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The Battle for Nelscott Reef Continues

Justin Werner
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The Battle for Nelscott Reef Continues

Lincoln City, Oregon – Monday’s City Council meeting was a great opportunity to show the council just how dangerous the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Pro-Am’s “10 Barrel Warm Up Session” event was. Lincoln City Homepage reporter, Justin Werner, spoke at the council meeting explaining the dangers of not having safety as it concerns the city on city property. The conditions on November 29th were extremely dangerous and there was no safety team on site to speak of that day.

A secret communication from the Pro-Am sent to Lincoln City Homepage illustrating a need for secrecy about launching from Canyon Lake City Park because of not having a permit.

Social media posts and a confidentially submitted Facebook Message shows the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Pro-Am staging their event from Canyon Lake City Park in a dangerous environment with no safety precautions. This would not be a big deal if the Pro-Am event organizers had secured the proper permits to use the city park and carry the proper insurance but the event organizers were told by Ed Dreistadt of the Lincoln City Visitors Convention bureau that they did not need a permit. John Forse, who organizes the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic event, has been securing the required permits/insurance for the last thirteen years. Mr. Driestadt has been contacted numerous times to ask him for clarification regarding his statement that permits are not required. Unfortunately, he has not responded to repeated emails and voicemail left for him. At the council meeting the City Manager, Ron Chandler, requested an email with the images so he could take a look at them.

In one of the images taken from the event there are people getting pinned under a huge log. Jon Monroe with Head Stand Photography had this to say about the image:

“There are people getting rolled over by this log, had I not made it up the hill I would have died.”

John Forse with the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic was aware of the Pro-Am’s intention to run an event and decided to not call his contest due to safety concerns presented by the Pro-Am.

This is an email Justin Werner sent to the Lincoln City City Council, the Mayor, Police Chief Keith Kilian, Jeremy Ruark of the News Guard, and Rick Beasley of the Newport News Times, five days before this event occurred:

Honorable Mayor and Councilors,

I need your assistance. John Forse asked me to contact you. Mr. Forse is the event organizer of the “Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic,” which has been held annually in Nelscott since 2005. This year, Mr. Forse has secured the required event permits, OTP permits, insurance, security, parking assistants, etc. as he has done every year.

Unfortunately, three independent sources have told us that VCB Director Ed Dreistadt told the organizers of an event misleadingly called the “Nelscott Reef Big Wave Pro-Am”, that permits are not needed for their event. Since the “Pro-Am” organizers do not even have a OTP permit, as they have has never held an event here before, Mr. Forse is very concerned that if the City allows an unpermitted event to be held, it may be exposing itself to liability, as well as causing security and parking issues. This is especially true if the illicit “Pro-Am” event is held at the same time as Forse’s legitimate event.

 

I spoke with Police Chief Kilian and he said permits are required and need to be obtained from the City.

 

I have visited the VCB office several times in the last few weeks, to see Mr. Dreistadt, but he has not been available. I have also left him at least four voicemails, but I have not heard back from him yet.

 

To protect the City, and the event participants, from possible harm, it is vital that the “Pro Am” organizers, and Mr. Forse, are informed if event and/or OTP permits are required to hold these surfing events, so please let us know what the City’s position is regarding this.

Thank you for your assistance and your service,

Justin Werner

Lincoln City Homepage

541-992-0321

Farewell Putt N Bat

Justin Werner
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Farewell Putt N Bat

If you mini-golfed or hit in the batting cages at All American Putt N Bat here in Lincoln City,  there is bad news for you. Long time owner Dick Davis and his wife LaRena Davis have sold the building to enjoy retirement. This may sadden some of you but you can take solace in the fact that “The Putt” will live on in Sequim, Washington.

An All American Story

Bright blue floors scattered with red white and blue stars lead past games, batting cages, and a baseball store full of hundreds of items.

The Putt Putt course winds through arches to the Oregon Room, and the US Room which has wall-sized original art, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and more.

