COASTER THEATRE 2011THE DIXIESwim Clubby Jones, Hope & WootenMay 6 - 29Friday & Saturdays at 8 pmThurs. May 26 at 8 pmSunday, May 8, 22, & 29 at 3pmTickets: $15 & $20Talkback Thursday: May 12 at7:30pm: Informal Q & A withcast and director following theperformance. (special ticketprice: adults: $14; students: $8).The Dixie Swim Clubis sponsored byBECKER CAPITALMANAGEMENT108 N. HemlockCannon Beach, ORBox Office: 503.436.1242www.coastertheatre.comPut Your Hands Where Your Heart Is… VOLUNTEER!Editor’s sudden exit raises questionsWhen I die, it would be great ifMichael Burkett were still aroundthese parts and would say somethingat my funeral. If that happens, I hopehe talks about our common passionfor words.Personally, I would be honored ifMichael would come to the gatheringdressed in the same duds he woreat the first Human Be-in at GoldenGate Park -- the opening event forthe Summer of Love. Hopefully myfuneral would recycle some of thatliving color that’s been drainedfrom today’s whitewashed world.It may seem strange that I’mmusing about my death in thewake of Michael’s untimely passingfrom the North Coast Citizen. Yetthe event prods my sense thatAmerica’s press is becoming a lifelessshell of what it once was. Themarch of today’s media makes iteasy to imagine that columnists likeme won’t be around much longer.In his own words, Michael was“forced to resign” from his positionas editor of the North Coast Citizen.That statement is firmly disputedby the newspaper’s owner, SteveForrester, whose family also ownsthe Daily Astorian and other newsoutlets. Both men could be correct,in my opinion, depending on howthe word “forced” is used.It bears noting that Michael’sresignation occurred amidst a heatedlocal election. Days before Michael’sdeparture, a Manzanita-area Tea Partyorganizer singled out Michael as thereason why the North Coast Citizenfails to meet the political standards fora small-town newspaper. This opinionwas posted by Jim Welsh, a candidatefor local office, on a popular email listserve called the “BBQ.”Welsh explained that the Citizen’seditorial content prompted his sonJon – also a candidate for local office-- to stop stocking the local newspaperof record for customers at hisbusiness (Manzanita’s largest grocerystore). For the past several months,shoppers have had to go elsewhereto buy the Citizen in order to readlocal news articles, commentary, andpublic notices.The heat of this drama is turnedup by the broader political context.Both Jim and Jon Welsh and their alliedlocal candidates have upped theante with anti-incumbent rhetoric.This mirrors the Tea Party insurgencyagainst public officials that has beenbroadcast by the media at the stateand federal levels.In other words, the timing of Michael’sdeparture couldn’t have beenworse. It makes it look as if the longarm of the Tea Party was successful ingetting rid of him. Or, more specifically,that one of this newspaper’s formerMichael Burkettadvertisers – a business closely associatedwith the Tea Party -- complainedto the paper’s owners, who thensomehow forced Michael to leave.A different impression emergesfrom my conversation with DaveFisher, who is serving as the Citizen’sinterim editor. It appears the newspaper’sowners may have taken Michaelto task for his colorful and sometimesbiting efforts to tell the truth. Was thatdone to help restore calm to a communitythat’s become too inflamedfor the common good? Or, was itdone to mend relations with a formeradvertiser?The answer to those questionscould be “some of both.” It could be ablend of these things plus other factorsI’m not privy to.Regardless, this little dramaprompts me to ponder biggerquestions about our society. Whathappens when the loudest voicesin the room are able to stifle communication?What happens whenthose voices treat the idea of “commongood” as if it were communisthogwash, professing that most if notBy Watt Childressall public services should be eithereliminated or controlled by privateinterests?From what I’ve observed, that’s thegist of the Tea Party’s influence onpublic discourse in America, since ittook the stage to disrupt town hallmeetings on health care two yearsago. At every turn, the idea of discussingand resolving problems bypublic or collective means has beentorpedoed by this well-promotedgroup.Does that kind of anti-publicinfluence have any bearing – director indirect -- on what happened toMichael Burkett? I want to believe itdid not, but I don’t know.In any event, the timing of thisdrama helps fuel the appearancethat we are living in a corporatestate. On the broader front, a collusionof business and governmenthas depleted our limited resources.Rather than band together tocounter this dynamic, citizens fightamongst ourselves while remainingresources are diverted from publicneeds into the hands of a privatefew.What troubles me most isthat I can picture a future whereAmericans are unable to freelydiscuss this concern in small-townnewspapers.