CANNON BEACH KICKS OFF HOLIDAYS
VOL. 45, ISSUE 24 FREE
GIVING TREE IS ALIVE
GOV. CALLS SPECIAL SESSION
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CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
December 10, 2021
Food tax vote going to recount Kathleen Stinson
A
For The Gazette
recount in the Cannon Beach prepared food tax vote took place at 9 a.m. until noon on December 8 in the Judge Guy Boyington Building in Astoria, according to a Clatsop County news release. According to county officials, the prepared food tax passed by a four-vote margin. Patrick Nofield, president of the Escape Lodging Company, which manages the Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge and Tom’s Fish & Chips in Cannon Beach, told The Gazette last week that he filed the request for the recount. Nofield said he filed the recount request “because the measure was contentious and as close as it was, I think it calls for a recount just to confirm the results.” “It just seems reasonable that with an election of 754 voters (and a result) separated by
four votes, it would be appropriate to ask for a recount,” he said. “Frankly, I feel that the integrity of the election should be questioned based on the ballot box being opened and compromised by a city official,” he said. “Why would a city official not seek direction from the county elections department or the Secretary of State’s Office prior to compromising the ballot box at Cannon Beach City Hall.” “Regardless of the outcome of the recount, I believe there should be a revote,” he said. City Manager Bruce St. Denis provided The Gazette with the following statement on Friday: “Voters had contacted the city and let city official know that they had not been able to access the ballot box at city hall but had managed to get their ballots into the box by sliding them into a crack in the access door. This action would not result in their ballot being deposited correctly in the box. Because there was a threat of significant rain over the
next few days it was decided to open the box and place those ballots in the proper internal
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Lamplighter
Cannon Beach businesses feel the labor shortage crunch
Workforce housing number one cause to problem Kathleen Stinson
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The annual Lamp Lighting Ceremony is back this year as the official start to the holiday season in Cannon Beach. Rainy cold weather did not dampen the festivities that included the singing of Bill Steidel’s Christmas song, Christmas carols performed by the Cannon Beach Academy and the Seaside High School Choir and of course the annual lighting of the lamp at Sandpiper Square. See more photos inside. Photo by Joe Warren
Ring in the holidays in Cannon Beach C
Staff
annon Beach’s exceptional specialty shops, boutiques, churches and galleries are a top attraction in the charming beach town where you will find no shopping malls or chain stores in sight, making it a great spot to slow down and enjoy the hunt for those perfect holiday gifts. Add some evergreen garlands, twinkling lights and red ribbon and you will begin to see just how much holiday magic can unfold in our beautiful little village by the sea. There is never a shortage of holiday spirit in Cannon Beach and the season’s lineup is large with festive events, music, bright lights, plays and even Santa. Cannon Beach is truly a unique place to enjoy the holidays. Current – Dec. 18 – Coaster Theatre Playhouse presents the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” This production is a radio-
style play written, workshopped and performed by the theatre community. Get tickets for one of the performances slated for Fridays, Saturdays, and one Sunday matinee. Buy tickets online at https://bit. ly/3aG843D or by calling 503-4361242. Current – Dec. 20 – Cannon Beach in Lights. View the beautiful lights and Christmas displays decorating the town The community enjoys Christmas Carols performed by the Cannon and vote for your fa- Beach Academy Saturday at Sandpiper Square. Photo by Joe Warren vorite at the chamber That Tune’ Window Contest in through Dec. 20. Awards will be or on the website. Cannon Beach. Visit participating announced on Dec. 21 on FaceVoting opens through Dec. 20. locations and submit completed book. Awarded will be announced on playing cards for a chance to win Facebook Dec. 21. a holiday gift basket. Voting opens Current – Dec. 20 – ‘Name n See RING, Page 2
For The Gazette
labor shortage in retail and restaurants in Cannon Beach is a big issue, locals say. Jim Paino, executive director of the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, said the labor shortage is not just in Cannon Beach, it is all along the coast of Oregon and in rural areas. “I think a lot of the businesses are looking at having to change their model so they can work with less staff.” Paino said. “During the summer, some of the restaurants had to stay closed for two days a week because they couldn’t find the staff.” “I know of one business that had to close for a week in August because their staff was burned out,” he said. “Taking that time off during the busy season is certainly not typical.” “I can say with certainty that the wage scale in our community has gone up,” he said. This shortage of employees is caused by many different factors, he said. “Workforce housing is an issue.” Cannon Beach resident Faye Sweet said there is a “huge labor shortage in Cannon Beach.” Sweet said the shortage is due to the expensive housing market and the fact that “there is nowhere to rent.” The properties are all vacation rentals and Airbnbs. “I have two friends who have to move out of their rentals,” she said. “They may have to move even out of the state to find something they can afford. They are vital people to the workforce in Cannon Beach. They do a lot.” Generally speaking the minimum wage in Cannon Beach is “higher than some places, but it’s not nearly enough for rent or anything.” In the winter, it can flood between Seaside and Cannon Beach – “that’s a huge issue,” she said. People could lose a day of work if they commuted. A number of retail businesses and restaurants are having to limit their open hours due to a lack of enough employees, she said. The passage of the food tax will exacerbate the situation. She talked to two women from Washington State who said the reason they come to Cannon Beach to eat is there was no food tax. If the tax passed, they said they will go to Seaside to eat. Erin Olson, manager of Dena’s Shop on the Corner in Cannon Beach said the labor shortage is due to the lack of affordable housing. “A lot of them are tired of not having a livable wage,” Olson said. “They are not going to work as hard as they do and still not be able to cover their bills.” Emma Lindsay, former owner of Dogs Allowed in Cannon Beach said: “Even before the pandemic, it was difficult finding reliable employees.” A lot of it has to do with the cost of housing in Cannon Beach.