Author: North Coast BBQ

Submitted By: ben.killen.rosenberg@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Reposting this from BBQ from last Thursday. Can’t agree with this more! VOTE YES on Referendum 29-179. Read on!
Beating the poor, dead horse of Manzanita Water Issues
First off, I urge Manzanita voters to VOTE YES on Referendum 29-179. I received a pre-addressed and stamped postcard in the U.S. mail this week, requesting I choose to respond to various pre-selected sentences about Manzanita’s water allocations and send the postcard to a Manzanita resident. The Manzanita resident, a Mr. Kugler, who has exhibited a bizarre ongoing obsession with Manzanita water issues, continues to advance ill-advised, poorly-informed and malicious attacks directed at our City Council, our Mayor and our City Manager. These attacks also continue to exhibit either astounding ignorance about Oregon municipal budgetary rules and procedures, or deliberate obfuscation of these rules and procedures. It is unclear why Manzanita residents would funnel any of their views through an individual with a demonstrated long-standing animus towards our city, its elected/appointed leaders and city staff (he is currently a party to a lawsuit against Manzanita as well). Between this lawsuit and the referendum, he has cost the City (and all of us) over $30,000 in legal fees just since July. To better understand our city budget, it is probably best to go straight to those who know most about it: our Budget Committee representatives, our City Council/Mayor and/or our City Manager. Specific meetings of the Budget Committee that cover all aspects of planning and recommendations for each fiscal year can be located at: ci.manzanita.or.us/budget-committee/ The January to May meetings cover most issues, with a final meeting with City Council where they vote to approve the new fiscal year budget, usually in May/June. The above information is important to examine and to understand, since the Budget Committee and our City Council are responsible by State Law to assure that Manzanita’s budget is accurate, balanced and fiscally stable. They can’t just present opinions as facts and get away with it or they’ll get in trouble with the State of Oregon. The Budget Committee examines, questions, analyzes and then forwards its recommendations for annual budgetary approval by the city council every year, by Oregon law. Each year, this includes all aspects of Manzanita’s budget, including issues related to its Water Fund as well as indirect cost allocations. For many years, the Budget Committee has been bombarded with complaints from resident Kugler that there are parts of the indirect cost allocation methodology, and/or the Manzanita Water Fund that are wrong. Each year, the Budget Committee makes sure that this is not true. And each year, they are correct. And each year, resident Kugler is proven incorrect. Please communicate with trustworthy, knowledgeable friends, and then double-check your information with our city government. Happy sleuthing! Mark Kuestner Manzanita resident

Submitted By: codger817@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

I recently came across the term “vertical” and “lateral” reading in a book “Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy” by Bill Adair.
It’s clear that too many of us “vertical” read and just take in what is written as truth. More of us need to “lateral” read and check just who is saying what and what others have to say.
A recent post alleges that Oregon’s voting system “Lawsuit Alleges Oregon Has One of Worst Voting Lists in the Nation”. Reading “vertically” (without checking sources) it might seem a reasonable statement. Reading laterally (checking sources) reveals that the source, “Judicial Watch” , is a Washington D.C. lawsuit factory financed by the Mellon and Scaife fortunes that has been cranking out lawsuits for 28 years and, as far as I can tell, winning none of them.
Just another example of “dark money” at its worst.
If you want to learn more about “dark money”, I recommend Jane Mayer’s book, “Dark Money”.
Discussion welcome at codger817@gmail.com.

Submitted By: Kristine4Rockaway@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

…and why I support these five people in our six open positions in the Rockaway elections.
I am voting for Debra Reeves because she is a champion of all our people!
Debra is deeply invested in bringing our community together. I have watched her work passionately, advocating for our seniors and business community. She rolls up her sleeves and starts doing the work without needing validation. She volunteers in our day-to-day lives together, and over the past few years, her two greatest passions are our senior population and our small business community. I see her showing up like this for people in our community who have not been so kind to her in return. She shakes it off and goes forward positively every time, her unwavering optimism inspiring. I am proud to serve our community with someone like this. Debra is wholly plugged into our community daily. She does not box people in or pick sides. She is a champion for all and an excellent asset for a community leader.

