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