The Taft High track & field squad competed in the “Run for the Clover” meet at Waldport High on Wednesday, March 14.
For official results CLICK HERE
Photos courtesy of Lon French
Fighting to get you the news you deserve
Recently it has become a struggle to get off the ground as a media outlet in Lincoln City. The reasons for this are many, and involve being giving equal access by city officials, and others.
A good example of a roadblock encountered in the quest to be the best news outlet in Lincoln City is City Recorder Cathy Steere giving us the runaround when we asked her to be put on the city’s press notification list. She claimed she didn’t see our email requesting access, and only after we sent an additional email asking her why she hadn’t replied, did she grant us access.
After our reporting on the serious harassment allegations raised against City Attorney Richard Appicello, we’ve met with resistance from many city employees, who have refused to answer our questions, and just want the whole thing to go away. “I can’t discuss it” has been used too many times by city staff to be believable.
Threatening Occupational Tax Permit applications from the City of Lincoln City, News Guard staff blocking camera shots, and omitting facts that can skew readers to lean “their” way, and no responses to emails we sent to city officials is severely hindering our ability to report the news in a timely fashion.
That doesn’t mean we’re throwing in the towel or quitting. Quite the opposite. It has steeled our resolve to be at the forefront of news and work that much harder.
People are starting to see what honest, factual news is and can be, and are supporting us because of that. We will continue to report the facts and dig deeper than anyone else to ensure Lincoln City Homepage is the most trusted and reliable news source available.
Please keep in mind that while the city staff and other news media sources have multiple staff, Lincoln City Homepage is a small shop (for now). So any help from the public with stories is always prized above all else and helps keep the content on the website fresh and engaging.
Going Forward
Our readership is growing at an exponential rate and we can’t thank you enough for that. Our Facebook page alone has almost 1,000 followers. That’s up from 250 a few months ago.
And if you have news, or your job involves issuing press releases, please add us to your list of press contacts:. [email protected]
One last thing. It appears everyone at City Hall (Driftwood Public Library, Visitors Convention Bureau, etc) is blocked from visiting any websites created by our web hosting company, WernerHost.com, including local businesses Lil Sambo’s, Captain Cook Inn, Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic, Loyd Butler Precision Painting, Pacific Pearls TV and others. We have reached out to the city’s IT staff to find out what’s going on, and will let you know what we discover.
UPDATE 3/18/18
Tony LaSoya, the Information Technology Director at the City of Lincoln City sent us an email apologizing for any inconvenience that the inability to reach the sites listed in the article caused anyone. He said the city subscribes to a Default Threat Protection service that automatically blocks IP address and ranges that have been shown to be a potential threat. He also said lincolncityhomepage.com was blocked before and they added an exception based on a citizen request.
The staff here at Lincoln City Homepage wish to thank Mr. LaSoya for his quick reply and for fixing the issue.
I Heart School Breakfast | National School Breakfast Week
Getting More Students to Begin their Day with Breakfast
To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available for school breakfast, LCSD schools will celebrate National School Breakfast Week during April 2-6, 2018. All breakfast, as well as lunch is provided to students in LCSD at no charge thanks to a Community Eligibility Provision Grant.
Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for many families to find time for a healthy breakfast. However, US Department of Agriculture data show that more and more students are starting their day with a nutritious breakfast in their school cafeterias. The School Breakfast Program currently serves more than 14 million students every day. Studies show that students who eat school breakfast are more likely to:
- Reach higher levels of achievement in math
- Score higher on standardized tests
- Have better concentration, memory and alertness
- Have improved attendance, behavior, and academic performance
- Maintain a healthy weight
The National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) campaign theme, “I Heart School Breakfast”, reminds the entire school community that school breakfast provides a healthy and energizing start to the day for students. Students will be encouraged to show their enthusiasm for “I Heart School Breakfast” from April 2-6, with special menus, cafeteria events, and more.
“A healthy breakfast at the start of the day is one way to ensure students are getting the best education possible,” said Superintendent Tom Rinearson “National School Breakfast Week helps us educate parents and students about all the healthy, great tasting, and appealing choices we offer.” The district serves over 1900 breakfast meals daily through the federally funded School Breakfast Program. School nutrition professionals in LCSD prepare breakfast and lunches every day that meet federal nutrition standards – limiting fat, calories and sodium – while encouraging students to choose from the fruits, vegetables and whole grains offered with school meals.
