Category: General Interest

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

Community, PLEASE… Betsy is unlikely to make up for her drop in the polls, even Phil Knight has moved his $$ to Christine. What does that tell you? Here are some facts from COIN.
Betsy sides with polluters and climate change deniers, and has worked to kill any legislation to address the climate crisis.
Betsy vowed to repeal the 2020 Executive Order that has put Oregon state agencies on track to reduce greenhouse gasses and improve energy efficiency in housing and consumer goods.
As a legislator, she voted against the Clean Fuels Program that will make Oregon the first coal-free state by 2020.
Betsy has voted:
NO to bills that would develop Oregon’s renewable energy industries.
NO to establishing incentives for electric vehicles like more charging stations and help for low income purchasers.
NO to developing Oregon’s biodiesel industry which would reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions.
NO to updating energy efficiency requirements for appliances
NO to protections for low income utility ratepayers.
NO to Oregon’s new program to hold producers of plastic packaging responsible of the costs of recycling plastic waste.
Betsy joined Republicans in supporting a bill that would have doubled logging in Oregon’s state forests, had it passed. It would have decimated our state forests and their important role in sequestering and storing carbon from the atmosphere.
Betsy also supported bills to undermine wetlands protection.
She has side with polluters again and again, rather than the people of her district – those communities on the coast, in rural areas and small cities – who would benefit greatly from improved energy efficiency, transition to an economy that includes renewable energy, and averting the severe damage climate change will cause to health, natural resources, the economy, and our way of life.
It is no surprise that Betsy has taken money from the Koch Bros., Timber Unity, and other corporations and individuals representing the timber industry, oil and gas companies, real estate development, and tobacco companies. Her largest donors include a subsidiary of oil and gas conglomerate, Global Partners, which has holdings including a terminal in Clatskanie.
If you want to know Betsy’s alliances, follow the money, it doesn’t come without attachments…
Please vote for Tina Kotek!

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

Brad Mayerle For Manzanita City Council

For a hot minute this July, I ran for a seat on Manzanita City Council. I gathered my signatures, got on the ballot and in August, at a Women’s Forum meeting, burst into tears when I had to drop out because my already heavy teaching load unexpectedly got even heavier.

During that time, I got to know Brad Mayerle. You’d think that two people vying for the same position wouldn’t exactly hit it off, but that’s not what happened. He was an encouraging supporter of my run, as another resident with many of the same concerns we all have. He was willing to share information and talk over what we were both learning. I’ve watched how much time and energy Brad puts in every day to learn about the issues our town faces and the creative solutions other communities have implemented to deal with them. He meets with people who live or work in the community to learn what their perspectives are. What he learns he communicates clearly on his blog and postings or in conversations, which is no small feat when you’re talking about short-term rentals or workforce housing.

There’s been some social media yelling about Brad not volunteering enough at one of the organizations in town, like that’s some character flaw, but I don’t see that as the most important thing in choosing a candidate for office.

Brad’s profession as a dentist and his business experience running a large successful dental practice in Lake Oswego would bring the necessary leadership skills to council. Brad is respectful, he listens and he’s pragmatic. In his work, he’s had to be.

In our contentious little town, Brad Mayerle also has the kind of temperament to lead. Brad’s not a guy who does things for prizes and accolades. He doesn’t brag on himself when he’s done something good and when people have gone low on social media, which unfortunately they do, he doesn’t respond in kind. He’s not thin-skinned or defensive. He’s not arrogant or a know it all.

That’s the kind of person we need on council. That’s why I’m voting for Brad Mayerle.

Ben Killen Rosenberg

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

Wheeler City Council Candidates Deanne Ragnell and Karen Matthews need to recognize the following about the Wheeler Zoning Ordinance:
1. It does not allow cottages on land zoned industrial, which the north waterfront parcel is.
2. It does not limit development to ten units. That was merely a discussion point in the Vision process in 2008. It became a recommendation in the Vision background report. It is not an ordinance. The meaning of ten units was never specified.

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

Resolution 2012-06 details the role of the Wheeler Vision 2011. Exhibit A explains findings and interpretations of the Vision. Despite Ms. Matthews’ signature on it, she denies its existence.

