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VOL. 47, ISSUE 12

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JUNE 9, 2023

CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM

American Legion Benefit Event for Family of Rafael Nolazco Luna Jr. Cannon Beach last March. Cannon Beach residents showed up in large numbers to show their support for the family. Along with dinner, there was a raffle, a silent auction and donation jars. The excellent food was provided by the Stephanie Inn, The Surfsand, and The Wayfayer Restaurant, with beer donated by Public Coast Brewing.

By DEB ATIYEH

A

benefit event for the family of twelve year-old Rafael Nolazco Luna Jr. was held at the American Legion on Saturday, June 3rd. Rafael tragically died in a car accident along Highway 101 in

The event was organized by residents Nancy Teagle and Sarah Bunce, and Cannon Beach businesses were very generous with donations of merchandise for the silent auction and raffle. Donation jars were filled with love and abundance. Many volunteers helped out, with the bartender, Tamara, donating half of her tips to the family. It was a grand event and a very successful fundraiser, as the community of Cannon Beach expressed their love and wrapped their arms of support around the family of Rafael Nolazco Luna Jr. during their time of grief.

Council nears decision on financing for projects WILL CHAPPELL For the Gazette

C

The Stephanie Inn: A Fusion of Art, Flavor & Coastal Heritage

By DEB ATIYEH

S

ince 1993 Stephanie Inn has been a notable oasis in one of the most treasured towns on the Oregon Coast. This year they celebrate a transformative milestone and continue on their path of creating remarkable experiences for their guests and the community they hold dear with their holistic approach of Restorative Hospitality. To understand their purpose, we must start at the beginning. “30 years ago, I stood in front of the Stephanie Inn with my parents, Steve and Jan Martin, who had worked tirelessly

for 4 years to build the ultimate beach house”, said Stephanie Snyder, co-owner of the Stephanie Inn. “It’s a place where guests could reconnect with people they love, surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty and extraordinary gift of the Oregon Coast. My mom and dad had built this dream place, infused with all the warmth and love they’d shown me my entire life. So you can imagine the deep emotion and gratitude I’m feeling, along with husband Ryan and our whole team, as we open our doors to a newly renovated Stephanie Inn.” All of the rooms have been

remodeled, and include several features that set the mood for a romantic rendezvous with a loved one, a restorative space for a solo adventure, or a comfortable and inviting home to celebrate with close friends. The ocean and fresh air tends to carry one’s worries away, and there is something about the sound of the waves in the comfort of a cozy bed that makes one sleep so deeply. Their cozy library room is warm and beguiling with a view that is one of the best in Cannon Beach. The surrounding windows show Haystack Rock clearly visible looking to the north, and one

can watch the waves while they mesmerize you into serenity. The library is a place where you want to stay all day, reading or visiting with those you love. A place to revive your soul; watching the sunset while drinking a northwest wine of your choice.

It is evident that every detail at the Stephanie Inn is personal to the team. After months of reinventing touches, experiences and tastes, the outcome is remarkably different, yet intimately familiar. You still feel enveloped by the same warmth and SEE STEPHANIE INN PAGE A6

annon Beach City Manager Bruce St. Denis shared potential financing options for three major city projects with city councilors at a special meeting on May 30.

Councilors signaled that they plan to raise the transient lodging tax in the city to pay for the $11.7 million Cannon Beach Elementary School Rejuvenation project and to ask residents to approve a property tax increase to pay for a portion the $25 million city hall and police station projects.

St. Denis began the meeting by discussing potential funding sources for the projects, which included increasing either the city’s transient lodging tax (TLT), property tax or both or diverting funding from other city funds.

The $11.7 million elementary school project will require around $750,000 in annual debt service payments, according to St. Denis.

The city has already dedicated $250,000 towards that service, and there is a further $231,000 available from the county’s transient lodging tax, while the city’s tourism and arts commission has agreed to contribute $100,000 from their budget.

That leaves the project needing another $170,000 annually to service debt, with the most expedient option for raising those funds being an increase in the city’s TLT. Currently, the city’s TLT rate sits at 8.5% for the city and 10.5% total, making it among the lowest on the north coast.

St. Denis said that a 1.5% increase to the city’s TLT would generate just over a million dollars, with the 70% dedicated to tourism projects contributing over $720,000.

That would cover the debt service needs of the project and leave a more than $550,000 surplus for the new facility’s operations and other parks projects in the city. An increase of 2% would increase that surplus to almost $800,000.

An increase in the TLT would also help to finance the city hall and police station project, with 30% of funds being available for non-tourism activities in the city.

Dividing the police station and city hall duties between the Tolovana Cache Site south of town and the Gower Street location of the current city hall, respectively, has a projected budget of around $25 million. That will require $1,555,000 in SEE COUNCIL PAGE A4

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June 9, 2023

CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM | CANNON BEACH GAZETTE

Memorial Day Veteran’s Event

By DEB ATIYEH

T

he annual Memorial Day “Veteran’s Bridge Ceremony” was held on Monday, May 29th on the bridge over Ecola Creek at the north end of Cannon Beach. Post 168 and the Sons of America Legion and Auxiliary, military veterans, Brigadier General James Thayer’s son, Jim Thayer Jr., along with a large number of Cannon Beach residents and visitors attended the ceremony on the bridge.

