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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2017 Letters F LORENCE IS ALWAYS from 4A A LL RESPONSIBILITY , NO AUTHORITY Siuslaw News reporter Jared Anderson’s story “Port of Siuslaw Fires Steven Leskin” (Aug. 9) encap- sulated the daily logbook of Mr. Leskin’s yearlong turn at the helm of the Port of Siuslaw. Whomever is chosen by the Board of Commissioners, or publically elect- ed — a legal option the voting public has not experienced — must accept this fact: The position of Port Manager has all the responsibility with none of the authority. The title states that fact: Manager, not policy maker. In my opinion, Port of Bandon General Manager Gina Dearth’s rebut- tal (Aug. 12) read like a life ring tossed to a man overboard wearing a life vest. Dearth’s tone and stance was “Us vs. Them,” i.e., “Special District State Employee vs. We The People.” She states that for 29 years she has been with Port of Bandon and, no doubt, is entitled to a healthy retire- ment. Her tone may be acceptable in her Port fiefdom and County, but I feel it should be kept on her side of the county line. The people of Lane County voted for the Port of Siuslaw commissioners and the commissioners listened to them — and acted in accordance. —Bianca DeMers Florence READY TO HELP The Friends of Florence Van Fans wants to thank the community for its contributions to the success of its annual Pie and Ice Cream Social held at the Florence Events Center. Many of the Van Fans volunteers baked delicious pies and desserts and also contributed fantastic raffle prize items. We especially want to thank BJ’s Ice Cream for donating the ice cream and Jeff Lovejoy for the won- derful music he provided for the three hours of the social. We all enjoyed his keyboard and vocals. This ice cream social is a labor of love by the members of the Van Fans and is one of the three fundraisers it has each year to raise money for the operation of the Friends of Florence bus, which transports cancer patients free of charge to and from the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Oregon Urology. The community of Florence is always ready to step forward to help in any charitable activity. That is part of what makes Florence great! — Sharon Grove Events Coordinator Friends of Florence Van Fans A PPRECIATE THE EFFORTS FOR NEW PATH Three years ago, the “Citizens Committee to Save the Native Rhododendrons” was formed to fight for a more aesthetic way to construct a walking path along Rhododendron Drive — a way that would enhance property values rather than tear them down; a way that would save hundreds of trees, native rhododendrons and precious animal habitat for this gener- ation and generations to come. Nearly 3,000 citizens of this com- munity signed a petition to save beau- ty rather than destroy it. Volunteers wrote letters, tied rib- bons, went to every Florence City Council meeting for months, gave speeches, walked with protest signs, placed flyers in many local businesses, and walked door-to-door with peti- tions. And the city listened. The result is the path that has been constructed today. We appreciate its efforts and hard work in doing so, and would like to thank them as well as all of the volun- teers who worked together to make this city improvement happen. —Vicki Martin Florence N O MORE ‘ STANDARD RESPONSES ’ AT OCHS We are writing in response to the article “Past and Present Board Members, Volunteers Clash Over Care” (Aug. 12) in the Siuslaw News. The comments of current OCHS board member Ed Gervais are not new to any of us who have volunteered. This is the standard response virtually every time issues of neglect, abuse or mismanagement are brought forward to the OCHS Board. Many in our community have vol- unteered or been on the board and have voiced concerns about ongoing issues including questionable financial practices, lack of training for staff and volunteers, and abuse or neglect of the animals. These volunteers are people with expertise, education and real con- cern for the animals, and who were ready and willing to do whatever was necessary. But efforts to improve conditions for the animals have been repeatedly rebuffed and animals continue to suf- fer. There is little or no training (of staff or volunteers) and minimal resources made available to improve the quality of life for the animals, even though it appears there’s plenty of money in the bank. Shelter management and the current board are aware of these deficiencies, but are apparently incapable or unwill- ing to take action. Any time an issue is raised, the board — either individually or collectively — responds with “We’re working on a plan,” “You don’t understand the full picture” or “There isn’t enough money for that.” Meanwhile, it seems resources are squandered, problems are ignored or swept under the rug, and the animals continue to suffer. According to many accepted defini- tions, animal cruelty is not only the intentional abuse of an animal; it is also the failure to take care of an ani- mal. There are many instances of ani- mals at OCHS that have not received proper care. The donations of our generous com- 5 A munity are funding this and people deserve to know how their contribu- tions are being used — or misused. — Dolly Brock Donna Mlinek Florence N O RACISM , BIGOTRY , WHITE SUPREMACY This is my history. When I was a lit- tle white girl living in the Jim Crow South of Louisiana in the 1950s, I had a defining moment happen in the gro- cery store. I was thirsty, went up to a water fountain and took a drink. In my childhood memory, the whole store gasped and went silent, everyone looking at me for doing the unthink- able; I drank from the “colored” water fountain. I couldn’t reconcile the response with the cool water I was drinking. This event set me on a path of fight- ing racial injustice I’ve been a part of since. Yes, it’s expanded to all social injustice I see; it opened my eyes to the fact that, when we say liberty and justice for all, we have to fight for it when we see it corrupted or neglected. That’s where I am now. Standing in my truth. Fighting racism, bigotry and, yes, white supremacy. White is just one color on a color spectrum. We all belong. I am your neighbor. —Judy Kinsman Florence Let me Showcase your property. Dan Gilday Broker 541 554-1844 We invite you to join us. Royal St Georges #48 – Great location for your brand new home near Sandpines Golf Course in a gated community, under construction now. 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Or give us a call at (541)997-6000 and we’ll do the searching for you! NEW LISTING Recreational opportunities abound & Mercer Lake views. Double-wide with detached 24 x 28 garage with bath & upstairs rec room. Plus single car garage, carport & ample parking 2 Bdrm, 3 Ba 1120 sq ft $289,900 BH7532 ML#17363341 Florence Branch | 1875 Hwy 101 | Florence, OR | (541) 997-6000 | www.RealEstateFlorence.com © 2014 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.