Owner Dick Davis moved to Lincoln City when he was 3 years old and since then his life in Lincoln City has been centered around baseball. He was a four year Letterman at Taft High School and played on a team that went to the state tournament in the 50’s. His coach (Roy Harrington) was voted into the Oregon Baseball Hall of Fame in the late 80’s. Dick coached Little League for years – coaching both his son and grandson.

Dick had a logging business with his brother, but when his brother and business partner became ill, Dick’s logging business ended.

And so in 1966 (at age 59) when a lot of people are aligning their retirement funds, Dick sold the CAT used for logging, took out the mutual funds, mortgaged the house and started over.

Son Darin and daughter-in-law Stacy came into the business with their HeadQuarters4Sports and the best deals on baseball & softball gear.

One GM’s Take

Justin Werner & Terry. 18th hole engineers.

I’m Justin Werner. I was the General Manager at Putt N Bat for a couple years and was part of the construction of the 18th hole. It carried the ball up to the rafters via conveyor belt, rolled down a giant 30-foot tube, and flew six feet across the open air over people getting clubs and tokens at the front desk.

If you made it in the target you won a free round of golf. People loved it and would cheer when someone won. I’d let the little kids shoot two or three times and cross my fingers, hoping they would win — they usually did.

18th hole target. If your ball flew through the hole you won a free round of golf.

During my time managing Putt N Bat, I witnessed many family firsts, such as the first hit of a baseball, first hole-in-one and the first time anyone beat Dad.

Putt N Bat was truly unique and made you feel at home. People would come back the next year and make it a family tradition to see who could get the best score at mini-golf or hit the most consecutive softballs.

Some people would stop in to just say hi and sign the guest book because they felt the place made an impact on them. I heard a few stories of how someone learned how to hit in Putt N Bat’s batting cages and went on to get a college scholarship.

Degree of Difficulty

Golfers made the comment: “the course was very challenging,” on more than one occasion. The course got progressively more difficult and golfers would pride themselves on a par outing. Take a look at this video and you’ll get the idea.

We had some real pro golfers come in and they all shot over par and were laughing about the high school kids in front of them scoring better. They said it was a difficult course to putt unless you knew the tricks.

Putt N Bat had History 

All over the walls there was art. An entire room was dedicated to United States history and included pictures of all the U.S. Presidents, flags of all 50 states, vital parts of the Constitution & Bill of Rights and a wonderfully painted Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell and  White House.

Kids would golf, look around and learn something. I really enjoyed answering historical questions. There was a kid that could recite all 50 states without looking up at the flags and he was only six.

The Cages

putt n bat

Twenty balls in the cages was only $1.50. Best deal anywhere and you could get an even better deal if you bought 10 tokens.

You could test your major league skills on the 80 mph pitches, or take your time and pummel the slow pitch softballs. Scores of people would come to Putt N Bat and have a great time in the cages.

In the summer, the cages would be packed but we kept it flowing smoothly by making sure balls weren’t stuck. Looking back on those hectic times, I’m proud of how we all pulled it off. Special thanks to Dick Davis for always showing up immediately in an emergency situation. Without him the cages would have broken down.

As general manager, I took it upon myself to “test” the cages anytime there were no customers. I remember cranking up the speed on the fast pitch to the highest setting and making contact on 1 out of 20 balls, and I can still remember how bad my hands hurt after fouling the one off. I’m going to miss that perk of the job.

Some Serious Mini-Golf Moments

The mini-golf was always the main draw. Everyone remembers CJ Olsen’s epic putter stand he did — on-demand — in front of a crowd. In case you missed it here it is:

That was the thing about Putt N Bat. People felt comfortable there. Things like the Putter Stand happened all the time and we all just basked in the goodness of it. Putt N Bat was really a fun place to hang out. We had a large number of local regulars and repeat family golfers who would come to Lincoln City just for us.

One day a bus rolled up full of soccer players. They found us because of our new website and wanted to golf. It got so busy so fast that I still to this day don’t even know what college they were from.

It was a slow day and I was dusting the plants when all of a sudden there’s 40+ people walking all over the golf course. They had so much fun that day! I remember Dick checking out the numbers and saying how cool it was that they found us. We sold half of our ice cream inventory that day.

