Pacific City
SUN
Pelican captures silver medal at Great American Beer Fesitval
Citizens respond to possible permanent closure of beaches to vehicles.................. 4 NVSD extends distance learning program through January...........................6
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Sitka Center to assume oversight of Community Arts Project.........................9
Vol. 14, No. 354 • October 23, 2020 • FREE!
Photo courtesy of Rita Goldfarb
A TOTAL of 27 surfers competed in the virtual edition of the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Contest. The Men’s Division was won by Max Cameron (above).
Surf contest raises $5,000 more for planned skate park
In Need of Enforcement
Officials have taken first steps towards bringing a bigger patrol presence this coming spring and summer to the South Tillamook County area
County establishes pay-to-park program at Cape Kiwanda By TIM HIRSCH of the Sun
T
illamook County Commissioners, at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting, unanimously approved a plan to raise day-use fees at some county facilities and institute new ones at others — including the Cape Kiwanda Rcreational Area (parking lot and restrooms), the Pacific City Turnaround (parking lot at the end of Pacific Avenue between the beach and the Beachy Bridge) as well as for the Hungry Harbor Boat Ramp (the vehicular access ramp from the parking lot to the beach at Cape Kiwanda). Starting Jan. 1, 2021, those using those faciilties will need to pay a $10 day-use fee or a $55 annual day use access pass ($45 for disabled veterans, seniors 65 and older and Oregon Trail Card members). As part of the decision, commissioners approved a plan to dedicate all revenues from the Cape Kiwanda Day Use Area, the Hungry Harbor Boat Launch, and the Pacific City Turnaround to a fund solely for the purpose of implementing the Pacific City/Woods Parking Management Plan. In total, the new board order raises the fees at 11 county facilities that currently have fees, as well as establishing the fee at seven day use sites and three additional
boat launches where the charge will be new. There remain four county facilities that will have no fee attached to them. The seven new sites are: Anderson Hill County Park, Barview Jetty County Campground, Bayocean Peninsula, Cape Kiwanda Recreation Area (parking lot and restroom facilities), Happy Camp Beach Access, Pacific City Turnaround (parking area at end of Pacific Avenue in Pacific City), and other undeveloped areas. The boat launches added to the pay program are Aldervale Boat Launch, Bixby Boat Launch, and Hungry Harbor Boat Launch (at Cape Kiwanda). All three commissioners voiced their support for the plan prior to the vote. “Our intention is not to monetize locals’ visits to the beach,” said Commissioner Mary Faith Bell. “The intention is to monetize the visitor’s day trips. Those folks aren’t paying for the services they’re using. They certainly need services. We need launch repairs, we need bathrooms, we need garbage pickup, we need all kinds of things to accommodate the visitors who are coming. The $10 day use pass (will) pay for the things we need to accommodate the visitors who are coming.” “It just makes sense,” added Commissioner David Yamamoto who said that though the effort began with looking at adding pay-to-park programs in South
Tillamook County, it was later realized that the county’s fee structure was “antiquated” in comparison to other areas in the state. “A $4 fee for access is very low,” he said. “This will bring us into the 20th century — maybe not the 21st, but the 20th century. (It) will allow us to really do things that we need to do to help to continue to make sure that our guests are well taken care of. Our infrastructure is hurting, it’s aged, and with the number of people that we’re getting on a regular basis during the summer months we need to be able to make this a much more welcoming place for them. If we’re going to ask them to come here, that also means we need to pay the money to make sure our facilities are up to snuff. And this is the way to do it.” “This is really professionally done,” Commissioner Bill Baertlein said about the board order. The development of the new fee structure is the result of numerous meetings by both the Tillamook County Parks Advisory Committee and the Pacific City/ Woods Parking Advisory Committee, meetings that, according to Tillamook County Chief of Staff Rachel Hagerty, culminated in unanimous recommendations. See page 8 for a related story on using the South Tillamook County day use funds to help fund parking and law enforcement.
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Surfers may have lost out on the chance for camaraderie and competition with the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic traded out for a virtual event due to safety concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, but the spirit of support was still alive and well during the modified event. Held September through mid-October, the event asked competitors to film their own wave, upload it and wait for the public to vote for their faves. “In 2019, we had our best year ever,” said co-organizer Lisa MacyBaker. “And so we really wanted to keep the momentum going — that was one of the big reasons we did a virtual event this year. We wanted to keep the interest up.” “We’re pleased with the interest, and, all considering, it feels really positive.” In total, 27 surfers participated in the virtual contest. Top vote getters in each category were: Max Cameron (men’s division), Kelly Aldinger (women’s division), and Gabby Viorel (under 17 division). While the free event lacked both entry fees and the accompanying brew fest, it did still net several thousand for its long-standing charity — the development of a skate park in Pacific City. As well, organizers plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Echo Mountain Fire Relief Fund. In part, the event owes its fundraising success to the return of “Coastal Craft.” For this portion of the event, regional board shapers donated six custom surfboards that were auctioned off. Together with the auctioning off of a vacation package donated by Pelican Brewing, the auction raised approximately $5,000. “It was a great success,” MacyBaker added. In addition, the event is raising funds through the sale of “In Memory of Gary ‘Gaz’ Gregg” merchandise such as sweatshirts and posters. That merchandise is still available at momentsurfco.com or by visiting Moment Surf Shop at 33280 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. “We hope to be back live next year, but (if not), we’ll know better how to do this,” Macy-Baker said. “It’s an important cause. We want to get closer and closer to building the (skate) park.”
We’re happy to wake up each day knowing we’re a part of this amazing community. Want to be a part of our team? We are hiring for a number of positions from bussers and line cooks to servers and greeters. If you think you may be a good fit, apply with us online.