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VOL. 47, ISSUE 1
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CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
January 6, 2023
Steidel reflects on eight years as Mayor T
Bob Atiyeh
For the Gazette
he Gazette sat down with Sam Steidel as he reflected on the past eight years as Mayor of Cannon Beach (Barb Knop became the new Mayor of Cannon Beach on January 3rd). Sam Steidel moved to Cannon Beach with his family in the early 1960’s when he was four years old, and remembers the March 1964 tsunami that destroyed the bridge over Ecola Creek and closed the grade school for the remainder of the school year. Sam studied design and architecture during his years at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Idaho in Moscow, and first met his future wife Deb in 1980 while both were involved in a Christmas production at the Coaster Theatre. He worked with Maurie Clark and Ray Watkins to design the U.S. Post Office building and the Sandpiper courtyard and addition on Hemlock Street. His interest in disaster preparedness came from guiding geologist Brian Atwater up Ecola Creek while Atwater was doing his groundbreaking research in the 1980’s on past subduction zone earthquakes and tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest. After having witnessed and experienced six decades of change in Cannon Beach, Sam has a unique perspective, saying that “I’m fasci-
nated by the human experience of the evolution of this town.” Sam says that Cannon Beach citizens of the early 1960’s were wary of the new generation which included his father, Bill Steidel, who was one of the first resident artists to open a gallery (the Staircase Gallery) in Cannon Beach, and were initially suspicious of Maurie Clark when he started purchasing commercial real estate in the early 1970’s; just as folks today are skeptical of new developers in town. Sam says that in his time as Mayor and serving on City Council, he has observed “that people distrust new projects until a decision is made,” after which criticism seems to fade. Many of the issues facing Cannon Beach have always been complicated and interconnected, while lacking easy solutions. When asked about his main objectives when becoming Mayor eight years ago, Sam said that the renovation of the old grade school was his top priority, and he expected it to begin within a few years. Even though it’s taken much longer than anticipated, he’s happy to see the project finally taking shape. One of his biggest regrets as Mayor was in not realizing the full potential of the Southwind property, saying that if the city had constructed basic access to the property off Highway 101 when they purchased it, along with installing the utility infrastructure, the city would have been in a
much better position to develop it. Sam said that residents need to know that the ongoing “Code Audit” of our existing City Codes is a big deal. “All the rules that we think we have, but don’t, regarding things such as protecting wetlands and not allowing franchises in town, will be rewritten, corrected, revised and clarified.” Sam has some suggestions for the new City Cannon Beach outgoing Mayor Council memSam Steidel. Gazette file photo bers and Mayor: because Oregon Sam spent eight years on the state law requires Design Review Board, followed a public comment period, it’s important for Council members to be by eight years on the Planning patient, have a sense of humor and Commission, and seven years on the City Council. After more than an ability to listen and relate to three decades of public service to people; while having a thick skin Cannon Beach, he says he’ll miss and not taking comments personthe social aspect of folks coming ally. Sam thinks many problems to meetings, but plans to stay result from misunderstandings or involved in local issues. from residents not feeling heard. He’d like to do some writing, “If someone makes the effort to and says he’ll stay busy mainspeak before City Council, the taining and running the family art issue is serious to them, and often gallery (Steidel Art) on Hemlock the best thing is to listen to their Street, as well as helping his concerns.” Before his eight years as Mayor, parents.
