COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL September 23, 2015
B EYOND THE G ROVE
Impactful news from Lane County and surrounding communities
Creswell voters back measure to change
process for setting water rates
Its City
Administrator,
though, worries
about its interaction
with the public
BY JON STINNETT
The Cottage Grove Sentinel
A
bout 40 percent of regis-
tered voters in Creswell
weighed in on two contrasting
measures that aimed to redefi ne
the way the City sets its water
rates last week. The turnout for
the Sept. 15 special election
pleased City Administrator Mi-
chelle Amberg, though she said
the campaign also proved worri-
some in another way.
“I’m pleased so many of the
citizens of Creswell were inter-
ested in the outcome of the elec-
tion,” Amberg said. “I just wish
we could hear from 40 percent
of the population on topics that
are appearing before the City
Council.”
Last Tuesday, voters sup-
ported Measure 20-234, which
Concerning
Creswell
News and notes from our neighbor to the north
amends the City Charter to set up
a multi-tiered process for evalu-
ating and setting Creswell’s wa-
ter rates, by a wide margin, with
61 percent of votes in its favor.
Measure 20-233, which would
tie the amount rates could be
raised to the annual cost of liv-
ing, or Consumer Price Index,
was struck down with 55 per-
cent of voters against.
Former Creswell City Coun-
cilor Jacob Daniels spearheaded
the campaign for Measure 20-
233, while the City Council
drafted Measure 20-234, which
will now set up a process of pub-
lic input including an auditory
committee and public meetings
during the City’s budget process
to help set water rates.
Amberg said she was pleased
with the passage of 20-234,
though as a city employee, she’s
had to refrain from advocating
one measure or the other until
after the election.
“I’m pleased that there will
be the assurance of public in-
put and involvement when we
set our future water rates,” she
said.
Still, Amberg said the City
would love to hear from the citi-
zenry on critical topics before
an election is necessary.
“I’d love to have that input as
we look forward to our policing
study, setting our sewer rates
and the strategic plans for Cre-
swell’s future,” she said.
Amberg said that having an
election for all major issues is
too costly and time-consuming,
adding that the City has not yet
found an adequate way to en-
gage and communicate with its
citizenry in an era of evolving
communication.
“That whole area may be
changing dramatically,” she
said. “The old ways of com-
munication just aren’t working
anymore.”
In setting its water rates, the
City used “all of the traditional
means of communication,” Am-
berg said, including its website,
newspaper notices and town
meetings.
“This wasn’t done over-
night,” she said. “But the City
still heard the criticism that we
aren’t doing enough to get the
word out.”
In the short term, the City of
Creswell will continue with its
current methods of communica-
tion, Amberg said, which only
work if the public reciprocates
the City’s outreach.
“Public input will still fall
along traditional lines,” she
said. “But it’s only going to
make a difference if people get
involved.”
Two Creswell residents injured in Highway 38 crash
O
regon State Police say
that two Creswell resi-
dents were injured in a Satur-
day-evening crash on Highway
38 near Scottsburg that claimed
the life of a Coos Bay woman.
Police say that on Saturday,
Sept. 19 at about 7:20 p.m.
troopers and emergency person-
nel responded to the report of a
two vehicle crash on Highway
38 near milepost 20 (east of
Scottsburg).
Upon arriving on scene, emer-
gency crews found two vehicles
had collided head-on and were
still in the roadway. The driver
of a 2002 Acura RSX Coupe,
a Coos Bay woman, was pro-
nounced deceased on scene. On
Monday, the woman was identi-
Another dental visit?
Turns out, you have better things to do with
your time.
fi ed as Susan M. Wright, 66, of
Coos Bay.
According to OSP, a prelimi-
nary investigation indicated that
Wright’s Acura had been travel-
ing westbound on Highway 38
when it crossed over the center-
line for unknown reasons and
struck an eastbound 2004 Chev-
rolet Pickup nearly head-on.
The operator of the Chevrolet,
Nadja C Bloomquist, 48, and her
passenger, Mike J Bloomquist,
50, both of Creswell, were trans-
ported to a local hospital with
non-life threatening injuries.
