Welcome to the Seaside Signal. Here are some of the big local stories we are covering this week. 

Who’s running in Gearhart

In Gearhart, Brent Warren, Dana Gould, Preston Devereaux and Anne Mesch will vie for two council seats this November.  

Devereaux, a retired firefighter, will challenge Warren in Position 3 and Mesch, a retired teacher at Portland public schools, will face Gould for Position 1.

Watching Gearhart politics requires a bag of popcorn and a theater seat. This year’s election could carry passions ignited during May’s unsuccessful firehouse bond vote. Take a drive down Pacific Way and you’ll see the campaign signs are out already. 

Seaside candidate who’s who

In Seaside a flurry of last minute filings have bolstered the ballot, with three competitive council races ahead in November. Marcus Runkle will seek the City Council seat for Wards 3 and 4, he announced this week. Runkle, who is self-employed at Runkle Consulting LLC, served as finance manager for the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District.

Runkle, who is self-employed at Runkle Consulting LLC, served as finance manager for the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District.

Dan Schorr is certified to run for the Ward 2 seat, held by incumbent Tita Montero, who was first elected in 2010.He first addressed the City Council almost two years ago about RVs parking on the streets.

Steve Dillard’s candidacy comes off a recent campaign for the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners District 5 seat in May. While he lost that election to incumbent Lianne Thompson, Dillard filed for City Council in Ward 1, where he will appear on the ballot with Solem.

A calm retreat

Take a walk on Gearhart’s Ridge Path for a peaceful adventure into nature. The 1.4-mile path carries with it English ivy, blackberries, a footbridge, and a glimpse of Pancho the Donkey, at home at Bob McEwan’s on Third. The path is the product of volunteers and visionaries, with constant work parties to clear tangles and brush. Signal contributor Katherine Lacaze accompanies a work party to keep the trail a place of calm retreat and inspiration. 

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