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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 2020)
4A | SATURDAY EDITION | AUGUST 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) The danger of division through anonymity As many of you have probably heard, seen on social media or possibly received in your mailbox, a glossy, two-sided flyer was delivered by mail to many residents in Florence this week. In bold print on one side, the flyer reads: “Walk Away From The Siuslaw News,” which also is the title of a hashtag with the same name (though, as of press time, there was nothing associated with it when checked). On the flipside of the flyer was the accusation that “The Siuslaw News Has Gone Too Far,” followed by a list of denunciations calling us “Divisive,” “Fake News,” “Unethical” and “Seditious.” Its objective was to convince community members to “walk away” from the paper by canceling their subscriptions. To help facilitate that, our phone number and email address for unsubscribing was included at the bottom. We first became aware of this after receiving multiple calls, as well as having res- idents come to our office, about the flyer they had received. has been a unified agree- ment that attacking your local newspaper in this way is simply wrong. And even cowardly. Regardess of whether someone agrees or disagrees with our reporting, feels we are biased or unbiased, thinks we lean right or left, liberal or conservative From the Editor's Desk Ned Hickson Most were openly an- gered by it. A few were bewildered. None canceled their subscriptions. In fact, the response has been quite the opposite. Despite the intention the individual or group that co- ordinated this mailing may have had in furthering the division that exists within our small community — and of which our current investigative series has been chronicling since Aug. 8 — the end result of this tactic (we’ve been accused of all of these), we stand behind every edition that rolls off the press and is delivered into your mail box. To the right of this edito- rial is a list of our staff, how to contact each of us and where our office is located. You know us and, more often than not, we know you. Because of that, we can openly agree or disagree; we can each defend our position or perspective; and we can create an opportu- nity to at least understand one another even when we don’t agree. This is the very principle foundation of democracy — with local newspapers pro- viding the conduit through which these important conversations take place. Through emails, phone calls, letters, people stop- ping into our office and social media posts — con- servative or liberal, right- or left-leaning, Republican, Democrat or Independent — one thing each of those who have reached out to us agree on is that sowing division while remaining anonymous is wrong. And “has gone too far” for many in our commu- nity. Ultimately, a community is made up of individuals, each with the opportunity to be a powerful force for good. But to do so first requires a willingness to stand with what you believe — rather than hiding behind it. LETTERS Heartfelt appreciation for help of strangers On July 10, I was in an automobile accident on Highway 126 about MP 27. My vehicle rolled over twice and started on fire. A number of good Samaritans stopped. One blessed individual had a fire extinguisher. Able to put out the fire, a young man entered my vehicle while on its side and helped assist me up to the open window. Another pulled me out. Others kept me on the ground im- mobile (not knowing the extent of my injuries) until the fire department and ambulance came some time later due to the distance from the nearest emergency services in Florence. How do I adequately thank these good folks whose names I do not know who stopped — some who risked their lives — and others who cared for me? Never adequately. They were selfless and I am here today doing well because of them. I do not even know if they live in the Florence area but do want to recog- nize such heroic people who cared so much about a stranger. My heartfelt appreciation to them all, the two state police officers and Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue. P.S. They all wore masks. — Joanne Kittel Yachats, Ore. Physically sickened by flyer I received a cowardly anonymous printed card in my mail instructing me to “walk away” from the Siuslaw News. I can say I was physically sick- ened by this act. The general public is bombarded 24/7 by political dis- cord — and enough is enough. We, as Americans, all have the right to our own opinions about everything in life. This incudes politics, without the vitriol, the blame and all the expres- sions of hate. It is truly disturbing to see our city heading in the same direction as many parts of our nation. At this rate, what’s next? Will we be told to boycott, march and “protest” in the streets in the dark of night and, God forbid, follow the examples of Portland, Seattle, Mil- waukie and other cities under siege? If this sender doesn’t like what he (or she) reads in our paper, there’s an easy solution: Don’t Read It. If you don’t like what you see and hear on some TV networks: Don’t Watch It. Just leave those alone who express their views and do so without trying to coerce others with a different out- look. Using the U.S. mail in this “in your face way,” to me, is very offensive. —Sue Hale Florence Does property have more value than lives? There would be no riots or pro- tests or looting without the deaths of unarmed black men and women by white police officers. I do not understand the comments about the destruction of property that do not mention the loss of so many lives. Do they really value lost property over lost lives? Is it truly acceptable that white men and women brandishing guns from their front porches and on pub- lic streets against peaceful protesters are allowed and encouraged by the current administration? Do we really want vigilantes shoot- ing innocent unarmed protesters in the streets? Please think about what your Let- ters to the Editor are encouraging and promoting. —Patty Harrison Florence Hiding in silence I want to express my strong and unconditional support for the Siuslaw News and for the courageous investi- gative series it currently is publishing in an effort to heal the growing divi- siveness in our Florence community. I also am writing to condemn the cowardice of the malicious person who wrote a flyer with those lies and “fake news” about the paper — and then did not have the honor and de- cency to sign the flyer. Shame on you, whoever you are out there, hiding in your silence. Siuslaw News, please keep up your good work. The community needs you today more than ever. —Ann Lathrop Florence Partisan politics has no place on councils or boards (Editor’s Note: Viewpoint submis- sions on this and other topics are al- ways welcome as part of our goal to encourage community discussion and exchange of perspectives.) I moved my family to Florence in 1955. I served 28 years with the Flor- ence City Fire Dept., and joined a few other folks as well. I served on the city budget committee, went through the offices of the Florence Jaycees, spent 13 years on the Siuslaw School Board, served as director, vice president and president of the Florence Chamber of Commerce, have been a member of the Rotary Club, and have been the Rotary auction’s auctioneer since 1970 or so. My son, Bob, joined me in the ’80s. Two of our sons still live in Florence, one spent 16 years or so on the school board and one is currently a school board member. I say all of this as my way of sharing that I and my family have shared and volunteered our time in this commu- nity. Guest Viewpoint By Blair Sneddon Long-time Florence Resident Now to the meat of this — my first-ever letter to any editor of any newspaper in my entire 85 years. Recently in our mailbox I received a large card vilifying the Siuslaw News. I was told I was on the list because I was a registered Republican. No longer; a while back I re-regis- tered as an Independent after finding myself disgusted with politics. To the mailer of that card I offer the following advice: The words on the card are just plain BS. The card’s wording is that “their Fake News is unethical and seditious.” The writer would have done well to check the dictionary. “Unethical” is defined as “Not Mor- ally Correct.” “Seditous” is defined as “Indicting or causing people to rebel against a state or monarch.” Siuslaw News is a newspaper, not a state or monarch. To they who sent the card with no name or identification on this piece of c--p, I object. It is also my opinion that partisan politics has no place on city councils, school boards, fire boards, etc. Those folks are elected to represent all citi- zens of the city or district they serve. I will be renewing my subscription (I do however feel some of the article are way too wordy). 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 Siuslaw News 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