“Use your words,” we’ve told ourchildren since they were toddlers. Thiscolumn records my effort to modelthat advice as a grown-up.I hope to see such efforts make adifference before I die. Maybe readerswill be moved to think, debate, andtry to integrate various viewpointsinto greater truths. Perhaps all mediaoutlets and businesses will becomemore supportive of open publicdiscourse in our community.At a minimum, it would be nice toknow my family can pick up copiesof my obituary at the local store thatsells our favorite orange juice. Suchthings should foster common groundfor the civil exchange of ideas, opinionsand news.Watt Childress is a freelance columnistwho owns Jupiter’s Books in CannonBeach. His work has appeared inHipfish, the Cannon Beach Citizen, theNorth Coast Citizen, the Daily Astorian,the Seaside Signal, and the Upper LeftEdge (bless the Rev. Billy’s soul). Emailhim at wattchildress@yahoo.com.Working with cats involves… Working with dogs involves…• Cleaning and restocking cat cages• Walking the dogs• Grooming and socializing felines• Grooming and socializing them• Assisting with adoptions• Feeding the canines periodically• Watching for and reporting possible• Watching for and reporting possiblehealth problemshealth issuesAll volunteers receive trainingCLATSOP ANIMAL ASSISTANCE, INC. (CAA)Call 503.861.0737 to join our dedicated team, Tues. - Sat., noon to 4 pm(Must be sixteen or older to volunteer unless accompanied by an adult)Editor of North Coast Citizen resignsOn April 26, Michael Burkett resigned and immediatelycleared his desk as editor of the North Coast Citizen. Thenewspaper is co-published with the Cannon Beach Citizenand is owned by the East Oregonian Publishing Company– the same company that publishes the Daily Astorian.According to Burkett, he was forced to resign based onirreconcilable differences with company executives.Michael Burkett, 61, was the editor of the North CoastCitizen and Cannon Beach Citizen for two-and-a-half years,following his one-year stint as editor of the Wallowa CountyChieftain, also owned by the East Oregonian PublishingCompany. An award-winning newspaper journalist for 37years, Burkett is a former nationally syndicated columnistand published author.His departure from the Citizen was a sad surprise tomany local residents, including Garry Bullard, Manzanita’smayor.“Regardless of how we come down on particular issues,”says Bullard, “the community has lost something veryimportant in Michael’s departure.”That sense of loss is shared by writers for the Citizen.“I have loved working with Michael Burkett,” says DanaZia, food columnist for the newspaper. “He was a wonderfuleditor that believed, first and foremost, in community. Ifound that he was honest, thoughtful and very very local.In fact he was ferocious about keeping this paper local anda champion of the freedom of speech.”may11 hipfishmonthly.com8
A K-12 budget no one likes, ahighway renamed for a maneveryone respected, anda legislative process thatmay drive everyone crazy.Welcome back to the . . .2011 OregonLegislative sessionBy t.a. barnhartGood Bills moving to the SenateBill to link Community Colleges and UniversitiesA bill that creates a clear path for students to transfer betweencommunity colleges and universities passed the Oregon Houseunanimously. HB 3251, championed by Representative Val Hoyle(D-West Eugene/Junction City), earlier received unanimoussupport in both the Higher Education and Education Committees.The bill makes it easier to transfer credits from communitycolleges to universities, said Hoyle.Buy Oregon First Bill – HB 3000HB 3000 allows state agencies to choose Oregon goods whenbidding out contracts. The House passed HB 3000, the BuyOregon First Bill. The bill, chief sponsored by Representative BrianClem (D-Salem) and Representative Ben Cannon (D-SE Portland),allows state agencies to give preference to goods and servicesproduced in Oregon when bidding out contracts.