COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL DECEMBER 13, 2017 11A
Zombie house
vanquished
Opal turns 120 years old
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
PHOTO BY ZACH SILVA/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
Whisper Pilling, 12, reads Opal Whiteley during the 120th birthday party thrown in Whiteley's honor at the Axe and Fiddle on Main St.
It was a 120th birthday party to re-
member.
On Monday evening, the Cottage
cmay@cgsentinel.com
Grove Library hosted over 75 people at
The Axe and Fiddle to honor Opal White-
ley, the one-time Cottage Grove resident who has left generations of
Oregonians inspired, angered and puzzled.
Whiteley, who died in 1992, grew to fame through her writing,
particularly her diary, “Opal, the Journal of an Understanding
Heart” that came out in 1920, chronicled her childhood in Cottage
Grove and earned several accolades. A year later Whiteley was ac-
cused of being a fraud and then went to England where she was
eventually placed in a mental hospital for nearly 50 years. She was
never released.
But on Monday, it was a time of celebration.
The evening included the showing of an OPB documentary on
her life, birthday cake and the singing of Happy Birthday complete
with ukuleles from the library, a conversation about Whiteley from
historian Steve Williamson and concluded with “Opal karaoke.”
For this version of karaoke, individuals read various pieces of writ-
ing that she had done.
“Some people might dismiss her as a crackpot, some people
might say she’s crazy, I think she was a visionary. I think she could
By Caitlyn May
see and hear things. She talked about the wind talking to her, for
example,” said Eugene resident Tom Romano who has been reading
about Whiteley for the last nine years.
“I think her memory will never die out. I think she’ll always be
remembered, I hope she’ll always be remembered for what she
did,” he said.
Wearing Opal Whiteley attire, that was provided to her by the
library, twelve-year-old Whisper Pilling was excited for people to
learn about someone she has grown fond of. Pilling, who participat-
ed in Opal Karaoke and blew out the birthday candles, prepared for
the night by reading as much as she could about Whiteley.
“I like the part where she, like, instead of talking about how she
cried when her mom apparently put her out so she fainted and her
nose started bleeding, she just kind of said, ‘oh, this happened, oh
well,’” said Pilling.
“She didn’t seem like she was interested in friends but I would be
her friend,” she added.
In addition to celebrating a local icon, the Cottage Grove Library
was also interested in showcasing its diverse collection of works it
has to offer and are hoping to get the appropriate storage and dis-
play case for one of the fi rst copies of Whiteley’s “The Fairyland
Around Us.” The storage case the library is hoping to get would
cost around $5,000.
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Cottage Grove City Manager Richard Meyers revealed to the city
council on Monday, Dec. 11 that the zombie house on 46th St. was
no more.
In a curious turn of events, Meyers was summoned to jury duty in
municipal court earlier this month for a case concerning the aban-
doned house. As a result of the charges, the owner of record was
issued a subpoena to appear in court to testify that she had not given
permission for her house to be used by those charged with trespass-
ing. The ball began rolling.
"While she was here, we had her talk to Faye and we have a
signed lease," Meyers said.
The issue of the zombie house and what to do with it came be-
fore the council last month and a presentation by the city attorney
included the possibility of leasing the property to the city.
The city attorney presented three options to the council including
having the city lease the house from the current owner--who is out
of the area and has ceased mortgage payments on the property. This
option would allow the city to evict the occupants through normal
channels. The second option would be to amend current city codes
that allow property to be seized where prohibited conduct is taking
place. The third, and most promising according to the city, is to give
a 60 day notice to all interested parties. After those 60 days, the city
requests a circuit court to appoint a receiver. That party can than
take control of the house.
The issue with each of the options is the liability it may place on
the city. After questioning from council, the city attorney noted that
it would have to be navigated.
At the time, the council gave the city attorney and staff permis-
sion to proceed with the option they saw fi t. At Monday's city coun-
cil meeting, Meyers informed the board that the city was in posses-
sion of the house.
"We have a one year lease. Essentially, it's ours," he said.
The city plans to abate the house and possibly remove structures
that were added illegally by squatters.
Meyers previously noted that the individuals living in the home
had been able to get electricity to the house but the city refused to
turn on the water, making for questionable sanitation in the home.
While the city has the option to sublease the property, Meyers and
community development and planning director Faye Stewart noted
that the house was not suitable for tenants.
"We will probably try to get a hold of the bank," Meyers said.
"We'll abate and make repairs and let them know those charges will
rack up unless they dispose of this property."
While the city opted for the lease option for the house on 46th
St., Meyers informed the board that it was a "last option" and he
hoped to fi nd other solutions for the remaining zombie houses in
city limits.
Additional options for dealing with the abandoned homes and
other infrastructure is expected at the city council meeting in Jan-
uary.
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