COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 29, 2017 9A
School Continued from A1
the project a success, she
mentioned groups including
Jack Sprats, Rally Coffee, the
school board and the political
action committee, Build it for
Kids.
"The PAC worked for more
than seven months, contacting
more than 5,000 community
members," Bridgens said.
The PAC was not the only en-
tity to work towards passing the
bond. According to Bridgens,
Parent spoke at more than 50
events around the community
to educate voters on the need
for a new school and the bond
process.
For Parent and the school
board, the construction came
down to improving students' ed-
ucation and school experience.
"It can be seen at the high
school," Parent said. The Cot-
tage Grove High School was
built more than 10 years ago,
expanding classrooms and the
overall footprint of the build-
ing. "Since the high school has
been built, we saw our students
go from some of the lowest test
scores and highest drop out
rates to having one of the high-
est graduation rates," she said.
Test scores have also improved.
Senator Prozanski praised the
efforts of the community and
the school board alike, saying,
"They took on an effort to make
sure children had the opportu-
nity to learn. This is an invest-
ment in the community and it's
what the kids deserve from us."
Cottage Grove Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director
Travis Palmer also spoke to the
school's investment in the city,
noting the direct correlation be-
tween education and the fi nan-
cial success of a community.
Rounding out the list of
speakers was Cottage Grove
City Mayor Jeff Gowing who
graduated from the old Cottage
Grove High School just beyond
the fence line of the ground-
Meet the
DJ/Program Host
CAMERON REITEN
I was born in the small town of Valley City, North Dakota on December 21, of
1986. I moved to Oregon in 1994 when I was seven years old. I graduated from
Cottage Grove High School in 2005. In 2003 I came to KNND as an intern
in the news department. My eight week internship served to reinforce my
conviction that I wanted a career in radio. I was hired in 2005 aft er graduation
and have been working at the radio station since. I have numerous duties at
KNND, among them local news producer, host of the Rockin' Oldies Morning
Show, as well as the Round Up Classic Country and Western Hoedown,
(Monday and Th ursday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm) and the ever popular Swap and
Shop show. As of June of 2013, I am also now the proud owner of KNND,
and love the opportunity to carry on the tradition of service that has been the
hallmark of KNND.
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estaurant
G U I D E
breaking ceremony, 37 years
prior.
The new Harrison Elemen-
tary School will feature pacifi c
northwest designs and enough
room to house students who are
currently crammed into the cur-
rent Harrison building.
An art installation will greet
students at the entrance while
a "living room" of sorts will
enable visitors to view other
art work along the ceiling line.
The library will house pine cone
light fi xtures and a mural of pa-
cifi c northwest mountain ranges
and reading areas.
The school will be separated
by color to guide students to the
correct grade-level areas and af-
ter a school board meeting held
last week, come with a list of
"extras."
In descending order, the
board agreed to place new street
lights outside the school, add a
covered play structure and solar
tubes along with several other
"alternate" construction options.
The price tag for the new Har-
rison Elementary School landed
at just under $23 million and the
project is expected to be com-
pleted in time for students to
attend in the fall of 2018.
Jim Markus bestowed a
bold to ask that this project go
smoothly and even come in un-
der budget."
Superintendent Krista Parent raises a glass with community leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony on March 23.
STEWART Continued from A1
"I've always said I wanted to run for that seat," he told The Senti-
nel. However, out of respect for Stewart, Fleck never tossed his hat
into the ring. "He's done such amazing things for the county that I
would never run against him."
However, now that Stewart has stepped down from his post,
Fleck said his application has already been turned in.
If selected, Fleck would have to leave his position at Community
Sharing, something he said is a well-known fact.
"I've told my board that I always say I love my job and I'll be here
forever unless there's a spot on the county commission," he said.
Fleck, like Matthews, is a longtime East Lane County resident.
And while he says the other applicants are qualifi ed as well, he likes
his chances. "I'm excited," he said.
So too, is Weeldreyer, who said she was excited to get back to
work helping county residents fi nd employment utilizing programs
she began and implemented during her fi rst stint as commissioner.
And while being chosen for the commission seat would mean leav-
ing some of her community projects, she said she would continue to
serve Lane County residents.
Likewise, Matthews is currently working with East Lane resi-
dents in Oakridge. "They're fi ghting a gravel mine that would chop
off the top of the butte that's the background of that town," he said.
Taking the job would not mean leaving his horse farm but Matthews
said he isn't stopping at a denial to Stewart's seat. "Chosen or not, I
will be campaigning in 2018," he said.
Gary Williams did not respond to requests for an interview before
press deadline.
Bridge Continued from A1
Several residents came out to support the restoration of the
Swinging Bridge with speakers commenting on the need for the
bridge to remain as historically accurate as possible. They also not-
ed that it was important for the bridge to swing
"Option two is going to give you the most movement," Bradsby
said. "Option three will move when heavily loaded and option one
will probably not move."
Meyers was quick to point out, however, "The move because they
don't meet the standard."
Option three, which was described as a mix between options one
and two, could cost the city as much as $600,000. And while coun-
cil members noted that money is certainly a concern, Meyers in-
formed the board that option two's price could also rise.
"The question is, if the price goes up and it is more than option
one, do you still want to go with option two?" he asked.
Councilman Jake Boone said it would depend on how much high-
er the price rose and suggested tabling the discussion.
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blessing on the project during
the groundbreaking ceremo-
ny asking that the construction
be guided and added, "We are
However, the letter of intent for the grant is due March 1, pre-
venting a tabled discussion.
"I guess there's three facets of the discussion," Boone said. "The
historic look of the bridge, safety and the cost." Boone said safe-
ty would have to be paramount and after hearing public comment,
maintaining the historic nature of the bridge was a close second.
Dana Merryday spoke during public comment and informed the
board that Friends of the Swinging Bridge, a new community group
dedicated to restoring the bridge, was eager to help raise the funds
needed to restore the bridge.
Resident Cindy Weeldreyer also spoke before the board, asking
that the bridge remain as historic as possible.
"This is the one thing everyone agrees on. They want their bridge
back," he said.
The council opted for option two with Mayor Jeff Gowing saying,
"I've seen that bridge closed for safety maybe three times in my life
but it always comes back."
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Cake will be served
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March 30, 31
and April 1, 2017 .
In lieu of gifts,
you are welcome
Douglas G. Maddess, DMD
to donate pet food.
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