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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 27, 2016)
THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM ❘ / SIUSLAWNEWS ❘ @ SIUSLAWNEWS WEDNESDAY EDITION MAY EVENTS CALENDAR VIKS TUNING UP FOR DISTRICT SPORTS — B INSIDE — A8 126TH YEAR ❘ ISSUE NO. 34 ❘ APRIL 27, 2016 ❘ $1.00 SERVING WESTERN LANE COUNTY SINCE 1890 FLORENCE, OREGON ELECTION 2016 communications qualify me to sit on this bench. Having investigated white-collar crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, shop lifting rings, etc., and negotiating with labor dis- putes, I am well able to see into different complexities. As a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent I have a depth of understanding of life’s chal- lenges and positive solutions. Voters to decide Lane County judge for Justice Court based in Florence B Y C HANTELLE M EYER Siuslaw News our candidates are vying for Lane County’s Justice of the Peace position, which presides over the Lane County Justice Court, 900 Greenwood St. in Florence. According to the county, the position handles small claims (civil actions involving up to $10,000 in damages), land- lord-tenant disputes and traf- fic, animal, parks and boating offenses. The judge also approves search and arrest warrants and makes decisions with respect to holding charged persons in custody. The May 17 Primary Election ballot has four candi- dates listed: current Justice of the Peace Rick Brissenden, Joshua Rogers, Guy F Rosinbaum and Woody Woodbury. Siuslaw News sent each candidate a questionnaire but only received answers from Brissenden and Woodbury, whose responses are printed below. Brissenden, 57, lives in Eugene, Ore. He has lived in Lane County for 26 years, and in Oregon for 32. He received a bachelor’s degree in English and American literature from Brown University in Providence, R.I., in 1980, and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Virginia Law School in Charlottesville, Va., in 1984. Brissenden was appointed Lane County Justice of the Peace by Gov. Kate Brown on March 1. He also is the munic- ipal judge for the City of Florence. Rick Brissenden Woody Woodbury Woodbury, 67, lives in Florence and has lived in Lane County for 11 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in communi- cations from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kans. gation. I have represented gov- ernments and businesses, citi- zens and non-citizens. I have been a judge since 1997 in four courts, including Florence Municipal Court (more than 18 years) and the justice court. Woodbury: My back- ground in law enforcement, criminal investigations, labor negotiations, business experi- ence and bachelor’s degree in What is your background? Brissenden: I have practiced law in Oregon, both civil and criminal, for over 30 years, including 11 years as a prosecu- tor and many years of civil liti- What makes you the best candidate? Brissenden: I have the edu- cation, training and experience to do this job, and do it well. Just as important, I want to do this job. I have a very strong interest in and empathy for people and their lives. Each person who comes before this court believes that his or her matter has impor- tance; many cases involve someone’s home or livelihood. The dollar amounts involved may be smaller than in state courts, but the legal issues are often just as complex. Everyone deserves to have their cases decided with pro- fessional legal expertise and diligence. Woodbury: I believe I am the best candidate because it is my duty to give back to my community, and this is a posi- tion I am uniquely suited to perform. Justice Court pro- vides a local opportunity for average citizens to deal with minor legal issues. From traffic violations to neighborhood disputes, from dog bites to evictions — it is important to have a judge who is approachable, listens care- fully, considers thoroughly and decides impartially. My desire to help in my community causes me to invest the time and thought needed in each case to bring about the optimum solution. See JUDGE 10A Ambulance district shows a little ‘TLC’ OPB offers $1M loan program for businesses Program allows hospice patients a chance to fulfill last wishes Low-interest loans available for storefront upgrades in Florence D arlene Melton, a hospice patient with PeaceHealth Home and Hospice Program, always wanted to go to Shore Acres State Park to view the spring display of flowers. Thanks to Western Lane Ambulance District’s TLC Program, she got to experience a day of flowers and sunshine before she passed away. S TAFF R EPORT COURTESY PHOTO Western Lane Ambulance District’s TLC Program helped Darlene Melton (center) fulfill her dream of visiting Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay. B Y C HANTELLE M EYER Siuslaw News ____________________________ INSIDE Western Lane Medic 9 transport- the ambulance district the opportu- ed Melton and family and friends nity to visit a special place of their to Shore Acres, southwest of Coos choosing. Bay, for the day. “The TLC program was named “I love flowers. I love certain for ‘tender loving care,’” said dis- flowers,” Melton said. “I went to trict Interim Executive Director Jakarta, Indonesia, to the King Brian Burright. “It’s an opportunity Botanical gardens in 1982. They to interface outside of our every had amazing orchids there.” day setting, and the full circle of An EMT and paramedic accompa- what we do.” nied Melton to Shore Acres, “The program offers a chance to get which allowed her to spend out of the house and go to a destination several hours patients are longing to go to.” in the park. —BRIAN BURRIGHT, WLAD DIRECTOR The group toured the gar- dens, enjoyed a picnic together and The district started the TLC pro- then visited the gift shop. gram in 1999 after Paramedic Melton was participating in the Supervisor David Rossi attended an ambulance district’s TLC program, Oregon Emergency Medical Services which allows hospice patients in conference. There, speaker Steve Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Library Tidings . . . . . . . . . . . Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B6 A5 A2 A4 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Weather Data . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Berry, a paramedic in Colorado, discussed a program he had started there to help hospice patients enjoy their final days with a spe- cial trip to a favorite place of their choosing. “I was so impressed with Steve Berry and his program that we chose to start it here in our district. In 2001, we did our first TLC trip and it was very successful, and we have been doing them ever since,” Rossi said. Since the program’s inception, hospice patients have been able to go on a short trip, eat at a favorite restaurant or even spend the day fishing. An ambulance staffed by EMTs and paramedics, who can step in to THIS WEEK ’ S help with patients’ medical conditions or mobility needs, is a safe way to allow the patient to fulfill their dream. Western Lane works with PeaceHealth Home and Hospice Program to facilitate TLC trips. The district offers the program as a public service to the community at no charge to the participants. See TODAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 56 49 59 45 59 42 61 46 WEATHER Full Forecast, A3 Oregon Pacific Bank (OPB) has created a $1 million Florence Economic Development loan program, which will provide more than 20 local business and property owners up to $50,000 for improvements to the visual and historical appeal of their building or storefront. According to OPB, funding from this loan program is designed to be used for improvements such as updated signage, façade and awning improvements, paint- ing, public art and murals, historical restoration, landscaping, branding and logo design, parking lot repairs, interior design and window displays. OPB will consider other requests on an individual basis. Refinancing existing debt with any creditor is not eligible and funds cannot be used for seasonal operating needs. The bank has partnered with the Lane Council of Governments to fund up to $50,000 per applicant. The interest rate is priced at the current Wall Street Journal Prime Rate of 3.5 percent, with no bank fees. According to Ron Green, president and CEO of OPB, the inspiration for this loan program came from the energy and excitement generated by the community of Florence for economic growth and development. “We wanted to find a catalyst to inspire our local business and property owners TLC 10A S IUSLAW N EWS 2 S ECTIONS ❘ 20 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2016 See LOAN 10A CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Q&A with Justice of Peace candidates
