FOLLOW - UP TO PREVIOUS ITEMS

The 'S' Curves short-term fix has been bid and the contract has been awarded to Bob McEwan Construction at a cost of about $70,000 which includes roadway repairs and sanitary sewer improvements. While some funds have been set aside, we hope to be reimbursed, at least partially, with disaster funds from the federal government. Construction will begin later this month and end by Memorial Day. As explained in my February 6th blog, the long-term solution, involving horizontal drains, will take place later in the year.

On Tuesday May 2nd, the City Council will be discussing the downtown parking and pedestrian circulation issues as a preview to what I think will be our 3rd and final public meeting on Tuesday June 13. I'll be anxious to experience my first summer here in Cannon Beach to observe firsthand how serious a problem we have. In the meantime, I think our consultants, Urbsworks out of Portland, have done an excellent job coming up with ideas, listening to and receiving input from the public, responding to directions from the Council and communicating with all concerned.

Thanks to all of you who responded to my wireless survey. The results have been forwarded to my counterpart in Florence who is helping spearhead the effort to make the Oregon coast one of the first areas in the country to obtain Wimax technology. Incidentally, with the assistance of a non-profit group called Net Equality, small wireless networks have been set up at a minimal cost in downtown Cannon Beach and on East Madison. The city is working indirectly with this group to also provide wireless internet to our RV Park.

Our tsunami forum last week at the Coaster Theatre went very well. Special thanks to Dr George Priest from one of our state agencies who was the featured speaker. George explained to the audience that he has come across some information that has made him want to reevaluate some of his initial findings related to the size of a potential tsunami wave. More information from him will be forthcoming later this summer on this issue generally and the effects of further testing on the tsunami inundation zone specifically.

Finally, one of these days I would like to do a blog featuring your comments or questions. Therefore, I would like to encourage you to click "E-Mail Me!" in the column to the right and send me questions I can answer for you or comments I can feature. Thank you.