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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2015)
4 A ❘ SATURDAY EDITION ❘ MAY 16, 2015 RYAN CRONK , EDITOR Siuslaw News Opinion P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM DEAR READERS: New letters policy P lease take a moment to review our revised policy for letters to the editor at the bottom of this page. —Editor VIEW FROM UPRIVER Fitting memorials, renewal in Deadwood W ESLEY V OTH carved by Michael Johnson, known as “Mic” (a Mapleton man of many talents, who also restored the mural here). I am told that although it looks like this rock might fall or roll away, there is a section of it that is buried and extends down to bedrock. If you have never been to Deadwood Cemetery, or haven’t been for a while, it is well worth the time. On a recent sunny afternoon, I was the only one there while a warm breeze stirred the gorgeous azaleas and wild iris, the hair along the back of a browsing pregnant doe, and flags newly placed on several graves. On my way there I noticed the re- painted Freedom Rocks, just beyond Swisshome, which sport a new RIP message, and also stopped by to marvel at the much transformed Deadwood Country Market and Tavern. The market is where the bar used to be, and the now huge bar For the Siuslaw News I n the time that I have lived here, I have visited many small ceme- teries in the area. Some, like Linslaw and Indian Creek, are away from major roads; some are single family burial plots; and then there are the many single graves scattered wherever people have lived or at places of meaning to them or those left behind. Some of these latter I have come across on my own in my wanderings, others I have been shown by landown- ers or family mem- bers of the person buried. Many of these are tended rarely if at all. Some area cemeter- ies are larger, like Pacific Sunset and Mapleton Pioneer, and better maintained. Deadwood Pioneer Cemetery until recently has been in the former category, but major efforts are now underway to change that, as most of the rest of this column will discuss. There is a new state highway cemetery sign on Highway 36 at the junction of Deadwood Creek Road; just a few feet up that road is the large rock placed by Don Wilbur and area with pool tables is where the market used to be. I received the following informa- tion from Meg Gerber on behalf of Don Wilbur and the Trustees. In the past year they have accomplished a lot, but also need the public’s help: • Researched our deeds and histo- ry, and taken steps toward resolving our boundary and easement ques- tions, and are in the process of com- pleting new fencing; • Started a website, www.Dead woodCem.org and a Facebook page; • Mapped, catalogued and pho- tographed every headstone which can be read; • Applied for a grant to buy head- stones where they’re missing or badly degraded. There are almost 40 names with unknown locations, and about 30 stones/temporary markers that can’t be read. Can you help? Call 541-964-3345 or toll-free at 877-964-3345; • Plan a work day (May 16) to clean headstones, prune overgrown shrubbery, add signage and trash cans and level a few spots; upcom- ing projects include adding a gazebo and a Scattering Garden. They add: Join us on Memorial Day. Enjoy free hot dogs and other goodies at noon; activities will follow. Hear “pioneer” storytellers and see his- toric displays and more. Bring your own chairs and enjoy the day. You will also have a chance to give your opinion on the progress at the cemetery, discuss plants, plans, ideas for a gazebo, scattering ashes and learn the best ways to clean old headstones. Of course, you can still visit the graves of your ancestors and place flowers or flags; after all, it is Memorial Day. LETTERS Don’t be fooled by ballot Thanks to Ron Stanley for his insightful analysis of measure 20-231 (“Vote ‘No’ on Road Fee,” May 9). I too was amazed at the slanted wording of the measure description in the ballot. I thought there was a commission that was supposed to review measure titles to ensure an impartial description of the proposal. Obviously that did not work in this case. I am amazed at the slanted and inaccurate language used in the ballot. I see nothing in the proposed bill that guarantees that this money will be used to “supplement” the money that has historically been used to fund road maintenance activities. In fact, what it does is to give the politicians new money to substitute for the regular funds so that it can be spent on some other favorite proj- ect of theirs. This is just another attempt to get additional funds that they can spend for their pet projects. Did you ever wonder why these bond or new fee requests are always for law enforcement increases, schools or roads that are items that are truly an adverse impact on the taxpaying part of the voters? You don’t see bond or fee increase requests for new artwork in the parks, new bicycle racks on the street, painting the