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VOL. 46, ISSUE 16

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CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM

August 5, 2022

Countless corgis captivate Cannon Beach Deb Atiyeh

Guest Contributor

A

fter a two year absence due to COVID, hundreds of Corgis returned to town on Saturday, July 30th for the annual Cannon Beach Corgi Day. Hundreds of people brought their beloved Corgi’s to Cannon Beach to escape the heat and raise funds for the Oregon Humane Society.

The local Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) had tents and volunteers on the beach to provide any needed aid to Corgis and their owners.

Events included a Corgi costume contest, raffles and several Corgi races. Corgis were everywhere, flooding the beach and the nearby streets with their adorable charm. The turnout was bigger than ever, with well over 600 Corgis in attendance.

Nothing is more fun than a mob of Corgi’s in Cannon Beach.

Above: The beach was packed in Cannon Beach for the annual Corgi Day. Below: Corgis compete in races and costume contests. There were well over 600 corgis in attendance which raised funds for Oregon Humane Society.

Potots by Deb Atiyeh

Planning Commission denies developer’s application T

Cottage & Garden Tour sneak peek Chelsea Yarnell

M

For The Gazette

aria and Roshen Koshy were out walking their dog on vacation in Cannon Beach when they found the perfect cottage.

As empty nesters, the married couple had been looking to move from Utah and settle in Cannon Beach fulltime.

“We used to travel out here all the time and we’d camp or come in the off-season,” Maria said.

They’d been looking at different homes for a while, and wondered if this particular cottage they had stumbled upon would be for sale one day.

“I wrote a note on a napkin about if the owner would be interested in selling,” Maria said.

“I was about to leave the note when the owner walked out of the home.”

After some conversation and explanation that they were interested in moving to the neighborhood fulltime, an agreement of sale was set in motion.

“He didn’t want to sell the home to someone who wanted it to

be just an investment,” Maria said.

“I believe that he was truly looking out for his neighbor, Betty.”

Since moving in, Maria and Roshen have been active, fulltime neighbors.

“When we first started looking, we thought we’d be in a cabin off away from town, not in a neighborhood,” Maria said. “We feel so fortunate that we laned right here.

This neighborhood is such a nice community. Families have small businesses and invite you out for bonfires and birthday parties. And our neighbor Betty has said ‘It’s just nice to see your light on.’ I think that means a lot to the man who sold this to us.”

The 1930, 704 -square foot cottage was renovated by Maria and Roshen. They did all the work themselves: saving the original Douglas fir floors, utilizing the wood-burning stove, and updating the original kitchen cabinets.

Throughout the cottage, the couple has decorated the home with Roshen’s original art as well as art décor purchased at a neighbor’s art fair. Outside the cottage, a cultivated landscape reflects the area.

“We try to live in conjunction

Maria and Roshen’s fully restored 1930s cottage will be a featured home on the 2022 Cannon Beach Cottage & Garden Tour. Courtesy photos with the wildlife,” Maria said, pointing out a chipmunk home in a nearby tree. Below, Maria describes the native greens she’s chosen to plant. “The natural plants are eager to come back.”

And after all their hard work, the community is invited to Maria and Roshen’s home during the 2022 Cannon Beach Cottage & Garden Tour.

“This year we’re featuring many true cottages of Cannon Beach,” Cannon Beach History Center & Museum Development Coordinator Deanna Duplechain said. “The homes are rustic, smaller, original cabins.”

The 19th Annual Cottage & Garden Tour will be back in person, Sept. 9-11, 2022. Hosted by the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, the cottage tour itself will take place Sept. 10 along the history-steeped presidential streets of Cannon Beach. Central, and easily walkable, the tour will feature over a dozen cottages, gardens, and wine tasting at the museum compliments of The Wine Shack. The tour includes a stop at the storied Coaster Theatre.

“Learning some history about the land or house, you get a feel for your community,” Cannon Beach History Center & Museum Manager Andrea Suarez said. “It’s a really great community event, everyone is out walking around. “ At each location there will be two museum volunteers who will answer guests’ questions.

“The stories of what it was like here are so rich,” Museum volunteer Becky deVries-Wong said.

“On the tours people want to know the history, what’s original what’s not, the décor, the art, the year it was built. People really enjoy getting to see the different aspects of the homes.”

Many of the early homes in Cannon Beach were built upon platforms that were previously used as campsite when families would travel to visit the coast.

“Their campsite would become their homesites,” Duplechain said.

“Homebuilders would find timber washed up on the shoreline or would salvage shipwrecks to build

n See

TOUR, Page 3

Deb Atiyeh

Guest Contributor

he two important items on the agenda at he July 28 Planning Commission meeting, were a further consideration of the Cannon Beach Transportation System Plan (TSP) as well as evaluation of a permit for a threelot partition to allow construction of three single-family residences bordering the native wetlands lying between Forest Lawn Road and Hemlock Street.

During discussion about the proposed TSP, the commission considered lowering the speed limit to 20 MPH in the “S Curves” to address safety concerns, and it was decided that this issue needed to be addressed by the City Council. There were comments from community members about RVs and other large vehicles driving through town, who felt this should be addressed in the TSP. There was a recommendation to add environmental protections to the TSP. Commission members expressed a desire to spend more time reviewing the TSP before voting on it, and it was ultimately decided to defer additional discussion on the TSP plan to a future meeting.

