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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 2016)
4 A ❘ SATURDAY EDITION ❘ APRIL 16, 2016 RYAN CRONK , EDITOR Siuslaw News ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ Opinion P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 VIEW FROM UPRIVER YESTERDAY’S NEWS Of, for and by W ESLEY V OTH For the Siuslaw News –––––––––––– T here is nothing like the blooms of the wild iris and the return of swallows that means it is April in this part of Oregon. Oregon iris, also known as tough- leaf or rainbow iris, can be found right now along many area roadsides and woodland edges. Its names come from being common only in Western Oregon, its traditional use of leaves for cordage, and the variation of petal color from purple to cream to yellow. There are thousands right now on the hillside by where I like to walk along the Swisshome end of Stagecoach Road. The swallows I’ve seen so far are the four varieties most common locally: barn, cliff or bank, violet green and tree. The latter two like nest boxes, and last year I had found plans for making simple ones, even went so far as to set wood aside. Now the birds are here again. Sometimes it is as easy to do something as talk about it, so I interrupted EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM the writing of this paragraph to com- plete that task, and can report that five boxes are now put together and up for use. I predict that by the time I finish this column, at least one will be claimed as a nest. Some who read this column are no longer able to get out to where much of our flora and fauna can be seen, and espe- cially like to hear about what is in bloom as spring progresses. Natives I have seen in the past two weeks: pacific crabapple, rhodo- dendron, dogwood, elderberry, big-leaf maple, trailing blackberry or dewberry with their five pointed stars, bleeding heart, Hooker’s and Smith’s fairy bells, miner’s lettuce, goats beard, false Solomon seal and the first of the columbine. Most of the trilli- ums still in bloom have turned purple; salmonberries are forming and it won’t be that long before the first of those will be dis- appearing into the mouths of those who know real value. I keep hearing people make comments that makes me wonder if they understand who the government in this country is. It is, first and foremost, “We the People of the United States.” It is good from time to time to reread the preamble to our constitution that begins with those words, and remember why we the people united and formed that constitution: “In Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” There are some who say they would like to see our country be great again. I think we become great only if we the people use our collective powers for the purposes laid out in that preamble. Things like a more perfect union, the establishment of justice, ensuring domestic tranquility and the promotion of the general welfare. Only if we deliver on the as yet unfulfilled promise of “liberty and justice for all.” Do a better job of seeing that black lives matter than the constitution with its counting those lives as three fifths of a person, or sen- tencing guidelines or profiling that manage to focus the harshest scrutiny and treatment on people of color. Do a better job to seeing to voting rights than recent districting and elec- tions have demonstrated. Certainly living wages and health care are a huge part of the general welfare. Only then can we say we have — and can be proud of — a government of the people, by the people and for the people. MOMENTS IN TIME The History Channel On April 23, 1564, English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare is born in Stratford- on-Avon. While it is impossible to be certain of the exact day of his birth, church records show that he was baptized on April 26, and it was customary to wait three days before baptizing a newborn. On April 20, 1871, Congress authorizes President Ulysses S. Grant to use military force to suppress the Ku Klux Klan. Founded in 1865 by a group of Confederate veterans, the KKK engaged in night terrorist raids against black Americans and white Republicans. On April 19, 1897, the first Boston Marathon is held. Women were not allowed to enter the race until 1972, but in 1966 runner Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb hid in the bushes near the start until the race began. