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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
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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
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right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the Government for a redress
of grievances.
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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