GEARHART – The bond may have been defeated, but the quest for a new fire station is not over, Councilor Ed Tice said at the Gearhart City Council meeting Wednesday.

He requested the Council ask the fire department how much money would be needed to buy and equip a necessary fire truck. That was part of the bond.

Tice said the fire truck is an immediate need, and the city can start working out how to pay for it. He believes the community should support the firefighters who take many classes, respond to fires and other emergencies, often at night, and still hold down regular jobs. He said if the city was required to pay for the services that are offered as volunteer work, it would be far more expensive than the bond. “I’m very annoyed that it didn’t pass.”

Councilor Dianne Widdop said she agreed.

In other business:

? Mayor Kent Smith and councilors Dorothy Well, Tice and Widdop voted unanimously to withdraw the new land annexed into Gearhart from the Clatsop County Road District, Clatsop County Rural Law District, Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District and Gearhart Rural Fire Protection District. Councilor Chuck Schluter was absent.

The land is north of town, and includes the rest of the Gearhart Golf Course, a large amount of undeveloped property, the Gearhart Greens Condominiums and the Chinook subdivision, but not the Palisades and Highlands subdivisions;

? The Council reappointed Todd Schultz and Caroline Ward to the Planning Commission;

? Student Representative Lauren Schibye thanked the Council for the learning experience she has had so far. “I really learned a lot about how communities work.” She said Tice’s recent speech about the consequences of one’s actions was inspirational, and thanked Widdop for being her mentor;

? After the meeting, the Council held a work session with the Planning Commission to revisit amendments to the ordinances for lighting, open space and landscaping. Well reported the two bodies will work together to write the amendments to everyone’s satisfaction;

? Widdop was sworn in for her next term after the meeting.