Jewell farmer files for county commission seat

Jewell farmer Susana Gladwin has filed for a Clatsop County Board of Commissioners seat held by Lianne Thompson.

Gladwin, 71, has served on the county Planning Commission along with Thompson, who has expressed her desire to seek re-election. Thompson represents District 5, which covers most of South County — including Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Elsie, Jewell and parts of Seaside.

“I think I have a lot of knowledge of that area — Seaside, Arch Cape, Cannon Beach — to be a good commissioner,” Gladwin said. “I study things carefully. I like being a team player. I have a lot of background in a lot of things, and I want to give voters a choice.”

Gladwin, who has lived in Jewell since 1971 and owns 9 acres of forestland, would like to focus on forestry issues should she be elected, she said. She also would prioritize the housing strife, which she attributed to soaring rent prices in a booming economy. “Always the people on the edge have no hope and are getting depressed and taking drugs,” Gladwin said.

Issues that affect the Jewell area have not been properly discussed at the county level, Gladwin said. She added, though, that Thompson’s term hasn’t necessarily been a detriment to the community.

“I want to run so that the Jewell area again is represented,” she said.

For example, Gladwin was “shocked” that she was the only person to offer public comment at a hearing before commissioners passed a vacation rental ordinance in January. If elected, she would use her connections in the Jewell community to inform people that a vote — and the last opportunity for public comment — was coming, she said.

The five-commissioner board will have three seats up for election in May.

Medical data analyst Andrew Davis announced he will run for the seat occupied by board chairman Scott Lee, who has said he will not seek re-election. Pamela Wev — an Astoria land use planning consultant — and Peter Roscoe — a former Astoria city councilor and owner of Fulio’s Pastaria — intend to run for Commissioner Lisa Clement’s position. Clement said she is not sure whether she will run for a second term.