Letter: CB Together and city council sold out the Clatsop-Nehalem Tribe

Here we go again. Three years ago, CB City Council, led by then Mayor Sam Steidel sold out the Fire District over the Prepared Food Tax. This year, they did the same thing, with Steidel pulling strings behind the scenes as the de facto leader of CB Together. The current lapse in leadership rings more egregious since the Clatsop-Nehalem Tribe is the only group in town we need to honor beyond all others.

The Tribe participated in dozens of meetings helping to shape the vision of the NeCus’ Cultural Center. Why is it they were the only group without a seat at the table in an eleventh-hour negotiation between CB Together (primarily funded by a small group of business owners) and City Council? Why was this the only project put to a vote?

I understood restaurant owners’ logic and fear of losing business because of the Food Tax. Clearly, that boogeyman never materialized and business is thriving. I cannot follow the logic of CB Together and its negative disinformation campaign. Property taxes will NOT be increased. The Food Tax will NOT be increased. The TLT will NOT be increased further than it already has been. ORLA (Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association) wrote the law about how we must use TLT funds for some tourist-related purpose, so what’s the problem with honoring the Tribe AND doing the right thing for our community as well? It will be a win-win for Cannon Beach.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Steidel, but your time passed and you failed to see any project through. We appreciate your vision making the move to acquire the NeCus’ land. It’s time to accept current leadership’s direction with grace or vote them out of office.

ORLA is a huge outside lobbyist that does not have the cultural relevance of Cannon Beach in mind. Please join me in supporting the NeCus’ Center and VOTE YES in November.

Disclaimer: I make these comments only as a citizen and voter of Cannon Beach, not as a member of the City’s Planning Commission.

Aaron Matusick

Cannon Beach