Botched process invites costly lawsuitI have two observations to make after the May 18 Naselle-Grays River Valley school board meeting.

First, thanks to Aoy Marion who spoke and the students who showed up in support of Coach Bjornsgard.

I thought it quite revealing that the superintendent buried his face in his yellow writing tablet throughout the public comment time, avoiding eye contact with anyone who came to offer an opinion contrary to his well-executed end run around public concern.

Real communicators understand listening occurs as much with the eyes as with the ears. I suspect he was busy making notes to refute in executive session what was being said by the public, to make sure a done deal stayed a done deal. But that’s only a guess, since Mr. Schmidtke did not risk saying anything at all. In public, that is.

Which leads to my second observation. It has been affirmed ad nauseum that the board needed no reason not to renew Coach Bjornsgard’s contract. The board should have stayed with that game plan, goofy as it was.

The botched evaluation process (or lack thereof) coupled with the alleged leaking of personnel information to the public as to reasons for non-renewal (that needed no reason, remember?) have left the district wide open for legal action.

Perhaps the scribbled notes on that yellow pad of paper assured the board that the district would have no liability for its action. I am reminded of a bumper sticker I’ve seen lately: “If you don’t believe in hell, you’d better be right.” If the board and the Superintendent believe the district has no liability in this fiasco, they better be right. Because if they are wrong, a lot of taxpayers in this school district will wonder why tax monies will be paying for a settlement over a matter that, as we have been informed, needed no public input.

Then again, having a superintendent who is not a resident in this community may result in a cavalier view of long-term consequences for this valley so easy to forget on the golf courses of Arizona and Kelso.

John Indermark

NaselleDisappointed with stamp coverageI was shocked not to see more coverage or pictures of the ceremony on Friday, May 14 honoring the Lewis and Clark explorers first day of issue postage stamps at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Cape Disappointment State Park. The Ilwaco post office canceled and postmarked all commemorative envelopes and stamps. This special ceremony was one of only 11 given this honor across the United States.

Your article was confined to the back pages of your paper, while the Daily Astorian carried a picture and article on their front page issue of May 17! (I am sure the O’Neil family would have carried a special supplement to the Observer with pictures for such a special event.)

I am one very disgruntled Ilwaco reader.

Eileen Dunlap

Ilwaco

EDITOR’S NOTE: The event was the Observer’s lead Page 1 story April 14, another Page 1 story May 12, and Page B1 last week.

Letters of ThanksWe would like to thank everyone that helped in the rescue of our brother, Dale Hill, and his son Evan on Sunday, May 16th. To Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Soule, thank you for all your information on where you had last seen them and for the coats and blankets for us while we were waiting. Thank you to the sheriff’s department for their response and communication with us that Sunday evening. Most of all, we would like to thank the Coast Guard for their quick response with the helicopter and the kindness and compassion that we received throughout the evening on the phone with them. We cannot say enough about the professionalism of the Coast Guard. Thank you for saving our family!

George and Pam Hill

Ocean Park

The friends of Conner Jones would like to give our heartfelt thanks to all those folks on the Peninsula (and those from other places, too) who gave so generously to Conner’s car wash benefit. A special thank-you to the following: Bank of the Pacific for the radio advertisement and use of your facilities in Ocean Park, Buzy Beez Copy Center for the posters and supplies, Okie’s Sentry Market for sending shoppers our way and the many volunteers who washed cars in the rain. Your generosity is beyond belief.

Michele Guelfi and Sue Madsen

On Saturday, May 15, the fifth annual Peninsula Youth Baseball League’s benefit golf tournament was held at the Surfside Golf course. We had many individuals and organizations sponsor holes or donate merchandise for this event. Last week, a letter of thanks was printed for those who donated their time, energy and money but unfortunately, I forgot to recognize Martin’s Feed & Tack, Radio Shack, Jack Marsh, the Pilot House, Morrison Sporting Goods, the Depot Restaurant, the Loose Caboose and Portside Cafe as also contributing towards this event. We appreciate their generosity and support of the youth of this community. Please show your support for these local businesses and thanks for supporting the Peninsula’s youth and youth programs.

