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UPDATED: City Councilors leave Warming Shelter out in the cold

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Warming Shelter
Photo illustration by Justin Werner (Photo by Garry Knight)

Funding for the Lincoln City Warming Shelter was slashed Monday from $45,000 to $4,600 — a 90 percent decrease — after just 38 percent of the aid organization’s $12,000 request was approved by the Lincoln City City Council.

Voting to drastically reduce grant funding and rewarding the money to other agencies were Councilors Dick Anderson, Judy Casper, Diana Hinton, Riley Hoagland and Susan Wahlke. Mayor Don Williams did not participate or vote as he had recused himself.

Monday’s vote granted 14 other agencies a total of over $40,000 more than they received last year. Other than the Warming Shelter, none of the other 22 agencies that requested money received less than they got last year. Approximately $214,000 was requested and $150,000 recommended and approved by the Council.

Warming Shelter Board President Patrick Alexander acknowledged the Warming Shelter has received feedback about concerns that led the City to decide against fully funding the $12,000 grant request.

“We are working to address those as we prepare for this year’s shelter season,” he said.

Alexander said the facility appreciated the City’s grant of $45,000 last year, but felt a request for that amount wouldn’t be sustained in the future.

“Rather than seek a similar amount in this year’s budget, the Board decided to pursue a strategy of approaching five separate governmental and charitable entities and seeking roughly 20 percent of our operational costs from each,” he said. “The $4,600 awarded by Council this year will be a great help as we pursue our core mission of preserving life and health during the cold winter months.”


The $40,400 in funding reduction was distributed to 14 agencies, including several that received 200 percent more than last year. Councilor Anderson expressed “surprise” that these agencies “got more than they asked for.”

Anderson also expressed dismay that local aid organization Shiloh the Gathering Place Ministries received $45,000 this year even though it “didn’t even spend” $14,000 of the $45,000 it received last year and “still has $43,000 in reserves.”

Outside Agency Requests for Funding

Click to enlarge

 

To review these agency’s requests, the City Council created a subcommittee on July 9, and appointed Councilors Casper, Hinton and Hoagland to the committee. The committee met on July 31 in what was identified as a “public” meeting, but no minutes or recording of the meeting have been provided to the public.

On June 20, the Lincoln County Commissioners gave $12,400 to the Warming Shelter for 2018, and asked Lincoln City to match the County’s grant, according to Warming Shelter Program Director Amanda Cherryholmes. She said she does not know why the City did not honor the County’s request.

taft warming shelter violation
Taft Warming Shelter

Local aid organization Family Promise received the full $10,000 it requested this year. Anderson, and his wife, Susan, have been actively involved with Family Promise, but Anderson did not declare a conflict of interest before voting to fund the organization. Mayor Williams declared a conflict of interest and recused himself from the deliberations, as he rents his building in Taft to the Warming Shelter.

Since opening in November 2017, the Shelter’s resource center has provided more than 6,806 meals, 1,071 showers, 357 loads of laundry, 40 bus tickets and 15 birth certificates to its daytime clients. The Shelter provided 396 overnight stays last year, providing 1,179 meals to its guests.

In addition, it provides warm clothes, shoes, toiletry and feminine hygiene products free of charge. The Shelter also offers job placement services, mental health and housing assistance, and works closely with Safeway, rehabilitation centers, and county and state assistance agencies. It also partners with hair stylists and dentists to provide free care on selected dates throughout the year.

Cherryholmes said she has asked City Recorder Cathy Steere several times to allow her to give a short presentation to the City Council but hasn’t received approval.

Based on a recommendation from Anderson, $3,000 was reallocated from Oceana Family Literacy and $2,000 from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to the Taft High 7-12 Booster Club.

The Lincoln City Resource Center & Emergency Warming Shelter is located at 1206 SE 48th Place, past Shuckers, in Taft. The shelter’s resource center is open for assistance or donations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To volunteer or donate, contact Sharon Padilla at 541-992-5748, or Cherryholmes at 206-713-8234/[email protected]/P.O Box 198, Lincoln City, OR 97367, or visit LincolnCityWarmingShelter.com for more information.

