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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2019)
6A | SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS SERIES from page 5A There was also a lot of vitriol directed toward the students themselves, with people calling them un-American for protesting, saying they were “too young and stupid to have a political opinion” and “brainwashed by their liberal parents.” Meanwhile, gun reformers began to throw around some of their own questionable accusations. Just days after the student protest, a group of adult gun reform activists took the streets in support of the March for Our Lives campaign. Since we had already cov- ered the student protest, we weren’t really looking to write a story on the march. Instead, we had planned to run a photo or two from the event with a small caption. Nothing in depth. But one of our reporters showed up and, while waiting for the march to begin, was approached by a protestor who began shar- ing his talking points. Soon, more than a dozen people were giving their views. “Can you find compro- mise?” the reporter asked. Yes, but only if they ban certain types of guns, was a common response. “What type of guns?” “As- sault weapons?” “What de- fines an assault weapon ex- actly?” Those questions turned a simple photo and caption into a full-fledged article — and the back and forth that followed between the two camps became brutal. The Siuslaw News was also embroiled in the debate after editor Ned Hickson wrote a few editorials calling for more research into the issue. Some viewed the paper as “anti-gun,” though many of us didn’t know enough on the subject to truly form a strong opinion. We realized that was a problem. We had used the term “as- sault rifle” in the past, but did we really know what one was? What was the real defi- nition of “mass shooting?” Three people? 10 people? The truth is, we didn’t really know. And as we discovered, neither did most journalists — and the reasons for this were ex- traordinarily com- plex and fascinat- ing. This led us to once again pull out our whiteboard and list every question and misconception we had about the issue. It was a long list. MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS We figured that our readers, whose On March 14, students from Siuslaw School District walked out of class without administrative approval in support of discussions were student activists across the nation protesting school violence. This led to more than 75 gun-reform activists in Florence devolving into marching on Highway 101 on March 24, prompting Siuslaw News to look deeper into the Second Amendment and “The physical and emo- Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms.” tional threats, could benefit City Mayor Robert Forsythe, talking with one of the orga- tion that, as we discovered, council earlier in 2018 and from what we were seeing himself a gun rights advo- nizers of the March for our we were completely unaware running for election to keep and learning, so we used that cate, made frequent con- Lives campaign. “We need to of. Just as we were drawing his seat. Henry was willing to speak brainstorming session as a structive comments on our find common ground,” they up plans for the millenni- al article, we received a few to us about his thoughts on blueprint for what we re- Facebook page, so we asked told our reporter. For a brief moment, we accusations against Lucio’s Lacer and Greene, accus- ferred to as the “gun series.” him to take part. That was The five-part series that followed by Florence City saw an America that could campaign: claims that she ing them of attempting to resulted, “The Right of the Councilor Joshua Greene actually talk about complex was asked to run for city throw the election in favor of People to Keep and Bear and Lane County Commis- issues without reverting to council with the express Miltenberger. On the other name calling. Of course, any purpose of beating council side of the coin, Henry was Arms,” was new territory for sioner Jay Bozievich. The audience that showed glance at a cable news chan- candidate Maureen Milten- also a big supporter of Lu- us. Generally, we write about local experiences with local up was evenly split and there nel will show that most of berger; that Mayor Joe Hen- cio, and accused by some of voices, but this project was was a palatable tension at that’s gone by the wayside ry, along with others, were attempting to throw the elec- more analytical in nature first; people were clearly as of late. But for a time in integral in getting her to tion in favor of her by fueling — perhaps more fitting for dug in and on guard for an Florence in 2018, even the run; and that Lucio was too a manufactured controversy. partisans agreed it was time nervous to speak in public And Henry didn’t just Newsweek than the Siuslaw attack. While there were some to bury the hatchet. debates, hobbling the tra- speak with us on the issue. News. Because of that, we view ditional candidate selection He had also gone to KCST We only conducted one in- tense moments, we found Coast Radio with the story. terview — with Florence Po- that there were a host of the “gun series” as one of our process. We did some off-the-re- Our concern was that if lice Commander John Pitch- issues both sides actually most important moments. We’re particularly nostal- cord interviews on the sub- we were to simply go with er. The bulk of the writing agreed on — even controver- was culled from a wide va- sial ones. Neither side want- gic for it when we look at the ject and found nothing con- the story as presented to riety of national studies that ed to take people's Second next series on this list, which crete, though it appeared us, we might be missing the were often contradictory Amendment rights away, laid bare some of the worst there was some truth to the broader context of what was happening. So, we worked and filled with partisanship. nor did either side want to tendencies of American par- accusations. Meanwhile and unbe- with KCST, comparing We found very little “facts,” live in a world where every- tisanship. knownst to us, city councilors notes and agreeing together forced instead to put parti- one was carrying a loaded san studies side by side in an pistol. People shared ideas, Chaos in the Community Joshua Greene and Susy Lac- to hold reporting for a few (Oct. 24 and Oct. 27) er were also asking the same days so both news organi- attempt to come to some sort based on political leanings, to a problem that was just We didn’t start out writing questions, specifically about zations could look into the of universal truth. It was a fascinating and too massive to think about. a series on the total break- whether or not Lucio was controversy and get a bet- informative series to write, During the town hall, we down of the Florence City truly ready to serve; opinions