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County immunization update

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FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

VOL. 130, NO. 6 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891

Burnt house to be removed, property cleared JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

Rainier city officials are taking steps to clear a fire damaged home from property along East E Street. The remains of the house at 516 East E Street, which were consumed by an electrical fire, have sparked citizens concerns about safety and claims that the burnt remains are a neighborhood nuisance. Area neighbors have citied vandalism at the property and expressed concerns that children explore what they consider to be a dangerous site. In a published interview with The Chief in May, Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen said the city could declare the property a nuisance and have the property cleared. The Rainier City Council conducted a public hearing, Monday, June 7, to review an ordinance to

deal with the damaged home. A neighbor, and former city councilor Judith Taylor, testified that the house is a dangerous nuisance that is falling down. Debris blows into nearby houses when the wind blows and the house smells bad, according to Taylor, who encouraged the council to move forward with declaring the house a nuisance. Mayor Jerry Cole read an email into the record from attorney Bob Lucas, who is representing the owner’s son, Gabriel, on this matter. The owner, Nidia Coy, settled her claim with the insurance company for the house fire and returned to her native Costa Rica. Lucas has agreed to help Gabriel apply for a conservatorship so he can obtain court approval to clean up the property. Gabriel, through Lucas, is asking the city to delay enforcement action that may be costly to the Coys and the city. Lucas suggested that the city revisit the item at its next meeting to see

what the status on the conservatorship proceeding is. Following the council session Jorgersen said the council’s proposed ordinance gives the city flexibility, which includes the option of putting a lean on the property to recover the cost of clean up. “There is a human element to all of these kind of circumstances and he (Gabriel) wants to move forward and get it done,” Jorgensen said. I told the property owner’s son I would be willing to testify at any conservatorship proceedings and/ or submit a letter on city stationery stating the city’s position about the need to abate the nuisance.” Jorgensen said a specific time frame to clear the property has not yet been determined. “That is up to all those involved,” he said. “Everyone would want to see this cleared up as quickly as possible. My hope is that it could be done within the next three to four months.”

Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief

The Rainier City Council is moving ahead to have the remains of this burnt house on E Street removed and the property cleared.

Clatskanie, Rainier get new principals JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net

how do you plan to overcome those challenges?

New principals will arrive July 1 at Clatskanie Middle/High School and Rainier Jr/Sr High School. Dr. Jeff Williamson is the new principal at Clatskanie Middle/High School following his selection by the Clatskanie School Board. In the following conversation with The Chief, Williamson shares his experience and passion as an educator.

Williamson: The biggest challenge will be just “getting” back to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic and all the past changes. This is a new year and new focus on our students. I am so excited to be opening school and starting the new year.

The Chief: Describe your style of engaging students for a positive outcome during their experience at CMHS.

Williamson: A great opening to the school year. My biggest goal is to get to know each student and how he/she feels about our school. Another goal is to get to know the community and thoughts on how we are doing. My focus is on making this wonderful school even better and take our school to the next level of success. From my visits, I can tell the community loves the school and the staff members are top notch. The students during my visits were so kind and respectful -- they seem to love the school.

Dr. Jeff Williamson: First and foremost, students are the reason we have a school. My job as principal is to set up the best learning environment for all students. My style is to engage students and hear what they are thinking, what their ideas are and how we can make the school even better. Together, focusing on success and working as a team.

The Chief: What are your main goals as the new principal?

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Dr. Jeff Williamson is the new principal at Clatskanie Middle/High School. He takes office July 1.

Michelle Tullock is the new principal at Rainier Jr/Sr High School. She takes office July 1.

The Chief: Describe your style of collaborating with teachers, school staff, administrators and the school board to reach consensus and to move projects forward.

our focus is our students and success. I believe in team work and working toward the goal of student success.