I had the privilege to host a Little League team that had been in the Little League World Series. A team from Gresham, Oregon made it all the way to Williamsport, PA. They hit in the cages and played some serious mini-golf. They even signed a shirt for us to proudly display.

I’m going to miss the place. Dick and LaRena Davis were the best bosses anyone could ask for. They had wholesome All-American policies in place like veterans and their families play free, and disabled people get whatever they need for whatever they want. That speaks volumes about what kind of people they are and how big of hearts they have. They donated frequently and made the community a better place.

Lincoln City has always been short on fun things to do with kids so the All American Putt N Bat will be missed. It was and always will be a piece of Americana.
If you have an interesting Putt N Bat story to share leave a comment or post something on the Facebook page. 
“I wish I had a place to go to like this when I was a kid.”
-Dick Davis

 

PROTECTING PETS IN WINTER – LC Sherrif

Justin Werner
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PROTECTING PETS IN WINTER – LC Sherrif

PROTECTING PETS IN WINTER

Winter is a time we should pay close attention to the safety of our pets. Here are some safety tips to follow:

1. Pets that live outdoors should be fed a bit more in the winter because they need the extra calories to stay warm. They also should have fresh water put out a couple of times a day, or consider a special bowl that prevents the water from freezing.

2. If your pet goes outdoors, be aware of the temperature. Pets can get frostbite very easily on the ears, tail and paws.

3. When walking your dog in freezing conditions, check the paws to make sure that ice is not building up between the toes and that salt or gravel from the roads is not irritating the skin.

4. If your dog is a swimmer, keep it on a leash around open water or unstable ice. Hypothermia can set in quickly and the dog may be unable to get out of the water.

5. Before you start your car, ensure no animals have decided to nap in a warm spot under the hood of the vehicle.

6. If decorating for the holidays, keep ornaments out of the reach of your pets. Remember that poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and other plants can be toxic if ingested.

7. Ingesting anti-freeze can be fatal for your dog or cat. It has a sweet taste and even a tiny amount can cause severe kidney damage and even death. If you spill anti-freeze, soak it up immediately. (Clay kitty litter works well and discard the litter once the anti-freeze has been absorbed.)

For more information and tips, visit our web site at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and Like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office — Oregon.

Keyboard App that Collects Personal Data

Justin Werner
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Keyboard App that Collects Personal Data
ai-type-keyboard-data-breach

In the digital age, one of the most popular sayings is—if you’re not paying, then you’re not the customer, you’re the product.

While downloading apps on their smartphones most users may not realize how much data they collect on you.

It’s way more than you can imagine.

Many app developers are following irresponsible practices that are worth understanding, and we don’t have a better example than this newly-reported incident about a virtual keyboard app.

A team of security researchers at the Kromtech Security Center has discovered a massive trove of personal data belonging to more than 31 million users of the popular virtual keyboard app, AI.type, accidentally leaked online for anyone to download without requiring any password.

Founded in 2010, Ai.type is a customizable and personalizable on-screen keyboard for mobile phones and tablets, with more than 40 million users worldwide.Apparently, a misconfigured MongoDB database, owned by the Tel Aviv-based startup AI.type, exposed their entire 577 GB of the database online that includes a shocking amount of sensitive details on their users, which is not even necessary for the app to work.

“…they appear to collect everything from contacts to keystrokes.”

The leaked database of over 31 million users includes:

  • Full name, phone number, and email address
  • Device name, screen resolution and model details
  • Android version, IMSI number, and IMEI number
  • Mobile network name, country of residence and even user enabled languages
  • IP address (if available), along with GPS location (longitude/latitude).
  • Links and the information associated with the social media profiles, including birth date, emails, photos.

“When researchers installed Ai.Type they were shocked to discover that users must allow ‘Full Access’ to all of their data stored on the testing iPhone, including all keyboard data past and present,” the researchers say.