From Lincoln County School District
75 degrees in Lincoln City – Check out the beach
It was a beautiful 75 degrees in Lincoln City, Oregon today. At least that’s what my hyper-accurate Chevy truck temperature gauge said right before I went out to film the amazing weather on the beach.
The official high for Lincoln City was recorded at 73° which breaks the old record of 64° back in 2005.
CERT Speaker Althea Rizzo Wed March 14
North Lincoln County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is hosting special guest speaker Althea Rizzo, PhD, Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management, on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 6 PM at the Bob Everest Station, 2525 NW Hwy 101.
Dr. Rizzo will be talking about updated Tsunami Readiness Programs at the state level, and providing important information directed primarily at community leaders and first responders, but valuable for preparedness-minded citizens as well.
Dr. Althea Rizzo joined Oregon Emergency Management in 2008 as the Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator after completing a one year National Weather Service-funded program as Tsunami Coordinator for the City of Lincoln City. She is a member of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program and serves as the co-chair of the Warning Subcommittee. She is a member of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup and is the co-chair of the Education and Mitigation Subcommittee.
She has successfully implemented outreach programs for seismic hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Dr. Rizzo has been a frequent instructor and lecturer on hazard mitigation, risk reduction and outreach program design and implementation.
This and all CERT meetings and training sessions are open to the public.
For more information about NLC CERT, or to have a CERT representative come talk to your business, organization, church, or neighborhood group, contact Public Information Officer JoDana Bright at 541-994-2700.
Lincoln City Budget Committee by Jerry Warner
To serve on the Lincoln City Budget Committee you have to sign a form allowing the City to do an extensive background investigation to see if you have violated any laws before you can vote on budget items (say ‘yes’ or ‘no’).
In review, it had been reported to Council and city administration that ex-City Councilor Chester Noreikis had not had an Occupational Tax Permit (business license) for over 9 years while working within the city, and never paid a fine during that time he was on the City Council. However, if he was like the rest of us he would have had thousands of dollars in fines to pay.
Guess what, the City Council appointed him to the city Budget Committee. In contrast, over a three year period 1,123 business accounts had paid fines for not having an Occupational Tax Permit. Fines, late fees, and interest totaled $15,677.52.
This is just another example of how your City Council and administration work and why the citizens have little confidence in them.
Jerry Warner
Lincoln City
Council honors Ward, leaves seat vacant, & apologizes to Mayor Williams & citizens
Lincoln City, OR – At the Feb. 26 council meeting, Mayor Don Williams asked for a moment of silence for the recent passing of Councilor Kip Ward. Council decided to leave vacant Ward’s seat until the November elections. Councilor Riley Hoagland expressed concern that a sex shop was too close to a proposed park. And the city council, and city attorney, apologized to Mayor Williams, as well as to the city staff, and all the citizens of Lincoln City.
- Mayor Williams asked for a moment of silence for Councilor Kip Ward (Williams)
Mayor Don Williams spoke of Councilor Kip Ward’s recent passing, and led the room in a moment of silence in honor of Ward. Ward passed away on Feb. 12, due to cancer. Ward’s seat on the dias was covered in flowers and candles. A celebration of life for Ward is planned for Sunday, March 11, at 2pm. at the Eventuary, 560 SW Fleet Ave, in Lincoln City.
- Council leaves Councilor Kip Ward’s seat vacant until the November elections (Anderson)
Following a short discussion, Councilor Dick Anderson suggested council leave Ward’s seat vacant until the November elections. The motion passed 5-0. Councilor Judy Casper was absent from the meeting.
- Councilor Hoagland concerned a sex shop is too close to proposed park (Hoagland)
City Manager Ron Chandler presented the proposed new park along NW Oar Place. Councilor Riley Hoagland voiced concern that the new park was only 200 feet away from a sex shop. Chandler said he would let the Parks Board know of Hoagland’s concern.
- City Council & City Attorney apologize to Mayor Williams, city staff, and citizens (Anderson)
With little discussion, Councilor Dick Anderson read a statement (included below) that the City Council was apologizing to “Mayor Don Williams, Mr. [Ross] Smith, the City staff, and the citizens of Lincoln City.” While City Attorney Richard Appicello also apologized, he neglected to include the city staff, as was required of him by item 1 in the settlement agreement.