Homepage is awaiting response to its request for comment from Councilors regarding this story

Coast Guard aircrew rescues man stranded on rock near Tillamook

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Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout State Park

A Coast Guard aircrew hoisted a man who reportedly became stranded on rocks at Cape Lookout State Park near Tillamook to safety Monday evening.

The man was lifted by a Coast Guard Air Station Astoria aircrew at 5:43 p.m. and transported to shore.

mh-60-jayhawk
MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter

A member of the Tillamook Fire Department contacted Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Command Center personnel at 4:34 p.m. to request helicopter rescue assistance.

Sector Columbia River personnel dispatched the aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Tillamook.

The unidentified man reportedly had a few scrapes and cuts, but was in stable condition at the time of the rescue.

Lincoln City Sandcastle Contest at Siletz Bay

Saturday, Aug. 11, Explore Lincoln City and mayoral candidate Susan Wahlke held the Lincoln City Sandcastle Contest at Siletz Bay. Hundreds if not thousands turned out for the event and everyone Homepage talked to said it was amazing.

Bret Lucich was on the microphone for the contest, announcing winners and providing commentary. He threw taffy to kids on the beach from the Taft Dock.

Tourists Terri Richard and Kaley Jones from Spokane, Wa. said “This is awesome! We’re so happy the sun came out.”

The winners are:

Best Mermaid: The Murray Family.

Best Chowder Head: Mineer & Shaffer families.

Best Sea Creature: The McCauleys.

Best Squid: Cliff & Morrise.

Best Traditional: Jessica and Patrick Beesley.

Best Dog: Shawn & Joci.

There were reports from some sandcastle builders that their creations were washed away as the tide came in.

OGEC to investigate Homepage exclusion from Council meeting

OGEC

Lincoln City Homepage was allowed to attend the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) executive session as news media Friday, Aug. 10, in Salem, where the commission voted to launch a full investigation to determine whether the news site was illegally excluded from a Lincoln City City Council special session.

Justin Werner OGEC Ethics Complaint
Homepage Publisher Justin Werner

OGEC ruled in favor of the multimedia news company by deciding to investigate the City Council’s involvement based on a preliminary report that states: “There appears to be a substantial objective basis to believe that a violation of the executive session provisions of Oregon Public Meetings law may have occurred on 6/04/2018 when an executive session was held by the City Council from which a member of the media was excluded.”

The preliminary report also states: “should this case be moved to investigation the Commission would investigate whether the complainant was a representative of the news media in accordance with the AG (Attorney General) Opinion.

Reporter threatened with arrest for attending council meeting

In other action, Lincoln City resident Jerry Warner’s ethics complaint against Lincoln City Public Works Director Lila Bradley and her husband over their Beach Club property was dismissed in the preliminary review phase.

UPDATE: Ethics complaint filed against Lincoln City Public Works director

Lincoln City Mayor Williams: ‘It’s been a privilege’

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Lincoln City Mayor don williams
Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams coaching his Gray Wolves T-ball team

Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams will not run for re-election this November due to health concerns for his wife, Debbie.

“It’s a rare honor to be a mayor. Lincoln City is where I have always wanted to be and where I will end my days,” Williams said. “It has been a privilege.”

debbie Williams
Debbie Williams

In a Facebook post citing Rick Beasley’s Newport News Times article, Williams explained his decision to not seek any office this year. Williams’ wife underwent emergency surgery to repair a serious internal issue and Williams will be providing care for her. Subjecting Mrs. Williams to the rigors of a political campaign would not be right, Williams said.

Williams said he will declare support for candidates in the future and will work diligently to support their election.

Williams said he plans to stay involved in local and state politics and looks forward to possibly serving again.

Don Williams

 

 

LCSD letter allows Homepage to resume coverage of Taft High

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Lincoln City Homepage will resume its coverage of Taft High 7-12 following receipt Friday of a letter from the Lincoln County School District acknowledging a communications breakdown and clearing the way for correspondence between the media outlet and school employees.

