6A | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS
COUNTY from page 1A
According to Davis,
the warm spring weather,
spring break and spring
holidays are coupling
with climbing vaccination
numbers to give people
a false sense of security
about COVID-19.
“There are a lot of les-
sons learned as we start
to take advantage of more
liberty and a decreased
sense of risk,” Davis said.
“Pretty much every single
one of our upward trends
began with just a couple
cases. And those few cas-
es, even though they seem
like such a relief from our
high cases this winter, they
can turn very rapidly back
into those double digits —
as they have.
I would ask for the com-
munity’s help, and all our
partners’ help, in trying to
reverse this. Please, please,
do your very vest to make
your gatherings as healthy
as possible.”
In fact, Davis considers
the county to be at double
the amount of infectious
people than when the
county was first consid-
BOARDS from page 1A
Office Manager Dina
McClure then presented
the financial information
for the month, which was
accepted after a brief dis-
cussion. There was then a
break as some directors,
due to their ties to local
financial institutions and
the districts, removed
themselves from a discus-
sion of interest rates re-
lated to investing district
funds.
Then, Farnsworth asked
When people do gath- the single-shot Johnson & additional doses of each
ered “low risk.”
He said the case rate is er, he urged them to take Johnson vaccine.
of the vaccines, but LCPH
LCPH reported that ap- said it was equipped to
88.7 cases per 100,000, or steps to keep people safe.
within range to be redesig- This includes meeting out- proximately 32.7 percent handle the increase in eli-
doors when possible; keep- of Lane County adults gible residents. The coun-
nated as moderate risk.
“Since we just moved ing safe distance between have received at least one ty’s goal is to get 70-75
down from moderate to people; wearing masks; dose of vaccine.
percent of the overall adult
That number will climb population vaccinated.
low risk, we will be utiliz- and only relaxing those if
ing that grace period as someone is considered ful- with Brown’s announce-
“This will protect us
we do our very
from
large-
best to reverse
scale outbreaks
these trends,”
“Lane County is one of a number of counties which are ex- and rapid case
Davis said.
periencing pretty drastic case increases. We’re not alone, but increases,” Da-
According to
vis said.
that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to reduce that situation. We
LCPH, the cur-
To help with
rent rise in cas- have the capability, we have the power, and we demonstrated as this,
Lane
a
community
in
the
past
that
we
are
able
—
by
using
masking,
es comes from
County
has
three
main distancing and prioritizing our social gatherings — to really been conduct-
c a t e g o r i e s : reverse these trends and be a bubble of safety and health, even ing mass vac-
mu lt i-hous e - amidst large-scale, state-wide and national trends on the up.”
cination sites,
hold
gath-
with three sites
— Jason Davis, Lane County Public Health now equipped
erings,
large
Public Information Officer for large-scale
parties
and
workplaces.
events. These
“Obviously,
are Autzen Sta-
multi-household gather- ly vaccinated and spending ment to expand COVID-19 dium, Lane Community
ings are completely pre- time with other fully vacci- vaccine eligibility to all College and Lane Events
ventable. You don’t have nated people.
Oregonians over age 16, Center, all in the Eugene
To counter this, vacci- effective April 19.
to have them. I know it’s
area.
the time of year when the nations across the state
“If we’re starting with 32
“Last weekend, we were
weather starts getting nic- are continuing to go up. percent of our population able to vaccinate a little
er and you want to have a As of press time Tuesday, going into that general el- over 10,500 individuals
backyard barbecue, but we Oregon had administered igibility, then we’re in a re- at our mass vaccination
really urge folks to forgo 2.03 million doses of vac- ally great place in terms of sites,” Davis said. “A lot of
those for now while we’re cine, including first or moving towards commu- good work is being done
seeing these drastic case second doses of the Pfizer nity immunity,” Davis said. there in terms of being
increases,” David advised. or Moderna vaccines, or
The state is rolling out able to vaccinate quite a
few people all at once.”
The county will contin-
ue to plan both mass vacci-
nation clinics and targeted
clinics. People can sign up
for their vaccine at lane-
county.org/coronavirus
or by contacting LCPH at
541-682-1380 or email co-
rona-info@lanecountyor.
gov.
“If you look at the map
of Oregon counties, Lane
County is one of a number
of counties of the 36 coun-
ties which are experienc-
ing pretty drastic case in-
creases,” Davis said. “We’re
not alone, but that doesn’t
mean we shouldn’t try to
reduce that situation. We
have the capability, we
have the power, and we
demonstrated as a commu-
nity in the past that we are
able — by using masking,
distancing and prioritizing
our social gatherings — to
really reverse these trends
and be a bubble of safety
and health, even amidst
large-scale, state-wide and
national trends on the up.”
For more information,
visit covidvaccine.oregon.
gov and lanecounty.org/
coronavirus.
some specifics about the
rates quoted to McClure
during her research of best
returns for deposits. There
were more questions di-
rected by Farnsworth to
McClure and she was un-
able to answer some of the
specific points he raised,
but agreed to find the an-
swers and get back to the
boards with the answers.
The financial debate
continued with com-
ments from WLAD direc-
tors Mike Webb and Rick
Yecny, as well as SVFR
by WLFEA employees
and the overall tone of
the meeting then shifted
to the future as WLFEA
president John Murphey
asked Schick to provide a
plan for even further in-
tegration between the two
agencies.
