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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2015)
4 A ❘ SATURDAY EDITION ❘ DECEMBER 12, 2015 Siuslaw News RYAN CRONK , EDITOR ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ Opinion P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 VIEW FROM UPRIVER YESTERDAY’S NEWS Celebrating policies that value the wild and natural W ESLEY V OTH For the Siuslaw News ____________ consider the return of wolves to Oregon to be one of the most wonderful events of my lifetime. That they got here on their own, and have managed to hang on, gives me hope in a way that nothing else has. That despite the mass transformation of farmland to development and forest to tree farm, per- haps we have not yet so completely altered our wild areas that this region’s historic apex predator cannot live among us once again. Half a dozen years before I was born, wolf control policies in place for a hundred years paid out the last bounty in 1946 for an Oregon wolf killed in the Umpqua National Forest. The last of the state’s native stock eradicated. Extinct. For those interested, very complete and excellent articles on the history of wolves in Oregon can be found online written by Zach Urness of the Statesman Journal. We do not control the wind, nor complete- ly control either water or fire. Respect for I these is a bridle on our human hubris. I find the same to be true entering an environment that is home to predators that could easily kill me. When I lived in Hawaii, and spent considerable time in the ocean, coming eyeball to eyeball with a great white shark gave me respect for that environment in a way that just waves and storms did not. I have also been in very close proximity to large grizzlies and one wolf while in Alaskan wilderness, and found the same to be true there. Such experiences altered my sense of my place on the earth. We don’t even know what complex effects the presence of wolves has on landscape, but people who study such things were amazed that when wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, changes in elk behavior resulted in more streamside vegetation that led in turn to more songbirds and more beavers. Many other changes are being observed, including improved stream health. Part of what has made life possible for wolves again here is changes in thinking about the management of public land, in rec- ognizing the value of forests beyond being a timber source. One of the people who has made a difference in Forest Service practice here and nationally is Jim Furnish, who recently published his memoir, “Toward a Natural Forest: The Forest Service in Transition.” I found this 200-page book so fascinating I read it in a single sitting. Jim’s years as forest supervisor of Siuslaw National Forest, 1991 to 1999, is particularly interest- ing, as is his mention and appreciation of such local heroes as Lynn Hood and Charlie Dewberry in the restoration work on Knowles Creek. But the heart of his story is his own transformation as he spent time in our nation- al forests and inside the changing agency in charge of their management. He went on from the Siuslaw to become deputy chief of the Forest Service, based on successes forged here in finding solutions with a broader base of support. As a community, we have the incredible opportunity to hear Jim speak and to ask questions this Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Lights Cinemas. The event is called “Book-Film-Panel Discussion.” Jim will talk about his book; a new 30-minute video, “Seeing the Forest,” about the Siuslaw will be shown; Jim and three others involved in Siuslaw partnerships will form the panel. Admission is free, sponsored by the Siuslaw Stewardship Group and the Siuslaw Watershed Council. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel • On Dec. 16, 1773, in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians board three British tea ships and dump 342 chests of tea into the harbor in protest of the British Parliament’s Tea Act of 1773. • On Dec. 18, 1865, following its ratification by the requisite three-quarters of the states ear- lier in the month, the 13th Amendment is for- mally adopted into the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude ... shall exist within the United States.” • On Dec. 14, 1909, workers place the last of the 3.2 million 10-pound bricks that pave the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. Since then, most of that brick has been buried under asphalt, but a 1-yard strip remains exposed at the start-finish line. • On Dec. 15, 1936, writer George Orwell delivers the manuscript for his book “The Road to Wigan Pier,” which chronicles the difficult life of the unemployed in northern England. Orwell’s last novel, “Nineteen Eighty-four,” brought him lasting fame with its grim vision of a future where all citizens are watched con- stantly. • On Dec. 20, 1963, more than two years after the Berlin Wall was constructed by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing its communist regime, nearly 4,000 West Berliners are allowed to cross into East Berlin for one day to visit relatives. LETTERS A memorable visit with Helen I recently had the pleasure of meeting Helen Cunningham, who is 105 years old and moved to the Florence area 11 years ago with her husband. One of her passions is knitting and crocheting afghan blankets, which she has been giv- ing to the Elks Lodge. When her husband became ill and needed hospice care, Helen discovered there were many veter- ans receiving hospice care. He daughter, Kat, picked up red, white and blue yarn at Goodwill for her to use. This gave her the idea of making patriotic afghan blankets for veterans. Over the past five years, she has made 29 afghan blankets and is currently working on number 30. Helen contacted Commander Stitt of the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 23, to inquire about giving afghan blan- kets to veterans on behalf of the DAV. This led to my memorable visit with this wonderful lady. Helen told me that she is not planning to make any more blan- kets, but I could see the twinkle in her eyes as she described the ones she has already made. So, I think, there may be more in the future. Her family also gave the DAV nine boxes of men’s clothing to be given out this Christmas to veter- ans who need clothing for the win- ter. Commander Stitt and I wish to thank the Cunningham family for their generosity to veterans. The light in Helen’s eyes and her zest for life still burns strong, making one proud to be a fellow American. Ralph Martin Adjutant, DAV, Chapter 23 EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM • On Dec. 17, 1975, a federal jury in Sacramento, California, sentences Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of incarcerated cult leader Charles Manson, to life in prison for her attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford. • On Dec. 19, 1998, the House of Representatives approves two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, charging him with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice. Clinton, after being acquitted on both articles of impeachment, said he was “sorry.” (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc. L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR P OLICY Need for faster health care In regards to a letter that was written by Becky Beckner (“Waiting for Care,” Sept. 12): I too had a similar experience. I arrived at PeaceHealth’s Walk-In Clinic in Florence in September only to wait 5-1/2 hours and never to see anyone other than the receptionist, who did sign me in. Later I was told I could drive to an emergency clin- ic in Eugene. Had I known, I would have done this instead since it would have been a lot quicker. Like Beckner, it was not an ER case. I finally felt so ill that I had to go home, which was a 25- minute drive one way. I did get a call in the early evening saying they could see me now. This, I feel, is a very significant problem for the city of Florence. There are so many tourists in town that I wonder how many times this happens to other people. We have a vacation home in Florence, but are not on the PeaceHealth insur- ance plan. There needs to be a better sys- tem for handling a walk-in clinic. Chris Hile Grants Pass 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