AT THE LIBRARY Volunteers Needed, Summer Reading & Loving Chickens

By PHYLLIS BERNT Library Board President

I

t’s hard to believe, but the library’s annual Fourth of July Book Sale is right around the corner; the four-day sale starts Saturday, July 1, and ends Tuesday, July 4. Sale hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and

Monday, with the infamous five-dollar bag sale on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (bags provided).

A Cannon Beach tradition, the book sale includes DVDs, audiobooks and thousands of books of all topics, genres and prices. The sale is only

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possible because of the many volunteers who sign up to be cashiers or baggers or to move and organize books or to help with the myriad tasks that are needed to make the sale a success.

For many residents and visitors, volunteering for the Fourth of July Book Sale is an annual opportunity to see old friends, meet new people and contribute to a community event. Volunteers are definitely needed, and can sign up by calling the library office at 503-436-1391, sending an email to info@cannonbeachlibrary.org or signing up online through the library website (www.cannonbeachlibrary. org).

A reminder to all residents and visitors, from babies to young adults, that the library is offering a Summer Reading Program including fun events, story times and prizes.

The theme of the program is “Find Your Voice,” and participants will be encouraged to find their voices through music, art and reading. The kick-off event for the program is Saturday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will make and decorate musical instruments with the help of local artist Miss Karen.

Each reading program participant will receive a summer reading bag and free book. Participants can sign up at any time from June 17 to August 19, either in person at the library or online through the library website.

The members of the Cannon Beach Reads book club will meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, to discuss a book with an intriguing title: “Wildmen, Wobblies, and Whistle Punks: Stewart Holbrook’s Lowbrow Northwest.”

This will be a hybrid meeting; participants can come to the library or Zoom in to the discussion.

Holbrook was a journalist, historian and social critic who wrote “non-stuffed shirt” history. Instead of the typical stories of heroic settlers and successful political figures, Holbrook wrote about loggers, scoundrels, workers and visionaries.

“Wildmen, Wobblies, and Whistle Punks” is a collection of two dozen of Holbrook’s best stories about forgotten

crimes, scandals, scoundrels and colorful characters.

Joe Bernt will lead the discussion, which will start at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21. The Zoom link for the meeting is available by emailing Joe Bernt at berntj@ ohio.edu. Coffee and cookies will be provided at the library.

New members, whether inperson or online, are always welcome.

Holbrook’s book isn’t the only one with an intriguing title. A recent addition to the library collection is “Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them,” by Tove Danovich; a book whose title and topic seem to beg for a closer look.

It’s easy to dismiss Danovich’s book as dealing with a frivolous and unimportant modern phenomenon, but the book is surprisingly compelling, with its heart-warming glimpses of Danovich’s interactions with her own chickens, descriptions of the ugly reality of the poultry industry, entertaining nuggets of the history of chickens in the UK and the US and portraits of people who love and work with chickens.

Danovich, a cultural journalist, first encountered backyard chickens while living in New York City, and immediately knew she wanted her own backyard brood. Unlike many urban dwellers, Danovich, whose family had farming roots, felt comfortable around farm animals and understood the realities of farming, but she wasn’t prepared for the deep bonds and affection she would develop for her hens.

Seeking a more appropriate environment for chickens, Danovich and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon, a hotspot for backyard chickens.

Danovich describes in charming detail her preparations to get her home ready, her anticipation after ordering her chicks and her joy at going to the post office to pick up her first three chicks, who peeped noisily all the way home, except when Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” played on the car radio.

The book is more than an endearing memoir of a woman and her birds. Danovich doesn’t pull any punches

The Cannon Beach Police Department assisted by closing the bridge to traffic during the ceremony. Official remarks were made in honor of veterans, “taps” flowed from a trumpet during a moving and emotional moment of silence, followed by participants dropping fresh flowers from the bridge into Ecola Creek in memory of their loved ones and in honor of all fallen veterans who have died in service to their country.

when she discusses the often brutal methods used by the poultry industry to maximize production. Especially difficult to read is her description of battery chickens, who spend their whole lives confined to small cages, constantly producing eggs, which will be hatched by incubators po instead of the hens who laid Be Sc them.

Danovich is also saddened cha by the plight of roosters, who, dep because municipal codes tend ho to limit backyard chickens to me hens, have become “poultry as non grata.” As a result, hatch- for eries when filling orders for job backyard chickens routinely Ch destroy thousands of rooster dec wi chicks. cre The book also provides entertaining vignettes about Be the history of chickens; for inc po example the “Hen Fever” that developed when Queen the Victoria received seven exotic De of chickens, built an opulent wi chicken coop for them and triggered a “poultry bubble” acc tot with people paying outrageous amounts for chickens, Jul only to lose their shirts when (73 tot the bubble burst.