Request for Conditional use Permit The next item on the agenda was a request for a conditional use permit to partition a parcel bordering the wetlands located on the corner of Forest Lawn and Hemlock.

According to the application, the owner plans to build three singlefamily homes on the southern portion of the property while avoiding any wetland areas. These homes could range in size from 1,100 square feet to 2,100 square feet, with one home potentially 2,700 square feet.

In an emailed statement, owner Dave Pietka said “we will continue to offer to protect the wet area by gifting to the city or conservation group, or placing a conservation easement on the wetlands, preventing its development now and in the future.”

During the meeting, Read Stapleton from Dowl Engineering and Planning addressed the key concerns voiced by citizens and commission members at the previous Planning Commission meeting. Among these concerns were geologic hazards, and the preservation of wetlands and trees.

Stapleton stated on the record that “there would be no impacts to the wetlands and that all development would occur in upland areas only”.

In an application revision dated July 28, Stapleton said, that of the 45 large-diameter trees on the property, seven would be removed; a decrease from the originally proposed 11. Over 80% of trees will be preserved and the required 5-foot buffer from the wetlands will be maintained. Proposed access from Hemlock Street to one of the houses was shifted to preserve a 29-inch diameter Sitka Spruce tree. According to Cannon Beach Community Development Director Jeff Adams, any driveway access to the homes from Hemlock Street will not be allowed due to a past plat restriction. No tree removal will occur within the wetland or

n See DENIES, Page 3

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August 5, 2022

CannonBeachGazette.com

Local News

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Cannon Beach Gazette

Both sides of the Clatsop County Short Term Rental issue as it hits home Deb Atiyeh

Guest Contributor

A group of Clatsop County residents (North Coast Neighbors United) are currently gathering signatures from Clatsop County voters to place a referendum on the ballot. This group has

filed a prospective petition challenging the new Clatsop County ordinance that would open licensing of vacation rentals in rural residential neighborhoods of Clatsop County. This group’s opinion is that “neighborhoods are for families, not vacation rental businesses.”

In June of 2022, Clatsop County Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 22-05, which would amend the County’s land use zoning regulations to include short-term vacation rentals as a permitted use in 16 residential zones in unincorporated areas (outside of any city

limits) throughout Clatsop County.

The residents of Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart, Warrenton, and Astoria can vote on this measure, but it will not affect short-term rentals in the city limits of any of these cities, nor in unincorporated Arch Cape,

Not all STR money leaves the community Brian Olson Co-Owner Beachcomber Vacation Homes

all of whom have already established their own vacation rental rules and policies.

This proposed ballot measure will only affect certain areas of unincorporated Clatsop County.

In an attempt to clarify and understand the sometimes contentious issue of Short-

Term Rentals (STR’s) here are two differing perspectives concerning the issue.

Charles Dice, Cove Beach resident and chief petitioner for the Clatsop County referendum to limit STR’s and Brian Olson, Co-Owner of Beachcomber Vacation Homes in Cannon Beach.

Neighborhoods are for neighbors Charles Dice Cove Beach

There has been a lot of discussion over the last couple of years about Short Term rentals. I am a Co Owner with my wife and business partner of a Vacation Rental management company in Cannon Beach and feel it is time to speak up. One of the things that was said to me and was even conveyed in a local meeting is that “We are only out to make Money and do not care about our communities. Well I can tell you that is the farthest thing from the truth. I grew up in Clatsop County. I raised my family here and 3 of our 4 children have put their roots down here and are raising their families here as well.

Seeing our communities thrive has always been at the forefront of what I would like to see. I have seen many changes, some for the worse and some for the better. The one constant is we have always had tourism here. First it was to supplement what logging and fishing didn’t cover.

Then as things changed it has become the primary economic driver for Clatsop county. We currently have 32 employees that depend on the rentals we manage to provide for their family.

They take great pride in their work and their community. We provide a full range of benefits including paying 100% of our full

Beachcomber Vacation Homes employs 32 people in Cannon Beach. Courtesy photo. time employees health care premium. Our employees are part of this community.

They are involved in all aspects from volunteering in local events to being involved with their churches.

We also use local vendors to help maintain and keep up these properties. So when someone says all the money from short term rentals leaves the area that is just not true. This group is a large economic engine for both Local small business and our tax base.

One of the things I have learned over the years is there are misunderstandings in the difference between Short Term Rentals and Vacation homes. Short Term rentals are regulated at varying degrees throughout the county. I will say in Cannon Beach they are highly regulated with occupancy and parking restrictions as well as how many rentals

SOLD

you can have in a month.

This program has been very successful. Where I see a misunderstanding is in Second or Vacation Homes that are not licensed through one of our communities or the county. These Second homes that are not part of a STR program are not regulated just like your home. This means there are no parking or occupancy restrictions for these homes unlike the short term rentals in the neighborhood.

The last thing I would like to say is there is a group out there making us out to be the villains. While we are not perfect we do work hard with our neighbors to correct issues and be the best we can be. I ask before you jump to conclusions that you remember that some of your neighbors depend on the economics that Short Term Rentals bring to the community.

