4 A
❘
SATURDAY EDITION
❘ JANUARY 28, 2017
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
E XTRAORDINARY P EOPLE
Gayle Waiss
C ATHERINE J. R OURKE
For the Siuslaw News
_____________
I
ndefatigable.
That sums up the spirit and
essence of 2015 Florence First
Citizen Gayle Waiss. But the long-
time youth services librarian and
community volunteer shuns any
praises and never imagined receiving
accolades for her efforts.
In fact, she would rather help kids
spell such words instead of using
them to describe her.
“It’s just what I do every day,”
Waiss said. “Kids and literacy are
my lifelong passions.”
An assistant director of the
Siuslaw Public Library District for
the past 20 years, Waiss said she was
stunned when she was nominated
last year. Presented as part of the
annual Siuslaw Awards, the First
Citizen distinction honors individu-
als who demonstrate selfless
involvement to community service.
“I was humbled and speechless
when the announcement came,”
Waiss said. “People don’t volunteer
for notoriety but because we truly
love helping others.”
That dedication has built a long
roster of volunteer board posts,
including six years at Rotary, anoth-
er six at Habitat for Humanity, plus
10 years at the Friends of South
Coast Kids Foundation.
Waiss has also served for the past
three years as the volunteer execu-
tive director of the Western
Lane Community Foundation,
as well as a board member for
an additional six years, with a
mission to improve quality of
life through philanthropic
activity.
The nonprofit organization
administers charitable funds to
benefit residents in western
Lane County through educa-
tion, culture, medicine, sci-
ence and social and civic serv-
ices.
While Waiss has focused
her leadership on making a
difference for youths in
Florence and Mapleton, the
work really began in Montana
PHOTO BY CATHERINE ROURKE
more than half a century ago.
Gayle Waiss devotes her life to kids and
Growing up in Great Falls,
literacy as the Youth Services Librarian
Mont., Waiss learned about
and Assistant Director of the Siuslaw
selfless service at a young age
Public Library District.
when she became the “eyes
and coached a basketball team for
and ears” for two family members.
deaf girls. Next, she assisted Theatre
After her dad lost his sight in an
of Silence, a group of deaf students
accident, she carefully followed his
who perform shows across the West
instructions for plumbing, painting
using sign language.
and repairs around the house while
Armed with a scholarship, a loan
also serving as an interpreter for her
and two jobs, Waiss worked her way
deaf brother.
through college, earning an educa-
“Those family circumstances truly
tion degree in just three years. She
got me to where I am today,” she
married right after graduation and
said. “It made me very expressive
taught grades K through 8.
and taught me to listen, think outside
“Teaching middle school was my
the box and view things from differ-
favorite,” she said. “I don’t always
ent perspectives.”
behave my age, so I could relate to
It also made Waiss a lifelong vol-
the kids.”
unteer. At age 14, she became a Cub
While raising three of her own,
Scout leader for deaf and blind kids
life took a turn in 1997 when her
husband’s job brought the family to
Florence. Waiss found it offered the
ideal community for her young
daughters, encouraging them to pur-
sue extracurricular activities such as
sports, choir and the school band.
“My kids were my greatest chal-
lenge and my greatest reward,” she
said. “They’ve made as much of a
difference in my life as I did in
theirs.”
Waiss also volunteered at the
schools to help children with every-
thing from math and reading to
crafts and track.
“These activities bring out the
best in people,” she said. “They also
develop great work ethics. School
isn’t just about achieving A’s in aca-
demics.”
Waiss started working at the
Siuslaw Public Library District cir-
culation desk and then found herself
in collection development. That’s
when she decided to pursue a mas-
ter’s in library science.
“Librarians have such a unique
profession; we can find anything,”
Waiss said. “I love my job, whether
reading to toddlers, helping kids
select a book or hosting the summer
reading program. I make an impact
on young lives every day.”
In addition to her role at the
library and as a wife, mother and
volunteer, Waiss paid her way
through school, bought a home and
built a business with her husband at
the Beachcomber.
In the evenings and on weekends,
she helped run the family business,
turning it into a community hub to
make a difference by hosting schol-
arship fundraisers and bicycle give-
aways for kids’ causes.
Where does she get her energy?
“I’ve always been this way,” she
said with a laugh. “I work hard, play
hard and sleep hard. I attribute it to
my passion for kids and the commu-
nity. But I’m not a one-woman show
and couldn’t have done it without
the support of my family, friends and
work staff. Florence gave me the
opportunity to blossom.”
What’s next for Florence’s 2015
First Citizen?
“What matters most in life is mak-
ing a difference, whether for kids,
dogs or the environment,” she said.
