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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2017)
THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM ❘ ❘ / SIUSLAWNEWS @ SIUSLAWNEWS SATURDAY EDITION ON TO STATE PLAY-IN TODAY ❘ OCTOBER 21, 2017 ❘ $1.00 ‘Greater Tuna’ comes to Class Act INSIDE — A3 SPORTS — B 127TH YEAR ❘ ISSUE NO. 84 SERVING WESTERN LANE COUNTY SINCE 1890 FLORENCE, OREGON OCHS must respond to Department of Justice Port looks to public to plan future Commissioners plan to build committees, create classes and reach out to entire district Assistant Attorney General pens letter to humane society board requesting financial info B Y J ARED A NDERSON Siuslaw News B Y M ARK B RENNAN Siuslaw News The October meeting of Oregon Coast Humane Society (OCHS) Board of Directors was again held with the pres- ence of a Florence Police Department officer when it met Thursday evening at the Laurelwood Community Center. The meeting began with a statement from Board President Robert Bare, who told the 50 or so community members in attendance that, under advice of council and in consultation with the Oregon Department of Justice (ODJ), the organi- zation was looking into the possibility of members of OCHS voting directly for the Board of Directors. Bare stated that this had never been done before, and noted the board was considering the option and would make OCHS’s intent known at some point in the future. The introduction of official oversight into the controversy brewing at OCHS, in the form of consultations with the ODJ, has elevated the profile and the problems facing OCHS. One of the individuals responsible for bringing the attention of the state’s high- est legal authority to the OCHS situation is Scott Bailey. Bailey, a local attorney and former OCHS Board Member, said he feels the current board was improperly seated, which is why he brought his legal expertise in an effort to invalidate the standing of the current board. Bailey recently met with ODJ officials in Portland and describes the meeting as informative and productive. “I met with Liz Grant and Lottie Zorn at the Attorney General’s office. Liz is the head of the charitable activi- ties division, Lottie is the person who was assigned to conduct the prelimi- nary investigation into OCHS in response to complaints (there have been 12),” Bailey said. “Apparently, Liz does not step in unless the situation is fairly rock solid.” See PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON/ SIUSLAW NEWS Senior Expo brings together lifestyle, healthcare options ore than 300 people attended the 2017 Good Life Boomer & Senior Expo at Florence Events Center on Thursday. Exhibitors showcased senior living options, community groups, volunteer opportuni- ties and healthcare choices during the event. “The weather did not keep people away,” said Siuslaw News Publisher Jenna Bartlett. “The vendors said they had a chance for meaningful interactions with everyone. We are very pleased with the success of the event.” Siuslaw News pre- sented the expo, and it was sponsored by Hillside Retirement Residences and Roby’s Furniture and Appliance. BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor provided complimentary scoops of ice cream during the free expo, where people were able to donate canned goods to Florence Food Share. M Miller Park to get new facilities OCHS 10A Updates include concession stand, restrooms and soccer field Florence Mayor Joe Henry. “I believe that Miller Park is an untapped opportunity for our community, both in terms of eco- nomic development, as well as a wonderful amenity for the fami- lies and children in our communi- ty.” The project, which was just granted the notice to proceed, will begin construction in 2018. “The current concession stand in the park will be demolished,” Florence Public Works Director B Y J ARED A NDERSON Siuslaw News Florence’s Miller Park will soon be getting an upgrade with a new concession stand, soccer field, sidewalk, restrooms and additional security camera and repositioned softball fields. “Miller Park is our signature Park and it has been a number of years since we have dedicated the resources to this wonderful fea- ture that it deserves,” said Mike Miller said. In its place, a new building will be constructed which will house restrooms, storage areas for local sports programs and a new con- cession stand. “Traditionally, the concession stand has been used exclusively by the Siuslaw Baseball Assoc- iation,” Miller said. “But now it will be more of a community asset so you can have more activities See It’s time to reach out to the community to move forward in planning the future, Port of Siuslaw Commissioners conclud- ed during their Wednesday, Oct. 18, pub- lic meeting. “I think it’s time to bring the public in and get some ideas. I believe there are a lot of people in the community, within this district, that have good ideas that we can listen to,” Port Commissioner Mike Buckwald said. The conclusion came after a lengthy discussion involving the repair of river- bank erosion