What’s more?Moreover, the leaked database also reveals that the virtual keyboard app is also stealing users’ contact books, including the contacts’ names and phone numbers—and already scraped more than 373 million records.

“There was a range of other statistics like the most popular users’ Google queries for different regions. Data like average messages per day, words per message, the age of users, words_per_day’: 0.0, ‘word_per_session and a detailed look at their customers,” the researchers say.

Researchers go on to raise the question: “why would a keyboard, and emoji application need to gather the entire data of the user’s phone or tablet?”

The recent data breaches have taught us that once our personal data gets in the hands of cyber criminals, it makes us vulnerable forever.

Therefore, the best defense to protect yourself is always—awareness.

Free First Day Hikes 2018

Justin Werner
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Free First Day Hikes 2018

first day hikes 2018Lincoln City, Oregon– The First Day Hikes tradition continues New Year’s Day 2018 when the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) joins America’s State Parks in sponsoring the seventh annual event. All 24 hikes in 22 Oregon state parks will be guided by park rangers or volunteers who will share stories about a park’s geology, history, wildlife and plants. Day-use parking fees are waived for all visitors at participating parks Jan. 1 only.

Hikers can register for a hike at the Oregon State Parks Store, http://bit.ly/ParkStoreEvents. Online registration is new this year–although not required–and will help park staff plan for the hike and provide them with participant contact information should hike details change.

first day hikes 2018

“Bundle up and enjoy your first walk of the year with us,” says Lisa Sumption, OPRD director. “First Day Hikes are a fun, healthy way to start 2018 and a great way to see that Oregon state parks are great any time of year.”

OPRD advises visitors to plan for inclement weather, dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and remember to carry binoculars for viewing wildlife. Check the hike listings at http://bit.ly/ParkStoreEvents for details about recommended ages for children hiking and whether pets are allowed.

Participating parks and meeting areas:

PORTLAND
* Banks-Vernonia State Trail: 9 a.m. Meet at the Buxton Trailhead.
* Milo McIver State Park: 9 a.m. Meet in the Riverbend lower boat launch parking lot.
* Tryon Creek State Natural Area: 9 a.m. Meet at the Nature Center.

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
* Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: Noon. Meet at the Mark O. Hatfield Visitors Center West Trailhead.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY/CASCADES
* Champoeg State Heritage Area: two hikes–one at 10 a.m. and the other at 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center.
* Elijah Bristow State Park: Noon horse ride. Bring your own horse and meet in the equestrian parking area.
* Silver Falls State Park: 10 a.m. Meet at the South Falls Lodge porch.
* State Capitol State Park: 10 a.m. Meet at the Capitol steps.

SOUTHERN OREGON
* Collier Memorial State Park: 9 a.m. Meet at the Logging Museum Cookhouse.
* TouVelle State Park: 1 p.m. Meet at the Area F parking lot.
* Valley of the Rogue State Park: hike and bicycle ride. Bicycle ride at 11 a.m. Meet at Rogue River bridge – John F. Fleming Veterans Memorial Park. Hike at 1 p.m. Meet at the Valley of the Rogue program area.

first day hikes 2018

COAST 
* Cape Lookout State Park: Noon. Meet in the Cape Lookout Trail parking lot. 
* Crissey Field State Recreation Site: 2 p.m. Meet at the base of the stairs adjacent to the parking lot. 
* Darlingtonia State Natural Area: 1 p.m. Meet in the parking lot. 
* Humbug Mountain State Park: 10 a.m. Meet at the campground flag pole. 
* Oswald West State Park: 10 a.m. Meet in the main parking lot on the southern end near the shop. 
* South Beach State Park: 10 a.m. Meet in the South Beach day-use area. 
* Sunset Bay State Park (Coos Bay area): 1 p.m. Meet at the Sunset Bay gazebo. 
* Sunset Beach State Recreation Site (Astoria area): 10 a.m. Meet in the Sunset Beach parking lot. 
* William M. Tugman State Park: 10 a.m. Meet in the day-use area at the gazebo. 