My family moved to Cove Beach in 2001 and the only reason for us to be in Cove Beach is that it is truly a quiet, peaceful, magical place. We love the rugged wildness of the area, and the natural beauty that makes all of Clatsop County a wonderful place to live. But what makes our neighborhood “home” is not the scenery. It’s our neighbors. The retirees, the families whose young children attend our community school started by neighborhood parents 40 years ago, the veteran, the builder, the artisan. Each family is a thread in the fabric of our community.

Like neighbors everywhere, we look out for each other, celebrate and grieve together.

Because we have few amenities, and even fewer County services, we volunteer on the emergency committee or the local water district, pool donations when our roads need re-graveling, and use our own chainsaws to clear the streets of fallen trees after storms.

There have always been second homes here, too. Over the years, we get to know the part-timers, their children and their pets. We share meals from time to time. Some become good friends. These families are threads, too.

But something changed over the last decade, when Airbnb and Vacasa went from being a way homeowners could rent an extra room to a multibillion-dollar tech platform serving STR investors. The marketing reach of these com-

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panies, and the algorithms that squeeze every penny of profit from a property, mean that many STRs are booked backto-back all season long. Things really took off in 2018, when the County began issuing STR permits to anyone who asked.

I don’t have to tell Gazette readers what the rampant expansion of STRs in residential neighborhoods means for communities. You already know about the noise at all hours, the parties, the traffic, the illegal parking, and the piles of trash that come with these unstaffed motels. You already know about the extra strain STRs put on our region’s housing supply, because every home converted to an STR is one that can’t be rented by a firefighter or a house cleaner or a teacher.

Less reported, but truly profound, is the way the spread of STRs degrades the fabric of a community. In Falcon Cove, about 1 in 3 houses are now STR businesses. Almost every home that goes on the market here sells at a premium to an investor, not a resident or even a part-timer. Recently, for instance, a decrepit, half-century-old, 575 square foot home with a failed septic went on the market here for $500k – an astronomical price all of us “locals” thought. It sold nine days later for $675k after receiving offers from 20 parties, every one of whom said they intended to convert the home into an STR. And one by one, at least four of our neighbors who were long term renters, some for decades, have been pushed out by owners who exerted their right to make $650/night off their investment properties as STRs. Imagine walking out of your house one morning to find that fully a third of the families in your neighborhood have been replaced by strangers! Now

imagine that scenario repeating week after week. Transient visitors may be respectful or destructive, but they are never neighbors. This is how the fabric frays and tears.

These are the kinds of problems that have driven Cannon Beach and every other coastal city in Clatsop County, along with many other places around the world, to ban or strictly limit STRs. Since 2019, my neighbors, and hundreds of residents in other rural communities around the county, have asked our County Commission to do the same.

Instead, the County went in the opposite direction when they passed Ordinance 22-05 last month, making sweeping, unprecedented changes to 16 zoning codes that makes EVERY house a potential STR. This is a terrible ordinance that is designed to maximize profits for out of town (and, increasingly, out of state) investors at the expense of our communities. It is even more dismaying that STR permits issued in Cove Beach (and in the Coastal Residential Zone) were issued in violation of the local zoning ordinance that had never permitted STRs in the first place.

Many bought or built here believing their neighborhoods would be protected from STRs. We have felt ignored, disrespected, and betrayed by our County government.

The County failed local residents when they passed 22-05, but it’s not too late to change the tide. If we gather enough signatures, we can put a measure to repeal 22-05 on the ballot so the voters can be heard.

If you agree that neighborhoods are for families, not STR businesses, I hope you will visit northcoastneighborsunited.com and learn about our campaign and join our effort.

So what now ...

As Clatsop County decision makers look to the future, they are faced with multiple issues: the chronic lack of affordable housing for full-time residents to buy or rent, the shortage of affordable workforce housing affecting local employers, the growing seasonal second-home market, inter-generational shifts and priorities, choosing the balance between a tourist destination and a residential community, as well as the quality of life and social well-being of communities versus their economic

well-being. With the loss of vacation rentals comes the loss of annual lodging tax revenue for Clatsop County.

Many towns are facing the same issues and hopefully together will find a balanced solution while looking into all perspectives.

In the midst of our rapidly changing world and generational shifts, people everywhere are exploring new options on how to live and work. What path will Clatsop County choose?

See related story on next page.

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Cannon Beach Gazette

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CannonBeachGazette.com

Phyllis Bernt Library Board President

M

y reading this past week reminds me of my favorite Yogi Berra quote: “It’s like deja vu all over again.”

After more than two years of thinking obsessively about one pandemic and its associated vaccines, I was suddenly remembering being a 6-year-old girl waiting for a vaccine against another pandemic—all because of reading “Polio: An American Story,” by David Oshinsky.

If mention of this book also causes you to feel a sense of deja vu, it may be because Joe Bernt reviewed the book in this column earlier this year.

I am reading “Polio” because it will be discussed by the members of Cannon Beach Reads via Zoom, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Lila Wickham, who spent many years as a public health nurse, will lead the discussion.

Oshinsky, who is currently the director of the Division of Medical Humanities at the NYU School of Medicine and a professor in the NYU Department of History, won the Pulitzer Prize in History for the book in 2006. He describes the panic caused

At the Library

It’s Déjà vu All Over Again

by polio and chronicles the competition between Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin to develop a vaccine. In the process Oshinsky explains how the response to the polio epidemic changed the government’s involvement in vaccine testing and licensing.

