Speed decision reversal
Are the kids OK? Page A2
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2020
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The Chief
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VOL. 129, NO. 26
Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Election 2020: Local results, reaction proving customer service, develop more recreation access to our public lands and other areas around the county, and to be a part of the team to promote good paying jobs in the county,” he said. “I look forward to a smooth transition.”
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net MONIQUE MERRILL chronicle2@countrymedia.net
Unofficial results from the Nov. 3 election indicate a change in one county leadership position, and a second term for another. Results released at 2 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, put incumbent Margaret Magruder over 3,000 votes in the lead over challenger Brandee Dudzic for Columbia County Board of Commissioners, Position 1. Magruder, who lives in Clatskanie, had 56.2% of the vote and Dudzic had 43.08%. Magruder told The Chief she attributes her victory to voter confidence. “They feel that I am dedicated and that I am working for the good of Columbia County and they have given the go-ahead to keep on going for the next four years.” Magruder said her she is maintaining the priorities she has established as county commissioner. “I have always been working for the good of the county,” she said, “Helping to bring more jobs to the county, which means more revenue to provide services the county needs and desires.” With the apparent election of Casey Garrett beating incum-
Other results
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Unofficial results had Casey Garrett with 51.69% of the vote against incumbent commissioner Alex Tardif. Incumbent commissioner Margaret Magruder had 56.2% of the vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3. She ran against Brandee Dudzic.
bent Commissioner Alex Tardif, Magruder said she expects a smooth transition as the board welcomes Garrett in January. “I see us moving forward seamlessly,” she said. Change in the county In the race for Columbia County Commission, Position 3, things look like they will change. The unofficial results show chal-
lenger Casey Garrett with a lead of just over 1,000 votes. Garrett is the director of general services for the county and Tardif was elected in 2016. Garrett said he was waiting to see the final unofficial results but he felt confident of victory. “I don’t see how I could lose at this point, which is a good thing,” he said. “I am not taking any thing for granted, there are still votes left to count, but it is moving in the
right direction. I am feeling pretty good about it.” Garrett said he is now preparing to take office as a new county commissioner. “I have a few months to get things in order before I take office but I am going hit the ground running,” he said. Garrett said he will have three priorities as a Columbia County Commissioner. “To work on consistently im-
The Clatskanie City Council will remain unaltered with Gary Jones, Bruce Jolma and Bruce Holsey all reelected with no contest. Mayor Bob Brajcich will enter a third term. Measure 05-283 for approval of a five-year local tax to support the Rainier Cemetery Maintenance District was not approved, with 59.82% voting against it. The loss represents another blow to the district, which has unsuccessfully tried to pass a measure three times. The district employs one full time employee to maintain 12 cemeteries. Measure 05-278 to designate Columbia County a gun sanctuary limiting firearm regulation passed narrowly, with 50.78% saying yes. The ordinance will prevent certain state, federal and local firearm regulations from being enforced. Rainier City Council will sport some new and old faces. Two new members, Constance Budge and Brenda Tschida, were appointed
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In-person classes pending following new metrics MAX KIRKENDALL
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JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Despite record high reported COVID-19 cases, the State of Oregon and Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has adjusted their reopening schools metrics, which will allow some students to return back to the classroom. However, at press time, local school districts had not issued specific in-person class schedules. Clatskanie School District Superintendent Cathy Hurowitz said that her district is now taking steps to resume limited in-person classes. “Columbia County qualifies for K-3 return,” she said.” We are in the planning stages to gradually bring students back.” Rainier Interim Superintendent Joseph Hattrick said a decision is pending. “It’s difficult to determine just yet,” he said. “Although the new guidelines have been released we
Local school districts are now reviewing the new metric guidelines and when they might resume in-person instruction.
are waiting on the metrics, which are not currently available, in order to understand where we are at.” St. Helens School District Superintendent Scot Stockwell responded with a copy of a letter
he sent to district parents that outlined the key changes to the metrics and said that the district was still reviewing the new information and evaluating what it will mean for the St. Helens Schools. Scappoose School District
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Superintendent Tim Porter issued a similar letter to district parents. The new metrics The new metrics are based on the latest COVID-19 studies
and data by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), align to CDC recommendations, are in line with standards in other states like California and help Oregon meet its priority to return students to in-person instruction. “Over the course of just a few months, life has transformed,” Gov. Kate Brown said in press conference Oct. 30. “From the very first case of COVID-19 in Oregon, I have continued to use science to guide my decision making. My top priority has been and will always be the health and safety of Oregonians.” Since Oregon’s metrics were originally issued in August, more data has become available from school districts across the country. ODE worked with the Oregon Health Authority to establish when students can return to the classroom while still mitigating the risk of COVID-19 spread. “What we as a country have learned, is that essentially, it is
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Clatskanie remembers Phil White JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A memorial fund has been established for longtime Clatskanie resident Phil White who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. White was a mentor, friend, leader, and coach within the Clatskanie Community for 20plus years, according to White’s Portland General Electric (PGE)
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co-worker Brianna Yankus. “To honor him we teamed up with his family and the Clatskanie Foundation to create a fund in his name,” Yankus said. “The Phil White Memorial Fund will help support student athletes and the sports programs Phil was integral to for generations to come.” Yankus worked alongside White at the PGE Beaver Generating Facility and said White also managed a water district in the community, but his passion resided in coaching and mentoring young athletes in the City of Clatskanie. During his years in Clatskanie White coached little league, youth soccer, youth wrestling, and was the head coach of the high school wrestling team for many years. “The athletes he coached currently range in ages from six years old to well in their 30’s,” Yankus said. “Sadly, Phil will not be able to directly mentor future Clatskanie athletes but we can help them continue to learn the same valuable lessons he taught through supporting the programs he believed in.” Yankus said during the five years that she worked with White at PGE, she was touched by his devotion to others. “No mater what you were doing, if you needed help, he would stop what he was doing and teach you,” she said. “His whole
The Clatskanie Foundation has established a memorial fund in honor of Phil White.
spirit revolved around helping and teaching others. He wanted to see everybody achieve their best and succeed and it always made him feel proud when he saw others excel in whatever they were pursuing. We will miss him.” Yankus said White would always set aside time to coach. “Even with all his other responsibilities he would always take time to coach young athletics,” she said. So, through this memorial, we wanted to make sure the funds donated would go to remember that effort.” Skyler Engen, a long-time friend of White’s, also a co-worker at PGE and a parent of student’s that White coached, said he remembers White’s ability to connect
with the children he coached. “He had a way of connecting with children you rarely see,” Engen said. “He yelled at the kids, expected their best effort (mind you they were 5 and 6), but our team knew how to play the game, they all loved and respected him.” Egan said White had a way of making sure every kid scored a goal. “But never altering the game in their favor,” Egan said. “They were taught to play the game like it was supposed to be played, and by doing so, everyone was able to be successful.” Yankus said $5,900 has been collected for the memorial fund as of Nov. 4. A portion of the funds will go as scholarships to students
Photo courtesy of Brianna Yankus
pursuing a secondary education and a portion will be used to held establish a dedicated high school wrestling facility. The Phil White Memorial Fund is managed by the Clatskanie Foundation and the money will go to student athletes in the Clatskanie community. To make a donation, write a check to the Clatskanie Foundation. In the ‘for’ or memo field of the check, write in Phil White Memorial Fund. Checks can be mailed to: The Clatskanie Foundation C/O Phil White Memorial Fund PO Box 243 Clatskanie, OR 97016