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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 2018)
4A | SATURDAY EDITION | DECEMBER 29, 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 Be respectful of others with dogs on the beach First of all, full disclosure: I love dogs, but not necessarily dog owners. Our beaches are beautiful public open spaces that should be enjoyed by all peo- ple. As hard as it is to believe, there are some people who are afraid of dogs and, yes, some people who don’t even like dogs. Are they not allowed to go out on our beaches to appreciate the beauty because some dog owners think they have the right to disconnect the leash? Yes, I know your dog is friendly (real- ly), but is mine? Don’t get me wrong; there are many owners who keep the leash attached and we all thank you for that. But they are also the ones getting harassed by loose dogs. Dogs on leashes are being pro- tected by their owners and leashed dogs usually get defensive when approached by a loose dog. Can anyone tell me what happens to a small dog when an excited larger dog jumps on it? I don’t care how much mon- ey you get sued for — a dog does not de- serve to be hurt just because someone wants to give their dog “freedom.” We have a great dog park on King- wood Street that is a perfect spot for dog- gie freedom. Florence City Code Title 6 Chapter 6 explains “Animals at Large” and that dogs are only allowed off-leash when contained in or on private proper- ty and in designated off-leash areas. Please respect the rights and safety of others and keep your dogs on a leash at the beach, or at least when it is crowded, because it is the right thing to do so we can all enjoy the beach. —Glenn Singley Florence Holiday cat tale continues Thanks to those who donated cash to help me with the abandoned cat (Letter to the Editor “Abandoned Cat,” Dec. 15) Florence people have the biggest hearts! A little history: I had to put down my own old cat (20 years old) last Novem- ber. Then, in December 2018, I found my- self again dealing with a sick cat. The fact Ellie was “old” and abandoned made it an emotional ordeal. I enjoyed “Ellie cat” but felt I could not give her the proper care because of the cost and commitment. Ellie is about nine years old, thin and had a bad cold. I tried to get help in Florence but every place was full or cost too much for my budget. I called Eugene Humane society and Ellie was welcomed with open arms. She is now in a warm space and getting the proper medical care. I am happy that Ellie is getting the care I could not provide. I did all that I could for the her. Do not get animals if you cannot care for them. It is wrong to just dump. It is also against the law. They are domestic animals who are not equipped to sur- vive on their own. Many Oregonians are still not aware that Animal Aban- donment is illegal in the state of Oregon (ORS167.340). It is a Class B Misde- meanor punishable by a maximum of 6 months in jail (ORS 161.615) and/or a $2,500 fine (ORS 161.635) if convicted. That all said, a huge thanks to all who gave money to help with Ellie cat. I did have to purchase items and hire a cat sit- ter. I plan to donate some of the money to help others with care of pets. Thanks to all the “Ellie” supporters! —Pat Rongey Florence (Editor’s Note: As of Dec. 28, donations to help Ellie had totaled $172. We will continue to receive donations through Dec. 31.) Florence is a wonderful city This is not a letter of complaining, it is a letter of thanks! First, I want to thank the City of Florence for the wonderful dog park on Kingwood Street, across from the airport. I have an 88-pound Golden Retriev- er, Ernie, and a 7-pound Papillon, Gra- cie. I try to take them to the dog park at least five mornings a week. Ernie is only 19 months old and has lots of energy. He needs to run and play with his dog buddies. We have an acre with plenty of room to run, but after 16 months, Gra- cie, who is 12 years old, just tolerates Ernie. I have been to the park when there have been close to 20 dogs, running and playing and pooping. The city provides what I call poop bags and a nifty-lined garbage can with a secure lid that is changed daily. Thank you! Several of us moms and dads have be- come friends — almost family — and we try to meet at the same time. The park is a wonderful place for so- cializing, both for the dogs and their owners, and we all appreciate the city for its generosity. It even provided a smaller fenced area for dogs that don’t get along with other dogs or are small and afraid of the bigger dogs. Plus, the city brought in about seven dump truck loads of chips and, when they had the time, they spread the chips around the park. When the rains finally started and we told the a city employee who was in the park that there was a low spot right by the second gate into the big yard, they filled the low spot within a week. The only things that could make the park better would a few more benches and a bathroom. Some of us older folks need both of them! However, thank you, City of Florence — you guys rock! Christmas evening, on the way home from dinner with friends, my husband and I drove the streets of Florence ad- miring the many homes and businesses who put up holiday lights. Wow! Many of you went all out decorating with Christmas lights. It was a delightful drive. Thank you all for helping to make Florence so colorful and beautiful. Bay Street has those big, beautiful lighted snowflakes on the lamp posts and the lit- tle park next to Coffee Roasters is wick- ed-beautiful. Most of the businesses on Bay Street were lit up, as well as many on Highway 101. So many lights! Thank you, citizens of Florence, for helping to make Florence so bright and colorful after dark. I wish you would leave them up all year! Florence is a wonderful little city. I have lived here since 1972 and have seen it grow from a very small town with traffic lights at Highways 101 and 126; a small, old hospital with just a handful of doctors; to the wonderful, beautiful, friendly town it has become. Thank You, one and all. And Happy New Year! —Gail Katz Hanson 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