“Volunteering is about paying it for-
ward. I’ll never stop doing what I
love. The work keeps going for kids,
my family and for Florence. I just
prefer to save the limelight for those
under five.”
Catherine J. Rourke is an
award-winning journalist, author
and book editor who teaches
creative writing at the Florence
Regional Arts Alliance.
Email CJReditor@gmail.com.
LETTERS
D EEPEST
GRATITUDE
The recent Women’s March in Florence was
a wonderful collaborative event. We would like
to express our gratitude to David and Rosemary
Lauria for graciously allowing us to gather at
the Class Act Theatre (CAT). We want to thank
Ron Preisler on the City Council for opening
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.
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Publication of any letter is not guaran-
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Libelous and anonymous letters or
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Write to:
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the FEC to us when the tremendous response of
marchers exceeded the capacity of the CAT.
We want to acknowledge Chief Tom Turner
of the Florence police force for helping the
marchers cross Highway 101. Thank you, also,
to Siuslaw News for giving us excellent cover-
age.
A group of dedicated women distributed
information to let people know Florence was
going to be represented among the marchers of
the world. We had a great team: Denise
Weatherwax, Ruth Baumrucker, Sarah Budaki
and Patty Godwin.
We could not have organized this wonderful
event without Rand and Kathryn Dawson, who
guided us through the basics on how to organ-
ize. Stu and Joann Henderson contributed many
of the beautiful signs we carried. The program
presented excellent speakers in Annie Schmidt,
who added her MC magic; Tres Eberhard, who
spoke on women’s reproductive rights; Bob
Teter of SOS gave an eye-opening view of
homelessness; April Dumas, who spoke on the
need to live within an inclusive social structure
in order to combat prejudice; and John
Raymonda, who spoke on economic justice and
a living wage.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all
these amazing people for making this such a
successful and positive event.
Nin Bebeau
Women’s March organizer
Florence
I N
JUXTAPOSITION
Dear Siuslaw News, I love your style! Thank
you ever so much for the excellent coverage of
third-grade election.
(Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain),
Suharto (Indonesia) and Pinochet (Chile). Dr.
Britt found they all had the following 14 com-
mon elements.)
The 14 Characteristics
of Fascism
1) Powerful and continuing Nationalism
2) Disdain for the recognition of Human
Rights
3) Identification of enemies and scapegoats
used as a unifying cause
4) Supremacy of the military
5) Rampant sexism
6) Control of — or discrediting of — mass
media.
7) Obsession with national security
8) Religion and government become inter-
twined
9) Corporate power is protected and even
expanded
10) Labor power is suppressed
11) Disdain for intellectuals, the Arts and
forms of creative expression.
12) Rampant cronyism and corruption
13) Obsession with crime and punishment
14) Fraudulent elections
The First Amendment
C
ongress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion or prohibiting
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 2017 © Siuslaw News
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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
I applaud teacher Dolly Green for her enthu-
siasm for teaching as it should be done. I also
applaud the students for their energy and
involvement in learning the election process.
Your “Where to Write” addition to the paper
is one more step closer to helping people
become involved in the government that affects
their lives and property — you gave us the
“easy button” for access to our government offi-
cials.
I would like to suggest one more permanent
addition to the page. Please highlight the First
Amendment as part of the “Where to Write”
box. This would be a permanent reminder that
Congress cannot restrict the press or rights of
individuals to speak freely; that the people have
the right to assemble peaceably and petition
their government; and that it forbids the promo-
tion of one religion over another while protect-
ing the practice of religion.
We have been hearing the term “fascism”
when describing the direction of some members
of Congress.
In juxtaposition to our U.S. Constitution, I
am including “The 14 Characteristcs of
Fascism.” (below)
This list is an antithesis to our form of gov-
ernment and people should be aware of what
determines a fascist government.
Thank you!
Karen Mahoney
Florence
(Editor’s note: The “14 Characteristics of
Fascism” is from the article “Fascism Anyone?”
written by political scientist Dr. Laurence W.
Britt. It first appeared in the magazine Free
Inquiry March 31, 2003, and was based on
studying the fascist regimes of Hitler
Pres. Donald Trump
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
202-224-5244
541-431-0229
www.wyden.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753/FAX: 202-228-3997
541-465-6750
www.merkley.senate.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. Rep. Peter DeFazio (4th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416
541-269-2609/ 541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
State Sen. Arnie Roblan (Dist. 5)
900 Court St. NE - S-417
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
FAX: 503-986-1080
Email:
Sen.ArnieRoblan@state.or.us
State Rep. Caddy McKeown
(Dist. 9)
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1409
Email:
rep.caddymckeown@state.or.us
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