4 A
❘
SATURDAY EDITION
❘ MAY 28, 2016
RYAN CRONK , EDITOR
Siuslaw News
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
YESTERDAY’S NEWS
MOMENTS IN TIME
The History Channel
On May 30, 1911, Ray Harroun drives his
single-seater Marmon Wasp to victory in the
inaugural Indianapolis 500 auto race. Harroun
completed the 500-mile race in 6 hours and 42
minutes, averaging almost 75 mph.
On May 31, 1929, after two years of
friendly negotiations, Ford Motor Company
signs a landmark agreement to produce cars in
the Soviet Union, which in 1928 had only
20,000 cars and a single truck factory.
On June 5, 1933, the United States goes off
the gold standard, a monetary system in which
currency is backed by gold. All persons owning
gold coin, bullion or certificates were required
to deliver it to the Federal Reserve for the set
price of $20.67 per ounce. Americans could not
legally own gold again until 1974.
On June 3, 1940, determined to wreck
France’s economy and military, the German air
force bombs Paris, killing 254 people. Most of
the victims were civilians, including school-
children.
VIEW FROM UPRIVER
That yes gives me hope
W ESLEY V OTH
For the Siuslaw News
––––––––––––
T
he morning bird chorus here, now
that it is late spring and should be
full throng, does not sound as
robust to my ears as it has in the past.
The Swainson’s thrush has arrived early
and joined the other lyrical singers:
robins, white-crowned and song spar-
rows, black headed grosbeaks and winter
wrens. In early morning these begin
before being joined at full daylight with
the non-song but no less earnest vocaliz-
ing of evening grosbeaks, goldfinches,
cowbirds, band-tailed pigeons, ravens,
ospreys and the several swallows species.
It doesn’t seem as much that some
species are missing as that our local bird
population is just reduced. Robins and
Steller’s jays, two of our formerly most
abundant, are noticeably fewer. Local
insect pollinators continue their decline,
diminished like the dragonflies that used
to be so numerous along our length of
river.
The nearly 400 people voting yes car-
ried the day here on our Mapleton School
bond, yes votes outnumbering no by
almost a two to one margin. Why does
this make me so happy? I didn’t go to
school here, my kids didn’t, and I am
about to enter the period of my life when
I am on a limited fixed income. I have
significant health costs. I am not related
to, nor close to, any of those involved in
this school. But I do see children every
day whose welfare is tied to it, who
spend upwards of a thousand hours in
those buildings every year, and for
whom I wish the very best.
Those school buildings represent
their working environment for 13
of the most important years of their
lives. It is the working environ-
ment for a number of adults for
even more hours per year than the chil-
dren. Instead of grumbling, I will remem-
ber that every time I pay those costs. I
will focus on the belief that it is not just
my responsibility, but the best investment
in the future and of this community of
anything I do.
Mapleton’s Fourth of July fireworks
are set to happen this year after their
rather sudden cancellation last summer.
Mapleton’s biggest annual spectacle will
be on the evening of the Fourth itself,
according to Terry Saubert, who procures
both the permit and the pyrotechnics.
Since he can no longer use the dock
where these were set off in the past, the
launch site will be slightly different,
although on or near the bridge will still
be prime viewing.
The event happens thanks to local gen-
erosity. Donations can be taken to the
Mapleton Branch of Banner Bank,
including those who wish to make it in
memory of Mitch Williams, an ardent
enthusiast and supporter of this very spe-
cial celebration in past years.
I hear from the folks who care for
Deadwood Cemetery that they plan a
program there starting at noon on
Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, to
which all the public is invited. Free hot
dogs, chili, cookies and bottled water will
be provided; bring chairs, and if you
wish, potluck salads or dessert. There
will also be pioneer re-enactments and
story-telling.
Deadwood Cemetery is located on
Deadwood Creek Road just off Highway
36 near Deadwood Tavern and Store.
On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II, age
27, is formally crowned monarch of the United
Kingdom at London’s Westminster Abbey in a
ceremony steeped in traditions that date back a
millennium.
On June 1, 1967, the Beatles release “Sgt.
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” regarded
by many as the greatest album in the history of
rock ’n’ roll. Upon hearing the album for the
first time, Bob Dylan told Beatle Paul
McCartney: “Oh, I get it, you don’t want to be
cute anymore.”
On June 4, 1972, Angela Davis, a black
militant, is acquitted on charges of conspiracy,
murder and kidnapping by an all-white jury in
California. She was accused of supplying
weapons used in a courtroom takeover and
shoot-out that killed a superior court judge and
three others.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
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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