If you would like to join the discussion of “Polio,” or just sit in, contact Joe Bernt at berntj@ohio.edu to get the Zoom link. Cannon Beach Reads is open to everyone.

New participants are always welcome.

I taught women’s studies courses in a former life, so I expected to have a beenthere-done-that reaction when I read a recent addition to the library, “The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship, and Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age,” by Amy Sohn. I was pleasantly surprised, however, because Sohn discusses personalities who have tended to be overlooked by historians and provides a fresh perspective on issues that are still being debated today.

The woman-hating man in the book title is Anthony Comstock, whose name is on the 1873 law that, until 1957, restricted the type of information that could be sent through the U.S. mail.

Sohn, a novelist and former journalist, paints a fascinating

Phyllis Bernt picture of Comstock, but what I found even more compelling were Sohn’s portrayals of the sometimes flamboyant, often eccentric and always courageous women who risked fines, prison and sometimes their very lives to fight the law and Comstock himself.

Because the postal system was the main vehicle for information sharing in 1873, the Comstock Act proved a highly effective method for censorship in a turbulent America.

The economy was in depression. Young men and women were leaving the purity of rural America for the temptations of urban life.

Young women aspired to careers instead of marriage.

Immigration was on the rise, and radical ideas like free love, anarchism, Marxism and women’s suffrage were in the

A closer look at Short Term Rentals in Cannon Beach Deb Atiyeh

Guest Contributor

From a report titled “City of Cannon Beach Affordable Housing Task Force Report on Findings and Deliberation of Affordable Housing Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan” provided by Cannon Beach Community Development Director Jeff Adams, here’s a closer look at affordable housing in Cannon Beach.

According to this report, “People who work in Cannon Beach cannot afford to live in Cannon Beach; this has become a strain not only on local employers but on the community itself, which needs an array of residents/ families to maintain its social balance and economic well-being.

By the numbers The 2020 Census shows a population of 1,489 residents in Cannon Beach, which is a decrease from the 2010 Census. According to this report, “What might be most disconcerting from the Census numbers, is that only 705 of the 1,888 (37.3%)

n Tour Continued from Page 1 their homes.”

Maria and Roshen’s cottage was home to resident “Mildred” for a very long time. The couple was gifted a silhouette of Mildred when they moved into the cottage.

“Some families will have photos and stories of the homes and the original owners of the homes,” deVriesWong said.

While the tour is the centerpiece of the fundraiser, the whole weekend is filled with events.

On Friday night, the Museum welcomes everyone for the Opening Night Benefit Bash. Explore Cannon Beach history through their exhibits, enjoy tasty nibbles, meet locals, sip wine, sample brews poured by the masters at Pelican Brewing Company, and place winning bids on coveted items during the silent auction. One lucky person will win the chance to host four of their friends for an evening at the Governor Oswald West Log Cabin. The

August 5, 2022

total housing units are now occupied (full time) a loss of 7.1% in just ten years. Only 75 Cannon Beach workers live in Cannon Beach, or just 5.5% of the total estimated Cannon Beach workforce of 1,366.”

When asked if Short-Term Rentals (STR’s) are impacting the supply of Long-Term Rentals, Cannon Beach Community Development Director Jeff Adams replied, “We have no proof that our STR’s impact our Long-Term Rentals, as the number of our STR’s have stayed consistent at about 200 since 2015.

It is much more likely that second-homes have continued to climb in number, while our full-time population dwindles.”

The City recently hired a new Code Official to help enforce STR regulations in Cannon Beach, using software to assist in monitoring STR’s.

In 2019, the City Council suspended the issuance of any new 5-year unlimited STR permits, and set up an STR Taskforce to research the issue. The number of STR’s in Cannon Beach is currently 202; with 47 permits allowing unlimited rentals, 19 5-year

permits allowing unlimited rentals, and 136 permits allowing just one rental every 14 days.

According to Brian Olson of Beachcomber Vacation Homes, “In Cannon Beach STR’s are highly regulated with occupancy and parking restrictions as well as how many rentals you can have in a month. The program has been very successful”. Olson said that second or vacation homes that are not licensed as an STR present a problem if they are not regulated.

“Remember that some of your neighbors and the City depend on the income that STR’s bring to the community”.

Cannon Beach Community Development Director Jeff Adams, the Cannon Beach STR Taskforce, and a Clatsop County Regional Task Force are committed to developing lasting solutions for our regional housing challenges and will be meeting quarterly to address these issues. For more information, go the the City of Cannon Beach website and search for “ShortTerm Rentals and Housing Matters.”

Pacific Northwest Dirt Fishers exhibit opens that evening at the Museum featuring items found on their local exploratory digs.

On Sunday, the Garden Tea will be hosted from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Held at the Cannon Beach Chamber Hall, Oregon historian Doug Kenck-Crispin of Kick Ass Oregon History podcast will be the featured speaker. Kenck-Crispin’s talk entitled “Beaver Tails and Treasure Tails” will focus on Oregon’s unique Beaver Money and he will hand out actual treasure maps from Oregon archival collections.

Tea from North Fork 53 Communitea Wellness will be served and paired with baked yummies from Cannon Beach Bakery.

