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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2020)
4A | WEDNESDAY EDITION | AUGUST 5, 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 Standing is the least an American can do I applaud Jonathan Isaac, forward for the Orlando Magic for standing during the National Anthem while his teammates kneeled. As a veteran, the least people can do is stand to recognize the sacrifices men and women in the military and their families have made to defend the blessings we have in this country. For those who choose to kneel, it’s a right we defended, but may I sug- gest one thing: “leave.” —Jay Straley Florence Risk of virus small compared to loss of local businesses I know everyone is scared right now, and a lot of people are choos- ing to stay home. But the thing is — when we finally choose to leave home — there will be nothing to leave home for. If we are not taking the initiative to support our small local “mom and pop” businesses, they will not be here when this pandemic is over. Our fitness center, cinema, restau- rants and stores need our support. Please consider the fact that out of 330 million Americans, we unfortu- nately lost around 150,000 due to this virus — which statistically is a rela- tively small number of 0.04 percent of the population. If you can, use social distancing, face cover and come shop in our local businesses. If this is still not an op- tion for you, please consider donat- ing to your favorite enterprise. We are all in this together. —Liat Meller Florence To end virus, political infighting must end first “The Left.” At these times with the pandemic slowly arriving in our town, we have to accept the fact that our President and many Republican members of Congress have not ac- cepted the fact that COVID-19 is real and killing individuals no matter if you swing left or right. To be concerned about climate change is important. Air pollution across the world has been reduced in the past six months because people have not been driving a car, using public transportation or flying for business or pleasure. It is a very im- portant issue but not at this present time. We must first contain, then try to find out how to defeat the virus. The only way this can be done is to have a national mandate that requires a shutdown of all interior food estab- lishments and social gathering plac- es. Social distancing of six feet, and masks being worn at all times when in contact with other individuals. Until we have a president who can get on the reality page, many more deaths will occur just because of his ego. Siuslaw News If it ain’t broke Mayor Henry’s job is to ensure the city administration runs efficiently. Risible resolutions are not in the job description. Michael Allen is incorrect that such resolutions are demanded by the electorate. I believe “Anthropogenic Climate Change” is a charade foisted on an ill-educated public. It damages the mental health of our young. When they can imagine no future, why not burn down the cities ? As a resident of Florence since the early 2000’s, I consider myself a fair, middle-of-the-road citizen, making my own judgements depending on the issue(s) aff ecting one side or the other. I have noticed lately there have been several Letters to the Editor with harsh criticism of our mayor, Joe Henry. Florence is such a special little city and each time I’m out circulating in Old Town and also the outskirts, frequenting the many restaurants, outstanding active artists and artisan groups, the PeaceHealth facilities — it reinforces my fondness for our city. Th en, I turn on the TV and watch in sadness (and sometimes disbelief) the rage and destruction in so many cities that possibily don’t have lead- ership with the ability to steer their cities fairly with strength. I can’t imagine being a resident of some of these places. One of my daughters is experienc- ing this and she is terrifi ed. It makes one wonder, “How did this all start?” A disagreement between two sides of opinion that has evolved into harsh words being exchanged? We Florencians need to do every- thing in our power to ratchet down the dialogue to ensure this recent “discussion” on global warming doesn’t get too heated and disrupt our lives. I’m so supportive of the decisions our Mayor Joe Henry and our City Council and Chamber in the beauti- fi cation of our streets and park areas. My late husband and I used to travel in a Motor Coach. As we would go through one town/city aft er another, I would always think, “ Would I like to live here?” Th en we hit Florence — and we’ve been here ever since.. So to me, the old adage fi ts: “If it ain’t broken, don’t fi x it.” —Ian Eales Florence —Sue Hale Florence —Win Jolley Florence Climate Change is a charade foisted on the ill-educated I’m getting tired of our local po- litical infighting — What some in- dividuals call “The Right” against Florence far from ‘principled unity’ of Forefathers (Editor’s Note: Viewpoint sub- missions on this and other topics are always welcome as part of our goal to encourage community discussion and exchange of perspectives.) When the Constitutional Con- vention ended, Ben Franklin was asked “Dr. Franklin, what have you given us?” His famous reply: “A republic, if you can keep it.” At this point, I am not sure Flor- ence, Ore., “can keep it.” In a recent guest opinion in the Siuslaw News and letters submitted by Ralph Nichols and Keith Kraft, each honestly enunciated the mean- ing of American values and tradi- tions, openly giving their measured beliefs without criticism of those whose views have left America. Nichols questioned Councilor Joshua Greene’s intentionally im- pugning the fine character and sol- id reasoning of my friend, Sherry Harvey, who I feel has always made good common sense in her defense of American culture. I was astonished and saddened by the selective sensitivity of our news- paper of record in even entertaining the harsh prejudice of Mr. Greene whilst becoming a nit-picky Somer- set Maugham to all things right-of- center. Guest Viewpoint By Joel Marks Florence Those editorial contradictions do not make for unity. Nor does Councilor Ron Priesler’s goal of a “climate change procla- mation” which, according to our sensible, astute Mayor Joe Henry, are bylaws protected by the Mayor’s discretion. And though Mr. Priesler and Mr. Greene attempted to bypass the rules of the council, after losing 3-2, someone who had tuned into the meeting unleashed profanity. Though Mr. Greene and Mr. Pre- isler are certainly well intentioned on their climate change theory, many do not agree, respectfully be- lieving it is not manmade but is Earth’s natural cycle of existence — which puny man cannot change independently, especially economi- cally. I appreciate their fervor, but am as concerned with their soft ideology as I am with the mistaken principles of anarchy in Portland disguised as civil rights. They are civil wrongs. Florence has a long way to go in capturing unity as does Ameri- ca, but climate change is not a city council issue when we are con- cerned with COVID-19, businesses, transportation, roads, public safety and public works. We are far from the principled unity of our Founders and their first amendment fairness, even in the Mecca of Florence. God bless America. Office: 148 Maple St./PO Box 10 Florence, OR 87439 Office Hours: Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to noon Letters to the Editor policy The Siuslaw News welcomes letters to the editor 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 in- clude full name, address and phone number; only name and city will be printed. Letters should be limited to about 300 words. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. Publica- tion of any letter is not guaranteed and depends on space available and the volume of letters received. Letters that are anonymous, libelous, argumen- tative, sarcastic or contain accusations that are un- sourced or documented will not be published. Letters containing poetry or from outside the Siu- slaw News readership area will only be published 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 accurate, fair and not from second-hand knowledge or hear- say; and 3) Explain the reasons to support candi- dates based on personal experience and perspective rather than partisanship and campaign-style rhet- oric. Candidates themselves may not use the letters to the editor column to outline their views and plat- forms or to ask for votes; this constitutes paid politi- cal advertising. As with all letters and advertising content, the newspaper, at the sole discretion of the publisher, general manager and editor, reserves the right to re- ject 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