Submitted By: lynn.joy.steinberg@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

It was a blow to learn that The Roost, the beloved community coffee house and cafe in downtown Wheeler, may have to shut its doors at the end of November. After nine years, operating on the ground floor of the Old Wheeler Hotel, Roost owner Heidi Cummins has, without warning or explanation, received an eviction notice from her landlord. If she is forced to close her doors, it will mark more than the shuttering of another local business. This part of the coast will lose what has essentially functioned as a community living room, a place where you can linger over a cup of coffee and where you’re bound to run into a neighbor or two while enjoying one of Heidi’s freshly baked pastries. The overwhelming majority of Roost customers are local – and those who aren’t often remark on the warm welcome they receive, and how everyone seems to know everyone else at The Roost. Places like that are so hard to find these days, on the coast or anywhere else. So I’m hoping that Heidi’s lease is renewed – and if it isn’t, that she finds another home for The Roost nearby.

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

The City of Wheeler, with Ordinance No. 2012-06, stated the Vision Plan 2011 “shall be incorporated by reference into the City of Wheeler Comprehensive Plan Background Report and added by title to the Table of Contents” (Ordinance No. 2012-06, Section 1).

If there are any conflicts with the Vision (Wheeler Priorities and Recommendations for Action) and our zoning ordinances, the zoning ordinances shall be amended (Ordinance No. 2012-06, Section 3). In the findings of facts for Ordinance No. 2012-06, there were no conflicts identified by our City Planner.

Oregon’s Statewide Land Use Planning Goals (Goal 2), state that if the City is going to enact the priorities outlined in the Vision, then the Comprehensive land use plan must do more than just meet all state and federal requirements, it must be clear and enforceable. For example, these two important issues need to be clarified:

(1) Guidelines and recommendations are not mandatory. Stating that you support the Vision Plan is not enforcement. The Vision must be clearly enforced by ordinances and codes.

(2) Most zoning ordinances are mandatory; however, several of Wheeler’s zoning ordinances appear to be optional. Wheeler needs to rewrite these ordinances to make them mandatory and enforceable.

LUBA (Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals) consists of two (2) attorneys from Portland, and one (1) from Medford. All are appointed by the Governor. LUBA has not denied any applications, but has referred them back to the City (“remand”) for further review and action.

If the Vision is not clarified and enforced by zoning-ordinance changes, the attorneys will decide our future, not the citizens of Wheeler.

Mary Leverette

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

To Wheeler residents,
I had sincerely hoped that I would not have to write this. I do not believe these accusatory posts do anyone any good – the community or the individuals. However, I feel I must respond to Mrs. Thomas’ post on 10/13/2022. In it she classifies me as an advocate of Mr. Ulbricht and “squarely in the developer’s corner”. That is NOT the case. I AM an advocate for increasing Wheeler’s financial position, something the current council has not addressed. I am running for this office because, primarily, I am interested in getting our city into a positive financial position and I am looking at EVERY proposal as a way to do that. I do not need to check with the mayor to know that – yes – things ARE that bad. Other than Mary Leverette, I have not heard any of the other candidates address this issue. My sincere thanks to North Coast BBQ for allowing us this forum. But please, let’s stop the negative posts and focus on what can be done for our city.
Oh, and by the way, my name is not spelled Bell with an “e”. It is “Bell” and it will be spelled that way on the ballot when you receive it next week. Thank you.

Dave Bell

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

Her is the link to Tulsi’s powerful wake-up call to the democratic party that has gone viral. The former presidential candidate delivers a well-written and moving speech revealing the fundamental causes behind her leaving the former party of choice I highly recommend it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Z1x8Ou8VU Chuck McLaughlin

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

My friend sent this to the HH editor, I like that it acknowledges Betsy for her contribution, yet makes a good argument for why you may not want to vote for her. Do you want Oregon to remain BLUE?, vote for Tina. If you want us to become RED, vote for Betsy or Christina. YOUR VOTE matters, please vote for Tina!
Many of us have known and appreciated Betsy Johnson for many years. She has worked hard, provided good constituent service for our Tillamook communities and her middle of the road position is attractive to some — but she WILL NOT WIN. Polls show she has less than 20% of the vote while Tina Kotek (D) and Christine Drazan (R) each have about 30%. Polling numbers are always suspect, but closing a gap of 10% is highly, highly unlikely. So for Democratic- leading voters a vote for Betsy is really a vote taken away from Democrat Tina Kotek. This makes much more likely Republican Christine Drazan will win.

Tina Kotek is committed to the less fortunate having worked for the Oregon Food Bank and Children First for Oregon. She is pro-choice, supports responsible gun ownership and advocates for measures to address climate change. Christine Drazan has the opposite positions and in fact led the Republicans out of the legislature to prevent climate change legislation from passing. Drazan is anti-choice, is endorsed by the NRA and has a 25% rating from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. Kotek is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Oregon League of Conservation Voters and the Oregon Nurses Association. She is the leader that reflects Oregon values and needs.

So I urge you to recognize reality and cast your vote for Tina Kotek not Betsy Johnson.

Beverly Stein
Cape Meares

Submitted By: johncollier53@yahoo.com – Click to email about this post

Manzanita has been my full-time home for the past 6 years. I have watched and learned about our community for most of those years, and as Covid waned I have started becoming more involved.

That involvement eventually led me to Brad Mayerle. We met in a neighborhood group and have had several creative discussions about our town. Though they often wander our talks mostly revolve around how to enhance those things we love about Manzanita, and avoid those things that could dilute its appeal to us and others.

It has been clear after each encounter that Brad listens. Not only to me, but other neighbors as well. And he always seems to understand what we are saying. Not that he always agrees [with me at least], but he gets it. He genuinely wants to bridge our differences. No denigration of others or their ideas. Just thoughtful reasoned unselfish dialog.

That’s why this November I’m voting for BRAD MAYERLE for City Council.
Thanks for listening .
John Collier .

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

WHAT ARE WE ??

If Manzanita is a village, then Wheeler – so much smaller — could be called a Hamlet. The fact is, we are a small community doing its best to maintain economic stability while holding on to the very values that have made ours such a unique community.

The questions that seem relevant to our small town: Why can some communities maintain their historic character and quality of life, as they support their economy, while others loose the very qualities that once gave them appeal?

Research shows successful communities capitalize on their distinctive assets through the following practices:

They have a clearly defined vision for the future.

They pick development projects with an eye toward maintaining their strengths and identity.

They pay attention to community aesthetics that engender pride and draw visitors.

They support strong leaders and committed citizens

They lay out effective plans to enhance existing assets.

Communities with a vision for the future will develop along very different lines than those accepting of whatever happens to come along. Development can be an asset or a detriment depending on how intelligently it is pursued. Wheeler was ahead of its time many years ago when it decided to inventory the community’s assets, and plan development around them. The Wheeler Vision Plan took two years of community work to compile, and has since become a mandatory governing document.

When times are tight, it may be understandable to assume that economic woes can be fixed by allowing ‘big’ development. Unfortunately, many small communities are littered with projects that were sold as the “solution” to a town’s economic woes, yet ended up altering/obscuring the nature of the town. A brief mental review of towns along our coast will call up several such examples.

“Development’ isn’t the issue, but rather what proposed development is going to provide, and how it will support and contribute to the existing community. Some development projects will make a community a better place to live, work and visit. Others will not.

No matter what type of development is considered, it is a mistake to ‘bend the rules” and push any project through without requiring the necessary critical studies, and without adhering to what the community has identified as its most important assets. Doing so disrespects the process of gathering community voices in the first place. It is my belief that our Mayor, and the majority on the existing Wheeler City Council, are doing their best to take these issues seriously. I am running to further that support.

Tourism is now the economy that has replaced the early fishing and lumber economy of Wheeler. Places that have valued, protected, and celebrated their waterfront have become increasingly rare on our coast. More and more funding is becoming available to those communities that have maintained the unique character of their town. This is because tourism is all about visiting places that are appealing, quaint and unique! If we truly believed that our town should devolve to what others on the Oregon coast have become – a drive through with no vista – what reason would there be to stop here? Live here?