Justin McMahan, having worked with him this past year, is a bright, proactive, levelheaded, and collaborative community leader. It’s been daunting to watch the disinformation spread about him. I doubt we as a community would allow a Catholic or Muslim to be attacked with such fervor, and I wonder to myself, how can it be that this is okay? I can genuinely say that Justin addresses every instance of bias in the room with honesty and conviction. I have watched as he has done so many times now. In each instance, Justin says, “This is not right, and how can we fix it together?” He has a solid sense of fair-mindedness, which Rockaway’s city government needs. I also know Justin to be very prompt in attending to those who request his time. His passion for housing and a healthy community is evident in everything he does, inspiring others with his dedication.

Stephanie Winchester has surprised me most of all. I think I’ve known Stephanie for probably four years now. She’s a current planning commissioner on the budget committee and is active in CERT. She is always thoughtful, kind, balanced, and positive-minded in her decisions and when she speaks. She has a kind way of seeing things as they are and can talk to the subject honestly and thoughtfully without judgment or sugarcoating. Giving the truth to citizens is essential. Whatever the good, the bad, and the truth, it’s our job. We must all be able to do this calmly and honestly. The more I have listened to her as we have all campaigned, the more I have realized what a great asset she would be to everyone in our community in a higher capacity. She sees and hears things in a way that many people might miss, which gives us an even firmer foundation when working together to represent the entire community. I see Stephanie’s passion for our Emergency Services and City budget. Her life experience brings a great deal to us in these categories.

Rodney Breazile for Mayor! Some may think I’m biased, but I can assure you I am his harshest critic after himself. After knowing this man for over 40 years, I have witnessed what he can do and who he is. It’s straightforward: we need an honest and trustworthy mayor for everyone, including city staff and neighboring municipalities. We need a leader who will stay faithful to their campaign promises and not change their position after being elected. Our mayor should unite the community without using city resources for personal promotion or favoring select individuals. Rodney will not attempt to sway votes in his favor; a mayor should remain impartial and focus on serving the community. Rodney brings extensive knowledge of Rockaway’s infrastructure needs, zoning, planning, transportation issues, our watershed, Nedonna Beach, and crucial matters like drainage, roads, and streets. He has a unique ability to explain these complex topics in a way everyone can understand. His practical and effective communication skills will ensure that every community member’s voice is heard and considered. It’s essential for the mayor to communicate both our successes and challenges so that we can all make informed decisions for our future together.

In my nearly 8 years in office, I spent the first 6 years with a council that did very little work and passed just a few items. Much of that time was invested in dividing the community into an us-and-them mentality. In the last two years, our current council has passed nearly 40 items at warp speed, items that have locals and legal council scratching their heads to understand. I titled this commentary to you as the simple truth because there is so much rhetoric and false information being posted that it’s impossible to keep up with. It’s unhealthy for our community, and instead of supporting the drama. I am just telling you why I think these are the best candidates. I humbly ask you to vote for a group of people who will work hard to bring our entire community together and reflect all our neighborhoods and future needs. Our wise leaders tell us less than 25% of ballots have been turned in, so remember, your voice counts!

You can see more about these candidates at togetherfor@gmail.com.
As always, feel free to contact me at KristineForRockaway@gmail.com for council items and Kristine4Rockaway@gmail.com as a running candidate.
For those who would like to watch the 10/15/24 Rockaway Beach Candidates Forum, here is the link and passcode you will need to access the recorded Zoom video. us06web.zoom.us/…/NrcAA9BJfv5x4zVq…
Passcode: m7@u^bwV Thank you for your valuable time. Kristine

Submitted By: tevisdiii@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Someone will collect all of James H. Kunstler’s pieces of satire from the past few years and staple them together to become one of those flip books that delight the child in all of us, you know, like a cowboy galloping on a horse, or a train approaching and rushing by. Everybody can agree that it’s been quite a ride.

