CITY OF GARIBALDI MAYOR – PERSONAL, HEARTFELT STATEMENT ABOUT COMMUNITY’S LOSS

As a mother of twins, my heart breaks for his mother, Cheryl Gierga, his identical twin Robby, and the rest of their family and friends.

Tommy White was not only a fellow resident, but a friend to my friends & family. From the day he first found out I was pregnant with twins through just after their second birthday, Tommy always had a fantastic story to share with me about the adventure of growing up as a twin. We always laughed over the stories, and I often immediately made mental notes (such as…”maybe don’t install a garbage disposal until AFTER they’re too big to bathe in the kitchen sink…”).

We spent countless hours working with each other while he was still at Garibaldi Portside Bistro, and his mom’s shop, Pacific Gypsy, is just down the street from where I live.

It’s individuals such as Tommy who helped remind me why we make Garibaldi our home.

So much incredible love, prayers, and energy has been spent these last couple weeks in the search for our own, resident Tommy White. Many special thanks go out to the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Garibaldi Fire & Rescue, Port of Garibaldi, Crab Rock Pizza, Chevron, and countless citizens & businesses who went out on foot & shared their video footage with law enforcement, and shared messages, posts, & awareness to any and all-comers. The same gratitude goes out to those who brought by and continue to bring food and other donations to Tommy’s family, the Giergas.

We here in Garibaldi may be a small city, but thankfully, we are a COMMUNITY, and for that, on behalf of the City Council, City staff, Planning Commission, and Garibaldi Fire & Rescue, one more time, we thank everyone for their support during these times.

For Garibaldi,

Katie Findling

Mayor, City of Garibaldi

katie.findling@garibaldi.gov