Our town has so many natural assets, and yes, we have opportunities for increasing small business development that can capitalize on our beautiful bay and surroundings. We also have opportunities for housing to support our workforce. I am willing to put in the work to find ways to make these changes in a manner that honors the assets we currently have, and to maintain and enhance the town we are proud to call home.

If elected, I will judge each issue that comes before me on the facts, and will work diligently to ensure that Wheeler moves forward as a beautiful, vibrant, and economically sustainable community……a place of pride and affection that we are proud to call home.

I support the Wheeler Vision Plan.
Please support me, Deanne Ragnell, for Wheeler City Council.

Submitted By: kyrasin1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Hello all,
Getting ready to start snuggling in for the winter? I am here to help you!
I do Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or whenever you need cleanings for friends & family visits, your home or Vacation Rental cleanings. Years of experience.

Please give us a call. 503-717-2585

Thank you so much for all your support everyone!!!!

Submitted By: eileenkoenig411@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Thank you for posting garage sale. It was a huge success

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

Here is the link to one of the most informative interviews regarding the causes of the present crisis in the Ukraine I’ve come across on Amy’s show in some time. Hopefully it will be instrumental in presenting a more reasonable narrative than that we’ve been hearing since the Clinton years:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmOePNsNFw0

Chuck McLaughlin

Submitted By: Mcgurk77@comcast.net – Click to email about this post

I have been very sad to hear about all the hyperbole around town from the advocates of Ken Ulbricht. Do not be fooled folks.

These people have been squarely in the developers corner for a long time. They are sowing fear and misinformation to citizens in order to get on City Council to change things in the developers favor.

They support Ken Ulbricht NOT the citizens of Wheeler. Leverette has only been full time in Wheeler for 2 years she has not been at all the hearings nor has she experienced the betrayal that we all did when Ulbricht reneged on citizens about building nice cottages on his property.

Please, if you have been taken in by their discourse step back take a breath and weigh everything carefully before voting these people in. Leverette, Belle, Stacks

Things are not as bad as they are saying. Ask Mayor Honeycutt.

Margie Thomas
49 year homeowner in Wheeler

Submitted By: dave@captainbell.com – Click to email about this post

I’m Dave Bell and I’m running for election to the Wheeler City Council.
I have been asked about whether I support development in our community. Without going into a lot of detail, my bottom line is that I support ideas that will contribute to our economic well-being. It’s no secret that our town is barely getting by on an extremely limited budget and yet we have several items that absolutely must be completed for us to continue and even thrive as a community. I support a number of things, but the reality is that some of them conflict with other ideas. That’s where compromise comes into play. We cannot adhere to any single policy without taking the larger picture into perspective.
Now, let me address what I do not support. Some of the other candidates for this office have cited the Wheeler Vision as the document that must be followed when considering any development in the city. Now, I believe the idea of documenting the resident’s vision is a good one. I was a member of the City Council that approved that document and placed it in our Comprehensive Plan. But the fact is, several of those items contradict each other. The document is meant to be a guide for development in our community, but we must use some common sense when we address those contradictions. Most of us know how the Vision is being used by those opposed to development in one part our town, but let’s look at the flipside. I’m just going to look at some of the phrases in that document.
• We need a bigger tax base.
• Focus on things that can be accomplished. Do not micromanage.
• Focus on eliminating noxious weeds like Knotweed, Scotch Broom and Blackberries.
• Ordinances should not be obstacles designed to control people and their property rights.
• Manage development, do not control development.
• Do not stop growth and the jobs it would create.
And perhaps, if any of the items in the document can be singled out as most important,
• Support a vital economy. Improve commercial property. Maintain and expand the business core. Support economic growth and business development.
Those points all relate to the current proposal, and all join the items being used to oppose the plan. These are all equal parts to our Vision Plan. If you support the Vision, you must support the entire document. Again, I support the Wheeler Vision. But in doing so, I also recognize that we must also follow the regulations that are placed on any potential development in our community by all of the regulatory agencies. As much as we may like to, we cannot simply “cherry-pick” parts of the Vision to oppose the proposal.
I have said that we need to negotiate and compromise to accomplish the things we need to do to return our city to financial health. We cannot take a hard line using only the Vision. There is so much more involved. We need to get back to a City Council that is working for everyone, citizens and developers alike, to allow our community as a whole to prosper. That is going to take some common sense and we need to return that to our council.
Thank you for hearing me out.
Dave Bell Wheeler

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

Having read Karen Matthew’s post on BBQ last night, stating her position regarding the Wheeler Vision Plan, I am moved to express my opinion in response.