Boiler Bay parking area 
Terrain and length of trail: Moderate, three-mile hike 
Contact information: 541-270-7995 
Additional details: Our hike is on the Oregon Coast Trail between Boiler Bay and Fogarty Creek, and back. Dogs permitted on a 6-foot leash. Due to some narrow and sloping trail sections, strollers are not recommended. Hiking boots highly recommended. 

EASTERN/CENTRAL OREGON
* Emigrant Springs State Heritage Park: 11 a.m. snowshoe hike. Meet in the day-use parking lot to the right of the entrance.
* Smith Rock State Park: 10 a.m. Meet at the Welcome Center. Hike limited to 35 participants. Reserve your spot at http://bit.ly/SmithRock2018FDH

Is There a Weinstein Roaming City Hall?

Justin Werner
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Is There a Weinstein Roaming City Hall?

A senior Lincoln City official allegedly harassed a subordinate recently, according to sources with ties to City Hall who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official allegedly received no discipline or reprimand. Instead, the alleged victim, who was highly regarded, and had been with the City for years, was recently terminated. Our sources requested anonymity to avoid reprisal by the alleged perpetrator and others.

don williams lincoln city

Widespread sexual harassment is now being exposed in all levels of government, including it being “the norm” in Salem, “pervasive” in Sacramento. and “among the worst” in the US House and Senate.

lincoln city weinstein

If you have any information, please email [email protected], or call/text/WhatsApp/Signal 541-992-0321. WhatsApp and Signal are secure messaging apps for Android and iOS that use end-to-end encryption. If you work at City Hall, please do not use your work phone or email account. We protect our sources and will not publish your name, or any identifying information, without your explicit approval. Thanks for your help!

Don’t miss Appicello Complaint article

Y-Not Name the Kite Festival

Justin Werner
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Y-Not Name the Kite Festival

Lincoln City, OR – The 2018 Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival is June 23rd and 24th, but before the kite flying festivities begin a new theme must be determined. The 2018 theme must begin with the letter “Y” and festival organizers are holding a contest to find out who’s got the best theme suggestion. Held throughout the month of December, one lucky winner will pick the theme for the 2018 Kite Festivals and win a signature Finders Keepers glass float. With such colorful prizes, it really begs the question…” Y-Not Name the Kite Festival?”

The 2017 kite festival theme, “X-Kitement,” was submitted by Judy Mauro from Salem, Oregon. Her quirky and creative theme was selected from over 400 entries last winter. For her creative efforts, Judy won a signature Finders Keepers glass float.

Working through the alphabet, a new theme must be determined using the letter “Y” for 2018. The Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau will hold a naming contest starting December 1st. Visit OregonCoast.org/Kite-Contest, where kite fans can submit their most creative entry using the letter “Y.” Multiple entries per person are allowed, provided that each submission is unique.

2018 kite festival

The naming contest ends on December 31st at 11:59pm PST, after which a winner will be picked and announced in the new year. Festival organizers will determine the winner based on the most creative use of the letter “Y” in relation to kite flying. In the event of duplicate winning submissions, a random number generator will be used to pick the winner. Must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

2018 kite festivalJoin us on the beach at the D River Wayside in Lincoln City for the Summer Kite Festival, June 23rd and 24th, as some of the most colorful “big show” kites take flight. Activities during the festival include kids kite making, professional kite demonstrations and the Running of the Bols, which is a footrace across the beach with each participant harnessed to a parachute kite. The festival runs from 10am to 4pm each day, and is fun for the entire family.

For more information about the Kite Festival theme contest, visit OregonCoast.org or call 541-996-1274.

Justin Speers Planned Speech to Lincoln City Council

LCH Reader
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Justin Speers Planned Speech to Lincoln City Council

justin speersMy name is Justin Speers. My wife April has to be at work or she’d be with me right now. Both of us volunteer for the Lincoln City Warming Shelter but we speak only for ourselves.

The community around the Warming Shelter is amazing. It is inspiring to work alongside people with such big hearts, some of whom devote nearly all of their time to serving the most vulnerable members of our community. Hypothermia can set in at fifty degrees fahrenheit in wet and windy conditions – such conditions are typical here on the coast. The Shelter not only protects people from the elements, it also serves as a resource center aimed at helping people get their lives back on track.

