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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2015)
4 A ❘ SATURDAY EDITION ❘ NOVEMBER 21, 2015 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 DISASTER PREP B Y D AVE R OBINSON Special to the Siuslaw News A s the seasons change and we seem to be working our way into winter, we are all breathing a word of thanks for the much-needed moisture. And though adverse conditions are always a pos- sibility, seems like the odds increase this time of year. For many, it may be time to take a look at your emergency kit. If you stocked up on jerky a few months ago, or if cheese crack- ers are a part of your get home bag (like mine), then you may want to rotate your supplies. Check for freshness or vermin or just make sure that the dates are current on your canned goods. If not, then it’s time to move those items to the front of the shelf and re-stock with fresh. I use a vacuum food sealer to store some items (not just food) to keep them dry and dust-free. I have found that sometimes the seals come undone, so be sure to dou- ble-check those items and re-seal the ones that need it. Check your emergency water supply. Those 2-1⁄2 gallon jugs with the built-in spigot are really handy for short-term use, camping and sliding in the refrigerator, but RYAN CRONK , EDITOR ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM Opinion Just a little tune-up they tend to leak if you leave them in the closet for lengthy periods of time. Personal- sized water bottles are handy to have, but they, too, need to be swapped out for fresh ones after a few months. Consider a stand- alone water filter. One lesson I’ve learned the hard way is regarding rechargeable devices. Those lanterns, Storm Stations and all sorts of rechargeable devices, are designed to be plugged in all the time (according to the manufacturer) until you need them. It has been my experience that if they’ve been sit- ting unused, but plugged in as instructed for a couple of years, the batteries tend to go bad. Those things are expensive and in some cases, difficult to replace. It is mad- dening to think you’ve got things covered only to learn you can’t rely on the very thing you were relying on. So if you have a rechargeable device sit- ting on the shelf, use it once in awhile. According to my electrical engineer friend, that battery needs some exercise. Unplugging it for about three weeks out of four will also extend the life of most rechargeable batteries. I rarely recommend gadgets and gizmos to purchase, but after you’ve saved up for your water filter, I suggest buying a NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide net- work of radio stations broadcasting continu- ous weather information 24/7. NWR also broadcasts warning and post- event information for all types of hazards, including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemi- cal releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 telephone outages). Make sure it’s one that is battery powered. There are also several that are solar, hand-cranked and battery powered. One for every budget. Shop around and find one that appeals to you. ______________________ 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. YESTERDAY’S NEWS MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel • On Nov. 28, 1582, William Shakespeare, 18, and Anne Hathaway, 26, pay a 40-pound bond for their marriage license in Stratford- upon-Avon. Six months later, Anne gives birth to their daughter, Susanna, and two years later, to twins. • On Nov. 27, 1703, an unusual freak storm finally dissipates over England after wreaking havoc for two weeks. Packing hurricane- strength winds, the storm killed between 10,000 and 30,000 people, and sank hundreds of Royal Navy ships. • On Nov. 29, 1929, American explorer Richard Byrd and three companions make the first flight over the South Pole. In 1996, a diary of Byrd’s was found that seemed to suggest his plane had turned back 150 miles short of its goal because of an oil leak. • On Nov. 23, 1936, the first issue of Life magazine is published, featuring a cover photo of the Fort Peck Dam. When it folded during the Great Depression, publisher Henry Luce bought the name and re-launched Life as a pic- ture-based periodical. • On Nov. 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. In 1789, President George Washington had proclaimed a holiday of national thanks- giving for the U.S. Constitution. • On Nov. 24, 1971, a hijacker calling him- self D.B. Cooper — wearing only wraparound sunglasses, a thin suit and a raincoat — para- chutes from an airplane into a thunderstorm with 100-mph winds and temperatures well below zero over Washington state. Despite a massive search, no trace of Cooper or the $200,000 in ransom money he carried was ever found. LETTERS A nice tribute Wow! What a wonderful trib- ute, honoring and thanking local veterans for their service in the armed forces of the United States of America. The Shorewood left no stone unturned — great food, great entertainment, a very warm reception to all of the services. It was an amazing example of gratitude and giving to recognize the services of all the veterans of World War II and succeeding mil- itary pursuits for the common good. Jim Kaul Florence Columbus Day name change Columbus Day is a U.S. holi- day that commemorates the land- ing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on Oct. 12, 1492. It is a celebration of the discovery of our country. I understand that there is evidence that the Viking explorers from Scandinavia came here first. I know that there was already a population of indige- nous peoples that had “discov- ered” the Americas thousand of years before. Opposition to Columbus Day dates back to the 19th century where activists sought to eradi- cate Columbus Day celebrations because of its association with immigrants and the Knights of Columbus. They were afraid the holiday was being used to expand Catholic influence. The most common opposition today decrying Columbus and Europeans’ actions against the indigenous peoples did not gain much traction until the latter half of the 20th century. The American Indian Movement accused our ancestors of acts of genocide. Columbus has been shown to be a nasty character that would do well in this day and age because of his relentless quest to advance his ambitions and his self-promotion. Several other historical figures spring to mind as well. To me, history should be factu- al, concise and honest. Civilization has gone forward from day one to invade and con- quer land and its peoples for food, water, minerals, land, etc. In fact, someday sooner than I want to believe, some group of people will try to conquer America’s land and people. Read the paper, watch the evening news, catch up on world events on your computer — scary. There are so many issues in Florence that need the attention of our local leaders. I would like to suggest that these leaders con- centrate on making Florence a safer, less hungry and maybe a little less politically correct first, then tackle the other things. Changing the name of this hol- iday isn’t going to find a job for an out-of-work citizen/veteran, it’s not going to help feed a fami- ly that needs community help or find shelter for someone left out in the cold this winter. My lesson has now ended. Elizabeth Burletson Florence Create another day instead In a recent edition of the Siuslaw News, there appeared a story on the front page regarding a member of the city council, Ron Preisler, recommending a change in name from our holiday of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day (“City Considers Columbus Day Name Change,” Nov. 10). Seems to me we are getting a lot of PC (politically correct) changes recommended these days. I have contacted many of my neighbors and friends, many of my local military comrades regarding his suggestion. I have no objection to a day for Indigenous Peoples Day whatso- ever, and neither do the they, but the consensus was leave our her- itage alone and create another date for them instead. Hopefully, the mayor and council will consider this sugges- tion at the council meeting in January. Tony Cavarno Florence Welcome Syrians My heart aches for the inno- cent victims of the Paris attacks and also for the Syrian refugees who were just trying to live their lives when war broke out in Syria. They are suffering horren- dous conditions with no safe haven. I would not want to be in their shoes. We need to welcome Syrian refugees. The United States has a very thorough security process, including Homeland Security, FBI and CIA, before Syrian refugees are allowed to stay here. The horrific actions of an extremist sect of Islam don’t mean all Muslims are terrorists. We cannot let our fear of terror compromise our humanity, our American history of welcoming immigrants and our compassion for those less fortunate. Julie MacFarlane Florence • On Nov. 25, 1990, after a howling wind- and rainstorm on Thanksgiving Day, Washington state’s historic floating Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge breaks apart and sinks to the bottom of Lake Washington. The bridge had been made of 22 floating pontoons. (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc. 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 volume of letters received. Libelous and anonymous letters as well as poetry will not be published. All submissions become the property of Siuslaw News and will not be returned. Write to: Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com USPS# 497-660 Copyright 2015 © Siuslaw News John Bartlett Jenna Bartlett Ryan Cronk Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Jeremy Gentry 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. 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
