LONG BEACH A public plea for support was expressed by SeaPort Airlines Regional Manager John Lansing at the Long Beach City Council meeting on Feb. 7, at a time when the company is offering discounted ticket packages in order to continue service when grant funds run out next month.

The $600 voucher coupon books consist of 10 one-way tickets that can be used by any ticketholder between March 15 and Dec. 31. Lansing said he hopes the ticket voucher program will generate enough momentum to continue air passenger service out of Astoria, which will no longer have grant funding as of March 15. 

If there isnt enough interest in the ticket program and they dont reach their sales goal by Feb. 28, Lansing said that all advanced ticket purchases would be refunded 100 percent. He suggested that local businesses could purchase packages of tickets to use as a promotion or giveaway.

The Peninsula has been a sweet spot for us, he explained. Your community has been really golden when it comes to flying with SeaPort.

 

Among business items that evening, the council approved two resolutions setting policy and procedures for the citys small and attractive assets inventory (assets valued between $100 and $5,000 and a useful life of at least one year) and for its fixed assets inventory (assets valued over $5,000).

Councilors also approved a request from the Lions Club to use the gravel lot off the Bolstad beach approach to hold their bi-annual circus on June 5.

The council tabled voting on an agreement with the police union.

During council reports, Ralph Moore discussed Long Beach Package Travel and said the councils goal should be to get hotel owners to commit to participating, which is key to making the program successful. Jerry Phillips expressed disappointment in the small turnout for the package travel workshop that day.

Steven Linhart reported that the visitors bureau needs feedback on its website design, and that the Boys and Girls Club is selling raffle tickets to win a washer and dryer set donated by Dennis Company.

Mayor Bob Andrew briefly discussed a letter he had written to Sen. Brian Hatfield regarding a reduction in funding for the Washington State Historical Society, which has played a large role in the development of Station Camp Middle Village.  

Finance Director David Glasson reported that there will be a training burn at a house behind Funland in April.

Community Development Director Gayle Borchard discussed a pedestrian scale signage project where small signs featuring a Chinook tribal image will direct visitors to the beach and other local landmarks.