I’m not here to comment on the validity of any accusations against the Mayor. That’s up to all of you.

But I will say this:

The Warming Shelter spent months trying to rent a building. The Taft Firehouse was not their first option. “Not in my Backyard” is a serious hurdle to overcome when implementing any kind of program aimed at helping stigmatized members of our community. At least the Mayor stepped up and offered a wonderful space to rent when no one else would. I’m thankful for this temporary arrangement and look forward to seeing the Warming Shelter accomplish their goal of building a permanent location.

I know several councilors have publicly assured the community that they support the Warming Shelter and are only questioning the Mayor’s integrity. So it’s been disappointing to see attacks shift from the Mayor to the Shelter itself.

Signs have been torn down. Volunteers and members of the board have been viciously smeared with homophobic and misogynistic insults on social media. The News Guard started out posing questions about a potential conflict of interest involving the Mayor – fair enough. But now they are now making baseless allegations against the Warming Shelter itself. These accusations are worded as passive aggressive, rhetorical questions.

For example: “Do they have to also have food handlers cards?”

The answer to that is: YES. I know this because April volunteers in the kitchen and all of them were required to obtain food handler cards before working there.

Here’s another direct quote: “falsehoods seem to be spreading that they don’t need any permitting, however they are operating a kitchen and laundry facilities and those are things that are permitted and inspected.”

Well, I haven’t heard anyone claim the Shelter is exempt from permits or inspections. This is a dishonest and lazy attempt to discredit a non-profit that is doing good work in the community. Anyone with honest questions seeking honest answers can contact the Board of Directors. I’m sure they’d welcome the opportunity to clear up any confusion directly.

But here’s the truth: I know some of the people involved in this smear campaign more than I’d like to. They are not legitimately concerned about zoning, permits, or the homeless. They claim to be progressive activists fighting for social justice. But that is a ruse. They are showing their true colors by attacking the most vulnerable members of our society. All they care about is taking down the Mayor, and they don’t care who they have to hurt to do that. And at least one of them sits on the City Council.

I met with Councilor Riley Hoagland in the middle of September to ask some questions about the city. When I told him my wife was excited about volunteering for the Warming Shelter, he immediately and aggressively pursued a friendship with us. We met with him several times publicly and privately over the course of October and November.

Councilor Hoagland made no secret of his hatred for Mayor Williams. He once led me to the Mayor’s house and pointed out a pattern that resembled a Celtic Cross. He said this was a symbol used by hate groups and was proof that the Mayor was a White Supremacist. I was not convinced. Both the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center say such symbols are almost always benign by themselves, and typically associated with Christianity or Irish Heritage. The strangest part about this claim is that Hoagland himself has a Celtic Cross tattoo.

As he got to know us better, Councilor Hoagland increasingly pressured us for “inside information” regarding the Warming Shelter. When he asked us how much the Mayor was charging in rent, we said that we had heard it was somewhere around $1,700/month but had no direct knowledge. He became very excited when he heard this number. He said it was “double what the Mayor is claiming”. He then pulled out his phone and told us he was texting the information to a journalist at the News Guard.

Then, on November 11th, Hoagland requested that April meet with him in person. When she arrived, he asked her to be his “mole” inside the Warming Shelter.

Last Thursday Councilor Hoagland ordered us to never contact him again. This came out of the blue and he refused to provide an explanation. Both my wife and I believe that Councilor Hoagland initiated a friendship under false pretenses. He wanted information about the Warming Shelter he could use against the Mayor. We did not give him what he wanted. When the stories came out, he was done with us, just as we are now done with him, permanently.

Too many good people are bullied into abstaining from politics or volunteering because of people like Riley Hoagland, Laura Joki, Mac Smith, and Bob Rowe. Their goal is to create chaos. Mission accomplished. Great work, just don’t call yourselves progressives. Thanks.

