Best of the Beach Ballot . . ............. PAGE 12 Voices of the Community ..... PAGE 5 & 6
October 25, 2022
Serving Lincoln City Since 1927
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School Resource Officer, more than a cop JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
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ogan Smith is more than a Lincoln City Police (LCPD)
officer. In his sixth year as the School Resource Officer at Taft Elementary and Taft 7-12 Middle and High School, Smith has developed a special relationship with students. “I believe in being honest with a student,” he said. “Most students will remember you being honest with them even if they do not like what I might have to tell them at the time.” The connection That connection often as students relying on Smith as a trusted adult. And Smith said what he hears from the students can be heartbreaking “I have had conversations with children worrying whether or not their siblings or them will have food over the weekend,” he said.” I have had children come up to talk to me about having no place to stay and they don’t know where they are going to sleep that night. I have had children describe horrible home lives or conditions and they do not see a way out of. I have
had children who have sat down and had discussions with me about their parents not being able to work and the stress going on at home because of this. I have had children come and tell me about a sexual assault that took place against one of their friends that no one has reported, and no parents know about. I have had children so concerned for their friend and the people they hang out with, that they come to me to get their friend help before something worse happens.” But Smith said students also relate the positive in their life. “I find students are happiest about some of things in life that we have forgotten about as adults,” he said. “Some students are happy about things like passing a test, a simple drawing they did or a project they are working on. Others are happy because they got to see a family member from out of town or got to go to a friend’s house for a weekend. For me it seems the kids are the most genuine and seem to be the happiest when talking about these seemingly little things in their life but are really major for them.” For Smith, being the LCPD
JEREMY C. RUARK / THE NEWS GUARD
(Top) LCPD Schools Resource Officer Logan Smith works in his office at Taft 7-12 Middle and High School. (Left) Smith walking the halls. (Right) Smith checks with his son at Taft Elementary before the first day of classes.
See OFFICER, Page A11
Election 2022: 4 candidates running for 2 city council positions JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
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our candidates are in the Nov. 8 General Election race for two positions with the Lincoln City City Council. Sydney Kasner is seeking a fulltime position as a Ward 2 councilor after being appointed to the council in November 2021. Carolyn Nguyen is also running for the Ward 2 council position. Ward 3 Councilor Rick Mark is facing challenger Mellissa Sumner. The News Guard asked each the following questions and received the following responses.
Ward 2 candidates
The News Guard: Why do you want to continue to be a Lincoln City City Councilor? Sydney Kasner: I was appointed as a Ward II City Councilor in November 2021. Appointing a candidate saved taxpayers a costly election for a very short term. My opponent has been vocal in criticizing the appointment process. Respectfully, I would point out that those objections didn’t stop her from applying for this position, in the same way I did. I would like to continue serving on City Council because I am passionate about serving my community and improving our beautiful city. I am not afraid of hard work and have suggested longer work sessions and council meetings to increase our productivity. Additionally, I have experience uniting people with differing opinions to work together and compromise to accomplish shared goals. It is impossible to get anything done if people believe that their way is the only way. The News Guard: What experience would you offer that qualifies you as an effective city councilor? Kasner: This year I served on the budget committee and was an advocate for the LCPD Narcotics Detective and Community Services Officer positions. I serve on two non-profit boards including our local Coastal Support Services. I work full-time at the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital which provides me with a unique community health perspective. I have also spent my entire adult life volunteering consistently. My volunteer experiences have included
projects with Lincoln City Rotarians, serving as Vulnerable Populations Outreach Lead for the Lincoln County Emergency Management Team, writing for Reinvented Magazine to introduce young women to STEM careers, coordinating donation drives in Lincoln City for various organizations, putting together an adopt-a-family holiday event in Lincoln City, bringing Christmas to Oregon Veterans’ Homes, and so much more. The News Guard: If elected, what would be your top three priorities and why those priorities? Kasner: My top priority is definitely affordable housing in Lincoln City. I’ve voted in favor of changes that make housing more appealing for developers, in favor of tiny home development, and have voiced many times in Council Chambers that housing needs to remain the top priority. This is my number one priority because it is by far the most common concern I have heard voiced by residents. Another high priority would be improving and properly maintaining city infrastructure. This is a priority because of the population growth in Lincoln City and our increased tourist numbers. I am in favor of tourists paying their fair share of impact on our infrastructure by increasing the transient room tax. A third top priority for me would be increasing our disaster preparedness in Lincoln City. This is a priority due to
the countless residents sharing stories describing the chaos during Echo Mountain Fire evacuations. I want to see improved city communications with the public, information sharing that is accessible and known to the public and plans for how we can work together for any future disasters. Other top concerns of mine include increasing youth and senior citizen services/ activities, attracting living wage jobs, and increasing public safety. The News Guard: Why do you want to be a city councilor? Carolyn Nguyen: I am continuing what was started in 2020 when I ran for the unexpired term. I came up short but very close. Due to a 2nd resignation 8 months later, the seat was “open” again. Rather than call for a special election, Council opted to fill the seat by appointment last November. Appointments cancel out the vote and this didn’t go unnoticed in Ward 2. People felt unheard and disenfranchised. I was asked to run again because the people want the opportunity to vote on who will be their voice. I am a strong leader who will not give up on my neighbors. The entire City Council is all from the same political party. I am the only Conservative running and would bring a voice to Council that is currently not represented. The News Guard: What experience would you offer that qualifies you as an effective city councilor? Nguyen: I have been employed as an insurance adjuster for 30 years. My employer has provided professional development and training in complex matters of investigation, mediation and contract law. I engage daily in conversations with people in distress who need a competent listening ear to help them navigate through the claims process often in cases of complete destruction of property or loss of a loved one. I am used to having deadlines, showing up prepared and prioritizing my work. I can see how my training would easily transfer over to the responsibilities of being a Councilor. The News Guard: If elected, what would be your top three priorities and why those priorities? Nguyen: Safe streets and neighborhoods are my top priority. We are only See ELECTION, Page A9
VOL. 95 NO. 38
Two arrested outside Lincoln City City Hall STAFF REPORT
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incoln City Police officers and detectives surrounded a parked vehicle at Lincoln City City Hall in an effort to take into custody two wanted suspects. On Wednesday, October 19, at about 4:45 p.m., Lincoln City Police Officers located two men who had known active warrants sitting in a vehicle parked in the parking area under the Lincoln City City Hall building at 801 SE Highway 101. The incident unfolded at approximately 4:15 p.m. after a Lincoln City Police officer spotted a silver Honda sedan driving into the McKay’s Market parking lot and park in the parking area under the city hall structure. The officer saw the driver of this vehicle, who was a person he knew to have an active warrant issued for his arrest. Officers had additional information that this subject was possibly armed. An arrest plan was developed and several Lincoln City Police officers and detectives converged on the parked vehicle. The vehicle was found to be occupied by two men. Both men complied with orders given to them and were taken into custody without incident. The driver was identified as Kelton Dane Converse and the passenger was identified Daniel
Wayne Wilson, both of Otis. During the ensuing investigation, a handgun was located in the vehicle and was seized by officers. An examination of the handgun revealed that its serial number had been obliterated and was unreadable. In addition, police found and seized a criminal quantity of suspected Fentanyl pills and a criminal quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Convers had an active misdemeanor warrant issued out of Lincoln County Circuit Court for Fail to Appear on charges of Assault IV, Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct II. In addition, he was charged with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated / Changed Serial number. Wilson had two active warrants, including a felony warrant issued out of Yamhill County Circuit Court for Fail to Appear on charges of DUII, Elude, and Reckless Driving, and misdemeanor warrant issued out of the Polk County Circuit Court for Fail to Appear on a charge of Criminal Mischief II. In addition, he was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine and Possession of Controlled Substance – Fentanyl. Both subjects were transported to the Lincoln County jail and lodged on their warrants and other listed charges.
TheNewsGuard.com
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JEREMY C. RUARK / THE NEWS GUARD
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