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Brajcich re-elected, seeking solutions to city’s challenges

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Most folks around town refer to Bob Brajcich as Mayor Bob.

“I try to listen and treat every body with respect, that is the main thing,” Brajcich said following his re-election victory in the Nov. 8 General Election. “I try to work well with the City Council and the city staff.”

Brajcich first became Clatskanie mayor in 2017 and he said he has a list of priorities for his next term in office.

Highway safety

Safety along Highway 30 that cuts through Clatskanie is a key issue in the city, Brajcich said. The city continues to work with the Oregon Department of Transporta tion (ODOT) to improve safety and reduce the fast traffic along the highway.

“We’d like to see the speed reduced and ODOT has a traffic calming program,” he said. “They did a project along Highway 101 in Gearhart to ease traffic speed there, so we are looking at that as a pos sible option.”

The speed along Highway 30 in Clatskanie is 30 miles an hour (mph). While Brajcich and other city officials aren’t seeking to lower the speed, they are looking for ways to get drivers to follow the 30-mph speed.

We just want people to go 30,” he said. “I understand, especially when you come down the highway at 65 miles an hour, that vehicles just continue at that speed. We get heavy traffic all the time with people on their way to the coast. So, people have to be educated. I am working

because drivers need to aware of their driving habits. It’s a problem everywhere.”

As drivers enter from the south along Highway 30, a flashing warn ing sign displays vehicles speed to remind drivers to slow to the 30-mile-an-hour posted speed. But Brajcich said more has to be done to slow the traffic into and out of the more congested area of the city.

NEXT facility

Another top priority for Brajcich is the proposed $2 billion NEXT renewable fuels project.

“It will bring jobs and economic development to Clatskanie,” he said. “There is still a lot to do with that project.”

The proposed fuel facility

General Election results in Columbia County

and we counted 9,400 ballots Tuesday,” Clack said. “I think there was a push to vote, but overall, it went fairly well.”

Clack estimated voter turnout to be approximately 65%.

The following are unofficial key local race unofficial results, which are scheduled to be certi fied in early December. For the full printout, visit https://results. oregonvotes.gov.

Sheriff’s Race

federal permitting process. Follow that development at thechiefnews. com and in the Friday print editions of The Chief.

Affordable housing and RVs

Brajcich is also concerned about affording housing in Clatskanie.

“Housing development seems to be a crisis in Oregon and on the West Coast,” he said. “But in Clats kanie, there is available land for housing. It is limited because this is a small valley.”

Brajcich said the City Council has passed an ordinance to lower lot size, which he said makes it more affordable for developers to build.

Brajcich said completing the city’s efforts to better regulate transient and abandoned recreational

ity.

In December, the City Council is scheduled to conduct the second reading of an ordinance to deal with the RV issue.

“We want to be ahead of this is sue,” Brajcich said.

The proposed ordinance was developed after a recent special City Council work session.

“It was a very productive work session with a lot of ideas,” Bra jcich said. “Enforcement is always a consideration and that limited our ideas, but overall, we will not allow overnight RV parking on our streets. We have two RV parks, so there are places for them to park.”

The ordinance also would pro hibit RVs parked on private property in which someone is living in the RV. It also would limit parking the

RVs in front of the owner’s property to seven calendar days.

“We already have parking ordinances that prohibit storing a motor home or a boat on the street,” he said.

Economic development

One of the most expensive and key economic development projects in Clatskanie is a building a multimillion-dollar sewer treatment plant to replace the city’s current aging facility.

“We are still working on the new sewer plant,” Brajcich said. “The cost could double so we are looking for more money. It is very expen sive, but in the long run, It will save the city taxpayers a lot of money.”

Brajcich said another key eco nomic development project is the redevelopment of the former Humps Restaurant building on Highway 30. He said the new owners of the build ing are still working on the project to make the facility a multiple pur pose business center with retail.

“They told me when they get done, I won’t recognize it,” Brajcich said. “I do see a lot of activity there and that is a positive sign. I just want the lights on and activity, that’s important. They want to get several different shops in there. They are moving forward. It is important to Clatskanie because it is right in the center of town. Having no activity there is not a good sign, so having business activity there is going to be good.”

The Chief asked Brajcich why he likes being mayor of Clatskanie.

“I like serving the community,” he said. “I am very accessible. I am around town all the time, that’s how I function. All the council members want to make Clatskanie a place that you want to live.”

Creative

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Columbia County’s General Election Nov. 8 drew a surge of last-minute voting, according to Columbia County Elections Supervisor Don Clack.

“We had a very late turnout

Brian Pixley 12,186 Terry E. Massey Jr 8,679

Commissioners Race Position 2

Kellie Jo Smith 11,508 Kelly R. Niles 6,108

City of Clatskanie Mayor

Bob Brajcich 466 Jean Sampson 256

City of St. Helens Mayor Rick Scholl 3,720

Stephen R. Topaz 990

City of St. Helens City Council

Mark Gundersen 2,169

Michael Zienty 295

Brandon Sundeen 2,298

Jesse Lagers 567

Steve Toschi 1,643

City of Scappoose Mayor

Joe Backus 1,755 Brandon Lesowske 1,088

City of Clatskanie Prohibits

Psilocybin-Related Businesses Within Clatskanie for Two Years Yes 459 No 286

Local students pay tribute to veterans

Veterans Day, held each year on November 11, celebrates the service of all military veterans.

