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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 11, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018 | 3A G ENERAL N EWS County removes racially tagged abandoned vehicle County put removal on fast-track after determining the vehicle was partly in public right-of-way. By Ned Hickson Siuslmw News An abandoned vehicle along Hece- ta Beach Road that drew a mixture of concern and disgust from many area residents Tuesday was removed by Thursday morning. The vehicle, a blue, late ’80s four-door Honda, came to the attention of Florence residents last Tuesday morning when a passing driver on his way to work saw a racial slur had been spray-painted on the side facing the roadway reading: “Kill Ni-ers” (sic). The driver, Dylien Jack, took a photo of the vehicle and posted it to the Florence, Oregon Facebook page, where it immediately drew a flurry of comments condemning the racially-themed vandalism. As local and county officials worked to determine whether the ve- hicle was on private or public prop- erty — and ultimately what steps could be taken to remove the vehicle — residents continued to weigh in on social media as to the motivation be- hind the vandalism and what could be done to have the car removed. Lane County Sheriff ’s Office (LCSO) Public Information Officer Sgt. Carrie Carver explained that the agency was aware of the situation surrounding the vandalized Honda but, unfortunately, was limited in the response it could take to remove the car. Carver pointed out the abandoned vehicle was believed to be sitting on private property and, unless it posed a public safety risk, LCSO would need permission from the property or vehicle owner to remove the aban- doned vehicle. The City of Florence had no over- sight responsibility for the vehicle or any authority to intervene in the matter. Throughout Tuesday afternoon, the county pursued avenues to re- move the vehicle, one being through a lack of code compliance. Due to damage the vehicle had sustained during its three weeks in that loca- tion, it could be removed under Lane County’s nuisance vehicle storage code. The drawback was that it re- quired the vehicle to have been in the same location for 90 days. But by Wednesday, Devon Ash- bridge, Public Information Officer for Lane County, said that the vehicle was in the process of being tagged, after which it could be towed away following a required 24-hour waiting period. “We have continued to work with the property owner, as well as field staff, to determine where the right- of-way ends,” Ashbridge told Siu- slaw News on Wednesday. “We have enough information that indicates the abandoned vehicle is partly in the public right-of-way. This allows us to tag the car for removal and, after the required 24-hour waiting period, we will tow it away.” Around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, the car was removed. “The fact that it was technically on public property allowed us to move much more quickly,” said Ashbridge, who added that property owner James Head was also supportive of the county adding barriers to prevent cars from parking on the property in the future. “We are still in the process of deter- mining what kind of barrier can be placed safely in that location. Resi- dents will likely see surveyors staking out the right-of-way in preparation.” In the future, should a car be abandoned in the same location, “It will be immediately clear that it’s in public right-of-way and we can take immediate steps to remove it,” Ashbridge said. “We appreciate how many community members called in to report the vehicle and to report the reprehensible statement that had been spray painted on it.” Word of the vehicle and the Flor- ence community’s response was re- layed by Ashbridge to Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich. “I’m proud that the Florence com- munity would not stand to have the incredibly offensive language painted on the car represent their communi- ty.” Bozievich said of the situation. “The partnership among the com- munity, local media and county staff to find a quick solution and remove the car, as well as find a more per- manent fix for that area, was a great example of working together to solve problems.” OCMM to host special Heritage Day event Aug. 25 ESTATE SALE 8/10-11, 9am to 3pm Florentine Estates - enter at Munsel Lake Rd. gate only. Entire contents of large home must be liquidated. Kitchen is