Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2019)
4A | SATURDAY EDITION | MAY 11, 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 Th e enduring reasons we thank Mom This year perhaps more than any other, my wife deserves something special for Mother’s Day. That’s because in spite of our youngest daughter’s many teenaged mood swings, my wife has some- how managed to avoid what I’m sure has been a strong (some might even say natural) urge to eat her young. This hasn’t been easy. As I mentioned, our daugh- ter is experiencing the physical and emotional challenges that accompany adolescence. One minute she is merrily talking about her favorite kind of cheese; the next minute, she is blaming cheese for ruining her life. As a father, my instinct is to fix the problem by addressing the root of the issue by going directly to the refrigerator and throwing out everything that is — or has the po- tential of becoming — a cheese-like substance. My wife, on the other hand, understands there are complex emotional issues at work, and that, in spite of my good inten- tions, the likelihood of me being able to resolve such issues is akin to having a myself, it was clear that my wife’s insightfulness is something that only comes with motherhood. It’s a bond that starts during that first nine months, when mother and child reach a special understanding that if Baby doesn’t stop using mommy’s bladder for step From the Editor’s Desk Ned Hickson bomb successfully deacti- vated by a goat. Thanks to her motherly intuition, my wife was able to explain to me that what our daughter says — and what she really means — are two completely different things. As I understand it, this is the first step to becom- ing a woman. Being a man, I am no stranger to this concept. However, I was in denial when it came to my daughter. Mostly because I didn’t want to admit that she is growing up; time is slipping away. Though I kept this realization to aerobics, mommy will eat a raw jalapeno. In this way, even before birth, a child learns Mom will endure physical or emotional discomfort if it means providing a valu- able life lesson; because that’s what Moms do best. Endure. If you don’t believe me, then I have two words for you: Breast Pump. True, not every mother utilized this torture device, but the mere thought that she could have is reason enough for a child to be respectful. Truth be told, if it were up to fathers to provide breast milk to the human species, we’d all be nursed by monkeys. And remember that breast pumping came after nine months of losing control over most of her bodily functions, includ- ing — but not limited to — food cravings. These cravings came as a direct result of Baby’s needs inside the womb, even though, in many cases, those needs could gag a contestant on Dumpster Diver. Keep in mind that during this process, she was still merrily preparing for Baby’s arrival by hang- ing borders, assembling mobiles, making trips to the doctor — all while vis- iting the bathroom once every three minutes. So, make sure to give a big “Thank You” to all the wonderful mothers out there, especially those who are celebrating their very first Mother’s Day this year! You know who you are. If you don’t, you might try turning down that breast pump a notch or two… LETTERS City staff is governing rather than council Recently at a Florence Urban Renewal Agency (FURA) meet- ing, a curious action and vote took place. The controversial mu- ral issue arose and the case was made by a well spoken member of the committee. She wondered why the to- tal funding was changed from $125K to $83K a year. Many on the FURA committee, as well as City Council, seemed confused as there was no previous notice — just a stroke of the staff manage- ment pen. This procedure puts the em- ployees in charge of the employ- er being the City Council. It also short changes those who voted for the mural at a different mon- etary level, as well as the public. Not a good sign; not a good precedent; not the way to run a ship. However, we have seen this movie before on multiple oca- ssions including the procedure used at the original mural public meeting at the FEC favoring pas- sage. Benjamin Franklin rightly said at the Federal Convention, “I have lived long Sir and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God gov- erns in the affairs of men.” In the case of Florence, it seems the city staff is governing instead of the elected officials. May this flaw be corrected soon or we will get government by and for the unelected officials. It is now time for our elected officials to assert their prerogative of decision making. Every one of our fine city council are good people, but need to take charge before Florence grows and then it will be too late in the game.. Yes, Mr. Franklin had the right idea: “‘God governs in the affairs of men’, when unelected officials don’t intrude. God bless America. —Joel Marks Florence Mark Boren is the leader we need at Lane ESD I am confused. I have seen Nora Kent’s name on the ballot a 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 lot lately. The position for Board Member on the Lane Education Service District is a very import- ant position. I want someone with the most experience. Mark Boren has that experience and understanding. He has worked in the education field, even for Lane ESD. He was an instructional Assis- tant in Special Education for 15 years and a training officer for Lane ESD. He has volunteered widely in his community as a vol- unteer fireman, a sports coach, the Lane Community College EMT Advisory Board, Northwest Christian University Advisory Board for ethics and leadership. He also served as the Booster Club President in his community. Obviously, Mark Boren is a leader and able to work well with many. His time serving and work- ing in these definitely makes him the best candidate for the Lane ESD board. I will be markng my ballot for Mark Boren. —Laurie Curruthers Florence 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
