Current Listing

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

Check out who’s voting for Mary Faith Bell.
maryfaithbell.com/endorsements/

In my experience, supporters of Mary Faith Bell believe strongly in our democratic form of government.

When I think of the qualities of a good listener, what I come up with is someone who takes the time and attention to really understand where someone is coming from. I also know that being a good listener doesn’t necessarily mean they agree with that person, just that they have heard them. I have found Mary Faith Bell to be an excellent listener.

When I think of the qualities of a good elected official, I think they take into consideration what they understand and make decisions. It’s impossible for those decisions to please everyone. And a good elected official makes them any way with the best information and understanding they have. I have faith in Mary Faith Bell that she does this.

Due to his own actions, the president has given permission for others to tell half truths and outright lies. If that permission has trickled down to Tillamook County, I imagine thick skin and closed ears and mouths would be necessary for human survival. Like the arms race, reaction often leads to escalation.

I believe Mary Faith Bell has the leadership qualities to continue to be our County Commissioner.

Please join us in voting for her.

DON’T DELAY. YOUR BALLOT IS DUE A WEEK FROM TUESDAY MAY 19. USE THE BALLOT BOX NOT THE MAIL.

The ballot box in Manzanita has been moved to the new City Hall.

Here is a list of ballot boxes in Tillamook County
www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/tillamook-county-clerks-office-official-tillamook-county-ballot-deposit-locations-may-19-2026-primary-election/
Barbara McLaughlin
Nehalem

Submitted By: pattyrinehart@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

Dear Friends,

The coyote story got me to thinking and I recalled the coyote was mentioned a lot in the Indigenous North American stories. If you are interested in knowing more, you can check out the website below. I hope you enjoy the stories.

Coyote in Native American Culture

In Indigenous North American traditions, the coyote is a multifaceted figure — often a trickster, creator, culture hero, and teacher — whose role varies by tribe and region. While the real coyote (Canis latrans) is the animal inspiration, the mythological coyote is usually anthropomorphic, with traits like fur, pointed ears, yellow eyes, and a tail Wikipedia.

www.bing.com/search?q=coyote+in+indian+culture&pc=GD06&form=GDNSBR&ptag=29438

30 people joined the North County Resistance group in Nehalem this past week. Thank you all for your support. Also joining us was Representative Suzanne Bonamici and her Campaign Manager Ellie Zuckerman. They shook hands and talked with everyone on the line, congratulating us on being out there. It was a very positive experience.

We are all wondering a lot about our president and his putting our country in such dangerous and expensive situations. Why in the world is he getting away with all his antics? What a shame. We need you to stand up with us at our protests in Nehalem. You don’t have to stay the whole time, come when you can and leave when you need to. Totally understand people wanting to work in their gardens or go to the beach on such beautiful days, but we need you to help us. Again, bring your chair, and anything else that makes you more comfortable. This week we had homemade ginger cookies provided by one of our protesters!

Public response from those who walk by or drive by has been over the top! Lots of thumbs up and horn honking showing people are agreeing with us.

Hope to see you next Saturday, May 16, in Nehalem, from noon to 2 PM.

Don’t forget to vote!
Best,
Patty

Submitted By: capekiwanda@protonmail.com – Click to email about this post

Elizabeth Akers Allen 1832-1911
ROCK ME TO SLEEP

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,
Make me a child again just for tonight!
Mother, come back from the echoless shore,
Take me again to your heart as of yore;
Kiss from my forehead the furrows of care,
Smooth the few silver threads out of my hair;
Over my slumbers your loving watch keep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep!

Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years!
I am so weary of toil and of tears,—
Toil without recompense, tears all in vain,—
Take them, and give me my childhood again!
I have grown weary of dust and decay,—
Weary of flinging my soul-wealth away;
Weary of sowing for others to reap;—
Rock me to sleep, mother — rock me to sleep!

Tired of the hollow, the base, the untrue,
Mother, O mother, my heart calls for you!
Many a summer the grass has grown green,
Blossomed and faded, our faces between:
Yet, with strong yearning and passionate pain,
Long I tonight for your presence again.
Come from the silence so long and so deep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep!

Over my heart, in the days that are flown,
No love like mother-love ever has shone;
No other worship abides and endures,—
Faithful, unselfish, and patient like yours:
None like a mother can charm away pain
From the sick soul and the world-weary brain.
Slumber’s soft calms o’er my heavy lids creep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep!

