Author: North Coast BBQ

We are a buddhist inspired Sangha gathering to share what is possible.

You will be welcomed.

There is never a cost. If you cannot step out of a market economy, give something away to whatever dog-worthy.

In peace.

Mary Jones, Position 1
Andrea Goss, Position 2 (unopposed)
Shannon Hoff, Position 4 (unopposed)
Betsy McMahon, Position 5
Mary Faith Bell, Position 7

All five candidates deserve and need your vote. These current board members have helped guide the college in its development of strong academic and vocational training that is accessible to everyone in our community.

Go to the TREAT website at www.tillamookretiredteachers.org for more information about each of these candidates. TREAT is also on Facebook at tillamookretiredteachers.

Below are the three TBCC Board candidates who are running opposed. Your vote for them will be a vote for public education and the success of ALL students.

One topic that really concerns me is some residents not feeling welcome at the NCRD. I have used the NCRD my entire life, and now almost daily for over 6 years, and not once did I ever have any feeling of un-welcomeness. Perhaps that’s just my experience. However, I’m aware that a few private groups did practice some exclusions during Covid and that this did leave some people with bad feelings. I would like to take a look at policy regarding the use of the NCRD space, keeping in mind that we want all people to feel comfortable, safe and welcome.

Another topic I want to touch on addresses the inclusivity of the NCRD due to scholarships based on financial need. It was mentioned in Friday night’s forum that there are no programs to ensure people with lower incomes can afford to participate at the NCRD. I thought this was odd because I was quite sure there were scholarships available to anyone who asks, but I don’t like speaking about topics unless I have the facts in front of me. I’ve now confirmed that indeed there are scholarships available, based on financial need, for participants in all three NCRD departments (Youth & Sports, Fitness and Aquatics.). In fact, in just the past six months, Friends of NCRD funded $2,737.30 for scholarships in Quarter 1 (Jan-Mar 2023) – and for Quarter 4 (Oct-Dec 2022) Friends funded $2,843.80 in scholarships. Those are sizable quarterly amounts and should not be forgotten or misrepresented. We should take great care in relaying correct information to the community. It’s important for people to know the NCRD is available to ALL residents of North County.

We can’t please everyone, and there’s always room for improvement. However, we can compromise and do our best. I spend a lot of time finding middle ground for my clients, and I know it is difficult at times.

If I’m elected as board member know that I will listen and problem solve for you. I will meet any obstacle head on and work to find the best solution. I think the NCRD is a great place and we’re so lucky to have it! Its success is only a refection of our community! So let’s continue to build on it!

Please vote for me, Erin Laskey-Wilson for NCRD board position #2!

Remember the recent admonitions made by some of the very same participants in Wednesday’s Council meeting to honor our citizen volunteers for their service to the community. Little did we know that that respect only applied to those volunteers that they deemed worthy of respect.

The last rites of civility were ably performed with a sermon on the ongoing dangers that I and others pose to the community. The lead officiant at the meeting and author of that day’s BBQ post unveiled a treasure trove of private emails between myself and Council members and public emails with the City going back to 2018 to prove her point. The choir chimed in on cue offering their testimonials with the fervor of a charismatic tent revival meeting.

The BBQ author would have you believe that my sharing informed opinions of how City government operates with our elected officials is a greater community concern than City staff who chose to not answer citizen questions and a City Manager who recommends ignoring and isolating citizens who she determines are making personal attacks on her by even asking questions.

My transgression was pointing out that the latest examples given by the City Manager of City Hall staff efforts to justify Water Fund transfers to the General Fund had failed a simple fact check. This was not worthy of a rebuttal or correction at Wednesday’s meeting because it must be too embarrassing to admit. Equal silence on ignoring and isolating citizens who ask questions must be interpreted that this is now acceptable City policy.

Please do read as much of the 478 pages of documents painstakingly reviewed to produce half a dozen snippets of out of context quotes to make the case that my “clandestine and destructive interference in our city’s affairs” must be stopped.

The warning signs that a cult like mindset is becoming a dominant feature of our local political culture should not be dismissed. The telltale characteristics include: Opposition to critical thinking. Isolating nonconforming community members and punishing them. Loyalty to those in position of authority.

May 3rd should be a wake up call for those that value civil liberties and the right to fully participate as a citizen in our local community decisions. I suspect that the sermons will continue and the choir will continue to rehearse until enough of the silent majority say enough.

Randy Kugler

gofund.me/8381fabb

There is also an account at First Security Bank in Manzanita where donations can be made.
Thank you so very much for your support!!