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THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM
SATURDAY EDITION | MARCH 20, 2021 | $1.00
TSUNAMI
AWARENESS
WEEK
Siuslaw News
Siuslaw News
NEWS &
VIEWS THAT
DEFINE OUR
COMMUNITY
VOL. 131, NO. 23
M ARCH 20, 2021
F LORENCE , O REGON
WEATHER
Rain showers
with a high of 49
and a low of 38.
Full forecast on A3
COMMUNITY
I NSIDE — A8
Help wanted in Florence
Area businesses struggle
to bring back staff
career fair was,” she said. “It gives
us a chance to highlight some of
our departments individually.”
Lane County’s recent shift from
The first event was held Feb. 12
“extreme risk” of the community
and featured the food and bever-
spread of COVID-19 down to
age career options at the casino. A
“moderate” in the span of two
second event will be held Thurs-
weeks has left the service indus-
day, March 25, from 11 a.m. to
try in Florence scrambling to re-
1:30 p.m. at 5647 Highway 101 in
open. With increased maximum
Florence.
capacity and the resumption of
“That’s going to feature our
indoor dining, many businesses
finance department, which in-
are finding themselves short of
cludes our Players Club, where
staff.
the cage is and our soft count
“You’ve got everybody looking
folks. They are the ones who
all at one time,” said Pam Hick-
go in and pull the money out of
son, recruitment & compensa-
the machines at the end of the
MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS
tion specialist at Three Rivers
night and take it back and get the
“Help wanted” signs are popping up all over town as business picks up,
Casino Resort. “I have talked to
count,” Hickson said.
both due to the season and easing COVID-19 restrictions.
a number of businesses here in
People will need to set up a res-
town, and we’re all hurting because Rivers’ annual Community Career with other businesses and education ervation to attend the hiring event
the entire county opened up all at Fair, which was not able to happen opportunities.
and must be 21 years or older to
This year, Hickson and her team apply. Once there, they will submit
once. We’re all competing for the this spring due to COVID-19. She
same bodies that are out there look- uses the event to not only connect decided to create smaller hiring their résumé and get an in-person
people and jobs at the casino and events.
ing for work.”
interview.
“It’s just a mini version of what our
Hickson is the organizer of Three hotel, but also to connect people
See JOBS page 5A
By Chantelle Meyer
Siuslaw News
Boardwalk to get improvements
WLCF gives grant for
Food Share Gardens
INSIDE — A3
SPORTS
Port of Siuslaw
agrees to enter into
IGA with Florence
Sports teams
meet goals
INSIDE — B
RECORDS
Obituaries &
emergency
response logs
Inside — A2
SIDE SHOW
Activities and
comics every
Saturday
Inside — B4
CLASSIFIEDS
Listings and public
notices
Inside — B5
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Story & Photos
By Mark Brennan
Siuslaw News
The Port of Siuslaw Boardwalk will receive $44,361in new seating and amenities thanks to a grant
from Travel Oregon and an intergovernmental agreement between the port and the City of Florence.
T
he Port of Siuslaw Board of
Commissioners met Wednes-
day, March 17, for its regularly
scheduled monthly meeting after
skipping its February meeting. All
commissioners were in attendance
either in person or virtually for the
meeting, which was facilitated by
Chairperson Terry Duman.
There were no public comments
shared at the meeting and the most
significant action item on the agen-
da called for a discussion on en-
tering into an intergovernmental
agreement (IGA) with the City of
Florence.
Florence Economic Develop-
ment Catalyst Sarah Moehrke pre-
sented a proposal approved by the
city council at its March 15 meet-
ing. The proposal would authorize
Florence City Manager Erin Reyn-
olds to enter into an IGA with the
Port of Siuslaw for the limited pur-
pose of accepting a grant designed
to enhance access to the port prop-
erty adjacent to the boardwalk
along the Siuslaw River in Historic
Old Town Florence.
The second part of that plan
would require the commission to
approve the partnership.
See PORT page 6A
EMAC reviews waste rates, sponsorships
By Mark Brennan
Siuslaw News
S IUSLAW N EWS
2 S ECTIONS | 16 P AGES
C OPYRIGHT 2021
The City of Florence’s Environ-
mental Management Advisory
Committee (EMAC) met Tues-
day, March 16, with all members
in virtual attendance with the ex-
ception of Michael Titmus. The
meeting was facilitated by Flor-
ence Planning Director Wendy
FarleyCampbell, who noted three
additions to the agenda requested
by members — the most notable,
a suggestion from recent addition
to EMAC, Lisa Walter Sedlacek,
that the group discuss forming a
subcommittee tasked specifically
with addressing the issue of climate
change.