MIKE DeSIMONE

Peninsula Youth League Baseball

To everyone who participated in our Loyalty Day Seafood Feast on Saturday, May 1st at the Ilwaco Museum, a great big thank you! A dinner of this type cannot be done without the efforts of many people.

On behalf of the Tribal Council, I thank each and everyone for your contribution in making our dinner a huge success. We fed 94 adults, 106 seniors and seven children for a total of 207 meals.

We extend an extra big thank you to the Loyalty Day Committee for getting the word out, some terrific publicity and to Hobe Kyter at the Heritage Museum in Ilwaco for the use of their beautiful new kitchen. Many, many thanks,

Paula Frazer

Chinook

Those of us who took part in the 4th annual Surf Perch Derby, held on May 15, would like to thank the city of Long Beach for being the host of such a wonderful event. The Kiwanis Club provided a truly outstanding breakfast and received assistance from some Boy Scouts who helped keep tables cleaned off. Thank you to the two Peninsula Lions Clubs for taking care of all the paperwork leading up to the event and for taking care of the selling of raffle tickets. The Lions also had the assistance of the Pacific Coast Leo Club. A special thank you to the following businesses for their donation of time or raffle items for the event, and especially to the participants: Chinook Country Store, CoHo Charters, Englund Marine Supplies, Ed’s Bait and Tackle, City of Ilwaco, Sid’s IGA, PRADCO Fishing, Pioneer Market, Pepsi, Dennis Company, Lamiglas, Bob’s, Jeff Johnson, Finsport, Chico’s, Pat’s Seafood, Maxima, Optimum Bait, B.S. Fishtails, and Gibbs/Noitac Industries.

Al Harper

Project Coordinator, SeaviewLocal L&C stamp ceremonies were extremely successfulThe May 14 First Day of Issue ceremonies for the three new Lewis & Clark commemorative stamps at Cape Disappointment State Park and Fort Clatsop National Memorial were extremely successful events, thanks to the support of everyone in our communities.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of customers who attended these exciting events celebrating the Lewis & Clark bicentennial. Most of all, we want to thank the many organizations and individuals, too numerous to list here, who worked together with us to make these historic events a success. In particular, we wish to acknowledge everyone on the staff at both Cape Disappointment and Fort Clatsop for their amazing assistance in staging the two ceremonies. Special thanks also go to Pacific Transit and Sunset Empire Transit District for providing complimentary public transportation to the events.

We sold thousands of stamps last Friday, but those who were unable to join us at either event can still purchase the new stamps at both the Ilwaco and Astoria Post Offices. Both of us appreciate the opportunity these ceremonies provided to work with and serve the wonderful people in our communities.

Karen J. Harrell

Postmaster, Ilwaco

Kevin D. Romeyn

Postmaster, AstoriaPublic should scrutinize its own reactions to scandalsListening to and reading current media of the sins of Oregon public figure Neil Goldschmidt compelled me to share some thoughts not only on this sad situation, but a highly related and equally responsible situation – American society in general and its evolution of thought.

Certainly, I feel sorry for the girl who had someone forced upon her, but I am just as disgusted at the public’s show of double-standards in its unrelenting ‘draw and quarter’ sort of way. Why is it the public places its importance to immediately and completely lynch, ravage, and shun a man of many obvious good works and status upon learning he was not perfect, like everyone else? It seems to me Goldschmidt owes the girl much more than he owes us.

In legal arenas, there are many degrees of penalty for any particular crime, but seemingly not in public thought, and it’s ironic that it was public thought which made this kind of action an official crime, with its degrees, to begin with. More still, our modern public thought still reveres former President Thomas Jefferson who did the same kind of thing, probably more so than Goldschmidt, but I don’t hear anyone wanting to tear Jefferson’s picture off the wall.

On impropriety in general of public officials, the public also reveres former President John Kennedy, but wanted to hang Bill Clinton out to dry for much less. It is not whether a current law makes a particular person guilty of a criminal action, instead it is the hypocrisy of public thought that bothers me here.

I feel the public is motivated by what they want rather than what is wrong and right, and laws and acceptances constantly get changed to fit the current desires. A recent case in point would be the same-sex marriage issue. The target of morality or otherwise standard of life keeps moving, and while I feel Goldschmidt is wrong, he is not the only guilty party.

