LOCAL NEWS Interviews with candidates for Tillamook County Commissioner PAGES A8-9
SPORTS Nestucca’s Brett Elder breaks 20-year-old discus record PAGE A12
Headlight Herald WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014
Cape Kiwanda climber missing
Saindon hired as Port of Garibaldi manager by Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net The Port of Garibaldi has chosen Tillamook Coast Guard Master Chief Michael Saindon to be its new general manger. “We think this is the perfect next step for the port,” said Valerie Folkema, president of the port commission. “He sees real, vital potential to build relationships in the community. He’s been around the water and has a great passion for it.” The commission reportedly will approve Saindon’s employment contract when it next meets, on May 14. As its general manager, Saindon will ensure the port keeps up to date on regulations pertaining to its operation, and will help advance the area’s economic development. “I’m excited,” Saindon said. “The Port of Garibaldi is working on a very aggressive vision plan. We hope to create it into a bigger destination, bolster fishing fleets and bring in more charters.” With 26 years in the Coast Guard, Saindon said, he has learned much about the operations of small ports and harbors, and he told the Headlight Herald it’s an environment he truly enjoys. “I’ve developed relationships with the port workers and employees over the past five years [in Garibaldi],” said Saindon. “I thought [the port manager position] was a great opportunity to continue with those.” Saindon was chosen for the position out of three finalist including finalists Andrea Riner of Portland and John Hanken of St. Helens. Saindon replaces Kevin Greenwood as general manager of the See NEW MANAGER Page A5
INDEX Classified Ads.....................B5-10 Crossword Puzzle....................A8 Fenceposts...........................B3-4 Letters......................................A4 Obituaries................................A6 Opinions..................................A4 Sports.....................................A12
LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY SINCE 1888
VOL. 125, NO. 18 • $1.00
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
by Chelsea Yarnell and Julius Jortner File photo
The Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, as well as boats from Coast Guard Station Tillamook, and helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria and North Bend, all responded to a report April 24 of a missing Portland-area man.
James Michael Alejandro, a 25-year-old Portland-area man, was reported missing late April 24 after a wave swept him from the rocks while he was trying to scale a section of a cliff using rope-climbing equipment at Cape Kiwanda near Pacific City.
The Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office said Alejandro had connected a single rope line between two large rock sections and was attempting to walk the rope line above the water, an activity commonly known as slacklining. Witnesses told sheriffs deputies that Alejandro was seen See MISSING MAN Page A5
Hedrick abruptly resigns by Melonie Ferguson For the Headlight Herald
Courtesy of Tom Williams
Looking north along Tillamook’s Main Avenue in the mid-twentieth century. This is one of hundreds of photos available on the Facebook group “Old Tillamook Times.”
‘Old Tillamook Times’ preserves town’s history by Adam Schwend aschwend@countrymedia.net
Tom Williams would seem an unlikely sort to wax eloquent about old photos of Tillamook County. Williams, a commercial real estate agent in Merced, Calif., who graduated from Nestucca High School in 1967, hasn’t lived in Tillamook County for nearly five decades. He has, however, created one of county’s fastest-growing Facebook
pages working from his home in the San Joaquin Valley. “Old Tillamook Times” is a Facebook group dedicated to historic photos, news stories and newspaper ads from times gone by. Not long ago, the Facebook group boasted a few hundred members. But because of the addition of several active members, posting has dramatically increased, with membership now exceeding 1,200. “I started a year ago with some of my friends from south [Til-
lamook] County,” said Williams. “I’ve always been a sentimental sap and it’s become a hobby of mine to get in touch with old friends and family.” Williams’s history here runs deep. His grandfather, A.T. Dolan, was a prominent early 20th century Tillamook resident and one of the builders of the Wilson River Highway, which connects Tillamook to Washington County. See OLD TILLAMOOK Page A5
Kathryn Hedrick of Pacific City abruptly resigned April 10 from her job as superintendent of the Nestucca Valley School District. With more than a year remaining on her contract, Hedrick offered no explanation for her departure nor would she discuss her resignation with the Headlight Herald, saying only, “I have no comment.” District school board members called an emergency meeting the evening of April 14, where they voted 6-1 to accept Hedrick’s resignation and place her on paid administrative leave through June 30. Diane Boisa cast the dissenting vote. “I felt strongly that [Hedrick] had done a wonderful job and that we should not accept her resignation,” said Boisa. “I thought we should work together to resolve whatever the issues were.” “On behalf of the board, as the acting chair all I can say is that we received an unsolicited letter of resignation from Kathryn,” said Nestucca Valley School Board chair Annis Leslie. “It came as a surprise. “Speaking on behalf of the board, we wish Ms. Hedrick the best in the future and thank her for her efforts and accomplishments over thepast See HEDRICK Page A3
New consignment store in Tillamook by Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@countrymedia.net On April 18, Kirsten Hunt opened Oh My Stars, a children’s and maternity consignment store, with an official ribbon-cutting. “We felt really blessed with the outcome of the grand opening,” Hunt told the Headlight Herald. “We hope to continue to strive for people to bring in their stuff to consign.” She said she was inspired to open Oh My Stars, the first store she’s owned, because of her three daughters. “I thought Tillamook needed something like this [and] I‘ve always enjoyed children’s clothing,” Hunt said. Oh My Stars sells clothing for infants and youngsters up to ‘tweens, along with maternity ware and baby accessories. Said Hunt, “It’s not a thrift store by any stretch of the imagination. It’s clean, there’s no stains or rips [on our clothes]. It’s all name-brand.” Hunt collects her merchandise on consignment from local customers. Sellers who bring clothes to the store are offered 50 percent of the selling prince
Photo Caleb Agee/Tillamook Design
Kirsten Hunt poses with family and friends during the April 18 grand opening of her consignment store, Oh My Stars. for items priced less than $24.99, and 60 percent for items sold at $25 or more. Store credit can be exchanged for consignment at 35
percent of the item’s worth. Hunt said she has designed her store to be convenient for customers by adding a children’s
play area in the rear of the store. In just a few days, said Hunt, See NEW STORE, Page A3