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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2018)
2 SIUSLAW NEWS | YEAR IN REVIEW | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 Nurses endure third round of negotiations Peace Harbor Medical Center nurses and Oregon Nurses As- sociation (ONA) union repre- sentatives met with PeaceHealth corporate representatives on Monday and Tuesday for a third round of negotiations to try and reach agreement on a new con- tract. During a noon rally held Tues- day at the Peace Harbor cafete- ria, RN Elaine Beers said, “Peace Harbor has been good to us. I don’t want you to think that we have problems with the local ad- ministration.” Florence moves forward Against the backdrop of the Siuslaw River Bridge, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown received a warm — though rainy — wel- come from western Lane County representatives during her visit to Florence March 14. Brown heard about the area’s economic vital- ity and recent eff orts to increase development, create partnerships with regional organizations, im- prove infrastructure and more. “I’m certainly committed to moving Oregon forward,” Brown said. “We’ve made incredible progress over the past couple years, and I want to make sure we continue that forward march. Oregon is a place where everyone can thrive.” APRIL Port special meeting gets contentious During the March 31 special meeting, several Port of Siuslaw Commissioners butted heads with Port Manager Steven Leskin on several unresolved issues. Commissioners attempted to take Leskin to task on several is- sues, including inappropriate be- havior relating to a report, anger management issues, unreason- able moorage rate charges and poor port staff attitude toward customers. Later in the meeting, commis- sioners posed directives that the port manager declined to follow. Regional ICE crack- down hits Florence Federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid March 26 in Florence as part of a larger op- eration that took place in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. A total of 84 foreign nation- als were arrested, including four men from Florence. According to the ICE website, 60 had criminal records, but 24 — almost one third of those arrested, including at least one Florence resident — apparently did not. Parent Committee clari- fies Powwow cancellation Th e abrupt and unexplained cancellation of Siuslaw School District’s annual Indian Educa- tion Powwow was addressed in a statement. Committee members ex- plained that due to an unknown loss of its 501c3 status under the prior volunteer treasurer, “...the recent discovery of this by the current volunteer treasurer of the Parent Committee, and the writ- ten threat of criminal prosecu- tion, led to the extremely diffi cult decision to cancel the 24th An- nual Indian Education Powwow in order to protect all parties in- volved with the powwow.” Following a unanimous vote, the Powwow was rescheduled for March 17, 2018. Siuslaw News launches new website Th e Siuslaw News, Florence’s No. 1 resource for print and on- line news, announces a brand- new look and more functional- ity coming to its website, www. thesiuslawnews.com. Th e website was launched April 10. Siuslaw News General Man- ager Jenna Bartlett said, “Th is is something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Our new website will be more user friendly and allow us to provide even more content to our read- ers.” Dunes City addresses cannabis issue Th e April 13 Dunes City Coun- cil meeting had full attendance for the fi rst time this year, as Mayor Rebecca Ruede returned from an extended absence due to health concerns. Councilors reviewed a pend- ing resolution to prohibit the cul- tivation, for sale to distributors, of cannabis within the bound- aries of Dunes City. At the close of a lengthy executive session, Dunes City Council emerged and chose not to adopt the resolution to prohibit the cultivation of can- nabis. MAY Central Lincoln com- pletes $6 million upgrade Aft er four years and a $6 mil- lion investment, Central Lincoln PUD (CLPUD) completed its Florence-area Electric System Upgrade project to upgrade elec- tric utilities in the Florence area. From adding a whole new substa- tion in the Pacifi c View Business Park and replacing utility poles up Highway 101, Central Lincoln more than meets the area’s pro- jected growth rates for the next 20 years. Th e upgrade was funded through savings and reserve funds set aside in the ‘90s for this project aft er an engineer looked at trends, and forecasted the need for another substation to serve the Florence area. Special Election candidates address ‘Our Town’ at forum Former Coast Radio News Director Bob Sneddon ended his 18- year career hosting the monthly Our Town broadcast Wednesday with a forum for many of the Florence-area candi- dates in the May 16 Special Elec- tion. Th e forum included candi- dates for the boards of directors for Lane Community College, Siuslaw Public Library, Siuslaw School District, Western Lane Ambulance District and Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue and the Port of Siuslaw Board of Com- missioners. Sneddon said, “Th ey’re stick- ing their necks out and they’re the ones on the ballot running for something. If they’re elected, they’re going to be serving us.” Florence Police officers