Letter to the Editor: Sue Graves, Lincoln Beach

(We received a letter March 31 from Sue Graves of Lincoln Beach, urging a “Yes” vote on Ballot Measure 21-137, authorizing the Lincoln County School District to issue up to $63 million in general obligation bonds. Election day is May 17. The last day to register to vote in this election is April 26. You can read the entire letter on our website. Graves said in her email: “I am writing as a citizen of Lincoln County, born and raised here and now raising my family here also – not as a school district employee…even though I am drawing on my broad knowledge obtained as a Safety Coordinator for Lincoln County School District.”)

“The recent devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan compels us to take a critical look at the tsunami risk at Waldport High School: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Waldport High School, built in 1958, is the only remaining school in Lincoln County School District located in the Tsunami Inundation Zone. It has 233 students and 26 staff members. It sits at only 12 feet above sea level and is surrounded by water on three sides: The Pacific Ocean to the west, Alsea Bay and River to the north, and Lint Slough on the east side. In August of 2006, The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries did a seismic evaluation of Waldport High School and rated it as having a “High Collapse Potential.”

“The Good: In a “distant tsunami,” from an earthquake far away that we will not feel, we will usually have four hours or more to evacuate. In this case, Waldport High School is prepared. The students and staff at Waldport High School practice tsunami drills three times each year and evacuate by walking up the road just behind the school until they reach high ground. In a real instance of a distant tsunami they would walk (or maybe even be bussed) all the way up to Crestview Heights School, which is located on high ground and out of the tsunami hazard zone. Waldport High School is prepared for a distant tsunami. This is good.

“The Bad: Scientists say a huge earthquake from the Cascadia Subduction Zone could happen at any time. This fault is literally 15 miles beneath our feet and when it ruptures violent shaking may last for four to five minutes. It will soon be followed by a series of powerful tsunami waves that will wreak havoc in coastal communities. Scientists say it is not a matter of “if” this will happen, it is a matter of “when.” These magnitude 8 to 9 mega-thrust earthquakes occur on our subduction zone approximately every 250 years. It has been 310 years since the last one occurred. Although we practice earthquake drills, (“duck, cover & hold”) twice each year, due to the high collapse potential of Waldport High School, our students and staff may be trapped in the school under rubble after the earthquake and not be able to escape. Since tsunami waves could arrive within minutes, emergency personnel may not be able to rescue our students and staff members from the collapsed school building or they would also be washed away in the tsunami. This is Bad, really Bad.

“If this description sounds like an exaggeration to you, consider the tragic consequences in Japan where authorities believed a magnitude 9 earthquake was not possible. Like the Japan earthquake in March, authorities expect the next Cascadia earthquake to produce strong shaking that lasts several minutes…an earthquake with the power to warp the seafloor triggering a giant tsunami of the scale of the one that devastated the Sendai region of Japan. Experts also say that the ground may drop 1-2 feet or more due to subsidence caused by the earthquake. As Rob Witter, a geologist with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries describes it, “The earthquake is expected to drop the entire coastal region by several feet leading to extensive shoreline erosion, reconfiguration of bays and estuaries, and flooding of low-lying areas.” This eventuality would ruin Waldport High School.

“I have been the Safety Coordinator for Lincoln County School District for 10 years. We have conducted and participated in numerous earthquake and tsunami drills, and we have produced several earthquake/tsunami training videos and publications that promote preparedness. We have written grants to stock up on emergency food, water and other supplies and we have put NOAA Alert Radios in all our schools and in over 200 staff members’ homes. We continually work closely with emergency partner agencies to improve our earthquake and tsunami readiness.

“So what is the Ugly? It is difficult to say this, but if this earthquake happens when school is in session we will likely lose all 259 students and staff at Waldport High School. All the preparedness activities we conduct and all the “duck, cover, & hold” drills we practice will not change that. The “ugly” will happen unless we, the community, decide to do something about it. We CAN prevent this! We CAN save their lives. But we must take action by permanently moving these students and staff members to a new school on high ground. The school district already owns the land, we just need the funds to build a new school. I urge you to take a serious look at the bond measure to consider your part in helping to move these 259 people, members of our community, to safety. Then we can call it, The Good, the Bad, and the Heroes – that is you!”

Sue Graves – Lincoln Beach, Oregon

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Letter to the Editor: State Rep. Jean Cowan

Dear Editor:

With the election behind us and most of the races decided, I’m taking this opportunity to offer my thanks and appreciation for the support I received from House District 10 voters.

I am grateful that this campaign did not take on as high a profile as some in other parts of the state. I did my best to communicate in a respectful and positive manner about my accomplishments and goals for the future. It is very gratifying to have that effort rewarded with a decisive victory.

