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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2020)
8A | DECEMBER 31, 2020 Pallet from A7 Beds for Freezing Nights Board President Ruth Linoz pointed out in an October Cottage Grove City Coun- cil meeting that the group’s criterion for activation at 29 degrees or below encourages priority use of Eugene’s Egan Warming Center and thus reduces the shelter-seeking traffic from outside areas. The city council had pre- viously voted to purchase the shelters from Lane County using the city’s federal coro- navirus relief funds. Howev- er, it later came to light that because the county had al- ready purchased the shelters using CARES Act funds, Cottage Grove could not use the same funds to procure them from the county. Currently the county retains ownership of the shelters and is lending the facilities to other cities such as Florence and Oakridge as well. Meyers said that despite not owning the shelters out- | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL right, he was confident the county would allow them to remain in the city long- term. “I’ve already got a num- ber of people that are saying, ‘That makes a lot of sense for you just to store them and keep them,’” he said. “Because then if there’s an emergency or some situa- tion, it’s easier for [the city] to keep them rather than [the county] bring them all the way down to Eugene and bring them back.” Instead of using the fed- eral relief funding to pur- chase the shelters, Meyers said the city has found other COVID-related uses for the money. Site preparation and in- frastructure setup for the shelters themselves came out to around $100,000, he said, while other relief funds were used for projects like upgrading the air purifica- tion systems in city build- ings. The funding must be used by the end of the year or it will be returned to the coun- ty, said Meyers. The shelter’s season runs from Nov. 1 to March 31. At the end of the season, the Pallet Shelters will be housed with the city and the site will be opened up to other possible uses during the off-season. Meanwhile, the shelter structures will be standing by in case a need for them arises. “These are going to be available if there’s a wild- fire or there’s some kind of emergency,” said Meyers. Though transitional housing has been addressed as a need in Cottage Grove, Meyers said he envisions more solid structures for that purpose. “I’d want to build an actu- al stick building with better insulation which is more du- rable,” he said. “So you can have transitional housing that’s the more permanent stuff that people can move into and live in until they are ready … and move into a tiny home or something.” The Community Sharing Warming Shelter also satis- fies a standard established by a circuit court decision a year ago. On Dec. 16, 2019, a Su- preme Court decision to deny a petition to review Martin v. City of Boise fi- nalized a significant holding by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals which protects the right for homeless people to sleep in public spaces with- out reprisal. The circuit court ruling held that if a homeless per- son has no option of sleep- ing indoors, a city cannot cite or punish him or her for violating an ordinance disal- lowing sleeping outside in a public space. With the establishment of the Community Sharing Warming Shelter, Meyers said local police could now use the site as a tool in di- recting the city’s homeless population to a safe and warm place. Providing Community Sharing’s training schedule for new staff stays on target, the warming shelter may be PHOTO BY DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL Curious community members turned out for the Community Sharing Warming Shelter open house event on Tuesday. ready to open for freezing open.” nights as early as Jan. 7. Like any nonprofit, Com- Making sure there are munity Sharing is welcom- enough volunteers and staff ing of more volunteers and on hand when a freezing is still looking for people to night comes around has fill paid staff positions. been a persistent challenge “We would love volun- for warming shelters, how- teers,” said Community Sharing Executive Director ever. “When I talked to Beds for Mike Fleck. “We would also Freezing Nights, they had a love for community groups, volunteer pool of about 80 if they wanted, to bring food volunteers,” said Communi- in to give folks.” Check online at commu- ty Sharing’s Site Coordinator DeForest Rolnick-Wihtol. nitysharing.org to view the “And even with that large of warming shelter’s activation a pool, they often struggle status or find more informa- to get enough volunteers to tion about volunteering. BECAUSE SAFETY IS KEY, PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! “Key” Strategies For A Safe New Year’s Celebration: I t probably comes as no surprise that more traffi c fatalities due to drunk driving occur at the New Year than any other time, but of course, you should never drink and drive. With your safety in mind, these community sponsors urge you to review these important tips for hosting or attending a safe celebration! A New Year is coming bringing much celebration, With good friends and good times and free-fl owing libation -- So party on hearty, but leave driving alone, Because we want to see you get safely home! WITH BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE FOR A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR! Starfi re Lumber Company Ray’s Towing Lane Electric Brad’s Cottage Grove Chevrolet Fountain Gutters Lane County Sheriff’s Offi ce • Plan an alcohol-free celebration – Host a fondue or “make your own” ice cream sundae party as a fresh alternative. Add some fun party games to keep guests entertained without drinking! • Check your keys with the host – This is an effective strategy for giving the host some control over inebriated guests. • Keep the number of a taxi company handy – A good tip for both party guests and hosts alike. • Offer to drive a guest home – Start the New Year off right by performing a good deed and help keep drunk drivers off the road. • Appoint a designated driver – Use the buddy system and you can return the favor next time. • Provide lots of snacks to party guests – Drinking on an empty-stomach rapidly increases alcohol’s debilitating effects. • Post transportation info on party invites – Include information for public transportation, car pools and taxi company phone numbers. • Don’t let a friend drive drunk – Take the car keys away or use one of the strategies above to see your friends safely home. South Lane Wheels Dave’s Pump & Construction Hitch Pro & Tow State Farm Insurance Homestead Furniture White Water Well - Matt Bjornn Boyce & Son’s Drilling The UPS Store Landscaping & Gabriele Wellness King Estate Winery Building Materials Center South Lane County Fire & Rescue