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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2021)
SN THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM | SATURDAY EDITION | SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 | $1.00 We’re here when you need us! Walk-ins welcome or schedule online. 4480 Hwy 101, Suite G • Florence (541) 997-1251 • NovaHealth.com Siuslaw News To tackle traces of trash on rights of way Siuslaw News NEWS & VIEWS THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY City of Florence cites Leaven No Trace VOL. 131, NO. 75 S EPT . 18, 2021 F LORENCE , O REGON WEATHER Rain with a high of 60 and a low of 52. Full forecast on A3 By Chantelle Meyer Siuslaw News It started with something sim- ple — to gather litter and roadside trash into one space, highlighting humanity’s carelessness with its castaways. Raymond Block and his nonprofit organization Leaven No Trace have traveled through Coos, Douglas and Lane coun- ties picking up trash from the sides of the road. Once each trash bag is filled, he ties it off, adds a spray-painted face emoji, and se- cures it where the most people can see it. Unfortunately for entities like the City of Florence, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other governments, Block leaves his bags in visible ar- eas along roadways and often in the rights of way of sidewalks and private properties. “We like that (Leaven No Trace) is picking up trash. Everybody likes that. I don’t know anybody who would argue with that. But we do have systems in place to help dispose of it,” said Florence Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer. Block has been in the Florence area for more than a year, and he picks up trash nearly every day. “Essentially, I’ve been running a nonprofit organization to bring awareness, prevention and clean- up projects to the communities for a massive mess,” he said. Besides traveling on city and county roadways, Block also took four months cleaning one side and then the other of Highway 101 from California to Washing- ton. The problem, according to the City of Florence, is what Leav- en No Trace does with the trash once it is gathered. Messmer said, “Right now, what we’re trying to do is get them within one of our programs so that we can help dispose, which we’ve been trying to do for quite a while. … We’re not upset people are picking up trash. It’s just what you do with it once you bag it.” See TRACES page 5A COURTESY PHOTO Leaven No Trace seeks to clean up the area of litter. After bagging trash, the group then installs the bags in promi- nent places, including sidewalks. COMMUNITY South Jetty Road construction continues Large construction vehicles and an array of workers are rebuilding and repairing the last mile or so of the South Jetty Road. The repair will require the movement of thou- sands of tons of sand to add to the road’s substructure. Festival of Books turns new page at FEC INSIDE — A3 Story & Photos By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News SPORTS Mapleton football changes gears INSIDE — B “Work along the South Jetty Road project is moving on sched- ule,” reported District Ranger Michele Holman of the Central Coast Ranger District. U.S. Forest Service announced in July that it would close parts of South Jetty Road for repairs to sections of the roadway. Begin- SIDE SHOW Activities and comics every Saturday Inside — B5 CLASSIFIEDS Listings and public notices Inside — B6 FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST NEWS : /S IUSLAW N EWS @S IUSLAW N EWS T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM process of rerouting the northern end of the road, beyond beach access point number five, and are preparing to pave it,” Holman said. “Most of the subgrade exca- vation is completed. … We expect the project to be completed by the end of October.” See JETTY page 6A Mapleton Water District meeting gets things flowing Board makes decisions regarding past-due bills, new treatment plant provider By Zac Burtt Siuslaw News RECORDS Obituaries & emergency response logs Inside — A2 ning in August, access to the last mile of the road has been closed. There have been multiple road and asphalt failures over the past few years along the way to the popular crabbing and surfing lo- cations at the end of the South Jetty Road. “Construction crews are in the S IUSLAW N EWS 2 S ECTIONS | 24 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2021 The Mapleton Water District (MWD) Board of Directors met on Sept. 14 with a full agenda. Some important topics covered the proce- dure for dealing with past due bills, the choice of supplier for the new water treatment plant and the intro- duction, to the public, of new smart meters to be installed at all district residences. The meeting began with the safe- ty committee discussing a recent visit by OSHA. OSHA had request- ed that, and the board discussed, making sure fire extinguisher num- bers were suitable, road signs were updated and that MWD Board Di- rector Dustin Basurto was certified for flagging, a requirement as board director and important to day to day operations for the MWD. It was de- termined that all requirements were met. After that, Board Secretary/Trea- surer Jami Sautner discussed the district’s financials. She stated that in Banner Bank, as of Aug. 31, the district had $93,500.25, and in Or- egon Pacific Bank the total was $7,598.26. The bills that had been paid since the last meeting totaled Q UIET W EST O LD T OWN ZAC BURTT/SIUSLAW NEWS Workers from Delta Operations, of Eugene, assist Mapleton Water District workers on leak repairs on East Mapleton Road. $40,000. for operation of the temporary treat- Board member Bryan Moore ment plant currently being used. asked, “Before we move on, how Board member Sharon Schrenk much money do we really have?” went on to state that money is tight “We have $58,000,” replied Sau- right now for the district. tner. “We used to keep a balance of Later in the meeting, she ex- about $190,000, so we are down,” plained the actual amount the dis- she said. trict had to work with was lower Schrenk went on to explain much because of bills being paid to West of the funding is being used for at- Yost Engineering for advisement on tempted leak repairs with assistance the procurement of a new, perma- of a company called Delta Opera- nent, treatment plant and WesTech tions. This company is used for day- R IVERFRONT H OME M OVE -I N R EADY to-day operations that require cer- tifications that Basurto is currently working towards. Schrenk said, “Dustin and I had a phone conference today with Delta and told them that we need to miti- gate these expenses. We need to cut down on the money going out.” She then asked, “What can the board do to support Dustin to get him up to speed to get him more in an operating mode?” The current thought is that many of the services provided by Delta will eventually be taken care of by Basurto. The board agreed that it was only a matter of time and said Basurto was on course to complete his training and certifications as quickly as possible. Moore, in hopes on cutting down on labor costs, offered assistance. “Dustin, you can call me, for any- thing you need, and I can get a crew together, for sure,” said Moore. Next topic discussed was an im- portant one, as the board debated what the policy for late bills would be moving forward. In February, bills were sent out to all residents on the MWD. These bills were much higher than many residents expected. See WATER page 6A B RAND N EW B EACH A REA H OME COAST REAL ESTATE 935 8TH STREET Charming well cared for home in central Florence. This home received a new roof in 2020. Home is close to post office, shopping, and medical facilities. This south facing home takes full advantage of the daylight through the homes large windows. Established low maintenance landscaping features easy to care for native plants. Fenced back yard is great for morning coffee or soaking in the hot tub. Large master bedroom with walk in closet and a well appointed master bathroom. $510,000 #12255 MLS# 21357073 11381 E MAPLETON RD This retro inspired manufactured home is perfectly situated on 1.5 acres of quiet, riverfront property. Structurally sound, cleaned and move-in ready. Plenty of space to add a shop, garden or just enjoy the serene country surroundings. Small shed, a covered patio and 15’x15’ shop off the carport round out this must see property. $389,000 #12254 MLS#21239691 2225 52ND STREET Immaculate, move-in ready for sale for the first time by the original owner. Luxury vinyl planked flooring entry; bathrooms; kitchen floors; oversized hallway and doors for easy access with no-step entry. Light and bright great room w spacious kitchen, upgraded appliances, eating bar, door to outside oversized patio for entertaining. Fully fenced backyard with separate fenced dog run. Double finished and insulated garage. More pictures and virtual tour coming soon. $429,000 #12249 MLS#21092502 4319 N. RHODODENDRON Brand new Pacific Northwest style 1-level home close to beach and recreational areas. Soaring vaulted ceilings in main living area, covered private back patio (pre-wired for hot tub), granite and SS kitchen, large master suite with walk-in closet. All 1 level with no steps. Finished garage. Low maintenance landscaping. Quality throughout. Make this new home yours today! $514,900 #12161 MLS# 21450495 541-997-7777 “We’re next to the Bridge” 100 Hwy. 101 See all Florence Listings at cbcoast.com