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Board and District Election coverage, pages 1-4 Tillamook County Wellness
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Prep Sports
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Headlight Herald
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
VOL. 133, NO. 16 • $1.50
Tillamook’s Chief Wright retires after long career T
Joe Warren jwarren@countrymedia.net
erry Wright, Tillamook’s Chief of Police since 1998 retired earlier this month after over 40 years in law enforcement. Wright came to Tillamook as the chief in 1998. Lutenient Erica Bomar will act as interim chief according to Wright and will be able to apply for the position when the posting is up. Chief Wright began his career with a Pebble Beach Company in California working security for the Pebble Beach Pro Am golf tournament, a gig he’s kept over the years and will continue through retirement. He then went to work for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in California. He was hired by the Tillamook Police Department in January of 1998. Chief Wright has been instrumen-
tal in ensuring the Tillamook Police Department has the best equipment and technology. He has built relationships throughout the years benefiting employees, community members and visitors. Wright had a keen interest in serving children through a variety of youth programs like his Cadet Program and Shop with a Cop. “The Tillamook County Sheriff’s office wishes to thank retiring Tillamook Police Chief for his 23 years of service to the people of Tillamook, and for his support for all of the local public safety agencies,” reads a statement from Tillamook County Sheriff Josh Brown. “It’s difficult to fully relate the level of gratitude we have for someone who has committed so much of his life to public service. We sincerely thank Terry for all he has done and wish him nothing but happiness in this next chapter of his life”
Chief Wright at Shop with a Cop helps a little girl pick out some Christmas Presents. Wright loved to support youth and youth programs throughout his career. File Photo
Accomplishments Chief Wright has had many accomplishments through his long career. He is a member of the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police where in 2009 he earned a Special Service Award, for chairing the auction committee for many years and for serving on the Board of Directors for many yards. Through his capacity with the OACP, he was a driving force behind the Law Enforcement Torch Run/Oregon Special Olympics. He earned the Max Patterson Award in recognition of his efforts and dedication to an extremely successful and popular Police Cadet Program in Tillamook. Wright was cited in 2003, 2006 and 2015 with the Presidents Award for his service to the OACP. He also was recognized as Deputy of the month, twice, Deputy of the Year, Monterey County Employee of the Year, received a Red Cross Lifesaving award for an infant, Outstanding Youth Public Safety Officer. He’s served on the state board for the Special Olympics, Marie Mills board, a member of Kiwanis, Make a Wish program, 20 years a volunteer assistant director for communications for SCRAMP, a nonprofit that ran the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey. served on the Oregon Medical Examiner Advisory board, the Tillmaook County Emergency Communications 911 board, the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, Terry responded and assisted with several Oregon law enforcement funerals. Tillamook Cadet Program “I started this program when I came to Tillamook,” Wright said. “It is fashioned after programs I had in Myrtle Point and before that, Monterey County.” The Cadet program is a unique
EXCLUSIVE
ORIGINAL
Adventist Health Tillamook President, Eric Swanson, recognizes Tillamook Chief of Police Terry Wright last week for his years of service to the community. Photo provided Boy Scout Program in that most law enforcement programs start at age 14. “Our program takes youth ages 8 to 20,” he said. “We usually have about 35-40 youth in the program.” The program provides life experience and education through law enforcement related topics and training. The cadets participate in regular training and participate in community support functions, like
SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION COVERAGE
Port of Tillamook Commissioner Pos. 3
Christian Sween 51 years old Occupation: Soil Scientist for the Bureau of Land Management
Kevin Stoecker 62 years old
Education: B.S. Forest Management minor: soil science Family: Engaged Why are you running for Port of Tillamook Commissioner, position 3? I have been serving as POTB Commissioner #3 since appointed in May of 2020. I very much enjoy the role, and feel strongly that POTB is a unique asset to the Tillamook community. I fully endorse the POTB mission statement of contributing to the economic health of Tillamook County. What experience/skills do you have that makes you the best candidate? I feel that I am thoughtful and
present, and I care very much about the success of Tillamook County and its residents. I believe that the events over the last year will create a demographic shift nationwide, and communities like Tillamook will see some significant growth over the next decade. I believe the POTB is well situated to assist the community in facilitating that growth. What is the port’s biggest challenge and how will you overcome it? The biggest challenge facing the POTB is the blimp hangar. It is obviously a very large and unique structure with historical value, but it is in need of repairs, and those do not come cheap with a building of that size.