Students at Piercing Arrow Pri vate School in Clatskanie, under the direction of principal Lori Sherman, set out again this year to honor the veterans.

The students placed small flags around Clatskanie, each holding the name of a service member, both living and deceased. Gold boots are also displayed at the Clatskanie Vet erans Memorial wall in honor of the veterans killed in war since 9/11.

Sherman sees the importance of honoring the veterans for several reasons, primarily to honor those still living.

“It is a tradition I started to honor our living veterans, such as my father, Harold J. Bowles, and my husband, Steven C. Sherman. Many people honor their loved ones after they have gone. I prefer to also honor the living so they can see how much they are appreciated,” Sherman said. “The students have seen how the community has sup ported this effort and it causes them to want to be a part of something

year surpassing 2,000. They repre sent all veterans from the state of Oregon.”

Iolaus Krozer is a senior at Piercing Arrow, having attended the school since the age of four.

“Placing the flags is something I love doing,” Krozer said. “It honors the veterans, which is the least I can do since they have fought and are fighting for all of our freedoms.”

Piercing Arrow student Lillian Krozer said she is so proud to honor the veterans in this way.

“Doing these flags each year is a time I can honor the men and wom en who proudly sacrificed for our freedom,” she said. “I’m so proud to be part of a school that honors the past as well as the present.”

Jasper Watson, a seventh grader at the school, says it is important to honor our veterans.

“I am excited to be part of something bigger than myself in a community that honors our coun try’s heroes,” Watson said. “I really like to work with my classmates and teachers on such a really worth while project.”

For one official day, the country

those who died in our country’s service and was originally called Armistice Day. November 11 was the date at the armistice was signed ending World War I, according to Military.com.

History.com states that it be came Veterans Day in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War. The observation of Veterans Day was originally set on the fourth Monday in October. But confusion ensued and the holiday we now celebrate is the original date – No vember 11.

Proud Vietnam veteran Gerry Simmons, commander of the Clats kanie post of the American Legion, thinks the lesson the flags and the boots teach is invaluable.

“A lot of history is not being taught in school,” he said. “The kids that help out with projects such as this are at an advantage. They are learning the history so many other students are not getting.”

is located at 175 N Nehalem Street in Clatskanie. The school may be reached at 503-728-3783.

Chief photo

Bob Brajcich takes the oath of office in 2017 as the new Mayor of Clatskanie. He will be sworn in for his next term in January.

Metro

Connection

Courtesy from Laurey White

Students from Piercing Arrow Private School have placed this display at Clatskanie City Park to honor veterans.

Piercing Arrow Private School

LAUREY WHITE

Chief Guest Article

Courtesy photo from Lori Sherman

The Piercing Arrow Private School students assemble at the Veterans Memorial at Copes Park for a photo.

$48.4M to help low-income pay heating costs

Oregon will receive $48.4 million in funding to help low-income families and individuals pay for home heating costs this winter and cover unpaid utility bills.

The funding will be delivered through the LowIncome Home Energy As sistance program (LIHEAP), and includes support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and extra funding passed by Congress to address rising energy costs in 2023.

In addition to cover ing home heating costs and unpaid utility bills, the funds awarded to Oregon will help families make cost-effective home energy repairs to lower their heating and cooling bills.

“Keeping homes warm in the winter is essential to the well-being of Oregonians,” Oregon U.S. Congresswom an Suzanne Bonamici said. “Many prices have increased and so has financial pressure for many families and indi viduals. I am grateful that Oregon will receive extra funding to help low-income households cover energy

costs. No one should have to choose between paying their utility bill and other necessi ties like food or rent.”

“It is unconscionable that families should be forced to ration their essential utilities, especially during seasons of extreme heat or cold,” Oregon U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio said. “This funding, made possible in part by my bipartisan In frastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will help Oregon families mitigate rising costs and ensure their homes and families are protected this winter.”

“Low-income energy and heating assistance funding is vital for thousands of Orego nians,” Oregon U.S. Con gressman Earl Blumenauer said. “The Biden Adminis tration understands this. For people who are struggling with higher prices for gas and groceries, having extra help with winter heating bills this year is crucial. I appre ciate the timely delivery of these funds so that families can keep their lights on and homes warm this winter.”

“With snow already hav

ing fallen here in parts of Oregon and a cold snap in the forecast, this extra help for vulnerable Oregonians to cover home heating costs is timely and important,” Oregon U.S. Senator Ron

Wyden

households

“As

ensure everyone is able to keep their heating on this winter,” Oregon U.S. Sena tor Jeff Merkley said. “This crucial federal funding for energy and heating assis tance will help give house holds across Oregon the financial support they need to stay warm and safe in the cold months ahead.”

Individuals interested in applying for energy assis tance can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at: 1-866674-6327.

A fact sheet about 2023 LIHEAP funds for Oregon from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser vices (HHS) can be found at https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/ search-tool/.