ter handle on it. It was an as our own prejudices about discovered people were just Council elections. The goal differ on what should be and example of two local news guns, definitions of mass really concerned, in some was to write an article on is required to sit on the coun- sources working in tandem out of concern for getting shootings and media cov- cases confused, by assump- millennial voting habits in cil. Just two days after we had at the truth together for the erage were constantly being tions about each other — the Siuslaw region, inves- challenged — by the com- and all hoping for people to tigating if they would vote, begun looking into the ac- community they serve. We and what issues were im- cusations, Greene and Lacer swapped sources in order munity and by each other. stop killing one another. At the end of the night, portant to them. bridged their concerns with to determine which seemed We came away with an en- people in the audience from The “youth vote” was al- Lucio — with Greene visiting the most trustworthy (and tirely different viewpoint. Perhaps most surprising both sides shook hands and ready at the forefront of the Lucio in person and Lacer which ones weren’t), as well was the tenor of online com- calmly talked with one an- local election, and council- writing her an email. What as figuring out angles we ments during the series roll- other. One group even de- or-elect Geraldine Lucio was happened next became one may have missed. We provided KCST news out: Civil. While there was cided to hang out and have the first millennial to run for of the biggest controversies city council after past coun- to hit the current city govern- director George Henry with still a fair share of attacks, coffee. Of course, bipartisanship cilors had been encouraging ment. our Part I before we released there was also a little more Our writing of the “Cha- it, and we read his story be- understanding of the issues on the issue didn’t last. Just younger citizens to run for from both sides. There was a few weeks later we noticed the seat for several years. It os” series didn’t really be- fore it aired. Research on posturing, but also give and people online throwing the seemed like a nice story, and gin in earnest until after the story was a group effort, same partisan arguments we had Lucio lined up to the Lacer email was sent — with every person contribut- take. help tell it. something that was brought ing input to the story. We decided to press our again. But it wasn’t as bad. And then a miracle: A few But there were problems to us by Councilor Woody See SERIES page 8A luck and hold a town hall discussion on guns. Dunes months later, a reporter was developing within the elec- Woodbury, appointed to the What’s happening in the Siuslaw region Support Group With Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff 5 to 7 p.m.; Open to public Ichiban Restaurant; 541-999-4239 Jan. 5 Christmas Tree Pick-Up Fundraiser Siuslaw Valley Firefighters Association 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Donations accepted CROW holds open auditions for Call 541-997-3212 to schedule pickup “The Wiz” 6:30 p.m.; Open to youth actors Florence Area Democratic Club CROW Center for the Performing Meeting Arts, 3120 Highway 101 11 a.m.; Open to public Siuslaw Public Library PFLAG Meeting 6:30 p.m.; Open to the public Jan. 7 Refreshments will be served Lane Community College Florence CROW holds open auditions for Center Room 159 “The Wiz” 6:30 p.m.; Open to youth actors CROW Center for the Performing Arts, 3120 Highway 101 www.crowkids.com/auditions Jan. 9 Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer Alva Bracey MODEL TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS Broker Your goals are my top priority. Let’s get together! Over ars 50 Ye ce! rien Expe Call, Text or Email Cell: 541-505-1180 Alva@CBCoast.com CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE! I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE. 541-255-9822 - Larry landl316@live.com CUSTOM ENGRAVING & CUTTING 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE 541-997-5691 541-361-9080 jmirvis@charter.net Florence, Oregon SEA Coastal Concert Series: Christian Howes 7 p.m.; Tickets required Florence Events Center www.seacoastea.org/ Living with Alzheimer’s: For Caregivers — Late Stage Series continues Feb. 13 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open to public; RSVP 1-800-272- Jan. 11 Florence Testing for HIV and HepC Hosted by Alliance for Men’s Wellness and HIV Alliance 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Free to public PeaceHealth Oregon Cardiology, 310 Ninth St. Coastal Women Veterans Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Open to women vets and their guests Surfside Restaurant at Driftwood Shores. RSVP: fishtravel@hotmail.com Jan. 12 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour 3 to 5 p.m.; Open to public Various locations around Florence 2ndSaturdayGalleryTour.com Jan. 13 Mapleton Lions Club Breakfast Pancakes, Eggs, Ham and/or Sausage, OJ and Coffee; 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Cost $7 for adults, $4 Kids Mapleton Lions Club, 88148 Riverview Ave. Jan. 14 Fresh Impressions Reception 5 to 7 p.m.; Open to public Florence Events Center Submit all events information to PressReleases@ TheSiuslawNews.com Since 1983 Prostate Cancer Education Support on the Oregon Coast www.ustooflorence.org • Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends. • Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends. Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes • Shocks Alignments Insect & Pest Removal 4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 Trapping • Mole/Gopher Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities. (541) 997-4027 Village Grooming County Transfer & Recycling Glass For Every Purpose 3900; Siuslaw Public Library Toastmasters 12:05 to 12:55 p.m.; Open to public Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue Main Station Us TOO Florence CCB# 55030 Awards • Plaques • Name Badges Gifts • Signage • Glassware Florence Community Suppers 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Open to public New Life Lutheran Church Jan. 10 Florence Garden Club presents “The Siuslaw River and Watershed” 1 p.m.; Open to public Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw Jan. 8 Advance Care Planning Health Care Decisions Workshop 1 to 3 p.m.; Open to public Lane Community College Florence Center, 3149 Oak St.; 541-997-3418 Commerical • Residential Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly, One Time Pick-Up. 1780 Kingwood St. Easy curb side recycling program- No additional costs to our customers. 5078 Coastwood Lane 541-997-8526 Call us at 541-997-8233 4981 Highway 101, across Munsel Lake Rd 541-305-5411 Call for appointment ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers
