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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 16, 2016)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016 Honor from 1A The boys, their families and Santiago could not be present at the city council meeting. Henry said the families were instrumental in and supportive of honoring the two men. He also said that the city recognizes Santiago as instrumental in the prevention of tragedy. Henry presented Gagliardi with a medal of honor and a plaque reading, “The City of Florence is honored to present this Good Samaritan Award in recognition and appreciation of your act of heroism on May 28, 2016. Without regard for your own safety, you assisted in rescuing two young boys Tax from 1A The attorney worked with city staff to prepare two agenda items on recreational marijua- na. from the Pacific Ocean at the Siuslaw River North Jetty, ulti- mately saving their lives. Your selfless and courageous actions reflect great credit upon your- self and your family, and define the true spirit of the citi- zens of this great country.” Speaking for Florence Police Commander John Pitcher, who lost his voice cheering at base- ball games over the weekend, Henry said, “Florence Police Department has a really won- derful challenge coin that is very beautiful. On behalf of the Florence Police Department, I present you with this coin.” Gagliardi has been stationed at Station Siuslaw River since December 2015. He is original- ly from Haverhill, Mass. The first agenda item referred to an ordinance passed in 2014 to adopt a local tax, should state law ever allow it. “The council at the time pre- emptively adopted a local tax two years ago, just in case the city Invest in Florence by banking locally! member 541-997-7121 opbc.com @OregonPacBank School drinking water passes lead test All three Siuslaw schools show safe lead levels within state allowance B Y J ACK D AVIS Siuslaw School District con- ducted its first-ever drinking water lead evaluation test on July 6, taking samples from 10 school drinking fountains. All three school buildings showed lead levels well below state-mandated minimums for drinking water. “Of the 10 samples, five came back with no detectable lead, meaning the lead level was below the threshold of the test quantity,” Siuslaw School District Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak said. “The other five came in measuring some lead, but it was surprisingly low, at about 20 percent of the maximum concentration level allowed by law.” The state minimum allow- able threshold level is .02 mil- ligrams per liter. “Our highest one came in at .0046, about one fifth of what is allowed,” Grzeskowiak said. “For the age of our buildings, it is actually surprising.” Grzeskowiak said he was also surprised that three of the non-detectable samples came from the high school, the dis- trict’s oldest building. The district gathered the test samples between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. “We ran the tests early in the morning after the water lines had a chance to sit overnight. If there was going to be an accu- mulation of lead, it was going to happen in that first flush,” Grzeskowiak said. The district decided to run the test because it had a premo- nition the state was going to require school districts to test for lead in drinking water. The state mandated that school districts test for lead the next day. “It was never an issue before, but now that we have run the tests, we know that our drinking water is safe for our students,” Grzeskowiak said. would have the authority to tax marijuana as it worked its way through the system,” Williamson said. “As of 2015, we now know localities do not have the authori- ty to implement local taxes unless they go through the process — you have to put a vote before the people.” The council passed Ordinance No. 9, Series 16, to repeal the 2014 ordinance. According to the staff report, Oregon will eventually distrib- ute a portion of the state’s 17 percent tax collection to cities that do not have any prohibi- tions to recreational marijuana in place. “We will receive a small part of the tax that is collected statewide, initially divvied by population and eventually divvied up by number of recre- ational marijuana licenses in a city,” Williamson said. “If your locality adopts a local tax, there will be an additional 3 percent tax that would then go just to the city.” The council voted to approve Resolution No. 16 to refer the city tax to voters. If adopted in November, this measure would impose a city tax on sales of marijuana items, including marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana extracts, by recreational marijuana retailers licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and locat- ed within the City of Florence. Before the council voted, Councilor Joshua Greene said, “We’ve been