Throughout the pan demic, Bonamici said she led her colleagues in efforts to strengthen LIHEAP to prevent debts from piling up during the public health cri sis. Bonamici also serves as Chair of the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommit tee, which has jurisdiction over LIHEAP.

Elk feeding tours at Jewell Meadows resume

STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.

Meadows Wildlife Area near Seaside is offer ing the popular winter elk feeding tours after a two-year pause.

The wildlife area pro vides supplemental feed to Roosevelt elk each winter to enhance public viewing opportunities and reduce conflicts on adjacent private lands.

Tours will be offered from December through February. Tour participants ride on a feed wagon to several sites and help feed Roosevelt elk

on the wildlife area. Tours generally start at 9 a.m. and last for approximately one hour.

The open-air wagon can accommodate up to 15 people. Participants need to be prepared for any type of weather. Warm clothing and rain gear are recommended.

Due to the popularity of this program, reservations are required. Jewell Meadows staff will begin taking reser vations on Dec. 1 at 8 a.m. To make a reservation, call the wildlife area at 503-7552264. Please be patient as there is only one phone line. Callers may experience busy signals but keep dialing until

you get through.

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area provides excellent op portunities for wildlife view ing outside of the tours. Elk can be seen from the viewing areas along Highway 202 most days during the winter months.

Best viewing times are in the mornings until about noon and again in the late afternoon and evening hours.

For more information, call Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area at (503) 755-2264 or see the Visitor Guide at https://myodfw.com/jewellmeadows-wildlife-area-visi tors-guide.

New Oregon research to ease plastic waste

STEVE LUNDEBERG Chief Guest Article

Researchers including an Oregon State University Col lege of Engineering faculty member have taken a key step toward greatly expanding the range of plastics that can be recycled.

The findings, published today in Science, are impor tant because plastic waste is a massive problem both globally and in the United States, where only about 5% of used plastic is recycled, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which led the study.

Packaging materials, containers and other discarded items are filling up landfills and littering the environment at a pace so rapid that scientists estimate by 2050 the ocean will have more plastic by weight than fish, according to NREL.

A collaboration led by NREL’s Gregg Beckham and including Lucas Ellis, an OSU researcher who was an NREL postdoctoral fellow during the project, combined chemical and biological processes in a

proof of concept to “valorize” mixed plastic waste. Valorize means to enhance the value of something.

The research builds on the use of chemical oxidation to break down a variety of plastic types, a method pioneered a decade ago by chemical indus try giant DuPont.

“We developed a technol ogy that used oxygen and catalysts to break down plastics into smaller, biologically friendly chemical building blocks,” said Ellis, an assistant professor of chemical engi neering. “From there we used a biologically engineered soil microbe capable of consuming and ‘funneling’ those building blocks into either a biopolymer or a component for advanced nylon production.”

Beckham, a senior research fellow at NREL and the head of the Bio-Optimized Tech nologies to Keep Thermo plastics out of Landfills and the Environment Consortium – known as BOTTLE – said the work provides a “potential entry point into processing plastics that cannot be recycled at all today.”

Current recycling technolo gies can only operate effec

tively if the plastic inputs are clean and separated by type, Beckham explains.

Plastics can be made from different polymers, each with its own unique chemical build ing blocks. When polymer chemistries are mixed in a collection bin, or formulated together in certain products like multilayer packaging, recycling becomes expensive and nearly impossible because the polymers often have to be separated before they can be recycled.

“Our work has resulted in a process that can convert mixed plastics to a single chemical product,” Ellis said. “In other words, it is a technology that recyclers could use without the task of sorting plastics by type.”

Researchers applied the process to a mix of three common plastics: polystyrene, used in disposable coffee cups; polyethylene terephthalate, the basis for carpets, polyester clothing and single-use bever age bottles; and high-density polyethylene, used in milk jugs and many other consumer plastics.

The oxidation process broke down the plastics into a

mixture of compounds includ ing benzoic acid, terephthalic acid and dicarboxylic acids that, in the absence of the engineered soil microbe, would require advanced and costly separations to yield pure products.

The researchers engineered the microbe, Pseudomonas putida, to biologically funnel the mixture into one of two products – polyhydroxyal kanoates, an emerging form of biodegradable bioplastics, and beta-ketoadipate, which can be used in the manufacture of performance-advantaged nylon.

Trying the process with other types of plastics in cluding polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride will be the focus of upcoming work, the researchers said.

“The chemical catalysis process we have used is just a way of accelerating a process that occurs naturally, so instead of degrading over several hundred years, you can break down these plastics in hours or minutes,” said co-author Kevin Sullivan, a postdoctoral researcher at NREL.

Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of

Energy’s Advanced Manufac turing Office and Bioenergy Technologies Office, and the work was performed as part of the BOTTLE Consortium.

Scientists from the Mas sachusetts Institute of Technol ogy, the University of Wiscon sin-Madison and Oak Ridge National Laboratory also took part in the study.

