Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2021)
4A | WEDNESDAY EDITION | OCTOBER 6, 2021 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 CHANTELLE MEYER , EDITOR | 541-902-3520 | CMEYER @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM Opinion The First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibit- ing the free exercise thereof; or abridg- ing the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peace- ably to assemble, and to petition the Government 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) USPS# 497-660 LETTERS (Editor’s Note: View- point submissions on these and other topics are always welcome as part of our goal to encourage community discussion and exchange of perspectives.) Whopper Of A Surprise, Really? The traffic snarl at High- way 101 & 35th Street caused by patrons of the newly opened Burger King is no surprise at all to those that have eyes. Opening day for most businesses usually produc- es a greater influx of traffic, whether on foot or wheels, but this is only a portent of coming attractions to the Florence area. If you like traffic, just wait until the housing de- velopment (Three Mile Prairie just north of Fred Meyer) goes in, with the final count of proposed residences there. That little deal went from an original 54 residences to 196 with a further request to make it around 236, as understood from talking to the devel- oper. I wonder how that got the OK? What’s really choice is that this development will be built (according to the soil report) on 88% Dune Sand (NRCS Soil No.44), 11% Yaquina Loamy Fine Sand (NRCS Soil No.140), and 1% Waldport Fine Sand — that’s a lot of blow- ing sand up you know where, even for Florence! Reading the total report on this development is mind boggling and really doesn’t make building, or common, sense, but the law evidently al- lows it. Hey, the law is not supposed to make sense, it’s supposed to make money for those that write it and those that apply it. Speaking of the l a w, “ F l o r e n c e Police were very helpful in helping to direct traffic when things got really backed up,” to quote the Oct. 2 arti- cle, of the traffic problem there. Makes one wonder if Florence Police will be con- stantly tied up helping di- rect traffic along Highway 101 for residents just to get on it from side roads? As it is, there seems to be an increase of break-ins to cars & homes in the area but that’s what progress brings folks. The really “Big Whopper” is on its way and we’ll be paying for it on many levels! Remember, our current powers that be have the mindset that, if it doesn’t move — annex and devel- op it. We’ve got to make the change, folks, before it’s too late. — Jeff Gemutliche Florence Woahink and others in- terested in preserving the health and beauty of Woa- hink Lake are asked to volunteer for this worthy project. Kayakers might also consider joining in our efforts to clean the shorelines of summer hol- iday litter. The event will take place on Canary and Clear Lake roads on Saturday, Oct. 9, meeting at East Woahink Park at 10 a.m. It should be easy to prac- tice social distancing and the wearing of masks as needed. We are always look- ing for more volunteers to assist us in this worthy project. If you’re interest- ed, please contact either John at jhncolwell@yahoo. com or Pat at briggs.pg1@ gmail.com. Hope to see you all there! Volunteer & Clean Up After Summer — Margie Kelley As fall is in the air and Secretary, Woahink Lake our summer visitors have Association headed home, the Woa- Special Request hink Lake Association Dear Publisher Jenna invites the community to join us for our October, Bartlett and Editor Chan- Bi-Annual Lake Clean-up. telle Meyer, In the Sept. 29, 2018, Residents around Lake Copyright 2021 © Siuslaw News Siuslaw News Published every Wednesday and Saturday at 148 Maple St. in Florence, Lane County, Oregon. A member of the National Newspaper Association and Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Periodicals postage paid at Florence, Ore. Postmaster, send address changes to: Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439. Siuslaw News Front Office For Advertising: ext. 318 For Obituaries: ext. 320 Jenna Bartlett Chantelle Meyer Misty Berg Jeanna Petersen Mark Brennan Zac Burtt 541-997-3441 For Classifieds: ext. 320 For Faxes: 541-997-7979 Publisher, ext. 318 Editor, ext. 314 Office Manager, ext. 320 Advertising, ext. 325 Lead Reporter, ext. 317 Sports Reporter, ext. 324 DEADLINES: Wednesday Issue—General news releases, Monday noon; Classified line ads, Monday 