4A |
SATURDAY EDITION
| JULY 6, 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)
Lane County Lease good for North Jetty Park
(Editor’s Note: Viewpoint submis-
sions on this and other topics are al-
ways welcome as part of our goal to
encourage community discussion and
exchange of perspectives.)
I’m very pleased the North
Jetty Park community meet-
ing conducted by Lane County
Parks was so well attended with
standing room only. Although
the session started with the ob-
jections of those who want to
retain free access to the ocean,
it progressed to a meaningful
discussion about the many bene-
fits of Lane County Parks taking
over, and recognition by many of
the need for a parking fee.
There are many who deserve
thanks for making this a very
productive meeting. First and
foremost I thank the residents
from the Florence area who an-
swered the call to attend the
meeting.
Charlie Conrad from Lane
County Parks is to be commend-
ed for his great job as moderator,
especially explaining the role of
the County Parks in the leasing
arrangement. Charlie has been
in Florence for several previous
planning sessions.
Brett Henry, Parks Manager,
deserves thanks for reminding
us of the Lane County Park Mas-
ter Plan and its call for a volun-
Guest Viewpoint
By Michael Allen
Friends of Florence RV Park
teer coordinator who will sup-
port partnerships and volunteers
from our community. Volun-
teers, of which there are many in
Florence, can provide the North
Jetty Park with habitat rehabili-
tation, educational and interpre-
tive opportunities.
I was glad to see a represen-
tative from the Department of
State Lands in attendance so he
could hear firsthand what needs
to be done to fix the potholes in
the short and long term.
I have high confidence that our
local rangers led by Dan Ander-
son will do an excellent job of
supporting the North Jetty Park.
Dan provided reassurance at the
meeting that safety would be ad-
equately addressed in a timely
manner, a concern of many at the
meeting.
Finally, I wish to thank Dan
Hurley, Head of Lane County
Public Works, and members
of the Park Advisory Commit-
tee, including our own local
Pat Bradshaw, for attending
the meeting. They can provide
positive feedback to the County
Commissioners who will make
the final decision to proceed.
As someone who worked on
the Parks Master Plan Task Force
representing the coast, hosted at
Harbor Vista Park for a year, and
formed the Friends of Harbor
Vista Park, I saw firsthand how
thoughtful Lane County Parks
has been by involving local com-
munities in the planning process.
A long term leasing arrange-
ment by Lane County Parks at
the North Jetty will be a great
benefit to our community.
LETTERS
Politics has nothing to
do with opinion on art
I beg to disagree strongly with
Wednesdays edition of the Siu-
slaw News printing Judith Pre-
isler’s letter stating she was dis-
tressed to read Mayor Joe Henry
chose to attack both Councilor
Green and PAC Chairman
Springer, who worked tireless-
ly to improve the appearance
of the city through public art,
further stating, “Politics has
reared its head in the ugliest
manor over this issue, and what
a shame it is.”
Politics has nothing to do with
it. It is a matter of opinion. It is
sad that, in this day and age, one
can not express their opinion
without someone from another
side screaming “politics!”
Sadly it has become a daily
occurrence.
As far as the so called mural
goes, I would venture to say if we
held a city-wide vote the major-
ity of Florence residents would
say they see it more as graffiti
than a work of art — especial-
ly when here is so much natural
beauty in and around Florence
that we can all be proud of rath-
er than have to look the other
way from when we passing it.
In conclusion, I would hope
the PAC would heed the words
expressed against their choice
during the meeting held a few
months ago and attended by
citizens deeply concerned with
their future choices.
—Tony Cavarno
Florence
Mural can be protected
against graffiti
In Michael O’Conner’s Letter
to the Editor “City Must Have
Unlimited Funds” (July 3), he
suggested that graffiti tagging
was inevitabe and costly.
While true that it’s a problem
with murals, there are prod-
ucts like Vandlguard that can
be applied to murals to protect
the surface and allow it to be
cleaned without damage.
I am doubtful PAC factored
this into the mural on Highway
126, but they should do some
research of products for future
mural projects.
—Win Jolley
Florence
Mayor Joe, you
are not alone
After reading Lea Patten’s
Guest Viewpoint (“No Room
For Bullies In Our Local Gov-
ernment,” July 3) and Judith
Preisler’s letter to the editor in
the Siuslaw News (Distressed By
Discourse,” July 3), it would ap-
pear some folks are attempting
to empty their chamber pots on
our mayor’s head.
Just know there is a large
group of us who appreciate
strong leadership.
—Bruce Jarvis
Florence
Facts, not unsupported claims, should prevail
(Editor’s Note: Viewpoint sub-
missions on this and other topics
are always welcome as part of our
goal to encourage community dis-
cussion and exchange of perspec-
tives.)
I was dismayed and disap-
pointed by the Lee Patten Guest
Viewpoint (“No Room For Bul-
lies In Our Local Government,”
July 3) in the Siuslaw News. Lea
Patten claims that our Mayor,
Joe Henry, has been unethical in
his actions and statements with
regard to FURA and the Public
Art Committee (PAC) funding.
Some time back, I was on the
City Council for eight years, so I
am familiar with what the state
ethics board views as unethical,
how the council works and how
FURA and Council Committees
work.
Making claims about an elect-
ed official being unethical is a se-
rious matter, especially when the
facts are likely otherwise. Patton
based her claim on the Siuslaw
News front page story “Council-
or Conflict Dominates Discus-
sion (June 29).
After having re-read the article
several times, I found that, yes,
there is conflict. But I also found
nothing unethical about the
Guest Viewpoint
By Del Phelps
Past Florence City Councilor
Mayor’s actions or statements.
I have great respect for the City
Council members, the FURA
members, PAC members, and
the work they have done for our
community.
I also must admit that I ques-
tioned the mural chosen for the
PUD building, but now feel that,
as it progresses, it is looking bet-
ter than I thought it would.
The fact remains that when
any member of a city committee
makes statements in or on any
public media, they must clarify
as to who they speak for, i.e., the
committee (with committee per-
mission) or themselves in their
own opinion.
In my opinion, Mayor Henry
was simply making it very clear
as to what the council’s prior
actions were and what the rules
are when any of the council,
or FURA members, and/or
any city committee members,
speak via public media.
I am disturbed that this is-
sue (public art) is dividing our
community and city as it has. I
hope and pray that all involved
will step back and take the time
to let calmer minds prevail.
We as a community need to
come together and preserve all of
the good we have accomplished
in the past; going to war will not
accomplish anything but hard
feelings and destruction of all
the good that has been accom-
plished.
Come on people, put this be-
hind you and move forward to-
gether!
USPS# 497-660
Copyright 2019 © Siuslaw News
Siuslaw News
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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