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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
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E DITOR P OLICY
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Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the National
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Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439; phone 541-997-3441; fax
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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