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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2020)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020 | 5A COUNCIL from page 1A inaccurate and deliber- posted on social media sive and ongoing train- by council to declare and ately inflammatory social platforms. In particular, ing FPD officers undergo certify the city’s eligibili- short statement to start posts prompted anoth- the suggestion that “agi- annually, reviewing best ty to receive state-shared the evening’s proceed- er unusual point in the tators” from somewhere practices as determined revenues. The council voted ings. Reynolds spoke meeting as the council else were coming to the by the private company about the unexpected was next addressed by Oregon Coast to cause LEXIPOL, which Turner unanimously to approve challenges presented by Florence Police Chief trouble. stated was the gold stan- the resolutions. Resolutions No. 15 and Turner has been very dard for police training the COVID-19 pandem- Tom Turner, who has ic and the general unease been speaking with city clear in recent public techniques and more in- 16, Series 2020, were also surrounding a number of staff, local media and statements that there is clusive communication approved and extend- ed the City of Florence’s recent events. council members about absolutely no validity to methods. Worker Com- “On behalf of our city an incident pensation staff and as city manag- that occurred “As we experience these unsettling times, I want to share with I n s u r a n c e er, I wanted to say a few on Bay Street words in light of the na- last week — the community that I do expect a high level of professionalism of coverage to tional events and local and trying to our staff as they interact with all individuals and all groups in our v o l u n t e e r s events, and just the gen- put the event community. We, including myself, are here to humbly serve all and set an ad proper valorem tax eral sentiment that we in members of our community in an outstanding and professional rate of $2.86 are all feeling,” Reynolds context. manner. So, I ask as your city manager — as members of the com- According per $1,000 of began. “As we experience Turner, munity — please be kind and have grace and patience when inter- assessed val- these unsettling times, to I want to share with the Florence po- acting with all people. We don’t condone hate and instead promote ue. The city community that I do ex- lice received loving our neighbors and visitors alike.” and the FPD pect a high level of pro- multiple calls — Florence City Manager Erin Reynolds also agreed fessionalism of our staff on June 4 through a as they interact with that report- memo of un- all individuals and all ed an armed groups in our communi- individual walking on those posts, or to the idea LEXIPOL provides derstanding to roll over ty. We, including myself, Bay Street looking for that the FPD is not able FPD with many things the current contract be- are here to humbly serve protestors. Florence Po- to deal with the potential related to improving and tween the two entities for all members of our com- lice responded and spoke dangers presented to res- evaluating the perfor- a year. Reynolds and Ad- munity in an outstanding with the man, who then idents here. mance of first responders, “The Florence Police including fire and med- ministrative Services and professional manner. left the area. With Ore- So, I ask as your city man- gon being an open carry department has found ical services, and counts Director Anne Baker ager — as members of the state, there were no laws nothing credible in these heavily on the group’s then reviewed the mea- community — please be broken and the individu- rumors,” Turner stated. recommendations to the sures taken to this point kind and have grace and al involved was not cited. “This is a situation where department when updat- to assure fiscal stability However, the incident an openly armed citizen ing necessary procedures. for the city during the patience when interact- The statements from COVID-19 pandemic ing with all people. We did alarm a number of on our streets can — and don’t condone hate and residents and business has — caused undue Reynolds and Turner and discussed possible instead promote loving owners, prompting Turn- public alarm. This had then gave way to a more budget scenarios which our neighbors and visi- er’s public comments on the potential to create a familiar meeting process may need to be adjusted the dangers posed by the disastrous situation and as City Recorder Kelli due to changing revenue tors alike.” Recent concern over inaccurate information accidentally escalate a Weese walked the coun- streams. situation beyond anyone’s cil through the public The two Action Items wishes. And it simply meeting requirements for on the agenda also passed Resolutions No. 11 and with full council approv- isn’t necessary.” Turner also spoke 12, Series 2020, which al and included the pas- briefly about the exten- recommended approval sage