10 a.m.; Legal Notices and Display Ads, Friday noon. Saturday Issue—General news releases, Thursday noon; Classified line ads, Thursday 10 a.m.; Legal Notices and Display Ads, Wednesday 5 p.m. edition of the Siuslaw News, Editor Ned Hickson wrote an amazing editorial about domestic violence. It was poignant and brutally honest. We are sure you, as women, are aware of the value of an editorial like this written by a man. We are requesting that this article be reprinted in the Siuslaw News this Oc- tober as part of the paper’s ongoing support of Do- mestic Violence Awareness Month. Thank you for consider- ing this request. Keep up the good work! — Jack and Laure Davis Florence (Editor’s Note: Thanks so much for the suggestion, Jack and Laure! I reached out to Ned and got permis- sion to rerun his editorial. He was thankful to be in- cluded in recognition for this month, as domestic vi- olence awareness is import- ant to his own story. I invite the community to read the following Guest Viewpoint and consider how we can commit to each other.) Ending abuse requires a commitment to each other (Editor’s Note: Viewpoint submis- Of life and our relationships. 1,358 victims of abuse that year, in- sions on this and other topics are al- Seeking true equilibrium is even cluding 13 victims of sexual assault. ways welcome as part of our goal to more difficult today because, unlike As wonderful as our community encourage community discussion and 35 years ago, the unhealthy stereo- is, it isn’t immune to domestic vio- exchange of perspectives.) types that define “manhood” are re- lence against women, children and lentlessly perpetuated through social men. It wasn’t until becoming a father media and the near-constant pres- There’s no denying that the cultur- that I realized how a childhood of ence of advertising that sells body al threads of domestic violence are witnessing verbal and physical abuse wash, music, movie tickets, clothes woven into the fabric of our society. by the men in my family — spe- Though we have made strides cifically, my father and brothers — in some areas by recognizing and Guest Viewpoint had impacted me and left wounds discussing matters of physical and By Ned Hickson which had never truly healed. verbal abuse, that baggage is still Former Editor of Siuslaw News I know this because I occasion- out there circling on the carousel. ally saw reflections of my father Originally Published Sept. 29, 2018 On Sunday, Florence recog- and brothers in myself as I fought nized the start of Domestic Vio- to avoid making the same mistakes and video games by depicting what it lence Awareness Month with an End with my own children. looks like, sounds like and feels like Domestic Violence march presented As much as we want to tell our- to “be a man.” by SOS. selves we can choose not to take It is baggage our culture has been Whether you are a survivor of any baggage with us on our journey carrying for generations, repackaged domestic abuse or want to show through life, there is no getting rid and presented in more ways than your support for those who are, I of it completely — only a conscious ever before. hope you participated — either in decision to leave it circling on the The fact is, being a real man does the march itself or by showing your carousel. mean being in control. support along the sidewalks as the Ultimately, it is always somewhere. But not of others; it means being in march winds its way through Old Circling. Waiting to be claimed. control of yourself enough to under- Town. This is especially true for young stand, acknowledge and accept your As a culture, each of us must make men in their teens and early 20s, strengths as well as your weaknesses. a commitment to avoid claiming the when they are defining themselves It means never using your strength baggage that perpetuates violence and establishing their place in what — physically or verbally — to harm on our families and each other; as is still a male-dominated culture — the women in our lives, whether it a community, we must make a com- all while simultaneously trying to be your wife, girlfriend, co-worker, mitment to each other to support understand the intricacies of com- mother, daughter or neighbor. — and when necessary speak up for municating with those they love. A real man provides protection, — our friends, family members and Even as a teenager some 35+ years safety and acceptance; a weak man neighbors who we suspect may be ago, I can tell you that appearing dishes out pain, insecurity and de- victims. tough and “manly” among