An especially compelling ov aspect of the book are Danov- Sc the ich’s perceptive interviews with owners of show chickens son who show their prize chick- mo ens in Ohio every November, De po therapists who use therapy chickens in their practice and members of 4-H clubs who ho try develop life skills through offi their poultry projects. op As Danovich explains, there is a unique aspect to the wi relationship between chickens the and humans. People who have Wi pet chickens are making pets offi of an animal that is the biggestalo food source in the world. Eachoffi year 65 billion chickens are ho offi killed for food. the With their fixed beaks, chickens can’t communicate shi with facial expressions; nor ing are they snuggly like dogs and tiv cats. Yet for people of all ages, including celebrities who buy po app them leashes and diapers, on men who invest time and money in their show chickens, oth elderly Brits in care homes Af and people like Danovich who tak offi have Zen-like experiences while interacting with their ind hens, chickens are a source of in joy. “Under the Henfluence” po fit explains why.

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June 9, 2023

CANNON BEACH GAZETTE | CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM

3

Detective Lieutenant Wilbur’s office

Locker room

Kitchen

Converted jail cell for storage

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Chief Schermerhorn Discusses Challenges Facing Cannon Beach Police Department T

department employees suffer from allergies and respiratory problems due to the poor air quality. The station lacks adequate office space, a kitchen or a table large enough for meals, department briefings or laying out paperwork. The lone refrigerator is packed with biological evidence awaiting the crime lab or a criminal trial. The small locker room can be a challenge for the eleven female and male department employees. The evidence storage room is stacked with boxes from a single homicide requiring records to be kept for 99 years, the interview room shares the same space with vital records which are kept for 10 years, and property is stored in an outside garage. A single bathroom faucet supplies water for drinking, microwaving and washing dishes.

Schermerhorn envisions a new police station of around 4,500-5,000 square-feet, and recently inspected new police stations of a similar size in Kalama, Sandy and Gladstone. The new station will very likely end up being built on the city-owned South Wind property, out of the tsunami inundation zone on the

east side of Highway 101 in Tolovana, with Schermerhorn adding that they are waiting on an updated geotech survey of the property, along with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) requirements for highway access to the property. A portion of the funding for the new police station will come from revenue generated from the 5% Prepared Food Tax; passed by a slim margin of Cannon Beach voters in November 2021.

Schermerhorn said that while “our Budget Committee and City Council have been very generous in giving us the things we need to do our job”, he would like to have more funding available for training. Cannon Beach police officers are required to complete a minimum of 84 hours of training every three years, along with 24 hours of practice on the firing range located in Seaside. Detective work, leadership classes and other law enforcement tech-

Nora

This delightful girl loves play time with her foster brother. Her foster mom says, “She met our dog and the two of them became instant friends. Although he’s much younger than Nora, he is also about half her size and tires before she does; Nora is respectful of that.” Nora is a bit shy with humans at first, but she’s a gentle soul and very loving and affectionate as soon as she feels comfortable with you. This nine year old lab also loves walks and will be a great addition to any family as long as cats are not part of the household. http://clatsopcounty.animalshelternet.com/adoption_animal_details. cfm?AnimalUID=148479 Pet meet and greets are by appointment, so if you’d like to meet Nora, call the shelter at 503-861-7387 or stop by the lobby to set up a time.

The shelter is open 9:30 to 4:00 Tuesday through Saturday, closed 12:30 to 1:30 for lunch. You can also fill out an application at the shelter’s Adopting a Pet page: https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/animalcontrol/page/Adoptingpet.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the fillable application and email it to ac@ClatsopCounty.gov or drop it by the shelter.

on Beach

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niques such as “use of force” require additional training.

In response to a question about Cannon Beach officers spending time enforcing traffic laws on Highway 101, Schermerhorn said that “I hope people would appreciate that the officers enforcing traffic issues are out on the highway because of the multiple fatalities we’ve had.

Traffic enforcement is part of law enforcement and helps to reduce accidents.” When asked if heavy traffic affects safety on days when Cannon Beach is packed with visitors, Schermerhorn responded “absolutely, and unfortunately in such a small town there are not a lot of areas to put the traffic and drivers grow impatient, careless and distracted. This rarely ends well, and people get hurt.”

Asked about the types of calls Cannon Beach officers respond to, Schermerhorn said that it runs the gamut from traffic complaints and code enforcement, to

Father’s Day is June 18

disturbances and domestic violence situations, with an increasing number of calls related to mental health.

“Even though Cannon Beach is a small town, we get our fair share of crimes, drugs and alcohol-related incidents.” Schermerhorn added that “we are very thankful for our community members who are the extra eyes and ears out there. Often people think they are bothering us when they report something and that just is not the case. A lot of crime can be prevented by thoughtful citizens reporting suspicious activity. I am very happy and proud of our department and it’s employees. They truly want what is best for the community, and even on tough days or weeks they hold together and look out for each other.”

Cannon Beach Police Chief Jason Schermerhorn can be contacted at: schermerhorn@ci.cannonbeach.or.us

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he Cannon Beach Gazette had the opportunity to talk with Cannon Beach Police Chief Jason Schermerhorn about the challenges facing our police department. Chief Schermerhorn began his law enforcement career in 1997; working as a police officer in Seaside for 15 years before taking the job of Cannon Beach Police Chief in 2012. Over the past decade, Schermerhorn has witnessed the steady increase in visitors to Cannon Beach, with a corresponding increase in the number of police responses. In 2022, the Cannon Beach Police Department logged a total of 5,099 police contacts, with visitors to our town accounting for 81% of that total. The busiest month was July (749) followed by June (735) and August (686) for a total of 2,170 police contacts over the summer months.

Schermerhorn explained that there’s no longer a “slow season”; with the slowest winter months of February and December logging about 280 police contacts each month.

Two of Chief Schermerhorn’s main concerns are trying to fill the vacant police officer position that’s been open for a year, and dealing with the poor conditions of the current police station.

With one of the department’s officers on medical leave, along with the current vacant officer position, Schermerhorn has been covering three officer shifts per week, with the police lieutenant covering shift vacancies as well; leaving less time for administrative duties.

The open police officer position attracted only three applicants last year, with one withdrawing and the other two not being chosen.

After being hired, it typically takes about a year for a new officer to be able to work independently. The challenge in filling the vacant officer position is finding the right fit for a small department like Cannon Beach, with the lack

of available housing in the area adding to the challenge.

Of the eleven members of the police department, only one officer and one administrative assistant live in Cannon Beach. The police chief, one lieutenant, six officers, two administrative assistants, and one code enforcement officer make up the Cannon Beach Police Department, with the seasonal addition of six parking information aides who work from late May through early September. These half-dozen bicycle-mounted parking information aides are responsible for things such as parking enforcement, pets locked in hot cars, monitoring the skateboard park, providing information to visitors and dealing with “found property” such as cell phones and wallets.

Chief Schermerhorn described the poor conditions of the existing 1,500 squarefoot police station. Older than many Cannon Beach residents, the current building is cramped, lacks natural light, and suffers from poor ventilation and black mold; with the occasional dead animal in the walls creating a stench lasting for weeks.

Even with air purifiers,

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By BOB ATIYEH

www.brucescandy.com • 503-436-2641

4 June 9, 2023

CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM | CANNON BEACH GAZETTE

Cannon Beach Resident Finds Creative Solution for Fire District Housing

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A

fter reading about the critical housing needs of the Cannon Beach Fire District, resident Susi Eckholt had an idea. She rents a home in mid-town Cannon Beach about a block from the Fire Station, and the upstairs part of the home had been vacant for the past four months. She contacted Fire District Chief Marc Reckmann about her idea before calling the owners about her proposal. After

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Today’s Oregon bears scant resemblance to the state that produced the likes of Tom McCall and Oswald West. Even without the Wallowa County recount, over half of our 36 counties have endorsed, in one way or another, “Greater Idaho”. Once again, Senate Republicans have walked out, paralyzing the legislature. Both phenomena could be blamed on rural Oregon Republicans, but from my experience, many folks on the North Coast also sense the real source of the problem.

Simply stated, we are badly governed because Oregon is entirely run by one city – a city that can’t run itself.

In recent decades, the growth of the Portland metropolitan area – fueled by the in-migration of people who know little about this vast, diverse state and its political traditions – has resulted in a power monopoly in which

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hen I moved to Cannon Beach, five years ago, it wasn’t just for the beauty of our North Coast. I was also drawn

by Oregon’s reputation for bipartisanship and public-

housing affecting the Fire District and Police Department, along with almost every business in Cannon Beach.

Eckholt said that she has experienced noise and parking problems over the past year from a near-by house being rented for employee housing, due to a lack of accountability and enforcement by the employer. She suggested that if local employers want residents to offer housing for their employees, they need to do a better job of

making sure their employees are being respectful of their neighbors. Eckholt believes that the two Fire District employees will be good upstairs neighbors, adding that Fire District and Police Department personnel deserve to have a place to live in the community they serve. “They do so much for our community, and their services are so important, that they need our support.”

A Very Oregon Reform

owned and operated by Mike and Celine MCewan

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putting the two parties in touch, the Fire District is expected to sign a lease and will move two of their firefighters into the upstairs of the home beginning July 1st.

These two full-time firefighters will have a place to live when not working their shifts at the fire station; and by living a short distance from the station, they can respond rapidly if needed.

This is an example of a resident coming up with a creative solution to help with the chronic lack of affordable

spirited, innovative government – the qualities which made possible legislation like the Oregon Beach Bill.

In 2018 – when I decided to move – that sort of political culture seemed like a dream.

Well, as Rick Blaine said to Captain Renault, “I was

one party, based in one city, gives the law to everyone.

Yet the dominance of Portland is not – strictly speaking – a matter of numbers.

It’s about leverage. Portland Democrats make up perhaps 30% of Oregon voters.

But in statewide primaries, Portland voters choose the Democratic nominees, and those nominees invariably win in November. In both legislative houses, Portland Democrats dominate their party’s caucuses – thus choosing the presiding officers and committee chairs who control legislation.

The result? A majority of Oregonians – including Democrats from outside the Portland metro area – are disenfranchised. The resulting sense of impotence and voicelessness has become a problem which needs fixing.

But is this possible?

I think it is.

Around the world, many democracies elect their legislative bodies using parallel voting – a system I first encountered in 1980, while visiting West Germany.

