4 A
❘
WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ APRIL 5, 2017
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
Opinion
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
EDITOR @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
The First Amendment
C
ongress shall make no law respecting an estab-
lishment of religion or prohibiting the free exer-
cise 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.
Autism awareness can lower a few raised eyebrows
I knew very little about the
autism spectrum back in 2006,
when I met the young boy who
would become my son. My
wife and I had been dating for
several months when we
decided it was time to intro-
duce each other to our chil-
dren. She explained that he
had Asperger’s Syndrome and
likely wouldn’t make eye con-
tact — and to not take it per-
sonally if he avoided any
physical contact like a firm
handshake.
“And whatever you do,
don’t tousle his hair,” she
instructed with a squeeze of
my hand. “He really doesn’t
like that.”
Autism is a neurological
developmental disability with
symptoms generally appearing
before age 3, impacting the
development of the brain in
areas of social interaction,
communication skills and cog-
nitive function.
It is the fastest-growing
developmental
disorder,
affecting 1 in 68 children, and
boys are four times more like-
ly to have autism than girls.
While it is the fastest-grow-
ing, autism is also the least
funded and, therefore, least
understood disorder. The spec-
trum of autism is wide rang-
ing, from those who do not
speak (40 percent) to others
of Florence. The mission of
the Autism Rocks camp is a
simple one: For four days, let
those with autism and their
families be who they are, free
From the Editor’s Desk
N ED H ICKSON
who not only speak but whose
talents have impacted the
world: Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, James Joyce, Albert
Einstein, Emily Dickinson,
Thomas Jefferson and Dan
Akroyd are just a few.
Each summer, our family
participates in the four-day
KindTree Autism Camp south
from stares, apology or judge-
ment. That’s because often-
times the symptoms of autism
aren’t as apparent as other
developmental disorders. As a
result, children with autism
having a difficult time in
social settings — or in
extreme cases having a full
meltdown — are quickly
labeled as being “bratty,”
“undisciplined” or simply the
result of bad parenting.
While our son, now 17, is
well beyond that thanks to the
support of teachers, students,
family and programs that have
given him the tools to under-
stand his Asperger’s, getting
there wasn’t easy — particu-
larly in those public moments
under the raised-brow stare of
strangers.
Through the triumphs and
disappointments over the last
10 years, we have always rein-
forced the message to our son
that being autistic isn’t any
different than being short or
tall: Each provide challenges
as well as advantages in life.
Being willing to accept your-
self for who you are is the key
to recognizing the difference.
Through my 17 years cov-
ering the communities of
Florence and Mapleton, I’ve
had the privilege of meeting
many parents of children with
autism, as well as adults living
with autism.
As I mentioned, I didn’t
know much about autism
when my son and I met in
2006. Since then, we’ve
learned a lot from each other
through the journey we’ve
shared — including what it
means for a father and son to
share a firm handshake.
I hope you’ll join me in rec-
ognizing National Autism
Awareness
Month
now
through April 30.
LETTERS
F OLLOW FEDERAL STATUTES
At the Monday Florence City Council meet-
ing, the issue of Florence as a “sanctuary city”
was discussed during public comment. The
chambers were packed to overflowing with
most in attendance against the sanctuary city
concept of illegal immigrants with sanctuary
from Federal officials.
At the end of the public comment nothing
changed. Though it was good to discuss the
issue, the status quo was preserved and
Florence is part of a sanctuary state which the
mayor and council are unfortunately upholding.
Mayor Henry should direct the council to fol-
low federal statutes and increase public safety
for Florence citizens.
I believe immigration law enforcement in the
United States is a critical issue regarding
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national sovereignty, particularly regarding our
language, culture and borders.
The President has rightly said a country with-
out borders is no longer a country. Recently, an
executive order was signed, empowering local
authorities to protect the public by helping to
enforce legal vs. illegal immigration.
The Mayor and other city officials supported
the idea that, according to Oregon State statute,
President Trump’s order would be counter-
manded by the state and therefore become null
and void.
Instead of making a definitive statement by
quoting an ineffective and archaic law, why not
lobby our local legislators and the state
Attorney General to help change the law in the
name of protecting the public?
It would be much better to be proactive on
this issue without standing back and repeating a
statute that needs changing.
Action is what is needed here in Florence and
I hope that it will be action that the good citi-
zenry of Florence receive.
God bless Florence and yes, God bless
America.
Joel Marks
Florence
N OT GLORIFYING WAR
As the President of Deeds of Valor, Inc. I feel
that I need to respond to the presentation made
by Nan Harvey at the April 3 City Council
Meeting.
Deeds of Valor, Inc. was formed to establish
a vehicle to do good deeds for veterans as well
as the citizens of the greater Florence area. Our
first project has been the creation of a
Gateway/Park at the entrance to the Florence
Municipal Airport. We have no intentions of
“glorifying war” and deifying the brutal acts of
war, but to honor our local veterans who have
served our country with pride and dignity.