Robert W. Bonney

SeaviewLaw enforcement levy offers many benefits for countyI am writing in support of the proposed tax levy to fund the creation of a drug task force in Pacific County. As a resident and property owner I realize that even though my tax bill will increase, it is well worth the price for many reasons.

This levy will enable the county to build much more substantial cases against drug dealers, so that they can be convicted and serve longer sentences in state or federal institutions. Without strong cases, these individuals are released all too quickly, and are the county’s financial responsibility in the meantime.

The drug task force will work to reduce the number of people whose lives are damaged or destroyed by drug addiction. Not only for the dealers and addicts themselves, but also their families, neighbors and victims.

A decrease in the drug problem will be accompanied by a decrease in crime in our area. The fewer dealers and addicts that are on the street, the fewer homes and businesses that will be broken into, and less identity thefts and other crimes will occur, to support their habits.

Many of the surrounding counties already have such drug task forces. This makes our county a relative haven for drug dealers. Creation of the task force will make Pacific County a much less desirable place for drug dealers to operate.

A decrease in crime has numerous secondary benefits. Our property values increase, auto and home insurance rates are better, taxes are spent on more productive projects than dealing with the aftermath, and the list goes on.

I urge you to join me in support of this measure. It will definitely make Pacific County an even better place to live, and it is a wise investment in our future.

Craig Maxwell, D.D.S.

Long Beach

Coordinator: Poker Run runs right

There have been articles in the paper the last two weeks regarding the recent motorcycle “Poker Run.” The first was from Bob Pruess who was trying to explain the rudeness of a young driver in a brown 4×4 who passed six cars and a road guard to break into a motorcycle pack only to slow down. The latest was from John Salsbury.

Yes, there were a bunch of ABATE folks on the run, but the run itself was a private fund-raiser. Regarding the “rolling roadblock,” again, yes, we are a roadblock, but it is better for everyone. We take great pains to keep it all tight and moving down the road. John says it is hard to pass 80 to 100 bikes – well, why would you? This many bikes is about one-and-a-half to two miles long. I’ve never seen anyone pass a pack this size safely or on one pass on a two-lane road. Lastly, regarding the issue of us going slow as a group, I say no way. When we do go slow it is due to traffic, weather, or God forbid, a funeral.

Lenny Pletsch, Coordinator

Pacific ABATE of Washington

NaselleWomen’s group organizing Eleanor Roosevelt DayDAWN, (Domestic Abuse Women’s Net), Willapa Chapter, by its May 23 second anniversary of accreditation as a nonprofit organization by the Washington secretary of state, had its 501(c)(3) standing approved by the IRS. Donors may support DAWN with blessing of the Internal Revenue Service.

There is a board of seven directors all online with email, a Small Business Incubator Room located at the Willapa Valley Grange building in Willapa, property in Menlo on which to build its headquarters and a Web site, (http://www.willapadawn.org), with active business clients listed in South Bend, Raymond, Grays River and Cathlamet.

Earlier this year, DAWN took part in the local WorkSource Job Fair, again signing up small business clients, and ahead is a drive for voting members – female only according to filed bylaws – over the age of 14, at $10 annually.

For the second year, arrangements are in progress for the celebration of Eleanor Roosevelt Day the second Monday in August, as listed in Chase’s Events Calendar for 2004. A listing for 2005 has been confirmed. Donated T-shirts with a picture of Eleanor Roosevelt are a beginning source for the earliest donations, at a minimum $10 and $4.95 for shipping and handling. This is for the “Eleanor Fund,” to collect moneys by donation – and with applications made for grants – to further the primary aim of this nonprofit in providing fees to attorneys for rescue of families in abusive situations.

While statistically far more females than males are subject to abuse, DAWN does not limit its help to women. This includes assistance in starting or growing storefront or home-based small businesses, without consideration of whether there is abuse involved, since family stability is so often economically driven.

Booth space at the Pacific County Fair later in August has been rented and small businesses in the Pacific and Wahkiakum County community are being advised of free space – DAWN funded – to stack business cards, flyers or catalogs for fairgoers to collect.

DAWN remains independent of any other domestic abuse treating organization, filling a niche between the good works others do.

