4 A
❘
SATURDAY EDITION
❘ NOVEMBER 7, 2015
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
DISASTER PREP
B Y D AVE R OBINSON
Special to the Siuslaw News
“O
ver the river and through the
wood, to Grandmother’s house
we go. The horse knows the
way to carry the sleigh through the white
and drifted snow.” And so goes the old song
about holiday travel to visit the relatives.
Now I’ll admit I have never actually trav-
eled by sleigh to visit relatives, but plenty
of us hit the road during winter months to
spend the holidays with loved ones. Winter
travel requires some extra planning to make
your trip a safe one.
First, factor in a little extra time for your
journey. Safe driving in nasty weather
requires slowing down. In fact, snowy and
icy roads require a whole different skill set.
If your route takes you over any mountain
passes, the possibility of snow and icy roads
may affect your trip. Making sure your car
is ready for the trip is just smart planning.
Are your tires up for the trip? Do you
have a set of tire chains that actually fit
your car? Do you know how to install your
chains? Studded tires are always an option,
although here on the south coast of Oregon
few motorists make that investment as we
rarely have a need for them.
More than one motorist has been stranded
RYAN CRONK , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
Winter Travel
along the interstate for several hours
because of nasty weather. Running out of
gas is unacceptable, likewise being without
a couple of blankets in the trunk or some
snacks for the kids.
So when you get ready to head out, go to
your state’s highway department website
and check their webcams. For those of us in
Oregon, it’s www.tripcheck.com. Most areas
of the state have a webcam set up monitor-
ing the road conditions. Accompanying the
video display is a list of up-to-the-minute
weather conditions listing the temperature,
wind information and precipitation. The
wise traveler will adjust his or her travel
plans according to what they learn about the
weather conditions enroute.
Then, let someone know when you’re
leaving, the route you plan to take and noti-
fy them when you arrive. Most airplane
travelers have had to either cancel a trip or
change their flight plan because of weather.
There is an old saying, “There are old pilots
and bold pilots, but there are no old, bold
pilots!” The same may be true for the winter
traveler. Making changes in your road trip
shows wisdom and maturity of thought for
the safe consideration of your loved ones.
YESTERDAY’S NEWS
Before you head out, grab your “go” bag,
top off your gas tank and your coffee ther-
mos. A few food items can’t hurt, along
with your tire chains, tow strap, jumper
cables and maybe one of those folding
shovels.
Be sure to get an early start, because
those slick roads demand slower speeds,
and a willingness to abort the mission if it
gets a little too risky out there. This trip
isn’t worth anyone getting injured. Be a real
hero to your family and make the hard deci-
sion if you need to. Ultimately being pre-
pared will bring a whole element of safety
to your journey.
“Over the river and through the wood,
now Grandmother’s cap I spy. Hurrah for
the fun. Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the
pumpkin pie!”
______________________
Dave Robinson is the postmaster in
Bandon, Ore., and author of “Disaster Prep
for the Rest of Us.” He may be contacted at
disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. Visit his
website for more disaster preparedness tips,
www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.
MOMENTS IN TIME
The History Channel
• On Nov. 10, 1775, during the American
Revolution, the Continental Congress passes a
resolution that “two Battalions of Marines be
raised” for service as landing forces for the
Continental Navy. The date is now observed as
the birthdate of the United States Marine
Corps.
• On Nov. 13, 1850, Robert Louis
Stevenson, author of “Treasure Island” and
“Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” is born in
Scotland. He pursued a career as a writer, but
his decision alienated his parents, who expect-
ed him to follow the family trade of lighthouse
keeping.
• On Nov. 15, 1867, the first stock ticker is
unveiled in New York City, making up-to-the-
minute prices available to investors around the
country. Since the New York Stock Exchange’s
founding in 1792, information had traveled by
mail or messenger.
• On Nov. 14, 1900, composer Aaron
Copland is born in Brooklyn, New York.
Copland was responsible for the creation of
some of the 20th century’s most beloved and
enduring works of classical music, such the
Pulitzer Prize-winning “Appalachian Spring”
(1944).
