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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022
Brookings, Oregon
Brookings council 'reconsiders' decision on Howard City attorney urges council to discuss matters behind closed doors regarding the employment status City Manager Janell Howard. Howard has been on paid administrative leave since early July after being charged with theft from Fred Meyer. The motions up for reconsideration involved one that authorized the city attorney to initiate a conversation with City Manager
BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
Brookings city councilor Michelle Morosky made a surprise announcement at the start of the council meeting on Monday that she wanted to add an agenda item, to "reconsider" her position on two decisions made the previous week
Janelle Howard about a separation agreement. The other motion, which failed in a 3-2 vote last week, was made by Mayor Ron Hedenskog. His motion was to take the City Manager Janell Howard out of her current position and make her a new administrative/ grants position at the highest pay level authorized by the city.
Celebrating homecoming at BHHS
Morosky appeared to be the “swing” vote on Monday Oct. 17. She voted yes with councilors Brad Alcorn and John McKinney, forming a majority vote to initiate a separation agreement with Howard. But her call to “reconsider” Howard’s “separation” was quickly supported by Mayor Ron Hedenskog.
Please see DECISION Page A9
Governor candidate Betsy Johnson touts loyalty to Oregonians BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The Pilot
Courtesy Photo
Brookings-Harbor High School students showed their school spirit while celebrating homecoming week on Oct. 17 through 22. Students had a different "spirit day" theme for each day of the week including PJ day, senior citizen day, monochrome day and Blue and Gold Day. On Friday, students held an in-school pep rally and community noise parade, followed by their homecoming football game with a half-time homecoming court coronation. The week-long celebration was wrapped up on Saturday with a homecoming dance in the Brookings-Harbor High School Cafeteria.
He stepped in to explain he had found an ordinance that allowed a council member who voted with the majority to revisit the ordinance at the same or following meeting. Mayor Hedenskog and Councilmembers Michelle Morosky and Ed Shreiber voted to place the motions back on the agenda, while
Betsy Johnson travelled the state to meet with Oregonians where they live and work during her All of Oregon Tour, stopping in 10 cities in 48 hours along the way. Johnson made a visit to Gold Beach on Tuesday, Oct. 25 during that tour for a meet and greet at First Chapter Coffee. Johnson said she has visited every county in Oregon during her campaign. “We are doing this the hard way. We are running unaffiliated,” Johnson told the crowd during her campaign stop on the South Coast. While Johnson recognizes the challenges that come with running as an unaffiliated candidate, she said it is also her strength. Johnson touts herself as an independent leader loyal only to the people of Oregon. She believes only the people – not a broken political system – can rescue the state. Johnson served in the Oregon House and Senate for more than 20 years, retiring as Chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee last year to run for governor. Prior to that, Johnson graduated from law school, owned an aviation business that flew helicopters, and managed the Aeronautics Division of the State Department of Transportation. “I loved being in the legislature and
taking care of constituents, but in December I decided if I was serious about running for Governor I couldn’t take care of my district the way I always have and I needed to resign. So I have been running flat out since January,” she said. The unaffiliated governor candidate has a history with both sides of the political spectrum. “I started out as an R and the Rs got a little too kooky on some stuff for me. So I left the Rs and went to the Ds and a Republican friend of mine in the Senate used to call me a ‘BFD’ and I gasped until he told me it stood for business-friendly democrat,” Johnson said. “That’s how I represented my district. I was pro-choice, pro-cop, pro-business, pro-accountability and voted very consistently with the district to improve the economy,” Johnson said. The majority of Betsy Johnson’s campaign stop on Oct. 25 consisted of a question and answer period by rural Oregonians. Johnson fielded questions ranging from how to get grants and funding, to education, gun rights and global nuclear threats. “I’m very supportive of a lot of choice in education. I think our education system is letting our kids down badly. All you have to see is
Please see JOHNSON Page A3
Election 2022 - Port Orford City Council
Ann Vileisis What made you interested in running for this position? I love Port Orford! I’ve attended city council meetings for several years in relation to specific issues and was asked to fill a vacant seat. I’ve always appreciated the volunteers who serve as council members, and I think I have knowledge and skills to contribute to the city council team — so I decided it was time for me to step up to the plate and volunteer with local government. What makes you stand out as a candidate? I've lived in Port Orford for 20
Brett Webb What made you interested in running for this position? I am a glutton for punishment I suppose? I was asked by multiple sitting council members/mayor to run. I didn't want to. I still don't want to. But, my experience in local government and willingness to roll in the mud for a better deal, that with some historical perspective is exactly what P.O. needs, they said. So, I told them, only if you collect the required signatures ... and here I am. I'm here at what I consider an important time in Port Orford. Things need to be done right, and debates need to be had. Finding fault with a
Craig Rosenaur What made you interested in running for this position? I became interested in serving on the city council because I am engaged in the community and passionate about the city of Port Orford. My two children attend Driftwood Elementary school, and I am involved in the community as a volunteer firefighter, a small business owner, and a commercial fisherman. I have many ideas to help Port Orford grow and prosper, and for locals to continue to enjoy a healthy quality of life.
Please see WEBB Page A2
Please see ROSENAUR Page A2
Please see VILEISIS Page A2
INDEX
What makes you stand out as a candidate?
Lorin Kessler What made you interested in running for this position? I moved to Port Orford in August 2018 and began the adventure of building a house in town. My family is in love with this little town on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a West Coast version of Key West, Florida, where I grew up, another unique community where the ocean and the people are the magic. What makes you stand out as a candidate? What skills and expertise would you bring to this position? I obtained my substitute teaching license, continuing my past Please see KESSLER Page A2
Perri Rask What made you interested in running for this position? I have always wanted to run, but simply didn't have time, being self-employed. Now that I am semi-retired, I can. I believe that our town is at a crossroads because of all of the new folks moving in and the fact we seem to have been "discovered." I want to be a part of managing our growth in a way that serves the needs of our citizens as well as supporting new projects. What makes you stand out as a candidate? I have lived in this community for 18 years. I've served on planPlease see RASK Page A2
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