The full text of council’s apology is:
Ross Smith has filed two lawsuits against the City of Lincoln City, and our City Council in which he alleges we violated the Oregon Public Meetings Law, Oregon Public Records Law, the Lincoln City Charter and our Municipal Code at various times.
With Mr. Smith’s decision to drop the two lawsuits, it will allow us to return to the duties we were elected to do. We, the Council, wish to apologize to Mayor Don Williams, Mr. Smith, the City staff, and the citizens of Lincoln City.
Although we do not admit we violated any laws we acknowledge the lawsuits have served to remind us to carefully ensure that our public meetings, and executive sessions, are held in strict compliance with all applicable laws.
We regret the impact of disputes between the Council, Mr. Smith and the Mayor. The Mayor and Council pledge to work together to minimize disputes that distract from the important work the Mayor, Council and City staff perform for the citizens of Lincoln City.
City Council & City Attorney to apologize to Mayor Williams
Lincoln City, OR – After spending three years, and over $112,000 taxpayer dollars, on four failed attempts to oust Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams from office, the Lincoln City Council, and the city attorney, have finally decided to apologize to Williams, and move on.
Council’s mea culpa to Williams caps three tumultuous years of city officials alleging Williams committed numerous crimes. But for all their numerous allegations, no charges were ever filed against Williams as the city was unable to produce any evidence to back up their claims.
The apologies are the hard fought result of months of negotiations between the city’s attorneys and Cutler resident Ross Smith. Smith, a retired software developer, and fervent supporter of Williams, sued the city in 2015, and again in 2016, claiming the city held years of illegal meetings and secret votes. In exchange for dropping the lawsuits, Smith asked the city to donate $3,000 to the Lincoln City Warming Shelter, and $3,000 to the Lincoln County Bar Association’s scholarship fund. Smith is not an attorney, and wrote all his pleadings himself.
Asked about the settlement, Smith was conciliatory. “It takes a lot of courage to admit you’re wrong, and apologize. I thank our city council for letting the past go, and putting our citizens before politics. I hope we can now move forward, and focus on our shared goals, and not our perceived differences.”
In addition to their apology to Williams, council is also apologizing to Smith, the city staff, and the citizens of Lincoln City. City Attorney Richard Appicello, the man who spearheaded the multiple attacks on Williams, and alleged Smith was also a criminal, has also agreed to personally apologize to Williams, Smith, the city staff and its citizens.
Here is the full text of the apology to be read by Councilor Dick Anderson at the Feb. 26 city council meeting:
Ross Smith has filed two lawsuits against the City of Lincoln City, and our City Council in which he alleges we violated the Oregon Public Meetings Law, Oregon Public Records Law, the Lincoln City Charter and our Municipal Code at various times.
With Mr. Smith’s decision to drop the two lawsuits, it will allow us to return to the duties we were elected to do. We, the Council, wish to apologize to Mayor Don Williams, Mr. Smith, the City staff, and the citizens of Lincoln City.
Although we do not admit we violated any laws we acknowledge the lawsuits have served to remind us to carefully ensure that our public meetings, and executive sessions, are held in strict compliance with all applicable laws.
We regret the impact of disputes between the Council, Mr. Smith and the Mayor. The Mayor and Council pledge to work together to minimize disputes that distract from the important work the Mayor, Council and City staff perform for the citizens of Lincoln City.
UPDATED 2/27 With Video:
The complete Settlement Agreement between the city and Smith is here.
Letter to City Council By Janell Templeton
Council members,
We, the citizens, watch all the shenanigans at city hall involving city staff and council, and are dumbfounded at the hatred and misuse of public funds done solely for political and personal attacks. Citizens are afraid to speak out, fearing the consequences they’ll face from city staff and council.
Councilor Dick Anderson was installed back on council to replace our current mayor. Ironically, Anderson then kept Kent Seida from volunteering for any city committees. If you remember, Anderson quit as mayor to run for another position, and lost after spending over $800,000 campaigning
This council and city attorney has persecuted our mayor and it’s deeply affected his life, family, business, etc. For what? All because the city attorney has some twisted hatred of our mayor? In doing so, this council allowed the city attorney to misuse over $100,000 of OUR taxpayer money, for his own sick attempts to assassinate the reputation of a good and honest man. The city attorney is clearly running city hall. He’s wasted public funds, been accused of sexual harassment, orders city staff to do his dirty work when he has no authority to do so, turns civil actions into criminal actions, etc. He’s driven more by power, vengeance and paranoia, than by any desire to serve our community.
