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)
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Copyright 2020 © Siuslaw News
Siuslaw News
Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane
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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
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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:
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or timely issues of interest to our readers at-large.
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candidates based on personal experience and
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Candidates themselves may not use the letters
to the editor column to outline their views and
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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