Page 2
June, 2024
Volume 2, Issue #6
The North Douglas Herald Newspaper is
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Drain
Rays Food Place, 308 N 1st St.
Country Cabin Coffee & Laundry, 438 W “B” Ave Hwy38
The Rose Bar, 413 Umpqua Hwy 38
Mildred Whipple Library, 205 W. “A” Ave.
Beaver Creek Unique, 416 W “B” Ave.
Yoncalla
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Elkton
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Scottsburg
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Reedsport
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Cottage Grove
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Winchester Bay
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Oakland
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Sutherlin
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North Douglas Herald
PO Box 581, Drain OR 97435
Rusty Savage, Editor
541 221-3283 www.ndherald.com
North Douglas Herald
June 2024
Editorial
By Rusty Savage
Well , it looks like summer is finally here. You know,
you power through the winter and then tip-toe through
spring, and Voila, summer plops on down. The thing is, it’s
easy to forget what all comes with summer and if you’re not
careful you might find yourself coveting that fall weather.
Not today though, let’s embrace the warmth and
feel the resurgence of activities that we can now embark.
Getting the garden in, cleaning out the garage, we can
reach out and make things happen, like the metaphor
of summer’s grand change from the previous season.
Looking around, I see it is happening. I see our
communities shining in the sun and I am learning that
it is from the visions and hard work of the citizens who
are the “Doers”. To quote the great Teddy Roosevelt; “It
is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds
could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man
who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust
and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who
comes short again and again, because there is no effort
without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive
to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great
devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at
the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring
greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold
and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
It’s the “Doers” that work with others, maybe they
are leaders and maybe they are soldiers, workers. We know
it takes all kinds working together but the truth is that many
of us, most of us maybe, watch from the sidelines. Some
will coach from the gallery to no one who is listening. Some
may grumble and others will scream, but the “Doers”
step forward. If we can step forward, it works the other
way as well, and we can make ourselves into “Doers”.
Government
Know your local Representatives!
There is a very basic path to become a “Doer”
in our community. Volunteer. You can be of help at the
Food Bank, at Church, on a citizen or civic committee, any
organization that is for the betterment or benefit of others.
There are so many things needing done for our neighbors,
community and environment that needs you and your
attention. If you are looking for a cause, an outlet, can
volunteer or just want to know where you can fit in, send
an email to citizens@ndherald.com or drop a line to North
Douglas Herald PO Box 581, we’ll find something to share.
Let’s talk about scams. Yea, it’s something to stay
on guard against because they are ruthless, folks. A friend
just called me and told me of a scam that bilked her out
of $1000. She got a call, supposedly from her grandson
in trouble. It’s a scare story just like all the ones you hear
about. The phone is lost in a wreck, there’s a serious
problem with the hospital and a Lawyer and the police or
DA. Trying to be cautious but the emotional aspect caused
her to drop her guard and though they wanted more, she
sent $1000 to a supposed Bitcoin account blonging to the
jail. Once some family members got involved, the truth was
figured out, but to late. To make matters worse she made a
number of attempts afterwards to contact law enforcement
and was left feeling high and dry. They will play on your
emotions, don’t panic. Talk to family or friends, right
away and don’t do anything till you do. Bitcoin or gift
cards for a payment plan is definitely not going to be
in your benefit, it’s just not going to turn out OK. If you
want to get Law Enforcement involved - call them first.
You know the 2024 elections are looming. Are you
registered to vote? You can do it online or mail it in, get it
done. November may seem like a long way off, but I think
it can sneak up if you let it. Check in your communities
and cities, what positions are coming up, what are the
Continued on Page 5
Letters to the Editor
Elk Creek Watershed Council Dissolution
primary principles ( Fish are important to the economic,
A few years ago, my husband Brian and I were recreational, ecological, and cultural values of persons
fortunate enough to have the opportunity to buy the and communities within the watershed. ). This would
property next to the farm where I grew up and where be a lot of money for us as individual landowners to have
my mom and sister still live. This property is in North to spend on a bridge, so we were really excited when
Douglas County and it is part of the Elk Creek Watershed we found out about the grant. Unfortunately, we found
area. It is beautiful land, with a creek running through it out almost immediately that we had to turn down the
and a forest behind the house. I consider myself so lucky funding because the Watershed Council Board refused
to be able to be back on this land, to take care of it, and to sign the Agreement that would allow the project to go
forward. Indeed, the failure of the Watershed Council
keep it for future generations.
When we bought the property, we knew that our Board to approve the project was the only thing standing
driveway, which goes over culverts in the creek and is in the way of our new bridge, despite the fact that this
the only way we can get to the house, would need to is exactly the type of project that the Watershed Council
be replaced. The culverts are failing and they are not should be promoting.
It is my understanding that the Council s refusal to sign
going to last much longer. Every winter the driveway
sinks more, and it will not be long until the bridge the Agreement was related to Chairman Mast s intention
collapses altogether and we won t have any way to get to dissolve the Watershed Council because of some
to our house. About a year ago, we started working with personal vendetta against the state related to the Forest
Lee Russell, the Executive Director of the Elk Creek Accord legislation. In fact, the Council Board apparently
Watershed Council, to figure out how to construct a voted to dissolve the Council, which was announced at
bridge that would both be functional and also comply the most recent meeting. While there is nothing that my
with the primary goals of the Watershed Council, which husband and I can do to convince the Council to reinstate
include encourage[ing] landowners to recognize and itself, I believe that the Council Board s refusal to back
accept responsibility for that portion of the watershed projects that are absolutely in keeping with the Council
under their stewardship and to take voluntary action s stated mission and the dissolution of the Council just
in the interest of the watershed. Our creek, Pheasant because it has political issues with a piece of legislation
Creek, is an important coho salmon spawning run, so we is in bad faith and is harmful to the very people and the
knew we needed to make sure that we were building the land that it was formed to protect.