Highway 38 was shut down
for over four hours, with inter-
mittent one lane openings. OSP
was assisted by the Douglas
County Sheriff’s Offi ce, the Or-
egon Department of Transporta-
tion, Scottsburg Fire, and Lower
Umpqua Ambulance.
BRIEFS FROM BEYOND
Elkton
Oktoberfest
Elkton Oktoberfest will be
held Saturday, Sept. 26 from
12-4 p.m. at Elkton Commu-
nity Education Center (ECEC).
Typical German food and mu-
sic highlight the afternoon cel-
ebration. There is an admission
charge of $5 per person for the
event. Food service starts at
noon. Bratwurst and sauerkraut,
potato salad, homemade pret-
zels and desserts will be avail-
able for purchase from commu-
nity groups. The annual event is
a fundraiser for ECEC and area
service and school clubs. Bever-
ages, including wine from local
vintners and beer, will be for
sale also. Oktoberfest will take
place on the ECEC greenhouse
patio, 15850 Highway 38, Elk-
ton.
The Roseburg German Band
will perform again this year
during the celebration, from
12:30-3:30 p.m. This popular
14-member band has played
together since 1955 and is dedi-
cated to playing German music.
Snell to share her
story
Jennifer Snell, a Creswell na-
tive, lost 160 lbs. on television’s
“Extreme Weight Loss.” Snell
will be speaking and sharing her
story at the Creswell Grange on
Saturday, Sept. 26 in two ses-
sions. One will be held at 10
a.m. followed by a workout led
by Snell. The other will be at 6
p.m. followed by a question and
answer session.
LORANE COUNTRY NEWS
BY LIL THOMPSON
For the Sentinel
S
tudents and parents are
invited to the Open House
at Applegate Elementary tomor-
row evening, Sept. 24. It all be-
gins at 5:30 p.m. with hot dogs
served right off the barbeque.
Guests will have a chance to
meet the entire staff and check
out the school and classrooms.
Lorane Grange looks forward
to this Friday, Sept. 25, for the
fi rst of the fall spaghetti dinner
and bingo evenings. Dinner is
from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with bingo
starting at 6:30 p.m.
Picture day for all Applegate
students plus free dental screen-
ing for those qualifying is Mon-
day, Sept. 28. Those seeking
further information can call the
offi ce at 541-686-5140.
Next week, Monday, Sept.
28 through Friday, Oct. 2, is
Homecoming week at Crow
Middle/High School with many
activities Friday evening. There
is a middle school dance in
room 206 prior to school end-
ing. Everything else begins
with a barbeque at 6:30 p.m., a
parade at 7:30 p.m. and dance
from 8-10:30 p.m. Welcome
to four new teachers at Crow
Middle/High School: Ms. Smith
in Social Studies, Mr. Gramson
teaching high school science,
Mr. Bordewick in middle school
Science and Ms. Manning teach-
ing Careers, Health Occupations
plus YTP. I hope everyone has
a great year!
Mark your calendars for the
beginning of the 2015-2016
Rural Arts Council movie night
season on Oct. 10 at Lorane
Grange with family night. Ev-
erything begins at 6 p.m.
Those interested in rug hook-
ing can contact either BJ or Lisa
Livelybrooks to join the classes.
Several beginners have com-
pleted amazing pieces.
Crow Booster Club reports
a successful car show. Their
next BIG event is the Sports-
man Auction on Oct. 24 at Crow
High School. All classes from
K-12 will be participating. The
money raised from the middle/
high school baskets and elemen-
tary projects go directly to each
individual class. Plans are for
a silent auction at 5 p.m., bar-
beque dinner at 6 p.m. followed
by a live auction at 7 p.m. Din-
ner tickets are $16. Call Linda
at 541-844-5940 or Diana at
541-517-9031, or email crow-
boosterclub@yahoo.com. Re-
member, all the money raised
by the Booster Club benefi ts all
students in the District.
The Grange re-roofi ng project
is almost fi nished. If everything
goes as planned, next Sunday
should complete the work. A
special “Thank You” to all who
worked so hard on this endeav-
or!
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