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VOL. 45, ISSUE 12 FREE
CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
June 25, 2021
Virtual ‘Summer of Sandcastles’
is here
Kickoff to event featured Sandcastles, music and Fun Run Hilary Dorsey
T
For The Gazette
he 57th annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest is happening now as a Virtual Summer of Sandcastles and will run through Sept. 6. COVID-19 safe events have included a Concert in the Park with Bruce Smith Band and a Virtual Singing Sands Fun Run/Walk. Monday, June 21, was the last day to register for the fun run/walk, which will run through the end of the month. Sandcastle Committee Chair Debbie Nelson said two-dozen people registered for the fun run/walk. The event usually has about 75 people who run. Participants received a 2021 sandcastle t-shirt and medal. The sandcastle contest began June 5 with a promo build from master’s team Form Finders. Nelson said she was able to see the build from start to finish this year. A production crew also filmed the build, which will be uploaded to the website soon, Nelson added. Around two-dozen people have participated in the sandcastle contest so far, which is more than last year. “We want to be safe,” Nelson said of the virtual event. Nelson said about 100 people attended the Concert in the Park with Bruce Smith Band. They did some cover songs as well as originals. The band had not been able to play for over a year. The concert was free for everyone to attend. “It was a low-key evening,” Nelson said. Nelson hopes more people will get involved in the sandcastle contest. The contest has been a constant tradition since 1964. This is Nelson’s 12th year as chair. She has seen the contest through stormy weather, rain, record-breaking crowds at the 50th anniversary and a pandemic. Sponsors this year include title sponsor Coaster Construction and sponsors Columbia Bank, Jeffrey Hull Gallery, and The Waves. To participate in the Virtual Sandcastle Contest, purchase a $25 Sandcastle Kit at the Chamber Visitor Information Center, located at 207 North Spruce St. in Cannon Beach, or online. The kit includes registration details, a small sandcastle poster, swag and candy. Visit the chamber’s website for more information on how to enter the contest at https://www.cannonbeach.org/events-and-festivals/sandcastle-contest/ You can also buy limited edition posters and other merchandise on the chamber’s website and at the Chamber Information Center. Send comments to: headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
City officials working on 20 year transportation system plan Kathleen Stinson
T
For The Gazette
he city of Cannon Beach is in the process of writing a Transportation System Plan that will guide improvements for all modes of getting around the city from biking and pedestrian to driving and parking. This is a long range plan for the next 20 years that sets priorities. Community Development Director Jeff Adams said this will be the first Transportation System Plan for Cannon Beach and it is the last jurisdiction in the county to have one. The study is partially funded by an Oregon Transportation and Growth Management grant, Adams said. “We are at the early stage – looking at the existing conditions and shaping the goals of the project,” he said. The city is holding a series of open houses and collecting comments through an online survey. To find the survey, go to cannonbeachtsp.com and section ‘4.Feedback’ to Take the Survey! The city hired Parametrix, a consulting firm based in Portland, to develop a presentation and answer questions at a webinar and open house held on June 3. Members of the Project Advisory Committee first met with the planners. Committee member Gail Hendrickson from Clatsop County asked who is using the parking spaces in town. The consultants said the inventory of current parking conditions does not provide that detailed information. Owen Ronchelli of Rick Williams Consulting based in Portland said they can only assume if the cars are parked for a longer time that they belong to people who work in downtown. Lisa Phipps of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development said she was interested in multimodal transportation options and accessibility for wheelchairs. Eddie Montejo, a transportation
planner with Parametrix, said Cannon Beach has “strong local policies to preserve the village aesthetic.” Ronchelli said the city needs to strike a balance in its plan between the needs of the residents and visitors. The consultants presented a diagram of the percentage of congestion in downtown and midtown at various locations and times. Cannon Beach lacks a dedicated bike system or bike plan, Montejo said. Adams said one main concern the public has is that the graveled streets “present problems” for the elderly getting around. Rick Hudson, city emergency manager, said he is concerned about access for emergency responders on the streets and keeping tsunami evacuation routes clear. City Police Chief Jason Schemerhorn said he is concerned that traffic backs up onto Highway 101. At the webinar, Kathy Kleczek, Clatsop County transportation options specialist, said she is interested in making the town safe for pedestrians and thinks a bike network is a great idea. Cannon Beach resident Patricia Durkin said: “There’s nothing in Cannon Beach that isn’t touched by this. I’ve lived in Cannon Beach for 38 years.” “The parking issues are ridiculous,” Durkin said. “You can watch the same cars go around the block for 45 minutes.” If Cannon Beach becomes “just a second home community, it is going to be really awful,” she said. Cannon Beach resident Les Sinclair said the “lines of traffic” are a problem as well as people continuously circling the blocks. “I’d love to see the village character maintained, but the reality is this is a great place and people want to come
Fireworks illegal in Cannon Beach
Stiff fines and added enforcement planned for the day
D
on’t even think about shooting off any fireworks in the City of Cannon Beach over the July 4th holiday. In July of 2020 Cannon Beach City Council decided, based on the public concerns for fire danger as well as animals and sea birds, to ban all fireworks in the city limits of Cannon Beach. Firework fines can be up to $5,000. This year, there will be added law enforcement to enforce the new ordinance and the Cannon Beach Police Department will be working closely with Cannon Beach Fire Department, Oregon State Parks, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure everyone has a safe and peaceful Independence Day. here,” Sinclair said. “There’s got to be a way to handle the day trippers and for us to enjoy ourselves as well.” “Deb, Cannon Beach resident, said that she felt it is getting too crowded,” as stated in the meeting minutes. “Brought up parking passes at Trillium Lake in the Mt. Hood Forest and recommended that we do something like that. The pass allows only limited access, with people being turned away when parking is full.” “Jan Seibert Wahrmund, Cannon Beach resident, asked that the village character, ecological concerns, and dark skies ordinance be honored,” as stated in the minutes. Robin Risley, Cannon Beach resident, “agreed with dark skies concerns. Had concerns about a bike lane on Hemlock because there is not room. She was also concerned about paid parking for the beach, which belongs to the people in Oregon.” In September, the city plans another open house and meetings, Adams said. The results of the survey will be posted on the project website at cannonbeachtsp.com. The survey has been extended to give everyone an opportunity to respond.