The Cottage tour has received numerous accolades over the years in Oregon Home Magazine, Sunset Magazine, The Oregonian, and the Seattle Times, among others. In 2016, Sunset Magazine called it the “best autumn event in Cannon Beach.”

In 2019, over 700 attendees came to the event and more are anticipated this year as the event returns to in-person.

The Cottage Tour is Cannon Beach History Center & Museum’s annual fundraiser which brings in 20 percent of their annual income. The profits fund lectures, educational programming, shared research, and operating costs throughout the year.

The small-town museum is home to over 12,000 photos, thousands of historic documents, and artifacts, as well as permanent and temporary exhibits related to the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Cannon Beach and Arch Cape, shipwrecks, and more. The museum is also home to the cannon that Cannon Beach is named for!

Tickets are $40 for the Cottage & Garden Tour, $25 for Garden Tea, and the Opening Benefit Bash is by donation. Tickets are available to purchase at cbhistory.org, in person, or over the phone at 503-436-9301.

Roughly 40-50 volunteers are needed for the event.

Volunteers earn free access to the event. To reach out for more information about volunteering, or about the event, contact Duplechain at deanna@cbhistory.org.

air. Leaders of polite society sought ways to fight these dangerous trends and ideas.

Enter Anthony Comstock.

Comstock, a pious and puritanical Connecticut farm boy who came to New York City looking for work, was horrified by the “immorality” he encountered in the big city. Faced with temptation himself, he came to believe that the only way to maintain a moral populace was to keep people—especially impressionable young men and all women—away from any obscene and lewd information, with obscenity defined very broadly.

Embracing Victorian ideas about women, Comstock believed the only appropriate roles for women were to be pure, obedient wives and mothers in need of protection from any information having to do with sex.

Comstock understood the potential for using the post office to restrict information, and eagerly responded when the leaders of the YMCA movement recruited him to run the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice and to lobby Congress for what would become the Comstock Act of 1873.

The Comstock Act made it illegal to mail obscene or lewd material, which the law

expanded to include information and devices having to do with reproduction and contraception. Comstock was designated as a postal inspector with the authority to issue search warrants and arrest those caught mailing suspicious material.

He proved to be a zealous worker, who for four decades conducted his own reign of terror. Using pseudonyms, he wrote to unsuspecting targets of his investigations, requesting that they mail him information, then expressed delight when they were sentenced to hard labor and hefty fines if they complied.

Comstock faced resistance from several women whom Sohn calls “sex radicals.”

According to Sohn, although these women made significant contributions in the fight for civil liberties, they have been ignored in histories written about feminism or women’s health or the progressive movement because they were a bit too colorful or too focused on sex or too much outside mainstream thinking.

Sohn uses her storytelling skills to create riveting sketches of, among others, the stockbroker and first female presidential candidate Victoria Woodhull; homeopathic practitioner Sara B.

Chase; proponent of free love Angela Heywood; anarchist and labor organizer Emma Goldman; and birth control advocate Margaret Sanger.

These women refused to be silenced by the Comstock Act, repeatedly, and sometimes gleefully, mailing out books, articles and magazines that argued for women’s rights in marriage and society, provided graphic information about contraception and criticized Comstock for making no distinction between obscene material mailed by smut peddlers and life-saving medical information provided by medical practitioners.

The resulting high-profile, often high-handed trials of these sex radicals attracted media attention that helped shift public opinion and, eventually, legal decisions.

Sohn contends that the actions of these sex radicals paved the way for many of the freedoms we currently enjoy, and she argues that these women’s stories are especially relevant now because the freedoms they fought for are still in dispute. So, I guess it is deja vu all over again after all.

“The Man Who Hated Women” was one of the Smithsonian Magazine’s “10 Best History Books of 2021.”

n Denies

specialist Hannah Buschert explained the importance of wetlands to birds and other wildlife species, saying that a third of all bird species use wetlands. Wetlands cannot be re-created, and can be degraded from the impacts of nearby development.

Local, Uli Pardini felt that all of these important parcels should have been purchased by the city many years ago so that these ecologically fragile areas could have been preserved. “We must protect what is environmentally precious,” she said.

After public comments, commission launched into a vigorous debate. Commissioner Moritz expressed concerns about the lack of guarantees of adhering to the proposed plan if issues were to arise, such as if more trees were removed. Moritz noted that if the plan wasn’t followed, the developer likely wouldn’t face consequences.

Commissioners spoke of the landslide and liquefaction hazards of the moist soil that need to be addressed in the event of an earthquake.

Questions were brought up about groundwater being present 1-6 feet below the surface as indicated by several test bore holes, and if the buyers of these homes

would be made aware of the potential geologic hazards.

There was discussion about the wetland ecosystem in the southwest corner of the property and keeping tree roots intact to stabilize the soil. Questions were raised about the impact of roads and utilities on the wetland and how the development could disturb wildlife.

Concerns were raised about a storm water management plan for the wetlands, and how that could potentially compromise the integrity of the wetlands.

The Commissioners ultimately denied the application due to the existing plat restrictions prohibiting any access from Hemlock Street, the application not meeting the standards of the wetland overlay zone, issues of storm water drainage impacts to the wetlands, geological hazards, along with no demonstrated need for additional expensive housing in the community compared to the need for middle-income housing.

With the Planning Commission denying this development request, the final decision will now be up to the Cannon Beach City Council.