NREL is the U.S. Depart ment of Energy’s primary na

tional laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. It is operated for the department by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Steve Lundeberg is a re searcher and writer for Oregon State University Relations and Marketing. He may be reached at steve.lundeberg@oregon state.edu.

said. “I’m gratified our state has secured this assistance for Oregonians walking an economic tight rope. And I’ll keep battling to provide all the assistance that low-income Oregon

need to stay safe this winter throughout our state.”

so many Oregonians face rising costs for basic goods and tighter household budgets, it’s critical that we

Metro Creative Connection

Individuals interested in applying for energy assistance can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at: 1-866-674-6327.

Jewell

Courtesy from the ODFW

Elk feeding tour at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area.

LeRoy A. Carlson

Jan. 31, 1957 ~ Nov. 6, 2022

LeRoy A. Carlson, of Clatskanie, died peacefully at hospice on Sun., Nov. 6, 2022.

He is survived by his wife, Sandi, of 32 years; their two children, Melissa and Shane; and grandchil dren, Vanessa, Brady, and Hailey.

LeRoy was a man who didn’t have an enemy in the world. He loved music, whether he was playing it or

listening to it. He took great pride in his craft of saw fil ing for 43 years, including 32 years as head saw filer at Stimson Lumber.

He impacted so many lives with his kindness, pa tience, and fun personality. He will truly be missed by anyone that he ever met.

Please join us for his celebration of life at his home at 2 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 13, 2022.

Dorothy A. Mathews

Jan. 24, 1937 ~ Oct. 11, 2022

November 12 Honoring

Local Veterans

The Rainier Oregon His torical Museum (ROHM) will honor our local veterans. On display will be over 100 photos of local veterans, war memorabilia, and uniforms from every branch of service. There will also be snapshots of scenes from World War II and the Vietnam War and also a video playing continu ally during the day. ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W. B Street in Rainier, Oregon. Use the side entrance and take the eleva tor to the third floor.

November 12 Arts & Crafts Faire

Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 174 Sunset Boulevard in St. Helens.

December 3 and 4 Columbia City Elementary PTO Holi day Bazaar

The Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia City Elementary School, 2000 Second Street in Columbia City. Stop by for holiday décor and gifts.

December 5 Holiday Concert

Ongoing Events

Caples Evening Programs The cost for this evening and all our Fireside Chats will be only $5. Caples will be offer ing a different program the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1925 First Street in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-3975390.

Dorothy Anne Baisley was born on Jan. 24, 1937 in Astoria, Oregon, and peacefully departed this life on Oct. 11, 2022 in Salem, Oregon with her oldest daughter, Janie, by her side holding her hand.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Emma Baisley; husband Bill Mathews; sister Mary Jones; and brother Donald Baisley. She is survived by her children: Jeff Mathews and his wife, Lisa; Janie Mathews and her husband, Tom Cox; Jennifer Mathews and her husband, Billy Stacey; grand children, Jason, Jared, and Stephanie Mathews, Joshua Tidwell, Malia Baumgardner, Ryan, Joe, and Shea Adolph; and by her nieces, Amanda Jesse, Debbie Baisley, Karen Hoover, and Christie Paciocco; as well as eight great-grandchildren.

Our mom, Dorothy, was born an hour and twenty min utes before her twin brother, Donald, and jokingly referred to it as the most important hour and twenty minutes of her life. In addition to Dorothy and Donald, in 1945 Emma and Martin Baisley welcomed their daughter Mary, the baby of the fam ily. The Baisleys made their home in Taylorville, Oregon, where Dorothy attended school in Westport and later Clatskanie High School, graduating in 1954.

Queen of Junior Prom, she developed a lifelong group of friends, includ ing Julie Mathews, who introduced Dorothy to her handsome older brother, Bill. Both claimed it was love at first sight, as indeed it was a love destined to last a lifetime. Bill and Dorothy were married on Aug. 23,

Clatskanie where they wel comed their firstborn, Jeffrey, in December 1955.

After a move to the ter ritory of Hawaii for Bill’s work, the family grew to four with the birth of their daughter, Janie, in June of 1959. Bill’s work then led them to Seattle, where they added their youngest daugh ter, Jennifer, in September of 1965. While successive moves would lead them to Vancouver, Washington, Fortuna, California, Fre mont, California and Moore, Oklahoma, they frequently visited friends and family in the Pacific Northwest and eventually made Vancouver, Washington their home in their later years.

Mom was a natural homemaker who took pride in every facet of being a wife and mother, often recruiting us kids to help to clean the house. She enjoyed sew ing, cooking, decorating, and keeping a welcoming home. But her real love was entertaining. Dorothy’s par ties were epic events known for great food, music, wine, and most of all, laughter.

Holidays called for good china neatly set on a dining table extended with extra leaves and card tables at each end so everyone could join the feast and before dinner toast. Dorothy was a master card player, a strike bowler, an accomplished organist, a devoted member of the Congregational Church choir.

Sunday school teacher, Cub scout leader, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, 4 H club leader, Newcomers Club member and a valued elec tion board volunteer.

