Current Listing

At their November 5th Meeting, our Council will consider passage of a Resolution to reduce the paving width of a portion of Classic Street as part of the current reconstruction project that in effect would create vehicle travel lanes that will only meet the minimum standards for a residential street. Classic Street is not a residential street, it is a Collector Street that carries more and larger vehicles than a residential street is designed for. The Council should be prepared to explain how approving a street design intended for neighborhood residential streets protects the public’s health, safety and welfare given the volume and type of vehicles that travel on Classic Street.

Unless a City Ordinance contains language that grants the Council authority to consider changes, a Council is not authorized to alter the minimum standards contained in a City Ordinance no matter how expedient or well intentioned the reason. The City Council in 1991 that enacted the lane width standards for Manzanita streets under Section 3 of Ordinance 91-2 intentionally omitted any provisions or process that would allow future Councils to reduce total paving widths to less than 22 feet for Collector Streets.

The relationship between an Ordinance as a permanent enforceable law and a Council Resolution is not a particularly difficult concept for the Council to understand. The primacy of a City Ordinance over a Council Resolution is made clear to each Councilor as they pledge to uphold existing Ordinances upon taking their oath of office.

The saying when you find yourself in a hole, quit digging fits the Council’s present predicament. This project lurches from one questionable decision to another and trying to tidy up the mess with this Resolution only heightens the Council’s desperation to regain community confidence.

Wednesday night is an integrity check for Council members. Will any of them quit digging and say no to this Resolution or will they continue to dig in unison?

Randy Kugler

Editor’s Note
This Q&A is based on an interview with Julia Wentzel (Regional Manager, Tillamook County
Services, Oregon Food Bank) on what changes to SNAP mean for our community. Listen to the full interview at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVvP2bCONic

Q: What is SNAP, and how does it affect Tillamook County?
A: SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, is
government support that helps low-income families buy food. In Tillamook County, about
one in six residents and one in four children rely on SNAP. Yet, many more people qualify
and aren’t receiving benefits. It’s a significant part of how families put food on the table.

Q: How will upcoming changes to SNAP affect our community?
A: Starting January 1, 2026 changes mandated by federal legislation (H.R. 1) will make it much harder for able-bodied adults to qualify. Currently, adults who are struggling but able-bodied can still receive limited assistance. That waiver will end, meaning those individuals can only receive SNAP for three months every three years. Even though the policy targets adults, it will ripple through families. Parents are the ones buying food, after
all.

Q: And now, with the potential government shutdown, how does that play into this?
A: If the shutdown continues, SNAP benefits could be frozen for everyone beginning November 1. The USDA has chosen not to use contingency funds this time, so benefits that usually refill monthly simply won’t appear. Families are panicking. We’ve already seen a surge in visits to food pantries across Tillamook as people try to prepare for losing those benefits.

Q: What can people do to help right now?
A: The number one way to help is by donating funds. Financial donations allow us to buy
food in bulk and stretch dollars further. You can donate at oregonfoodbank.org and select the Tillamook location to keep funds local. Food donations are also welcome, especially
shelf-stable, healthy items, but please call first since our sites are short-staffed. Another big help is creative community support: pay-it-forward grocery programs, food drives, or even picking up an extra bag of groceries for a neighbor. And of course, advocate. Food insecurity is a result of policy decisions, not food shortages. Reaching out to legislators matters.

Q: Who can visit a food pantry?
A: Anyone who needs to. Pantries ask that you self-identify as needing food, but no proof of
income is required. We collect minimal information, and you can remain anonymous if you
wish. To find a pantry near you, visit oregonfoodfinder.org . You can search by location or need.

Q: How big is the economic impact of SNAP locally?
A: SNAP brings about half a million dollars a month into Tillamook County. That money
supports local grocery stores, farmers, and businesses. When SNAP benefits are cut, it
doesn’t just affect families. It affects our entire local economy.

Q: Any final thoughts?
A: We’re so grateful to the Tillamook community. The need right now is beyond what food
banks alone can meet, but people here truly care. As we head into the holidays, remember that food is a basic human right, and even a small act of generosity can make a huge
difference for a neighbor in need.

Learn more or donate at oregonfoodbank.org

Note: This interview was conducted on October 29, 2025. Federal funding for SNAP
benefits during the federal government shutdown is in flux. On October 31st, a federal court
ruling ordered the Administration to use contingency funding to provide SNAP entitlements
for November. However, the rollout of SNAP benefits in Oregon may be delayed.
Let’s Talk Tillamook is an independent community project led by experienced broadcasters
and journalists dedicated to providing accurate, factual information and thoughtful conversations for the people of Tillamook County.

November 1, 2025

We were in and out of our rain gear in Nehalem today. Then someone pointed out a rainbow! This group of people were both serious about their mission and wanting to figure out how they could help our community as we continue our journey to provide, at a minimum, food security.

I’m not sure where to start here. Let’s say we start at food security. From today we have 8 weeks between now and December 27-about the end of the year. My sense is that many people in our area can donate something to the following organizations that serve individuals, families, and children of our community.

Nehalem Bay Community Services, PO Box 232, Nehalem, Oregon 97131.

North County Food Bank, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97147.

Family Resource Center/Neah-Kah-Nie Resource Center, PO Box 28, Rockaway Beach, Oregon, 97138.

If you give $5 for these eight weeks=$40

If you give $10 for these eight weeks=$80

If you give $15 for these eight weeks= I’m thinkin’ =$120

Think about what you might be able to give each week for the next 8 weeks. A $1 a week helps too. Now to give, you can mail your donation to each group or give it to me at next week’s Protest in Nehalem. We are there from noon to 2 PM and want to support all groups. We are here for our community and humanity.

What else can we/you do? You tell me. Ideas and help are needed from everyone. You tell me.

Thanks,

Patty