THE OCEANSIDER: Oceanside-Netarts Seeks its First New Fire Chief in 25 Years

By Jerry Keene, Editor, The Oceansider

On Saturday (March 2), community leaders from Oceanside-Netarts and fire department officials from neighboring communities gathered at the Netarts Fire Hall to interview and evaluate five applicants seeking to serve as the community’s first new Fire Chief since the late 1990s. Current Chief Tim Carpenter of the Netarts-Oceanside Fire District (NOFD) has announced his intent to retire at the end of June. To find his successor, the NOFD Board of Directors utilized a recruiting service offered by the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO). The SDAO advertised the position nationwide and ensured that the process complied with all legal and professional guidelines.

Five finalists were identified, three from Oregon (including an in-house applicant) and two from out-of-state. NOFD has not provided names because some contenders submitted confidential applications. In an interview with The Oceansider, however, Chief Carpenter shared that he was “surprised and thrilled, not just with the quantity but also the quality” of people who applied. On Saturday, the finalists underwent a rigorous round-robin of interviews, tests and role-playing exercises conducted by four specialized teams that covered everything from emergency event management and human resources issues to public agency budgeting and presentation skills. Oceansiders on the panels included Oceanside Neighborhood Association President Sharon Brown, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bucknam and longtime Oceansider Sally Tuttle as well as Netarts-Oceanside Sanitary District Superintendent Dan Mello.

The new NOFD Chief will oversee an annual operating budget of roughly $1.5 million and manage a staff comprising 5 employees and 14 fire district volunteers. He or she is scheduled to start on May 15, 2024, to allow for a month of on-site training with Chief Carpenter before he begins his well-earned retirement at the end of June.

Oceansider Postmaster Gill Wiggin Resigns —
(Unrelated) Oceanside Deliveries Cut as Part of National Consolidation

Oceansider Gill Wiggin is leaving his position as Oceanside‘s Postal Clerk to pursue career options in the field of fire and emergency response services. The “near native” Oceansider (since the age of 3) has been a fixture in the community since being hired for the part-time position nearly three years ago. In an interview with The Oceansider, Wiggin stated he will continue to volunteer with the Netarts-Oceanside Fire District and emphasized that he intends to remain living in Oceanside while he explores training and certification programs offered at the community college and elsewhere. “It’s been wonderful getting to know everyone as your Postal Clerk,” he stated, “I’m excited to take on new roles in Oceanside moving forward.”

In an unrelated development, Wiggin advised that as of last Monday, Oceansiders no longer enjoy two pick-ups and deliveries a day at the local post office. Instead, there is just one pick up/delivery each morning, Monday through Saturday, by a delivery truck that originates in and returns to Portland on one route that covers a number of coastal communities. The change is part of a largely unadvertised consolidation of services in rural post offices nationwide. Further details of that program are available from the watchdog group “Save the Post Office.” Afternoon pick-ups will continue at the Tillamook Post Office.

Cape Kiwanda Parking Lot to Close from March to July

The folks at Tillamook Coast Visitors Association have issued a press release advising that the county will be closing the Cape Kiwanda beach parking lot in Pacific City for construction and renovation from March to July. While the release identified alternative parking in the area, The Oceansider suspects the closure will likely send an increased number of visitors to other beachside areas, including Oceanside where, unlike county parking areas, there is no day use fee. Be prepared.

“Oregon Coast Hosts” Appeals LUBA Decision Upholding New STR Ordinance

For those following the litigation over Tillamook County’s pioneering short-term rental ordinance, the group “Oregon Coast Hosts” has filed a further appeal of LUBA’s recent order rejecting their challenge. The matter will now be argued before the Oregon Court of Appeals – a process that generally takes six months to a year. Here is a link to our previous story covering LUBA’s decision (“LUBA Rejects Legal Challenge to New STR Rules”).

Community Hall Ceiling Replacement

The Oceanside Community Hall has been at the heart of village life for decades, with the wear-and-tear one would expect. This week the hall’s dingy and water-stained ceiling tiles are being replaced at a cost of roughly $2700 for materials. The Oceanside Protection Society community foundation has donated $1000 to help defray the cost. Local volunteers donated all labor for the project. (That was Brian Bucknam and Gill Wiggin in those “hazmat” suites removing the crumbly old tiles last week.) The project comes after a round of upgrades over the past 5 years that has included improvements to the fireplace and back patio, a kitchen update, new patio doors, window blinds and a roof replacement. The work was delayed by recent weather but should be finished this week. Events at the club have been deferred in the meantime.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

REMINDER: TURN YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD AN HOUR AT 1:00 A.M. ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10

March 14 OAP Trails Committee Meeting, Oceanside Community Hall – 4- 5 p.m.

March 18 ONA Short Term Rental Cap Committee Meeting
Netarts Fire Hall – 7 p.m.
Link will be emailed for public viewing

And that’s the view from Oceanside!