assaulted, male suspect dead On May 8, Oregon State Po- lice troopers were notifi ed of as- sistance needed at the Florence Police Department Jail. Troop- ers and offi cers responded and discovered Florence Offi cer Ken Larson and Corrections Offi cer Stephanie Sansom had been se- riously assaulted while attempt- ing to release 40-year-old David Brickey from the custody of the Florence PD jail. As medics arrived, the male became non-responsive. Medics transported him to Peace Har- bor Hospital, where he was pro- nounced dead. Th e two offi cers were transported to a hospital for their injuries. On May 16, the Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team found the action of the Florence police justifi ed. Ready to Reign Queen Rhododendra Claire Waggoner fulfi lls her heritage; Benjamin Cahoon becomes third King of the Coast King of the Coast Ben Cahoon and Queen Rhododendra Claire Waggoner proudly took the stage at the end of the Rhododendron Court Coronation Th ursday night at the Florence Events Cen- ter. More than 300 people attend- ed the event, which featured a re- turn to traditions of the past. Florence carries on tradition with Rhody Days celebration Florence’s 110th annual Rho- dodendron Festival wrapped up Sunday aft er a season of being “Always Ready to Rhody!” Th is year’s festival theme borrowed from U.S. Coast Guard’s mot- to “Semper Paratus — Always Ready” and honored Station Siu- slaw River. Rhody Days offi cially ran May 19 to 21, but Davis Shows North- west’s Amusement Carnival opened the festival May 17 at the Port of Siuslaw parking lot. Th e Davis family’s carnival has been coming to Florence since 1950. Port places Leskin on administrative leave During a special meeting held Tuesday, Port of Siuslaw com- missioners voted unanimously to place Port Manager Steven Le- skin on paid administrative leave. Port of Siuslaw Board of Com- missioners met in an executive session before the special meet- ing. President Ron Caputo said, “You are being put on paid ad- ministrative leave while we check on a complaint we have concern- ing some sexual advances that (a woman) perceived that you made.” Leskin was hired as port man- ager in February 2016. JUNE LCC Florence’s new dean shares vision In March, Lane Community College (LCC) Florence Center’s former Interim Dean Russ Pierson was chosen from a fi eld of candi- dates to become offi cial dean. Pierson, 59, was appointed interim director of the Florence Center March 9, 2015. “I’ve tried to be as engaged and involved as I could be while not being here on the weekends. A lot of community kinds of things happen here on the weekends. Both Tammy and I are excited that we will now get to partake of those kinds of happenings as well,” he said. Community raises more than $30,000 for Mal- akai Kirk On June 10, hundreds of Flor- ence residents turned out in sup- port for the “Gift s of the Heart Auction: An Evening of Giving,” held at Siuslaw Middle School, raising $30,886. Th e event was created by con- cerned teachers and community members to assist the family of Siuslaw fi ft h-grader Malakai Kirk in preparing for the expenses associated with the youth’s up- coming bone marrow transplant operation. Malakai’s mother Laurie Stone said, “I’m so blown away by the incredible generosity of our com- munity and its commitment to helping those in need. What we have here is so special and we’re so honored to be part of it. Florence adopts first biennial budget Fork Road. JULY Special 2-Part Series: Issues with ‘Helping’ complicated On June 27, at the Florence Planning Commission meeting, a permit for Helping Hands to lease a commercial building at 1790 Highway 101 was denied. Th e decision has brought to light some of the complex is- sues within the quiet retirement community of Florence. Over the years, the program has faced issues with fi nances, staffi ng and housing, but refused to give up. Mapleton schools enter 21st century Th e year was 1957: Sputnik I was launched by the Soviets, the fi rst electric watch was intro- duced and the Mapleton School District campus was built. While satellites and watches have vastly improved since then, the Maple- ton schools have remained exact- ly the same. Until now. From seismic improvements, decreases in water lead levels and changes to the fl ow of the en- trances and gathering places, Ma- pleton’s campus is moving into the 21st century. Mapleton School District Su- perintendent Jodi O’ Mara said, “Having students learn in a safe environment, where there’s no lead based paint or asbestos, gives our kids a sense that they are worth this. Th at can carry on into how they do in school and where they plan to go in life.” Power of Florence en- ergizes community Th e Power of Florence was on full display on Saturday, July 15. Th is brainchild of 17-year-old Kaylee Graham has grown from a small group of caring youngsters trying to help their neighbors to a citywide service event that engag- es hundreds in projects designed to improve the quality of life for all in Florence. Organizers said, “At least 2,000 individuals were out working together to raise money for non- profi ts and other causes, sharing and learning about nonprofi ts, donating items to help with needs in our community and working together to make a diff erence for our community.” Lane County programs work to fill summer hunger gap Boys and Girls