Germany’s system has since evolved, but what I witnessed then had an elegant simplicity which I’ll attempt briefly to explain. (Serious wonks can research the details on Wikipedia.)

In parallel voting, half of a legislative body’s members are elected from singlemember districts – a process familiar to all Americans.

The novel feature in parallel voting is that the remaining legislators are

elected from regions, using proportional representation.

In each region, parties gain representation according to the percentage of votes they receive. All major parties are virtually assured of gaining some representation, as opposed to being shut out – the predictable result when legislators are elected from single-member, often gerrymandered, districts. Even minor parties have a shot at gaining a seat.

For purposes of illustration, imagine that Oregon’s House of Representatives was elected by parallel voting. Oregon would be divided into 30 single-member districts, with one Representative elected from each district – the familiar way.

But the remaining 30 Representatives would be chosen from three equally populous regions. Let’s say one region contained Portland and its inner suburbs; the second region, the East and South; and the third region, most of the Coast, plus Eugene, Salem, and Portland’s western suburbs.

Each region would elect ten members, so parties – major and minor – would nominate slates of up to ten candidates.

At election time, each voter would be entitled to cast not one, but two votes for state Representative. One vote would be cast for an individual candidate running to represent a district. Let’s call that Column A. The other vote – in Column B – would be for a party slate. In

awarding regional seats, each slate would receive one seat for each 10% of the vote it received in that region. Leftover seats would go to the slates with the highest “remainder” vote. (Hard to explain briefly. Common sense in practice.)

The advantages of parallel voting?

For one thing, every region of the state would – almost certainly – elect at least a few members from the second-largest party in that region. Portland would elect two or three Republicans. The East and South would be represented by at least two Democrats. Which, if you think of it, means that nearly every voter in Oregon would be represented by someone he or she voted for.

A second advantage: In the House, both major party caucuses would include representatives from all regions of the state – creating an incentive for both parties to pay attention to regions they now ignore.

A final bonus: With only 10% of the vote needed to win a regional seat, third parties – and even some individuals – would begin to show up in Salem, breaking the two-party duopoly.

Now, this is, admittedly, a lot to absorb at one reading.

Change is never easy. But Oregon – a state once nationally respected for political innovation – might find, in parallel voting, a way back to its finest traditions.

cussions on the financing options, with support for a TLT increase crystallizing rapidly, as all councilors supported fully funding the elementary school project.

Opinions differed on the size of the increase however, with Councilor Gary Hayes favoring a 1% increase, noting that he was not in favor of having more than half a million dollars in unallocated funding.

Other councilors said that the funding would guarantee that the new elementary schools’ operational budget was covered and pave the way for needed parks projects in the city and pushed for a larger bump.

All agreed that they would

like to see a property tax increase included in the funding package for the city hall and police station project.

Hayes noted that Cannon Beach’s property tax rates are among the lowest of communities in the area and said that he wanted see community members step up to help with a project for which they have voiced support.

St. Denis said that this would complicate matters somewhat, as the uncertainty of passage of a tax increase would make completing a funding plan tricky. However, after some discussion, St. Denis said that the project had the funds on hand to operate through November and that if the council approved

two plans, one for the event of the tax increase’s passing and the other its failure, there would not be a risk of wasting money on a failed project.

The council generally agreed to that course of action, saying that they would review and approve funding packages including a combination of TLT increases, potential tax increases and some redistribution of city revenues at a June 13 meeting. They also signaled that at that meeting they would give formal approval to the planned separation of the new city hall and police station at Gower Street and the Tolovana Cache Site, respectivley.

COUNCIL CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 annual debt service, of which $900,000 has already been provided by the prepared food tax approved by voters in the city, leaving $655,000 to be funded. St. Denis said that a 1.5% TLT increase would generate $310,000 that could be used for that purpose, while a 2% increase would yield $410,000.

In either case, a remainder would be left, requiring the use of a different funding source to complete the financing package. St. Denis discussed two different ways of doing this: a property tax increase or reallocation of other city money.

A property tax increase

would require approval by voters with a November vote.

To generate the necessary funding to cover the shortfall left by a 1.5% TLT increase, property taxes would need to be raised at a rate of 15 cents per $1000 of assessed value for 30 years, a $75 annual increase for a $500,000 home, while covering the entire $655,000 in debt service would necessitate a 58.4 cent per thousand property tax increase per $1000 in assessed value for 30 years, a $292 increase for a $500,000 annually.

The last option is reallocating funds from contributions to either city’s general

fund reserve or the city-run RV park’s reserve.

St. Denis said that the city’s general fund currently has a balance of over $3 million, with the city having deposited $500,000 to $700,000 annually in recent years. He said that between $200,000 and $400,000 of that could be rededicated to debt service for the city hall and police station and still leave the general fund reserve on good footing.

The RV Park generates $200,000-300,000 a year in funding for the general fund, a portion of which could also be used for debt service.

Councilors began their dis-

Congratulate Your Graduate

Attention Families and Friends of 2023 Graduates

LIMITED TIME OFFER Congratulate your special 2023 graduate with a personalized display ad.