A born leader, Dorothy could walk into a new PTA

meeting and be elected presi dent, though she claimed it was only because she was tall. Later those leadership qualities were revealed in service to those she loved, her husband; parents; friends; and family. When Bill suffered a stroke in 1985, Dorothy became his primary caregiver, helping him enjoy a comfortable, productive life despite multiple seri ous health issues. When her parents could no longer live on their own, she welcomed them into her home, and when they needed skilled nursing care, she took a job at the nursing home where they lived so she could see them every day.

Her brother Don called her Saint Dorothy, and he had it right. Those years were challenging for Mom, but she always insisted it was a blessing to care for those she loved. After her parents and Bill were gone, Doro thy reconnected with an old family friend, Vince Bow man, with whom she shared several good years of friend ship and travel, making new memories while reminiscing about those they loved. When Vince’s health began to fail in 2015, Dorothy moved to Salem, Oregon to be closer to her oldest daughter, Janie. Mom was still able to travel for a few more years and spent every holiday and nearly every weekend with Janie and her dear husband, Tom, who both earned their own sainthood medals helping Mom as her health declined.

Mom was always gra cious with her frequent visitors, even as her memory faded. After she passed, nurs es came by to share tears and hugs and tell us how much they missed her. They de scribed her as classy, warm, and lovely. We heartily agree. Saying goodbye is never easy. We loved you, Momma. We’re glad you’re at peace with Dad and everyone who’s gone before you. We know how much you loved Dad, how much you loved us kids, and all your family and friends. We can’t wait to see you again at the great family table in Heaven that awaits us all. Maybe this time we can skip the Lutefisk? Love, Jeff, Janie, and Jennifer

The 48th Annual Arts & Crafts Faire from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 35350 E. Division Road off Highway 30, in St. Helens. This faire features unique handcrafted items and a bake table with cook ies, pies, breads and more.

November 12 Autumn Ba

zaar hosted by Mizpah OES

The Autumn Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Columbia County Shrine Center, 315 N. 18th Street in St. Helens.

November 12 to 13

The Caples House Museum hosts its annual Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1925 1st Street on grounds overlooking the Columbia River in Columbia City. For more information, call 503-397-5390, or email CaplesHouse@comcast.net

November 19 St. Helens

Senior Center Christmas Bazaar

The St. Helens Christmas Bazaar will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 375 S. 15th Street in St. Helens.

December 3 Sunset Park Community Church Annual Bazaar

6 p.m. Michael Allen Har rison Holiday Concert at Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 Second Street in Columbia City. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will go to Michael’s Snowman Foundation.

Tickets are $20 and will be sold at Columbia City Hall, 1840 Second Street. Food and beverages will be sold at this event.

December 10 St. Helens Band Patrons Lions Holiday Bazaar

The bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Helens High School Com mons.

December 17 Spirit of Christmas in Scappoose

The Christmas Market will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Scappoose annex gym. Santa and the Grinch will attend throughout the day.

December 17 and 18 Holiday Bazaar for Colum bia River Fire and Rescue Scholarship Fund

The Columbia River Fire & Rescue Volunteer Associa tion Holiday Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia County Fair grounds Pavilion, 58892 Saulser Road. in St. Helens.

Door prizes on Saturday and a visit from the Grinch from noon – 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Lower Columbia River Wa tershed Council Meets at 7 p.m. every other second Tuesday. Meetings are currently held elec tronically by Zoom. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Allan Whiting at E-mail: allan@whitingenv. com, or call 503-789-9240. Visit the council’s website for agenda postings and Zoom at www.lowercolumbiariver. org/events-page.

The Rainier Oregon Histori cal Museum (ROHM) is open from noon - 4 p.m. Satur day (except major holidays weekends). ROHM is located inside Rainier City Hall at 106 W B Street. For more information, call 360-7517039.

The Rainier Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

Avamere at St. Helens hosts a Virtual Dementia Support Group – 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. For more details, contact Jenny Hicks/Avamere at St. Helens at 503-366-8070.

To list an event in the Com munity Calendar, email details with a phone num ber that may be published, to chronicleclassifieds@ countrymedia.net, or call 503-397-0116.

Service, sacrifices of Korean War Veteran generation

KELLY FITZPATRICK Chief Guest Column

Each year, our nation sets aside Veterans Day to remember all the men and women who have defended our liberty through their honorable military service. American cities big and small celebrate with ceremonies across the nation to honor their service and their sacri fice.

Celebrations return in full strength

We are proud to note that even in the wake of devastat ing and destabilizing world events like the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations that honor our nation’s veterans were among the first to return to full strength. The value that we as Oregonians and Americans place on honoring and showing gratitude toward those who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms and way of life is immense.

This year, while the Or egon Department of Veterans’ Affairs continues to honor all veterans of all eras, we are paying tribute to one particu lar era of our veteran commu nity: Oregon’s Korean War veterans. Though this war it is referred to as the “Forgot ten War,” we in Oregon have never — and will never — forget the extraordinary and heroic veterans who fought for freedom in the Korean War.

This theme has a personal significance for me. My fa ther fought as a Marine dur ing the Korean War, where he earned the Purple Heart. After I was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the

Army and asked for my first tour of duty to be in South Korea, my father shared the only thing he ever said to me about his combat experiences there. He half-joked that if I ever traveled near the DMZ, I would surely see his finger nails where he desperately attempted to dig a deeper foxhole as enemy artillery rained down on his Marine unit.