Tuesday’s election marks a new day in Oregon. An equal split between Democrats and Republicans in the Oregon House means we must work together to solve our common challenges. To accomplish our goals, those of us entrusted with conducting state business must now enter into new agreements, create new working partnerships and legislate with a renewed spirit of dedication to Oregonians.

That work begins immediately. Already there are discussions going on to determine the best models for governance as we move forward.

We will face many challenges in the upcoming session, as well as some new opportunities for cooperative improvement efforts. The budgetary dilemmas that lay ahead are formidable, but I am willing to face them honestly and realistically. I remain certain that Oregonians are committed to continuing our most essential services – education, public safety and the support of our most vulnerable citizens.

Above all else, we must find the best path towards creating sufficient numbers of jobs so that all Oregonians who want to be gainfully employed can find work.

Your confidence in me is truly appreciated; I look forward to representing you during the 2011 legislative biennium.

Jean Cowan

State Representative

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Letter to the Editor: Alice McCain

Dear Editor:

Rep. Jean Cowan is our representative in Salem, and she truly represents the people of District 10 and Lincoln County. Jean does more than give lip service to children, schools, public safety, and our elderly. She cares about the most vulnerable and works hard to provide needed solutions and program funding. As a member of Stand for Children I have visited her frequently and always found her knowledgable and friendly, working “across the aisle” to come up with common sense solutions. With all the problems facing our state and economy, it is more important than ever to have legislators who have experience and are not beholden to narrow interest groups.

In addition:

Did you know that Jean was a powerful force in getting funds to bring the NOAA Pacific Fleet to the Oregon Coast? Result: needed family wage jobs, with more to come.

Did you know that Jean worked to obtain funding for Oregon Coast Community College construction and the Aquarium Science program? Result: more education/vocational opportunities for youth.

Did you know that Jean helped get an Oregon Rainy Day Fund that has prevented even more devastating budget cuts? She continues to work for stable and adequate state funding.

Jean is enthusiastically endorsed by Stand for Children (www.stand.org). (Jean’s opponent, Becky Lemler, did not respond to repeated requests for an interview during our endorsement process.) For these reasons and many more, Jean Cowan deserves our votes on November 2.

Sincerely,
Alice C. McCain
Siletz

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Letter to the Editor: Donald K. Lee, Sr.

(Editor’s note: Mr. Lee is a candidate for Toledo City Council. This letter was received September 6, 2010)

Dear Editor:

As you drive through Toledo, OR, you will find approximately 45 businesses located on Business 20 and another 38 businesses located on Main Street. They all share one common factor in that they all rely on foot traffic and drive thru to service commercial, retail and wholesale on premises by local residents, travelers, and tourists. The majority of the floor space is devoted to that purpose. They all provide a product that is either consumed, used or worked with at local level.

We have one exception, at the east end of Business 20, Cyclone Marine. The majority of their floor space and equipment is used to produce a product that is neither consumed nor used at local level. They do not depend on foot traffic or drive thru. A comparable business that comes to mind is the GP mill, raw product in – finished product out to a global market. But GP is industrial. Cyclone Marine is a poster child for a non-conforming business located in a commercial zone. Just the view from the back of the turnip truck.

Donald K. Lee, Sr., Toledo

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Letter to the Editor: Michelle Amberg

(Editor’s note: this letter was received September 4, 2010)

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the City Council and myself I would like to thank everyone who volunteers in the City of Toledo. Our town is richly blessed with individuals who freely give of their time and energy to bring joy to our community. There are literally hundreds of volunteers in our small town of 3,600 people. Without them, well, it just wouldn’t be Toledo. It is our neighbors, friends and family that bring the excitement and family fun of the Summer Festival, Wooden Boat Show, All Class Reunion, and Art Walk to our community. If you haven’t been involved with one of these events then you really don’t know how much time and love is given to planning, hosting, and cleaning up for these wonderful events. Additionally, we have an amazing group of volunteers who are willing to drop whatever they are doing and respond to their neighbors in a time of need. These amazing volunteers along with three paid employees are Toledo’s Fire Department. And if you have visited the Toledo Library you have seen more volunteers who have given hundreds of hours to keep our libraries open longer hours. And there are more volunteers! There are many unnamed people who clean up, spruce up and dress up the City for holidays and special events. There are volunteers who give their precious and limited time to help our youth and seniors. There are people who are working on various city committees and commissions: Toledo’s Budget Committee, Public Utility Commission, Planning Commission and City Council members are all volunteers – just think of what they donate to our community!

Where would we be without you? Well, we just wouldn’t be.

Thank you again to each and every one of you. You make Toledo a community and a great place to raise a family.

Regards,

Michelle Amberg, City Manager

City of Toledo

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