north coast Volume 20, No. 26
November 26, 2015
northcoastcitizen.com
Katie Crosman volunteers to help stop human trafficking By Laura Swanson
lswanson@countrymedia.net
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David Yamamoto
Yamamoto files for Commissioner D
avid Yamamoto has announced his candidacy for the position of Tillamook County Commissioner, Position #2. This seat is currently held by Commissioner Mark Labhart, who has announced he will not run for another term. “A resident of Pacific City, I believe Tillamook County needs strong leaders who come to the table with fresh perspectives and have a willingness to work harder and smarter for every citizen of Tillamook County,” said Yamamoto. “I feel it is important to give back to the community that has offered so much to me and my wife, Terrie.” Yamamoto has worked for over 20 years in the forest products industry, 19 years as a long-term care specialist dealing with senior issues, and most recently as a real estate broker. An active community volunteer, he is also a part of the Pacific City-Woods Citizen’s Advisory Committee, NW Area Commission on Transportation, Tillamook County Health Care CAC, Territorial Sea Plan Advisory
n See, Yamamoto A3
NORTH COUNTY NEWS ONLINE
s everyone joins their families for Thanksgiving, the Crosman family will enjoy a final few days with daughter Katie as she prepares to fly half way around the world to Thailand on November 30th. Katie Crosman, a NeahKah-Nie High School graduate, during a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia in 2007, encountered posters and propaganda about human trafficking that she found puzzling. “The posters show
a man holding the hand of a small boy, and said something like ‘If you see this, report it to authorities.’ And I was like ‘What?’ No way, it’s just a bad movie. But, unfortunately, I soon learned that it’s not exaggerated and in fact, the problem with human trafficking in Southeast Asia is even worse than how it’s depicted in the movies,” Crosman explained. “That’s when I first had an idea to volunteer there, to do something about it.” Crosman will be volunteering with an organization called “Development & Education Program for Daughters & Community”, or DEPDC,
that has been doing human trafficking prevention work in the northern hills of Thailand for 25 years. DEPDC programs include a school and orphanage, as many of the victims, or potential victims, are often abandoned by their families. “It’s such a deprived area,” said Crosman. “The tribes in the hills are often approached by the traffickers and the families sell their own children for the price of the television.” The DEPDC “rescues” many potential victims to provide a safe environment, an education,
n See CROSMAN, Page A3
Katie Crosman of Nehalem prepares for her journey to Thailand to vlolunteer for a program that is working with victims of human trafficking and works to prevent it. She’ll be teaching English and yoga. Photo by Broken Banjo Photography
Three Village Affaire launches the Holiday Season By Laura Swanson
lswanson@countrymedia.net
T
he fourth annual Three Village Affaire has something for everyone this year. North County Recreation District’s Tri-Village Turkey Trot gets you ready to indulge in a wonderful meal. On Thursday, November 26 start off at the Bread & Ocean parking lot at 10 a.m. and follow a 2.4 mile course in the shape of a turkey. Bring a canned food for race entry and dress up in costume. Friday November 27th , Manzanita lights up with an old fashion holiday celebration with classic family activities. Join the Sedona Fire Band throughout town singing carols, visit Santa’s workshop at the Pine Grove Community House starting at 5 pm for kid’s crafts; at 5:30 p.m. Santa arrives on via a red fire truck, and at 6 p.m., the tree lighting commences. Continue the crafting fun at Pine Grove until 8 p.m. or stroll through Manzanita as many businesses will be staying open for your shopping enjoyment. On Saturday, November 28th, the Three Village Market takes over Pine Grove with dozens of unique, locally handcrafted vendors offering a variety of gifts and goodies. Remember to pickup your Stocking Stuffer Shop Hop Passport at participating stores, or print your passport from www.threevillageaffaire.weebly.com. Then, shop throughout Manzanita, Nehalem and Wheeler to collect your passport stamps, to enter to win fabulous prizes and gift certificates. Hotcakes for Healthcare makes your Sunday breakfast plans a breeze. Join the Rinehart Clinic for a pancake feed fundraiser at the Pine Grove Community House from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday November 29th. Enjoy a morning with
n See, Affaire Page A3
County struggles to house workforce By Chelsea Yarnell
cyarnell@countrymedia.net
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closed market. That’s how one member of the new Tillamook Housing Task Force described the housing situation in Tillamook County. Representatives from CARE, Habitat for Humanity, Pelican Pub and Brewery, Tillamook Regional Medical Center, Columbia Bank, Tillamook County Creamery Association, the Small Business Development Center, the Tillamook County Community Development Department, and several others met on Nov. 9 to begin the long process of finding solutions to the housing epidemic in Tillamook County. Spearheaded by Commissioner Bill Baertlein, the Task Force was assembled because of the success of the Transient Lodging Tax. TLT has kicked off and wants to increase tourism to the area, CARE’s Executive Director Erin Skaar said. Employers will need additional staff for additional visitors “Staff will not be here if they don’t have a place to live,” Skaar continued. Local employers including the Creamery and Tillamook Regional Medical Center find that the housing situation is a huge barrier
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Thanksgiving Day T
he Pizza Garden will serve a Thanksgiving dinner. “I’ve always wanted to invite those in the community who don’t have family here, or a place to go for Thanksgiving to come here,” said Pizza Garden owner Jeanne Wells. “So this year, we are.” Anyone who is alone or doesn’t have a place to go, or can’t afford a Thanksgiving meal, is invited to the Pizza Garden for a Thanksgiving dinner , starting at 3 p.m. with all the traditional dishes. Donations will be accepted for the meal, but not expected. The Pizza Garden is located in downtown Nehalem. “This is my way to say thank you to the community for supporting the
Pizza Garden,” said Wells.
Potluck dinner at North Fork 53 Join us for a Holiday Potluck at North Fork 53! Don’t have relatives in town? Want an all organic, locally grown Thanksgiving? Want to eat amazing food without all the work of cooking it and cleaning it up? We will be having a holiday potluck at North Fork 53 for anyone who wants to make a dish and join in! The feast begins at 3 p.m. at North Fork 53 on Thanksgiving Day! Please bring a dish made from local/ organic ingredients (as much as possible) and your own serving ware.
in recruiting because potential candidates are unable to find a place to live—affordable or anything. “It’s been a struggling need here for decades,” Senior Planner for Tillamook County Community Development Sarah Absher said. Without a Housing Authority in Tillamook County, several employers in the area are motivated to find a solution themselves. The Tillamook County Creamery Association has committed $50,000 to the Task Force’s work, with an addition $1,500 coming from Charter Communications. The Task Force also requested $1,000 from Columbia Bank. “We have folks willing to step forward at whatever level they’re able to,” Skaar said. “It’s time in Tillamook for us to rely on ourselves. It’s the stories we’ve been talking about here…we can’t wait for someone to come in here with a solution.” In the primitive stages, the Task Force is interested in an analysis of all types of housing, but three types of housing are of particular interest: 1. Low and very low income 2. Workforce and family housing 3. Young professional and professional housing
n See COUNTY, Page A3
Awe-Inspiring Tree Lighting One of the highlights of the Three Village Affaire that announces the official beginning of the holiday season -- the Tree Lighting. At the corner of 4th and Laneda Avenue in downtown Manzanita will be on Friday November 27th at 6 p.m. Santa will arrive on a shiny red fire truck escorted by members of Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue. Join the Sedona Fire Band for caroling throughout Manzanita, and Kid’s Crafts at Pine Grove Community House from 5 to 8 p.m.