full of pots/pans/utensils and small appliance imagin- able. Lovely French country dining table w/eight chairs, beautiful hutch, electric lift chair, king Temperpedic mattress set, triple car garage FULL of tools, holiday decor, pet supplies, and assorted miscellaneous items. Frig and nice upright freezer. Gas BBQ. Patio furniture. Sports cards, paintings, frames, some antiques, linens, DVDs, two fl at screen TVs, HUNDREDS of items of better brand ladies cloth- ing(10-12-14, size medium). ALL SALES FINAL. Cash/credit/local checks accepted. Delivery available. Photos at www. CindyWobbeEstates.com. Moving Sale Friday-Saturday 8/10-8/11 8am-2pm 1998 West Park Drive, Florence Miscellaneous & furniture Estate Sale Fri.-Sun. 8/10-8/12 9am-4pm Follow the garage sale signs to 2210 21st St., Florence Tools, books, furniture, artwork, golf stuff, household. Mariners Village 2nd Sale Sat. Only, 8/11 8am-2pm More wonderful things, more homeowners participating. Antiques, tools, collectibles, furniture. Great items. Fri.-Sat. 8/10-8/11 9am-2pm 2225 18th Street Tools, recliner, fi rewood & MUCH more. Sat. 8/11 9am-3pm 21 Wild Winds Street Circular saw, Table saw, Misc. Tools, Garden items, History, Military & Cook Books, Kitchen & Household items. Yard Sale August 10th-11th 8:30am-3:30pm 269 Ivy Street Fishing, tools, garden items, kitchen items & household items & furniture. Multi-Family Fri.-Sat. 8/10-8/11 9am-3pm 1515 Xylo Street Lots of misc., sofas & housewares. Fri.- Sat. 8/10-8/11 8am-2pm 3979 Spruce Street 3-Collections – tea pots, clowns, Green Bay Packer collectibles. Tools & much more. Fri.-Sat. 8/10-8/11, Sun. ? 8/12 9am-3pm 87909 Limpit Lane Nice mix from A to Y, anyone to see & buy. in 2016, will be one of those speakers. “I feel fortunate every single day to be able to work with women veterans and com- munity partners and facilitate shaping policies and proce- dures that improve services for women veterans,” she said. Capt. Sharon Armstrong, USCGR (Retired) will also be speaking. She began her career in 1972 under the Coast Guard Reserve’s “Direct Petty Officer Program.” The Oregon Coast Military Museum is hosting its Mili- tary Heritage Day on Satur- day, Aug. 25, starting at 2 p.m. at the hangar of Sam Spayd at the Florence Municipal Air- port. The program will focus on Women in the Military with two speakers and a poster dis- play featuring 20 women vet- erans from around Oregon. Elizabeth Estabrooks, her- self a veteran of the U.S. Army from 1977 to 1980, joined the ODVA in that capacity Midsummer Gold: Peaches and Corn During her 31-year career, which included assignments in the Coast Guard’s District 5, District 12, and our own District 13, she became the first woman in District 12 to receive a direct commission from the Inactive Duty ranks since WWII. The Museum is located at 2145 Kingwood St. in Flor- ence, and open to the public Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is always seeking volunteers to work in the displays as a do- cent, or in the gift shop. For more information about the museum, its Aug. 25 pro- gram or to volunteer, visit www.oregoncoastmilitarymu seum.com. Area veterans invited to DAV barbecue Tuesdays 3-7 pm Bay & Kingwood On Saturday, Aug. 18, the Disabled American Veter- ans (DAV) are hosting an All Veterans Barbecue at the DAV Hall, 1715 21st St. Free hot dogs and ham- burgers will be available staring at 11 a.m. DAV meets the third Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m. at the DAV Hall. The next meeting is Aug. 21. For more information, call 541-590-0420. Florence Farmers Market is an initiative of the Siuslaw Vision and is sponsored by the Florence Area Community Coalition. Need A Haircut? Stop by and meet Dwight Montgomery Dwight has over 40 years experience in cutting hair Hours: Mon - Sat 8-4 Lisa’s Kingwood Barbershop 1660 Kingwood • 541-902-9074 SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY AUGUST 11 AUGUST 12 AUGUST 13 AUGUST 14 AUGUST 15 AUGUST 16 AUGUST 17 Am Clouds/ PM Sun Sunny Sunny Partly Cloudy Sunny Sunny Sunny 67°F 55°F 70°F 54°F 75°F 55°F 73°F 55°F 72°F 55°F 70°F 54°F 69°F 55°F Receive $5 off when you spend $100! WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP CAR CENTER • Full Service Repair • ASE Certifi ed Technician • Shrink Wrap • Tire sales Locally Owned. Community Minded VOICE YOUR OPINION! — Write a Letter to the Editor today: Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com Aj Shervin, Owner