4A |
SATURDAY EDITION
| APRIL 20, 2019
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
| 541-902-3520 | NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
The First Amendment
C
ongress shall make no law respect-
ing an establishment 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 Govern-
ment 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 2019 © Siuslaw News
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 Pub-
lishers 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 Bartlet
Ned Hickson
Susan Gutierrez
Cathy Dietz
Ron Annis
Jeremy Gentry
Publisher, ext. 318
Editor, ext. 313
Marketing Director, ext. 326
Office Supervisor, ext. 312
Production Supervisor
Press Manager
DEADLINES:
Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publica-
tion; 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, $79; 6-month in-county, $56; 10-week subscrip-
tion, $25; Out of Lane County — 1-year subscription, $102; 6-month out-of-county, $69;
10-week subscription, $35; Out of State — 1-year subscription, $134; E-Edition Online
Only (Anywhere) — 1-year subscription, $65.
Mail subscription includes E-Edition.
Website and E-Edition: TheSiuslawNews.com
Letters to the Editor policy
We all have a role in reducing, preventing child abuse
(Editor’s Note: This is the second in
a series of Guest Viewpoints regarding
the 90by30 program and a month-long
focus on reducing and preventng child
abuse and neglect during the month of
April.)
plified when they extend contribution
opportunities to their employees and
customers. Senior citizens can play a
role in the lives of Lane County youth
by passing on their wisdom, time and
talents to younger generations.
The 90by30 project Child Abuse Pre-
vention Project endeavors to reduce
child abuse and neglect in Lane County
90 percent by the year 2030. This goal
can be achieved by inspiring everyone
in our community to take action to
support parents and families, and en-
sure that all youth are safe, nurtured
and connected.
When community members take
positive action, families are supported
and youth are connected, child abuse
and neglect is prevented. A connected
child is a protected child. But how do
we make sure all kids are safe and fam-
ilies are supported in our community?
Each of us has a role to play in the
lives of youth. For example, local busi-
ness efforts to assist families are am-
Guest Viewpoint
By Allison Bitner
90by30
Educators play a critical role in the
lives of our youth because they act on
the front lines, working with children
as key role models in their lives. The
positive impact of these educator-stu-
dent relationships extends far beyond
the confines of the classroom.
The role of family members is sim-
ilarly significant; family members can
provide non-judgmental support that
can mean a world of difference to par-
ents and children who turn to them for
help.
In the same vein as family members,
trusted friends are important allies who
help parents who may be experienc-
ing a spectrum of emotions that come
along with parenthood, from feeling
scared and overwhelmed to proud and
joyous.
Caring neighbors play a major role in
the lives of our youth as well by keeping
our neighborhoods safe, healthy and
family-friendly, thus children feel cared
for and parents feel supported.
Who else has a role in the lives of our
youth? Faith communities, nonprofit
and civic organizations, healthcare pro-
viders, first responders, youth activity
leaders, youth and teens and parents.
In other words, we all have a role to
play in the lives of our youth, because
a connected child is a protected child.
The public is encouraged to attend an
open house event on Saturday, April 27,
at Siuslaw Middle School, from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m., to meet community partners
and learn about strategies being imple-
mented in our region by 90by30.
LETTERS
The ‘Wall That Heals’ does
Rand Dawson’s Letter to the Ed-
itor, “Wall Partly A ‘Whitewash’
Over Fuller Vietnam Truth” (April
13) caught me completely off guard.
How could anyone, other than some-
one with an entirely negative view of
America, form the notion that any-
thing that has brought comfort to
millions constitutes a “whitewash.”
All wars are caused by political
deceit and ineptitude. ‘Truth’ is the
first casualty in any war and has be-
come unrecognizable by the time
the first shot is fired.
Since ‘truth’ appears paramount to
Mr. Dawson, perhaps he should be-
gin by stating that Democrats Tru-
man, Kennedy and Johnson were the
escalators of the conflict. Truman in
1950 with aid to the French; Kenne-
dy increasing troops to 16,000, sup-
porting Diem’s assassination; and
Johnson’s massive build up necessi-
tating gutting Social Security to pay
for both guns and butter.
In the interest of fairness, Eisen-
hower did send 700 or so advisers.
Eisenhower warned us in his fare-
well add of the Military Industrial
Complex. Kennedy ignored the Brit-
ish, who had tamed Malaysia and
Charles de Gaulle, who warned U.S.
involvement would result in “endless
entanglement.”
Panel 3E, Row 56: Lt. John Lance
Geoghegan. Army. KIA Nov 15,
1965. Ia Drang Valley. Attempting to
save one of his injured men.
His daughter is 54 this year. She
never knew her dad. I didn’t know
Jack, but I know his story. Each time
I visit the wall, I touch his name and
hope his family is at peace with his
sacrifice.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn
the men who died. Rather we should
thank God that such men lived.” —
George S. Patton
If one gives any credence to the
Domino Theory, there are hundreds
of millions living in freedom today
who might otherwise be broken by
the yoke of totalitarian government.
More than 3 million people visit
the Wall every year from all over the
world. Nearly half a million people
have left mementos, some by Viet-
namese refugees and boat people.
“The Wall That Heals” does.
—Ian Eales
Florence
Put Planning Commission
back into art selection
How fortunate we are to live in
such a beautiful community sur-
rounded by trees, beaches, rivers
and the magnificent Central Oregon
Coast. You couldn’t ask for more.
With so many individuals located
here with diversified artistic talent,
the idea of exhibiting local artwork
reflecting our community in appro-
priate areas here in Florence is a fan-
tastic idea.
It was evident that the Public Art
Committee (PAC) invested many
hours of time and effort on this proj-
ect, and they are to be commended
for their efforts.
With that said, what a disap-
pointment it was for many of us at
the March 18 City Council Meeting
to discover that those who came to
express their feelings that the mural
was not a reflection of our commu-
nity really weren’t heard.
This was, in fact, not the purpose
of the meeting at all, but actually just
for final approval of the land use.
Until the actual photo was pub-
lished in the Siuslaw News, we be-
lieve that many people were not
aware that the artwork had already
been chosen. Most believed they had
a say (pro or con) on the content of
the mural.
This was evidenced by the sizable
turnout at the meeting requiring a
larger venue.
After the meeting, it was obvious
that whatever we felt about the con-
tent didn’t matter.
Going forward, we feel the City
Council needs to modify the ap-
proval process to include an oppor-
tunity for all the community to have
a say on the artistic content of future
proposed art displayed. The final se-
lection process should not be limited
to a few (three committee members
and two at-large members.) Per-
haps it’s time to return the Planning
Commission back in the final selec-
tion, with appropriate information
published in advance in the various
medias.
We need to be more transpar-
ent with the community, especially
those without access to the city web-
site.
—Ray and Susan Grewe
Florence
The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to the edi-
tor 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 sub-
ject to editing for length, grammar and clarity.
Publication of any letter is not guaranteed and
depends on space available and the volume of let-
ters received.
Letters that are anonymous, libelous, argumen-
tative, 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 pub-
lished at the discretion 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
campaigns on behalf of (or by) candidates; 2) En-
sure any information about a candidate is accu-
rate, fair and not from second-hand knowledge
or hearsay; and 3) Explain the reasons to support
candidates based on personal experience and
perspective rather than partisanship and cam-
paign-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
newspaper, at the sole discretion of the publish-
er, general manager and editor, reserves the right
to reject any letter that doesn’t follow the above
criteria.
Email 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
@oregonlegislature.gov
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