SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 PeaceHealth named 2015 HealthStrong Hospital Mapleton Community Foundation offering grants PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center in Florence recently announced it has been named as one of the nation’s HealthSrong Hospitals by iVantage Health Analytics. The study and announce- ment of the 2015 HealthStrong Hospitals, including Peace Harbor Medical Center, high- lights top performing hospitals as determined through the Hospital Strength Index. The annual Index study is the industry’s most compre- hensive rating system of hospi- tals and the results recognize Deadline for submissions is April 3 The Mapleton Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations for community projects within the Mapleton School District boundaries. The applications should demonstrate how the funding would educationally, cultural- ly, physically or civically improve the students or resi- dents of the area. Applicants must be a not- for-profit organization. Funds will not be awarded to individuals or for operating expenses. Grant applications can be obtained at the Mapleton Post Office or by calling Kathy West at 541-268-4665. Application deadline is April 3. Win this beautiful metal garden chair and benefi t the Florence Area Humane Society 7 A City from 1A The settlement is for $350,000, plus half of the clos- ing costs. “Our Insurance Carrier, CIS (Citycounty Insurance Services), will pick up one quar- ter of that (cost) and pay that towards that purchase. That leaves approximately $262,500 for the city to purchase the prop- erty,” Miller said. The escrow amount is $1,400. “The good news is that the $87,500 that our insurance carri- er will be paying does not have Club One of the oldest living tree species is honored in an enchanting Ginkgo Leaf Outdoor Chair, in Stainless Steel. This pastel green ginkgo chair has a pearlized fi nish so it will glisten in the sunlight. Almost mimicking a throne crafted by fairies or other magical creatures, this weather-durable metal leaf chair will be a unique, functional addition to any lawn, porch, deck or patio. SEE THE CHAIR AT THE FAHS THRIFT STORE 1193 BAY STREET RAFFLE TICKETS ARE $5 EACH, 5 FOR $20, 30 FOR $100 Tickets are on sale through March 31 st at the FAHS shelter 2840 Rhododendron Drive, the FAHS Thrift Store 1193 Bay Street, and Raining Cats & Dogs on Bay Street. The drawing will be held at the shelter on Thursday, April 2 nd at 3:00 pm. Don’t miss your chance for this unique item and help support our shelter, too!! More raffl es to come! Watch the siuslaw news for future unusual raffl e items. from 1A A work party groomed the grounds around the building on March 11. Members of the Boys and Girls Club board, Cross Road Church and Eddie Osorio from All Creations Construction trimmed shrubs and trees and pressure-washed the building in preparation for painting the exterior. Osorio donated his time and equipment free of charge. Ron’s Paint is donating materials to paint the exterior. Gary Rose from Leisure the top performing hospitals — measuring them across 62 dif- ferent performance metrics, including quality, outcomes, patient perspective, affordabil- ity and efficiency. More information and study findings can be found at www.iVantageINDEX.com. Fewer than 600 hospitals were awarded the HealthStrong designation out of more than 4,300 hospitals reviewed nationally. “PeaceHealth Peace Harbor is proud to be recognized as a HealthStrong Hospital,” said Rick Yecny, CAO at PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center. “We place a tremendous emphasis on quality, perform- ance and satisfaction, and this recognition is a great affirma- tion that our efforts are making a difference to the hospital and the local community that we serve,” he added. “I am delighted to be able to cele- brate this award with our physicians, staff and commu- nity.” Araby Thornewill, president of iVantage Health Analytics, said, “iVantage seeks to help hospitals meet the demands of the new healthcare by provid- ing a new level of transparency into the internal and external metrics which drive more informed decision making. “As the industry continues to evolve toward value-based delivery models, the Hospital Strength Index provides a unique perspective into how hospitals are responding to unprecedented change as well as advancing toward the ulti- mate goal of higher quality care at lower cost.” to be reimbursed if the city decides later down the road that (the property) has become sur- plus and we want to sell it. There are no strings attached to the money. They did their cost-ben- efit analysis and it’s of benefit to them to settle this matter and move on. … They would proba- bly have to expend a greater sum if it went to trial,” he said. Mayor Joe Henry said, “Looking at this from the glass- half-full standpoint, this is another little ugly thing that’s been sitting around out there … that could very well turn out to be a positive for the city. Rather