SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020 | 5A
PARTNERS from page 1A
“This is a huge act of support,”
said Hannigan. “Banner Bank just
proved, in a very tangible way, that
they value the Chamber and care
about small businesses in our
area. This is a tremendous tes-
timony to their community in-
volvement and how they deliver
on their company values.”
With local events that draw
visitors to the Florence commu-
nity being cancelled, both lead-
ers sought a way help the busi-
ness community and replace
some of the Chamber’s lost in-
come. Banner Bank re-allocated
its event sponsorship funds to
fund the contribution.
“I strongly encourage other fi-
nancial institutions to follow suit
and find a way to help local com-
munities while supporting their
chambers, as we all know can-
celled events and social distancing
has truly impacted our chambers
throughout Oregon,” Yahyazadeh
said. “When you have a little bit of
help from several different sources,
it all adds up and becomes signifi-
cant help. I am certain that, moving
forward, our community is and will
continue to support our businesses
and non-profits to keep Florence
stronger than ever.”
The Chamber advocates for
businesses with local, state, and
national elected officials to pro-
mote solutions for businesses; pro-
vides exclusive referrals to mem-
local small businesses that define
us as a community. Tess and I are
very aware of the overwhelming-
ly difficult decisions and financial
burdens many of them are facing.
This keeps the many benefits of
“Cancelled events and social distancing has truly impact-
ed our chambers throughout Oregon. When you have a little
bit of help from several different sources, it all adds up and
becomes significant help. I am certain that, moving forward,
our community is and will continue to support our business-
es and non-profits to keep Florence stronger than ever.”
— Tess Yahyazadeh,
AVP/Branch Manager at Banner Bank in Florence
bers from those who ask which
businesses to buy from; hosts free
seminars on business operations,
security, leadership training, and
marketing; and connects members
through networking events.
According to Hannigan, “Banner
Bank’s very generous contribution
provides important financial re-
lief for up to 100 Business Partner
level members to maintain their
very valuable memberships, and
guarantees $10,000 in dues reve-
nue to the Chamber. Members who
are feeling the greatest impacts of
these economic times are the same
MAPLETON from page 1A district can provide.
“Yes, sometimes the kids
perspective was a huge asset can be a small handful and
to the district. Plus, John the staff is so small, every-
brought a unique Human one knows each other —
Resources perspective to the but it has its greatness and
school board, which helped comforts,” she said. “The
broaden the way we look at kids take care of each oth-
employment and contracts. er, and they love each other.
His voice and vision will be They feel it with the staff,
missed. However, I’m sure they feel it with the younger
we’ll still see him cheering kids and the older kids.”
on the sidelines at football
Being inside the educa-
games and in the stands for tion system has also allowed
volleyball and basketball.”
her to see first-hand some
In her interview for the of the challenges Mapleton
position, Milbrett stated will be facing in near fu-
that the greatest strength of ture. Just hours before her
Mapleton was the family at- interview, the state released
mosphere the small school information on different
membership flowing their way.”
Yahyazadeh added, “Bettina and
I had several conversations regard-
ing helping our local business-
es maintain their memberships
during these hard times. I want to
see businesses flourish and be able
to walk away from this knowing
Banner Bank cares about them,
whether they are clients or not.
A collaboration like this aligns
with our mission to be connected,
knowledgeable, and responsive.”
Benefits of being a member of
the Florence Area Chamber of
Commerce include mailing lists,
school districts and what
requirements will be need-
ed.
“I got a little scared after
reading what came down,”
Milbrett said. “It’s going to
be a lot of time consuming
stuff. I don’t know what
we’re in for, but it may be
easier than we think. There
are many decisions that
need to be made, and it’s
still yet to be seen how in-
tense it’s going to be.”
