4 A
❘
❘ MAY 13, 2017
SATURDAY EDITION
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
LETTERS
T HANKS FOR
F LORENCE F EST
The artists of Backstreet Gallery commend
the planning committee of the recent Florence
Fest for creating a fabulous event weekend for
us all to enjoy.
Florence Fest featured arts, including music,
painting, photography and sculpture, and a
wonderful selection of wineries.
The ambiance of the venue was spectacular.
It felt as though we were transported to a night
on a patio in wine country.
We hope it’s possible for the committee to
plan another similar event. Events like these are
marvelous ways to bring our community togeth-
er for a wonderful weekend.
— Stephanie Ames
For Backstreet Gallery
Florence
V OTE FOR WHAT ’ S
MOST IMPORTANT
Although we only have 3 days left, more than
85 percent of registered voters had not yet cast
a ballot (as of May 10).
Are they indecisive? Or just don’t think it’s
important?
So, “What is most important?”
For me the answer is easy:
Safety.
The races that affect our safety are for board
positions in Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue and
Western Lane Ambulance. We all hope we
won’t need these services. But when we do, we
want them to be well-trained, fast, efficient and
cost-effective.
I attended the candidate forum put on by our
radio station and was struck by the vast differ-
ences I saw in the candidates. I felt that Crystal
Farnsworth and Ron Green were experienced,
professional and supported the well-run organi-
zation being created by Chief Langborg.
They both have the disciplined backgrounds
needed to spot issues and act quickly in their
advisory role. I feel their opponents are both
good guys, but in the boardroom, where key
strategies, calm temperament and administra-
tive expertise is essential, I am more comfort-
able with Crystal and Ron.
I think that the difference between Larry
Farnsworth and Anne Stonelake was even more
profound. Larry spoke with experience and
ideas that inspired confidence that we would
have a disciplined, well-managed emergency
capability at an effective cost to the community.
Stonelake seemed steeped in the old way of
doing things and very uncomfortable with
changes that were being made for the good.
I just dropped off my ballot, voted for
Crystal, Ron and Larry. I feel safer now.
— Sherry Harvey
Florence
preciate the effort of our local radio station and
newspaper to educate the people. But since it is
difficult to cover such a large range of positions
and content in a newspaper summary, I would
like to add a few key points made by school
board position 6 candidate, Jesse Chapman.
In addition to his concern about cutting
school sports, Jesse Chapman shared at length
some of his ideas, including consideration of
charter schools.
He mentioned the 6 percent increase in char-
ter schools, success in Reedsport and Triangle
Lake, and that the new administration (in
Washington, D.C.) was increasing funding for
charter schools across the U.S.
The key reason charter schools seemed to
work is that they get the community and tax-
payers involved in solving problems together
with the schools. It gives “parents more say-so,”
Chapman said.
Regarding the topic of illegal immigrants, he
mentioned twice that he strongly supports the
decision of the superintendent and school board
on this topic and that Florence needs to move
on.
I’m excited about the fresh ideas Jesse
Chapman can bring to the school board, which
is why I voted for him.
And now, you have heard, “the rest of the
story.”
T HE REST OF THE STORY
FOR C HAPMAN
— Jeff Ashmead
Florence
I attended the KCST “Our Town” forum
(May 3) and listened to it on the radio. We app-
L ETTERS TO THE
E DITOR P OLICY
The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to
the editor as part of a community discus-
sion of issues on the local, state and
national level.
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Send letters to:
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S UPPORT M ANN -H EINTZ
As a retired educator, I unequivocally support
Suzanne Mann-Heintz in her bid for re-election
to the Siuslaw School District board. I feel she
brings unparalleled experience to her position
as a board member. With over 35 years experi-
ence in the classroom, she understands the chal-
lenges that teachers, students and families face
at this time in our country.
Mann-Heintz has committed her life’s work
to ensure that children have a safe and success-
ful childhood. In addition to her work on the
school board, she is involved in a variety of vol-
unteer works that impact children and families,
including the 90by30 Initiative in Lane County,
which is working to reduce child abuse and neg-
lect by 90 percent by the year 2030.