• On Nov. 12, 1954, Ellis Island, the gate-
way to America, shuts it doors after processing
more than 12 million immigrants since opening
in 1892. Today, an estimated 40 percent of all
Americans can trace their roots through Ellis
Island, located in New York Harbor.
• On Nov. 11, 1978, on the Georgia set of
“The Dukes of Hazzard,” a stuntman launches
the iconic 1969 Dodge Charger named the
General Lee off a makeshift dirt ramp and over
a police car. More than 300 different General
Lees were used in the CBS TV series.
LETTERS
New meaning
to holiday season
As the season of holiday celebrations begin,
there are many who would appreciate experi-
encing this same festive hope and joy.
We at Helping Hands Coalition for the
homeless are currently serving an unprece-
dented 60 guests each day.
We are asking the community for donations
of tents, sleeping bags, tarps and warm cloth-
ing. You can drop these items off at 1339
Rhododendron Drive, near the Real Food Co-
op, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each
week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Put a smile on the face of one of our home-
less citizens, and bring new meaning to the
holiday celebrations.
Sue Thornton
Florence
Sad loss for Florence
I had the privilege of marrying officer
Shawn Morgan on June 13, 2012. He came
into my life as a loving and caring person. I
have never met someone as dedicated to his
job and community as he is.
Shawn loves this town and the people in it.
He would go out of his way to help the less
fortunate more than anyone I know.
I did not always understand the breaks he
would give to people, and he would say,
“Everyone deserves a chance.”
Once, he came home from Safeway bare-
foot with his socks in his hand. He had met
someone he went to school with who was now
homeless. The man could not be served with-
out shoes on, so Shawn gave him his.
This town lost not only a good cop but also
a wonderful person.
I am a very lucky lady to still have him for
my family, and that can’t be taken away.
Carol Morgan
Florence
Walk in their shoes
When a boy is around your house enough
that he knows where the dishes go in the cup-
board, I think you know if he is going to grow
up to be an honest person.
I have worried about Shawn Morgan being
a policeman. This day and age, when a police-
man stops a car, he has a good chance of end-
ing up dead.
I don’t know who made the decision to ter-
minate Shawn, but I think they made a poor
call. Maybe they should “walk the walk” and
think about putting their lives on the line for
years.
I am grateful for our policemen and for the
job they do with very little appreciation. When
was the last time you spoke to a policeman
and told him thank you?
Virgle Bechtold
Florence
Park threatened again
In Lane County Park’s latest 2015 Draft
Master Plan, there is one 40-acre park that
stands out from all the rest. Lane County pro-
poses to sell the property known as Ocean
Woods Park.
This land in the unincorporated area north
of Florence was deeded to the county by the
State of Oregon in 1963 as a gift that Lane
County could have “only so long as used for
public park and recreation purposes.”
For 52 years, people like us moved to the
area thinking this was a forever park that
would never be sold.
The county was entrusted to protect this
land, but now they think that the greater good
would be served by selling this 40 acres of
valuable real estate and using “the proceeds
for parks capital improvements” elsewhere.
When Lane County attempted this same
tactic 11 years ago, they were stopped when
Florence-area residents convinced Lane
County Commissioners to defy the Parks
Department’s recommendation to sell the
land; however, the Parks Department neglect-
ed to change the status of the land as “sur-
plus,” so here we are once again doing what
we can to protect this unique park.
This land of old growth rhododendron and
wind sculpted forest is a precious natural
resource that belongs to all of us, not just Lane
County or the developers that have long cov-
eted this land.
Please help us to retain this valuable natural
resource and wildlife habitat by contacting Lane
County Parks as we have and urge them to pro-
tect, respect and plan for this park’s future in the
spirit of the original 1963 deed, for Florence res-
idents, Lane County residents and everyone who
values parks and the natural beauty that money
could never buy back if it’s sold.
Jerry Mounts
Florence
• On Nov. 9, 1989, East German officials
open the Berlin Wall, allowing travel from East
to West Berlin. The following day, celebrating
Germans began to tear down the wall, the
defining symbol of the Cold War.
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
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E DITOR P OLICY
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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
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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