Three of Seaside’s premier city positions are now coming vacant, convention center general manager, planning director and city manager. As the process to hire a city manager moves forward, residents have expressed concern that decisions are being made without adequate public input.

Last week the city’s search consultant presented the council with a wish list for the new manager’s qualities, as well as a list of comparison salaries in similar Oregon communities. The numbers could cause sticker shock, as the city seeks to fill the role at the time of intense competition and a dearth of qualified candidates.

The same may hold true in the Planning Department, where code enforcement officer Jeff Flory has been appointed acting planning director. At a time when the city is seeing an affordable housing crisis and experiencing the ravages of homelessness, the position will impact the shape of growth for years to come.

In Gearhart, the fire station bond is drawing heat on both pro- and anti-bond vote factions. A visit from Banks’ firefighter and public information officer Scott Adams provides illuminating comparisons between the proposed Gearhart station and Banks’ Buxton Station on U.S. Highway 26.

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