Homepage’s comprehensive reporting on Taft’s academic and athletic programs will resume, effective immediately, following a June 18 mandate to North County teachers and coaches to cease interaction with the multimedia site.

In the email received Friday by Homepage following a Wednesday meeting between Homepage and new School Improvement and Secondary Curriculum Administrator Majalise Tolan, LCSD Superintendent Dr. Karen Gray wrote:

“After reviewing the events that have transpired, beginning with the matter of our spring sports programs, I believe that there was a series of circumstances that caused a breakdown in communication between the school district and the Lincoln City Homepage. Today, we will reaffirm our commitment to pursuing a positive relationship with you and, as we always strive to do, we will adhere to our established school district policies and protocols of communication set in Board policy and district practice. I believe that in doing this, we will minimize any future misunderstandings.

“We acknowledge the comprehensive coverage from Homepage and would like to recognize and thank you for your goal of supporting the school district, our student athletes and coaches. As with all of our media friends, we would like to encourage the community to support Homepage as one of the media outlets striving to positively promote and recognize our wonderful students. Our students deserve all the positive exposure we can give them and media coverage can have many positive impacts.

“Thank you for having the conversation with us recently and thank you for being our community partner.”

A June 18 email from then-Taft Principal Tolan to LCSD teachers and coaches instructing them not to communicate with Homepage, read:

“Due to the nature of athletic issues this spring, concerns over graduation, and the most recent article featuring [incoming Taft High Principal] Nick Lupo, LCSD North Area Schools will no longer respond to communication requests or emails from Lincoln City Homepage.”

Homepage Publisher/Editor Justin Werner said his company accepts the District’s acknowledgment of communication mishaps and looks forward to resuming its coverage of Taft High and its many outstanding students and their sports and scholastic achievements.

“Our only intent is to give the best possible coverage to the kids and this resolves a situation that would have prevented it,“ he said. “We look forward to continuing to be the most credible news source in Lincoln City and we welcome the opportunity to resume coverage of schools in our area.”

Taft High history teacher and varsity baseball coach Matt Hilgers also attended Wednesday’s meeting as part of his administrative training.

John Skipper – A lifelong passion for service

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EDITOR’S NOTE  The following was put together by Ross Smith with contributions from family members and friends.

John Lloyd Skipper Jr. was born in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Sept. 26, 1932, barely three years after the start of the Great Depression.

After losing the family business, John’s father started over by helping build one of the biggest Army training bases during World War II. His dad also developed a 60-unit trailer park for Army trainers, where he often left his young son, John Jr., in charge, when he was away. This instilled in John a sense of self-sufficiency, and caring for others, that continued throughout his life.

John put himself through college at the University of Florida, marrying, and fathering three boys before graduating. A “Big 8” CPA accounting firm quickly snatched him up and moved him into management early on.

He first worked in Miami, leading engagements there, and in the Caribbean. He relocated many times, helping companies in Hawaii, Washington DC, Hawaii (again) and then back to Florida, often as CFO. It was in Hawaii where he met and married Joni, his lasting love, and they decided to settle in Lincoln City, Oregon. In 1992, John reinvented himself by becoming a realtor, and joined Taylor & Taylor Realty in 1993.

His life of public service began in 1995 serving on the local LCBR Governmental Affairs Committee for four years. During this time, he also served on OAR’s Land Use, Political Action, and Governmental Affairs Committees for several years. In 1999, John was voted Realtor of the Year by his colleagues. He served as the local RPAC Representative from 2000 through 2004.

In 1998, John served on and chaired Lincoln City’s Urban Renewal Advisory Board for four years, and the Budget and Transient Room Tax Committees for three years each. He also chaired the Planning Commission for many years. In 2002, John ran for Lincoln City mayor, but lost in a tight, yet well fought, race.

John was accomplished at starting over, having learned to be resilient throughout life’s successes, failures and tragedies. He often knew what had to be done, how to get it done, and was determined enough to see things through. He was an optimistic-realist, a wise and kind-hearted tough-guy that people could count on to help, and do the right thing in so many situations.