Anne Louise Grimm

RaymondLots of great Peninsula bird info at two map workshopsThe workshops for the “Southwest Birding Trail Map” were a success. We had many sites nominated, and it is hopeful that they will all meet the criteria for the birding trail.

We drove Christi Norman, Audubon Washington Birding Trail director, around to several sites so she could get a preliminary look, and she was very excited about their possibility of being perfect for the map. We even found a site that had not yet been nominated. It looks like we will be on the Birding Trail Map for Southwest Washington.

The informational presentation is available for to your “Board Meetings”, “Monthly Meetings,” or any “Group Meeting” or even two or three getting together. The goal is to have the information available to everyone, and so everyone can know about the Southwest Washington Birding Trail Map (and the two Washington maps already in existence). The possibility of bringing more tourism and economical benefit to our area seems a side benefit.

Thank you to the Elks Lodge in Long Beach for their participation in allowing the use of their meeting room. It is greatly appreciated. Also, thank you to Deb Quimby and Pam Snively for their volunteer time. Please call Patricia Cruse, Willapa Hills Audubon Society membership chair, at 642-5277 to schedule an informational presentation!

Patricia Cruse

Long BeachUnited prayer helps grateful woman recover from ailmentThis past weekend, beginning on Thursday night, I had a taste of what it’s like to be in critical need, and to experience the powerful response of God and His people. I gained a fresh awareness of the awesome power of united prayer. Even though as God’s children it’s normally more blessed to give than receive, when you are in need, on the receiving end, with God and His people giving, it is not only blessed to receive, it is a taste of Heaven.

During a heart attack, a friend reacted to my midnight call by being at my door within minutes to drive me to the hospital, where instant care of skilled hospital staff minimized effects until determinations could be made. Friends rallied, who not only prayed, but contacted our Peninsula community of churches and prayers. Family in distant cities contacted more churches. My pastor, plus friends and family arrived bringing support and prayers (one daughter spent the night in a chair in my room).

There was great fellowship, provision and excitement with Jennifer and Larry, medics who drove me by ambulance to Portland. With sirens screaming and lights flashing I was driven down the center of two solid lanes of traffic and reached St. Vincent’s in one hour and 14 minutes, to be greeted by more excellent care, and a super on-the spot heart specialist who performed the necessary procedures after my being in C.C.U. less than 45 minutes.

No question: the whole episode spanning three days, with two days extra recuperating at my sister’s, was a manifestation of God’s loving care through the Body of Christ whose prayers covered me while Jesus carried me. I was aware throughout that the reason I had a phenomenal time, phenomenal care, met so many phenomenal instant friends, and experienced phenomenal results was due to the phenomenal power of united prayer. How do you describe the sense of security and peace this brings, being in the loving hands of God and His people?

I can only pray that those who attend His Supper Table or the many outreaches of Christians in the Peninsula area sense the ongoing expression of God’s provision and care provided by local churches.

Sunday, I opened my Bible to II Chron. 20:15-17: “Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Fear not, and be not dismayed for the battle is not yours but God’s, You will not need to fight in this battle, take your position, stand still and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf.” What a relief, in weak moments. The only “position” we need, as defined in the Gospels, is being one of God’s children through Jesus Christ.

A lovely song goes: “Give thanks with a grateful heart.” Grateful thanks to all, with special gratitude to the Peninsula Christian Council.

Louise Nelson

Long BeachToo many ‘heroes’ cheapens an extraordinary conceptSince I live in Vancouver, I only occasionally see the Chinook Observer and am not familiar with Mr. Brake or his column. I am, therefore, very glad that I happened to read what he wrote about heroism in the May 12th edition – it deserves to be printed in many more wider-circulation publications.

I have become so weary of the misuse of the word “hero” in our self-congratulatory, celebrity-worshipping culture. It’s a word we need to keep sacred and to use only in the extraordinary circumstances befitting its original connotation. I fear it is lost – but clear and reasoned statements like yours, if only they could reach millions more, might still protect it, and the concept it articulates, from total degradation.

Thank you for so ably expressing the unadulterated meaning of a word that our increasingly impoverished language cannot afford to lose. We have nothing to replace it or what it truly represents.

I’ll be looking for your column in the future (my office is an Observer subscriber).

Bonnie Baldwin Prange

Ecological Land Services

Longview