Pacific City
SUN
Kilchis Pumpkin Patch now open for season
Disaster relief requested for commerical salmon industry...................................................... 6
6
Redistricting will change South County representation
Leader
South Tillamook County lost a pillar in the community with the passing of Dorymen’s Association co-chair Craig Wenrick Volunteers spruce up Cape Kiwanda during Beach & Riverside Cleanup river rafting equipment. Along the coast, the Heart of Cartm, a recycling and reuse organization, stepped up as a new SOLVE beach captain in Nehalem Bay. More than 400 pounds of litter and marine debris were collected from their project site. Jessi Just, the executive director of Heart of Cartm, then sorted through the collected items, looking for things that are on her organization’s “wish list.” These items will find new life in upcoming repair workshops and art classes. The nonprofit Washed Ashore also helped divert other collected items from the waste stream from three beach cleanups. As they have done for several years, members of the Washed Ashore Team drove along Oregon’s southern coast, collecting items that can be reused in their nationally recognized art sculptures. The Beach & Riverside Cleanup, a partnership with the Oregon Lottery, spanned three weekends, but most volunteer projects occurred on Sept. 25.
we are open!
Fire Defense Board, ODF lift burn restrictions................................................7
Vol. 15, No. 379 • October 8, 2021 • FREE!
The Loss of a
It was all hands on deck as Oregonians gathered around the state — including here in South Tillamook County — to do their part to clean up litter during SOLVE’s 38th annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup, Sept. 18-Oct. 3. All told, volunteers gathered at more than 100 projects across the state to demonstrate their commitment to keeping Oregon’s waterways clean. Locally, this included numerous helpers rolling up their sleeves to participate in the Pacific City Beach Cleanup on Sept. 25 where they worked on cleaning up the beach at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. And, in Portland alone, more than 400 volunteers participated at various cleanup projects throughout the city. The project located in Portland’s Central Eastside saw more than 80 volunteers who removed 1,230 pounds of litter in just two hours. This cleanup targeted litter that if left uncollected would have a strong possibility of entering the nearby Willamette River. Among the items recovered were crab pots, couches, and
Piano-voice duo to be featured at Neskowin Chamber Music concert...............2
Since the event impetus, more than 2,000 volunteers have come together and collected 26,815 pounds of litter and marine debris from Oregon’s coast, rivers, waterways, and neighborhoods. For many Oregonians, there was an even greater drive to participate in a statewide cleanup and restoration event this year. Droughts have persisted in western states through the summer months, sounding the alarm on the importance of taking care of waterways as a precious natural resource. SOLVE says that by removing litter anywhere, volunteers prevent pollution everywhere. Each piece of garbage or debris that is not properly disposed of poses a risk to the surrounding environment, wildlife, and water quality. Litter is most easily transported by the wind into storm drains or waterways. From there, it can flow downstream, adding to the international marine debris crisis. SOLVE supports volunteer projects year-round. To view upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit solveoregon.org.
The Oregon Legislature approved two measures on Sept. 27 to redraw the boundaries of Oregon’s congressional and legislative districts. The passage of Senate Bill 881 and 882 will mean that the boundaries in Tillamook County will change and that Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis) and Sen. Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) will no longer be assigned to the citizens of South Tillamook County as their area, as of January 2023, will end at the Lincoln-Tillamook County border. Gov. Kate Brown signed the redistricting bills later that same day. The district has been reshaped so that Rep. Suzanne Weber (R-Tillamook) will, as of 2023, serve South Tillamook County. It will also mean the return of Sen. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose). Once a decade, states must redraw electoral lines to account for population changes based on U.S. Census data. In Oregon, the population grew by 10.6 percent since the 2010 Census count. “I hate the idea of losing Rep. Gomberg and Sen. Anderson, but we’re in a good position because we have good relationships,” Tillamook County Commissioner David Yamamoto told the Sun. “We have their phone numbers; they know who we are.” He also spoke to the value of Johnson once again serving South Tillamook County. “She’s (served) Tillamook County for a long time,” Yamamoto said. “She brings so much to the table. She’s an amazing asset (for the county to) have.” He also addressed the value Rep. Weber is expected to bring. “Rep. Weber is really starting to come into her own now,” Yamamoto said. “If you watched her floor speech on redistricting, she was spot on. She is gaining steam, and she will do the right things for South Tillamook County and all of Tillamook County. I feel we’re going to do really well as far as Tillamook County goes.” “Oregon’s 45th special session has ended,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem). “The Legislature fulfilled its constitutional duty. We listened to Oregonians and passed new maps that are fair and accurate. It was a bumpy road from start to finish, but I think history will show we did a good job.” In a statement released on Sept. 27, Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Lyons) released the following statement: “The law requires us to keep communities of interest together in the redistricting process,” he said. “The only community of interest this map seeks to keep together are Democrat voters. In no world does it make sense for Bend and Portland to be in the same district. Spreading out urban voters by having four districts that include portions of Portland is the very definition of gerrymandering. “There will undoubtedly be court challenges to follow. The best the principles of fairness and honesty can hope for is impartiality.” “For the first time in 40 years, Oregon is gaining a congressional seat –– another delegation member to advocate for the common good of all Oregonians,” said Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. “After the past year and a half, during which Oregonians have faced unprecedented challenges that have urgently required federal attention and resources, I am particularly grateful that the Legislature has come together to pass today’s historic legislation. “My office reviewed the maps contained in the bills passed by the Legislature after they were proposed this weekend. Redistricting is a process that necessarily involves compromise, and I appreciate the Legislature working to balance the various interests of all Oregonians.” The Senate and House Committees on Redistricting held 22 public hearings over the past year, received over 1,300 pieces of written testimony, and heard virtually from 520 Oregonians. The maps responded to Oregonians’ feedback while strictly abiding by Oregon’s legal requirements to ensure fair representation in the United States Congress and the Oregon State Legislature. Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Portland) was appointed by President Courtney to chair the Senate Committee on Redistricting. “There is no question that this was challenging, and the challenge was well worth it,” she said. “We learned about Oregonians’ lives, their communities and their greatest needs. These maps are informed by that information and Oregonians will be well-served by these maps.” Senate Bill 881 passed the Oregon Senate with an 18-6 vote and the Oregon House with a 33-16 vote. Senate Bill 882 passed the Senate on Monday, September 20 with an 18-11 vote and today in the House with a 31-18 vote. After the passage of these bills, the Legislature approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 which adjourned the First Special Session of 2021, sine die. Maps of the approved legislative and congressional districts can be found at oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting.
VISIT US AT ANY OF OUR THREE COASTAL BREWPUBS
Join us for lunch and dinner at one of our three coastal brewpubs – Pacific City, Tillamook, or Cannon Beach. All three locations are OPEN with indoor and outdoor dining and takeout. Fly over and enjoy our Paddleback Pale Ale, perfectly paired after your day out on the water. Visit PelicanBrewing.com to stay up to date on all our current offerings, hours, and dining options.