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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2016)
Appeal Tribune Wednesday, July 27, 2016 3A Chat Continued from Page 1A friendly city label, desig- nated by the League of American Bicyclists. Achieving that status would mark another rung on the group’s ladder of bicycle-related achieve- ments these past years. Charles itemized those achievements, ranging from increasing the bicy- cle racks around Silver- ton’s downtown area to working with the city (and hopefully Marion County on applicable shared street areas) to realize designated bicycle lanes at some key new street construction areas around town. Other elements to the plan include identifying designated bike friendly trails and areas, some of which are further marked as kid friendly, and help- ing to instill a bicycle ele- Geers Continued from Page 1A Hills south of Silverton, where he built a home in 1851. The family continued to grow when Homer Da- venport was born to Ralph’s daughter Florinda Geer-Davenport. Homer eventually traveled the world with high-profile figures and became a renown political cartoonist. To document this rich family history, filmmaker Michael Turner, of Scotts Mills, was commissioned by GeerCrest to make a short documentary, “The Pioneers’ Children: How the Geer family shaped the state of Oregon,” which will premiere dur- Council Continued from Page 1A mitted. For now, councilors simply had to decide whether the property, at 4466 Ike Mooney Road, met the criteria for an- nexation. Until last March, Silverton voters would’ve decided that question, but the state leg- islature passed a new law giving that responsibility to the city council. Silverton voters typi- cally said “no” to annex- ation requests, said City Manager Bob Willoughby. “We weren’t closed to annexations, but they didn’t fare well with local voters,” he said. It appears Silverton will continue to grow and require new housing, if staff projections are cor- rect. Its comprehensive plan assumes a 2.4 per- cent average growth rate, bringing the city’s popula- tion to 15,532 by 2035, ment into the city’s over- all transportation plan. After listing the com- mittee’s goals and suc- cesses, Charles threaded through a description of achievable idyllic routes in and around Silverton, including rides connected to Pioneer Drive, Evans Valley and Steelhammer roads, and a long-term plan to extend into the in- dustrial park. But a long-range cap- stone the group would like to see unfold is a designat- ed Rails to Trails project developing along the east valley railroad easement. “We could see that at some point down the line we would need to accom- plish a major fundraising effort to realize that,” Charles said. Notching the more im- mediate goals and map- ping out the route gets the wheels turned in that di- rection, in Silverton and possibly elsewhere. “We’re building this as a model so we can help ing the reunion and also screen at the Palace Thea- ter in Silverton following the Homer Davenport pa- rade on Aug. 6. “That family is ex- tremely complex, mytho- logical,” Turner said. “I was hesitant at first be- cause it was so difficult to find resources, but the ex- citement came when you can see the changes that took place in Oregon from 1850 to about 1920 through the eyes of the charac- ters.” Brooks Geer Ragen, great grandson of Ralph Geer, will also be present- ing during the reunion with a slide show he creat- ed based on the Meek wagon train. “As a child, my mother and grandmother made me quite aware of the Lost Wagon Trail,” Ragen said. “I’ve always been inter- Gottgetreu said. Growth is what’s driven owners Allen and Noelia Flux to submit their property for annex- ation, they said. Along with neighbor Gregg Sheesley, they com- plained about the new subdivisions in the Pio- neer Drive area. “We’ve collectively be- come an island, and we are being washed over by a tsunami of develop- ment,” Sheesley said. The Fluxes moved in when the neighborhood was largely rural. Now new homes and city ser- vices surround them on three sides, and they want to move. Annexing the parcel and changing its zoning makes it more pos- sible to sell, they said. “When we moved there, it was a serene country setting,” Allen Flux said. “We don’t want to sell, but we’ve been moved into the city.” Safer sidewalks In other business at its other cities do the same thing,” Ed said. “It might help someplace like Sub- limity or Stayton with (bi- cycle projects).” Potential economic windfall provides a carrot stick to the cause: A 2013 study by Travel Oregon indicates $400 million was spent by Oregon bicycle tourists in one year, and $78 million of that total was spent in the Central Willamette Valley. Reeling that back to Silverton’s upcoming fes- tival, Homer Davenport organizer Gus Frederick affirmed on Facebook: “It’s not too early to start thinking about the Homer Parade! This year, we’re going two-wheelin’ with the theme: ‘Pedal Power - Honoring Silverton’s Bik- ing Heritage and Fu- ture.’” As for the multiple- wheelers, Tonya reminds all that the couch races are still vibrant and wel- coming. The Rue family, includ- Next chat What: Creekside Chat Where: Silver Creek Coffee House, 111 Water St., Silverton When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 (First and third Wednesdays) Questions and information: Contact Justin Much, jmuch@Statesman Journal.com; 503-769-6338, cell 503-508-8157 JUSTIN MUCH/STAYTON MAIL Tonya Rue visited the Creekside Chat on July 20 and discussed the "Barb Rue Memorial Couch Races.” ing Tonya’s brother Ron Rue, will couch-rod it in the very same venerable sofa “Barb’s Hair” had en- gaged the competition with for decades — save some crucial steering and safety adjustments pro- vided by Fall Line Sports owner Jason Franz. Tonya