Occupation: Retired. Parks Maintenance Supervisor City of Portland Parks and Recreation. Education: Benson Polytechnic High. Honors class of 76. Studied at Portland State University. Numerous certificates related to work with City of Portland. Family: Married 38 years. One special daughter. Why are you running for Port of Tillamook Commissioner, position 3? To keep an old mind sharp and help guide the Port of Tillamook as we move forward in 21st century. What experience/skills do you have that makes you the best candidate? Governmental budgeting, conflict resolution, visionary, practical, people person. Chair budget advisory, experience on advisory committee. Member-
ships with NAMI and ARC. Experiences on boards: Board member Portland Amateur Baseball Association 1984-1991. Board member Portland Youth Soccer Association 1984-1991. Board member on numerous neighborhood associations, these include Smile, Mt. Tabor neighborhood association, lurelhurst neighborhood association and numerous more. Currently chair person for Tillamook County Solid Waste Advisory Board. Served 7 years on Tillamook County Parks Advisory Committee. What is the port’s biggest challenge and how will you overcome it? Stable funding source. Lightwave technology, air museum renovation. I will use my skills as a visionary and mediator, working with groups to solve problems with practical solutions.
Vaccines continue, Johnson & Johnson paused Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer
T
illamook County’s ‘Warning Week’ data from Oregon Health
Authority (OHA) indicates the county had 67 cases from March 28 to April 10 and a test positivity rate of 7.8 percent. “There are new disease metrics,” Tillamook County Community Health Centers Administrator Marlene Putman announced during a Tillamook County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday, April 14. “Normally, that would put us in ‘Extreme Risk’, with the new disease metrics we are in ‘High Risk’.” The county is projected to remain in ‘High Risk’, effective Friday, April 23,
through Thursday, May 6. The statewide metrics counties must meet to move to ‘Extreme Risk’ include COVID-19 patients occupying at least 300 hospital beds statewide and a 15 percent increase in the seven-day average over the past week. These metrics were not met. Final data and risk level changes will be made Tuesday, April 20. “As of April 13, 9,530 people have received at least one dose of COVID-19
n See VACCINE, Page 6
parking at events. “I’m proud to say two of your youth have received recognition from the Commission on Children and Families and several of our cadets have moved on to college,” Wright said. “The Cadent’s hours are tracked and in some years have
n See WRIGHT, Page 6
One new death in Tillamook County, 17 positive COVID-19 cases last week T
Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer
illamook County Health Department reports 67 cases of COVID-19 from Sunday, March 28, through Saturday, April 10. Tillamook County is projected to remain in ‘High Risk’ for the next movement period beginning Friday, April 23. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Ed Colson reported during a community update Friday, April 16, that from Sunday, April 4, through Thursday, April 15, there were 44 cases of COVID-19 in the county. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will use data from April 16 and 17 and will make a determination Tuesday, April 20. OHA reported Wednesday, April 14, of the third COVID-19 related death of a Tillamook County resident. The 66-year-old woman tested positive March 17 and died April 13 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. She had no underlying health conditions. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” Colson said. “This shows us that the risk posed by the virus is real.” Colson said there were 19 new COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, with 17 positive and two presumptive. There are 35 individuals being monitored and one person is hospitalized outside of the area. Adventist Health Tillamook President Eric Swanson said there are 195 COVID-19 hospitalizations across Oregon. In Region 1 – which includes Tillamook, Clatsop, Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington counties – there are 61 adult ICU beds available. Hospitalizations were down five on Friday, April 16, from the previous day, Thursday, April 15. “733 primary first doses and 917 booster doses have been done this week,” Colson said. “As of April 15, 9,893 people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.” At this time, 37 percent of Tillamook County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 22 percent are considered fully vaccinated. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is on pause, while six cases are being reviewed of a rare and severe blood clot in individuals who received the vaccine. The vaccine will not be offered at vaccine clinics and the Moderna vaccine will be used in its place. On Monday, April 19, all those 16 and older will be eligible for a vaccine. The health department and vaccine partners are working to make the Pfizer vaccine available in the county, as it is the only vaccine authorized for those under 18. Staff remains available to answer questions or help those with limited Internet access sign up for a vaccine appointment. Call the vaccine line at 503-842-3914. To make an appointment for a COVID-19 test, call 503842-3900. Sign up for a vaccine at https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus/vaccines/