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Headlight Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014
Southern Flow Corridor Project begins comments phase
Prioritized Action Plan for 101 redesign, town center in the works
By Blayne Sheaffer bsheaffer@countrymedia.net In hopes of repairing the Tillamook Bay estuary and reducing flood damage in the future, the Tillamook Southern Flow Corridor Project is being proposed, and is in the “scoping” phase with a meeting set for May 28, beginning at 6:15 p.m. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are partnering up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to propose this clean-up project. However, FEMA is required to provide documentation of the pros, cons and effects that actions may have on the community. This is called an environmental impact statement. Before putting the EIS together, FEMA is scoping for comments from the community in hopes to answer any questions or concerns in the documentation. “’Scoping’ is the first publicoriented step and allows the public to be involved with the process, including learning about the project and possible alternatives, as well as how FEMA will make a determination for the record. This scoping input comes from many sources – the applicant, contractors, other agencies, and the public. FEMA employees don’t live here in our town, so to have the chance for Tillamook residents to comment on and have input on the scope of ‘what’ should be considered in the EIS is one part of the process that the public can participate. This meeting is meant to gather comments on what should be looked at in a more in-depth analysis by FEMA. This meeting is not to come up with alternatives for the project or new projects,” said Port of Tillamook Bay General Manager, Michele Bradley. See SCOPE Page A2
INDEX
Classified Ads...................B5-10 Crossword Puzzle................... B2 Fenceposts.........................B3-4 Letters....................................A4 Obituaries..............................A6 Opinions................................A4 Sports............................ A11-12
LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY SINCE 1888
VOL. 125, NO. 22 • $1.00
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@coutnrymedia.net
File photo
Construction for the redesign of the intersection between Highway 101 and Highway 6 will begin early 2016. Community groups are currently creating a Prioritized Action Plan for all the downtown projects that work in conjunction with ODOT’s reconstruction.
On May 21, leaders and members of various local organizations and businesses met for a community workshop to discuss upcoming plans for the Tillamook town center and waterfront area in conjunction with the $27 million construction and redesign of the Highway 6 and Highway 101
intersection in Tillamook. As the first of three workshops, consultant Vickie Goodman led the discussion with the purpose of creating a Prioritized Action Plan that includes timelines and funding options for each desired construction project in downtown. Tillamook City Manager Paul Wyntergreen elaborated See HIGHWAY Page A5
Photo by Michael Waterloo
Hock, Line ’n Sinker owner Becky bridge poses with one of the many pictures that pay homage to Garibaldi in her restaurant.
Courtesy photo
Becky Smith and Diane Zink at the Tillamook Courthouse after making their marriage official. Smith and Zink were the first same-sex couple to tie the knot in Tillamook County after U.S. District Judge Michael McShane ruled that Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
Tillamook officiates first same-sex marriage By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@coutnrymedia.net After 33 years together, Rebecca “Becky” Smith and Diane Zink walked out of the Tillamook County courthouse on May 20, yellow roses in hand, legally married. Their nuptials were solidified just a day after U.S. District Judge Michael McShane ruled that Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Smith and Zink are the first samesex marriage in Tillamook County. While the new, official marriage forms had yet to arrive in Tillamook County on Tuesday, County Clerk
Tassi O’Neil was able to create a “work around” that allowed the couple to get married on the day they had planned. “The reception in that office was outstanding,” Smith said. “Here it was election day, so we felt that Tassi O’Neil went above and beyond in terms of being very supportive, making sure she had everything ready to go and all the paperwork in line.” Justice of the Peace Joel W. Stevens conducted the ceremony. “He took us back to his chambers and asked if we had written our own vows,” said Zink. “We said we hadn’t, and he said he had wrote
something. It was very nice and he had a little wet spot in his eye. He was terrific.” After the service, the newly weds posed for photos on the steps of the courthouse. “We were coming down the stairs and there was a Tillamook County bus driver parked across the street,” said Smith. “He got out of his bus and crossed the street and asked, ‘Did you tie the knot?’” “We told him that we did. He said, ‘Oh! I have to shake your hand, I’m so happy for you!’ It was so sweet, just right off the street. It was very touching.” See MARRIAGE Page A5
New owners keep focus on community at Hook, Line ‘n Sinker By Michael Waterloo mwaterloo@countrymedia.net Have you ever gone to a restaurant and loved the product so much, that you wanted to be around it every single day? For Becky and Todd Bridge, they took the desire and turned it into reality when they purchased Hook, Line ‘n Sinker in April. The idea came in December 2013, when the couple, who lived in Portland, purchased a house in Garibaldi. While remodeling the home, Todd Bridges was referred to a local eatery called Hook, Line ‘n Sinker. He was reeled in after he heard about the broasted chicken and jojo’s meal that the establishment had. “Being that we are from Iowa, we love that dish. We came in here, and it was fantastic. He tried the other foods, started talking to the owner, Patty, and she See HOOK Page A6
Farmers’ market season in Tillamook County By Chelsea Yarnell cyarnell@coutnrymedia.net Fresh cut flowers, local produce and tasty snacks draw people to the Tillamook Farmers’ Market every Saturday throughout the summer. Local vendors will line the streets of 2nd and Laurel to sell agriculture products, arts and crafts, provide services and (for those with the munchies) food from the newly added food court. “This year the market has expanded onto 2nd St. with the food court,” Market Manager Lauren Sorg said. “There will be tables and the music tent will be over there as well.” Shoppers can grab a bite to eat from the
Country BBQ, The Fish Peddler, La Mexicana, The Local Dog House and Sweet Perfections booth. In addition to the new food court, other new vendors this year include DeNoble’s Fresh Produce, Jacobsen Salk Co., Bennett Family Farm, Pitch n Plow Farms, Sweet Perfections, Bewley Creek Woodworking and The Fish Peddler. Another new addition in 2014 is the “Chef at Market” program. Beginning the second week of the market, chefs from local restaurant will give 30 minute seasonal cooking demonstrations. “It’s a great way to support local chefs, restaurants and produce producers, and con-
nect them together,” Sorg said. “People will be able to take home the recipes with them and use food found at the market. “I’d like to encourage local chefs to sign up for this if they haven’t. They’ll receive a $50 stipend to help purchase food locally.” The market is still finalizing the appearance schedule, but the Pacific Restaurant, the Schooner, Brewin’ in the Wind and Koko’s have all shown interest in the program. Local organizations, groups, and student clubs also have the opportunity to be involved with the market through the “Community Table.’ See FARMERS Page A8
File Photo
Shoppers admire the fresh produce at a Tillamook Farmers’ Market, just one of the many products to be sold at the upcoming 2014 Farmers’ Market.