Continued from Page 1 buffer areas, and there will be root protection zones.

Driveways, shared access, and parking areas will be constructed of gravel to minimize grading and maintain a porous surface.

Stapleton explained, that potential geologic hazards could be mitigated through structural fill and specialized foundation systems that utilize pilings and piers. Due to the soft, wet overlying soil layers, these pilings would require reaching depths of 30-50 feet to access the underlying layer of stable sandstone to protect the structures from the effects of liquefaction during a seismic event.

Several citizens expressed opposition to this development, while no residents supported it. Concerns were raised about “what they say and what will actually happen” when the project begins and unexpected problems are encountered. Members of the community believe the wetland should have a 50foot setback instead of the mandated 5 feet.

Local biologist and bird

What is a wetland The EPA states that “Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They

provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else.

Wetlands are among the most biologically productive

ecosystems in the world.

Their microbial activity enriches the water and soil with nutrients. Plant growth in wetlands provides a “sink” for many chemicals including atmospheric carbon.”

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Coaster Theatre Playhouse offers musical theatre audition workshop Dreamed of singing on stage as part of a musical production but not sure how to prepare for the auditions?

The Coaster Theatre Playhouse is offering a free musical theatre audition workshop to introduce the musical audition process.

Open to ages 12 and older, the workshop will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Coaster Theatre, 108 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach. More information is at coastertheatre.com or by calling the box office at 503-436-1242.

During the workshop, participants will learn a song that they can use in future musical auditions. They will also learn a movement/dance routine to understand that portion of an audition as well as cold-read from a script.

At this time all participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination at the workshop. Participants may display proof of vaccination with a physical vaccination card, a legible copy of their vaccination card

or a legible digital copy of their vaccination card in addition to a matching photo ID (children under the age of 16 are not required to show ID if accompanied by a parent or guardian). Masks are optional but encouraged at the Coaster Theatre.

Upcoming shows and events at the theatre: Clue: The Musical, Aug. 10 through Sept. 10 Coaster Theatre Kidz Summer Camp Performances, Aug. 19, 4:30 and 7 p.m.

The world’s best-known suspects come to life in Clue: The Musical at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse

Dru is a 22 year old very gifted aspiring Executive Chef. Dru is from Washington State and was introduced to John when his mom brought him to the United Way of Clatsop County’s Iron Chef Goes Coastal Event in November 2017 after showing interest in the Culinary Field. He took culinary classes at Aberdeen High School and after graduation in 2018 came to work at Newmans starting as a dishwasher and showing great potential. Dru has an excellent palate, a great eye for detail and a desire to try new dishes and learn.

Unbeknownst to many, Dru has been running the line and doing most of the cooking since Newmans reopened in 2020 after being closed due to COVID restrictions. John wanted to explore what “retirement” might look like moving forward owning the restaurant. He was happy to see that not only could it survive without him cooking, but under Dru both ISA Certified Arborists ISA the food and the staff were Board-Certified Master Arborist thriving.

ISA Tree Risk Assessment After speaking with Dru Qualified following John’s untimely Comprehensive Service, death, Sandy could see that Dru wanted nothing more Pruning/Removal, than to carry on John’s Stump Grinding/Hazard legacy of delicious food Evaluations and passionate cooking.

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(503)791-0853 Sandy, Dru and the entire www.arborcarenw.com CCB#171855 Newmans staff are comWA#ARBORCI909RW Care for Your Trees H20157 mitted to honoring John by providing our guests with the very best in food and service. We are thankful for your continued support, and we look forward to oB c wan onstruction inc serving you.

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directed by Patrick Lathrop and features David Sweeney as Mr. Boddy, Shay Knorr as Mrs. Peacock, Bryan Lelek as Professor Plum, Toddy Adams as Miss Scarlet, Patrick Lathrop as Colonel Mustard, Cathey Ryan as Mrs. White, Bennett Hunter as Mr. Green and Joslynn Johansen as the Detective.

The production crew includes Heather Hoffman (stage manager), Kirk Valles (accompanist), Carson Schulte (accompanist), Patrick Lathrop (costumer), Mick Alderman, (set builder/ lighting design) Juan Lira (set painter) and Nancy McCarthy (sound and light operator).

Tickets are $25 or $30; they can be purchased at the theatre box office (503-4361242) or online at coastertheatre.com. The box office is open 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday and open until curtain on performance days.

At this time, everyone must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter the Coaster Theatre on performance day. Face masks are optional but encouraged.

The Coaster Theatre recommends visiting coastertheatre. com or contacting the box office closer to the performance for possible changes to the theatre’s COVID policy.

Upcoming shows and events at the theatre: Coaster Theatre Kidz Summer Camp Performances, Aug. 19, 4:30 and 7 p.m.

Musical Theatre Audition Workshop, Aug. 20, 1 to 3 p.m.

Auditions for Scrooge: The Musical, Sept. 10, 13 and 14

Laity wins Independent Party nomination for State Rep. HD32 Mary McGinnis For the Gazette The Independent Party of Oregon nominated Logan Laity to represent the North Coast in the Oregon House of Representatives. The Independent Party state nominating caucus met to consider candidates and was particularly impressed by Laity’s policy vision, experience working across party lines, and personal integrity.

