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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2020)
4A | WEDNESDAY EDITION | OCTOBER 7, 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. Recognizing National Newspaper Week to 30.5 million daily-paper subscribers. This is according to the National Newspaper As- sociation (NNA), which also noted that 70 percent of those small non-dailies Each week, some 6,500 small community newspa- pers — those with a circu- lation of less than 30,000 — land on porches, inside mailboxes or at local su- permarkets and coffee counters across the United States. On Wednesday and Sat- urday mornings, readers of the Siusaw News in Flor- ence, Mapleton and our neighbors upriver inform themselves about what’s happening in our com- munity — from upcoming fundraisers and special features, to recaps of the latest board meetings and local newsworthy events. “Community papers provide news coverage about things that matter to their local community that would otherwise be over- looked without them,” said Al Cross, director of the Institute for Rural Jour- nalism at the University of Kentucky. In fact, in 2019, the com- bined readership of those 6,500 non-daily newspa- pers was almost 15 million more than that of daily newspapers, with non-dai- lies tallying 55.5 million subscribers — compared meetings, asking questions and recognizing the good as well as the not-so-good because ... if not them, then who?” We’ve received both accolades and criticism From the Editor’s Desk Ned Hickson have a circulation of less than 15,000; Siuslaw News is among that smaller group, with a circulation of just over 7,500. When I became editor here in September 2016, I’d had the good fortune of working with three ter- rific editors over the past 20 years I’ve spent here at Siuslaw News. And while each brought their own style and focus, there has been one import- ant understanding that continues to define us as a community newspaper: To our readers, we are not just the newspaper; we are their newspaper. USC professor Judy Muller told the Stanford University Press that, while local journalism is certainly about police blot- ters, obituaries, bake sales and club meetings, “The best community newspa- pers also hold local gov- ernments and institutions accountable by covering regarding our coverage of controversial issues, in- cluding our current Inves- tigative Series that began Aug. 8 and concludes Oct. 17, which has been exam- ining the growing parti- sanship within our local government and its com- mittees. The undertaking of this series, like all the multi- part series we’ve written on local issues, started with the same the notion: “If not us, then who?” With today’s challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic — both eco- nomically and operation- ally as a newspaper — we have made adjustments along the way to keep bringing you news and in- formation. At the same time, we have never been more ap- preciative of the partner- ship and support we have received from our commu- nity during the challenges we have faced over the past several months — from the incredible response in donating to our multi- month GiveButter account to fund our COVID-19 re- porting, to the enormous increase in subscriptions following the anonymous distribution of flyers de- nouncing the newspaper after the launch of our In- vestigative Series. As we recognize Na- tional Newspaper Week (Oct. 4-10), I’d like to thank you — our readers — for supporting your lo- cal newspaper. Not only with your subscription or twice-weekly trip to the office to buy your copy, but also for your partici- pation and contributions — through letters, emails, phone calls and conversa- tions in my office — that help make the Siuslaw News one of those 6,500 small community newspa- pers that is continuing to grow. In the words of Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Col. Edward Carrington on Jan. 16, 1787: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government with- out newspapers, or news- papers without a govern- ment, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” There is no better candidate for Oregon’s District 9 Representative than Duane “Boomer” Wright. I have had the privilege of know- ing and working with Boomer since the 1980s. Whether in the classroom, scouting, church youth group or legislative issues, Boomer is one in a million. His honesty, integrity and char- acter is not seen too often anymore. He truly cares about our rural life and will be an excellent voice for our coastal communities in Salem. It is my honor and a pleasure to encourage a vote for Boomer on Nov. 3. —Anna Morrison Former Lane County Commissioner Voting for Beaudreau I’ve just read, from cover to cov- er, the Siuslaw News’ Voter Guide 2020 in the Oct. 3. I saw this insert as an opportuni- ty for each mayoral candidate to tell me why they deserve my vote. I was looking for insight into how they will lead as Mayor, with special at- tention paid to their ability to artic- ulate their beliefs and convictions. One candidate bragged about what they’ve done in the past and essentially said it would be business as usual going forward if they were elected; the other made clear their interest in building a strong foun- dation and establishing goals for the future of our town. One candidate used “politics,” gossip, and bad publicity as excuses for how they are perceived in town; the other explained their intention to remain non-partisan, build con- sensus, and listen to constituents. One candidate listed pet projects as accomplishments; the other talk- ed about including a diverse team of collaborators from within the community and working toward common goals. I’ve had the opportunity to ob- serve both candidates in their ele- ments. One is imperious and uses their title to sway decisions and limit participation; the other brings their experience and expertise to the table and uses it to elicit the best ideas and facilitate participation by everyone involved. I’ve made my decision. I want to see the City take an inclusive, open-minded approach that will take us in a new and positive direc- tion. 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 LETTERS Boomer is one in a million Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: TheSiuslawNews.com WHERE TO WRITE I’m voting for Jo Beaudreau. —Dolly Brock Florence Anderson brings common sense I write this letter in support of Dick Anderson for the Oregon Senate. I have been in the Flor- ence area since 1972 and have been working as a real estate practi- tioner since 1980. I have witnessed a tremendous need for a common sense, balanced approach when it comes to economic and housing problems. These troubles aren’t new and have plagued the coast since the 1980s. We need to elect a state sen- ator that understands how to reach across the aisle and curtail job kill- ing. The regulation burdens we have, that have somehow made it to to- day, are the same regulations that destroy jobs, housing infrastruc- ture and the families we have on the coast. Enough is enough. We need to elect Dick Anderson so that these troubles can remain in the past. —Dale Saari Florence 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