A passion for culinary creations: Bistro Restaurant in Cannon Beach Deb Atiyeh
I
Reporter
n the fall of 2016, Jack Stevenson set off on a motorcycle trip along the Oregon coast in search of a restaurant that fit his style and vision. Growing up in Carmel, Monterrey and San Diego, he knew he wanted to be on the coast near the ocean. Upon arriving in Cannon Beach, he knew he had found the right place, saying he “loved the vibe of the town and it felt right.” He had a vision of a restaurant that was different from other restaurants in town, had the right lay-out and flow, and was small enough that he could manage it alone. He found it in the Bistro, which just happened to be for sale. Jack ended up purchasing the Bistro from the original owners a few months later and it all came together - a new life on the Oregon coast in the beautiful town of Cannon Beach. For the first time, he had his own restaurant and his vision was fulfilled as if it was meant to be. Jack Stevenson has been working as a chef since 1991. After 14 years in the Air Force, he enrolled in culinary school to cultivate his passion for cooking. In the 1960’s he would watch the “Galloping Gourmet” with his mother; both were inspired to try new recipes and it’s where his inspiration for cooking began. While working as the Sous Chef at the Bridges Restaurant in San Francisco in the early 90’s, Jack was the food stylist for the movie “Mrs. Doubtfire.” The film crew and cast, including Robin Williams, were always nibbling on and enjoying his cuisine, and Jack actually had the chance to perform in the movie under the watchful eye of director Chris Columbus. After spending another 3 years at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Francisco, Jack moved to Orlando in 1997 to develop the new position of “Special Banquets” at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. He inspired them to try new creations apart from the regular meat and
potatoes that were prevalent in banquet settings at the time, and a year later took on the role of Executive Sous Chef for the resort. After 5 years in Orlando, he returned to San Francisco to take the position of Executive Sous Chef at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in San Francisco. During his time at the Mandarin Oriental Group, Jack was the featured personality for five weeks on the Island of Bermuda, highlighting his California style menu at the famed 5-star Elbow Beach Resort. Not long after purchasing the Bistro in the fall of 2016, some mutual friends introduced Jack to JJ. They spent time getting to know one another, and in 2018 JJ moved to Cannon Beach. JJ became the lovely and warm smiling face of kindness at the Bistro, welcoming guests from near and far. “It is a pleasure to meet such a diversity of people that come to dine at the restaurant,” she said. “Many return regularly with their families and it is such a pleasure to see them again.” Jack and JJ compliment each other and are the perfect balance for the Bistro. Jack says not a single day goes by that he doesn’t feel grateful, Jack Stevenson and JJ at the Bistro in Cannon Beach. saying that “cooking Photo provided is not like a job, it is a passion.” It is a pleasure and features live music every an Omelette Espanol, or Korean to come to work every day; to night, with “Thistle and Rose” Beef Ribs while listening to live make the bread dough and create on Wednesday, Richard Thomamusic. meals from scratch that people sin, Chelsea LaFey and Dave Jack’s motto is “Food Without will love. Quinton Thursday and Sunday, Confusion.” Jack is always After being closed for the and Wes Wahrmund on acoustic experimenting with blending month of December, the Bistro guitar Friday and Saturday. flavors and textures, using local opened again on New Year’s January through June, from and seasonal ingredients, to creEve. 5 to 6 p.m., the Bistro offers ate a sublime dining experience. The Bistro is open for dinner several affordable options in Speaking of sublime, try their Wednesday through Sunday their bar menu. Drop by to try fresh handmade linguini. It’s the (closed Monday and Tuesday) some special Chicken Meatballs, best ever.
Barb Knopp is sworn in as Mayor. Photo by Will Chappell
New Mayor, councilors sworn in Will Chappell
C
Gazette Reporter
annon Beach’s new Mayor Barb Knop and City Councilors Gary Hayes and Lisa Kerr were sworn in on January 3, 2023, before addressing a short agenda in their first meeting. Hayes and Kerr asked fastidious questions about proposed changes to business licensing fee policy and city contracts, leading the council to postpone passage of one until edits were made to the document. “I’d like to thank the outgoing mayor and councilors for all the work that they did,” Knop said after swearing her oath of office and assuming the mayoral seat in the council chamber. The first order of business before the council was electing a council president, with Nancy McCarthy winning unanimous reelection to another twoyear term. Councilors then received a report on the severe weather events during Christmas week from Emergency Manager Rick Hudson and Cannon Beach Fire District Chief Marc Reckmann. Following the report, the council moved on to address the mechanism for adjusting the business licensing fee in Cannon Beach. Previously, adjusting the fee required an amendment to the business license ordinance, which in turn necessitated public notice and hearings. The council voted to remove the fee language from the ordinance before including the fee rate in a resolution, which can be amended by a simple vote of the council. The votes did not change the fee, which is still $200 for an initial application and $75 for renewal. Councilors then approved a $40,000 budget increase for the community development department to account for legal expenses incurred by the department. The expenses arise from challenges to planning decisions made by property owners to Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). Community Development Director Jeff Adams told the board that the litigation had been a growing problem for the city in recent years. Currently, there are two cases involving the city before LUBA and another before a Clatsop County Circuit Court. Adams said that his hope was that as the city shows resolve in fighting the claims and is successful in defending their decisions, there might be fewer challenges in the future. New Councilmember Hayes asked if the ongoing code audit could also help to lessen ambiguities that have left the door open for those types of cases, and Adams said that it could. After approving that budget increase the council considered another budget increase for community development, this time to pay for the final stage of the code audit. Adams told the council that the final phase of the project would cost $85,000, with a further $45,000 in contingency funds that would need council approval for disbursement. The ongoing code audit has already reviewed the existing code and identified areas for improvement and will now move forward on updating the code with input from the council and the public.
n See CITY, Page 6