THE OCEANSIDER: “OCEANSIDE 101”

By Jerry Keene, Editor, The Oceansider
Your friendly editor often encounters folks who remark on the large number of organizations (known by their initials) involved in organizing Oceanside’s activities and services. It can be confusing. While the county technically classifies Oceanside as an “urbanized” community, our unincorporated status prevents us from centralizing the staffing or funding of our “urban” needs. Instead of a single elected board (a “city council”), our community relies on a patchwork of eight local organizations, each of whom is managed by its own volunteer board of directors. Some of these bodies are funded by donations while others are funded by service fees. For newcomers or anyone else curious about “how things are run” here, The Oceansider offers this brief guide.

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

Oceanside Neighborhood Association (ONA). Oceansiders formed the ONA more than 60 years ago as a vehicle to organize our community planning and civic activities. Thereafter, the County Commissioners forma

lly designated the ONA as Oceanside’s representative to the county and other bodies on land use matters and “other issues.” The ONA holds semi-monthly meetings and special meetings as needed. It also organizes the annual Village Gathering potluck, the Independence Day Parade and other community functions. (The Oceanside Centennial Steps beach access was an ONA initiative.) All property owners, business owners and full- or part-time residents are eligible to become members of the ONA. It charges no dues and receives no government funding, relying instead on donations and occasional fundraisers by the OPS (see below) for its expenses. www.oceansidefriends.org

Oceanside Community Club (OCC). The OCC is a volunteer nonprofit organization formed decades ago for the purpose of owning, managing and maintaining the Oceanside Community Hall. (The land was donated as part of the original land grant by the Rosenberg family when Oceanside was founded.) The club’s board also organizes monthly community potlucks (except in the summer) and co-sponsors the Village Gathering. OCC receives no government funding and relies solely on hall rental fees and donations. Because it is, in part, a “tourism facility,” the OCC is also eligible to apply for Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) “tourism facilities grants” from the County Commissioners.
www.oceansidehall.com

Oceanside Protection Society (OPS). The OPS is a “501(c)(3)” community foundation. It was formed 20 years ago as a vehicle to fund and coordinate an (unsuccessful) legal challenge to the county’s controversial decision allowing a previous owner of the Three Arch Inn (then called The Anchor Tavern) to add a third story and convert it to visitor lodging without off-street parking. (Ask a vintage Oceansider about its brief stint as a strip club!) The OPS later coordinated a successful challenge to excavating a second gravel pit on Cape Meares Loop Road. The OPS was dormant for years but more recently has raised funds for special projects like the Oceanside Centennial celebration, ONA tech equipment and sundry Village amenities. Email jerrykeene1@gmail.com (no website)

Oceanside Action Partnership (OAP). The OPS is an initiative that grew out of the campaign opposing Oceanside’s incorporation as an alternative way to access TLT funds controlled by the county and other grants. Its mission is to “prioritize community projects, pursue funding and oversee project management of community projects.” The OAP recently organized a series of community workshops compiling a list of such projects and is awaiting the IRS response to its application for 501(c)(3) proceeding further with its initiative.
www.oceansidepartnership.org

SPECIAL DISTRICTS

Netarts-Oceanside Fire District (NOFD). NOFD is a local “special district” delivering fire protection and emergency services to our area. It is managed by an elected board of local residents and operated by a professional staff and (incredible) volunteers. It is funded by local assessments (billed with our property taxes). www.netartsoceansidefire.org

Netarts-Oceanside Sanitary District (NOSD). NOSD is a local “special district” that operates and maintains local sewer operations and infrastructure. It is managed by an elected board of local residents and operated by a professional staff. It is primarily funded by fees billed directly to property owners. www.n-o-s-d.com

Oceanside Water District (OWD). OWD is a local “special district” that manages water services and infrastructure in Cape Meares and northern Oceanside. It is managed by an elected board of local residents and operated by a professional staff. It is primarily funded by fees billed directly to property owners. www.owd-oregon.org

Netarts Water District (NWD). NWD is a local “special district” that manages water services and infrastructure in Cape Meares and southern Oceanside. It is managed by an elected board of local residents and operated by an a profesional staff. It is primarily funded by fees billed directly to property owners. E-mail: office@netartswaterdistrict.com (no website).

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

(No remaining events in August)

And that’s the view from Oceanside!