Of course, my own expe rience of being stationed in the Republic of Korea was vastly different, thanks to those courageous men and women who fought during the Korean War. In fact, I en joyed my first tour in Daegu so much that several years later, I served a two-year tour in Korea. The Korean people are wonderfully gracious and kind. Whenever I was in uniform outside the military base, older Koreans who remembered the war would sometimes approach me and thank me as a representative of the American military.

By the numbers

In 1950, our nation was weary of war after years of global conflict. Yet, 1.5 mil lion Americans — including 60,000 Oregonians — left their family and friends and their homes to help defend our nation’s friends and allies halfway around the world, in a place they had never been and on behalf of a people they had never met.

Together with men and women from 20 other na tions, they joined shoulder to shoulder with the brave people of South Korea to defend their independence, to safeguard other Asian na tions, and to protect the free

dom that remains our greatest gift. All those who fought in the Korean War endured terrible hardships — deadly cold, unbearable conditions, an enemy of overwhelming numbers, the threat of brutal imprisonment and torture.

But their courage never wavered — not when they were defending the perimeter at Busan, braving the tides at Inchon, confronting the world’s fastest fighter jets in Mig Alley, enduring hand-tohand combat on Heartbreak Ridge and Pork Chop Hill, or even fighting their way back from the infamous Chosin Reservoir.

Honor flight

In September of this year, I had the privilege of speak ing at an Honor Flight of Portland, Oregon, send-off event for 24 honored veter ans — 19 of whom served in the Korean War. It was an honor to meet them, shake their hands, hear some of their stories, and wish them

Housing supply in rural Oregon gets a boost amid pandemic

ANDREA BELL AND CLAIRE HALL Chief Guest Column

More than three years ago, Oregon Housing and Com munity Services (OHCS) set out to expand the supply of quality housing in com munities across Oregon with ambitious goals introduced in our five-year Statewide Hous ing Plan.

It was the first time the state had a strategic, state wide plan for addressing the housing shortage. One of the plan’s goals was to increase housing in rural Oregon by 75%. Achieving this milestone required OHCS to center rural voices and leadership.

More than a year ahead of schedule, OHCS surpassed the goal of 2,500 homes. Rural housing leaders and OHCS created 3,612 afford able housing units in rural areas. That’s a 148% increase from the 1,454 homes funded in the prior five-year period. This is the ingenuity and creativity of rural communi ties at work.

This means that 3,612 families and individuals will get keys to quality, stable and affordable homes. The number of people who spend more than 30% of their wages toward rent is extremely high in rural areas. Some of these communities have not seen new housing supply in decades and the housing shortage was worsened by the pandemic.

In an environment where housing options are not only scarce but also declining, developing new relationships and fostering existing ones were key to boosting the

housing supply. Each new home represents the collec tive labor and commitment of Gov. Kate Brown, the Oregon Legislature, community part ners; Tribes, federal, state and local agencies; developers; local businesses; and local communities. These are some actions taken to ensure qual ity and affordable housing is available to everyone in our rural communities.

• OHCS prioritized strengthening relationships with developers statewide to build more homes in rural towns. This has been done both through setting aside resources specifically to fund projects in rural areas as well as through “scattered site” development. In scattered site development, affordable housing projects are built in an urban area and a rural area by the same developer who submits a joint application for funding.

• During outreach events, communities voiced the need for permanent supportive housing (PSH). This type of affordable housing connects people experiencing chronic homelessness with additional support services to help them stay stably housed. OHCS has funded 1,255 new permanent supportive homes, surpassing the 1,000-home goal. Two projects from rural Clatsop County were intentionally selected to participate in the 2022 Oregon Supportive Housing Institute. The PSH projects will serve and house seniors and persons living with serious and persistent mental illness and substance abuse disorder in Astoria.

• Looking forward, OHCS is planning to launch addi tional programs with a rural

focus, including the American Rescue Plan’s HOME Invest ment Partnerships Program resources to create housing for those who are experienc ing homelessness.

• In order to support rural capacity building better, OHCS has begun the rules change process to ensure that Tribes in Oregon and local government entities in rural areas can apply for and receive General Housing Account Program (GHAP) Capacity Building funds.

• OHCS extended and bolstered the 2021 NW Rural Preservation Academy contract with Enterprise Com munity Partners in response to significant staffing losses experienced by participant organizations and subsequent training and technical assis tance needs.

• In the GHAP Capacity Building program, OHCS has prioritized addressing the needs of rural communities and rural affordable rental housing developers and op erators in upcoming capacity building grants and activities.

It is urgent to keep the momentum going and con tinue to introduce innovative solutions to build quality housing in every corner of our state. The goals of the next Statewide Housing Plan will require us to dig deeper into capacity building, partner ships, and deliberate resource investment to further meet the critical need for housing the people of rural Oregon.

Andrea Bell is the direc tor of Oregon Housing and Community Services, and Claire Hall is the chair of the Oregon and Oregon Housing Stability Council.

well as they prepared to fly across the country to visit the fabulous memorials built in our nation’s capital to honor and remember their service and sacrifice. They set a standard of valor and perse verance that may be equaled but will never be surpassed in the annals of American history.