This offer is available for the Tillamook Headlight Herald, North Coast Citizen and Cannon Beach Gazette.

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Cannon Beach Library Summer Reading Helps Find Your Voice!

S

ummer Reading, prizes, fun events, and story times are happening at the Cannon Beach Library this summer. From June 17th through August 19th, we’re inviting Summer Readers from babies to young adults to “Find Your Voice!” and explore how to wield the power of their voice using words, writing, art, music, and actions. The library will host a range of free activities during the 9-week program.

The program launches Saturday, June 17th with a Kick-Off Celebration and Find Your Art! Program from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. There will be refreshments, door prizes, and crafting tambourines and kazoos. Come pick up summer reading bags and a FREE BOOK. “Our program is designed to encourage a daily reading habit for kids based on their own interests, no matter how much or how little

they choose to read everyday. The idea is to build positive connections between young people, libraries, and reading,” said Jen Dixon, Office Manager. “We hope families will come see what our library has to offer.”

Readers can earn prizes for every 7 days they read by filling out a game board, while also earning tickets for the grand prize drawing. Other themed events include a music program,

author program, and bilingual (Spanish/ English) story times.

Readers can register online or at the library throughout the program, can begin to play anytime, and don’t have to live locally to participate.

The library is committed to supporting reading for all families. To learn more about the Summer Reading Program, please visit the library’s website www.cannonbeachlibrary.org or call 503-436-1391.

June 9, 2023

CANNON BEACH GAZETTE | CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

5

CLASSIFIEDS

CityEstate Pearl & s of PatBay Olson’s

AUCTION

Oyster Music Festival Bilingual Certified Peer Support/Recovery Mentor (English/Spanish)

e 16 from 2 to 5 pm , June 17 at 8 am

Auction

2023 starts

F.T. 40-Hours/week Position Tillamook Family Counseling Center is currently looking to add a bilingual peer specialist to our Prime+ program. The mission of the Prime+ program is to prevent acute life-threatening outcomes of substance use which include reducing overdose morbidity and mortality by providing harm reduction centered overdose prevention education and facilitating access to Naloxone. We also strive to reduce injection-related infections by providing harm reduction centered infection prevention education and facilitating access to safer use supplies. The Prime+ program supports linkage to care, diagnosis and treatment of substance use related conditions and substance us related infections.

10am

d, Nehalem Sat., Aug.OR 26 &97131 Sun., Aug 27

If interested contact Patty Watson 503-201-9912 Anderson er power toolsor Beverly Household Items mpressor Chop Saws, Washer and dryer, upright freezer, 503-300-9013 aw, radial arm saw, air breakfast table w/4 rolling chairs, 0 in delta bench grinder beautiful dining table w/4 extra leaves Regular $50 and 6 chairs,vendors burled wood Coffee table, tools grandfather clock, dressers, tables, ers, pliers, lots of bolt dishes,vendors books, beds, end tables, lamps Food $150

ols

mower, pull behind watt Craftsman genyobi prressure washer, en trailer, wheel barakes, shovels

H21691

Looking for Vendors

Cash & Card 5% charge for using a card

This position includes training that leads to state certification according to OAR 410-180-0305 (12) and (13).

As a certified Peer Specialist, you will be a living example and role model of recovery life. As a peer you will be a provider of the life wisdom gained through your own lived experience of recovery as well as a change agent for hope.

ood for Woodstock

d

s. er

he n d o-

he

sit e li-

ESTATE AUCTION Contents of Pat Olson’s Estate

H21629

Benefits: Dental Vision and Medical-prescription coverage. HSA and FSA plans. 9 paid holidays a year, paid sick leave and vacation time.

Vacation starts out at 8 hours a month with increases over time.

Generous retirement program: non-contributory 403(b), we put in 9% of your salary and you are vested after 6 months.

To see our complete job description and to apply go to http://tfcc.bamboohr.com/jobs. Be sure to submit an online application and upload your resume. Any questions, please visit us online at http://tfcc.org or contact us at jobs@tfcc.org.

H22138

19350 Gods Valley Rd, Nehalem OR 97131 Sat. June 17 preview 8 am, live auction starts at 10 am.

Preview Fri. June 16, 2 pm to 5 pm. NO MINIMUMS, NO RESERVES, NO BUYERS PREMIUM. Items purchased must be paid for in full on sale day. Cash or card accepted. 5% processing fee for card purchases.

See the inventory at

joelnightingaleauctioneers.com/

Licensed Practical Nurse [LPN] Part time position (24 hours weekly) w/excellent benefits.

Compensation: $29 - $39 Hourly, DOE

FREE ONLINE

www.cannonbeachgazette.com

Tillamook Family Counseling Center is a drug free workplace and equal opportunity employer.

H22117

Read the Cannon Beach Gazette

Tillamook Family Counseling Center (TFCC) seeks a Licensed Practical Nurse [Part Time 24 Hours per Week] as a health provider for its Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT). The LPN provides health care coordination, client support, and triage in home and community settings to adults presenting with severe and persistent mental illness.

If you are interested in this position, please apply online at http://tfcc.bamboohr.com/jobs. Be sure to submit an online application and upload your resume.