“Oregon government purchases a lot of goods and services.We should be buying Oregon products first. We think as manyof these products as possible should be purchased from smallbusinesses within our state, particularly when the price of thoseThe Biggest Deal: K-12 BudgetIn April, the Senate and House passed,and Gov Kitzhaber signed, the K-12 budget(SB 5552). The $5.7 billion budget is,agrees every member of the Legislature,far short of adequate. But, as Sen BetsyJohnson put it, “We don’t have enoughmoney to fund everyone at the levelthey think is optimal.” The Senate voted30-0 for the bill, an extraordinary feataccording to Johnson.The vote in the House was 32-28;each caucus undoubtedly agreed whowould vote for and against the budget.The bill had to pass — too much wasriding on the need to pass this budgetearly, including continuing a goodworking relationship with both theSenate and the Governor — but asmembers on both sides of the aisle aspossible were allowed to vote No. RepDeborah Boone was one who eitherchoose, or agreed, to vote Yes. Her statementon voting Yes was almost identicalto that of Rep Brad Witt: this is themoney we have, and it’s not enough.But she will also be supporting efforts ofHouse Dems to tap more reserve fundsfor schools, an effort Witt also supports.Sometimes the politics forces thesekinds of results: Witt and Boone are inagreement on the K-12 Budget, but itwas her duty, or choice, to vote to passthe bill.In other LegislativeBUSINESS . . .Even after the passage of the K-12budget, which represents about onequarterof the state’s spending fromthe General Funding, budget mattersdominate. The state’s massive budgetgap, approximately $3.5 billion short ofwhat would be needed to fund existingprograms at existing levels (with inflation),means that policy matters won’tnecessarily pass on merit; everythingwill be scrutinized in unprecedentedways through the lens of funding.Johnson, who sits on the budgetwritingWays and Means Committeesaid, “We are going to be doing inhumanebudgets” in human services. Thestate, she said, may be pushing cuts tohealth providers of up to 19%. “A facilitylike Clatsop Care is in jeopardy; conceivablythe hospital is in jeopardy,” she said.Witt explained that for rest of budget,“much of this is a zero-sum game …we can’t spend the same dollar twice.”To exacerbate the problem, he said,many of the cuts will lead to the loss ofmatching federal funds: a $1 cut growsto potentially to a $6 or $7 loss.All three local representatives arecontinuing work on both legislation andconstituent service. Johnson noted therecent damage to the dock at the City ofWarrenton Wauna Mill and her efforts tocoordinate with state agencies to moverepairs forward as quickly as possible.Witt spoke about bills moving throughthe legislative process regarding jobs,noting efforts in alternative energy andfuels using biomass and even recyclingof plastic. He also has a bill that wouldmake the possession and sale of sharkfins in Oregon illegal, a ground-breakingbill that attacks the cruel practice ofshark-finning (cutting off the fins andthen returning the maimed fish backinto the sea to slowly die).Boone had a number of legislativesuccesses, including a bill to fix a holein the worker compensation that hadremoved podiatric care from the list ofapproved treatments; extending thesunset on wave energy rules beyond2022; and a series of bills that are movingforward as amendments to otherbills. These include bills on dangerousoperation of ATVs and an animal abuserregistry.Finally, the House passed HB 3354unanimously: this will rename a portionof Highway 30 between St Helens andRainier in honor of slain Police ChiefRalph Painter; the Senate will act on thisbill in early May.MayOn May 12th, the State Economist willrelease the “May Forecast” and, at thatpoint, all remaining budget bills willbegin to scramble for final funding. Apositive forecast won’t mean a suddenflood of money; even the rosiest forecastwill still be relatively grim for thestate. More likely is that additional fundswould be released from reserves withthe assurance those will be recoveredvia economic improvements. And thefact that the Leg will be back in sessionnext February means they can providenecessary adjustments to the 2011-13budget at that time.Meanwhile, as the month movesalong, committeeswill struggle to hear as many bills aspossible, to pass the most vital, and totry to avoid politically damaging votes.That won’t be easy. On May 11th, for example,the House Rules committee willhold a public hearing on Tuition Equity,allowing undocumented residents toattend Oregon colleges and pay in-statetuition. If that gets to the House floor, alot of Representatives are going to befacing a volatile decision.T. A. Barnhart is a regular columnist forBlue Oregon and legislative videographer.Look for coming video legislation updateonline at www.hipfishmonthly.comproducts is very similar. This bill allows Oregon companies totake advantage of the state’s purchasing power to grow theirbusinesses and create more Oregon jobs,” said Rep. Clem.Oregon House Passes Bottle Bill Update – HB 1036An improvement to Oregon’s iconic Bottle Bill passed out ofthe House on a 47-12 vote.