John passed away at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Beaverton, following a surgical procedure. Those remembering John include his brother Stan, his sister Frances Carroll, his namesake son John L. Skipper III, and his daughter Janice, who moved to Lincoln City to live with her dad to enjoy his later years.

A remembrance of John’s life was held on Sunday, July 29, at 2 p.m., at St. James/Santiago Episcopal Church, 2490 NE Highway 101 in Lincoln City, where John was an active member of the vestry for over 20 years.

John’s “retirement” celebration of life, hosted by Taylor & Taylor Realty Co, was held on Sunday, August 5th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eden Hall (next to the Side Door Cafe) at 6675 Gleneden Beach Loop, in Gleneden Beach.

Siletz Bay Taft Dock to get overhaul

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Taft Bay dock

Lincoln City Councilors passed a vote Monday to award a construction contract to Bergerson Construction, Inc. for $450,000 to fix the Siletz Bay Taft Dock. Bergerson is slated to begin work at the end of September and is expected to take two months.

Public Works Director Lila Bradley said the decking and railings need to be replaced. Replacing large beams and adding concrete sleeves to the pilings was also deemed necessary after recent storm damage that occurred from logs hitting the dock.

The Taft Dock is considered safe in its current condition after being examined by city engineers. FEMA funds have been previously used to make repairs to the dock for approximately $10,000. The dock is maintained by the city Parks Department and is considered by many to be a primary tourist attraction.

Bergerson completed a $4,500,000 dock restoration project in 2013 for the City of Astoria. The entire pier was removed (including extraction of over 200 piles) over a month to meet a very limited in-water work window. The award-winning project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Bradley said the wood removed from the dock will be saved and possibly used in future projects. Mayor Don Williams offered to buy some of the old railing, recognizing the historical significance of the dock.

The dock will be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and the city has plans to add electricity to the dock in the future.

In 2001 Steve Wyatt, Curator for Lincoln County Historical Society, wrote TAFT: The Transformation of a Waterfront Community to a Resort Town. Historic Context Statement & Cultural Resource Inventory for the Taft Section of Lincoln City, Oregon. 

The following is an excerpt from that publication:

History of Taft Dock

A shipping dock was first built on the Taft waterfront (possibly on this site) sometime in the early 1920s. In 1928 or early 1929, the Port of Newport constructed a new dock at Taft. Apparently, the dock’s presence altered the bay’s current, causing a washout of Pacific Avenue. Citizens from Taft, led by then County Judge Fred Robison, successfully lobbied the port to construct a 600-foot-long wooden bulkhead to remedy the problem.

In the 1930s, the Taft dock was a hub of activity. Lincoln County Logging Company’s tugboats Chahunto and Dodeca (used to tow log rafts out of the Siletz Bay) were often docked there. Also at this time, Bob and Al Mclvlullen ran a boat rental operation at this dock.

A new dock was constructed by Russ Bailey at or very near this site of a previous dock in 1946. Originally, Bailey’s dock had a small “fishing shack” that later expanded into a restaurant. A building was later added in which Bailey rented boats and crab pots and sold tackle and bait. Prior to the establishment of a Coast Guard station in Depoe Bay around 1958, Bailey claimed to have rescued twenty-nine people from the treacherous Siletz Bay bar. On Memorial Day 2000, Russ Bailey, longtime owner-operator of the Taft Dock Moorage, was honored for the 28 rescues he performed near his dock at the mouth of the Siletz River.

A pioneer resident who lived in Taft from 1918 to 1933 ranked its importance as a landmark in a 1994 interview. “If they took the Taft dock away, I don’t think I would recognize the place no more,” he said.

The nearby land (including the site of Mo’s) was owned by the Port of Newport until it was deeded over to Lincoln City in the 1970s or 1980s. Mo’s has had a presence near the dock since the early 1960s. The present-day Mo’s restaurant at the dock was constructed in 1984-85.

