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
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