I admire Karen’s willingness to clearly state where she stands on probably the most important issue (or at least the most contentious) facing Wheeler.

i have known Karen always as a woman who clearly states her mind, and who has the good of the whole at the core of her actions.

In my 6 1/2 years working at the Alder Creek Farm community garden, I had the opportunity to observe Karen’s effective, conscientious, capable leadership. I got to witness her being kind when she had to also be tough. I know she will bring those same qualities to membership on Wheeler’s city council. I urge Wheeler citizens to make an excellent choice in voting for Karen for city council.

om peace namaste
lucy brook
nehalem resident (who also pays attention to events in her neighboring towns!)

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

Posting for ellisconklin@gmail.com
barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net did not work as a reporter or spend time with Ken Kesey.

Many years ago, while working as a reporter for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, I spent a day with Oregon’s premiere writer Ken Kesey at his dairy farm in Springfield, to talk about his life and times.

www.postalley.org/2022/10/09/stealing-fire-from-the-literary-heavens-my-day-with-ken-kesey/

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

I was very pleased to see that Karen Matthews has declared herself a candidate for Wheeler City Council. I have had numerous opportunities to work with Karen on a professional basis and have always come away impressed with her diligence in learning the issues being faced and her ability to craft a strategy to address them. Her previous experience and institutional knowledge gained during previous sustained and engaged participation during her long years in Wheeler will be a tremendous asset to the community. I would encourage my Wheeler friends to put her to work on your behalf.

Doug Firstbrook

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

I am going to a meditation retreat at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center starting this Friday. I just thought I’d check to see if anyone else in this area happens to be going to this retreat (with Willa and Eliza and Carol teaching), seems like we should car pool. Please let me know if you are going and would like to ride share. Reply by email or call (503) 368-2627.

Thanks from Lark Miller

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

A 9 yrs beautiful Sheltie , Just a miniature of Lassie.
There is also a Pug, Odie ,
and 2 Yorkies , Please check the . and see the photos and stories.
You can contact them on FB or contact me
corinna
cbbcalm@gmail.com
503 368 6144

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

Did you see last nights posting on BBQ titled “Wheeler Vision and zoning”?

It is full of inaccurate statements.

The statement that “There is not, nor has there ever been, a limit of ten units. The interpretations of ordinance 2012-06 state that large-scale developments over ten units be subject to clear and objective design standards.

IS JUST NOT ACCURATE

Page 5 of the Vision States:
Wheeler citizens also value preserving the small town atmosphere and very strongly supported limiting large scale developments (large scale development was later defined as anything more than ten units. Preserving open space (also defined later) and establishing polices to control growth were also strongly supported by the community.

Read the documents. Know the law. LUBA upheld the Vision in denial of waterfront applications.

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

Posting on behalf of Kim Rosenberg loretta.kim.rosenberg@gmail.com

Showing Who We Are

During this election season, I’ve met with all three of the candidates for council, and not one of them is a serial killer or abuses small animals or steals from their grandma…that I know of. I bet they all recycle, pay their taxes, love their friends and families and return library books on time.

What’s most important to me in choosing who to vote for isn’t the candidate’s niceness to their friends or their history of volunteerism for any of the very worthy organizations that exist in our town.

It’s way more important to me that in a town that has seen so much division, name calling and hate speech between neighbors, that the candidates we elect are respectful of others and thoughtful in their responses. Especially to those folks with whom they don’t agree and don’t even like. A lot of that vitriolic discourse has happened on community social media spaces like BBQ–which everyone can read and North County News Facebook, which only people with Facebook accounts can read.