damage and other expensive future projects. Interim Port Manager Dina McClure started the conversation by announcing FEMA had unrestricted funding for repairing portions of the riverbank that were damaged in the unusually strong 2016 winter. Last month, FEMA had frozen those funds due to hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, a freeze that was expect- ed to last at least six months. FEMA is expected to pay 75 percent of the costs for the repair, which could cost up to $200,000. Now that those funds are released, the port can move forward with the project. However, there is still discussion on how to proceed with the project. The commissioners are still deciding how to approach the repairs, along with what the project will ultimately look like when completed. The commission’s dilemma was made clear when commissioners began dis- cussing the future Siuslaw Estuary Trail that would run through port property. The final path of the trail is still being decid- ed, but is currently planned to run along the boardwalk, riverbank and out to the east estuary, much of which is on port property. Part of that plan would have the trail running through the eroded river- bank as well. “Where are we going to put that trail?” Port Commission President Terry Duman asked. “It belongs on the river. PARK 9A See FUTURE 7A New recycling rules extend from curbside City discontinues ‘Snowbird’ program pick-up to Florence Transfer Station, county Low-cost water turn off option ends for Florence residents INSIDE Residents of Florence are in the process of adjusting to major changes in the rules and materials that can be recycled in curbside pick- up, and most seem to be B Y M ARK B RENNAN responding well to these Siuslaw News changes. New rules have been adopted by waste haulers in town that prohibit consumers from putting any kind of plastic in their recycling and by reducing the materials that the companies will accept from consumers. Lane County has also announced that, begin- ning today, Oct. 21, the only plastic that will be accepted at county landfill sites and at transfer locations, including Florence, will be clear plas- tic milk jugs. The list of materials no longer accepted will include all other types of plastic, including all food and beverage containers made from plastic. Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5 A3 A4 A2 This is a dramatic change from earlier poli- cies in effect. These changes were implemented in response to newly enacted Chinese governmental restric- tions on the type and quality of recycled materi- als that will be accepted by the country, which is the world’s largest purchaser of waste products. The lowering of the percent of contaminated materials allowed has forced a dramatic realign- ment in the work American recyclers have to undertake to adequately prepare the waste mate- rials to be exported. This prompted the changes enacted by the commercial haulers in Florence earlier this month and by the county beginning today. These changes affect both waste removal companies in the Florence area, although in marginally different ways. Side Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B Weather Data . . . . . . . . . . . A2 This Week on the Coast . . . . A7 See RECYCLE 10A THIS WEEK ’ S B Y M ARK B RENNAN Siuslaw News The City of Florence recent- ly ended the low cost option by which residents can turn off the water to their property using what was called the “Snowbird” program. Florence Public Works Director Mike Miller said that moving forward, Florence will no longer offer this service to residents. “The city recently complet- ed a thorough water, waste- water and storm water rate analysis. This work was per- formed by an outside consult- ant working with staff and an TODAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 58 55 59 50 67 49 68 48 WEATHER Full Forecast, A3 advisory committee appointed by the mayor and approved by Florence City Council. Much of the analysis performed was to identify any inequities with- in the rate structure or operat- ing policies,” Miller said. During the course of its work, the committee received information from city staff about the “Snowbird” program and supported staff’s findings and recommendations to dis- continue the program. City council was briefed in a work session on the report, findings and recommenda- tions, as well as an implemen- tation plan, which included ending the “Snowbird” pro- S IUSLAW N EWS 2 S ECTIONS ❘ 20 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2017 gram, which served a limited number of residents. In addi- tion, the city did not promote the program, but honored it for those that knew about it. According to findings and recommendations suggested by consultants Gel Oregon and CiviData, “Water and waste- water systems are capital inten- sive and are built and operated to serve the entire community. Whether those systems are used or not, these systems have significant fixed costs. These costs are allocated to all homes, businesses and other users, to be paid monthly. See WATER 9A