fireplugs a new color, but they get funded with- out going to the voters. They do not ask for bonds or taxes that they know will not pass. They just shave some money off of the essential services that they think they can float a bond or new fee to cover. Don’t be fooled. Vote for new politicians not new fees. Robert Miller Florence additional tax. That’s not “$35 a year”; it’s $35 for each vehicle titled, times two, per registra- tion per person. If he thinks $22,000 will help maintain the roads in Dunes City for a year, he just doesn’t know what it takes to repair and clean up those right-of-ways. That amount is a drop in the bucket against any road maintenance program, and will accomplish nothing but pick our pock- ets every time we register a vehicle. Everyone needs to realize just how much we already pay in taxes and bonds to receive little to nothing from our investment. Somewhere, there were funds collected to maintain our roads, but those funds have evaporated just like the oil in the road. Henry Leach Former Road Commissioner Dunes City Missed the point Ms. Brock seems to have missed the point that the gas tax, which was voted down, was to fund roads in Florence, whereas the increase in the vehicle registration is a Lane County tax that Florence will get to share (“Locals Must Carry Road Fee,” May 9). Had the gas tax been passed and the registra- tion fee gets past, we may have had two taxes. I am beginning to wonder if my property tax goes to pay salaries and wages only, as the county and the city keep wanting to add taxes, levies, bonds and other means to pay for what needs to be done for the general public. Frank Keavy Florence Foolish fee Re-elect Olienyk In response to Jay Bozievich in the Siuslaw News article, “County Drives Vehicle Fee to Voters” (Feb. 14, A1), I would like to reply. I never bother to write editorial letters, as they fall on deaf ears. However, the comments made in this, and successive, stories to increase motor vehicle fees by “just $35 a year” because we have the lowest rate in the country, is just plain foolish and irresponsible. The road conditions in the Florence area and Dunes City can best be described as deplorable. I have been driving around the same potholes for over 10 years. If Mr. Bozievich thinks that increasing the fees by “only $35 a year” is not much, consider all of us with cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boat trailers, utility trailers, etc., who will have to find multiple funds, somehow, to pay the I support re-electing Steve Olienyk to Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue Board. Steve served on the board for 24 years and was involved in the growth and expansion of SVFR. With Steve’s background in financial services, he’s helped our rural fire department maintain fiscal stability. Steve also recognizes that a viable volunteer firefighter force saves taxpay- ers millions of dollars. I’ve always known Steve to be a person of high integrity. Citizens can trust Steve to be fair, to look at both sides of an issue and carefully formulate decisions. Steve has a passion for serving our local community through public service. He received the “Key to Florence” from the mayor in 2011. It’s because of Steve that I felt inspired to volunteer for the American Legion Memorial Day Observances. After that, USPS# 497-660 Support Nancy I am writing in support of Nancy Rickard. She is hoping to be re-elected to a seat on the Port of Siuslaw Commission. I am acquainted with Nancy and know her to be a capable, hard-working person who has the ability to make good judgements regarding port issues. She is not listed in the current Voters’ Pamphlet, but she is listed on the ballot for the May 19 election. Please vote for Nancy. She will work for the interests of our port. Jane Ashley Florence Vote for Cindy Time nears for everyone to quickly mark the boxes on their ballots and mail or drop them off. The position on the Western Lane Ambulance Board of Directors has three choices. I have worked, as an RN, side by side with Cindy Russell for six years. This woman fears no challenge. She is one of the few people left in the world that operates with common sense. She filled an interim position between emer- gency department head nurses and was able to lead us forward. She left no rock unturned. I encourage people to vote for Cindy. Elaine Beers Swisshome Vote Carnahan, Phillips It may not be widely known that Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue has had 18 of its 36 vol- unteer firefighters resign in recent months. I am not qualified to judge the long-term effect on our community’s fire protection of those resig- nations; however, I doubt that to be a favorable trend. It is reassuring to see two successful commu- nity members volunteer to serve as SVFR board directors: John Carnahan and Tony Phillips. It was my misfortune on two occasions to have needed John Carnahan’s professional serv- ices as an EMT and ambulance