Come, let your brown hair, just lighted with gold,
Fall on your shoulders again as of old;
Let it drop over my forehead tonight,
Shading my faint eyes away from the light;
For with its sunny-edged shadows once more
Haply will throng the sweet visions of yore;
Lovingly, softly, its bright billows sweep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep!

Mother, dear mother, the years have been long
Since I last listened your lullaby song:
Sing, then, and unto my soul it shall seem
Womanhood’s years have been only a dream.
Clasped to your heart in a loving embrace,
With your light lashes just sweeping my face,
Never hereafter to wake or to weep;—
Rock me to sleep, mother, — rock me to sleep!

Submitted By: dwieb1@gmail.com – Click to email about this post

We all know wealth disparity is a growing problem with all sorts of harmful consequences. But…

The real wealth extraction is just beginning with the advent of AI and crypto currency. More than wealth, tech bros are stealing all knowledge and creativity from us, storing it in massive data centers and accelerating climate change (instead of solving the problem). They can then choose to whom and how they will dole it out. Oliver Twist: Please, oligarch sir, may I have some more knowledge?

The truly astounding thing is we’re helping it along by willingly using all those “free” AI tools and trading real money for crypto. If there’s a legitimate place for AI and crypto then it’s only in a world of regulations to protect what is rightfully ours and the very foundations of civil society. This will affect everyone, regardless of political association. It’s time for the electorate and our representatives to stop scrolling and wake up!

– Dave

Submitted By: capekiwanda@protonmail.com – Click to email about this post

Unfortunately, many people are influenced by personality-driven politics and fail to scrutinize the actual records of their elected officials—at both the local, state and national levels. We believe it’s crucial to examine an elected official or representative’s voting record and the policies they truly support. Are they consistent, or are they swayed by powerful outside lobbyists or “experts”? How do they communicate, especially with those who disagree with them? How do they try to include more people in the decision-making process?
In my experience, supporters of Mary Faith Bell tend to favor an authoritarian approach over inclusive decision-making that reflects the diversity of viewpoints in our county. This has been my primary concern with her leadership over the past eight years—a sentiment echoed by many who feel shut out of the process, as she often avoids confrontation rather than engaging differing perspectives.
Mary Faith Bell could have earned my respect by declining a pay raise while often speaking about her concern for those struggling in our community and claiming that she was trying to save money by reducing the elected treasurer’s position to 8 hours. True leadership means leading by example, including financially. She receives a salary of over $105,000 a year, along with PERS, life insurance, and generous health benefits. How many hardworking families in our county can say the same? She is generous with taxpayer money, but not her own.
Her absence from the South County Candidate Debate further disappointed me. I understand the group hosting the event was not deemed nonpartisan , but she didn’t communicate her concerns in advance or make an effort to resolve them. I encourage you to listen to the debate and judge for yourself. April Bailey hopes to post a video of it. I am sorry I was unable to attend as this is the first time we’ve had judges that weren’t running unopposed. Sounds like a lot of thoughtful and important questions were asked of Jeff Spink and our two circuit court judge candidates. This lack of transparency suggested Mary Faith Bell was unwilling to stand by her record or listen to the ignored voices of South County. Our community deserves more proactive outreach from our commissioners. Instead of spending so much time chairing boards and committees—positions that allow them to choose participants and limit broader engagement—they should focus on connecting with constituents across the county. It’s disheartening that many people in South County don’t even know their elected officials; that disconnect is tragic.
To strengthen the democratic process, we need leaders who are willing to engage with everyone, not just their most ardent supporters. Mary Faith Bell hasn’t addressed these concerns, and sadly, she seems to believe she’s accessible to all when many feel otherwise.
By declining participating in the South County Candidate debate, it sent the message that she prefers to sidestep difficult issues rather than confronting them. I want someone in this role who isn’t afraid to have those tough conversations, who is willing at the very least to establish dialogue, rather than ignore or dismiss concerns.
As a former teacher, I never had the option to hide from difficult situations with parents, teachers, or struggling students. Facing challenges comes with the territory, and the same should be true for our county commissioners. Do they really have an open door? Do they really care? Again, no matter who you support, we all need to demand accountability, transparency and make sure more voices are heard in our county. There is always room for improvement.

Robin
Pacific City