4A |
WEDNESDAY EDITION
| DECEMBER 30, 2020
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
| 541-902-3520 | NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
Opinion
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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)
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LETTERS
Great spirit and
inspiration in Mapleton
In a giving and loving spirit, the
Mapleton community came togeth-
er during some very difficult times
to aid and support their friends,
and neighbors in need.
A special thanks to the Mapleton
Fire Department volunteers, mem-
bers of the Mapleton Lions Club,
Western Lane Community Foun-
dation Directors, Siuslaw Valley
Fire and Rescue, SVFR volunteer
Capt. Liz Iabichello, and the volun-
teers at the Mapleton Food Share.
All truly gave from their hearts
and of their time to raise more than
$1,100 in gifts for children — and
for gifts children were able to give
to their parents, utility vouchers for
families having difficulties making
payments, and food baskets for
those in need.
Great spirit and inspiration to us
all.
—Dave and Cindy Haberman
Mapleton
We live in a special place
Christmas.
A time of joy; also a time of sor-
row for those no longer here.
A time of excitement and antic-
ipation for the young; a time for
blessings and prayer for a special
birth so many years ago.
A time for sharing with those less
fortunate; a time for gatherings of
and with loved ones.
All of this was true until the
pandemic hit our world. In many
homes now, the holidays have been
a time of stress. A time of fear of
the future; a time of despair and
depression and deep seated loneli-
ness.
Most of us, including myself,
have experienced some of these
emotions throughout these many
months. Last evening, I was pick-
ing up a pizza at a local restaurant
across the street from the beautiful
display of the wonder of the season
lights. It took my breath away and
got me to thinking of all the good
things in our little town.
I’m just so grateful to live in such
a generous place where so many
think of others. Whenever there
is a legitimate need, it is almost al-
ways taken care of. After observing
so many other cities, we live pret-
ty much in freedom and harmony
with no overwhelming fears for
safety and security.
So, thank you to all who con-
tribute to help make Florence the
special place that it is. So many or-
ganizations and groups that give of
their time and energy — Kiwanis
for displaying our flag on special
holidays, Elks, SOS, Soroptomists,
Food Share and church groups as
well as our men and women in blue
and firefighters ... too many to list.
I close with wishes to all for a
loving and healthy holiday season
to be followed by a much better
New Year 2021.
— Sue Hale
Florence
in adjacent areas, not just those
along Oceana Drive.
The only “good” in this annex-
ation will be for the benefit of a
wealthy land developer (Benedick
Holding LLC) and for the city’s tax
coffers at the direct expense of old-
er, long-time existing residents that
have been conveniently denied a
say in this decision.
Keep in mind that there is no
other reason for this annexation
— none — other than for devel-
opment of a wetland area that
was previously shot down by Lane
County.
If this annexation is passed by
the Florence City Council, it will be
a complete betrayal of the “for the
public good principle” — let alone
any democratic principle — and a
total loss of trust and faith by citi-
zens for whom the city council sup-
posedly represents.
Not only that, the city can plan
on years of expensive legal entan-
glements due to what will be solely
for the benefit of a special interest.
—Jeff Gemutliche
Florence
Let’s get this straight
Thank you, Elks
The Dec. 8 favorable approv-
al recommendation made by the
City of Florence’s Planning Depart-
ment and Planning Commission to
the city council for annexation of
Oceana Drive and certain wetlands
had absolutely nothing to do with
being “reasonable and for the pub-
lic good.”
What this gross misrepresent-
ed justification for annexation, as
stated by Planning Director Wen-
dy FarleyCampbell, that evening
leaves out the fact that none of the
hundreds of existing homeowners
and residents — i.e., the public —
wants this annexation.
It will have future devastating
financial, safety and quality-of-life
impacts to so many older residents
The citizens of Florence are so
fortunate to have dedicated people
like the Elks, giving their time, en-
ergy and Christmas Day hours to
provide turkey dinners to anyone
needing or wanting them.
The meals were exquisitely pack-
aged with everything one would
want. They even gave thought to
whether a person liked white meat
or dark — so they provided both.
I felt so fortunate that I didn’t
have to spend time in the kitchen.
I am sure that everyone who
took advantage of the gift felt the
same way.
Thank you Florence Elks for this
gift.
—Nan Harvey
Florence
It has been a privilege to serve as a city councilor
(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.)
I would like to apologize for my
part in the trauma that this council
has inflicted on our staff and cit-
izens.
Partisan politics has played an
oversized role in the conflict — and
on a much smaller scale, we have
followed the same divisive rhetoric
as seen on our national stage.
I suggest the next council take up
the task of revising our city charter
with the goal of the revision being
ready for our next election in 2022.
We revise our city rules and regula-
tions on an ongoing basis. It’s been
almost 32 years since the charter
was adopted; our laws need to be
better defined and brought up to
current standards.
That being said, I have had an
opportunity to work with Jo Beau-
drou and have seen her qualifica-
Guest Viewpoint
By Ron Preisler
Florence City Councilor
tions, which are outstanding. Jo
has worked on various commit-
tees for four years to the benefit
of Florence. The fact that she was
supported by so many of our cit-
izens — and she is young, bright,
energetic and creative — makes her
a great candidate for our next city
council seat. Selecting her would
heal some of the divisiveness that
we face.
I have enjoyed being part of the
process that built the Public Works
facility, remodeled Florence City
Hall, the vision that created the
new Highway 101 corridor, remod-
eled the Justice Center and many
other projects, including a gate for
the pocket park on Munsel Lake
Road.
My committee work has been
very rewarding and educational.
Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks.
I would like to thank Erin Reyn-
olds, Megan Messmer, Wendy
FarleyCambell, Mike Miller, Tom
Turner, Anne Baker and Kevin
Rhodes for the privilege of working
with them for the past 6 years. They
are all dedicated men and women
who keep Florence the premier city
on the Oregon Coast.
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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