CASCADE LOCKS — The Cascade Locks City Council meeting kicked off with a spattering of public comments. Two speakers urged the council to at least put Councilor Eric Keller’s requested statements of support, inclusion, or recognition on the agenda. Resident Joann Wittenberg and Heather Weaver, in two separate comments, argued that doing so would be in the interest of transparency and respect. Wittenberg also called for a land acknowledgment. Four of the councilors have consistently voted against such statements, arguing that they divide the community.
Eric Keller Councilor
Tiffany Pruit Councilor
Cascade Locks resident Sam Murillo, who previously ran for council, sent a statement to Columbia Gorge News, saying, “I don’t believe that proclamations like this divide us. What divides us is the idea that recognizing one group means ignoring another. These statements are opportunities to acknowledge the history and contributions of people who have often been overlooked. When we take the time to honor and include those voices, it strengthens the community as a whole. Choosing not to recognize them sends the opposite message.”
Resident Cody Steelman submitted a written comment, suggesting that the council should not include any such type of statements, saying, “This separation and debasement of a race recognition month, by turning them into a separate lower class of people (sic).”
Following Steelman’s comment, Keller called for a point of order to recognize the threats made by Steelman, who had similarly disrupted a council meeting a few months ago.(Columbia Gorge News, June 24, 2024). This time, Steelman argued that “abuse of public office and color of law, along with civil crimes, can cost you everything in your lives personally and not just the city,” and adding that, “The people have no limit to how a social compact punishes despotic tyrants.”
Councilor Tiffany Pruit suggested later that Steelman was referencing the threat of lawsuits targeting the city, despite the use of the word “personally.” Steelman also cautioned the council about making decisions on items not on the agenda, saying, “That had better end, and better end now, or recalls will be the least of your worries.”
Mayor Brenda Wood thanked them all for their comments.
The council next attempted to pass two ordinances amending the city’s Community Development Code, both relating to the newly created Downtown zone. The first one, Ordinance 467, allows for mobile food carts, childcare centers, and cottage cluster housing as allowed uses, along with updated design standards.
The council had a plethora of questions, particularly around required parking spaces, and this ordinance was tabled with a plan to revisit it after amendments. Several councilors called for a parking master plan. The second ordinance, 468, which clarifies, defines, and simplifies code language, passed unanimously.
Finance Officer Chantia Clarke was on hand to give the council an update on the city’s delayed audits. The 2022-23 audit is currently in progress, but is not expected to be completed until November. Clarke expects auditors to start the 2023-24 audit in December.
The topic of inclusive, welcoming, or recognition statements came up again in council comments. Councilor Pete Happy encouraged putting such topics on the agenda so the council can at least discuss it publicly.
Pruit, conversely, told the group she was more determined than ever to deny such discussions. She went on to compare Hispanic Heritage Month to “Sourdough Month,” “Prostate Health Month,” and “Charlie Kirk Day,” though the latter dates are not federally recognized observances.
Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, was designated as a federally recognized observance initially in 1968, then as a month-long observance in 1988.
Mayor Wood closed the meeting with a reminder to Cascade Locks residents of Dumpster Day, which is set for Oct. 18 this year.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.