your nial. Most importantly, to end the cy- peers while still holding on to the In either case, they are reflections cle of domestic violence, we must be part of you that is thoughtful and of our inner self. The question is: willing to carry on with that com- caring feels contradictory to what What kind of reflection do you want mitment well beyond the last, crisp we’re taught about being a man. to see when you look in the mirror evening of October. The stereotypical definition of each day? manhood was in movies, advertising Every year, our local Siuslaw Out- and music: Being a man means being reach Services (SOS) assists literal- Note: Victims of domestic abuse in control. ly hundreds of victims of domestic can call the SOS hotline at 541-997- In charge. abuse, including 299 in 2017. In 4444; abusers seeking help can call In command. addition, SOS provided shelter for SOS at 541-997-2816. NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Lane County — 1-year, $84; 6-month , $61; 3-month subscription, $37.50; Out of Lane County — 1-year, $107; 6-month, $74; -month subscrip- tion, $50; E-Edition Online Only (Anywhere) — 1-year, $65; 6-month, $35; 3-month, $15. Ask about our senior discounts. Mail subscription includes E-Edition. Website and E-Edition: TheSiuslawNews.com Submit press releases to PressReleases@TheSiuslawNews.com. Siuslaw News Office: 148 Maple St./PO Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 Office Hours: Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to noon Letters to the Editor Policy The Siuslaw News welcomes Letters to the Editor and Guest Viewpoints as part of a community discussion of issues on the local, state and national level. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. Publication of any letter is not guaranteed and depends on space available and the volume of letters received. Email letters to cmeyer@thesiuslawnews.com To be considered for publication: Letters must address pertinent or timely issues of interest to our readers at-large. In addition: • Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Siuslaw News cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Authors should ensure any information is ac- curate, fair and not from second-hand knowledge or hearsay, and include sources where possible. • Letters have a suggested 300-word limit and may be edited for grammar and clarity. • Authors must sign their full name and include their street address (only city will be printed), as well as a daytime phone number and/or email address for verifi- cation. The person who signs the letter must be the ac- tual author. Siuslaw News does not accept anonymous Letters to the Editor. • Siuslaw News will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poet- ry, open letters, letters espousing religious views with- out reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters also may not be part of letter-writing campaigns. • Writers are limited to one published letter every two weeks. To submit to the Siuslaw News: Emailed submissions are preferred. All letters need to include full name, address and phone number; only name and city will be printed. Handwritten or typed letters must be signed. The newspaper, at the sole discretion of the publish- er and editor, reserves the right to reject any letter that doesn’t follow the above criteria. WHERE TO WRITE President Joseph Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 TTY/TDD: 202-456-6213 www.whitehouse.gov 900 Court St. NE - S-417 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 Email: Sen.DickAnderson@ oregonlegislature.gov Oregon Gov. Kate Brown State Rep. Boomer Wright (Dist. 9) State Sen. Dick Anderson (Dist. 5) 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. 900 Court St. NE Salem, Ore. 97301-4047 Salem, OR 97301 Message Line: 503-986-1409 503-378-4582 Email: Rep.BoomerWright@ www.oregon.gov/gov oregonlegislature.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 Lane County Dist. 1 Commissioner Jay Bozievich 125 E. Eighth St. Eugene, OR 97401 541-682-4203 Email: Jay.Bozievich@ co.lane.or.us 313 Hart Senate Office Bldg Washington, DC 20510 202-224-3753 | 541-465-6750 Florence City Council www.merkley.senate.gov & Mayor Joe Henry Florence City Hall, 250 U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio Highway 101, Florence, 97439 (4th Dist.) 541-997-3437 2134 Rayburn HOB ci.florence.or.us Washington, DC 20515 Email comments to Florence 202-225-6416 City Recorder Kelli Weese at 541-269-2609 | 541-465-6732 kelli.weese@ci.florence.or.us www.defazio.house.gov