The subject has been one of con-
tention at Florence City Council
meetings for the past three years,
with Mayor Joe Henry contending
that the subject under that moni-
ker is one of a political nature and
should be avoided in terms of tak-
ing an official stance or position.
In response, some members
of the public have held protests
in front of Florence City Hall for
more than a year and have also
spoken repeatedly at council meet-
ings, providing numerous individ-
ual testimonies and statements on
the subject.
Still, Henry has remained op-
posed to issuing any official state-
ment regarding the topic despite
citizen initiatives to have the city
formally adopt and promote an
official policy regarding climate
change.
At the March 15 city council
meeting, Henry was joined by
councilors Bill Meyer, Maggie
Wisniewski and Woody Woodbury
in opposition to a suggestion from
Councilor Sally Wantz to agree
to have the council discuss the is-
sue of climate change — in some
manner — as a response to some
growing community criticism and
concern.
Wantz, who serves as the coun-
cil’s ex-officio representative to
EMAC, was unable to receive any
support from fellow council mem-
bers to discuss the issue.
See EMAC page 6A
Camping at Carl
G. Washburne
State Park
reopens April 5
The Oregon Parks and Rec-
reation Department (OPRD)
announced this week that the
popular campground at Carl
G. Washburne State Park will
reopen April 5 after being
closed for more than a year
due to revenue shortfalls and
reduced staffing associated with
COVID-19.
Located north of Florence
in the Siuslaw National Forest,
Washburne has 55 spacious,
shaded campsites with electrical
and water hookups, as well as
two yurts and seven secluded
tent sites. All site types will be
on the reservation system. The
campground’s hiker/biker camp
is closed until further notice,
due to the pandemic.
Visitors will be able to reserve
campsites and yurts up to six
months in advance starting
March 22 at 6 a.m. for all stays
from April 5 and beyond. Res-
ervations can be made for one
day or up to six months.
Washburne campground has
long been first-come, first-
served, meaning sites could not
be reserved due to lack of high-
speed connectivity. This created
inefficiencies and inconsisten-
cies to the process of adminis-
tering campground stays, said
Coastal Region Manager Dennis
Comfort.
“Adding the park to the reser-
vation system has been a long-
term goal for OPRD,” Comfort
said. “It brings consistency to
agency processes and to the
visitor experience. Now anyone
can enjoy this beautiful camp-
ground, with the peace of mind
that you’ll arrive and a campsite
will be available.”
See PARK page 6A
A SAMPLING OF OUR HOMES FOR SALE...WATER VIEW, OLD TOWN AND MORE.
COAST REAL ESTATE
87856 RIVERVIEW AVE
A big open room concept and bright space in the heart of
Mapleton. The public dock is right near your back door. Enjoy
beautiful views of the Siuslaw River and Forest. Conveniently
located right next to the store, restaurant, and local businesses.
The house has been beautifully maintained with a recently
upgraded kitchen. Master bedroom/Private En Suite bathroom
is on the opposite side of the other bedrooms. $340,000
#12130 MLS#21269558
88505 3RD AVE
Newly remodeled throughout, this fabulous beach house is per-
fect for full-time living or would make an ideal vacation rental.
No HOAs. Ocean views & a short walk to beach access. This
spacious home w/ oversized double garage offers lots of room
for family, friends & toys. Large fully fenced yard & room for
RV parking. Open concept, all new interior paint, LVP flooring,
quartz counters, 2 ensuites-1 upstairs, 1 down w/ new walk-in
shower. Huge bedroom/bonus room w/ wave-breaking views.
Must see! $695,000 #12140 MLS#21049463
541-997-7777
1613 1ST ST.
Vintage Charmer. Charming 1907 home located in the heart
of Old Town District. Beautiful views of the Siuslaw River,
boardwalk and bridge. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths in 2487 SF of
living. Bay windows, landscaped yard, deck, carport and
storage garage. Built-in wall clock and Barber pole included. All
appliances stay. Come see this one before it’s gone. $539,000
#12126 MLS#21666570
4854 SEAPINE DRIVE
Beautiful home with established landscaping. This 3 bedroom 2
bathroom home features a large kitchen with island, large living
room with built-in book shelves. Home has sunroom and two
out buildings. Roof replaced in 2008. Septic pumped in 2020.
$325,900 #12148 MLS#21653389
“We’re next to the Bridge”
100 Hwy. 101
See all Florence Listings at
cbcoast.com