Our Disappointment No. ---

5/13/2008

Seaside leaders won't support cemetery district proposal

City Council declines to make motion – effectively opposing the proposed concept

The Seaside City Council failed to make a motion supporting a proposed Clatsop County Cemetery District - effectively opposing it.

Before project supporter Mike Leamy began his presentation, he expressed a desire to honor Cannon Beach Mayor John Williams, who died unexpectedly Friday, "

I'd like to take a moment to honor the memory of Mayor John Williams," said Leamy. "One of his last official acts was to sign this resolution."

Leamy presented a revised business plan to the City Council that included changes to jobs titles, as well as a pared-down operating budget for the district. The initial district budget was approximately $364,000 and it has been reduced to $308,000.

Despite the revised proposal, some of the councilor had serious reservations about the district and voiced them during the meeting.

I appreciate Mike's efforts," said Councilor Tim Tolan. "But I feel like it's a burden of Astoria being pushed onto south county and that's why I'm opposed to this.

"Mayor Don Larson said his concerns stemmed from asking second home-owners to pay taxes for cemeteries they were unlikely to use."I think all of you know I always believe in voting," said Larson. He said, however, that he believed the residents of Seaside voted for him because they trusted his ability to vote on their behalf and that was why he was not able to support the proposed district. "We're being asked to bail out Astoria. I cannot support this because of our make up of second homes. We have about 50 percent second homes. I cannot obligate them to more taxes for something they will never use."

The two voices of dissent on the City Council came from Councilor Stubby Lyons and Dave Moore, who both cited several reasons for their support of the proposed district.

"I think the voters of Seaside should have an opportunity to vote on this," said Lyons. "I think the people of Seaside should be allowed to vote on how they want their loved ones buried."

Moore said his motivation for supporting the proposed district was in part because of learning that buildings were being built on top of abandoned cemeteries and also because of the cultural aspect involved in preserving older cemeteries in the area.

"I think it's a great idea," said Moore. "I think it shows the roots of a culture. ... I'm voting for it because of the benefits to the culture."

The deciding factor for many of the council members had to do with the inclusion of Seaside whether the residents voted for the district in November or not. Had the city supported putting the proposed district on the ballot and the residents voted against it, there would have been no way for the city to remove itself from the district.

"I'm going to vote against it if you don't let them out," said Councilor Larry Haller after hearing an explanation of how a resolution of support for the proposed district would bind the city to the district regardless of the votes of Seaside residents.