SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020 | 7A
EMAC from page 1A
workplan, using a colorful
graphic for members to dis-
cuss categories.
Some of the issues in-
cluded in EMAC’s previous
workplan were minor, like
the objective of discuss-
ing the banning of plastic
straws. But others were of
a more substantive nature,
such as how — or whether
— to incorporate elements
regarding climate change in
the committee’s workplan
goals.
As was the case at last
month’s meeting, there was a
divergence of opinions sur-
rounding climate change,
which drew the majority of
discussion during the meet-
ing. One of the reasons the
debate over whether or not
climate change should be a
topic for EMAC to handle
was concern by some mem-
bers, most notably Prosser
and member Sherrie Har-
vey, over considering an ac-
tion or statement that could
be interpreted as being po-
litical in nature.
Both have previously
stated that they do not be-
lieve the issue is within the
purview of the committee,
and therefore should not be
included as a topic for dis-
cussion or action by EMAC.
The unwillingness to al-
low for some type of EMAC
guidance regarding waste
materials’ impact on climate
change remains central to
the committee’s divide on
the topic. Wording in previ-
ous EMAC workplans men-
tions greenhouse gases and
directs the city to take ac-
ARSON from page 1A
Lane County Deputy
District Attorney Spencer
Gwartney said Pendergrass
must also complete three
years of post-prison supervi-
sion after his release and will
have to pay restitution, with
the amount to be determined
in the next six months.
tion to move towards a low-
er carbon emission output.
Harvey suggested a better
use of EMAC’s time would
be in looking into a more
immediate environmental
issue: unauthorized defeca-
tion.
“I will just say it. The
words that you use, ‘We
have concerned citizens
for marginalized groups’
— that sounds political to
me. The ‘Carbon Emissions
Measurement,’ sounds to
me like the camel’s nose
under the tent for climate
change,” Harvey said. “If we
are an environmental team,
well then why don’t we do
something about the envi-
ronment, where the leakage
from poop and excrement
— from all of our homeless
camps down by the streams
and rivers — leak into our
infrastructure. That sounds
to me like a bigger prob-
lem.”
In contrast, there re-
mains a segment within the
community which remains
committed to entering the
subject of climate change
into official proceedings,
suggesting that the EMAC
committee is best suited to
address the issue and urging
the group to take some sort
of action.
Committee member Vic-
ki Philbin expressed her
feeling that the issue was
worthy of committee dis-
cussion, suggesting the lack
of any discussion on climate
change was unacceptable.
“It seems like EMAC
in the past year has done
everything it can to si-
lence discussion of climate
change. That is very unwise
and unseemly,” Philbin said.
“Democracies thrive when
talking about controversial
issues. To try and suppress
discussion is a very bad
idea.”
A driving force behind
establishing a definitive lo-
cal policy by the committee
and city addressing climate
change is resident and en-
vironmental advocate Mike
Allen. During his allotted
time for public comment,
Allen followed up on re-
marks made at last month’s
EMAC meeting, imploring
members — and by ex-
tension the Florence City
Council — to take some
type of action acknowledg-
ing climate change.
Allen worked with EMAC
member Britte Kirsch to
develop a proposal which
would establish a Strategic
Sustainability Subcommit-
tee, with Kirsch presenting
the proposal at Tuesday’s
meeting.
Vice Chair Michael Tit-
mus responded by express-
ing concerns that the pro-
posed committee would be
duplicating the efforts of
other subcommittees.
A short time later, a mo-
tion made to establish the
subcommittee was defeated
6-4. Committee member
Dale Barnett was absent
from the meeting and did
not vote.
There was an additional
attempt to have EMAC at
least enter into the discus-
sion on the subject of cli-
mate change when Philbin
introduced a proclamation
that would have the city
The Sweet Creek Fire tem-
porarily closed a section of
Highway 126 and other roads
and caused the suspension of
activities along the Siuslaw
River at the end of August.
The fire ultimately burned
350 acres of private property
in addition to land owned by
the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment.
