two weeks the number has grown from 280 to 350. Those interested in signing up for the program can do so by visiting nestucca.k12.or.us.

“I can’t say enough good things about our employees. They have really stepped up and done what is needed to be done to make the situation better for our kids. And the food service (staff are) knocking it out of the park each week.”

With the distance learning effort well underway, Wharton says the district’s staff is turning a portion of their attention to this year’s seniors and what a graduation ceremony might look like for them.

“What we’re thinking about doing is putting everyone in their car and doing a drive-thru type diploma celebration,” Wharton said, though she added that more brainstorming is planned for April 24 when she plans on participating in a teleconference with other state superintendents.

“When you get all these brains working together, you get some good ideas,” she said.

Though the state has already said schools won’t physically meet this academic year, what’s on the horizon for the following school year is unknown. But Wharton said, whatever the case, the district will be equipped as they are preparing two paths — one that assumes school opens as normal in the fall and the other that it doesn’t, meaning another term or more of distance learning.

“We’ve spent the last month working on developing a system that we will be able to immediately transition into if we find ourselves in the same situation in the fall,” Wharton said.

And should the building open to instruction, she said the district would rely on recommendations from the Oregon Health Authority as it looks to creating the safest environment possible.

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Because of COVID-19, our building is closed and normal worship services have been suspended.

Please visit our website: nestuccavalleypc.org for information regarding weekly sermons from Reverend Ben Dake, along with other updates from our congregation.

Page 14 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

Photos by Tim Hirsch

LOCAL REAL ESTATE BROKERS are reporting that home and vacant land sales in South Tillamook County are healthy despite the current COVID-19 shut downs and restrictions.

Real estate thriving despite virus threat

By TIM HIRSCH of the Sun

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down much of the Oregon Coast — and the nation — one critical industry is still showing signs of life. Local brokers are saying that the real estate market in the South Tillamook County areas of Pacific City, Neskowin and Cloverdale continues to attract the interest of both buyers and sellers.

According to broker LIVE HOME SHOWINGS, while kept at a minimum due to the “Stay at Amanda Graves of Kiwanda Home, Save Lives” campaign, are done using proper protective gear – Coastal Properties (503masks, gloves, and booties.

965-6255), home sales in Pacific City and Tierra Del Mar feature about 30 percent less listings than at this time last year, but the listings that are there have resulted in more sales when you compare January to mid-April 2019 to the same months in 2020. She said total land sales in Pacific City from the beginning of the year until April 22 was $6.52 million. For the same period in 2019, it was $5.44 million.

And fellow Pacific City broker Courtney Fields of Rob Trost Real Estate (503965-7777) says she remains positive about the market. she has talked to several people who are “Many people were concerned that taking a wait-and-see attitude before they the virus would bring the real estate list homes they are interested in selling. market to a grinding halt, (but) that’s not “I’m pleasantly surprised that my proven to be the case,” Fields told the phone is still ringing and people are still Sun. “With the vacation rentals, hotels/ looking — especially lots — but also in all motels, RV parks and state (and) county price ranges,” Amort added. “I’m getting campgrounds now closed, traffic has calls from buyers directly as well as buyer’s slowed considerably, but property is still agents.” being shown, offers are still being made “Land sales is what is really moving and things are still selling. Our company right now,” Graves agreed. has put 15 new deals in escrow since the Graves added that though the “Stay beginning of the month. And out of the 40 Home, Save Lives” campaign and restrictransactions we had in escrow before the tions has kept live showings to a miniepidemic began, all but one is on track to mum, she has shown properties to three close.” clients in the last three weeks. She says Susan Amort of Windermere Real proper protocol is followed at all showEstate (503-483-1133) is also optimistic ings, which means wearing masks, gloves about the market and reports that there and booties, a sentiment and dedication are currently 41 homes active in and shared by the other brokers as well. around the area of Pacific City, Neskowin “I’ve been getting calls every day,” and Cloverdale with seven homes or vaGraves said. “I do think the current events cant lots currently in pending status. have made folks that have always wanted She also reports that the numbers look to buy (at the coast) think about pulling good for 2020. Every year, Amort produces the trigger.”

The Gardener Report for all of Tillamook “(Based on all the) indications from County, a quarterly report for Windermere the first quarter of 2020, I think we’re going that outlines closed sales. That report to have a good year,” Amort said. reveals that in 2019’s first quarter, 58 prop“Looking forward, we think things erties were sold with an average sales price are going to be OK,” offered Fields. “We of $294,202. In 2020, those metrics went up feel property values will hold, and, based as the report shows 61 sales with an averon supply and demand, we might even age price of $313,975 during this year’s first get lucky and see a little ‘bump.’ Housing quarter. In addition, the time on the marinventory is low and it’s clear that there is ket went down from 2019 to 2020 from 164 pent up demand for properties here at the to 127 days. That said, Amort noted that beach.”

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Page 15 • Pacific City SUN • April 24, 2020

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