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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2021)
4A | FRIDAY EDITION chAntelle meyer , editor | DECEMBER 31, 2021 Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10 Florence, OR 97439 Opinion | cmeyer @ thesiuslAwnews . com 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) Let There Be Peace On Earth (And Let It Begin With Me) I n quiet moments of reflection this winter season, I hope you took the chance to really listen to the lyrics of the Christmas music that was con- stantly playing. Even if you aren’t re- ligious or don’t celebrate the holiday, these songs often talk about messag- es of hope and light in this season of darkness. One line that sticks with me every time I hear it is, “Let there be peace on earth / And let it begin with me,” from the song written by Jill Jack- son-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. In- terestingly, it is not strictly a Christ- mas song, though this is the time of year I hear it most. “Peace on Earth” is the direction I’ve chosen for the New Year. More specifically, the part where I let it be- gin with me. When 2022 begins tomorrow, I choose peace. This is an active choice to create harmony in my life, to be intentional with the way I interact with others, to minimize the points of stress that ex- acerbate anxiety. The world is in flux. Creating peace is one way to ease the burden for all. With the death of Archbishop Des- mond Tutu this week, snippets of his wisdom are everywhere. This is one that seems pertinent to the beginning of a new year: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that over- whelm the world.” From the Editor’s Desk Chantelle Meyer We live in a special place in the Siu- slaw Region. When a group or indi- vidual lets others know about a need, people here tend to react quickly to address the issue. People often raise money and other donations and pro- vide helpers, stepping in physically when possible. We’ve made it our cul- ture to do that little bit of good right here, where we are. It’s earned us a reputation of being a generous com- munity, a willing community and a community of volunteers. It also shows that we care for our neighbors. Underneath the current state of divisiveness, we’ve chosen to set aside those differences to support each other. It’s an act of peace, and a tradition I hope to see continue in the coming year. Friends, 2021 has continued to be a year of global and national difficul- ty, with an ongoing pandemic and endless debates on politics, climate, health care, the cost of living and so much more. It’s been better than pre- vious years in some ways, especially as the COVID-19 vaccine became available to a majority of the popu- lation. It’s brought many of us out of our isolation and back to the point where we can gather again, either in person or virtually. 2021 has also shown how much we need each other. That won’t go away in 2022. As the winter season continues, with its short days and long nights, freezing temperatures and rain, may you continue to find a light in the darkness. And, just maybe, shine some of that light for your neighbor. Peace be with you in the new year. USPS# 497-660 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. 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. Pub- lication of any letter is not guaranteed and depends on space available and the volume of letters received. Email letters to cmeyer@thesiuslawnews.com Siuslaw News 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.) Hope For A Good New Year To our community, a new year is around the corner — our future! I was thinking about how much I love Florence. I enjoy sharing a place where beauty is all around, the river, the ocean beach, the dunes and yes, the va- riety of stores, restaurants, street music and guests along Bay Street. Maybe I could be any- where else in the world, but I am glad to claim Florence as home. However, I know that pain and sadness is often hidden behind the beauty seen. Difficulties lurk. So, I wonder what is ahead this New Year? Who can say? But, one thing I know from past experiences, we will be sowing seeds as we walk through life — wheth- er they are of love, kindness or just a smile. It is up to us. In essence, we can sprin- kle hope and help if we are watching for places and moments to plant some good seeds. Just think what the crop might look like! Hope for a good New Year! — C.M. Drozdenko Florence “Leaven No Trace” — But They Do! I’ve been reading in the Siuslaw News about “Leav- en No Trace” and the paint- ed trash bags they leave on public and private lands. Their “leavin’ no trace” motto is weird, because their mode of operation is to move trash into the most visible spots for pro- longed periods