4 A
❘
WEDNESDAY EDITION
❘ SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
Opinion
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
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L ETTERS
Habitat is a hand up, not a handout
The success of the Florence
Habitat for Humanity’s recent
BeachWalk was a sunny
reminder of the gernerous
spirit of our community. This
annual fundraiser does more
than raise “nickels for nails
and dollars for drywall.”
Former President Jimmy
Carter, a long-time Habitat
volunteer, has said “Habitat
has successfully removed thr
stigma of charity by substitut-
ing it with a sense of partner-
ship.”
It is inspiring to know that
the Florence community rec-
ognizes the value of that part-
nership.
The path to Habitat home
ownership is not quick and
easy. Applicants are inter-
viewed and must submit
detailed information to the
Selection Committee.
Employment history and
household circumstances are
carefully considered, along
with credit history. Criteria is
established by the national
Habitat for Humanity organi-
zation, and strict timelines and
requirements apply.
Selection for home owner-
ship is not a subjective process
or “buddy system.” Families
must be able to make monthly
mortgage payments. Once
selected, participants attend
structured weekly classes,
“Pathways to Prosperity,” to
enhance and build sound
financial habits. In addition, a
monthly savings program is
Florence
Habitat
for
Humanity (FHFH) does not
give homes to homeowners. A
30-year, no-interest mortgage
is established. A Habitat fami-
ly buys their home, pays prop-
erty taxes, homeowner’s
insurance, maintenance and
GUEST VIEWPOINT
B Y FHFH F AMILY P ARTNERS : P ATRICIA D AY J AMISON , G INNY
K ELLY , D IANE B AILIFF , B ARBARA M C C LANE , P AULA
H ARRISON AND S AKRE E DSON
initiated so that funds for clos-
ing costs are assured.
“Sweat equity” is a critical
element of the process — 500
hours for a couple or 300
hours for a single candidate.
Those sweat-equity hours are
achieved by working on a
building project for another
Habitat homeowner, working
at ReStore, and/or at the
Habitat office in Florence.
Construction hours at their
own building site are also
required to demonstrate the
kind of commitment and
determination essential to con-
tinuing the long-term partner-
ship required.
repair costs, and becomes part
of a Florence neighborhood
and community.
Their home ownership car-
ries the same responsibilities
as others; FHFH is not a land-
lord.
The mission of FHFH is to
foster stability and financial
security for low-income fami-
lies who may not otherwise
have such an opportunity. A
Habitat home is not a gift from
Santa Claus or the result of
winning the lottery. Individual
donors open their hearts and
wallets, volunteer builders
donate countless hours of
skilled labor, permits and
inspections are scheduled,
lunches and snacks come from
volunteers’ kitchens, local
business owners contribute
food, material and supplies —
and slected families step up to
the challenge.
Members of the Florence
community are invited to
attend and witness a home
dedication. Blessings, words
of thanksgiving and some-
times a song or story follow.
St. Andrew Episcopal
Church’s Daughters of the
King have showered Habitat
families with children’s books
while talented quilters of the
Church of the Latter Day
Saints present quilts to fami-
lies. The Elks Lodge has pre-
sented gifts that are specific to
each family’s needs, either an
item of furniture, an adaptice
device and/or play items for
children who have a backyard
for the first time.
We all reap the rewards of
these efforts through the grow-
ing sense of community
Habitat offers. As President
Carter said, “Our dreams are
big, our hopes high, our goals
long term and the path is diffi-
cult. But the only failure is not
to try.”
LETTERS
N EW BUILDINGS NEED TO BE
BETTER PREPARED
In the interest of preparedness for
disasters, I propose that all new builds
have at least one accessible bathroom
that includes roll-in shower facilities.
It’s much easier to do when construc-
tion is being planned, and essential, as it
turns out, in housing people and helping
them get back on their feet after they’ve
lost most everything.
—Ivy Medow
Florence
C LEAN SLATE NEEDED
I have lived many places and have
never been denied permission to visit
the adoptable dogs in their kennels nor,
in the places where I have asked to take
a dog out for a walk.
This was as a visitor, not a “trained
volunteer.”
I have lived in communities in
Indiana, New Jersey, Michigan, Maine,
Arizona and now Oregon. I lived in
Curry County and, as a visitor to the
animal shelter in Gold Beach, was
allowed and encouraged to take a dog.
No special training was required for a
walk to the beach. Is our liability here in
Florence or Lane County so much more
intense?
At all the other shelters I have visit-
ed, cages were marked by staff, “able to
walk,” “OK to pet,” etc.
I joined the OCHS after the recent
troubles came to light to see for myself,
to become involved, to help and to con-
tribute. Had I know about the recent
board meeting, I would have attended.
Was it advertised in the paper?
Also, I never received a response to
my application to be a volunteer and
receive the special training this animal
shelter requires.
From my perspective, the recent
board meeting was maybe less well-
attended because there was little or no
notice of it that I saw. I would have
attended as a new member to see just
how things there worked at the board
meetings.
I think, only by hearsay, that the rules
required by the state for boards of non-
profits are not being followed, such as
by-laws being changed without mem-
bership vote.
I agree with a former writer that the
slate should be washed clean and a fresh
start is needed.
A police presence at an Animal
Shelter board meeting?
In our community?
In any community?
I have no answer about how this situ-
ation should be handled. Legal help
may be needed.
Certainly, it is the animals who will
suffer as they are held prisoner and the
community pulls back, not wanting to
support a situation that, at the least,
needs clarification and confidence-
restoring measures.
—Carol Strenkoski
Florence
TO THE
P OLICY
E DITOR
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Send letters to:
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WHERE TO WRITE
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
Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, Ore. 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line:
503-378-4582
www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office
Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
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
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio
( 4 th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416
541-269-2609
541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
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