Any questions, please visit us online at http://tfcc.org.

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503-842-7535

Nehalem

Church Services by the Sea

Cannon Beach to Nehalem

Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church 36050 10th Street, Nehalem, OR (503) 368-5612 Pastor Celeste Deveney + Sunday service 11 a.m.

Food Pantry Open Friday, Saturday & Monday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday

ABOUT US

CANNON BEACH GAZETTE The Cannon Beach Gazette is published biweekly by Country Media, Inc. Publisher, David Thornberry Advertising Deadline: Noon Mondays week of publication Deadline for letters, press releases and other submissions: Noon Mondays week of publication, will depend on space. Email to headlighteditor@countrymedia.net

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1906 Second Street, P.O. Box 444, Tillamook OR 97141 PHONE 503-842-7535 • FAX 503-842-8842 cannonbeachgazette.com Katherine Mace Advertising Account Executive 503-842-7535 headlightads@countrymedia.net

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

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No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

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requisite identifying information will not be published.

Letters are published in the order received and may be edited for length, grammar, 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.

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

OBITUARIES Email obituaries to: classifieds@orcoastnews.com 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.

• Premium Obituary: Often used by families who wish to include multiple photos with a longer announcement, or who wish to run a thank-you. Cost varies based on the length of the announcement.

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

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June 9, 2023

CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM | CANNON BEACH GAZETTE

OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

TR Factor

Jeffrey L. Womack

June 18, 1933 ~ May 15, 2023

July 22, 1950 ~ May 22, 2023

J

T

R Factor, known also as Diane Kearney (and Diane Weigler), died peacefully in her sleep on May 15.

Born in Portland Oregon in 1933, TR was a tireless ally for anyone in need of help.

She was a teacher, political/environmental activist, personal counselor, skillful strategist, and prolific writer.

She is survived by her children: Sally, Will, and Ben,

and grandsons Nicholas and Jared. TR’s son Kevin passed away from cancer in 2020.

In acknowledgement of her own “many lean years,” TR wanted well-wishers to remember her by “taking a poor person out to dinner and maybe a movie.”

To read about her life and contribute your own memories, visit tinyurl.com/ TR-Factor

STEPHANIE INN CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1

effrey Lawrence Womack, 72, was born July 22nd, 1950 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Nedra Womack (Young) and Donald Lawrence Womack. He grew up on his family’s farm property in Idaho Falls with his brother Gregory Young Womack who preceded him in death in 2013. He attended New Sweden Elementary where his mother was a schoolteacher and his father worked in truck sales. He graduated from Skyline High School in 1968. Jeff attended Westminster in Salt Lake City, Utah with his brother and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1973. During the summers and after college he made his living as a truck driver and eventually moved to Billings, Montana where he was first married in 1982. He attended further education in Billings earning his teaching degree in mathematics from Eastern Montana University in 1985.

In 1991 he moved with his son Jeffrey ‘Scott’ Womack (b.1983), to his parents’ historic family home in Seaside, Oregon. He married Gladys Lorraine Olsen-Sroufe in

1996 and purchased a business in Cannon Beach, Oregon in 1997. He operated his Copies and Fax business until retiring in 2019. Jeff was very involved in his community and worked heavily with the Tolovana Arts Colony and Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce. He helped organize many art and literary events such as “Get Lit at the Beach” among others. He was a big fan and supporter of motorsports and participated in SCCA auto racing throughout the PNW as well as the Baja 250-1000 in Baja, Mexico. He passed away on May 22nd, 2023 with his son Scott by his side.

He is survived by his wife Gladys, stepson Matthew and daughter-in-law Leah Malvar-Sroufe and granddaughter Ilex, his son Scott, daughter-in-law Laura and grandsons Archer, Zane and Judah. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by many. A celebration of life is being planned for Summer of 2023 in Oregon.

Did you know the Cannon Beach Gazette is

FREE to read online?

Keep up on Cannon Beach news at www.cannonbeachgazette.com

hospitality you’ve always experienced. However, the look, the feel, the tastes, and the aromas, are thoughtfully updated while enhancing the sights and sounds that capture the majesty of Cannon Beach.

“We’re thrilled to commemorate the Stephanie Inn’s 30 years in business through our “Art of the Stephanie” program and other exclusive offerings throughout the property,” said Ryan Snyder, President and co-owner of the Stephanie Inn. “Our goal is to ignite a sense of inspiration in our guests, as well as excitement and pride in our community, that leads to a profound connection with the sea, the land, and our lively coastal community.” “Art of the Stephanie” is a wideranging and extensive collection of 19 original artworks created by 15 north coast and regional artists, designed to immerse guests in the magic and creativity that is quintessential to the Oregon Coast.

The collection’s commissioned artwork includes work from locals such as Michelle Valigura, Amy Carleton, along with several works from Donald Masterson, and the renowned Cannon Beach artists, Jeffrey Hull and Jim Hanen.

What sets the Stephanie Inn apart is the intention behind every touch and experience. “Every decision we make is made with our guests, our team, and our community in mind. The Stephanie Inn is our love letter to the Oregon Coast, and specifically Cannon

Beach,” Ryan said. “It’s all in the details - the details we’re thrilled for guests and the community to discover and experience first hand.