The city manager has been rude to many citizens. He’s very ineffective and is derelict in managing our city. Why is council not addressing these employee issues? Are they afraid the city attorney will sue the city? Or is council hesitant to admit they made a horrible error in their choice of employees?
And don’t think the public hasn’t noticed the real reason Council denied the Warming Shelter’s zoning change request. The denial was recommended by the city attorney, who shouldn’t have had any say in the matter, given his bitter hatred of our mayor.
Yet council had no problem gifting property and zoning changes to Public Works Director Lila Bradley for her building, even though it was required to be demolished, or brought up to code, and will never meet parking requirements. Council also gave a backroom deal to Councilor Kip Ward’s Eventuary to skirt parking and ADA requirements.
The council is supposed to represent our citizens but sadly they represent hatred and favoritism. The unfortunate passing of Kip Ward should remind us all that every day we wake is a blessing, and that all the hate and discontent shown by this council is ruining everyone’s lives.
For the betterment of our city, the city attorney needs to be terminated and yet council does nothing. Chris Thomas, our former city attorney, was too professional and decent to even contemplate the dirty underhanded actions engaged in by the current city attorney.
It’s far past time for council to show some integrity, honesty and transparency. This council has repeatedly failed to protect and serve the citizens of Lincoln City. Please make sure to register now and vote this November. It’s time we take our city back, and elect leaders who will serve our community, and not their own petty personal agendas.
Janell Templeton
Lincoln City Code Enforcement Officer, 1999-2014 (ret’d)
City paying for Warming Shelter rezone filing, despite denial
Lincoln City, OR – The Warming Shelter staff are not letting the city’s recent denial of their rezone request dampen their spirits to serve the unhomed, as an unexpected white knight has recently come to their aid.
Warming Shelter President Patrick Alexander requested the Lincoln City Council rezone their Taft property to allow emergency shelters, but council shot down his request earlier this month. Lincoln City Attorney Richard Appicello made sure to assert that a wide sweeping rezone was not needed and suggested the Warming Shelter apply individually. Individuals requesting a zoning change must pony up the $2,500 application fee.
The volunteers at the shelter are not letting this setback discourage them, and they have an ally that they may not know existed.
Last week, the Lincoln City Council and Ross Smith agreed to settle the two lawsuits Smith filed in 2015 and 2016 against the city, that alleged council held years of illegal meetings and secret votes. As part of their settlement, Smith requested the city donate $3,000 to the Warming Shelter. So if the Warming Shelter does request a zoning change in Taft, the city will effectively be paying the $2,500 filing fee. The funds couldn’t have come at a better time, as the beleaguered shelter needs all the help they can get.
Also as part of his settlement with the city, Smith requested the city give $3,000 to the Lincoln County Bar Association for a scholarship for students interested in a career in law. Smith said he chose this charity because he had gained a deep respect for the law, as he had filed the two lawsuits by himself, and learned as he went.
When asked why Smith chose to donate to the Warming Shelter, he replied “we are measured by how we treat our weakest members. The volunteers at the shelter are doing an amazing job, and they need our support, financially, or otherwise.”
Since opening on Nov. 15, the Warming Shelter has prepared more than 2,200 meals and provided an array of services, including cold-weather shelter, to over 200 people. And when temperatures drop below freezing, the shelter is literally saving lives.
“We’re seeing less people on the streets, so we know it’s working,” said Amanda Cherryholmes, who runs the daytime arm of the shelter.
Out of the 24 people who enrolled for help at the shelter, 17 have gotten houses or a job,” she said. “Seven out of nine people we helped with building a resume have obtained work with online applications — a 78 percent success rate.”
The Lincoln City 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 Amanda Cherryholmes at 206-713-8234, or [email protected] or P.O Box 198, Lincoln City, OR 97367.
For information about the Lincoln County Bar Association scholarship fund, contact Marcia Buckley, President, at [email protected] or PO Box 1241, Newport, Oregon 97365.