The on-line yelling back and forth between people is troubling. A lot of the fighting is about perceived past wrongs. None of it will ever be resolved in a public forum, but I don’t think resolution is what people are always after. Like Tu Pac and Notorious B.I.G. used to say, “Haters gonna hate.”

My mom called it airing your dirties in public–not a good look for anybody. Blaming and shaming doesn’t heal what hurts you, and doing it in a public forum just spreads the hurt to other people. We all choose a side. We start to think in camps–we like some people and decide not to like others because they’re friends with somebody we decided not to like. Does this remind anyone else of 7th grade?

As the election season draws to a close, I want to remember that this will be over soon. Whoever wins will need to be able to bring people together. This will be difficult for anyone with a history of serious long-standing beefs with members of the community and connections to some of the loudest haters.

People can change, and they do, but this kind of change isn’t quick. It takes awhile of living the change before others can see it. Like they say, you might be through with the past, but the past ain’t through with you. I think that’s true for our little town.

How people treat the people they love and care about is one thing, but to me, it’s how we treat people we don’t like that matters most. That, to me, is the measure of a good leader and a good person–how they treat the most disagreeable among us.

I want a council that can listen to and works with people of different perspectives, opinions and backgrounds. I want a council that can build consensus and moves things forward for the good of all of us. We can’t do that if we’re playing on any team other than Team Manzanita.

I want elected leaders who respect all the people in town regardless of whether they agree with them, or like them or not. I want people who play fair and aren’t driven to write and post the first thing they think of when they disagree with someone on the community websites. In fact, if I had my way, I’d like us all to get offline and get in person.

There’s the gossip and the conspiracies and way too much time spent on websites that provide a space to say the stuff to a screen that you wouldn’t dream of saying to a face.

People show us who they are. We all do every day and every moment of our lives. To me, the way we treat those we don’t like or agree with matters way more than how many hours we volunteer or how we treat our friends. You can’t volunteer away name-calling, misrepresenting issues you don’t agree with or shutting down comments with sarcasm and shame. You also can’t pretend like that past is gone without doing the work to make amends.

I’ve faced a dilemma in writing about this. I believe all three candidates are nice people. I believe all three are invested in the community. And I believe that to move forward, we need a council that comes without baggage from the past. And that’s another reason I’m voting for Brad Mayerle.

Kim Rosenberg
loretta.kim.rosenberg@gmail.com

Submitted By: diwax54@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

Endorsement for Cindy Kay Gregory for Rockaway Beach City Council

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

Re: wheelervisionadvocates@gmail.com

The Wheeler Vision recommends continual review, evaluation and updates to current city policies and ordinances, to manage and control growth.

The 24-foot height limit is in the City of Wheeler Zoning Ordinance. The Vision recommends that any variance of the 24-foot height be approved only after a strict procedure is followed, insuring that community priorities receive precedence. There is not, nor has there ever been, a limit of ten units. The interpretations of ordinance 2012-06 state that large-scale developments over ten units be subject to clear and objective design standards.

In early 2013, the planning commission reviewed this requirement and determined that Wheeler Zoning Ordinance section 11.050 Design Review meets the clear-and-objective requirement, by stating, “1) All commercial and industrial development in any zone, any multifamily dwelling in any zone, is subject to design review by the planning commission.” Therefore, no additional language in the zoning ordinance was required, with which the majority of city council agreed.

If advocates for the Vision do not feel that the zoning ordinances support the Vision, they should recommend updates, as outlined in the Vision.

What updates would be required?
Would updates apply to all zones?

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

Marty Wilde

Wilde, a Democrat, represents House District 11-Central Lane and Linn counties in the Oregon Legislature.

Last summer, I left the House Democratic Caucus, the body of Democratic lawmakers that sets our legislative priorities and strategy. I could not continue to participate in a caucus that had stopped acting democratically. We had failed to set a positive example of transparency and engagement and stopped supporting laws that returned power to the people we represent. Instead, we let our partisan desire to maintain power override our duty to the people. We owe Oregonians transparency, accountability and support for their role in their own governance.

