SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | 7A
CHAMBER from page 1A
their families but also busi-
ness property owners and
their families, and the ven-
dors to those businesses and
their families. “If this keeps
up, the only take-out food
will be from the state’s bread
lines,” said Hannigan.
“You can hear the despair
in their voices,” said Neigh.
“They’ve done the best they
can to reconfigure their en-
tire business model without
support to meet mandated
changes. They’ve got rent,
utilities, employees, and
other overhead. They can-
not wait any longer, and it’s
the holidays.”
Quick-Warner said it was
the chamber presidents’
hope that the legislature and
the governor will recognize
the dire impacts and pro-
vide the support needed for
businesses bridge the finan-
cial gap.
“They’ve ordered these
shutdowns, freezes and oth-
er restrictions. Now it’s time
to offer first aid to stop the
bleed-out and prevent the
eventual death of thousands
of businesses,” she said.
The letter to the governor
and legislators explained
that small businesses such as
restaurants, movie theaters,
bowling alleys, fitness cen-
ters and others have had to
bear the brunt of decisions
POLICE from page 1A
either making arrests or
working towards getting
arrest warrants for the sus-
pects involved.”
Police arrested 20-year-
old Ethan Joule of Eugene
on Dec. 1 for unlawful use
of a motor vehicle (UUMV)
for a vehicle that had been
reported stolen out of Eu-
gene. It was during that
that have “fully and indefi- added that tourism in west- financial assistance in the 15 minutes due to oversub-
nitely restricted their ability ern Lane County employs months ahead in order to scription.
to operate” and that com- nearly 2,000 people, gener- recover from lost revenue.
“Similarly, the $55 mil-
munities are seeing only ating approximately $147
In November, small busi- lion offered by Gov. Brown
the beginning of a domi- million within the commu- nesses throughout the state is inadequate to match the
noes-like fall as a number of nity each year.
reduced staffing and em- current devastation in the
local establishments — and
“Restaurants are more ployment by just over 16 local business community
some of the county’s most than a job or a place to eat percent while 29.9 percent as evident by the 1,600 Lane
iconic establishments — — they’re an entire sector of Oregonians expect to lose County small businesses
close permanently.
of what attracts thousands their jobs in January — with that have applied for a mor-
Chamber presidents said of people to Florence each unemployment benefits for sel of the $3.6 million given
they feel the
to Lane County
state
should
for distribu-
“Our businesses have been extremely responsible and have dutifully fol- tion,” Mikkel-
be including
the economic lowed the state’s Covid-19 guidance. They have successfully created some of son warned.
impacts on lo-
recognize
the of the safest and most sanitary places for customers and employees to “We
cal businesses
that our elected
in its calculus be. They should be open. ... If a small business dies, it impacts more than just representatives
and offer sub-
being asked
the owner. It impacts employees and their families. It impacts the business’s are
stantive finan-
to
balance
cial relief in landlord and their family. It impacts the vendors the business owner buys c o m p e t i n g
return to offset
forces carrying
from and their families.
losses already
immeasurable
— Bettina Hannigan,
suffered
by
impact on peo-
President
and
CEO
of
the
Florence
Area
Chamber
of
Commerce
statewide re-
ple’s lives, live-
strictions. Mik-
lihoods, safety
kelson noted
and security.”
that as businesses close, the year,” Hannigan said. “With- some 67,800 Oregonians
In the letter, chamber
tax base also shrinks.
out them, a massive portion set to expire the day after presidents requested five
“Our businesses have of our economy disappears. Christmas on Dec. 26.
specific actions from Brown
been extremely responsible Take-out just isn’t going to
“The state’s remedies are and the legislature:
and have dutifully followed cut it.”
1) Provide a path for the
anemic. There is little as-
the state’s Covid-19 guid-
The group pointed out surance for a small business safe reopening of all Oregon
ance,” said Hannigan. “They that a recent Census Bureau owner with dropping rev- businesses who can comply
have successfully created polling illustrated that, even enues, depleting reserves and operate under recently
some of the of the safest and prior to the Thanksgiving and waning confidence. released OR-OSHA Tempo-
most sanitary places for cus- “Freeze” order, that nearly They need to be heard and rary COVID-19 Rules and
tomers and employees to be. 43 percent of small busi- they need to be served,” said Regulations
2) Provide for substantial
They should be open.”
nesses in Oregon saw a drop Mikkelsen, who pointed out
Speaking
specifically in revenue in November. In that the distribution of $20 remedies to local small busi-
about Florence and its reli- addition, nearly 25 percent million in small business nesses that have, through
ance on tourism as an eco- of those businesses expect grants last month by Busi- no fault of their own, been
nomic driver, Hannigan they will need additional ness Oregon ran out in just forced to shut down, leaving
employees out of work, and
harming our local social and
economic well-being
3) Dedicate $75 million of
state dollars toward a Hospi-
tality Relief fund dedicated
to helping our state’s restau-
rants and hospitality busi-
nesses recover
4) Commit to a morato-
rium on new or increased
taxes and fees at the state
and local level. Directly or
indirectly, these increase the
cost of business, goods and
services.