The next WLFEA board
meeting is scheduled for
April 22, beginning at 6
p.m.
For more information,
visit svfr.org and www.
westernlaneambulance.
com.
Director Ron Greene, all
of whom reiterated the ef-
forts made to both control
spending and provide em-
ployees with a salary and
benefit package that would
serve as an inducement to
retain employees.
Yecny also pointed to
better-than-expected re-
ports on PERS unfunded
liability and future finan-
cial commitments relat-
ed to the latest contract
signed by the district with
the union.
As discussion pro-
gressed, WLAD Director
Cindy Russell was also
opposed to Farnsworth’s
suggestions
regarding
salary reductions, point-
ing out that many district
employees have associate
and/or bachelor’s degrees
and provide excellent ser-
vice, dependable care and
an important health-safety
component to area resi-
dents.
Russell went through a
long list of the certifica-
tions and classes ambu-
lance district staff and vol-
unteers are asked to attend,
all of which improve over-
all knowledge and service
provided to clients. She
also pushed back against
the idea that paying em-
ployees less and expecting
the same level of service
would be actualized.
Farnsworth suggested
the voters would ultimate-
ly decide the path forward
in these areas.
At the end of the meet-
ing, the closing comments
from directors were sup-
portive of the work done
Rotary seeks submissions for speech contest Nonprofits can apply for Mapleton
Any Siuslaw or Maple-
ton-area high school stu-
dent (public, private, or
home-schooled) in grades
9-12 who cares about ethi-
cal standards and behavior
in today’s world is invited
to participate in the Rota-
ry Club of Florence’s an-
nual Rotary International
4-Way Test Speech Con-
test.
The contest will be held
virtually online at 7 p.m.
on Thursday, April 22.
The top three finalists at
the contest will present
their speeches to a virtu-
al meeting of the Florence
Rotary Club on Tuesday,
May 4, at noon.
First place for the local
contest receives $750, sec-
ond place prize is $500,
and third place will receive
$250.
The three finalists from
this event will also com-
pete with contestants from
other coastal Rotary clubs,
with the first-place finisher
at the second round com-
peting in a “Speak Off ” at
the Rotary District Con-
ference. Additional cash
prizes will be awarded at
the District level.
All participants will be
required to take the Rotary
4-Way Test and apply it to
real life throughout their
speeches. The 4-Way Test
has four principles:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all con-
cerned?
3. Will it build good will
and better friendship?
4. Will it be beneficial to
all concerned?
The choices for topics
are endless. For example,
would the Super Bowl
pass the 4-Way Test? What
about your homework as-
signments? How about so-
cial networking?
All speeches must be
original and may not be
less than 5 minutes or more
than 7 minutes. Speeches
should also be memorized.
For information on par-
ticipating, including an
application and guidelines,
visit www.theflorencerota-
ry.org and choose the tab
“Club Youth Programs”
followed by “Speech Con-
test.”
Community Foundation grants
Mapleton Community
Foundation grant appli-
cations and guidelines for
2021 are available at the Ma-
pleton and Deadwood Post
Offices and at the Mapleton
branch of the Siuslaw Pub-
lic Library on Thursdays
from noon to 5 p.m.
The deadline for submis-
sion is May 7.
The following are the cri-
teria for the grants:
• Funds are to be used to
benefit students or residents
living within the Mapleton
School District boundaries.
• Grant applicants must
be a qualifying, not-for-
profit 501(c)3 organization.
• Funds will not be
awarded to individuals, or
for operating expenses.
For more information or
to receive an electronic copy
of the application, contact
Kathy West at 541-268-
4665.
Let’s
Celebrate
Dog
Appreciation
Month!
Buying or Selling? I can help.
There’s so much to celebrate about
your four-legged family members…or your
future furry family members wai ng for
you at OCHS! Come see us!
Amy Johnson
Broker, CSA
541 999-7875
Cedar St #800 – Nice corner lot south of Florence
near dunes, beach and town. Paved roads to this
wooded lot with lots of possibilities. Quiet neigh-
borhood with nice, newer homes around. Needs
cleared and developed, so bring your ideas.
Priced to sell! $29,900. #2785-17017018
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
Supporting Florence
since 1987.
We are open and
ready to assist you!
Andy Baber, AAMS®
Financial Advisor
1010 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-8755
To help us celebrate ask about Woof Trax.
You can raise funds for OCHS simply by
walking your dog—or volunteering to walk
one of our friendly residents.
And let’s not forget the ki es! We’re
looking for loving foster homes during
ki en season…and we’re not “ki en
around!” We’ll have plenty, and we’ll help
assure your success. Contact us today!
Ryan Hitchcock
Financial Advisor
Johnston Motor Company
MKT-5894-A-A1
1010 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-8755
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Member SIPC
Since 1939
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
TheSiuslawNews.com
OCHS
Oregon Coast
Humane Society
Foster!
Adopt!
Volunteer!
Donate!
Join!
OregonCoastHumaneSociety.org | 541-997-4277
2840 Rhododendron Dr., Florence OR 97439
Shop Our Thrift Shop 1193 Bay St. | 541-997-5705