4 A
❘
SATURDAY EDITION
❘ JULY 23, 2016
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
DISASTER PREP
B Y D AVE R OBINSON
Special to the Siuslaw News
recent posting on Facebook pointed
out that 30 percent of college fresh-
men didn’t know how to boil an
egg, 52 percent of American teens can’t
change a tire and 70 percent had no idea
how to sew on a button.
A quick online search found a 1933
Harper’s magazine article titled “Skills
Every Man Should Know.” Eighty years
later the list is a bit out-dated, listing items
such as, “How to Dance,” “How to Drink”
(yes, you heard it right), “How to Swim,”
“Ride a Horse,” and the list goes on. Certain
European countries historically required dri-
ver’s license applicants to demonstrate their
ability to change a tire and clean spark plugs.
Most countries no longer require these skills
with the wane of two-cycle engines and
modern tire quality upgrades.
I have a friend who calls the handyman
to hang a picture in his office. I don’t nec-
essarily advocate that every person be profi-
cient in handyman skills depending on their
individual situation. If you live in the city,
you might not need to have chainsaw skills,
nor have developed the ability to do your
A
RYAN CRONK , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
Opinion
Grown-up Skills
own fix-it jobs around the house, but in the
event of a disaster, YOYO (You’re On Your
Own). It will be difficult to hire someone to
screw plywood over your busted window,
or to repair your fractured plumbing. You
get the picture.
I recall some years ago, we were in a car-
avan headed to Mexico to help some folks.
One of the vehicles lost the lights to their
cargo trailer. I handed my son a screwdriv-
er, knife and a roll of electrical tape. He got
right on it. The car’s owner asked, “How
did you learn to do that?” I looked at him
with a look of “doesn’t everyone know
this?” No, not everyone does. Some think
these skills are beneath them. Some think
these things are too difficult to learn, and
yet some think they will just magically
learn this stuff when the time comes.
So, if there’s a chance you might need a
chainsaw, get one and learn to use it. How
about a battery-powered drill for screwing that
plywood over your window? Some basic PVC
plumbing pieces and a can of glue will make
you a hero when the pipes break.
First aid skills are always in need during a
YESTERDAY’S NEWS
disaster. What you know may save a life,
maybe even your own or that of a family
member. Now’s a great time to upgrade your
knowledge. Check out the training available
on www.redcross.org. Take a look at your first
aid kit, make sure it’s well-stocked.
If you lack skills, then it is important you
connect with your neighbors and combine
your resources. I’m willing to bet there’s
someone in your neighborhood that has the
skills you may lack.
Mapping your neighborhood will not
only help you get acquainted, but will com-
bine the skills and knowledge of your
neighbors in the event of a disaster. If you
want more information on Mapping Your
Neighborhood, contact me by email and I
will forward information to you.
______________________
Dave Robinson is the postmaster in
Bandon, Ore., and author of “Disaster Prep
for the Rest of Us.” He may be contacted at
disasterprep.dave@gmail.com. Visit his
website for more disaster preparedness tips,
www.disasterprepdave.blogspot.com.
LETTERS
Thanks to all
Big thanks to all who donated ink
cartridges and cell phones at Power
of Florence.
Siuslaw Genealogy Society col-
lects old cell phones and ink jet car-
tridges to recycle. The money
received from these help pay for
ancestor search sites at the library.
The society also provides free per-
sonal help “finding your family.”
Drop sites are at Florence
Shipping, Habitat for Humanity,
True Value, Siuslaw Public Library
and Full Spectrum Computers.
Thanks to all!
Pat Rongey
Florence
MOMENTS IN TIME
The History Channel
On July 31, 1715, a hurricane strikes the
east coast of Florida, sinking 10 Spanish treas-
ure ships and killing nearly 1,000 sailors.
Although much of the gold and silver was sal-
vaged, coins and other artifacts occasionally
wash up on Florida beaches.
On July 25, 1898, during the Spanish-
American War, U.S. forces launch an invasion
of Puerto Rico. With only seven deaths, U.S.
troops under Gen. Nelson Miles were able to
secure the island by mid-August.
On July 26, 1908, the FBI is born when
U.S. Attorney General Charles Bonaparte
orders a group of 10 newly hired federal inves-
tigators to report to the Department of Justice.
Notorious gangsters such as George “Machine
Gun” Kelly and John Dillinger met their end at
the hands of the FBI.