As always, we welcome the community to utilize the spa services at Spa Stephanie and enjoy the culinary experiences at the Stephanie Inn dining room.”

Committed to supporting local businesses and stewardship efforts, the Stephanie Inn draws upon its long-standing relationships with local crafts people, makers, brewers, wineries and other artisans to enhance their guests’ experiences throughout their stay.

Most of the hotel’s partners are located within 100 miles of the Inn, ensuring guests enjoy the best of the region during their visit. To add to their sustainable endeavors, they source several products served in the dining room from their sister property Public Coast Farm, a 40-acre culinary farm nestled at the base of Oregon’s Coast Range near the iconic Sunset Highway. Partner products are featured in everything from the Stephanie Inn dining room and Spa Stephanie offerings to the gift shop and in-room experiences.

As longtime locals, Ryan and Stephanie Snyder understand the impact and profundity of creating a space that is meaningful to those who cross it’s threshold.

“We look forward to welcoming you and hope you leave feeling relaxed, re-centered and renewed.” ~ Ryan and Stephanie Snyder

Real Estate Trends on the North Oregon Coast

By BOB ATIYEH

C

ountry Media recently contacted three North Coast realtors about current real estate trends on the North Oregon Coast: Pam Zielinski, Principal Broker for Berkshire Hathaway in Netarts; Michael Henderson, Principal Managing Broker for Duane Johnson Real Estate in Cannon Beach; and Tim Regan, Co-Managing Principal Broker for Windermere Realty Trust in Gearhart and Cannon Beach.

All three real estate brokers said that the current real estate market has changed significantly over the past year, and that while the total number of homes on the market remains low, it has gradually become more of a “balanced market”

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between buyers and sellers.

The relatively low number of homes for sale is keeping prices stable after three years of rapid price increases.

Pam Zielinski said that in her area, which includes Netarts, Oceanside and Tillamook County, prices are still increasing for properties listed for under $700,000, with some sellers seeing multiple offers; while adding that many parcels of vacant land have sold for high prices. Michael Henderson explained that a few areas in Cannon Beach and Arch Cape are still seeing a slight increase in prices, such as Chapman Point and the Presidential Streets, along with any oceanfront home. Tim Regan noted that in Gearhart and Cannon Beach, sales of properties listing for around

$600,000 are being affected by higher interest rates and are not seeing multiple offers, but that homes selling for over $2 million are still selling well and sometimes seeing multiple offers, which tend to be cash offers.

All three real estate brokers said that higher interest rates have not significantly affected the North Oregon Coast real estate market; with “all-cash” offers remaining very common. Michael Henderson said that in his office, about 90% of the offers are cash offers, while the remaining 10% are financed. All three brokers agreed that the low inventory of homes for sale can partly be blamed on existing homeowners reluctant to sell and give up their 2.5%-3% mortgages, with the current 30-year fixed-rate mortgage around 6.5%.

The number of real estate deals that fail to close and

go back onto the market has increased to about 1 out of every 5; partly because buyers are now expecting concessions from sellers, with sellers not willing to make concessions. Normally about 1 out of every 10 real estate transactions fail to close.

All three North Coast real estate brokers offered their unique perspective and advice from their years of experience: Pam Zielinski of Berkshire Hathaway in Netarts is predicting a good summer and said that “lots of people still want to buy homes at the coast, which many people see as a good investment”, but added that the uncertainty around any new regulations affecting short-term rentals in Tillamook County has been affecting the real estate market. Michael Henderson of Duane Johnson in Cannon Beach and Arch Cape

offered advice to potential buyers to “use a reputable mortgage lender and to make sure that the lender has their underwriting evaluate and approve your pre-authorized loan amount.” He added “that a hardworking, tenacious and experienced broker will know how to keep a deal together, but that it take experience to know when to let it go.” Tim Regan of Windermere in Gearhart and Cannon Beach explained that “during Covid, lots of people started working remotely from their beach homes and discovered that they like living here and decided not to leave”, adding that he “thinks interest rates should ease a bit later this year, and that until interest rates come down a bit, there is a limit to what people will pay.” He recalls that North Coast real estate values dropped about 40% in 2008, and that it took

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Pictures from Heart of Cartm’s Trashion Show 2023 ----- PHOTOGRAPHY BY ----Trav Williams, Broken Banjo Photography Instagram: @BrokenBanjoTrav Twitter: @BrokenBanjoTrav Facebook: BrokenBanjoPhotography

until about three years ago for values to recover to their previous levels.

According to the most recent “Market Action Report” covering real estate in Clatsop, Tillamook and Lincoln counties, the real estate “inventory in months” increased to 4.5 months in April from the previous 3.2 months in March, and almost triple from the 1.6 months a year earlier in April 2022. A real estate market is considered “balanced” between buyers and sellers with an existing inventory of 4 to 6 months. Over the past 3 years, inventory fell to a low of 1.1 months in December 2020 and again in October 2021, and remained under 2 months from September 2020 through May 2022, which indicated a very strong sellers market during that period.