4 A
❘
SATURDAY EDITION
❘ APRIL 7, 2018
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
Opinion
Wilbur Ternyik’s legacy is of constant relevance
I
n the early ’90s, when
my husband, Gene, and I
were first dating, we
made plans to attend a large
antique show in Portland.
Gene asked if I’d mind if we
met up with a friend of his who was also
going and who collected Native American
memorabilia.
“Maybe if we follow him around, we
can pick up some pointers,” he said.
We met in the parking lot early in the
morning. Introductions were brief, as
Wilbur was anxious to get started. He was
wearing what I later learned was his sig-
nature attire, a beautifully fringed and
weathered Cree jacket worth more than
my sports car.
His wife, Joyce, walked quickly beside
him and Gene and I trailed along behind
for the next several hours, watching sea-
soned dealers greet him with respect and
deference as they unearthed prized arti-
facts from behind their booths.
This was the serious stuff that didn’t
get put out on display for the public. A
Navajo rug, a Hopi hat, a pair of beaded
moccasions — Wilbur would examine
each item carefully, say a few appreciative
words, nod his approval and move on.
This scene was repeated throughout the
day, without a single purchase made.
“Who is this guy?” I asked Gene.
“Wilbur...?” he paused. “Well, I’m not
sure where to start.”
A year or so later, when Gene and I
married and I relocated to Florence,
Wilbur and Joyce were the first of my
husband’s friends to warmly welcome me.
“I like your new wife,” he said to Gene.
“You should keep her.”
And in 1998, when I opened Mon Ami,
they quickly became regulars for lunch,
often returning again in the afternoon for
coffee and dessert. Wilbur was quick to
let me know he wasn’t allowed to order
anything by himself. No, he was on a
tight leash and Joyce was in charge.
Of everything. Just ask her.
“Wilbur,” I’d say. “What are you hun-
gry for today?”
“I don’t know,” he’d shake his head.
“You’ll have to check with my wife.”
By this time, I knew a little of the
backstory and that Wilbur Ternyik was
kind of a big deal. I knew he’d been the
mayor, more than once, and that he used a
tomahawk for a gavel. I knew he’d served
A Remembrance
B Y C INDY B RENT W OBBE
as a port commissioner and a city coun-
cilor, that he was close friends with
important people like Senator Mark
Hatfield and Governor Tom McCall.
My husband had spoken often of
Wilbur’s contributions to the City of
Florence and the Port of Siuslaw, of his
wisdom and foresight and leadership, and
his distinguished service in WWII. But
the Wilbur I knew, and have known for
the last 20 years, wouldn’t order a piece
of carrot cake unless his wife said he
could — because Joyce really was in
charge, and that’s just how he liked it.
In reality, their marriage and devotion
to each other was the love story all
movies aspire to tell. Over the next few
weeks, as word of his passing makes its
way throughout the state of Oregon and
beyond, there will be many who will
speak and write in reference and defer-
ence to Wilbur’s iconic and legendary life.
You can Google his name and spend the
next several hours reading about him.
It’s all true.
Throughout his adult life, and most cer-
tainly while in his prime, he was a power-
ful and respected presence and a man who
got things done. Even into his late 80s,
after he’d “retired” from active public
service, he stayed involved and informed
about current and local issues.
He felt the entrance at Highways 101
and 126 was underwhelming and some-
what uncomplementary of Florence. So he
decided to tackle the landscaping all along
the intersection in front of True Value.
Arolf Salo donated all of the plants in
memory of his late wife, Shirley, and
Wilbur and Joyce provided the design and
the labor. They continued to maintain it,
weeding the beds and trimming the bush-
es in the afternoons and evenings, until
they could no longer physically do so.
The last few years of his life were chal-
lenging for Wilbur. He was plagued by
debilitating headaches and the pain was
often difficult for him to manage. He suf-
fered from PTSD and experienced re-
occuring nightmares of horrifying memo-
ries from WWII. It seemed to get worse
as time went on. More recently, there
were tell-tale signs of demen-
tia and conversations would
often focus on the past.
There were moments when
he didn't think anyone
remembered him, who he
was or what he’d done.
And yet, he was still very much Wilbur.
Still wanting to be relevant and informed,
still wanting to contribute — and still
wanting to matter.