Sal Peralta, the Independent Party’s Coastal Representative added: “The Independent Party of Oregon has long advocated for policies to address homelessness, housing

Church Services by the Sea

affordability, and public safety. These are key issues to us on the North Coast, and we trust Logan to be our champion in the legislature.”

Laity stated,

Cannon Beach to Nehalem

Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church 36050 10th Street • PO Box 156 Nehalem 97131-0156 503-368-5612 nehalembayumc@gmail.com The Reverend Steve Wolff Worship Service: Sunday 11:00 Adult Sunday School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday

Nehalem Senior Lunches: Noon Tuesday & Thursday Nursery Available ADA Accessible

To feature your spiritual organization on this panel:

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“I entered this race to ensure every person on the Coast has the support we need to continue to live here. As a candidate, I have maintained a voice that represents the people of our community I look forward to representing in Salem.

Earning the nomination of the Independent Party means that the movement around this campaign speaks for the broad views that exist on the Coast and as State Rep, I’ll bring that vision to Salem.”

Logan Laity, a businessman from Tillamook, is one of three candidates vying for a seat in the legislature to represent Clatskanie and Astoria to Tillamook and Neskowin, communities that make up Oregon HD32.

Other candidates in the race are self-described Republicans.

The Independent Party of Oregon represents 137,972 voters. Logan Laity is a candidate for State Representative District 32 and is also the Democratic Party nominee.

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Newmans at 988 is proud to announce the promotion of Dru Shaffer to Chef de Cuisine

Who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room and with what weapon? Pay attention and deduce the solution when Clue: The Musical takes to the stage at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse.

Opening Aug. 13 and running through Sept. 10, performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse.

The internationally popular board game has been turned into a fun-filled musical that brings the world’s best-known suspects to life. It invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room and with what weapon? Pay attention and deduce the solution from clues given throughout the evening; there are 216 possible endings!

Clue: The Musical is

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CannonBeachGazette.com

No tax money for developer’s projects Suppose your City Manager proposes to undertake an expensive public works project for the benefit of a single interest. The project is intended to move a storm sewer that follows the line of natural drainage to discharge storm water into a wetland from one part of the wetland to another. The storm sewer as presently configured complies with the city code.

Now, suppose that interest is a residential developer who purchased the wetland at a fraction of the market price for a property in the community of comparable size. The developer wants the storm drain moved so it can squeeze one more million-dollar property onto the

Letters and Columns

wetland, which, if history is indicative, will be sold as a second home.

If you’re like me, you object to use of taxpayer money to benefit a special interest, particularly a special interest that is a developer, a speculator, whose sole motivation is to maximize short-term profit.

If the storm sewer needs to be moved, the developer should move it with its own funds, as required by the city code.

This is the situation with the storm sewer that runs the length of Forest Lawn Road and discharges storm water into the wetland at the intersection of Forest Lawn and Hemlock Street. City Manager Bruce St. Denis has indicated that the city will move the storm sewer for the developer’s benefit, just because.

Call and/or write Mr. St.

Denis and Public Works Director Karen La Bonte and tell them you object to this project.

Mike Bates Cannon Beach

Open letter to editors in Oregon Dear Editors of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, I am writing to thank you for hosting the first Gubernatorial debate of this campaign season. Last Friday, I was watching the debate you hosted and noticed something, or rather, someone, was missing. Of the multiple candidates running for Governor of Oregon, only three of them were invited to attend. A duly elected Libertarian can-

didate, R Leon Noble, had been excluded and I would like to know why.

Mr. Noble earned the nomination of the Libertarian Party of Oregon during their Primary Election held last June. Unlike other “minor” parties, Libertarians do not need to spend millions of dollars on a Primary Campaign in order to ensure ballot access. With our closed Primary rules, we are able to develop personal relationships between candidates and constituents, not just throw dollars around trying to buy votes.

Was R Leon Noble excluded because he is not a woman? Oh, I have your attention now, don’t I? Or was he excluded because in this day of “Pay to Play” politics, he has yet to raise the millions of dollars already in the coffers of the three female politicians who appeared on the ONPA stage. Furthermore, Ms. Johnson is still in the process of collecting signatures in order to appear on the ballot in November. As mentioned above, Mr. Noble has no such hurdle to overcome, yet he was excluded from the debate.

Could it be in this age of political correctness, white privilege, and toxic masculinity, that the ONPA doesn’t want to hear from a white man? Are you trying to silence candidates who haven’t “paid their way” into the Governor’s Race?

Or is it Mr. Noble’s ideas that you are afraid of? Are you concerned that the people of Oregon might hear a message that disturbs the status quo? Most Oregonians can agree that neither Ms. Kotek, Ms. Drazen, nor Ms. Johnson represent them.

Candidates face-off in gubernatorial debate last week Christine Drazan

Betsy Johnson

Tina Kotek Herb Swett Country Media

The candidates for governor of Oregon debated state issues Friday in a forum before the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association in Welches.

Debating were Democrat Tina Kotek, former speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives; Republican Christine Drazan, former minority leader of the Oregon House; and independent Betsy Johnson, a former state senator.

Four Oregon newspaper executives questioned the three.

Here are their paraphrased statements.

Opening remarks Drazan: I am originally from Klamath Falls. My family was less stable than they would have liked, too dependent on natural resources. They talked about politicians leaving people behind.

