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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2018)
4A | WEDNESDAY EDITION | DECEMBER 19, 2018 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 NED HICKSON , EDITOR Opinion | 541-902-3520 | NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM C The First Amendment ongress shall make no law respecting an es- tablishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise 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. “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” —Thomas Jefferson (1800) USPS# 497-660 Copyright 2018 © 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. Jenna Bar tlett Ned H ickson Erik Chalhoub Publisher, ex t. 318 Editor, ex t. 313 Co n s u l t i n g E d i to r 8 3 1 -7 6 1 -7 3 5 3 echalhoub@register-pajaronian.com M ar k e t i n g Di re c to r, e x t . 3 2 6 O ffice Super visor, ex t. 312 Pro d u c t i o n Su p e r v i s o r Pre s s M a n a ge r Su s a n G u t i e r re z Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Je re my G e n t r y DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Display classified ads, Friday 5 p.m. Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Thursday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Thursday noon; 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-week subscription, $23; Out of Lane County — 1-year subscription, $99; 6-month out-of-county, $65; 10-week subscription, $29; Out of State — 1-year subscription, $125; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year sub- scription, $65. Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: TheSiuslawNews.com Letters to the Editor policy LETTERS Abandoned cat fund In response to the abandoned cat let- ter ("Abandoned Cat," Dec. 15), I give that person kudos for trying to help the cat. Poor thing loses its owner, then has to endure a cold outside that it is not used to. It is nobel to take responsibility for animals. I have made a small donation to help out with the vet bill and I hope others will too. Helping animals in distress is a good thing. —Madelyne Barnett Florence (Editor’s note: At the front desk of the Siuslaw News is an envelope where Ms. Barnett has started a collection for the cat mentioned in Pat Rongey’s Letter to the Editor. Th e envelope will remain at the desk through Dec. 31 for anyone who would like to help.) Kindness is gift of rare beauty How very sad it made me feel to read the Letter to the Editor about the diffi- culty the person was having in trying to take care of an abandoned cat in the neighborhood when its owner died. (“Abandoned Cat,” Dec. 15). The 9-year- old cat was left to fend for itself and was lying in the street, obviously in danger. Neighbors had not been able to help and the cat was beginning to look sick. The person wrote “I had called our local humane society but was told ’Sorry, we are all full and are a no-kill shelter.’” Our humane society, which is a no-kill shelter with limited space, had no room available and no open foster home avail- able. Then the letter writer called a local vet who said they would do a physical to determine the best alternative, but for a charge of “at least $65.” Finally, Greenhill Shelter in Eugene agreed to examine the cat to determine if it should be euthanized (i.e., killed due to extreme suffering.) The writer warned of the probability of being left with the bill — or the cat — for their efforts to help. I think we might seriously consider another option in our community. Flor- ence is in need of many more foster care homes for temporary care of pets. Being a foster home is a short-term commit- ment of time. No money is required and it helps save precious lives. These abandoned or forgotten animals could be temporarily cared for in a lov- ing home while they are being evaluated, treated if necessary, and then re-homed. It feels good to know you have helped save a dependent, innocent pet with love, warmth and a temporary safe place. The Oregon Coast Humane Society (OCHS) has recently been recruiting foster families for kittens and puppies, but abandoned pets create another very real need. If you have a little space, time and love, apply at the OCHS on Rhododendron drive and become a foster home. In full disclosure, I am on the OCHS board of directors but am writing as a private citizen and long-time animal res- cuer. —Judy Roth Florence Cookies for first responders On Dec. 6, it was the joy of giving that caused the Women on Missions of the First Baptist Church to prepare trays of cookies to deliver to our local fire, po- lice, ambulance service and Coast Guard — from which some of us have received emergency services. We did this partly out of inspiration by the spirit of Christmas, but also out of appreciation for the important service they provide for people in the Florence area. It was while at Western Lane Ambu- lance that EMT Ronnie Pearson as on duty and received a tray of our cookies. WLAD was also the department that trained one of my grandsons, a volunteer there when he was still a teenager, and encouraged him — along with hospital employees — to become a respiratory therapist. (He now works at the hospi- tal.) Each recipient of our cookies ex- pressed appreciation for our show of gratitude for their services. —Elsie Caldwell WOM Secretary This poor man’s child Since writing my last letter a few months ago, in which I addressed the horrific trauma inflicted upon the chil- dren of immigrants seeking asylum on the southern border, the situation has only worsened. As a mental health professional, I know that these children will experience immeasurable difficulties throughout their lives. I wonder how we the people have allowed this to happen? This past week, 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin, from Guatemala, report- edly died from apparent dehydration. She was seeking asylum in America with her father. The current administration has been quick to blame victims, saying they shouldn’t have attempted to enter the country illegally. We have always been the country that welcomes the immigrant; it is what makes America great. Unless we are Native American, most of us are here because our immigrant ancestors came to America to escape persecution and violence, similar to that experienced by Jakelin and her father. Have we forgotten our American his- tory? Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in the 19th century, but it is just as relevant today. While we are busy with family and friends this Christmas, let us remember the words of the Ghost of Christmas Present to Ebenezer Scrooge: “It may well be that in the sight of heav- en, you are more worthless than millions like this poor man's child.” Contact your members of Congress; these children and families need our help. —Barbara Crumrine Florence Sadly, declining Scouts membership is no surpise I was saddened — but not surprised — to learn of the Boy Scouts of America filling for bankruptcy this past week. I am a former Scout Master of many hap- py years with three different troops. When I read a few years ago that they went “politically correct” by allowing male homosexuals to become Scoutmas- ters, it was very obvious to me and sev- eral of my friends who were also former Scoutmasters that a death knell had been struck for the movement. There would be many parents who would no longer encourage their sons to become a Boy Scout for that very reason. And recently they approved girls to join the Boy Scouts, which does not help the situation. It is no wonder the movement has seen its membership decline from over 4 million in 2017 to just over 3 mil- lion currently. A good active Scoutmaster will have his troop out camping almost every month of the year in their tents if possi- ble. Opportunities could present them- selves which would not be desirable. I can almost bet there will be someone who will disagree with my viewpoint on the subject. That may be, but there will be many who know from whence I speak. —Tony Cavarno Florence Help others by supporting local charities One of the most wonderful things about Christmas in Western Lane Coun- ty is meeting people in the grocery and retail stores. They never seem to be too busy to say hello or to be friendly to a stranger. What a blessing. Sadly, not every family nor every child enjoys the joy of shopping and gifting others. For them, food, clothing and enough to pay the next utility bill or rent is even more than they can hope for. There are more than a dozen charities in Florence that help with the needs of “the least among us.” I urge everyone reading this to consider picking one, two or three charities and sending them a generous year end gift. Also, more than 150 volunteers are ringing bells at local markets for The Sal- vation Army’s red kettles. Ninety percent of the moneys raised are re-allocated by a local advisory committee to charities and activities in our community. Sam Spayd and his volunteers have a goal to raise $30,000 in the few days re- maining. God bless Florence and all of Western Lane County. —Bill and Becky Olson Florence 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, gram- mar and clarity. Publication of any letter is not guaran- teed and depends on space available and the volume of letters received. Letters that are anonymous, libelous, argumentative, 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 published at the dis- cretion of the editor. Political/Election Letters: 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 cam- paigns on behalf of (or by) candidates; 2) Ensure any information about a candidate is accurate, fair and not from second-hand knowledge or hearsay; and 3) Ex- plain the reasons to support candidates based on per- sonal experience and perspective rather than partisan- ship and campaign-style rhetoric. Candidates themselves may not use the letters to the editor column to outline their views and platforms or to ask for votes; this constitutes paid political advertising. As with all letters and advertising content, the news- paper, at the sole discretion of the publisher, general manager and editor, reserves the right to reject any let- ter that doesn’t follow the above criteria. Emal letters to: nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com WHERE TO WRITE 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 Oregon 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 (4th 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