5) Provide for stabiliza-
tion of the commercial rent-
al market through a short-
term tax credit for property
owners that are willing to
waive debt for commercial
tenants that are behind on
rent.
In their joint letter, cham-
ber presidents expressed
that they welcome the op-
portunity to work with the
governor and legislature
on a finding a balanced ap-
proach to find relief for local
business and economic im-
pacts on families and com-
munities.
In closing, the letter stat-
ed, “We look to you for lead-
ership and ask that these
concerns be addressed with
expedient and substantive
measures in an effort to pre-
vent an economic meltdown
for the state’s largest employ-
er group — small business.”
Florence Police identi-
fied four suspects who were
traveling through Florence
and had stayed at a local
motel. One of the suspects
was recently arrested in
Linn County and is a sus-
pect in similar incidents
there as well.
The FPD is working with
the Linn County Sheriff ’s
Office and this investiga-
tion is continuing.
On Dec. 5, while on pa-
trol, an FPD officer heard
an audible car alarm going
off and responded to the
area to investigate. Mean-
while, officers conducted
a traffic stop on a vehicle
seen leaving that immediate
area and, during the traffic
stop, observed evidence of
possession of controlled
substances and unlawful
possession of a firearm.
After their investigation,
police seized a firearm and
a restricted weapon, along
with a large amount — over
4 ounces — of metham-
phetamine.
Florence Police arrest-
ed Ricky McNicol, 56, of
Eugene, for unlawful pos-
session of a controlled sub-
stance, unlawful posses-
sion of a firearm, carrying
a concealed weapon, felon
in possession of a firearm
and two counts of felon in
possession of a restricted
weapon.
On Dec. 10, officers were
investigating several addi-
tional reports of car break-
ins and mail thefts. Police
had identified possible
suspects and a vehicle in-
volved in those reports and
eventually arrested Richard
Olivera, 22, listed as a tran-
sient, on a felony warrant
and seized his vehicle.
After a search of the vehi-
cle, officers found evidence
from several car break-ins
and mail thefts. Olivera was
arrested on six counts each
of UEMV, criminal mis-
chief and theft. Additional-
ly, Olivera was charged with
20 counts of mail theft.
Evidence was also discov-
ered that indicated theft of
mail and theft from outside
the city limits of Florence
that was referred to the
Lane County Sheriff ’s Of-
fice.
The investigation into
this case is ongoing and an
additional suspect has been
identified.
investigation officers that
found evidence from sev-
eral reported car break-ins
and thefts reported from
Florence-area residents.
Joule was arrested for the
UUMV, three counts of un-
lawful entry into a motor
vehicle (UEMV) and theft
III.
Then, on Dec. 4, the FPD
had received numerous re-
ports of car break-ins and
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two stolen cars. During the
investigation, officers were
able to identify and locate a
suspect vehicle. The suspect
vehicle was seized and, after
obtaining a search warrant,
was searched, revealing evi-
dence from one of the sto-
len vehicles, several of the
reported car break-ins and
possession of controlled
substances.
Evidence located in the
vehicle also connected
the suspects to several car
break-ins that were re-
ported to the Lane County
Sheriff ’s Office from resi-
dents outside Florence city
limits. The investigation
also revealed evidence of
unlawful use of a credit
card and identity theft.
The two stolen vehicles
were recovered, along with
other stolen property.
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240
HOURS
Is your family prepared?
If an emergency happens in our community,
it may take emergency workers some time to reach you.
You should be prepared to take care of yourself and
your family for a minimum of 240 hours.
Get your emergency kit started with these essentials:
❑ Battery powered radio
❑ First aid kit an manual
❑ Sleeping bags and blankets (wool or thermal)
❑ Manual can opener
❑ Waterproof/windproof matches
❑ Water storage (1 gallon/person/day)
❑ Water purifi cation tablets
❑ Non-Perishable Food
❑ Utility knife
❑ Emergency candles
❑ Extra eyeglasses and contact lenses
❑ Essential medications
This message brought to you by the West Lane
Emergency Operations Group. www.wleog.org
IDENTIFY • PREPARE • SURVIVE