Kotek: I began public service at the Oregon Food Bank. I have focused on having a positive impact on people’s lives.

Families are worried about making ends meet Johnson: I believe we’re losing the Oregon that we love. I call for common-sense change. My allegiance is to Oregonians, not to any party or vested interest.

Responses to panelists’ questions Q: The timber industry is declining. What steps would you take?

Kotek: When all parts of our state are successful, we’re all successful. I’d work with the communities to make sure we could use timber products.

Drazan: My dad worked in a veneer plant that went away.

We’re grateful that the tech industry stepped in, but it must become more productive. Support the state as a whole.

Johnson: I visited the Elgin Veneer Plant and worked to save jobs when the Department of Environmental Quality wanted to shut them down. We must manage forests so they don’t burn down.

Q: We hear of homelessness

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CANNON BEACH GAZETTE

The Cannon Beach Gazette is published biweekly by Country Media, Inc.

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LETTER POLICY The Cannon Beach Gazette welcomes letters that express readers’ opinions on current topics. Letters may be submitted by email only, no longer than 300 words, and must be signed and include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number for verification of the writer’s identity. We will print the writer’s name and town of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received and may be edited for length, grammar,

Why can’t those disenfranchised voters hear from a candidate who will?

I don’t know about you, but the platform of Safety & Security, Liberty & Equality, and the Economy sounds to me like just what Oregon needs to hear right now.

If you would like to learn more about the Libertarian candidate for Governor, R Leon Noble, please visit his website: SetOregonFree. com Or better yet, give him

the opportunity to reach the voters of Oregon that was previously denied him and invite him to the debate that is planned for October of this year.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully, Sharlyn Cox Legacy Media Director for Set Oregon Free Roseburg, OR

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as a crisis. What would you do?

Kotek: I have a five-point plan on my website for shelter for homeless. We have increased shelters quickly.

Johnson: I reject the notion that Tina is the only one working on homelessness. I made Wapato Jail a place of healing and hope. We’re getting more tent cities.

Drazan: As a freshman representative, I focused on youth homelessness. I passed second-home legislation, and more than 70% finished high school because of it.

Q: How did Wapato work?

Johnson: We have a track record of success. We have to stop fighting over what is best.

Kotek: I was glad my bill to streamline efforts worked. We need more housing.

Tickets now on sale!

Drazan: We have invested between $1.5 billion and $2 billion on housing. The reasons hotels and motels shut down were COVID-related.

Q: Regarding the Greater Oregon issue, how do we

n See DEBATE, Page 6

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spelling, punctuation or clarity. We do not publish group emails, open letters, form letters, third-party letters, letters attacking private individuals or businesses, or letters containing advertising.

Deadline for letters is noon Thursdays.

The date of publication will depend on space.

Email letters to jwarren@countrymedia.net

The Cannon Beach Gazette is part of the Country Media family of newspapers.

OBITUARIES The Cannon Beach Gazette has several options for submitting obituaries.

• Basic Obituary: Includes the person’s name, age, town of residency, and information about any funeral services. No cost.

• Custom Obituary: You choose the length and wording of the announcement. The cost is $75 for the first 200 words, $50 for each additional 200 words. Includes a small photo at no additional cost.

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All obituary announcements are placed on the Cannon Beach Gazette website at no cost.

Email obituaries to classifieds@orcoastnews.com

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August 5, 2022

n Debate Continued from Page 5 address that concern?

Johnson: That’s a clarion call to do something about it. People who feel disrespected need our attention.

Drazan: We’ve had single-party control too long.

Rural and urban issues must be noted. All parts of the

CannonBeachGazette.com

state must be respected.

Kotek: We have large swaths of our state that are not listened to. Public policies have different impacts on different parts of the state.

Johnson: On Tina’s website, someone said that a Confederate flag at a rally showed racism.

Kotek: I’m not calling people at those rallies racists, but inclusivity is needed.

Q: Weather problems are getting worse. How would you address them?

Drazan: Oregon continues to be a leader in climate issues; we transitioned out of coal. We also need to preserve our dams. Had cap and trade passed, gasoline would have cost $3 more.

Kotek: We have to mitigate the issues but also promote wind power.

Johnson: We need to lower the carbon footprint

but not at the expense of farmers. Manage forests better. Be sure offshore winds don’t hurt fishermen.

Drazan: We need checks and balances. We pushed the responsibility for cap and trade to all Oregonians. It was a monstrosity of a bill.

Kotek: I’m not hearing solutions. When you have as big an issue as climate change, failure hurts all Oregonians.

Q: What would you do

about the struggle for the poor to fight mental health issues?

Kotek: Oregon is at the bottom of the list of states for affordable care.

Johnson: We are so lackadaisical about drugs that we’re making the problem worse.

Drazan: We must make it easier for people with drug problems to come to Oregon.

Q: Do you support state laws on abortion?

Johnson: Tina and I voted

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Cannon Beach Gazette

pro-choice. Christine is anti-choice. Tax money should not be used for abortions.

Drazan: I’m pro-life.

I’ll enforce laws uniformly.

Roe v. Wade doesn’t seem to apply to that.

Kotek: Abortion is healthcare. Dobbs was a wake-up call.

Watch the entire debate on the Gazette’s website: www.cannonbeachgazette. com

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