Community speaks up to city councilors

Published 4:13 pm Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Members of Wards 3, 4 voice concerns

By JAY CORELLA

The Astorian

On Jan. 11, a rainy Sunday afternoon, around 30 Astoria residents packed into a crowded Alderbrook Lodge to join a town hall hosted by city councilors Elisabeth Adams and Joshua Conklin.  

For almost two hours, community members spoke candidly with the pair of city leaders, asking questions about a range of issues from public safety to the operations of the city’s government and more.

Conklin was recently appointed by the Astoria City Council to represent Ward 4, which covers Uppertown and eastern Astoria. Adams is in the last year of her four-year term representing Ward 3, which covers downtown Astoria.

Although the meeting was intended to review the city’s five-year work plan, discussion quickly shifted to neighborhood issues. 

Permitting problems

Permitting delays were among the most common complaints. Floyd Holcom, owner of Pier 39, said a proposed liquor license for a property he operates has been awaiting city approval for weeks. 

“If (the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission) can give me a permit in 24 hours, why do I have to wait until February to get a permit from the city?” 

Adams acknowledged the issue, calling it a longstanding challenge. She said the city is working to review local codes and ordinances that may be slowing the process.

ICE in Astoria

Some residents asked whether the city could limit the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operating in the city, amid heightened national attention on immigration enforcement and increased ICE activity locally. 

For weeks, federal agents have been carrying out detainments across Oregon, prompting some local governments to declare states of emergency and organize rapid‑response networks to support immigrant residents. The recent surge in arrests and highly visible enforcement actions — along with protests and outcry from immigrant‑rights advocates — has raised fears among some Oregonians about transparency, community safety and the impact on families. 

Stacy Kelly, Astoria’s Chief of Police, said there is little the city can do. 

“There’s no way we can keep them out of the community,” Kelly said. “The Oregon Association Chiefs of Police have tried talking to them, but they’re not listening.”

Adams plans to hold another town hall with Councilor Andy Davis later this year.