She is a founding member of the Siuslaw
Education Foundation, which is in its infancy
but working to establish an on-going foundation
that supports both the Siuslaw and Mapleton
school districts.
Her volunteer work in the classrooms allows
her a “boots on the ground” opportunity to see
what is working and where improvements can
be made. She brings an inclusive vision to her
role as a school board member and understands
that children should feel safe and supported, no
matter their background, family economic situ-
ation or interests.
I’m voting for the future of our children by
casting my ballot for Suzanne Mann-Heintz.
— Becky Goehring
Florence
E NTRUSTING A TREASURE TO M EYER
Bill Meyer is the sort of person to whom I
can wholeheartedly entrust a rare treasure, the
future of the Port of Siuslaw.
He is a demonstrated leader, a person of
vision and integrity.
Meyer merits my support for position 5 on
the Port of Siuslaw Board.
— Dick Smith
Florence
G REEN IS THE MOST QUALIFIED
As Vice President of the Board of Directors
for Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, I have
decided not to run this term. Therefore, I
encourage others to vote for Ron Green for the
SVFR Board of Directors, Position 2.
I have known Ron on a business and person-
al level for the past 7 years. I have the utmost
respect for his integrity and compassion for our
Florence community.
Beyond a doubt, he is the most qualified per-
son to run for our fire board. His experience and
qualifications in banking, strategic planning,
and his drive for our community will make him
a great board member for the fire district.
He understands how an effective board oper-
ates and will always promote the needs of tax-
payers and citizens of the district ahead of
everything else.
He exemplifies honesty, fairness and
thoughtfulness in all he does. He will use these
qualities to create a better balance between the
fire department and taxpayers.
I feel we need him on the board.
I have voted for Ron Green for the Siuslaw
Valley Fire Department Board of Directors,
Position 2.
— Lori Gates,
board member SVFR
Florence
B ACK UP WORDS
WITH DEEDS
This afternoon, upon opening the Siuslaw
News (May 10), I once again read
PeaceHealth’s glowing tribute to our local nurs-
es. This half-page ad follows at least three other
full pages of laudatory comments in recent edi-
tions of Siuslaw News.
As a retired healthcare professional with
about 45 years experience, I totally agree with
all the lovely descriptive words PeaceHealth is
using to describe this community’s nurses.
However, we have reached a point where
deeds must begin to supercede words. If not,
then words ring hollow and have no valid mean-
ing. I was very disappointed to learn that, as of
the most recent mediation session last week,
PeaceHealth has again failed to recognize the
validity of our local nurses’ requests.
At issue is wage parity in which Peace
Harbor nurses are paid between 4 and 5 percent
less than nurses at other regional hospitals. Also
at issue are call-back and extended working
hours rules which have nurses being required to
report for a full shift the next morning.
Another issue that has the potential to affect
the entire community is security. Nurses, hospi-
tal employees and patients should feel — and be
— secure. In the past, as a small quiet commu-
nity, problems have been few.
This is no longer the case, as we have seen
from what happened at the Florence Justice
Center.
— Del Neeley
Florence
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.
P OLITICAL /E LECTION
‘L ETTERS ’ POLICY
Election-related letters must address
pertinent or timely issues of interest to our
readers at-large.
Letters must 1) Not be a part of letter-
writing campaigns on behalf of (or by)
candidates; 2) Ensure any information
about a candidate is accurate, fair and not
from second-hand knowledge or hearsay;
and 3) explain the reasons to support can-
didates based on personal experience and
perspective rather than partisanship and
campaign-style rhetoric.
Candidates themselves may not use the
letters to the editor column to outline their
views and platforms or to ask for votes;
this constitutes paid political advertising.
A s with all letters and advertising con-
tent, the newspaper, at the sole discretion
of the publisher, general manager and edi-
tor, reserves the right to reject any letter
that doesn’t follow the above criteria.
Send letters to:
nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com
jbartlett@thesiuslawnews.com
• USPS# 497-660 • Copyright 2017 © Siuslaw News
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