waiting for this moment for over a year and a half.” The city councilors met with city staff and Williamson’s staff in several work sessions since 2014 to figure out the nuances of the new and developing medical and recreational mari- juana laws. Williamson said, “I love your city, and I also love your staff, because they actually read my materials and question my materials — and we work joint- ly on preparing things.” During a conversation with City Manager Erin Reynolds, the two wondered, “What if state law allows a greater tax than 3 percent in the future?” If approved, Resolution No. 16 gives Florence City Council the authority to set by resolu- tion the amount of the city tax, within the amount allowed by state law. Reynolds said, “We can’t predict what state law will do. This is a result of work we’re doing with (streamlining) city fees and charges, and realizing we’ve put a lot of unneeded specifics in our code.” “We all know that the state law on marijuana is going to change,” Williamson said. “We don’t know how, but it’s inevitable. It’s the voters that adopt the ordinance. If they vote yes, then the ordinance will spring to life.” Money received by the city tax will be deposited in the City General Fund. As of July 11, City of Florence staff and the city itself cannot campaign for or against the measure, though the city council may. The ballot title and explana- tory statement are now posted publicly on the city’s website ci.florence.or.us Siuslaw News Get Results...List With Tim. Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 Price Reduced 11525 E Mapleton Road – Gorgeous riverfront home, on over 5 acres, that has stunning views. This home is move-in ready with new paint, appli- ances, and a fairly new roof. There are many extras includ- ing a w/c lift, and front and back decks. $250,000. #2543- 16060938 7 A Arrest from 1A 541•999•6078 O P E N 7 DAY S A W E E K S TA R T IN G F E B . 1 5 F AC E B O O K . C O M / P E T E R S E N AU T O D E TA I L 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 which included an AK-47 rifle, a short-barreled shotgun and seven handguns. At about 6 a.m. on June 30, police received a report of a broken window in the front of the hardware store at 1750 Highway 126, located in the Dunes Village Shopping Center. At that time, officers discovered that multiple guns had been taken from the store. Police said the investigation is continuing and anyone with further information should contact Det. Brandon Ott at 541-997-3515. Summer Fun at Sandpines VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT MARION GILLOCK Florence Visit Center Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Each week Marion arrives at the Florence Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce, ready to put together packets to be mailed out. Requests for information come via the phone and by mail, over the counter and from the Chamber website. She handles each person’s inquiry according to their need whether someone plans to visit or is considering relocating to Florence. In the spring there is ot en a l urry of mail from elementary students who have chosen Florence as a city to learn about. Gathering information for these projects is especially enjoyable. While primarily at work in the background, Marion can ably answer questions at the counter and phone. At er all, volunteering at the Chamber has been her role for nearly twenty years as she provides essential service. Here’s to Marion Gillock, our “maillady”! Submitted by Bettina Hannigan, Executive Director, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Florence Area Chamber of Commerce 290 Hwy. 101 • 541-997-3128 We are hosting a Micro Beer Tasting Friday, July 22, 6-8ish Only $40 per person Please call 541-997-4623 x 106 to reserve your spot Featuring THREE CREEKS BREWERY OF SISTERS, OREGON Offering Three Micro Beers • Live Music • Food • Putting Contest • Chipping Contest • Merchandise giveaways • Chance to Win Free Rounds of Golf The Grill & Lounge at Sandpines 1201 35th Street at Kingwood, Florence Highway 101 & 35 St. 541-997-4623 ...need a friend? Meet Evan Play, I must play with laser lights, jingle balls and any other exciting toys you may have around! I don’t like to brag, but I am as handsome as “Brad Pitt” or “Sean Connery” whichever you prefer. Oh, if you have catnip...I’m yours forever!!! If you would like to meet Evan any of his friends, please visit us at: OREGON COAST HUMANE SOCIETY 2840 Rhododendron Drive • Florence • 541-997-4277 www.fl orencehumane.org This message brought to you by: Wanda Johnson, Broker Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate County Transfer and Recycling Chad Clement, D.D.S., P.C First Baptist Church SPONSORED BY: Oregon Pacii c Bank Sawnson’s Pest Management Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County SEABREEZE MOTORS 1775 Highway 101 (541) 997-6612