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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2016)
4 A ❘ WEDNESDAY EDITION ❘ DECEMBER 28, 2016 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 NED HICKSON , EDITOR ❘ 541-902-3520 ❘ EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM Opinion LETTERS Better reception A big thanks to the Siuslaw News for its cov- erage of “National Homeless Persons Memorial Day,” the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. I am referring specifically to the special report by Mark Brennan on the front page of the Dec. 21 issue, and the editorial written by Ned Hickson entitled “The Importance of Accepting What Homelessness Isn’t.” The problem of homelessness is not new, but was exacerbated by the recession of the last decade. Losing a job or having major medical bills threw a lot of people out of their homes or 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 guaran- teed and depends on space available 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 Libelous and anonymous letters or poetry will not be published.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 USPS# 497-660 apartments to live on the streets. Many people are just a paycheck or two away from the same fate. It is not easy to categorize homeless people but it is certain they are not all drug addicts, criminals or lazy people. Once out on the streets, it is hard to break the cycle. Thank heavens for our Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter (ECWS), which is staffed by dedicated volunteers and has been housed recently at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, and New Life Lutheran. What an incredible service they are providing for our homeless neighbors when the temperatures dip to the low thirties. Eugene has begun to bridge the gap of afford- able housing by building tiny houses (under 150 sq. ft.) First it was “Opportunity Village” housing 35 people who now have a safe place to live and keep their belongings. Many of these people have found jobs and are saving to move into a more permanent place. Now, the organization behind this project, Square One Villages — a 501(c)3 nonprofit — is raising funds to build “Emerald Village” in Eugene. More information is available at www.squareonevillages.org. Is it time for Florence to look at long-term solutions to help our homeless neighbors? Patricia McArdle Florence Full stomachs Many seniors that I know do not rest during the holidays — they cook. They are the glazers of ham, creators of casseroles and presenters of side-dishes. My friend transported five side-dishes in two ice chests for 275 miles. Grandparents who cook are a mythical breed. We willingly sacri- fice for the cause of creating full stomachs and family memories. My stocking caps are off to all of you. Scene was set In the issue of Dec. 21, Tony Cavarno seems perplexed that many people have not accepted Donald Trump’s victory. I accept it; the American electorate has spo- ken and I must now accept it. What I can not accept, however, is the current of hatred, big- otry and intimidation that has found its way into the American ethos — something I can’t help but feel is a reflection of Trump’s election. Across the nation, there has been a spike in hate crimes and ethnic and religious harassment since his election. It seems to me, before the election, the scene was set as President-elect Trump used his Twitter account to “unleash” on Fox News anchor Megan Kelly, who was bom- barded by hateful, derogatory emails that included death threats. She claimed she reached the point where she was afraid to go for walks with her children out of fear of physical harm. Trump recently stated that the crime perpe- trated at a Berlin holiday market was a “crime against humanity.” Yet so are the crimes of hatred, bigotry and intimidation that I feel have been enabled by the example being set by our new president-elect. Nor can I accept his blatant intimidation of jour- nalists, many of whom serve faithfully as watchdogs and whistle-blowers to preserve our right, as citizens of a democracy, to know the motivations and desires of our leaders. It has been suggested with great concern by a number of well-respected mental health profes- sionals (Huffington Post, Dec. 20, 2016) that Trump exhibits many of the traits of someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Is he somebody we want in the Oval Office or representing the American people in the inter- national arena which, it now appears, will be deeply colored by his enormous financial deal- ings? In my opinion, he is not fit to be president. And while it is true that many do not accept Trump’s victory, I ask his supporters: Is there anything I mentioned above that seems accept- able? If so, by what rationale? Curt Buttke Florence The First Amendment C ongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibit- ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 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: Wednesday 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, Wednesday 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 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. John Bartlett Jenna Bartlett Ned Hickson Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Jeremy Gentry Can you imagine cooking a turkey every month? At Helping Hands Coalition in Florence, turkey and ham are inexpensive sources of protein and a tasty ingredient in casseroles and soups. As everyone knows, it takes time and energy to create a wonderful meal. While we await a new building to serve in, our organization continues to man the stoves at home. Anyone interested in creating full stomachs and family memories lasting beyond the holi- days is welcome to drop by the United Methodist Church kitchen building on Kingwood and Ivy street Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. We would be glad to get acquainted with members of a mythical breed. And thank you, Siuslaw News, for your amazing editorial and story concerning our local homeless population. You cheered us all. Sue Thornton Volunteer Coordinator Helping Hand Coalition for the Homeless 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
