North County once had stately churches, schools and hotels. Then so-called improvements replaced vintage construction. Wrecking balls destroyed valuable resources from Bay City to Nehalem. Now an impulse from north county’s youngest city would destroy our oldest remaining investment.
Leaders in Rockaway want a mile of rails torn from the railroad built over a century ago. Those rails helped connect cities along Tillamook and Nehalem Bay with the valley. Demolition would cut the historic ties which brought so much prosperity to Tillamook County. And which promise to bring so much more.
For 13 years the Salmonberry Trail Authority, a coalition of public agencies and private organizations, has developed plans to convert the old railroad into a hiking/biking trail. Plans include keeping the rails along the coast for tourist trains. The Port of Tillamook Bay website features details.
Officials at the Port Authority have custody of our priceless legacy. The Salmonberry Trail means our railroad heritage has a bridge to a profitable future. Please ask members of the Port Authority board to prevent one special interest from destroying that vision.
Mark Beach
Manzanita