acknowledge the need for
some type of policy. The
proposed
“Proclamation
Committing to Community
Climate Awareness and Pre-
vention” read as follows:
“WHEREAS, the Oregon
Coast is a vulnerable and
highly affected area that will
be severely impacted by the
scientifically proven disrup-
tion of our climate, and
“WHEREAS,
climate
change will have a profound
influence on the residents
of and visitors to Florence
which include sea level rise,
dune erosion, seasonal tem-
perature changes, increased
forest fires, acidic ocean wa-
ters resulting in the harm-
ing of local crab and fish
industries and chemical
alterations in ocean and es-
tuarine environments, and
economic losses, along with
increased cost of living; and
“WHEREAS, the City of
Florence has committed
to reducing the causes of
greenhouse gas emissions
through the implementa-
tion of energy conservation,
alternative transportation
options, including electric
and hybrid vehicles, build-
ing efficiencies, and has re-
duced the city’s ecological
footprint through waste re-
duction and recycling strat-
egies, ban on polystyrene
products, planting native
landscapes and managing
wastewater treatment facili-
ties, including the reduction
in methane; and
“WHEREAS, it is import-
ant for the City of Florence
to be among the leading cit-
ies on the Oregon Coast to
seek solutions to protect our
quality of life
“NOW
THEREFORE,
we the City Council of the
City of Florence, Oregon,
do hereby encourage the
residents of and visitors to
the City of Florence to bet-
ter understand the impacts
of climate disruption and
how it affects our commu-
nity, environment, and eco-
systems. We further urge
residents and visitors to
promote and engage in solu-
tions to improve energy effi-
ciency, maintaining a clean-
er, healthier community and
a sustainable economy, and
to address this important
critical and timely concern
for our generation and gen-
erations to come.”
Committee
members
parsed through the procla-
mation and, after consider-
able debate, the motion to
consider Philbin’s procla-
mation was defeated on the
same 6-4 vote.
FarleyCampbell eventual-
ly worked her way through
the subject areas of bio-sol-
ids, litter, waste reduction
and food waste, amending
the information which will
be added to the EMAC
workplan.
The final wording and
presentation of EMAC’s
goals will be prepared by city
staff and emailed to EMAC
members for approval.
Prosser, along with as yet
unnamed EMAC members,
will make the presentation
of the consolidated EMAC
suggestions at the Nov. 16
Florence City Council meet-
ing.
At the close of the three-
hour meeting, Kirsch high-
lighted some opportunities
on the horizon which envi-
ronmentally inclined resi-
dents can take part in.
“Sunday, Nov. 1, we are
doing a plastics take-back
event. It is hosted by Eco-
Generation, out of Cottage
Grove, and they collect a
bunch of stuff — not just
plastic — and the take-back
will take place from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. at the Florence
Events Center, outside,” she
said. “Their website has all
of the information.”
Learn more at www.eco-
generation.org.
The first hour of the pick-
up is for people 65 or older.
Master Recyclers of Flor-
ence and Master Recyclers
of Lane County are hosting
the event.
“So, bring all of your plas-
tic.” Kirsch said.
And on Sunday, Nov. 8,
Florence Farmers Market is
hosting the Fill Your Pan-
try drive-thru event. Par-
ticipants can order online
ahead of time for storage
crops, baked goods, meat,
poultry, grains, beans and
honey from Central Coast
Beekeepers. For more infor-
mation, visit www.florence-
farmersmarket.org.
Kirsch also pointed out
that all proceeds from the
sale of two varieties of lo-
cally harvested wildflower
honey will be donated to the
Oregon State University Bee
Lab for Research and Polli-
nation.
EMAC’s next scheduled
meeting is Nov. 17. For more
information, visit www.ci.
florence.or.us/bc-emac.
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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 Road, All are welcome!
Zoom Worship Services: 10 AM & 11:30 AM Sunday.
Bishop Larry Farnsworth 541-999-1979
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
Link to Sunday services at
www.florenceunitedmethodist.org
or find us on Facebook.
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m.
Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall.
Website: florence4square.com
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
Sunday Live Services: 9am & 11am
21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113
(please pre-register)
Pastor Jim Abbott – All are welcome
Facebook Streaming: 11am Sunday morning
Sermons are on YouTube at
https://www.florencecrossroadag.org/church-online
https://youtu.be/jcTJVWp_6ps.
Other platforms update after the service.
www.florencenewlife Lutheran.org
florencecrossroadag.org
office@florencecrossroadag.org
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC
Internet and in person Sunday services at 10AM,
1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Ron Allen
Call the church for details.
Services on Facebook live
Reverend Greg Wood
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
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
Sunday morning, Thursday Ladies study, and
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
Children’s Programs are suspended.
Since we meet in homes, we are taking a mindful pause.
Blessings on you and your family.
Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for information.
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational
Service is on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Service also streaming live at 10:00 am
at florencechurch.com
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S.
Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m.
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcflorence
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
1833 Tamarack Street
(2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristflorence.org
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
2135 19th St. –- 997-6600
One service, at 9:00 AM, each Sunday in July.
Reservations are required.
Call 541-997-6600 or e-mail
standrewssecretary19@gmail.com and state name &
number of people in your family that plan to attend.
Weather permitting, service may be held outdoors in the
Labyrinth Area behind the church.
Face masks, hand sanitizing and social distancing are
required both indoors and outside.
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523
Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School)
Mid-Week Activities, all ages.
6SRQVRUHGE\
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
RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer.
Until it is safe to meet in person, Sunday Worship Services
are available 24/7 on our website: www.florenceuuf.org
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.
Give us a call
541-997-3441
to get us your updates or
email to:
mberg@thesiuslawnews.com