On July 27, 1953, after three years of
bloody war, the United States, the People’s
Republic of China, North Korea and South
Korea agree to an armistice, bringing the
Korean War to an end. The war cost the lives of
more than 50,000 Americans.
On July 29, 1976, the “Son of Sam” fires
five shots in the first in a series of shootings
that would terrorize New York City over the
course of the next year. Shooter David
Berkowitz claimed that “Sam” was his neigh-
bor Sam Carr, who transmitted his kill orders
through his pet black Labrador.
On July 28, 1990, Maximo Menendez falls
into a coma and later dies after drinking a
Colombian soft drink, Pony Malta de Bavaria,
in Florida. The soft drink had been laced with
liquid cocaine, apparently by smugglers who
planned to reclaim the bottles.
Take action
for change
I feel compelled to address the
systemic “shoot to kill” protocol of
our police departments.
In the instance, of say, the
Orlando shooter who already killed
49 people, I can understand it. But
when it’s a more minor offense,
such as the case of Antonio Montez
in Pasco, Wash., and many others
around the country, this cycle of
police violence needs to stop.
Montez, a Mexican farm worker,
was throwing rocks at the police. In
their pursuit of him, while he was
running away with arms up, he was
killed with 17 gunshot wounds by
three or four officers. Was that real-
ly necessary? Wasn’t his life worth
more than that? The police, if they
feel themselves or the public threat-
ened by an individual, can’t just
wound him if need be and arrest
him? Shot 17 times, really?
The officers in Montez’s killing,
and in so many other instances,
were not brought up on charges,
which makes me think they were
following orders. Something needs
to change in the procedural training
of police officers.
I am so grateful for the videos of
bystanders in these situations, even
though they are so incredibly dis-
turbing to watch, because it forces
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
On July 30, 2003, the last of 21,529,464
Volkswagen Beetles built since World War II
rolls off the production line at Volkswagen’s
plant in Mexico.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
some of us with a conscience who
might be complacent otherwise to
take action for change.
Julie MacFarlane
Florence
Wake up, Florence
I’m responding to two letters to
the editor. One written by Carl
Slusser, titled “Give Me a Break,”
published May 18, and the other by
Win Jolley, “No Coordination,”
published June 18.
Their letters complained about
the installation of waste water pipes
at the junction of 35th and Rhody.
Jolley was correct when he stated
that “the resurfacing was sub par
with cracks and fissures already
occurring.” The waste pipe connect-
ed directly in front of my house on
North Siano Loop, very easy to find.
It’s the house where the paving
stopped and the pounding began.
Instead of just paving the rest of
the street, this company again cut
corners by pounding on the lump
they left in front of my house. After
two days of pounding, my home of
22 years began cracking every-
where. I called neighbors who came
immediately and watched as my
home continued to crack.
I lived in Whittier in 1987 during
the 6.9 earthquake. My house,
which was on a slab foundation,
was not damaged to the extent of
my home on North Siano Loop. My
own insurance company did not
stand by me.
Please read your home insurance
policies carefully. I sent copies of
mine to the insurance board who
explained to me that I had 22 pages
of “blah, blah, blah” and the only
thing they would cover is if my
house burnt down. I was even told
that my house fell apart because my
foundation was bad. Give me a
break.
My house survived 22 years of
hurricane-force winds. I have had
the house looked at by several con-
tractors, who all agree these are new
cracks. The City of Florence felt
badly for me; however, when they
hired this company they put a clause
in the contract that should they dam-
age any person’s property or cause
any person bodily harm, the city is
not responsible.
This is unacceptable. Sad thing is
that I have to pay an attorney now.
Beware Florence. If this company
pounds in front of your home, just
know they care nothing about you.
Silke Hayward
Florence
Trump for president
After listening to Donald Trump
Jr. speak at the Republican National
Convention, who wouldn’t want to
vote for his father for president of
the United States.
This speech was by far the best
speech I have heard to endorse
someone. Donald Trump Jr. spoke
the truth and facts about this man
who we hope to have for the next
leader of this great country.
Donald Trump’s family reveals
who this man really is. He will sal-
vage the heart and soul of America.
We need him as our leader for the
future generations of this country.
Donna Dobson
Florence
L ETTERS TO THE
E DITOR P OLICY
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Siuslaw News and will not be returned.
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USPS# 497-660 Copyright 2016 © Siuslaw News
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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