to promote donations (or “awareness”). I’d call that a “trace.” It’s an eyesore (at least to us) and a health and wildlife hazard as they leave these piles for many days when it should be immediately disposed of. Then you have to ask — when they can pick up trash anywhere, why do they continue to do it with- in the city limits of Florence and knowingly break the rules we all live by here, and wasting our city resources? Is it to purposely get press, attention and donation dol- lars for profit? We typically drive to Woahink Lake or Cleawox Lake every day. We have yet to once see anyone picking up trash on the road. How- ever, we see these large piles of their painted bags com- monly appear just south of the bridge. When they do, we have noticed there is still trash on the road. So, are they moving the trash from other areas to decorate the path into Flor- ence? For all we know they could be packing garbage from a dumpster to create an advertisement display. On the other hand, we see the Pat and Mike Allen out on Rhody Drive all the time. Perhaps that’s because they are actually picking up trash. There are a lot of people here that pick up trash — and we don’t make a big deal about it, and we cer- tainly don’t move it and stack it up in a highly visi- ble area to increase our rev- enue stream. I fully endorse the city’s efforts in trying to address this issue. I think Leaven No Trace’s conflict with the City of Florence speaks loudly about which priority is most important to them: conflict for fundraising or focusing on picking up trash — and “leavin’ no trace” when they do. — Steve Williams Florence Specifically: This Can Be Done — Needs To Be Regarding Ralph Nichols’ Dec. 22 Letter To the Ed- itor, “What Can Be Done Specifically?” What he says the “chang- er aficionados” should be talking about, “distinct & precise ideas” regarding climate change, is precisely what the “changer aficiona- dos”, would like to do here in Florence and have been attempting for years now. In the last paragraph of Mr. Nichols’ letter, he states, “It is much easier to have an exchange of information if we are talking about dis- tinct and precise ideas more than vague generalities.” Well, that would be won- derful except for one very glaring evident fact: Flor- ence Mayor Joe Henry does not want, and refuses to have, any discussion on this subject, even though it is a concern of the whole world and is especially relevant to coastal communities. Now that is the definition of “political” Mr. Nichols! How is it going to hurt any- one, except possibly special interests, if there is an open discussion on this matter? Climate is without doubt cyclical, a fact too. But, if Mayor Henry, Mr. Nichols and others don’t think 7.5 billion people on our Moth- er Earth are not having a negative impact climate wise, choose to ignore what is in all newspapers, on news programs, in science journals, basically all media and has been documented by 90% of scientists to be happening and before their own eyes, then they need to get their booster (3rd) shot dose of reality! Not even the holidays should stop a discussion of what the future will bring if this subject is purposely ignored. If it’s allowed to be discussed, then that opens eyes, minds, thought pro- cesses and possible solu- tions, doesn’t it? Wishing all, many happy, healthy and safe future new years. — Jeff Gemutliche Florence To be considered for publication: Letters must address pertinent or timely issues of in- terest 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 day- time phone number and/or email address for verifica- tion. The person who signs the letter must be the actual author. Siuslaw News does not accept anonymous Letters to the Editor. • Siuslaw News will not print form letters, libelous let- ters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters also may not be part of letter-writing cam- paigns. • 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 let- ters 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 Oregon Gov. Kate Brown State Sen. Dick Anderson (Dist. 5) 900 Court St. NE - S-303 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1705 Email: Sen.DickAnderson@ oregonlegislature.gov State Rep. Boomer Wright (Dist. 9) 900 Court St. NE, H-476 Salem, OR 97301 160 State Capitol 900 Court St. PO Box 39000 Salem, Ore. 97301-4047 Florence, OR 97439 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 Florence City Hall, 250 Highway 101, Florence, 97439 541-997-3437 U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio ci.florence.or.us (4th Dist.) 2134 Rayburn HOB Dunes City Council Washington, DC 20515 Dunes City Hall, 82877 Spruce 202-225-6416 St., Westlake, OR 97493 541-269-2609 | 541-465-6732 541-997-3338 dunescityhall.com www.defazio.house.gov
