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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
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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
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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
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C OPYRIGHT 2016
See
LOAN 10A
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Q&A with Justice of Peace candidates