also plans to reinvigorate her annual competition with former classmate Dan Feller and his Silver Crest Rocket Club, who topped Barb’s a year ago after Tonya’s team held an extended reign of triumphs in their yearly head-to-head tilts. Old-competitors and new are encouraged. Divisions are 2-men, 2- women, 4-men, 4-women, coed and over-40. Learn more by contacting Tonya ested in history, particu- larly the history of the Northwest.” During an expedition to eastern Oregon to learn more about the trail, he discovered a deal, such as forgotten headstones and actual wagon ruts. His research resulted in a book called “The Meek Cutoff.” When the family gath- ers at the Geer farmstead, they will be at the original farmhouse that was, at different times, a child- hood home of both Theo- dore and Homer. Now, Toler and his wife Erika live on the property and are fifth-generation owners. The farmhouse is list- ed on the National Regis- ter of Historic Places and remains the oldest single- family owned property in Oregon. A tree (the “Rid- ing Whip Tree”), which was planted by Florinda when she was 15 still re- mains. Toler noted that Homer was so enamored of the July meeting, Silverton’s council voted unanimous- ly to amend the city code to prohibit the riding of bi- cycles, skateboards, scooters and inline skates on sidewalks in a more de- fined area of downtown. Coolidge-McClaine and Town Square parks remain “Walk your Wheels” areas. Also off-limit to riders are the sidewalks along Water and First streets from Park to Lewis streets, with an additional no-ride zone on the side- walk in front of the Hart- man Building. A section of the Main Street Bridge’s sidewalks is also off-lim- its to riders. Silverton resident Jac- queline Johnson, whose query sparked the coun- cil’s decision to update the code, said she wishes councilors would allow children younger than 10 to ride in Walk your Wheels zones. “The city is trying to be bike friendly, but there are no bike lanes or bike trails,” she said. Mayor Rick Lewis said the city is modifying its transpiration plan to in- clude more bike-friendly features. Signs will need to be moved and added to in- form riders about the up- dated Walk your Wheels zone, said Police Chief Jeff Fossholm. Police offi- cers typically enforce the SPECIAL TO THE STAYTON MAIL The original Geer farmhouse, built in 1851, still stands today at GeerCrest Farm. at True7104@yahoo.com; 503-873-8616 or on the Homer Davenport web- site. “The more the merri- er,” Tonya said. “Anybody can participate, and it’s al- ways nice to get fresh blood in there.” jmuch@Statesman Journal.com or 503-769- 6338, cell 503-508-8157 or follow at twitter.com/jus tinmuch farm that during a visit from New York in 1904 he drew a picture of himself on the western wall of the house, above which he wrote “I would like to say that from this old porch, I see my favorite view of all the earth affords. It was a favorite of my dear moth- er and my father and my grandparents, and why shouldn’t it be the same for me, it’s where my hap- piest hours have been spent.” For more information about GeerCrest or the Geer Family reunion events, visit www.geer- crest.org or call 503-873- 3406. Tickets and sched- ule available at www.geercrest.org, un- der “About/Geer Family.” annetteutz1@gmail. com or follow at twit ter.com/AnnetteUtz ordinance by issuing a warning, although repeat offenders can have their bikes, skateboards, skates or scooters confiscated, he said. For 70 years, Beldon Home Solutions has consistently pushed the boundaries on what a home improvement company should be. The country’s #1 recommended gutter Lifetime no-clog guarantee 20 year paint finish guarantee Heavy duty aluminum construction 20% thicker than conventional gutters Crash Continued from Page 1A Christopher said. Kovac’s passenger, To- rin Eliap, 31, of Salem, was also injured and hospital- ized. Kovac was uninjured and arrested on charges of DUI and two counts of third-degree assault. In a statement, the sheriff’s office said it is adding extra patrols. The patrols are funded through Oregon State Sheriff’s Association and Oregon Department of Transportation grants. “Driving intoxicated is a problem we face daily in Marion County,” said Sgt. Todd Moquin, a member of the sheriff’s office Traffic Safety Team. “That is why we partici- pate in grants that allow deputies to work shifts specifically dedicated to detecting and arresting intoxicated drivers.” Kovac was taken to Marion County jail and held on $25,000 bail. The crash investiga- tion closed Silverton Road NE for nearly three hours. The roadway was re- opened to traffic. Email wmwood wort@statesmanjour nal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth. NAT-32539-2 CCB # 116960 LEAFGN1044MN Silverton High School Scholarship Fundraiser OR 75% OFF LAB OMES FOR FIRST 50 H 18th Annual Friday, August 5, 2016 We’re looking for 50 Homes this Month to install LeafGuard & Save with 75% off Labor! Place: Festhalle, 500 S. Wilco Hwy. Mt. Angel, OR 97362 The no host bar and social starts at 5:00 pm along with the Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffl e. The Wooden Nickel will start serving buff et dinner at 6:30 pm. A drawing will also be held for gift cards. Plus, receive a $200 Visa Gift Card with Purchase! Must be 21 or older to attend Tickets cost $30 when purchased in advance at Silverton Realty or $35 if purchased on the day of the event. OR-0000380268 Dress casual and comfortable and enjoy the friendships – new and old – while supporting SHS scholarships. More info: mason@silvertonrealty.com or 503-873-3545 Offer valid for first 50 homes. New orders only. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. Not valid with any other offer, or previous job. Exp. 7/31/16 CALL TODAY FOR FREE ESTIMATE! (503) 427-1018