Nora Jane Struthers in Concert Dec 2nd at LCCC

Justin Werner
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Nora Jane Struthers in Concert Dec 2nd at LCCC

LINCOLN CITY – Ken Tucker, the reviewer on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, says Nora Jane Struthers is “Excellent.” Stephen Betts from Rolling Stone Country said she has “an evolved blend of roots and rock with plenty of fiddle and steel guitar.” Jewly Hight of the Nashville Scene opined that “Struthers has undergone one of the more fascinating transformations in contemporary roots music. She is a fiercely intelligent, put-together, independent woman.”

nora jane struthers and the party line at lccc 12-2-17

What will you say about Nora Jane Struthers and her touring roustabouts, The Party Line? To find out, you’ll have to be at the Lincoln City Cultural Center on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 pm. That’s when NJS will hit the LCCC stage for two sets of Americana music to remember. Tickets are on sale now at lincolncityculturalcenter.org.

Born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey, Nora Jane Struthers grew up playing and singing bluegrass and country music with her banjo-playing father. After a move to Nashville, Tenn., and a brief stint fronting the band Bearfoot, in 2012 she formed her band the Party Line and started taking her songs on the road, backed by her best friends and a sound that blends infectious rock with her folk and country roots. Struthers’ voice is pure and unaffected and she delivers her songs with powerful vulnerability. She fronts the band on acoustic and electric guitar and The Party Line is comprised of Joe Overton (banjo, fiddle and steel guitar), Josh Vana (electric guitar and harp), Brian Miller (bass) and Drew Lawhorn (drums).

Now, after two albums and hundreds of performances, the band is known as much for their tight, high energy live show as for Struthers’ smart and disarming lyrics.  Their 2015 release “Wake” was welcomed with praise by NPR’s Fresh Air, Rolling Stone Country, and Amy Poehler’s blog Smart Girls. The band’s more notable performances include Old Settlers, Kerrville, Milwaukee Summerfest, Square Roots, Rhythm & Roots, Festy Experience, Winter Wondergrass, Ann Arbor Folk, Suwannee Springfest, Red Wing Roots, Leaf Festival, Red Ants Pants, Sweet Pea Festival, Oyster Ridge Festival, Red, White, and Bluegrass.

On their new album “Champion” the band worked with acclaimed producer Neilson Hubbard in Nashville, TN.  “Champion” was released in September.

“Nora Jane Struthers has one of those strong, clear voices that cuts across the grain of a melody with a bracing sharpness,” said reviewer Ken Tucker on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. “She started out as a kid bluegrass musician in a duo with her father. Her 2015 album called ‘Wake’ featured songs at the intersection of folk, country and rock. The music on her new album ‘Champion’ tends to be a bit louder – less acoustic, more electric. I guess it falls under the catch-all term Americana. But I think the songs are nervier, thornier than most of the Americana I forced myself to listen to. ‘Champion’ is a more concerted collaboration with her band, The Party Line. Part of that increase in collaboration may have to do with the fact that between her previous album and this new one, she married the band’s guitarist – a development that figures in some of the best songs here.”

Tickets are $20 in advance, available through the no-fee online ticketing system (click “Buy Tickets” on the center’s website or Facebook page) or in person at the LCCC Info Center, open 10-4 pm Wednesday-Monday. To purchase over the phone, call 541-994-9994. Tickets sold at the door will be $22. As always, LCCC members will receive a $2 discount.

Council’s fourth attempt to unseat Mayor fails

LCH Reader
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Council’s fourth attempt to unseat Mayor fails

When Don Williams ran for Mayor of Lincoln City in 2014, we supported his plan to sell the Villages at Cascade Head, create better jobs through an Economic Development team,1 and create more affordable housing by streamlining our Planning Department.2 Voters liked his message too, electing him with 48 percent more votes.3

But after Williams started asking smart questions, like why our City’s 2015 legal budget4 was 360 percent higher than Coos Bay’s,5 a city twice our size,6 our City Council’s response was swift and merciless.

