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EV EN T!
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SERVING WESTERN LANE COUNTY SINCE 1890
FLORENCE, OREGON
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
2015
YEAR IN REVIEW
Siuslaw News’ annual
Year in Review looks back at
some of the Florence area’s
top stories from 2015
The SRAC took over operations of the pool in 2006, when
government funding to operate the pool was lost due to budget
cuts. SRAC operated the pool facility until funds ran out in 2009.
The estimated cost to run the pool is $100,000 per year,
including the proposed pool director’s annual salary of about
$40,000. Potential revenues from lessons, memberships and
facility rentals would offset a portion of the cost.
programs will be $30 per week per student, in addition to the
annual membership.
The Boys and Girls Club has not increased its annual dues
since its inception more than 30 years ago.
Reynolds named city manager
On Jan. 20, Florence City Council unanimously voted to hire
Finance Director Erin Reynolds as the new city manager. Her
two-year contract begins on March 1, 2015, with a starting salary
of $105,000.
New editor of Siuslaw News
Siuslaw News Features Editor Ryan Cronk has been chosen to
replace retiring Siuslaw News Editor Theresa Baer, who has been
editor since August 2007 and will be leaving to spend time with
her parents near Los Angeles.
Cronk, a native Oregonian, was hired as a reporter in 2008 and
promoted to features editor in January 2012. He will be only the
third editor of the Siuslaw News since 1982.
S TAFF R EPORT
__________________
JANUARY
Mapleton pool may get new lease on life
Members of the Siuslaw Regional Aquatic Center (SRAC) will
propose that the Mapleton School District allow them to raise
money to repair and reopen the pool located on school district
property during tonight’s Mapleton School Board meeting.
The SRAC board has already paid for initial engineering to
determine what needs to be done to bring the pool up to current
compliance standards.
FEBRUARY
Events center catering opens to new options
After 19 years of operating with an exclusive caterer, the
Florence Events Center (FEC) will now provide catering options
to its clientele, following approval from the city council.
The FEC will now accept proposals from area caterers. Red
Rose Catering, which has provided FEC with catering services
for the past 10 years, could be a possible option as well. Clients
could then pick from qualified caterers for specific events.
Boys and Girls Club faces financial crisis
Beginning Feb. 1, the Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane
County will implement a drastically increased fee structure to
cover the cost of after-school care and enrichment programs.
The cost of the Boys and Girls Club membership will remain
at $25 per year per child. The new fee structure for after-school
See
REVIEW 9A
Chamber announces First Citizen nominees
Port hires
new manager First and Future First Citizens will be named next Wednesday at Siuslaw Awards
Bill Craig
Gayle Waiss
such as Florence Kiwanis Club
and City of Florence Transit
Advisory Committee, and has
served on the design committee
for both the Florence Events
Center and the Justice Center. In
addition, he donated design plans
for Quality Child Care of
Florence, Children’s Repertory of
Oregon Workshops (CROW) and
the Church on the Rock.
Geraldine Lucio is the owner of
Old Town Barbershop and has
actively supported Old Town
events such as Can Hunger
Concert for Florence and
Mapleton Food Share and The
Salvation Army’s Red Kettle
Campaign.
Janet Snow has been instru-
mental in establishing the
Salvation Army’s Red Kettle
Campaign in Florence, which has
Geraldine Lucio
Janet Snow
See
S TAFF R EPORT
Steven Leskin to take over
position Feb. 1
B Y J ACK D AVIS
Siuslaw News
Port of Siuslaw commissioners voted to offer
Steven Leskin the port manager position during a
special meeting held Jan. 6.
Board president Ron Caputo met with Leskin on
Friday to negotiate the specifics of the five-year
contract. Leskin signed the agreement Monday,
Jan. 11, and is scheduled to begin as port manager
Feb. 1. Starting salary is $62,500 per year.
Leskin will take over from Dina McClure, who
has been interim port manager since Bob Forsythe
vacated the position Nov. 6. McClure will continue
in her former capacity as administrative assistant.
Leskin is currently employed as project manager
for the Port of Bandon, a position he has held since
August 2015.
INSIDE
See
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C6
Coast Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Library Tidings . . . . . . . . . . . A5
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2
PORT 7A
he Siuslaw Business
Awards on Wednesday,
Jan. 20, will be a time to
celebrate the people of the com-
munity. During the evening of
awards, the Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce will fea-
ture the First Citizen and Future
First Citizen awards.
There are four nominees for the
2015 First Citizen Award: Bill
Craig, Geraldine Lucio, Janet
Snow and Gayle Waiss. Elements
of consideration for First Citizen
include length of service, current
involvement in the community,
past and present leadership, and
overall community impact.
The 2014 First Citizen recipi-
ent was Cindy Wobbe.
Bill Craig has volunteered both
time as well as donated profes-
sional services to area nonprofits
T
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4
Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C
Weather Data . . . . . . . . . . . A2
THIS WEEK ’ S
TODAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
50 45
50 45
53 49
55 50
WEATHER
Full Forecast, A3
S IUSLAW N EWS
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CITIZEN 7A