The men and women who served in the Korean War set themselves apart not only by their courage and sacrifice, but by their unity and dedi cation to one another. It was just before the Korean War, in 1948, that President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981 — abolishing discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin in the United States armed forces.

When war broke out in 1950, our country — for the first time in its history — entered the fray with a fully integrated and desegre gated military. These proud service members of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds

joined the people of 20 other nations and South Korea to fight this war.

Korean augmentees

Earlier this year, we also observe the 73rd anniver sary of the establishment of the Korean Augmentees to the US Army (KATUSA) program. It was started as a spoken agreement between President Syngman Rhee and U.S. General Douglas MacArthur. At that time, the U.S. Army needed a military force that had the proper knowledge of the geography of Korea, and the abilities to distinguish South Korean allied troops from North Korean enemy troops and communicate better between U.S. soldiers and Korean soldiers. Therefore, some men were drafted as KATU SAs, and others voluntarily applied. After training, they were assigned to U.S. mili tary units. During the Korean War, nearly 44,000 KATUSA soldiers fought for South Korea with U.S. forces. They, too, are heroes, and we honor them today.

This program continued after the Korean War, and KATUSA soldiers would spend 18-months with the U.S. Army learning an occu pation and would then return to the ROK Army to train others. The program remains active today, and is a symbol of the ongoing friendship and mutual commitment between the Republic of Korea and the U.S.

I was fortunate to have KATUSA soldiers in my or ganization during both of my tours in Korea. They were among the most dedicated soldiers I have had the honor

of serving with.

Finally, on this day, we re member and give thanks for the 40,000 Americans who paid the ultimate price in the fight for freedom and inde pendence during the Korean War. Among their number were nearly 300 Oregonians whose names are inscribed on the Oregon Korean War Memorial in Wilsonville. Similarly, we give thanks for the more than 11,000 KATUSAs who went missing or were killed in action.

Better place

The world is a better place because of these men and women. Our duty as a nation and people is to re member and honor them, and to always strive to live up to the ideals for which they served and sacrificed.

Please consider join ing me and ODVA for our Oregon Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony, which will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 — the day before Veterans Day — at Oregon Capitol Mall, directly across from the front entrance of the Capitol Building.

The event is free and open to the public. It will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at facebook. com/odvavet.

Kelly Fitzpatrick is the director of the Oregon De partment of Veterans’ Affairs and Governor Kate Brown’s policy advisor on veterans’ issues. She is a retired Army officer. Her military awards and decorations include mul tiple awards of the Meritori ous Service Medal, the South west Asia Service Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge.

Obituaries

Obituaries received after noon on Wednesday may not be in time for that Friday’s paper. Obituaries may be emailed to chief news@countrymedia.net, sent via mail, or dropped off at the office. We also accept obituaries written by funeral homes. Include the address and daytime phone number of the person who submitted the obituary, so we can verify information as necessary.

Courtesy photo

Kelly Fitzpatrick

Joe Warren Publisher

Jeremy

CC22-1696

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

Probate Department In the Matter of the Estate of LINDA JEAN ROBERTS, Deceased. No. 22PB09310

NOTICE TO INTERESTED

PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been ap pointed personal representa tive of this estate. All persons having claims against the

CC22-1698

estate are required to present their claims, with vouchers attached, within four months after the date of first publi cation of this notice to the personal representative at P. O. Box 459, Rainier, OR 97048, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain

additional information from the records of the Court, the personal representative or the attorney for the personal representative. Dated and first published November 11, 2022. William J. Roberts, Personal Representative. STEPHEN D. PETERSEN, L.L.C. Attorney at Law, P.O. Box, Rainier, OR 97048

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING

The Clatskanie Farm ers Market will host the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, December 8th, 2022. All vendors and the public are invited. It will be held at the Clatskanie Food Hub building starting at 6:00 PM. The address is 80 Art Steele St, Clatskanie, OR 97016. Agenda items will include but are not

limited to: highlights from the 2022 season including Market Statistics; updates for next year including dogs in the market; Q&A with the Board of Directors; and the election of the 2023 Clatskanie Famers Market Board of Directors. All vendors and members of the community are encouraged to attend. We appreciate

your feedback and vol unteer support as we plan another great season! Ap plications for the Board of Directors are now available on our website at clats kaniefarmersmarket.com/ staff-and-board and will be accepted through December 6th, 2022. Please email any questions to jasmine@clats kaniefarmersmarket.com.