Since I joined the caucus in 2019 as a freshman legislator, it has become less and less democratic. My fellow Democratic lawmakers and I met privately each day during the legislative session. We debated proposals like the Student Success Act and public pension reform, and we did not even inform the public about the topics of our discussions and preemptive decisions. Our caucus expectation was that we would lock down support for every House election for speaker and speaker pro tem, the House rules, and every procedural vote, whether it was in the people’s interest or not.

Over time, we even stopped debating the issues, as caucuses became a forum for leadership to give orders to ensure the Democratic agenda prevailed over the Republicans’ agenda, regardless of whether it was in the public interest. For instance, the former speaker did not consult with the caucus before making, or breaking, her deal with Republicans on redistricting. Perhaps worst of all, leadership positions were filled based on success in fundraising, not merit or expertise. The House Democratic leaders even stopped telling the caucus members about their discussions. In effect, the content and direction of legislation for all of Oregon was decided by a group of 10 or fewer people picked by their ability to raise money, in secret.
We also stopped supporting democratic ideas. After 78% of voters approved campaign finance reform, we failed to pass a bill to implement it. We acquiesced in the blatant gerrymandering of legislative districts by the Oregon Senate. We did nothing to engage non-affiliated voters in primary elections. Campaign finance reform, nonpartisan redistricting and broader voter engagement in the primaries enjoy broad support in the electorate, but we refused to support them.

We stopped exercising meaningful oversight of the executive branch as well. A House proposal to add impeachment of executive officers to the Oregon Constitution passed in 2015 by a vote of 47-12. This year, it failed even to come to the floor, despite the current House speaker’s vote for it in 2015. The caucus wouldn’t even allow debate on whether to refer it to voters, despite overwhelming public support for the concept. I could not remain in a caucus that had stopped acting democratically.

We owe it to Oregonians to do better. I know our new speaker, Rep. Dan Rayfield of Corvallis, supports a more democratic approach, as he has supported bills for campaign finance reform and ranked-choice voting in the past. Unfortunately, he has yet to give his values expression through democratic processes.

Submitted By: diwax@msn.com – Click to email about this post

My name is Diane Weatherwax and I have been a full-time resident of Rockaway Beach since 2017. I write in support of Cindy Kay Gregory for Rockaway Beach City Council position 4.

Cindy is one of the most compassionate people I know. Her passion and top priority is giving back to Rockaway Beach. I have personally experienced Cindy’s giving nature and grace. A year after I moved here, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. At that time, she had no idea how bad my chances of survival were. But within days of my returning home from a lengthy stay at the hospital, a delicious homemade quiche was left on my doorstep. While this is just one personal example of Cindy’s generosity, I know there are many others in this community who have received her gifts. Not only does Cindy show care for so many of us individually, she regularly volunteers her time to the community as a whole. Her community recognition as “Volunteer of the year 2022” is an understatement.

One example of Cindy’s commitment to this town is the beautification of our iconic “Chamber of Commerce/Caboose”’ area at the Wayside. Her creatively tended flowers and plants are admired by all. Cindy’s artistic endeavors also include the organization of the recent and successful “Renaissance Artist Show” at the Rockaway Beach Community Center. Additionally, “Hunters Helpers” supported long-time residents Nancy Roberts and her terminally ill husband, Jeff Hunter. This community group, organized by Cindy, offered comfort and peace at the end of Jeff’s life. Cindy Kay Gregory has proven herself to be a collaborator for good in Rockaway Beach, and I am excited to see how this will translate to her role as a council member.

Cindy is an empathetic listener who responds to the needs of her community. If she is unable to do it herself, she will work hard to find the resources to get the answers and results the community wants. She supports citizen involvement and will encourage input for all decisions voted on as a council member. Cindy also believes in transparency and open communication between citizens and their elected representatives.

I endorse Cindy Kay Gregory for Rockaway City Council and sincerely encourage the citizens of Rockaway to vote: Cindy Kay for Rockaway!

