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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (May 9, 2018)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MAY 9, 2018 3A SLSD updated on bond projects, construction City Councilor readies to give away 1,000th bicycle Bob Ehler completes his 990th bicycle repair By Zach Silva By Caitlyn May zsilva@cgsentinel.com cmay@cgsentinel.com Cottage Grove City Coun- cilman Bob Ehler is a man of few words. But his actions are loud and clear. For the past three and a half years, Ehler has been donating his time and money to provide bicycles to Cot- tage Grove residents who are in need of a ride. He tin- kers with broken chains and gummed-up gears, making repairs for free and keep- ing count with photographs stored on his phone and computer. This week, after a quick count, he has fi xed and donated his 990th bicycle. So, what does closing in on his 1,000th good deed feel like? “It’s just something I do,” Ehler said after a pause, the statement followed by anoth- er long silence. The only time he real- ly speaks about his bicy- cle philanthropy is when he needs more bikes to fi x. Such was the case in De- cember when he made the push to give away bicycles for Christmas. Now, he has a waiting list. PHOTO BY CAITLYN MAY/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL The venture started on In December of last year Councilor Bob Ehler stands next to one of the bikes he plans to repair and give away. Facebook on a community relies on the donation of bicycles through Ehler estimated that each bike’s repair ran group when Ehler saw a post. “I saw a lady on a Facebook group who the same Facebook page to fi ll those or- an average of $25; an amount that comes was going to give away a bike but it had ders. His list often various based on the out of his own pocket. Ehler doesn’t think it will be very long to be fi xed,” he previously told The Sen- current need. Last winter, he needed 24” tinel. “And I thought, ‘I can do that. I’ve girl bikes to keep pace with the requests until he’s handed out his 1,000th bicy- been fi xing bikes since I was a kid.’ So, coming in. Other times, mountain bikes cle—it could be weeks—but he has no intention of stopping and encourages peo- I volunteered and the next thing I know, top the list. He’s dedicated a fenced-in area in his ple who are in need of a bycicle to contact people were giving me bikes.” It’s a simple system. People looking backyard to the effort where bikes hang him through Facebook. While the cost of fi xing the bicycles for bicycles or bicycle repairs can contact from the rafters of a shop overhang and Ehler through the community Facebook stand grouped in piles that make perfect sometimes increases wait times, plans to group dubbed Pay it Forward. He keeps sense to Ehler. Some need chains, others continue providing rides. a list of those in need of bikes and then brakes, others handgrips. In December, M att Allen can fi nally breathe a little easier. The South Lane School District Maintenance and Facilities manager has been working on the new Harrison El- ementary School from its infancy and the fi nish line is now in sight. “Everything is just starting to take shape and it’s starting to feel like home. Like a building we’re going to settle into,” Allen told the board at Monday night’s school board meeting. “I’m not worried now.” With all major construction projects out of the way, Allen re- ported that from now until August, when furniture will be put in the building, the focus has changed. “Just the fi ne details. When you walk around, I mean, I’m not a perfectionist but it’s going to be right and tight. And our general contractors are like-minded,” he said. “They’re proud. And we have subs that are from here and they’re proud. So, it just feels good. Everybody wants this.” Glass has been placed in windows, and fl ooring and electronics are now making their way into the building. “It’s coming alive now,” he said. Allen also reported on the other main project that SLSD is working on: the pool renovation. With money from a 2016 bond, the school district will be up- dating the Warren H. Daughtery Aquatic Center. With that mon- ey, the district is scheduled to spend $5.1 million on the pool. The estimation for the current pool is currently at $5.7 million. While community donors are working to raise enough to cover the dif- ference, Allen is also working to avoid price escalation that has been seen in other district projects as well as around the state. “When you’re pushing through a design… there’s room for de- sign cost escalation, material infl ation, all those things. Those are variables that you have to build in at a really big contingency,” said Allen. “And I don’t think we want to do that with the pool. With the pool we want to be fi nalized in design and hard bid this project. That way when we come to you we’re not telling you what we hope the project will cost, we’ll be telling you what the project will cost.” The renovation project will see new locker rooms at the aquatic center as well as a pool that is regulation length so that events can be held there. The pool will also feature wider steps that can be used for swimming lessons. “We will be concise going into this pool project and South Lane will be proud,” said Allen. The pool is scheduled to close in September and will be closed for 11 months while the project is being completed. Swim teams are expected to use nearby facilities to maintain their practice schedule. The district will fund transportation costs. WHY I TEACH... From Baby to Graduate I became a teacher because I started noticing a pattern in all my college jobs. No matter what I did, x-ray orderly, receptionist at a doctor's offi ce, pharmacy assistant... I was drawn to the children. When a child would come into my place of work, I would go out of my way to make them feel more comfortable, not be afraid, or entertain them while their parents were busy. I guess I should have known even earlier, as I always played "library" or "school" with my childhood friends. I love being a kindergarten teacher because 5 and 6 year olds love to dance and sing and be silly, and they are also very eager to learn new things and are not afraid to try and make mistakes. Children bring me great joy! -Amy Swearengin Harrison Kindergartenteacher (it seemed like just a few short years) 8th Grade, High School, or College Grads name Another dental visit? Turns out, you have better things to do with your time. School: Birthday: Parents: Grandparents: Coming Wednesday, June 6th “Baby to Graduate Review” Deadline is Friday, May 25th Now is the time to reserve your graduates a spot in this special section just for them. Just bring in or mail, with the coupon below, your graduate’s favorite baby picture along with a current picture to be published side by side on June 6, 2018. What a special way to show off that graduate you are so proud of! Enclose check for $25 00 and mail to “Baby to Graduate Review” Cottage Grove Sentinel P.O. Box 35, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 or stop by our office at 116 N. 6th St., CG Grad’s name: Grandparents: School: Your name: Birth Date: Address: Parents: Phone: We know your time is valuable. That's why we've invested in CEREC technology that allows for a faster experience when you need crowns, fillings or veneers. With CEREC, there's usually no need for a temporary and return visit. Everything is done in one visit, in about an hour - leaving more time for whatever is important to you. 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