Williamson: My style is true and upfront collaboration, because

The Chief: From your insight, what do you see as the main challenges you’ll face as principal and

The Chief: What rewards do you take away from your position as an educator? Williamson: I am a product of public schools and grew up in an area very similar to Clatskanie in Ohio. My goal as an educator is to provide an example of hard work and success in education that will see the growth in the students. Education prepares us all for our future. I do my job for our students. The Chief: Why did you decide to accept the position as principal at CMHS? Williamson: When I was a child we had family and friends in the Longview area, and I loved the area. My spouse and I were relocating to Washington and thus when I saw this posting, I knew I had to apply. I am so excited to get to work with amazing staff, wonderful students and dedicated community members. ­­­­ See PRINCIPALS Page A3

Columbia County wages, income improving ERIK KNODER Chief Guest Article

Wages and income are increasing in Northwest Oregon – and by more than enough to keep up with inflation. From 2010 through 2020 the average wage – including full and part-time jobs – increased 35% in Benton County, 36% in Clatsop County, 39% in Columbia County, 41% in Lincoln County, and 44% in Tillamook County. That seems great, until we remember that inflation increased also during that time. After adjusting for inflation, real wages rose 14% in Benton County, 15% in Clatsop County, 17% in Columbia County, 19% in Lincoln County, and 21% in Tillamook County over the 10 years. Unfortunately, only Tillamook County in Northwest Oregon kept up with the state as a whole, for which inflation-

Obituaries ................. A2 Crossword ................ A3 Clatskanie Grows .... A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A5 Graduation ............... A6

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adjusted wages also increased 21%. Some of the growth in recent years probably resulted from the booming economy and tight labor market that occurred before the pandemic recession. There have also been legislated increases in the state’s minimum wage. But unfortunately much of the very recent increase in average wages is due to the loss of lower-wage jobs during the pandemic recession. The growth in inflation-adjusted wages also may be due to changes in output per worker, which has probably increased considerably over the time period. There is no data for productivity in these counties, but nationally the output per hour for nonfarm businesses’ workers increased 12% from 2010 through 2020. The tight labor market after the pandemic recession will probably spur further wage hikes, although recent increases in inflation will work to reduce any real increase for workers. Reverse Lake Wobegon Effect Average wages in all five counties are less than the statewide average wage and all the counties lost ground in comparison with the state from 2010 to 2020. Tillamook County lost the least ground compared with the state but the county’s

average wage was still $15,326 less than the statewide average in 2020. Clatsop County fell further behind the state by nearly $5,000 over the 10 years, and in 2020 had an average wage that was $17,227 below the state average. In recent years, fewer and fewer counties have had average wages that exceeded the statewide average. In 2020 only three counties, Morrow, Multnomah, and Washington, had average wages that were more than the statewide average. The two metro counties, Multnomah and Washington, have many high-tech,

executive, and finance jobs that pay well. The result is a reverse Lake Wobegon effect; 33 of Oregon’s 36 counties are below average when measuring wages. The brighter income picture Northwest Oregon typically fares better when it comes to per capita personal income. Income includes rental income, dividends, interest, and transfer payments in addition to earnings. Total income is divided by the total population to get per capita

income. These additions to earnings tend to level the playing field a bit between Oregon’s counties. Per capita personal income from 2009 through 2019 (the latest year available) grew by 40% in Benton County, 43% in Clatsop and Columbia counties, 41% in Lincoln County, and 51% in Tillamook County. After adjusting for inflation, however, these growth rates fell to 17% for Benton County, 20% for Clatsop and Columbia counties, 18% for Lincoln County, and 27% for Tillamook County. Oregon’s inflation-adjusted per capita income grew 26% over the period. Although all five of the counties had per capita incomes that were less than the statewide per capita income, all of the counties except Benton County had incomes that were closer to the statewide per capita income than their wages were to the statewide average wage. Said another way, average residents in Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties are more like the average state resident in income than in wages. Benton County is the exception when it comes to per capita income. Benton County’s per capita income was $4,466 below the statewide average in 2020, but its average wage ­­­­

Phone: 503-397-0116 Fax: 503-397-4093 chiefnews@countrymedia.net 1805 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051

ColumbiaCountyOR.Gov/Vaccine | 503-397-7247

See WAGES Page A4


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