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer finished even though race officials tried to physically remove her. On April 21, 1918, Manfred von Richthofen, the German flying ace known as “The Red Baron,” is killed by Allied fire. In a time when 20 air victories ensured a pilot leg- endary status, von Richthofen had downed 80 enemy aircraft. He was 25 years old. LETTERS jumbo donations in the presiden- tial campaign is being diluted. But, the Kochs’ state level suc- cesses underscore the growing need to limit Citizen United- enabled, big money influence in politics that hamstrings reason- able regulation and throws the middle class under the bus. Arnold Buchman Florence Amazing CROW I and the residents from Spruce Point, a prestige senior living community, would like to say thank you to Melanie Heard and the kids from CROW (Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops) for their amazing performance of “Shrek the Musical, Jr.” There is so much talent in this group of young people that just talking about it gives us goose- bumps. Melanie and the CROW per- formers always bring a sneak peek of the project they are work- ing on to our community and then invite us to attend the rehearsal performance. This works out great for us as the residents feel like CROW is performing just for them. The programs, costumes, backdrops and props are so pro- fessionally done — the talent goes way beyond the performers. We look forward to the next amazing performance offered to our community. Thank you again for all you do for our seniors. Annette Poston Life Enrichment Director, Spruce Point Assisted Living and Memory Care Florence Money in politics While on his way to the Republican presidential nominat- ing convention, Donald Trump has hijacked the party from those driving the national GOP bus. Not mentioned, the drivers had them- selves commandeered the party a decade or more ago. That was when the Koch broth- ers and their billionaire allies set out with Super PACs like Americans for Prosperity and Woodbury for justice of peace influencers like ALEC to reduce government, in Grover Norquist’s memorable metaphor, to bathtub drowning size. The media focusses on obscene amounts of money compromising presidential elections. Meanwhile, the Koch brothers quietly finance the election of like-minded candidates at the state level, capturing 11 state leg- islatures from Democrats in 2014 and gaining conservative Republican control of 30 state legislatures and full control of state legislature and governorship in 23 states. (Democrats con- trolled 27 state legislatures in 2009, now have full control of 11 state legislatures and total control in seven states.) Along the way, a populist Tea Party uprising has morphed into the unmanageable Republican primaries bash. But, in the mean- time, success at the state level provided control of the decennial redistricting process solidifying congressional ascendancy through the gerrymandering of House seats. (In 2014, 95 percent of House incumbents were re- elected.) This has resulted in a polarized Congress that will become even more so at least until the 2020 decennial redistricting. Of more immediate interest to the Koch brothers are policies concerning the panoply of busi- ness regulation set at the state leg- islative level, control of which they continue to hold. For exam- ple, taxpayer subsidies for Koch’s Georgia Pacific and overlooked contamination by Koch’s Frac- Chem fracking in Pennsylvania. Or, the undermining of solar ener- gy and renewable fuel standards that threaten their extensive fossil fuel interests in Florida, Arizona, Kansas and Ohio. Bottom line, Koch money-in- politics is good for Koch Industries. Koch’s network of political nonprofits, “super PACs” and donors marching to their drum- beat is planning to spend $750 million over the next two years advancing their brand of conser- vative candidates and policies. Self-funded anomalies like Donald Trump and crowd-funded candidates like Bernie Sanders might suggest the influence of Lane County voters have an exceptional choice for Lane County Justice of the Peace. Woody Woodbury is the best candidate for the position. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communication, which makes him highly suited for the qualifications needed for the posi- tion. Woodbury’s strengths include the ability to listen carefully and weigh possible solutions, with the highest of integrity. Woodbury is owner/operator of the Florence Grocery Outlet, where his well-known generosity to the community makes him highly respected by all who know him. He was named Volunteer of the Year in his community for 2015. Woodbury resides in Florence, which is perfect since the Lane County Justice Court, serving the entire county, is located in Florence, as a result of court clo- sures in Oakridge and Springfield. We encourage all Lane County voters to join us in voting for Woody Woodbury for Lane County Justice of the Peace. Bob and Kay King Florence On April 18, 1945, syndicated journalist Ernie Pyle, America’s most popular war corre- spondent, is killed by Japanese machine-gun fire on the island of Ie Shima in the Pacific. Pyle always wrote about the experiences of enlisted men rather than the battles they partic- ipated in. On April 24, 1953, Winston Churchill, the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through World War II, is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. On April 22, 1978, the Blues Brothers make their world premiere on “Saturday Night Live.” Led by SNL cast members Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, the band would go on to score three top-40 hits and a No. 1 album. (c) 2016 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 2016 © 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