While the challenges for
students today are different
than what they were four
months ago, Milbrett said
that the core goals of educa-
tion don’t change, including
Faith – Friendship - Fellowship – Fun
CHURCH DIRECTORY
To include your organization in this directory,
please call us @ 541-997-3441
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
2705 Munsel Lake Rd, Services 10 AM Sunday
All are welcome! 541-999-1979.
Bishop Larry Farnsworth
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m., Wed. Bible Study 6pm-7pm
Website:florence4square.com
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –
Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113
Pastor Rachel Simonson – All are welcome
Sermons are on YouTube at
https://youtu.be/jcTJVWp_6ps.
www.florencenewlife Lutheran.org
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Corner of 10th & Maple –997-3533
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
We will be live streaming from
3996 N Hwy 101 997-7136
Facebook at 10am Sunday morning.
Traditional Worship Service 10:00 a.m. ,
Link to our website
Reverend Greg Wood
https://www.florencecrossroadag.org/church-online
Worship services and all group meetings
All other platforms will be update after the service.
in the church have been temporarily
florencecrossroadag.org
suspended at least until the end of March.
office@florencecrossroadag.org
Our 10am Sunday worship service will be available
via Zoom using your phone, tablet or computer.
Church members and friends will be called
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC
this week and given phone in/logon information.
1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Ron Allen
You can also call the church office for this
Services on Facebook live
information.
Sunday’s at 11:00 am
All Welcome. Come as you are.
Wednesday’s at 6:00 pm
All Bible studies held at the church including
Sunday morning, Thursday Ladies study, and
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
Children’s Programs are suspended.
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
Blessings on you and your family.
Since we meet in homes, we are taking a mindful pause.
Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for information.
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH,
2nd & Ivy – 997-2961 –Non-Denominational
L.C.M.S.
Services suspended this week. We will continue
Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m.
to meet as The Church through our Community
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
Groups. We are working on options for you and will
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
communicate that with you soon.
Pastor Randy Benscoter
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
2135 19th St. –- 997-6600
1833 Tamarack Street
8:30am, Tuesdays, Morning Prayer
(2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - Wed, 11 a.m.
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
Everyone Welcome – Come walk our Labyrinth.
www.churchofchristflorence.org
FLORENCE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
12th and Nopal – 997-9020
Services will be available via YouTube.
Follow the link at http://florencenaz.church/
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
COVID-19 Compliant Masses have been scheduled.
Please call our office for details.
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523
Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School)
Mid-Week Activities, all ages.
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M.
FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road
All are welcome to explore the answer.
In lieu of our regular service, we will be
videotaping the sermon and have it available from
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UC1h3s3lhuRKRCXNxbF8H3Nw).
www.FlorenceUUF.org - (541) 997.2840
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
Link to Sunday services at
www.florenceunitedmethodist.org
or find us on Facebook.
Give us a call
541-997-3441
to get us your updates or
email to:
mberg@thesiuslawnews.com
ribbon-cutting ceremonies and in-
stant credibility. A Business Part-
ner receives an estimated $800-
plus per year in direct benefits.
As membership levels increase, so
does the value of the membership
up to an estimated $18,000 in
benefits.
“Some join the chamber to sup-
port business in Florence even
if they don’t avail themselves of
all the membership benefits,”
Hannigan said. “In Florence, the
Chamber is a powerful catalyst
for business growth, convener
of leaders and influencers, and
a champion for a stronger com-
munity. Those are good things
for all residents, and that’s why
memberships for individuals are
available too. Why every business
in town is not a member is a mys-
tery.”
Florence Area Chamber of Com-
merce released a special “Power of
the Chamber” publication through
Siuslaw News this June. This can be
found at issuu.com/siuslawnews/
docs/chamber_2020.
For more information on join-
ing the Florence Area Chamber of
Commerce, the membership dues
matching program, or to volunteer,
contact Hannigan at 541-997-3128
or bettina@florencechamber.com.
equity for students.
