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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 22, 2017)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2017 Fiber from 1A Once the fiber optics are laid, only the connectors at the ends of the lines will need to be modified for future upgrades, versus other communication utilities, which would need much more work to modify. Currently, standard Internet packages in town provide any- where from 3 Mbps to 80 Mbps of data. Movie streaming services, such as Netflix or Hulu, require at least 5 Mbps for a two-hour movie, so common packages start at 6 Mbps. The standard for Hyak’s fiber will be 1 Gbps, or 1,000 Mbps. It could go all the way up to 10 Gbps. Cemetery from 1A Grants helped fund cemetery mapping, a new website and sig- nage to direct travelers to the desti- nation. One of the major problems the “Think of it as a water pipe,” Wright said. “A hose letting in 60 liters of water just isn’t going to compare to a hose bringing in 1,000 liters of water. One is just going to get you more power and speed.” To get the pilot project started, Wright worked with private investors, Oregon Pacific Bank, Florence City Recorder Kelli Weese, the Planning Department and Public Works, as well as the city’s economic development cat- alyst, Jesse Dolin. “You don’t have to live in an urban center now to have access to high speed Internet, an impor- tant aspect to many thriving busi- nesses,” Dolin said. “Now, you can live in a beautiful city like this.” Dolin sees the speed fiber brings as essential to education at Siuslaw School District and Lane Community College Florence Center, especially as instructors stream educational content or stu- dents learn how to interact with and thrive in the modern world. “Fiber goes beyond streaming high-definition movies,” Dolin added. “It allows us to compete in the global economy — for both businesses, like Top Hydraulics at the business park, and for home- based businesses and startups.” He said that the City of Florence has been as supportive as they can be, but the best way is for businesses to “help themselves,” so that legislative action can fol- low. Wright, who serves on the cemetery faced was the use of tem- porary markers. Occasionally, families were unable to put up permanent head- stones for various reasons, usually financial. Small blocks of diverse materials — primarily stone and metal — with simple phrases were placed instead, with the intention of purchasing proper headstones down the road. But for years, in some cases decades, only the markers remained. Sometimes the money never came through for the families. Other times they moved — or passed — away. As the families disappeared, so did the information on the stones. In one instance, “Grandfather” was simply etched in stone, with no other identification. Time could be unkind to these markers. In some cases, general wear and the infamous Oregon rains eroded the simple phrases, leaving no identifying information at all. What the cemetery board need- ed was a good genealogist to trace these burials, and it just so hap- pened they found one in Pat Rongey, a member of the Siuslaw Genealogical Society. “Pat is awesome,” Gerber exclaimed. “She came on board three years ago with all these ideas. She’s really enthusiastic with peo- ple finding their heritage and has been a terrific source of informa- tion.” Rongey and the board began making lists of the unknown head- stones and unearthing names. It was a painstaking process, tracking down relatives or search- ing obituaries. Most of the graves were identified. For those that weren’t, respectful but anonymous headstones needed to be placed. The grant will pay for these. Come check out our new selection of hand poured candles with amazing long lasting scents! Watermelon Fresca Burnt Toffee Ocean Driftwood Blend Sea Salt Marine….and more! Now offering 10% off our hand poured candles and 25% off our home décor! Now thru July 31st. 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Stop by today! 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Relay For Life FUNDRAISER EVENT Florence Economic Development Committee and as a board mem- ber of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, said the city has a strong desire for and sees the need for this service in town, “but it hasn’t been a budget priority.” He said he hopes people will be able to see the feasibility and the demand for fiber as they expand the pilot project. “We’ve been seeing some great response already,” Wright said. “We know the technology and the community well, so we plan to demonstrate success to our part- ners. “In a perfect world, I would love to see fiber access all over western Lane County.” Looking into options for the future, Dolin said the pilot project 7 A could lead to increased occupa- tion of the Pacific View Business Park, which currently has 24 remaining lots for sale or lease. “It could incentivize businesses to move to Florence, as well as encourage people looking to relo- cate,” he said. “Florence is beauti- ful. Who wouldn’t want to live here? Now, people can have a thriving business, increase their educational and job skills and transition to new industries.” The pilot project will be acces- sible to up to 627 individual lots. Businesses and residents in the area will have to sign up for inclu- sion. More information, including how to register, will be available at SiuslawBroadband.com. JARED ANDERSON/SIUSLAW NEWS Headstones at Deadwood Cemetery date as far back as the 1800s. The gravesite is still in use today. While the headstone replace- ments are a major breakthrough, the board isn’t stopping there. An annual Heritage Day is held, with Civil War reenactors invited to relive the first burial in front of a giant crowd who enjoy food, his- torical displays and educational games. Of particular concern are the burials of veterans. There are cur- rently 33 known sites held by them, dating back to the Civil War. A memorial is being designed to honor those, with plans to build on a newly sown area overlooking the river. A gazebo is being planned to overlook the memorial. An ash scattering garden will also be placed, an important addition con- sidering that the cremation rate is 48.6 percent of the population, according the Cremation Association of North America. All of this has reignited interest in the cemetery. The board now has six members. Donations and vol- unteer labor have been given from people across the Siuslaw region. Deadwood resident Kathleen Brooks said, “Rural areas run a risk for losing their identities. A place like the Deadwood cemetery is a link to our past. It’s a beautiful place where people can gather and have that link to the past.” For Gerber, the ultimate goal is to have the site become a welcom- ing place for everyone to visit. “It’s so the (community) can look after the people,” she explained. “To honor our heritage and the family members, and to make a place that is respectful.” Anyone interested in volunteer- ing, donating or researching are encouraged to email deadwood cem@gmail.com or call 541-964- 3345. Relay For Life of Florence “Paint Your World Purple” Relay For Life Charms $2.00 each e only l available ai l bl at Florence Relay For Life Event Siuslaw News + Today, July 22nd, 2017 Noon - Midnight Look for the charms next to the Relay Store Team: Love Connection www.RelayForLife.org/FlorenceOR We are TRYING SOMETHING NEW! Everyone is invited to celebrate our 18th Relay For Life in Florence! Join us at the Florence Events Center this year! You’ll be glad you did! A NEW VENUE * Survivors lap * Live music * Food * Family friendly games Join us as we light up the night with the largest Luminaria display in Oregon! RELAY FOR LIFE When: July 22nd, 2017 • Noon - Midnight (registration begins at 10:00 am) Where: Florence Events Center www.shoppelocal.biz For more information about Relay For Life go to WWW.RelayForLife.org/FlorenceOR or contact Amy.Bickleman@cancer.org or 541-271-9240