First, Council filed secret ethics charges7 against Williams. But Williams was quickly exonerated in a unanimous 5-0 decision by the Ethics Commission.8

Failing that, Council hired lawyers to dig up dirt on Williams, but found nothing but legal bills totalling $112,121 from the seven law firms they’d hired.9

Failing that, Council then authorized10 City Attorney Richard Appicello to convince the Department of Justice to secretly investigate Williams and his supporters.11 But after a year, the DOJ dropped the case,12 blasting Appicello for failing to produce any of his promised “evidence”13 to back up his six criminal charges.14

Failing that, Council held nine secret executive session meetings,15 over ten months16, where their attorneys17 grilled Williams to coerce him to admit to something, anything, so Council could unseat him, or at least publicly humiliate him. Williams was never provided counsel, and was not even provided the alleged evidence against him, until nine months into the proceedings.18

And today, Council is again alleging Williams violated ethics laws.19 But the facts prove Williams, again, did nothing wrong.20 21
If he had, Council would have certainly filed ethics charges in a heartbeat.

Let’s hope Council has finally learned their lesson, and apologizes, but given their track record, it’s unlikely. Serial harassers need treatment, not given another chance to abuse.

The saddest part is how this discourages anyone from running for office, unless they are willing to toe the party line. Worse, it discourages us all from just speaking up at Council meetings, for fear of our Council’s wrath.

So what can you do? First, don’t give in to fear. And ignore news sources that engage in innuendo, and rumor mongering. Instead, seek out unbiased sources like the Newport News Times, and LincolnCityHomePage.com.

And most importantly, vote wisely next November. Our citizens need you now more than ever.

Ross Smith, Jerry Warner, Doug Wheldon

Editor’s Note: To register to vote, visit the DMV website. To update, or verify your voting information, visit the Secretary of State website.

1 Williams, Don, “Our economic troubles are driving away our younger citizens.” Sept. 27, 2014. link
2 Williams, Don, “A way to affordable housing.” Sept. 9, 2014. link
3 Lincoln County, Oregon, Official Election Results, General Election, Nov. 4, 2014. link
4 City of Lincoln City, 2014-2015 Proposed Budget, 59. link
5 City of Coos Bay, Approved Budget FY 2014/2015, 37. link
6 American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau. link
7 Sprague, Roger, Oregon Government Ethics Commission Complaint, Aug. 19, 2015. link
8 Friedman, Gordon, “Ethics complaint against Lincoln City mayor dismissed.” Statesman Journal, Oct. 28, 2015. link
9 Beasley, Rick, “Probe puts Lincoln City in spotlight.” Newport News Times, May 12, 2017, A1. link
10 Underhill, Dana, Letter to Linn Davis, Oregon State Bar, May 7, 2017, 6. link
11 Shimanek, Jodi, Special Agent, Oregon DOJ, Investigative Report, Dec. 11, 2015, 3. link
12 McCauley, Matthew, Sr. Assistant Attorney General, Oregon DOJ, letter to Lincoln County District Attorney, Michelle Branam, Sept. 28, 2016. link
13 Shimanek, Jodi, Special Agent, Oregon DOJ, Investigative Report, Feb. 17, 2016, 3. link
14 McCauley, Letter to Lincoln County District Attorney, Michelle Branam. link
15 Meeting Calendar, City of Lincoln City. link
16 Ibid.
17 Meeting attendees included City Attorney Richard Appicello, attorney Russell Poppe, Speer Hoyt, and attorney Ross Williamson, Speer Hoyt. Jens Schmidt, of Harrang, Long, Gary, Rudnick was involved, as well.
18 City Council Meeting, August 15, 2016, at 11:50 of the meeting. Watch https://youtu.be/KtOX1G7fgDo?t=11m50s.
19 Jeremy Ruark and Cassie Rudd, “New ethics concerns at city hall.” The News Guard, Nov. 15, 2017. link
20 Williams, Don, “To the People of Lincoln City,” Nov. 21, 2017. link
21 Patrick Alexander, President, Lincoln City Warming Shelter, email to Rick Beasley, Nov. 17, 2017. link
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