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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2016)
4 A ❘ SATURDAY EDITION ❘ DECEMBER 3, 2016 Siuslaw News NED HICKSON , EDITOR ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM Opinion P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 VIEW FROM UPRIVER Accept the challenge to make a difference W ESLEY V OTH For the Siuslaw News H ere in Mapleton, it has been an incredibly long time since we have had a frost, or even tempera- tures in the 30s. Looking at NOAA data for Mapleton (the measuring devices are just upriver of the Mapleton Lion’s Club buildings) I see that we haven’t had tem- peratures in the low 30s since the first three days of this calendar year, making this the longest such stretch in my memo- ry. We had roses blooming in our yard until Thanksgiving. Inspired by Florence’s BeauxArts Fine Art Materials’ “30 Day Art Challenge,” the entire month of November was one long art project at our house. Some of the days we participated with others, or shared what our ideas were with a circle of friends — and this was a lot of fun. Each day had a one-word prompt to give shape or inspiration. It was suggested that at least 10 minutes be spent and, of course, many of these took hours if my day allowed. Today’s prompt, the last day of November as I’m writing this, is “Thoughts.” And so I thought, what if — for each day of December — I came up with a cause, issue or an organization that I con- sider important? I could spend some time that day learning more about it, doing or planning something to make a difference. Some of these could be local, some national, some bigger. When I started the art challenge, I wondered what could I, not being partic- ularly artistic, could make in 10 minutes that would bring me joy or some sense of satisfaction? (And also that I would have to show myself or anyone else when I was done?) Actually, I was surprised. Getting start- ed is the biggest hurdle, and each day seemed easier. I am happy with the results in the end, feeling both more artistic and more appreciative of the work of those who devote their lives to it. I would also say, in a nod to the busi- ness that put forth the art challenge, that it helps a great deal to have good quality art materials to work with. And now, thinking about this “Cause Challenge” for myself for December, can this translate into doing something for my community, neighborhood or world that will matter? In contemplating this I was inspired by a couple of quotes I found at the end of the new December issue of The Sun mag- azine, where there is a collection of quotes on a particular subject called “Sunbeams.” This month, the quotes are about changing society and making a differ- ence: “It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.” — Mohandas K. Gandhi.” One fruit of Gandhi’s efforts was being a prime inspiration for Martin Luther King, Jr., who in turn has been a great inspiration for me and countless others. Another quote from the article that provided me inspiration was: “A little difference is still different.” — Daniel Younger.” Daniel Younger’s website describes him as the least-known bestselling author of “Delirious” and other titles. I hope that by the end of December, I feel a better sense of the scope of the problems facing our time, and the efforts underway to do something about them — and by January have an idea of where I’d like to focus my efforts as I make my resolutions for the New Year. I can start with an easy, but important one: Read and make use of the editorial page of my local newspaper. L ETTERS TO THE E DITOR P OLICY The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to the editor concerning issues affect- ing the Florence area and Lane County. Emailed letters are preferred. 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 guar- anteed and depends on space avail- able and the volume of letters received. Libelous and anonymous letters or poetry will not be published. All submissions become the proper- ty of Siuslaw News and will not be returned. Write to: Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com LETTERS Can’t accept the ‘new normal’ I am having a lot of trouble accepting Donald Trump as my president. I heard his messages before he was elected and I’m not willing to accept what appeared to be a clear contempt for women; or his plans to remove those who came here from Mexico; or his plans to ban Muslims or any nationality he chooses from seeking sanctuary in this country. He doesn’t appear to be a mediator of prob- lems; he just gets even with opponents. We’re being asked to trust him in his dealings with other nations while, at the same time, he has personal real estate dealings with many of those countries. And how can we believe he is being honest when he seems to change his stance on issues USPS# 497-660 depending on where he’s speaking or who he’s speaking to? His rhetoric divided the country and encouraged hate and racism. This is not the way I live and believe, and I just can’t accept this as the “new normal” for my country or its people. Nancy Rickard Florence Celebrity president I find it interesting that we have had a num- ber of celebrities who have gone into the politi- cal arena. I will start with Dwight “I Like Ike” Eisenhower in 1952, the first and only military celebrity to become president. Now, from the real estate world, we have Donald Trump. I was familiar with Bradley and Kemp because I watched them play ball. I was also familiar with Murphy and Reagan from their old movies, Schwarzenegger for his action movies, and Bono from his TV show with Cher. Who I did not know much about was Donald Trump, other than being a real estate investor with his name on buildings and being the star of his own “reality” TV show. I have to wonder: Was it celebrity that won him the presidency? Win Jolly Florence Copyright 2016 © Siuslaw News Publisher, ext. 327 General Manager, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 313 Advertising Director, ext. 326 Office Supervisor, ext. 312 Production Supervisor Press Manager DEADLINES: Saturday 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, Saturday 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 Saturday 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. John Bartlett Jenna Bartlett Ned Hickson Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Jeremy Gentry We’ve had two professional athletes: Bill Bradley, who played for the New York Knicks in the NBA and become a senator from New Jersey; and Jack Kemp, who was a quarterback in the AFL, NFL and CFL, that became a con- gressman from New York. In California, we had our first senator from Hollywood, George Murphy, who was a song and dance man in movies. Then we had two actors with little talent but great success in pol- itics: Ronald Reagan, who became governor of California and then President; and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who became governor of California. There was also Sonny Bono, also from California, who became a Congressman. 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
