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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
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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
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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