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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2016)
4 A ❘ WEDNESDAY EDITION ❘ MAY 11, 2016 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 RYAN CRONK , EDITOR ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM Opinion LETTERS Invest in our region’s future Along with other members of our region, I have spent the last 18 months working to craft a vision for the Siuslaw Region. In nearly every community meeting, focus group and gathering we heard about the importance of education and good schools as a necessary anchor as we move forward together. Both Siuslaw and Mapleton school districts are asking for community support to pass bonds to improve the school facilities. The much need- ed and necessary improvements will bring both facilities into the 21st century and create safe, functional schools where students can be chal- lenged and where they feel a sense of pride. We also heard, from virtually all age groups, about the need for community centers, where indoor play space is available, where groups can hold meetings or functions. Perhaps there is a win-win in this scenario as school facilities could serve more effectively as a gathering place for such activities, after school or during the summer months. When I talked with youth about a vision for the future, many felt that there was not a place for them here. Yes, some of that is youthful per- ception, but there is a reality in their opinions. Youth are the future. They want to live where they grew up, to raise their children here, to cre- ate the backbone of our communities and be the hope for our future. Does it cost us, as homeowners and as ten- ants, money? Yes. But it is money that is being spent here, at home, in our communities. I am willing to invest in the future of our region. This step — creating safe, 21st century schools that raise the standards, improve the technology and offer the foundation for innovative learning — is necessary as we move forward together. Please join me in voting “Yes” for the future of our region by supporting the school bonds for the Mapleton and Siuslaw schools. Becky Goehring Florence Understanding the school bond rate adjusted by the County Assessor in accordance with other state laws. The bottom line is that the tax payment he makes in future years for paying off the school bond is likely to go down, rather than go up as he presumed. Craig McMicken Florence Getting priorities straight Last week in a letter headlined as “Unanswered Questions” (May 7), a writer objected to the Siuslaw School District’s ballot proposition for a new high school. Among other questions he raised was: “If my property’s assessed value continues to go up each year, as it has for the last six, what happens to that addi- tional money the school board receives?” Apparently the writer is under the impression that the estimated tax rate of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value is fixed and will apply for the life of the 25-year bond issue. That is incorrect, and the taxes he pays for the life of this bond issue are not destined to go up. The answer requires an understanding of the authority for a school district to issue a general obligation bond measure of, in this case, $36.9 million. School districts and other local govern- ments are restricted by the Constitution and state law to not incur indebtedness without voter approval. Given approval, the district may offer on the financial market a general obliga- tion bond in an amount to not exceed that approved by the voters. General obligation bonds are sold in a princi- pal amount, to be repaid over a specified period, 25 years in this case. Repayment is determined at a rate of principal and interest paid each year, sufficient to retire the bond in the stipulated time period. The bond debt payment on principal and interest is uniform, 25 years in this case. The tax rate necessary to raise the principal and interest amount is dependent upon the assessed value of the district. As the district grows with new development, so does the total assessed value, which permits a lower tax levy to be made each year for that particular purpose. Back to the writer’s view that his property will be assessed at a higher rate each year, may or may not be true — as the assessed value is How can these people in charge of the Siuslaw School District say that we are in need of all major things associated with our building when the state of Oregon rated us at being No. 175 on a list prepared by the state for school districts needing help with their buildings? This town is a retirement community of mostly fixed income people. The school district should be spending their time on finding out why the graduation rate is so poor. Maybe the people in charge should be looking at the teach- ers and who guides them. Shame on you people for thinking about buildings instead of all these young people who won’t go far in life’s job markets without get- ting a high school diploma. Ted Gallagher Florence When will Florence wise up? I am writing in regard to the school bond election on May 17. I have read many letters pro and con. I am voting “No” for the following rea- sons: I believe the present high school (Siuslaw High School) could be remodeled at a much lower cost than building a new school. We can’t live in a bubble or fear of a school shooter or an earthquake. I am a 78-year-old widow living on a fixed income in my own home since 1958. I have more expenses than income most of the time. I moved to Florence on April 1, 1946. I went to second grade in Cushman. The small schools — Cushman, North Fork, Glenada and Ada — were consolidated and the new grade school (now Old School Furniture) opened the first of September 1946. The then Siuslaw High School (now torn down) opened in the spring of 1954. It was used as a high school for only 16 years. Then it was a middle school; then, the perfectly good build- ing was torn down and burned. It makes me sad, mad and sick to my stomach every time I drive past it and the old football field. Mapleton, Triangle Lake, Reedsport and 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 pre- ferred. 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 many others are smart enough to “save their old buildings.” When are we in Florence going to wise up? Please join me in voting no. Irene Wittwer Florence Vote yes on levy The League of Women Voters of Lane County urges voters to approve Measure 20-239 to help support Oregon State University exten- sion programs in Lane County. For a very small cost to property owners ($3 per year for a house assessed at $200,000) the measure will provide funding for programs that teach valu- able skills to youth and adults. More kids will be able to participate in 4-H programs in their schools and the $100 participation fee for 4-H project/com- munity clubs will be reduced. Technical assistance can be increased to local farmers, nursery growers and woodlot owners. There will be more access to educational cours- es in gardening, food safety and preservation, nutrition and wellness. This five-year levy will restore many of the pro- grams that were lost due to budget cuts in 2010. It will enhance and expand the extension programs that Oregon State University now provides locally using federal and state funds. A yes vote for Measure 20-239 will promote self-sufficiency, healthy eating and the local economy. Linda Lynch Eugene Bashing Britain When President Obama was in Britain visit- ing the Royals, did he chat with Prince Harry and thank him and his fellow Brits for their unprecedented support in Helmund province in Afghanistan? Or did he threaten him with “being in the back of the queue for trade agree- ments” if Britain exits the EU? Was there any mention of the RAF’s Camp Bastion, which operated 600 flights per day in Helmand province, providing support to the United States and other troops when he told Angela Merkel she was the greatest ally of the United States? Some ally! Germany in the last century tried twice to eliminate civilization in Europe. Brits weren’t worrying about trade agreements then, when they fought back. I doubt they will, now. Barbara Prisbe-Sutton Oceanside, Calif., formerly of Florence 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