We will be naming the Gateway after a great
American who most of the community know lit-
tle about. Brigadier General Benjamin King
was an unsung hero of World War II, the Korean
War and the Vietnam War. His proud deeds and
distinguished military record will be shared in a
public display. Gen. King lived the last years of
his life in Florence.
Florence is a military town with a large pop-
ulation of veterans. It is striving to be designat-
ed as a “Coast Guard Town,” a distinct honor
for any city.
The park will honor all veterans, not just
those associated with aviation. Gen. King is just
a representative of all those proud veterans of
the Florence area who have served their coun-
try. I personally and publicly invite Mrs. Harvey
to meet with our board of directors and learn
more about the mission and purpose of the
Deeds of Valor, Inc. and possibly come to
agreement that we all want to honor and respect
those gallant men and women in our communi-
ate the accomplishments of early feminists to
help women gain equal footing in our society.
Jacquie Beveridge
Oregon Dunes Chapter DAR
Florence
I LLEGAL IS ILLEGAL
I along with maybe 45 to 50 other folks
attended the Florence City Council meeting
Monday night (April 3). Most were there to
express their views regarding the possibility of
the mayor and council members considering
proclaiming the City of Florence to be a “sanc-
tuary city.”
Out of the number attending, I think there
were only two or three people proclaiming they
would support such a move. The rest of the
large group (with the mayor saying this was the
biggest group he had seen in a long time) was
totally against such a move.
Thousands of words could be uttered regard-
ing the situation, mostly con but a few pro. But
it can be summed up with very few words actu-
ally: Illegal aliens are just that — illegal. They
are illegal by virtue of entering this country
without proper permission.
The mayor and City Council have taken an
oath to uphold the laws of this country, and the
law says aliens here without proper authoriza-
tion are here illegally.
Period.
The Mayor and City Council have no choice
but to follow the law and not proclaim Florence
a “sanctuary city” should it be requested.
I also believe it would be a slap in the face to
the large percentage of the military veterans liv-
ing in Florence and the many others living in
surrounding areas who have sworn to protect
this country and uphold its laws.
I say again: The choice should be a very sim-
ple one.
Tony Cavarno
Florence
W OMEN ’ S HISTORY
The front page article in the Wednesday,
March 29, edition of Siuslaw News was greatly
appreciated.
Mark Brennan’s sharing of the importance
of Abigail Scott Duniway and her effort toward
securing the right to vote for women in Oregon
was perfect for celebrating Women’s History
Month.
Abigail was a true pioneer who traveled over
the Oregon Trail by wagontrain with her family
in 1852, at the tender age of 17. Although she
had very little formal schooling, she was a gift-
ed writer and kept the family diary along the
trail.
She married at 18, after becoming a teacher
near present day Eola. Her significant role is
commemorated by the Abigail Scott Duniway
Chapter of Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR), in Stayton, Ore.
I hope all who saw the article will appreci-
H ATE - FREE COMMUNITY
Saturday’s front page story by Jack Davis in
the Siuslaw News (April 1) was a “must read.”
That ICE officers came to Florence to round up
residents for possible deportation illustrates the
dangerous path our country is taking.
At least one person taken from his home had
no criminal record, according to the story.
Daniel Rendon was by all acounts a good neigh-
bor, an employed worker and was studying to
become more fluent in English.
Yet Bryan Wilcox [ICE Seattle office] said
they were pursuing targeted criminals to pro-
mote public safety.
How does Mr. Rendon fit this profile?
Any person with a criminal record, excluding
entering the United States without documenta-
tion, can now expect the possibility of ICE
action here in Oregon.
At the April 3 City Council meeting, several
people voiced opinions about undocumented
residents, ICE and “sanctuary cities.” One
speaker called for a “hate-free community.”
What a moral and compassionate suggestion.
But other speakers saw things differently and
clearly were not of the mind to ascribe to such
an idea. I have a sign in my front yard that states
“In My America, Love Wins.”
Let’s hope that racism, fear and hate really do
lose, and that love wins in America — and espe-
cially in Florence.
Judith Preisler
Florence
S OFTEN BLOWS TO
CLIMATE
Let’s quit bickering and come together to
make changes that soften the blows from cli-
mate change while we still can. Our lives and
livelihoods depend on it. Keeping our heads in
the sand will not make climate change go away,
no matter how much we pretend it will.
The Clean Energy Jobs Bill, S.B. 557, would
cap the amount of carbon that large polluters are
emitting, eventually lowering the cap each year.
Thirty-five percent of that money would be
reinvested into rural and low-income areas,
communities of color and impacted workers tra-
ditionally left behind. It would support clean
energy jobs training to create jobs in energy
efficiency upgrades on homes and businesses,
installing and designing solar and wind installa-
tions, expanding public transit and more.
It’s time we contact our state Representatives
and get involved.
Robin Bloomgarden
Eugene
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John Bartlett
Jenna Bartlett
Ned Hickson
Susan Gutierrez
Cathy Dietz
Ron Annis
Jeremy Gentry
ty who have served our country’s Armed Forces
throughout the years.
Sam Spayd
President, Deeds of Valor, Inc.
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