Club of West- ern Lane County, in conjunc- tion with other organizations throughout the Siuslaw region, is on a path to fi ll the food insecuri- ty gap for area teens. Boys and Girls Club Interim Director Chuck Trent explained the reasoning behind the move. “While the general economy across Oregon has improved, and it has improved somewhat in Florence, the families that are coming in are basically mini- mum wage with no benefi ts and part- time work. Th ey can’t aff ord food,” he said. Inaugural jam brings world-class talent Th e fi rst Siuslaw Jam was held on July 7 and 8 at the Florence Events Center to rave reviews from audience members and per- formers. Th e audience responded to the professionalism and the technical virtuosity of the musi- cians. Th e musicians responded to the natural beauty of Florence, the appreciation of knowledge- able audience members and the chance to help create a lasting musical legacy for the area. Fiber comes to Florence In a new pilot project an- nounced this week, Siuslaw Broadband, doing business as Hyak, will install fi ber optics to Florence’s Pacifi c View Business Park and certain nearby residen- tial and business areas. “Siuslaw Broadband has been trying to get fi ber off the ground for a while,” owner Robbie Wright said. “We have been in Florence for six years, so we are in touch with the technology needs that people have.” AUGUST Bringing art to the streets of Florence Members of the Florence Pub- lic Art Committee (PAC) want to bring the “wow factor” to Flor- ence through increased visibility of murals, sculptures and other artwork. Public Art Committee Vice Chair Susan Tive said, “We want arts to have an impact on every- one who lives in Florence and the community. It’s as essential as the roads being safe and the water being good to drink. We want people to know it’s for them. Pub- lic art is for Florence, not just the people who are visiting.” Details given on dramatic rescue U.S. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend and a host of other agencies played a vital role in the rescue of Heather Mounce Davi- son from a cliff side near Florence on Aug. 16 around 2 p.m. Davi- son sustained only minor injuries in her fi ve days without food or water. Peace Harbor nurses approve 3-year contract It was nearly a year in the making, but nurses at Peace- Health Peace Harbor Medical Center voted 93 percent in favor of approving a new three-year contract with the hospital. Th e decision came aft er nine months of negotiations between 75 local nurses, represented by the Ore- gon Nurses Association, and rep- resentatives of PeaceHealth. Rumors of neglect, mis- management at OCHS prompt investigation A volatile combination of com- plaints, accusations and rumor swirling in and around social media and community conver- sation has raised questions about animal care and management at the Oregon Coast Humane Soci- ety (OCHS). Recently, the nonprofi t shelter has come under fi re from dis- missed volunteers, former board members and dues-paying mem- bers of the organization. Accu- sations of physical abuse of ani- mals and even killing of animals at OCHS have been circulated through social media platforms and in anonymous letters re- ceived. Th ese were largely unsub- stantiated. During Florence City Council’s June 12 meeting, councilors vot- ed to adopt the city’s fi rst biennial (two-year) budget, to begin July 1, in the amount of $55,370,862 McClure appointed as interim port manager During a special meeting June 13, Port of Siuslaw commission- ers voted to appoint Dina Mc- Clure as interim port manager while current manager Steven Leskin is on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of a sexual harassment investigation. McClure previously served as interim manager for approx- imately four months between 2015 and 2016. Always Something Happening New president moves Chamber forward Florence Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed new mem- bers and President Bobby Jensen to the board on June 15 during the chamber’s annual meeting and installation. Jensen and the new board will lead the chamber for the next year in its eff orts to promote business, networking and the Florence area. Chamber Executive Direc- tor Bettina Hannigan said, “It’s my job to help your business be successful so that you can help people. And that’s the heart of the chamber. We’re here to help people. We’re here to help your nonprofi ts, as you expand your employee base, bring better re- sources to your employees and to help you be a resource in turn.” 541.997.1994 | 888.968.4086 715 Q UINCE S TREET | F LORENCE , OR 97439 | Great Performances Festivals WWW . EVENTCENTER . ORG Conference Meetings • Banquets Weddings • Receptions On & Off site Catering & Rentals Musicals Ballets Theatrical Productions Carjacker shot, killed by law enforcement An armed carjacking June 24 ended in a deadly shootout be- tween law enforcement offi cers from Florence Police Depart- ment, Lane County Sheriff ’s Of- fi ce and Douglas County Sheriff ’s Offi ce and the carjacker near Highway 126 and North Fork Siuslaw Road. Cameron Ollman, 37, of the Florence and Mapleton area, was pronounced dead at the scene. During the incident, Ollman stole a late model Subaru four- wheel drive vehicle at gunpoint from Brandon Nivilinszky, ap- proximately 15 miles up North ting a r b e l Ce rs! 20 Yea