Maybe like many of the people reading this paper,
new bridge in a manner that would protect and foster the
growth of wildlife. The new bridge would replace the I did not appreciate the power that the Watershed
failing culverts and improve access to the upper portion Council had until it personally affected me, but I have
of Pheasant Creek where the salmon spawn. At the same learned a lot about it in the last few months. I am very
time, we wanted to make sure that the bridge would be disappointed in the decision to dissolve the Elk Creek
suitable for emergency vehicles to get to the house if Watershed Council, especially because of the reason for
needed (for instance, in the event of wildfires) and for that decision, because to me, it would have made a lot
log trucks to get to the forest if we decided to do any more sense to replace the current Board members who
logging projects. In other words, this is not going to be no longer agreed with the Council s mission so that the
Council could keep going. Since that is no longer on the
a small project.
Lee did a great deal of work helping us identify table, we, along with other landowners and watershed
and apply for grants that could help us fund this project, advocates, will find a way to move forward. We will
and he was successful. I know that he has done the find a way to get our bridge built without the current
same for a number of landowners in Douglas County Council who refused to sign on to our project and we
over the years. We recently found out that we were will find ways to work with other landowners who care
one of about 25 projects that were funded, to the tune about the watershed and everything it protects. In the
of $140,000. One of the reasons that this project got end, it will be even better in the meantime, I just hope
approved is because it would have such a significant we can get to our house.
benefit to the fish, which is another of the Council s Jennifer Duncan Hackett
It is disturbing to hear about the dissolution of the Elk Creek Watershed Council. Mainly because there are a great
number of citizens and land owners who believe and want to work for the conservation and improvement of our
lands for the good of wildlife habitats and watershed improvements. There is the appearance of a disconnect be-
tween the administrative body and the managerial workings of this great effort. Many land owners are concerned
to operate within a broad range of efforts to work around land use issues that benefit all of these rural areas. Some
are narrowly focused on their own perceived land rights and unconcerned with the big picture. The Herald plans to
bring you some important background and information on the importance and benifit of the watershed projects in
coming issues.
- Editor
Drain
Mayor: Erin Sparhawk
Council Position #1: Grant Vaughan
Council Position #2: Kevin VanPelt
Council Position #3: Katie Decker
Council Position #5: Aaron Lymath
City Administrator: Jeni Stevens
City Council Meeting:06/10/24 - 6pm
Yoncalla
Mayor: Kathleen Wertz
Councilors: Dan Wagoner
Gene Vroman
Harold Gilpin
Bryce Wertz
City Administrator: Jennifer Bragg
Council Meeting: 06/11/24 - 6pm
Elkton
Mayor: Daniel Burke
Council President: Joan Smith
Council Members:
Kim Moore
Dan Shepherd
Sandra Galli
Public Works Supervisor: Gary Trout
Council Meeting:06/13/24 - 8:30am
Oakland
Mayor:
Bette Keehley
Counselor: Jan Wier
Counselor: Kent Rochester
Counselor: Sky Ironplow
Counselor: Betty Tamm
Council Meeting: 06/10/24 - 7pm
Sutherlin
Mayor :
Michelle Sumner
Council President Debbie Hamilton
Councilor
Lisa Woods
Councilor
Joe Groussman
Councilor
Larry Whitaker
Councilor
Shawn Smalley
Councilor
Gary Dagel
City Manager
Jerry Gillham
Council Meeting: 06/10/24 - 7:15pm
Reedsport
Mayor :
Linda McCollum
Council Position #1: Rob Wright
Council Position #2: DeeDee Murphy
Council Position #3: Chuck Miller
Council Position #5: Allen Teitzel
Council Position #5: Rich Patten
Council Position #6: Debby Turner
Council Meeting: 06/03/24 - 7:15pm
Cottage Grove
Mayor: Candace Solesbee
Councilor Ward 1: Chalice Savage
Councilor Ward 2: Jon Stinnett
Councilor Ward 3: Dana Merryday
Councilor Ward 4: Greg Ervin
Councilor:
Mike Fleck
Councilor:
Alex Dreher
Council Meeting;: 06/10/24 - 6:55pm
06/24/24 - 6:55pm
County State & Federal
Douglas County Commisioners:
Tom Kress(Chair) Tim Freeman
Chris Boice
Jennifer Miller
Lane County Commissioners:
Dist 1: Ray Ceniga Dist 2: David Lovall
Dist 3: Laurie Trieger Dist 4: Pat Farr
Dist 5: Heather Buch
Oregon House Representative:
District 02:
Virgle Osborne
Oregon State Senator:
District 1:
David Brock Smith
U.S. Senate Oregon:
Jeff Merkley
Ron Wyden
U.S House of Representatives:
District 4: Val Hoyle
Secretary of State:
LaVonne Griffin-Valade
Attorney General: Ellen Rosenblum
Governor: Tina Kotek
Vice-President: Kamala Harris
President:
Joe Biden
It is important to know your representation
in your State, Districts and Municipalities. RE-
MEMBER it is vital to your freedoms to vote.If
you would like to have your own towns municipal
officers listed please send title & names only to
citydesk@ndherald.com