Submitted By: peggy@coastconstruction.biz – Click to email about this post

This is from the Headlight Herald dated October 22, 2021
Recently, an article was posted on the Oregon Coast Alliance (ORCA) website under the “News” and “Victories” tabs. The title of the article was “Wheeler: The End of the Ulbricht Project and the Beginning of a Brighter Future.” The article was about, once again, stopping a developer from building on waterfront property. However, the title of the article is misleading because the project is not at an end.
For years, a small group of Wheeler citizens has vocally opposed a potential development in our small village. In the face of this opposition, other voices and other opinions have been drowned out. Has yours?
Will Wheeler have a “brighter future” if development is stifled? Probably not. Do you really want to sit back and let only one small group determine the future for Wheeler? We urge our neighbors to become acquainted with all sides of the current, proposed development plans and any future plans. Take time to learn about the options and make your voices heard about what you believe to be in the best interests of Wheeler.
We encourage our fellow citizens to join us at City Council and Planning Commission meetings. Become informed. Get involved. Make your voices known.
-Mary Leverette, Cynthia Simmons and Jane Geason, Wheeler
Just so people can catch up, here’s the article of reference
Wheeler: The End of the Ulbricht Project and the Beginning of a Brighter Future
Wheeler is a tiny town of about 400 residents, which borders the Nehalem River estuary in Tillamook County. It is a picturesque place, and that is one of its great assets. But Wheeler’s waterfront happens to have a fairly large, undeveloped parcel, owned until 2016 by Tillamook County residents Vern Scovell and John Jelineo. The town is on a hill, so views from its houses, across the vacant property and into the Bay, are magnificent. Scovell and Jelineo also owned Botts Marsh, an important saltwater marsh lying next to the shore. Scovell long ago tried to build a marina there, and Tillamook County granted an exception for the project in 1985 — but it was never built. Later, the two owners tried twice for an Oregon Parks and Recreation grant to make the Marsh and much of the upland a park. Unfortunately, OPRD twice denied the grant, the second time in June 2014.
Wheeler’s residents know what their town should look like. The Wheeler Vision Report, completed in 2011, makes it clear that residents want several things: a Planned Development Ordinance that protects the small town atmosphere; a waterfront plan that emphasizes low key buildings, natural resources protection and limits on large-scale development; and a focus on green space that enhances the City. Whether or not these things happen depends on the town’s political will. In November 2012, City Council directed that the Vision Report be made a part of the Comprehensive Plan as an essential background document. This was a very positive step.
The Fight for Wheeler’s Future: The Ulbricht Project
In 2016 the entire property, both Botts Marsh and the upland, were sold to Ken Ulbricht, a developer from Seaside. Ulbricht eventually sold the Marsh to the Lower Nehalem Community Trust, and it is protected. But after a long anticipated wait, Ulbricht in 2019 unveiled his plans for the upland property, to residents’ dismay: he proposed a large “boutique” hotel and a commercial building for fish processing that would also contain a restaurant, employee housing and other uses. It was called “The Village on Nehalem Bay.” Cottages were to be added later, in a subsequent phase of the development.
The project was controversial from the outset, at the initial planning commission hearings. The issues included traffic, water and sewer availability, the property’s geological stability, and soil contamination from previous use as a millsite. But the central issue was whether such a massive project aligned with the Vision Plan, which is a mandatory criterion for development approval. Residents, and Oregon Coast Alliance, were adamant that it did not. Nevertheless, the planning commission, and then City Council, approved the project in 2020. ORCA and concerned residents appealed the approval to the Land Use Board of Appeals.
LUBA remanded the city’s decision, principally on grounds that the city had failed to show how the project aligned with the Vision Plan. At a remand hearing in May 2021, Ulbricht tried again to show how his Village on Nehalem Bay fit the tenets of Wheeler residents’ vision for their future. But this time City Council disagreed, and voted against reinstating the project. Wheeler residents have good cause to be proud of their defense of a future for their town, which they laid out a decade before the Ulbricht project tested the strength of their vision. Wheeler, and the Nehalem Bay waterfront, will remain as picturesque as they always have been.
Will you recuse yourself on voting issues regarding Mr Ulbricht because of your comments?
peggy@coastconstruction.biz