Hometown Matters

By Pauline Masson –  The four progressive aldermen prevailed on key issues June 6 in their quest for change in the way the city does business, but it was a tough slog. I concluded in my recent post that after City Administrator Steve Roth declared in writing that he would not acccpt additions that individual aldermen requested for the Board of Aldermen (BOA) meeting agenda that the progressive aldermen might just move forward without mentioning Roth’s insurrection. Which is exactly … Continue reading “No Surprises: Pro Change Aldermen Prevail on Key Issues / But Status Quo Officials Slow Proceeding”

By Pauline Masson – Aldermen may complete the first reading Tuesday evening of a bill that authorizes individual aldermen to add items to the agenda of the Board of Aldermen Meeting. Before this action, aldermen have had the opportunity to read a written declaration by City Administrator Steve Roth that he will not take part in a scenario where an alderman can add anything to the agenda that he creates and the mayor approves. The bill is one of three … Continue reading “City Administrator Divorces Himself From Aldermen Intent to Place Items on Their Agenda”

By Pauline Masson –  On Tuesday evening the newly organized board of aldermen will see three bills that can change the balance of power during board of aldermen meetings. If the language, crafted by City Attorney Bob Jones, does what they want it to do aldermen will complete the first reading – give preliminary approval – to the new bills. Once approved with a second reading, the ordinances authorize the board of aldermen to discuss upcoming legislation during the first … Continue reading “On Tuesday Aldermen Take First Step to Adjust the Balance of Power/ Target Public’s Need to Know”

By Pauline Masson – As tourist attractions go, Pacific is a landmark haven – with spots to highlight on a travel brochure  – white silica bluffs, a rail fan pavilion in the heart of Old Town, bluff top visitor sites at Blackburn Park and Jensen’s Point, and – for better or worse – its latent adoption of the Red Cedar Inn. I’ve been writing about the Red Cedar for for thirty years. I came across this piece that I wrote … Continue reading “Historic Tourism is All About Romance, Folks  – To Bring Visitors, You Have to Tell a Story”

By Pauline Masson – Stephen Flannery III, said he took it personally when aldermen recently refused to approve his re-appointment to the one-year seat he had held on the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). Flannery was appointed to P&Z in May 2022 to fill the unexpired term of Rick Presley, who was elected to the board of aldermen. At the May 2, 2023 meeting, Mayor Heather Filley appointed Flannery to a full four year term but aldermen failed to approve … Continue reading “Stephen Flannery III Seeks Re-appointment to P&Z / Says He Is Best Qualified For the Seat”

By Pauline Masson – Calling a tow truck is about more than keeping streets and roadways clear and traffic moving, according to Police Chief Scott Melies. A request from a local towing company owner to get a portion of the business when Pacific police call for a tow truck, led to a discussion on the city’s responsibility to  keep streets clear while balancing the the needs of vehicle owners with fair treatment of towing business operators. Dan Barfield, who operates … Continue reading “Owner Seeks Portion of City’s Towing Calls / Chief Says He’ll Soon Add Firms that Qualify to Call List”

By Pauline Masson – Aldermen agreed to wait until November to ask voters to approve a bond issue to fund construction of a new swimming pool but questions need to answered before drafting a ballot measure and aldermen want the public to weigh in. If everything works the way it is hoped a new pool can be built in time to open for the 2025 swimming season. First step is public participation. A lengthy discussion on the bond issue at … Continue reading “Aldermen Turn to Public to Help Craft a Swimming Pool Bond Issue for the November Election Ballot”

By Pauline Masson – At the Tuesday evening May 16 board meeting, two local residents addressed aldermen asking for help with, what they described as, an out of control feral cat problem in their neighborhood. Officials were caught off guard. They had no idea there was a cat problem in Pacific. But for this reporter it was flash from the past. A quick review showed that over a three year period 2014-16, I had written 15 stories about one local … Continue reading “Ode to BJ Lawrence / Cat Lady of Pacific / Founder of Pacific Feral Cat ‘Trap Neuter Release’ (TNR) Program”

Among MVR-III Programs at risk if Prop E fails are ROTC, band, art, music, extra curricular sports, and vocational programs ___________________________________________________________________________________ By Pauline Masson – Members of a school district tax levy committee, say if the school district has to compete with a bond issue tax increase for a new swimming pool on the August 8 election ballot, both may lose. The MVR-III School District will place Prop E, a 56-cent operating levy tax increase on the August 8 ballot … Continue reading “Prop E Committee Asks City To Postpone Swim Pool Bond Issue, Fear If On Same Ballot Both Might Lose”

By Pauline Masson – On Monday afternoon at 6:00 p.m. a four-member committee will meet at city hall to discuss whether or not to place a $6 million bond issue to construct a new swimming complex on the August 8 election ballot. Committee members are Rafael Madrigal, ward 1; James Cleeve, ward 2; Debbie Kelley, ward 3, and Mayor Heather Filley At the May 2 board meeting, Ryan Casserly, with Westport Pools, presented the proposed 9,700 square foot aquatic center … Continue reading “Are We Ready To Take a $6 Million Bond Issue to the Voters in the August Election?”