By Laura Swanson Since the November election, inquiring minds have asked “What’s Betsy Johnson up to?” She’s penned an op/ed or two; political commentary on KGW and has a voice mail full…
Category: Op-Ed
We Need to Support Our Democracy
Dear Editor: America claims to be a bastion of democracy, but do we really support it? The right to vote is a bedrock of democracy, yet a little more than one third…
Getting Back to Work …
Hello! How have you been? I’ve been busy at work as a Nurse and spending some much needed quality time with my family. I recently began a new position working with Veterans…
MANZANITA MUSINGS: Let’s Get Our Facts Straight, Kids
EDITOR’S NOTE: The subject line of this email from Kim Rosenberg was “final post” which I truly hope is not the case. As Kim relates below, I did have to, as she…
THE VIEW FROM HERE: A Seat At The Table
EDITOR’S NOTE: This was a social media post that Sierra shared today May 18th and I love everything about it. As one of those moms that took their kid to meetings, I…
RESPONSE: FACTS about Transparency and Compensation
by Deb Simmons, Mayor of Manzanita Recently, there was an article by Kim Rosenberg about Transparency and Compensation*. It referenced the evaluation process of the City Manager which, in Manzanita, has traditionally…
THE VIEW FROM HERE: Between Mother’s Day and Election Day
By Lianne Thompson, Clastop County Commissioner As I’m writing, it’s May 15, and we’re sitting between Mother’s Day and Electon Day. I was thinking about the similarities and differences in the roles…
A Mother’s Day Gift: Johnny’s Apple Tree blooms again ~ May 13, 2023
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Pioneer shares Johanna’s photos all the time on our Facebook page, and we featured her photo on the cover of this year’s Giving Guide. I had been contemplating a…
I Need a Ride, Not another App
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have to admit I was happy to receive this letter from a 27-year-old that was voting … Yeah! Take note, everyone, please get those ballots filled out and dropped…
Welcome to the Oregon Coast – Please Recreate Safely, So You Can Come Back and Enjoy Our Awesome Coast Again & Again
By Laura Swanson Here we are again … the warm weather hits and visitors swarm the beaches, bays and rivers. And it’s already happened – yesterday afternoon at Tolovana, just north of…