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Eisenschmidt Pool to close for repairs

E isenschmidt Pool will be closing in February to undergo repair of two of the pool’s filter pits.

According to the pool’s website, the repairs could take up to three weeks. Pool operators have slated the closure from Feb. 20 through Mar. 11.

Finding the leaks

General Manager Anne Scholz said the pool will close in February to repair the filter pits, allowing the Scappoose and St. Helens High School swim teams to conclude their seasons with access to the pool. Scholz said she noticed leakage from the pool in December.

“They started leaking after this little freeze we had before Christmas, so I don’t know if that caused my problem,” Scholz said. “I check on the pool every single day, and because of that freeze, and because I drive a pickup that’s not really reliable in icy weather, I didn’t check on it on Christmas Eve, and then when I showed up on Christmas morning to check on it, we were a foot and a half low on the water. So, we have a huge leak.”

After discovering the leak, Scholz started isolating

systems to figure out where the leak was. Scholz brought in a Scuba instructor at the Portland Scuba Academy, David Waite, to do leakchecking. Using red food coloring in a syringe, Waite would swim around, squirt the coloring into the water, and see where the leak would suck it out.

While investigating the bottom of the pool for leaks, the diver also discovered a 35-foot crack in the pool. Using some “underwater epoxy putty” to patch the crack, Waite temporarily fixed it. Unfortunately, a more permanent fix for the damage will only be possible once management can drain the pool in September.

The upcoming repairs

The repairs in February will address two leaks in two of the pool’s three filter pits. Pools can’t be drained in the winter; fortunately, these repairs can be made without emptying the water. The repair will include replacing the piping under six feet of rock, pebbles, and sand. Scholz estimated the price of this project could reach around $80,000.

“Right at the beginning of COVID, I had to rebuild one of my filter pits, and that cost me about $33,000. And so, going double that is $66,000. But then there’s inflation from COVID, so I think we’re going to approach $80,000, but I’m not positive,” Scholz said.

Luckily, Scholz suspect-

ed something like this may happen and has budgeted with these potential repairs in mind. However, the St. Helens High School swim program is trying to organize a “swimathon” to help raise funds for the pool repairs. Details about the fundraiser were pending at press time.

What’s next for St. Helens’ swimmers

According to Scholz,

about 100 to 150 people use the Eisenschmidt Pool daily. For those looking to swim during the closure, Rainier, Astoria and Portland are the closest locations that have facilities. Scholz also emphasized that the pool may not be closed for the entire three-week estimate and that the facility will reopen “as soon as possible.”

During the routine September closure, crews will drain the pool that normally holds 230,000 gallons of

water, and address the 35foot crack.

Eisenschmidt Pool was originally built in the summer of 1939 as a life-saving measure for residents of St. Helens, after three drownings occurred in the Columbia River in the summer of 1936.

The Chronicle will update this story as new details become available. Follow the repairs and pool closure at http://sthelenspool.com.

Fast Facts

Eisenschmidt Pool was built in 1939. The pool holds 230,000 gallons of water. Before the COVID pandemic, the pool attracted an estimated 500 visitors daily during peak seasons.

Clatskanie High School grad now Multnomah County Sheriff

Originally published in The Chief Vol. 131

Jan. 27, 2023

“I am excited to take on this role and honored to be the first woman elected as Sheriff in Multnomah County. Over my career, I have been a trailblazer because I’ve had to be,” Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell told The Chief.

I hope that by seeing a woman hold the highest rank in law enforcement in the county, a position that is so often held by a man, that I can empower other girls and women to dream big.

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Morrisey O’Donnell was sworn in as the 41st Sheriff of Multnomah County. It is the first time in the 168-year history of the agency that a woman has been elected to the position. Multnomah County is the most populous in Oregon and includes Portland, Vancouver, and Hillsboro.

“I hope that by seeing a woman hold the highest rank in law enforcement in the county, a position that is so often held by a man, that I can empower other girls and women to dream big,” Morrisey O’Donnell said.

As sheriff, Morrisey O’Donnell assumes the position with goals she wants to accomplish. Some of the significant things she wants to address are:

• Reducing gun violence through proven strategies for prevention, intervention, and collaboration with system partners and community stakeholders.

• Improving safety on our streets by increasing education and enforcement of dangerous driving behavior.

• Investing in alternative service models and supports by partnering with service providers, such as mental health and addiction specialists who are focused on outreach efforts, housing, education, job skills, and treatment opportunities.

• Focusing on recruiting and retention strategies to promote long-term agency growth and the health and well-being of our employees.

Finding her path

While Morrisey O’Donnell has achieved great things in law enforcement, it wasn’t always a career she envisioned for herself.

“My commitment to community safety started at a young age, when my father survived a shooting during an armed robbery at his business in Westport. I experienced firsthand the impacts gun violence can have in our lives and in our community,” Morrisey O’Donnell said.

“However, when I went off to college at the University

of Portland (UP), I did not think my future was in law enforcement.”

Growing up in Clatskanie, Morrisey O’Donnell attended Clatskanie Middle/ High School and was passionate about music.

“I started college as a music major. I grew up playing the saxophone,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “When I was at Clatskanie High School, I had a wonderful band teacher named Dee Wooley who encouraged me to follow this passion.”

“She was a great sax player,” Wooley recalled.

However, different interests arose as she went through her education at UP. After going on a ride-along with one of her friends from Clatskanie in the Portland Police Bureau, Morrisey

O’Donnell has a newfound passion.

“At that time, a whole new possibility for my future opened up,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “I switched to studying criminal justice and began my journey in public safety.”

Supportive foundation

Sheriff Morrisey

O’Donnell has served the sheriff’s office for 26 years.

In 1996, she began as a corrections deputy. After serving as deputy, lieutenant, captain, chief deputy, and undersheriff before being elected sheriff with 62% of the vote.

At Clatskanie High School, Morrisey O’Donnell remembers being empowered to dream big.

“Starting from a young age, I was told by many educators, like my PE teacher Kathi Jackson, that I could do anything I set my mind to,” Morrisey O’Donnell said.

According to Kirk Blecha, a former math and science teacher at Clatskanie High School during Morrisey O’Donnell’s time, she was always a great athlete and a good student.

“Am I surprised that she is in law enforcement? Absolutely not,” Blecha said. “She always seemed to be a caring goal orientated young lady. And being a good athlete, she would fit into an occupation where being athletically fit is a necessity.”

Coming from a small town, Morrisey O’Donnell had plenty of obstacles to navigate en route to her current position. Still, for those who may have dreams of serving their community, she gave an encouraging message.

“As students and other young people think about their future careers, I would tell them to be open to all possibilities. I left my small town believing I would be in the music industry, and completely changed directions,” Morrisey O’Donnell said. “Because I had a passion for serving my community, law enforcement ended up being a really good fit. I know that right now it may be a challenging time to enter this profession, but at the heart of everything we do is a willingness and dedication to serve.”

Who We Are is a frequent presentation by The Chief highlighting community members who are making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media, Inc.

Eisenschmidt Pool is located at 1070 Eisenschmidt Lane in St. Helens.

WILL LOHRE Country Media,

~ Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell, Multnomah County Sheriff

Courtesy photo

Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell being sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.