“Just a shade over 40 years ago, this chamber passed HB 1036,Oregon’s Bottle Bill,” said bill sponsor Rep. Ben Cannon (D –Portland). “It turned out to be one of the most effective recyclingtools ever devised, but it’s showing signs of age. Today’s votehelps bring the Bottle Bill into the 21st Century.”HB 3145 updates the Bottle Bill by expanding the system toinclude containers for most juice, tea, and sports/energy drinks,no later than January 1, 2017.The bill also encourages the development of a robust systemof redemption centers, which will maintain consumer conveniencewhile improving the redemption experience. It creates anincentive for the beverage industry to keep the redemption ratehigh. Only if redemption rates fall below 80% after 2016 wouldthe deposit increase to 10 cents per container.New Beginnings.by bobgoldbergIn one week this pastApril, I celebrated Passover,Earth Day and Easter.Each holiday, in itsown way, is about newbeginnings. Passovercelebrates the liberationof the Hebrews fromslavery in ancient Egypt.Earth Day focuses onthe environment, andhow we can sustainlife on our planet. AndEaster is all about resurrectionand renewal.Spring is also acelebration of newbeginnings. The aboveholidays all celebrate the eternal cycle of life and death which is onthe rise in early spring. Here on the coast, we had our first inkling ofspring, with (relatively) warm and even sunny weather during theweek we celebrated the above holidays. Leaves are out or on theirway, flowers are blossoming, and the inevitable lawn mowers, weedwhackers and other power tools of choice made their way out ofwinter storage.This column is a new beginning for the occasional feature concerninginvasive species that has sprung forth on the pages of HIP-FiSH as recently as last month. Each month will feature news, viewsand history about invasive species and our continuing battle againstthem. The focus will be on the local scene, but the big picture willalways be kept in mind, and examples from other regions of thecounty and world will be shown to enhance the debate.And the debate is the essence of this column.Opposing views on invasive species will be presented, with asprinkling of skepticism and fact-checking. You’re invited to chimein on the HIPFiSH web page, http://www.hipfishmonthly.com/, withyour thoughts and comments.It’s probably appropriate to start out with some definitions.Perhaps the best definition I’ve seen of invasive species comes fromthe Invasive Species Definition Clarification and Guidance White Paper,submitted by the Definitions Subcommittee of the Invasive SpeciesAdvisory Committee (ISAC), in conjunction with Executive Order13112, issued in 2006:“Invasive species are those that are not native to the ecosystem underconsideration and that cause or are likely to cause economicor environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or plant health.Plant and animal species under domestication or cultivation andunder human control are not invasive species. Furthermore forpolicy purposes, to be considered invasive, the negative impactscaused by a non-native species will be deemed to outweigh thebeneficial effects it provides. Finally, a non-native species mightbe considered invasive in one region but not in another. Whetheror not a species is considered an invasive species depends largelyon human values. By attempting to manage invasive species, weare affirming our economic and environmental values. Those nonnativespecies judged to cause overall economic or environmentalharm or harm to human health may be considered invasive,even if they yield some beneficial effects. Society struggles todetermine the appropriate course of action in such cases, but in ademocratic society that struggle is essential.”Since invasive species are defined to be “not native”, a legal definitionof native species would be useful in our discussions. Accordingto USLegal.com, a native species is one that:“occurs naturally with respect to a particular ecosystem, ratherthan as a result of an accidental or deliberate introduction intothat ecosystem by humans. In the U.S., non-native species aretypically defined as those that arrived since the time of Europeancontact.”Armed with the definitions above, it’s pretty obvious that themost important invasive species in our area is Homo sapiens sapiens(since all of us living now arrived after 1492). But don’t let the invasivespecies councils know that one...Next month, we’ll look at some of the local projects to eradicate orcontrol invasive species, and their effectiveness. Welcome to Weed Wars!9 may11 hipfishmonthly.com
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