of Ordinance No. 7, Series 2020, amending City Code and the regu- lation of alcoholic bever- ages on private property open to public use, and an update to an earlier version of the temporary Make your life easier with HONDA. COVID-19 Emergency Supporting Florence since 1987. Andy Baber, AAMS® Florence Saw Shop is your local HONDA Power equipment dealer. Come see our selection of Generators, Mowers, Tillers and Pumps. Financial Advisor 1010 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-8755 Ryan Hitchcock Financial Advisor MKT-5894-A-A1 1010 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-8755 www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Member SIPC Readers Choice Voted #1 Realtor Western Lane Community Foundation Community People Helping Community People During these uncertain times, we are accessible by phone, email and by appointment only. We are conducting business as safely as possible for our clients as well as our staff. 541-997-7653 Jim_hoberg@hotmail.com Now AccepƟng Rent, utility assistance available from SOS fund Siuslaw Outreach Services, through the support of communi- ty donations, private foundations, FEMA and Lane County Human Services Commission, has established a fund of $118,000 to provide rent and utility assistance to households that have been financially impact- ed by the COVID-19 Pandemic and Governor Brown’s executive order. Nearly half of the funds come from Lane County Commissioners and the Human Services Commission. Including donations from com- ConƟnuing EducaƟon Scholarships Awarded annually and designed for students who use permanent home addresses within the Florence/Dunes City/Mapleton/Deadwood geographical areas and graduated from High School in 2019 or earlier, have their diploma, GED, or were home schooled and are eligible to enter higher educaon, a trade school or a graduate program. This includes non-tradional students starng or returning to a program aer a career or family change or job loss. Scholarships are available for tradional four- year universies, colleges, community colleges, and accredited trade schools and special arts programs. Applicaons can be obtained on the WLCF website: www.wlcfonline.org. APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2020 Western Lane Community Foundaon, founded in 1974, is a community trust, private non-profit organizaon. The Foundaon's mission is to improve life throughout Western Lane County by encouraging and maintaining philanthropic acvity. WLCF focuses its giving in four major areas: culture, medicine and science, educaon, and social and civic services. Declaration. Public Works Director Mike Miller then asked the council to support expenditures to Schnei- der Water Services for $45,000 for well repair, $166,735 for Cascade Civil Corporation for installation of a School Pedestrian Crossing and $129,978 for road seal treatments for part of Rhododendron Drive. The city did make some decisions that did not immediately impact tax- payer dollars, as Turner asked for council approv- al to accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the Communi- ty Oriented Policing ser- vices program. Turner said he believes the program has been an unqualified success. The council accepted Turner’s recommenda- tion and the $125,000 grant, which will be used to support a School Re- source Officer for the Siuslaw School District. Reynolds ended the meeting by letting the council know that she is planning on taking ma- ternity leave and current City Project Manager Megan Messmer will be the acting city manager during that time. Councilor Joshua Greene also brought up the issue of allowing pub- lic input as soon as pos- sible during city council meetings, a suggestion that was adopted by the council. The next Florence City Council meeting is scheduled for July 20, be- ginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit ci.florence.or.us. munity members, other sources are Ford Family foundation, United Way and Allstate Foundation. In addition, Siu- slaw Outreach Services Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Pro- gram (LIHEAP) is tak- ing sign-ups for those who have not received energy assistance al- ready this year. Funds will be dis- persed as long as they are available. LIHEAP is an energy assistance program de- signed to help low-in- come individuals and families during the cold- er months. Sign-ups may be done in person at Siu- slaw Outreach Services, 1576 W 12th St., or via phone at 541-997-2816. For more information on this and other pro- grams, or to schedule an appointment, call Siu- slaw Outreach Services at 541-997-2816 or visit florencesos.org. ere s are h esse y busin it n u m eeds. se com ing the our service n w o n k , y lax of y to re with all It’s eas to help Visit us on the web T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM Call the Siuslaw News to Join Our Senior Directory 541-997-3441 S IUSLAW N EWS Shorewood Senior Living Follow us on 1451 Spruce St. Twitter 541-997-8202 375 9th St, Florence, OR 97439 • (541) 997-6111 @S IUSLAW N EWS