4A | SATURDAY EDITION | FEBRUARY 29, 2020 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 2020 © 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 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. 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Website and E-Edition: TheSiuslawNews.com Letters to the Editor policy Some of the best curriculum comes through local partnerships (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.) On Friday, Feb. 21, the stu- dents of Siuslaw Middle School and Siuslaw High School were treated to a special presentation by guest speaker Kevin Alter. This presentation was an op- portunity for students to hear not only the dangers of drug ad- diction from someone that has experienced that tragedy and is now helping others in their re- covery, but also to never start down the path to addiction. Mr. Alter’s real-life account was gripping and powerful for all who were present. The follow up conversations with students on the gym floor at the end were genuine and heartfelt. Many times, some of the best curriculum enhancements and messages come to the school through partnerships in coop- eration with local businesses Guest Viewpoint By Andrew Grzeskowiak, Superintendent Siuslaw School District and civic groups. Mr. Alter’s presentation would not have been possible without the dedicated work of several individuals in the community and the financial backing of PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Hospital, Soroptomist International of Florence, Flor- ence Elks Lodge 1858, Kiwanis Club of Florence, Rotary Club of Florence and The Shippin’ Shack. When you are out and about, please take time to thank any- one you might know from these community organizations and businesses for their part in helping to deliver a unique and positive learning experience to the students. This effort led to students hearing a great message on a critical topic that could impact their future beyond school and for years to come. At times, all it takes is the idea of one person — and some leg work — to get a great idea off the ground. One middle school parent, Jennifer Lindell, is also appreciated for her ef- forts to spearhead the planning and logistics for Mr. Alter’s pre- sentation for the students. Additional information on Kevin Alter, his personal jour- ney and his efforts to help those recovering from substance abuse can be found on his website, The Addict’s Diary, at www. theaddictsdiary.com. LETTERS Not ‘propaganda’ to value life In response to the Letters to the Editor in the Feb. 26 edition of the Siuslaw News regarding “propaganda” at the FEC indoor garage sale with the participa- tion of Oregon Right To Life: It is not propaganda to value life. Pro-life was at the event to sell its wares. In order to do so, we need to educate and raise aware- ness for the need to be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves — the unborn. Therefore, the necessity of having models of babies in-ute- ro was a must. There were also babies at different stages of de- velopment for children to hold. I can’t believe or understand how someone could be “horri- fied” or “offended” at the beauty of life in a womb as this is how we all began. There were pregnant mothers lifting their children to show them at what stage in develop- ment their brother or sister is that will soon be born. There were also mothers and fathers showing their children how they looked inside their mom- my’s tummy before they were born. The group sold more than 100 bracelets, 50 doll babies and numerous T-shirts. Our group was, thankfully, given numerous donations to keep up the good work — plus many “thumbs up” for being at the FEC. To state that “many were hor- rified” is wrong. While giving out happy-face stickers and bal- loons, I did not see one “horri- fied” or “offended” child — just lots of smiles. We should remember, as a friend of mine told me today: “When you’re pregnant with your child, or your child is preg- nant with your grandchild, we celebrate the new life as a baby.” When, then, does it change to only being a fetus? Thanks for the support of those who value life; we’ll pray for those who don’t. —RoNelle Kuert Florence Chapter Coordinator Oregon Right to Life 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