Like the lowly, scruffy Toto, doing his job, the curtain is pulled back and the wizard is spinning dials and shifting levers just as fast as he can. He’s got nothing left to say but, ‘ just go get the damn broomstick’ .

www.sott.net/article/495731-Fever-dream

Those of you who have been paying attention to the rest of the world will know that there is a whole new ball game being organized, in a different court and anybody can join in but they have to leave their oblong western bouncing ball of sanctions and exceptionalism behind. Pepe Escobar paints the picture here:

www.sott.net/article/495647-Pepe-Escobar-Date-With-Destiny-BRICS-Offers-Hope-in-a-Time-of-War

On that war note thing, always need a little Dylan for plain speaking:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4uMQRQzVmc

And to bring you all back down on the farm, Greg Brown’s, (who is a national treasure), ‘ Canned Goods, the Live One’. It’s almost fifteen minutes and best listened to while sitting down to a meal and turned up so you can hear all lyrical, storytelling wisdom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcs0oEz4QSE

Thanks BBQ

Submitted By: dwieb1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Recent post that “we should be worried” related important history. Rather than worried though, I think we should be better informed. Our generation was pointedly warned repeatedly in school, so why is mainstream media not sounding the alarm?

Rick Steves has a page titled Monday Night Travel, and last Monday he hosted “The Story – and Lessons – of Fascism in Europe with Rick Steves.” A recording of this is available on his Monday Night Travel page. Scroll down to the bottom to find this episode.

www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/fascism

Submitted By: pattyrinehart@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

I sent you wrong dates-below is corrected copy.

LAST WEEK FOR BUYING FRIENDS OF NCRD SPRING BULBS
Friends is going to wrap up their fall planted, spring blooming bulb sale this coming week. Friends will be at North County Recreation District this coming week, October 28 to November 1, from 9 AM-11 AM. Friends has tulips, mini daffodils, crocus, snake’s head and more. We also expect the amaryllis to arrive at the end of the week. If you can’t make it during those days and times, please contact Patty. She can send you a catalog and order sheet via email. You can either return your order form via email or call Patty, 503-368-6081. Please speak slowly, especially if leaving your phone number. Many thanks to all of you for supporting Friends of North County Recreation District!

Submitted By: rkinor@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

An anonymous individual or group has mailed a postcard to voters urging a YES vote on Referendum 29-179 to maintain the City’s monthly water billing.

I have attempted to raise questions on this matter using the explanations given by City officials, City Budget numbers, and an option for water infrastructure funding using Transient Lodging Tax revenue to create a billing and water infrastructure funding solution that prioritizes the interests of full time residents including seniors on fixed incomes and families.

I always put my name on what I write and accept responsibility for my communications with Manzanita citizens. It would be naïve to believe that this unsigned mailing was done without the knowledge and support of the City.

The actual experience with monthly billing as posted on the 10/25 BBQ and Tillamook County Pioneer entitled Do Billing Cycles Matter? at tinyurl.com/4fp5es4j should cause voters to again question both what City officials and their anonymous supporters are telling us.

As the example in this post confirms, monthly billing combined with a tiered rate structure for exceeding your 2,000 base allotment can indeed result in a higher annual water bill. Quarterly billing at least provides the opportunity for customers to avoid monthly tier charges resulting in lower annual water costs. If you want to preserve this opportunity, you will need to vote NO and return us to quarterly billing.

Remember the concern that then Councilor Jena Edginton voiced when the Council was discussing this matter in May 2023. “I don’t want to increase the rates for full time residents, one to two people living in their home”. What Councilor Edginton wanted to avoid has become a reality for many and no anonymous mailings urging voters to ignore what we have been told by City officials is going to change the impact on the cost of water for full time residents.

Randy Kugler