Letter: Right side

Published 12:15 am Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Oregon Coast history offers a perspective on NeCus’ project. When Samuel H. Boardman became Oregon’s first superintendent of state parks, America had just entered the Great Depression. With the impending completion of the Oregon Coast Highway, Boardman knew it was imperative to acquire and preserve Oregon’s coastline for the people.

Detractors screamed, “No, no, no! It will bankrupt us. It’s a boondoggle!” Boardman forged on, acquiring land that would become Ecola State Park, Oswald West State Park and dozens more down the 362-mile coastline. Today, we all say, “Thank goodness we did that when we could.”

Due to Boardman’s earnestness in moving forward in the public interest, despite claims of financial carelessness, we can now travel the Oregon Coast and find a state park, a public beach access, a scenic viewpoint, a historic wayside or a recreation area an average of one every 4 miles. Fortunately for those who screamed, “no, no, no!” they are not remembered in history.

No one person will be the Samuel H. Boardman for NeCus’. It will need to be the community, and it has already been a four-year community effort. As Cannon Beach citizens go to the polls this November, they have a choice to create something for the community and our future or to say, “No, no, no!”

I hope you will vote on the right side of history. Vote yes, for NeCus’, for our community and for our future.

P.S. It will not raise your property taxes.

GARY HAYES

Cannon Beach city councilor

Cannon Beach