Highway 30 to the Coast

Posted by Mike Westling on August 31, 2008
100 Towns Tour for Change

On Saturday, Jeff joined Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and State Representative Brad Witt for a day trip along Highway 30 to the coast making several more stops on the 100 Towns for Change Tour along the way. Oregon blogger extraordinaire Carla Axtman came along for the ride.

The morning kicked off at the Scappoose Farmers’ Market, where Jeff met with patrons and venders, chatting about health care and the local grain train that comes through town every day.

In St. Helens, Jeff stopped for coffee with folks on the patio at Klondike Bar and Restaurant. The Klondike was originally a hotel that provided housing for the mill workers of St. Helens and is now rumored to be haunted.

Jeff, Labor Commissioner Avakian, and Representative Witt with one of the proprietors of the Klondike

Jeff visited the Marina Market in Rainier, enjoying some local music and Oregon smoked salmon. Jeff also got a quick lesson in wool spinning.

In Astoria, Jeff, Commissioner Avakian, and Representative Witt held a town hall on energy independence with about 40 members of the community. Jeff talked about the need for a real national commitment to renewable energy and the importance of multiple energy sources including solar, wind, wave, and geothermal. Jeff also addressed the need to build new and more efficient transportation infrastructure, specifically high-speed rail lines along the West.

Jeff at the town hall meeting in Astoria

The trip ended in Vernonia for a walk down main street with Mayor Sally Harrison.

We'll add pictures from Saturday's trip soon. Keep checking back for updates as Jeff moves towards the end of the tour.