Citizen North Coast
Serving North Tillamook County since 1996
August 4, 2016
northcoastcitizen.com
Happy anniversary, Jerry!
125-year tradition starts Wednesday ‘A Century of Silver’
Citizen photo by Jordan Wolfe In 1996, Jerry Taylor says he was hired as city manager to complete four or five tasks. “I’m a little slow, but at least I got it all done,” Taylor laughs. He parallels his role to that of a symphony conductor, “He can wave his stick around, but it’s the people playing the instruments.”
By Jordan Wolfe
jwolfe@countrymedia.net
uasquicentennial: a 125th anniversary, as defined by our dear friends Merriam and Webster. The Tillamook County Fair will celebrate its quasquicentennial, A Century of Silver, next week. Bust out the birthday cake. “This is a place where people come, and have been coming, for all these years; with many fairs closing, it is a testament of everyone who came before me,” said Camy VonSeggern, fair manager, as of Monday. Reflecting on the 125th anniversary, VonSeggern said tradition has played a
By Jordan Wolfe
jwolfe@countrymedia.net
W
hen Jerry Taylor was hired as Manzanita’s city manager, the Olympics were in Atlanta, Bill Clinton was president and Michael Jordan was playing professional basketball. And, today, he will celebrate his 20th anniversary with the City. “Normally, a city manager won’t stay more than five years,” Taylor said, “I always
n See, FAIR, Page A3
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ore than 9,380 of America’s best and brightest high school students traveled to the Peach State to CONNECT with top future business leaders and showcase their talents as they competed for the opportunity to win more than $179,000 in cash awards. The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference was held June 29– July 2 in Atlanta. Participants from across the United States and abroad
n See FBLA, Page A2
At the end of the year, Taylor expects to retire in some capacity. “I consider myself extremely fortunate to work with a man of his quality for 10 years,” Mayor Garry Bullard said. “He is a highly competent city planner and manager. He brings a very laid back approach to city government.” Bullard said, if he had it his way, Taylor would stay with
n See TAYLOR, Page A3
Courtesy photo/ Stevie M. Jackson SeOnna Moreland, Dylan Wacker and Nula Reid at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta. The trio placed in the top 15 in Marketing.
The Great Big Art Mash: campers with special needs let loose with art
she said. “They paint with toothbrushes, bottle caps, beads; it frees them up and frees us up.” The fifth annual camp, held from July 18 through July 22 at the Bay City Arts Center, had 16 campers from both Neah-KahNie and Tillamook school districts. Hill added the campers were joined by almost as many trained staff. Painting, however, is not the only activity on the menu at GBAM. Hill said the staff lead a multitude of artCourtesy photo/Helen Hill related projects during “They just bloom,” Helen Hill, camp director, said. “Kids with Down’s Syndrome or autism don’t get the five-day camp. An the spotlight in school. When they’re in the spotlight here, they sense it and they don’t hold back.” outside canopy featured a table full of clay; “The biggest thing is they don’t several refrigerator By Jordan Wolfe get to let loose with art,” said boxes from Roby’s were utilized jwolfe@countrymedia.net Helen Hill, director of GBAM, a by the campers to build anything day camp specifically created for from houses to a robot suit; Up to on’t expect to find a paintstudents with special needs. “They 15 kids gathered around a giant brush at the local annual paint with anything but a brush,” parachute to launch water balloons; arts camp, Great Big Art Mash.
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say ‘Twenty years is a long time in dog years.’” Taylor said he was originally hired by a council, led by Mayor Dr. James Bond, to complete a handful of tasks: Pave Laneda Avenue, establish a regional water treatment facility, build bathrooms at the beach and encourage the formation of a fire district. Fifteen years later, he completed his tasks. “I’m a little slow, but at least I got it all done,” Taylor said with a laugh.
Volume 21, No. 15
NKN High School receives top honors at FBLA National Leadership Conference M
Manzanita city manager celebrates 20 years
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miniature boats were built to float on the creek at Bay City Park; embrace their inner-thespian with music, theatre and drumming and the students also took a trip to the park to express their athleticism. “They play ‘imaginary basketball’ and don’t have to worry about making baskets,” Hill said, adding the staff that play with them cheer and encourage the campers whenever they successfully shoot an imaginary basketball into the hoop. However, before any of the day’s festivities begin, Hill said every morning the staff welcomes everyone by joining in a circle, providing campers and staff with fancy punch glasses full of water and toast to friendship. A staple of most camps has found its way to GBAM as well: food. “One of the main things that is very important to us is a sit down meal with really healthy food,” Hill said. “We eat family style and pass the food around. It’s vegan, gluten-
n See ART, Page A2
Rockaway residents create children’s book By Jordan Wolfe
jwolfe@countrymedia.net
J
oel and Roxy Thomas hope to change the world with their new children’s books. “Why Bee Angry?” is the first children’s book from Joel Thomas, outdoor school coordinator at Twin Rocks Friends Camp. He began the book nearly ten years ago while studying elementary education at George Fox University in Newberg. The book will release August 1 on Amazon and his website. And, yes, he and his wife Roxy have already started work on their next book. “The plan is to release several books a year,” Joel Thomas said. “Some will be academic in nature while others will focus on Christian and
Humanitarian values such as compassion, empathy, forgiveness, peace and love.” Character-building is an emphasis with the new books, according to Joel Thomas. At the end of the story, there are several questions to spur critical thinking and introspection either in the classroom or at home. Because the stories will not end with a “happily ever after” finale, Joel Thomas said the humorous, often unexpected endings naturally lend themselves to discussion of the themes presented. “It is super important to spur discussion,” he said. “In society, we often build conflict without resolution. It has seen a divide Citizen photo by Jordan Wolfe in countries and people groups across the planet.” The children’s books Joel and Roxy Thomas are creating do not end with “happily ever after.” Instead, the books end in humorous or unexpected ways that promote critical thinking and introspection. Their books n See BOOK, Page A3 will either have an academic theme or one that will focus on Christian and humanitarian values such as compassion, empathy, forgiveness, peace and love.