driver. On both occasions he was prompt and efficient. For numerous years I have witnessed Phillips’ extensive mechanical, business and supervisory expertise at Tony’s Garage. Both Carnahan and Phillips have deep roots in our community and can be expected to sup- port cost-effective SVFR policies that will sus- tain and improve volunteer firefighter participa- tion. I strongly recommend them for directors on the Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue board. Al Pearn Florence L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR P OLICY The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to the editor concerning issues affecting the Florence area and Lane County. Emailed letters are preferred. Handwritten or typed letters must be signed. All letters should be limited to about 300 words and must include the writer’s full name, address and phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. Publication of any letter is not guaranteed and depends on space available and the vol- ume of letters received. Libelous and anonymous letters and poetry will not be published. All submissions become the property of Siuslaw News and will not be returned. Write to: Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com Copyright 2015 © Siuslaw News Publisher, ext. 327 General Manager, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 313 Advertising Director, ext. 326 Office Supervisor, ext. 312 Production Supervisor Press Manager DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Friday 5 p.m. Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Thursday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Thursday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Wednesday 5 p.m. Soundings, Tuesday 5 p.m. NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Lane County — 1-year subscription, $71; 10-weeks subscription, $18; Out of Lane County — 1-year subscription, $94; 10-weeks subscription, $24; Out of State — 1-year subscription, $120; Out of United States — 1-year subscription, $200; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year subscription, $65. Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: www.TheSiuslawNews.com WHERE TO WRITE Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the National Newspaper Association and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Periodicals postage paid at Florence, Ore. Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439; phone 541-997-3441; fax 541-997-7979. All press releases may be sent to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com. John Bartlett Jenna Bartlett Ryan Cronk Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Jeremy Gentry I was motivated by Steve’s volunteerism and I wanted to “give back” to my community, so I joined the CERT Program. Steve has great pride in our volunteer fire- fighters. When he received $500 for his Oregon Governor’s Volunteer Achievement Award, he donated his award money to the SVFR Volunteer Firefighters Association. Steve respects how our volunteer firefighters sacrifice their valuable time to train and respond to emergencies in our community. Much like the military, volunteer firefighters make a per- sonal commitment to be a part of a tightly knit team that takes risks to protect our citizens and their property. Our volunteers at SVFR share a deep concern for others. When the camaraderie and shared mission at a volunteer fire depart- ment runs high, the department as a whole oper- ates as a “fire service family.” This sense of purpose and belief in commit- ment to our community is exactly what Steve has held up as a leader in our fire district for 24 years. I whole heartedly ask you to re-elect Steve Olienyk. Jerry Ward Florence Pres. Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 FAX: 202-456-2461 TTY/TDD Comments: 202-456-6213 www.whitehouse.gov Gov. Kate Brown 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. Salem, OR 97301-4047 Governor’s Citizens’ Rep. Message Line 503-378-4582 www.oregon.gov/gov U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden 221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-5244 541-431-0229 www.wyden.senate.gov FAX: 503-986-1080 Email: Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley 313 Hart Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997 541-465-6750 State Rep. Caddy McKeown (Dist. 9) 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1409 Email: rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.) 2134 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6416/ 800-944-9603 541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732 www.defazio.house.gov State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5) 900 Court St. NE - S-417 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 West Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich 125 E. Eighth St. Eugene, OR 97401 541-682-4203 FAX: 541-682-4616 Email: Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us