Perhaps North Lincoln County’s full-fledged entry into the automobile age could be pinpointed to March 14, 1926. On this day, the oceangoing freighter Roamer called on Siletz Bay for the final time. The Roamer was the very last of many privately owned freighters that regularly called on small Oregon Coast ports to pick up and deliver freight and passengers. When it tied up to the Taft dock, it took on canned salmon from Gertula’s Kernville cannery as well as Astoria-bound lumber.”

The departure of The Roamer for the final time marks the beginning of the end of the waterfront (present-day 51st Street) as Taft’s primary business district. With the completion of the highway, Taft’s port of entry for both goods and people moved away from the waterfront to the highway. Transporting goods and people was far cheaper and faster by auto and truck than by boat. In the automobile age, Highway 101 became the main street for Taft and all the other Oregon Coast communities on its route.

From the Lincoln County Historical Society

Pixiefest rekindles memories of children’s wonderland

Pixiefest

The second annual Pixiefest is in full swing at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Event-goers can expect the same commitment as last year in remembering Pixie Kitchen, a restaurant that was also a children’s wonderland, and Pixieland, a theme park that operated from 1969 to 1976.

Pixiefest has been expanded to include original recipes from Pixie Kitchen, such as its famous cod balls, clam dip, fried chicken, fried fish, chowder and birthday cake. The new Pixie Kitchen attraction serves the classic food that was painstakingly tracked down by the Lincoln City Culinary Center staff.

Pixiefest Memories, sponsored by Granny’s Attic, has six vendors with tables set up with Pixie-themed items for sale. Proceeds will go to Kiwanis children’s charities such as Backpacks for Kids, Head Start, youth sports, college scholarships and Taft Elementary’s Outdoor Program.

Original Pixie Kitchen and Pixieland memorabilia is on display.

Olde 101Olde 101, owned by Malachi Williams from Eugene, is also on display. It is the original train from the Pixie Kitchen Pixie Garden. Visitors are encouraged to pose in the window for a photo opportunity.

Posted by Lincoln City Homepage on Saturday, June 30, 2018

Piano and vocal entertainer Brady Goss played piano, guitar and sang for the Pixiefest crowd. Goss played a two-set solo show at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in November 2016.

Brady Goss
Brady Goss

Described from an early age as a piano phenom, Goss is recognized as an electrifying entertainer. He is a devotee of blues, ’50s rock n’ roll and classic country.

Boone Marker of the Lincoln City Community Center dressed up in pixie garb to play Pixie Kitchen’s Captain Barnacle. Marker introduced Goss and ran contests for kids and parents.

Boone Marker
Boone Marker as Captain Barnacle

Marker recently addressed the Lincoln City City Council and gave a presentation of the Lincoln City’s successful entry for Portland’s Rose parade, where his float received the Chairman’s Award for “Most Creative.”

Craig Loney of Cub Scouts Pack 47 helped with the event, along with Lincoln City councilors Susan Wahlke and Dick Anderson.

Rides and games

Pirate’s Revenge is a pirate ship on a pendulum that simulates a swaying motion of a ship at sea during a storm.

The Cyclone Swing is a spinning swing set where passengers hold on and fly through the air.

The ever-popular train ride is back with bubbles coming from the caboose. The train drives around Pixieland and rings a bell.

The Carousel bouncy house is designed for kids to jump around while parents watch from outside.

A new Pixiefest Games tent brings classic carnival games to the event.

Pixiefest’s mission is to preserve and share the memories of Pixie Kitchen and Pixieland. If you were around and visited either, the North Lincoln Historical Museum would invite you to share your experience on the Pixiefest Facebook page as part of the Pixie Memories Oral History Project. Selfie videos are welcomed.

Pixiefest is held annually June 30-July 1. Rides, games and entertainment are included in the admission price.

Tickets are $25 for adults at the gate and $12 for children 6-11. Kids 5 and under are free. Advance ticket sales are $20 for adults and $10 for children 6-11, while kids 5 and under are free. A family package is available for $65 and includes up to two adults and four children.

