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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 6, 2020)
4A | WEDNESDAY EDITION | MAY 6, 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. Jenna Bartlett Ned Hickson Susan Gutierrez Cathy Dietz Ron Annis Publisher, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 313 Multimedia Sales Director, ext. 326 Office Supervisor, ext. 312 Production Supervisor DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news, Monday noon; Budgets, four days prior to publication; Regular classified ads, Monday 1 p.m.; Display ads, Monday noon; Dis- play classified ads, Friday 5 p.m. Saturday Issue—General news, Thursday noon; Budgets, two days prior to pub- lication; 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 subscription, $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 LETTERS Good choice for democrats Democrats on the Central Or- egon Coast are fortunate to have good choices on the ballot in the May 19 Primary election. They can continue strong representation in the state legislature by voting for Cal Mukumoto for House District 9. Cal’s many years of experience in business management and his knowledge and background in for- estry issues will put him in a strong position to advocate in Salem for our coastal and rural businesses and jobs. He also has state-level experience working for the good of all Orego- nians, as Chair of the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, and as an appointed member of the Oregon Board of Forestry. Cal knows firsthand in his fam- ily about the benefits of a strong public education system, including the range of learning opportunities that Community Colleges offer ev- eryone. Strong endorsements for Cal Mukumoto come from local teach- ers, community leaders and re- tiring legislators Senator Arnie Roblan and Representative Caddy McKeown. —Karin Radtke Yachats Raising a red flag I have never been more grateful for a red flag than I am today. Not the kind of red flag that says “dan- ger ahead,” but the red flag that rests comfortably on the side of my mailbox waiting patiently to be called into action. Today was the day; I chose not to drive to the post office to mail a bill but to, instead, rais the red flag to inform my USPS postal carrier (the woman who faithfully drives through my neighborhood to de- liver letters, bills, periodicals and junk mail as well and who stops to chat when possible) that I needed her support. After about an hour, I looked outside and, low and behold, the red flag was resting comfortably again on its side having done its job. It was a sign that my mail was now in the safe hands of this ex- traordinary and essential person in my life. I just can’t imagine life without our postal service. During this time of isolation, I have written more cards and letters than any six-week period in the past. It’s been fun to connect via snail mail. Speaking of snail mail... Don’t you just love getting your ballot in the mailbox? I am so blessed to live in Oregon where voting by mail is not only easy, it’s safe and efficient. I get to sit in the living room — in my pajamas if I want — and re- view the ballot with my spouse and then we get to put our ballots back in the mailbox and raise the red flag once again. Thank you USPS for all you pro- vide us. —Sally Wantz Florence Let’s keep COVID threat in perspective I agree that we must keep the Covid-19 virus in perspective. If you look at CDC’s figures, it estimates between 12,000 to 61,000 deaths each year from influen- za during the 2010-11 to 2018-19 flu seasons. So far, we have expe- rienced over 67,000 deaths from Covid-19 in a little over 2 months. In addition, there were no so- cial distancing or shutting down of businesses in those previous years. Just think what we would have ex- perienced this year without the draconian — but preventative — measures instituted in most states. Make no mistake, Covid-19 is a deadly and extremely transmissible disease that we have not seen the likes of for 100 years. Those that do not respect it with the caution it deserves do not just place themselves at risk. Instead, our seniors and those with under- lying conditions remain at high risk, especially from transmission from non-symptomatic carriers. We will get through this but it is going to require patience and lis- tening to our health professionals. —Craig Burns Florence Boomer is more than a ‘politician’ Did you know that Boomer Wright, candidate for House Dis- trict 9, is a published author of children’s books? Boomer was a teacher and principal in the Siuslaw school district and then served as Superintendent in Mapleton. As a Siuslaw student, I remem- ber his welcoming presence in the morning hallways and the treat it was to come into the classroom to see he was the substitute teacher for the day. He has continued his love for kids in the classroom by substi- tuting in many school districts on the coast including Reedsport and Coos Bay. During the Corona virus quar- antine, Boomer read for weeks ev- ery day online to children giving them a break from everyday strug- gles and worry. He also shared his guitar playing and singing with kids and their parents. The kids have been home for a long time and it’s been fun to look forward to spending time with Boomer; it’s been a refreshing op- tion for us. Boomer’s creative gift will serve him well in Salem as a legislator. He’ll be able to creatively problem solve, especially in these uncer- tain times. His giving spirit will be unique and his personality will certainly make him approachable and a joy to work with as he works to bring common sense to Oregon lawmakers. Thank you, Boomer Wright, for sharing your gift with our families. Thank you for your unselfish act of kindness. Our kids loved your books and your singing too. Good luck and remember us in Salem. —Millie Rochon Mapleton Put people back to work One of the great philosophers, George Santayana, once said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We are headed down a very slippery slope with alarming par- allels to 1933 Germany. The Re- ichstagsbrandverordnung, aka “Reichstag Fire Regulation,” the common name for “Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State,” was instituted by Paul Von Hindenburgon at the request of Hitler. The decree nullified many of the key civil liberties of German citi- zens. This decree was used as the legal basis for the imprisonment of anyone considered to be opponents of the political system, and to sup- press publications not considered “friendly” to the political state. Do not, for a moment, construe this to implying that our gover- nor or any other state governor is a Nazi. But consider this: Our civil rights are being eroded. In Oregon, we have a population of approximately 4,218,000 and each one of us is now being told what we can or cannot do by a sin- gle person who feels she can over- ride our constitutional rights “for our protection.” More and more, I’ve read evi- dence that demonstrates sheltering in place is doing more harm than good. We have proof of that right here in the good old USA. There are nine states that did not shutter, and they are states with some of the lowest-reported in- fections and deaths. Likewise, the world is acknowledging that the Swedish model has proven effec- tive, reporting some of the lowest infection and death rates in all of Europe. Am I suggesting the state throw all caution to the wind and open everything everywhere?’ Absolutely not. But, in those areas of the state where the infection was low, a phased reopening is very manage- able and could be implemented. Enough people have lost their life’s savings, their businesses have gone bankrupt and they have watched their families disintegrate from the pressure. Put people back to work. —Cliff Worley Dune City 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