CC22-1697

CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT MEETING NOTICE

The Clatskanie People’s Utility District Board of Directors has scheduled the next regular Board meet ing for Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm in the community room of the District’s administration building located at 495 E Columbia River Highway, Clatskanie. A Board Work shop will be held at 5:30 pm. An executive session may be called at the workshop and/ or meeting, pursuant to: ORS 192.660 (2) (h) to consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to

CC22-1699 The Board of Directors for Clatskanie School Dis trict 6J will hold a Board meeting, Monday, Novem ber 14, 2022, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom and in person at the District Office, 660

current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. AGENDA CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT BOARD WORK-SHOP Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 5:30 P.M. I. NEW DISTRICT OPERATIONS POLICY: 321 Legislative Advocacy Policy II. POLI CY REVIEW: 108 Net Me tering and 317 Oregon Ethics Law III. WESTPORT FIRE & RESCUE REQUEST IV. STAFF REPORTS UPDATE CLATSKANIE PEOPLE’S UTILITY DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEET ING Tuesday, November

15, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. I. PUBLIC COMMENTS II. CONSENT AGENDA · Minutes of Board Workshop, October 19, 2022 · Minutes of Regular Board Meeting, October 19, 2022 · Review payment of bills for October 2022 III. ACTION ITEMS · Resolution 22-05 Clats kanie PUD 2023 Budget · Resolution 22-06 Western Resource Adequacy Program Participation IV. DISCUS SION / INFORMATIONAL ITEMS · Board Comments & Calendar V. EXECUTIVE SESSION VI. ADJOURN MENT

Veterans Day

Honoring our heroes on Nov. 11

Volunteers help local veterans become citizens again

Veterans Day events:

• Veterans Day Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Clatskanie Ameri can Legion Post, 930 NE 5th St. in Clatskanie.

• St. Helens VFW Veterans Day ceremony, 10:50 a.m. at McCormick Park in St. Helens.

• Scappoose VFW Veter ans Day ceremony, 11 a.m. at Scappoose Veterans Park.

Not only government employees but also area vol unteers are devoting their time to helping veterans adjust to civilian life.

Ashley Taylor of Scap poose, chief grants officer for the Operation Red Wings Foundation, and Russ Clark, also of Scappoose and a volunteer at the Elks Veter ans Bunker, are both Army veterans and members of the Scappoose Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). They want all local veterans to know what they and other volunteers offer.

“We have a hard time recruiting veterans,” Taylor said. “We have to make time for these veterans, or they’ll go away.” Her specialty is veterans’ mental health.

Clark, founding president of the seven-year-old Elks Vet erans Bunker, helps veterans find resources and connects them with Erin Nolan, the state veterans’ service officer in St. Helens. He served 10 years as the veterans’ service officer himself. Before that he worked for the federal Depart ment of Veterans Affairs and before that for the state Veter ans Affairs Office in Portland.

Both Taylor and Clark are involved with Together with Veterans (TWV), a commit tee formed in 2021 through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which serves rural areas to fight veteran suicides. It will bring peer support training to Columbia County Dec. 5 through 8 for veterans who have received help for

at Scappoose Senior Center.

• St. Helens VFW: 7 p.m. second Friday at Elks Veter ans Bunker.

• St. Helens American Legion: 7 p.m. fourth Thurs day at Warren Moose Lodge.

• Clatskanie VFW: 8 p.m. second Monday at Clats kanie American Legion.

• Clatskanie American Legion: 7 p.m. second Mon day at Clatskanie American Legion Hall.

• Rainier VFW: 6 p.m. second Tuesday at Rainier Masonic Lodge.

• Vernonia American Le gion: 7 p.m. second Wednes day at Vernonia American Legion Hall after 6 p.m. Free dinner for veterans.

Here are veterans’ breakfasts:

• St. Helens/Scappoose: 9 a.m. first Friday.

• Clatskanie/Rainier: 10 a.m. first Thursday at Clatskanie American Legion

Caples House hosts event honoring veterans

The Caples House Museum hosts its annual Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

Three floors, a long porch, and the grounds will host enough vendors of enough of every price to fill every wish on your Holiday gift list

The day before the event, Nov. 11, is Veteran’s Day and Caples does not forget the veterans and is hosting a very special wine tasting on Nov. 12, Sunday.

The supplier is by Dauntless Wines,” a veteran owned and operated winery

whose mission is to serve the Veteran community” (https://dauntlesswine.co/ pages/our-story). Dauntless Wines was started by three Iraqi combat veterans who, after their discharge, wanted to continue serving their country by helping other veterans and the diminish ing numbers within the private farming community.

In addition, to the wine tasting on Sunday and ven dors Saturday and Sunday, there will be multiple raffle chances and terrific food in the Cottage, according to organizers.

Admission to the bazaar

is free but raffles, food, are for purchase. The Caples House Museum is located at 1925 1st Street on grounds overlooking the Columbia River in Columbia City.

“It is an honor for Caples House to be able to pro vide our community with so many vendors and kick off the Holidays with our Bazaar and a greater honor to be able to recognize our Veterans in this and every capacity,” a release from the Caples House reads.

For more information, call 503-397-5390, or email CaplesHouse@comcast.net.

Salute to Service Deposit Waiver

• Have the following documentation: Current military ID or official military orders, or DD form 213 or 214 Deposits

A deposit may be charged in the future under the following circumstances:

• Two delinquent notices are issued on your account in any 12-month period.

• A future final bill is not paid in full after receiving a deposit waiver.

To request this waiver or for more information, please call (503) 397-0590.

Metro

HERB SWETT Country Media, Inc.

Chronicle photo

The Caples House Museum is located at 1925 1st Street in Columbia City.