Click here to visit the Pixiefest website for more information.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE

 

New law to squash dog poop; restrooms get Martha Stewart makeovers

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LINCOLN CITY — A concerned citizen suggested lowering the speed limit downtown. The Community Center’s Boone Marker delivered a presentation of Lincoln City at The Rose Festival. The city awarded a $132,000 contract for a new city website to Tempest, a Philadelphia firm. $500,000 was also spent on a marketing contract with Portland-based Borders Perrin Norrander. A new dog-poop ordinance was requested, as well as “Martha Stewart makeovers” for  public restrooms. (The numbers/letters relate to the numbers in the meeting agenda)

0. Citizens comments

A concerned citizen suggested lowering the speed limit downtown in the interest of pedestrian safety. Another citizen revisited his dog poop concerns. Watch (6m)

  1. Request to Use Crosswalk Pedestrian Flags on Highway 101

Warren Helcott commented on crosswalk pedestrian flags along Highway 101.

Watch (5m)

2. Volunteer Recognition for the City Float in the Rose Parade

Mitch Parsons
Mitch Parsons

Boone Marker was asked by City Manager Ron Chandler to deliver a presentation about Lincoln City’s involvement with the Rose Festival parade. Lincoln City’s float was awarded the Chairman’s Award for Most Creative. A moving drawbridge activated by a lever won the award. Volunteer Mitch Parsons was recognized for donating over 80 hours to the project. “Nice job,” said Councilor Dick Anderson. Watch (9m)

  1. Oregon Main Street Program in Lincoln City

A presentation from Oregon Main Street (OMS) showcased other cities that have been successful with downtown revitalization programs. Councilor Riley Hoagland brought up the question of how OMS would focus on an area as large as our seven mile long town. The presenter pointed Hoagland to Milton-Freewater as an example to follow because those two towns were turned into one much like Lincoln City and its five districts. Watch (51m)

  1. Resolution 2018-13: Budget Transfer Authorization

Council authorized moving money from one budget category to another. The current budget ends Saturday. Hoagland asked Budget Director Debbie Bridges “why are we doing these” after the Budget was approved. Bridges responded “I try to do them as late as I can.” The motion passed unanimously. Watch (2m)

  1. New Website Development presentation by the VCB (aka Explore Lincoln City)

TempestPhiladelphia based web design company Tempest was awarded a $132,000 contract to design the city’s new website. Annual upkeep costs will be $47,000. VCB Director Ed Dreistadt said the need for a new website stems from the current setup not being user friendly, not being mobile responsive, and is hard to navigate. The city website redesign has been delayed twice due to public outcry over the new city “poopypants” logo. The VCB is “waiting for branding to settle down,” said Dreistadt. The motion passed unanimously. Watch (23m)

  1. Selection of full service agency of record presentation by Explore Lincoln City (VCB)

The city approved a $500,000 contract with Borders Perrin Norrander (BPN), a Portland marketing firm. Anderson expressed concern the VCB’s staff is being expanded and outsourced. Dreistadt claimed the VCB “would definitely make sure we use local” talent. The motion passed unanimously. Watch (38m)

  1. Construction Contract Award for Lincoln Square Roof Replacement

A $233,000 contract was awarded to McMinnville based Washington Roofing Company to replace the Lincoln Square roof. The new roof will carry a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty. The motion passed unanimously. Watch (9m)
 
8. League of Oregon Cities Legislative Priorities

The discussion was postponed until July 9th. Watch (4m)

H. Actions, If Any, Based On Work Session Or Executive Session

No actions were taken.

I. Additional Comments From Citizens Present On Non-agenda Items

No citizens spoke.

J. Announcements Or Comments By City Council

City Attorney Richard Appicello was directed to add a new nuisance ordinance to the municipal code that is based on a Parks and Rec. ordinance (to pick up after your dog) that would be better suited to address the concerns of animal waste piling up and causing an “odorous” stink.

Councilor Judy Casper said SW 35th St. public restroom’s “looks didn’t reflect how it smelled” and appreciated the “Martha Stewart” makeover, and hopes all our restrooms “will have the Martha Stewart look.” Watch (17m)