But he was fading, and the window of
opportunity to give him one last hurrah —
one last public recognition while he could
truly appreciate and revel in it — was
quickly closing. His “good days” were
becoming fewer and fewer.
In May of 2016, the Chamber of
Commerce named him the Grand
Marshall of the Rhododendron Festival
and Grand Floral Parade. My husband
drove a friend’s vintage Mustang while
Wilbur sat in the passenger seat, wearing
his signature fringed buckskin jacket and
waving his tomahawk to and fro.
Joyce and I hunkered down in the back
seat and watched as the crowds along the
highway cheered and waved and called
out “Thank you, Wilbur! Thank you, Mr.
Ternyik!”
They knew him, and they remembered.
It was a definitely one of his “good
days.”
About that same time, writer Catherine
Rourke wanted to write a feature article
on Wilbur as part of Siuslaw News’
“Extraordinary People” series and asked if
I could facilitate an interview. Joyce and I
chatted about it, neither of us sure it was a
good idea.
But on another good day, we all met
down at Bridgeport Market for what
turned out to be Wilbur’s final Q&A for
publication.
He wandered a bit during the interview,
and we all tried to help fill in the blanks,
but at the final question it was all Wilbur,
true to form, straight to the point.
“Tell me, Wilbur,” asked Catherine.
“What advice can you offer younger gen-
erations about the evils of war? If you
could leave us just one little kernel of
truth and wisdom about your experience
in battle, what would it be?”
Wilbur sighed, smiled and then
thoughtfully answered, “I don’t recom-
mend it.”
LETTERS
N ATIONAL SALES TAX
The national Constitution envisioned
financially supporting the federal admin-
istration primarily with import tariffs and
user fees. Citizens have the right to sell to
the American market; it’s a privilege for
a foreigner, thus licensable, regulatable
and taxable.
Any tax upon a business is passed
through to its consumers.
Taxing foreign providers makes their
goods and services cost more, compared
to those not taxed. The presumed loss of
business can be a punishment to that
provider.
Congress delegated their taxing
authority to the executive branch regard-
ing tariffs.
China has been growing its domestic
and global markets where a blip in busi-
ness to one nation has little impact. It
could be considered desirable giving
pause to their massive business expan-
sions. Tax avoidance is a global past time
with items that once came directly now
taking a detour.
The heavy bureaucratic hand of regu-
lations and taxation remains the greatest
expense imposed on domestic business;
it’s why we now import most of our
goods and services.
The foreign vs. domestic price differ-
ence is not easily erased by the new tar-
iffs. To add insult, foreign materials used
here to produce product means domestic
finished goods also increase in price,
remaining non-competitive.
The national Constitution envisioned
import and excise taxes uniformly
applied. Its a national sales tax on
imported materials and goods with some
protection of domestic industry.
It becomes a punishment when applied
to specific products from specific nations
— but the new tariffs don’t harm China
while definitely harming Americans.
Essentially, it is just a great excuse for
additional taxes from Americans.
— Keith Stanton
Florence
V IOLENT ACTIONS
CAN ’ T BE CONDONED
As a supporter of the aerial spray ban,
I do not condone violent threats leveled
against county commissioners. I abhor
violence of any type. And in my heart and
mind, I believe — and many others agree
— that spraying toxic herbicides from
helicopters is a particularly heinous type
of violence.
Since we know that the county com-
missioners also don’t condone violent
behavior, why are they not acting to stop
the violent actions against Lane County
residents and the environment by indus-
trial timber companies?
—Marge Holman
Eugene
K ENT FOR
POSITIVE CHANGE
It’s been a long time since my husband
and I have been so enthusiastic about a
local political candidate. Her name is
Nora Kent, and she’s running for West
Lane County Commissioner.
I’ve known Nora for over 35 years
and can testify to her intelligence, com-
petence and ability to make change hap-
pen.
As an instructor and administrator of
LCC’s Adult Basic Education Dept. in
Florence, I feel she has an intimate
knowledge of our county’s resources.
She lives in rural Lane County though,
not in Florence, so she knows both
worlds firsthand.
Her priorities are creating living wage
jobs, implementing the state’s Clean
Energy Jobs Bill, increasing tourism
(especially agritourism), building afford-
able housing, opening access to health-
care and protecting our forests and water-
ways.