“We have to make sure
we’re reaching all the stu-
dents,” she said. “You have
all the different learning
levels, and making sure
each kid is getting the atten-
tion needed. Making sure
we give them extra atten-
tion, one on one. Make sure
they’re being challenged.”
While Milbrett stated she
knew there would be chal-
lenges ahead, she believed
that the school board would
be able to face them.
“I’ve watched you work
over the years with differ-
ent people,” she said to the
board members. “It’s not the
easiest thing to do by any
means. You have long hours
and lots of big decisions to
make. I have a better under-
standing every year.”
This is the second time
Milbrett has applied for the
position.
Also applying was Jes-
se Beers, who works with
the Confederated Tribes of
Coos, Lower Umpqua and
Siuslaw Indians (CTCLU-
SI) in the cultural resourc-
es department. He is also
a current member of the
Governor’s Cultural Items
Task Force, which identifies
tribal resources within state
agencies.
“I have two kids at school
in Mapleton, and a long
history of family going to
the district,” Beers told the
board, stating that he would
like to get more involved.
“It’s a way to further the
goals of the district, make
a more positive experience
for youth and, if it all, im-
prove educational resourc-
es.”
He stated a big goal was
assisting school districts
with Oregon Senate Bill
13, which requires districts
to create Native American
curriculum in schools.
“I’d like to be able to see
that come into fruition in
Mapleton and other school
districts as well,” he said.
According to Beers, he
has worked with multiple
boards and projects from
various entities, including
federal, state and tribal. Not
only has he worked on cre-
ating curriculum for cultur-
al programs, he also has a
history of writing grants for
multiple projects.
However, he stated he did
not have any experience in
sitting on a school board,
and wasn’t exactly sure what
it would entail.
“When I first got on the
board a million years ago,
it took me a lot of time to
figure out what’s going on,”
said school board member
Michelle Holman. “There’s
a learning curve with so
many acronyms. Don’t ex-
Siuslaw
News
+
pect to just hit the ground.
You’ll spend a lot of time
listening.”
As to what he felt were
the best aspects of the dis-
trict, Beers also referred to
its small size.
“A lot of people think it
creates these cliques. For
me, I think it’s the oppo-
site,” he said. “You have to
be friends with everybody.
And it makes you, I would
argue, broader minded.
Right now, that’s really im-
portant. I think we could
go with a little more hear-
ing people and convers-
ing, which is something I
learned to do at Mapleton.”
While the four-person
school board thought both
candidates were excellent,
they ultimately chose Mil-
brett because of her previ-
ous experience in schools.
“Jesse brings some re-
ally great skills and an in-
digenous sensibility which
could only help us, but in
weighing two candidates, I
think she’s more qualified
right now,” Holman said.
“There will be another op-
portunity for Jesse.”
Board member Marilyn
Fox veered toward Beers,
particularly for his work
with Senate Bill 13.
“I think Jesse has a lot of
information we could use
if we want to do that right,”
she said.
But Milbrett’s connection
with another school district
was a bright spot for school
board member Mary Ellen
Mansfield.
“He does offer a differ-
ent perspective, but I like
Andrea’s experience. Her
involvement with working
in another school is some-
thing that we could tap into
her knowledge,” she said.
Board chair Mizu Bur-
russ agreed that both can-
didates were of high quality,
but that Beers still needed
some time.
“I’m hoping that Jesse will
be able to help us with that
as a community member,
board member, a parent or
tribal member,” she said.
“Whether or not we choose
him, I know we’ll be able to
really benefit from his ex-
pertise.”
But with Milbrett’s ex-
perience with the Maple-
ton School District itself,
and education as a whole,
Burruss found her to be
the better candidate at this
time.
“I think also I also agree
that Andrea, with her sus-
tained interest in being in-
volved, is telling. You don’t
get a lot of that, and I really
appreciate it,” Burruss said.
Holman, Mansfield and
Burruss voted yes for Mil-
brett, with Fox abstaining.
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