than just paying off a lawsuit, we’re going to acquire a piece of property that, with an improving market and if we do the right things with that property, could end up breaking even or even become a positive for the city.” Councilor Joshua Greene said, “We’re happy to put it behind us.” City Manager Erin Reynolds then asked the council to approve a budget change to pay for the property. “We are asking for a resolu- tion to transfer budget appropri- ations in the amount of $375,000 from contingency to the administration program. That’s necessary to legally expend the money that you just authorized us to spend,” she said. “Financial housekeeping. It needs to be done,” Greene said. The council approved the transfer. Henry said, “It could have some implications for our eco- nomic development as we go down the road. I think the staff has done a very good job of bringing this to where it is. It just seems like a pretty good deal for us. … We bought property and we paid for it. What else?” Excavation has offered to donate equipment and opera- tors to re-grade the driveway and parking lot. Board vice president Chuck Trent said, “This is a part of the overall re-launch of the new and improved Boys and Girls Club. We have people from across the community including employees, board members, various church groups and local businesses all offering support.” Board members and staff met again March 14 to clean out the interior of the Teen Center, reorganize the assets and prepare it for painting. “It’s amazing to see how much has been done in such a short period of time. It is clear that the whole community is behind us,” Trent said. In addition to the consolida- tion loan, Forsythe said that OPB has offered to help Boys and Girls Club develop a capi- tol campaign. “Along with the reorganiza- tion of the club’s management and staff, the consolidation loan and capitol campaign will go a long way to help the Boys and Girls Club create a new and brighter future. We have a long way to go and more changes to make, but the new board is highly motivated and optimistic about the future,” Forsythe said. OPB President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Green said, “Oregon Pacific Bank fully supports and recognizes the need for the Boys and Girls Club in Florence. For more than 10 years, OPB has been a strong supporter both by staff volunteering time and financial contributions. We are happy to partner with them in serving the families and chil- dren of our community.” The Boys and Girls Club board has not yet set a date to reopen the Teen Center build- ing. According to Forsythe, the Boys and Girls Club board and staff plan to have all the club’s summer sports and out- door programs up and run- ning. For life insurance, call a good neighbor. CONCEAL CARRY CARRY CONCEAL PERMIT CLASS CLASS PERMIT Oregon –Utah Oregon – Valid in 35 Utah - Valid 34 States States Wednesday, April 8th 1pm or 6pm Walk-ins Welcome Sue Gilday Insurance Agcy Inc Sue Gilday, Agent 1275 Rhododendron Drive Florence, OR 97439 Bus: 541-997-7161 Florence Event Center, 715 Quince St. Call me and I’ll help you choose the right life insurance for you and your family. We put the life back in life insurance. Dr. Robert Mans named ‘Optometrist of the Year’ ™ OR/Utah–valid in WA $80 or Oregon only $45 shauncurtain.com ~ ~ shauncurtain@gmail.com FIREARMTrainingNW.com FIREARM TrainingNW@gmail.com 360-921-2071 State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI), State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI), 1311000 Bloomington, IL The wait for primary care is over. McKenzie Primary Care Associates welcomes new providers. John Egar, M.D. (board-certified, internal medicine), and Mildred Rowley, M.D. (board-certified, family practice), have joined the team at McKenzie Primary Care Associates. Along with Phillip Taggart, M.D. (board-certified, internal medicine), they welcome new patients at their Florence location. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans welcome. Ask us about preventive care services your health insurance may cover at no cost to you. Same-day appointments often available. Call 541-997-1251. 4480 G Highway 101N • Florence 541-997-1251 Dr. Robert Mans Dr. Robert Mans of the Florence Eye Clinic was rec- ognized by the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association as Optometric Physician of the Year at a recent meeting held in Vancouver, Wash. Mans served on the Association Board from 1997 to 2008. He was appointed by Governor Kulongoski to the Oregon Board of Optometry in 2008 for a three-year term. He was reappointed to the position by Kitzhaber and continued as president until the end of 2014. During the presentation, Dr. Mans was thanked for his 17 years of service to the pro- fession while continuing to practice in both Florence and Reedsport, where he has been since 1994. The American Optometric Association recognizes each state’s award recipient at the National Convention, which will be held in Seattle, Wash., this June.