She listens and she cares. She’s a team
player with vision and energy.
I encourage those living in West Lane
County to join me in voting for Nora
Kent.
—Mary Moffat
Walton
❘ 541-902-3520 ❘
NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
The First Amendment
C
ongress shall make no law respecting an estab-
lishment of religion or prohibiting the free exer-
cise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.
USPS# 497-660
Copyright 2017 © Siuslaw News
Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the
National Newspaper Association and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Periodicals postage paid at
Florence, Ore. Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439; phone
541-997-3441; fax 541-997-7979. All press releases may be sent to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com.
Publisher, ext. 318
Editor, ext. 313
Consulting Editor 831-761-7353
Email: echalhoub@register-pajaronian.com
Marketing Director, ext. 326
Office Supervisor, ext. 312
Production Supervisor
Press Manager
Jenna Bartlett
Ned Hickson
Erik Chalhoub
Susan Gutierrez
Cathy Dietz
Ron Annis
Jeremy Gentry
DEADLINES:
Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads,
Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Friday 5 p.m.
Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to publication; Regular
classifiedad,sThursday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Thursday noon; Boxed and display classified ads, Wednesday 5 p.m.
Soundings, Tuesday 5 p.m.
NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
In Lane County — 1-year subscription, $76; 6-month in-county, $52; 10-weeks subscription, $23; Out of Lane
County — 1-year subscription,$99; 6-month out-of-county, $65; 10-weeks subscription, $29; Out of State — 1-
year subscription, $125; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year subscription, $71.
Mail subscription includes E-Edition.
Website and E-Edition: TheSiuslawNews.com
L ETTERS
TO THE
P OLICY
E DITOR
The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to the editor
as part of a community discussion of issues on the
local, state and national level.
Emailed letters are preferred. Handwritten or
typed letters must be signed. All letters need to
include full name, address and phone number; only
name and city will be printed. Letters should be
limited to about 300 words. Letters are subject to
editing for length, grammar and clarity. Publication
of any letter is not guaranteed and depends on
space available and the volume of letters received.
Letters that are anonymous, libelous, argumen-
tative, sarcastic or contain accusations that are
unsourced or documented will not be published.
Letters containing poetry or from outside the
Siuslaw News readership area will only be pub-
lished at the discretion of the editor.
P OLITICAL /E LECTION L ETTERS :
Election-related letters must address pertinent or
timely issues of interest to our readers at-large.
Letters must 1) Not be a part of letter-writing
campaigns on behalf of (or by) candidates; 2)
Ensure any information about a candidate is accu-
rate, fair and not from second-hand knowledge or
hearsay; and 3) explain the reasons to support
candidates based on personal experience and per-
spective rather than partisanship and campaign-
style rhetoric.
Candidates themselves may not use the letters to
the editor column to outline their views and plat-
forms or to ask for votes; this constitutes paid polit-
ical advertising.
As with all letters and advertising content, the
newspaper, at the sole discretion of the publisher,
general manager and editor, reserves the right to
reject any letter that doesn’t follow the above crite-
ria.
Send letters to:
nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com
WHERE TO WRITE
E ASTER EGG HUNT
The grass was damp, but the sun was
shining bright for the 2018 annual
Florence Community Easter Egg Hunt,
hosted by the Siuslaw High School
Interact Club and sponsored by the
Rotary Club of Florence.
Hundreds of hardy youngsters were
rewarded with nearly 4,000 colorful
Easter eggs filled with treats and prizes to
put in their baskets, bags and boxes.
The Siuslaw High School Interact
Club, in conjunction with the Rotary
Club of Florence, want to thank Grocery
Outlet, Wind Drift Gallery, Siuslaw
News, KCST Radio, and the Florence
Rotary Club for their support of this
annual community event. Without them,
it would not be possible.
We also thank the Florence Police
Department, Siuslaw Valley and Rescue
Fire and the Easter Bunny for joining us
this year.
Our area youth continually benefit
from these and other generous business-
es, organizations and individuals who
support Florence.
In addition, thank you to the commu-
nity for supporting our efforts by attend-
ing this event.
See you next Easter!
—SHS Interact Club,
Katie Prosser
and Jenna Bartlett,
Rotary Advisers,
SHS Interact
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@
oregonlegislature.gov
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