2A
| FEBRUARY 25, 2021
| COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
On The Record
Douglas County Commissioners release statement
regarding ‘dismay’ over new Extreme Risk designation
In a press release is-
sued Tuesday, the Douglas
County Board of Commis-
sioners expressed concern
over the county’s recent
surge in COVID cases, and
was “dismayed to learn that
our case counts in the last
two weeks have prompted
the State of Oregon to move
Douglas County from the
State’s Mandated High
COVID Risk Level to the
State’s Mandated Extreme
COVID Risk Level, thus
imposing stricter guide-
lines on our residents and
businesses.”
The board said it “pain-
fully recognize[s] that the
impact of the State moving
us to the Mandated Ex-
treme COVID Risk Lev-
el will be felt the most by
Douglas County’s small
local businesses, especially
our restaurants, bars and
gyms, rather than by where
the most recent rash of cas-
es have been reported (i.e.
our long-term care facili-
ties, churches, schools and
by residents who have cho-
sen to host large events).”
The board added that the
scenario “continues to illus-
trate the issue we have with
the State’s ‘one-size-fits-all’
approach to their COVID
restriction metrics and pro-
grams.”
Douglas County will of-
ficially enter the “Extreme
Risk” designation begin-
ning tomorrow (Feb. 26).
In their statement, Com-
missioners said they “realize
that many local businesses
are likely to stay open and
challenge the state’s guide-
lines for this new risk level.”
The board stated it will
continue to “stand with,
represent and support the
citizens and businesses op-
erating in Douglas County.”
Commissioners
ex-
plained that while Douglas
County currently has no
ability to shield or pro-
tect businesses from state
sanctions, penalties and
fines, “We are here to help
in any way we can. We do
want to encourage our lo-
cal businesses to follow the
appropriate precautions to
prevent the spread of the vi-
rus, as well as, protect their
businesses, their patrons
and their ability to continue
to keep their doors open.”
Commissioners
ex-
pressed being “incredibly
frustrated” with what they
feel has been a lack of local
input at the state level, es-
pecially when determining
the state’s current COVID
Risk Level Program, insti-
tuted in December 2020.
“The state’s new mandat-
ed program undeservedly
punishes and brutally af-
fects our local businesses
ability to operate and stay
financially stable during
this pandemic,” the state-
ment read. “Especially,
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“As we have asserted before, your
Douglas County Commissioners do
not support county ‘enforcement’ of
State-issued COVID guidelines.”
— Douglas County Board of Commissioners
when the businesses that
have suffered the most
during the state’s mandat-
ed Risk Level restriction
periods — our restaurants,
coffee houses, dance stu-
dios, senior centers, small
retail stores, bars and gyms
are among some of the saf-
est places to go during the
pandemic.”
The board explained that
those businesses are “re-
quired to follow some of
the most stringent COVID
safety and health guide-
lines.”
The board also suggest-
ed that public health of-
ficials, coupled with local
outbreak data and statis-
tics, have made it clear that
COVID-19 is spreading
in Oregon and in Douglas
County for reasons unre-
lated to businesses being
open.
“In fact, cases at restau-
rants, bars and gyms ac-
counted for only 1 percent
of our total positive cases
in the last two weeks,” com-
missioners stated. “Our lo-
cal data for COVID cases
showed that of the current
280 active COVID cases
that DPHN is supporting in
isolation:
• There are no COVID
outbreaks created or active
at any gyms, restaurants or
bars in Douglas County.
• Of those 280 active
cases, only 4 have positive
cases associated with any
gyms, restaurants or bars in
Douglas County.
• Currently, there are no
other employees at any oth-
er gyms, restaurants or bars
that have active or positive
cases at this time.
“As we have asserted be-
fore, your Douglas County
Rebecca Lynn Peters
1968-2021
Rebecca was born in Red
Bluff , California. She went
home with God on Wednesday
February 17th, 2021. Rebecca
was preceded in passing by her
father Don Grow. She is sur-
vived by her husband Kenneth
Peters; mother Kathy Grow &
brother Brad Grow of Grants
Pass. Along with sons Joseph
Peters, Kiefer Peters & Gabriel
Peters; daughters; April Stuner
Michael G. Bivans
1943-2021
Michael G. Bivans, 77, of
Drain, OR passed away on
February 5, 2021. Michael was
born on September 21, 1943
in San Pedro, CA to parents
Francis and Lois (Pahl) Bivans.
He was very talented with a
natural ability that was self-
Commissioners do not sup-
port county ‘enforcement’
of State-issued COVID
guidelines. Instead, as the
local public health author-
ity, we feel it is paramount
for State of Oregon Offi-
cials to provide easy-to-un-
derstand, timely access to
the latest information, re-
sources and medical guid-
ance in order to educate
residents about COVID-19
that allows them to make
informed, responsible deci-
sions,” commissioners stat-
ed. “We feel that most peo-
ple will do the right thing, if
given the opportunity and
knowledge to do so.”
Commissioners added
that Douglas County Gov-
ernment will not enforce
the mandates for these
“somewhat draconian rules
against our citizens man-
dated without local consul-
tation.”
taught in woodworking, paint-
ing, drawing and many more
homemade projects. Michael
was a devoted husband to his
loving wife Teresa who pre-
ceded him in death and a lov-
ing father of 5 girls. Michael
is survived by his daughters,
Wendy DeLong, Eugene, OR;
Kelly Black and Tracy Jonk,
Curtin, OR; Jamielee French,
Yoncalla, OR; and Trina Nash,
Drain, OR; 16 grandchildren
and 5 great grandchildren. A
private family service was held
at Smith Lund Mills Funeral
Chapel on Friday, February
19, 2021 in Cottage Grove, OR.
Michael will be laid to rest at
home next to his wife Teresa in
their private plot.
and McKenzie Peters, friend,
and companion Kelly Whit-
lock.
Th e world has lost one of the
most beautiful souls. Rebecca’s
legacy will live on through her
family for which she unselfi sh-
ly sacrifi ced everything.
Arrangements in the care
of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral
Chapel & Cemetery.
View
obituaries at
cgsentinel.com
DEATH NOTICES
ROSE—Helen
Vio-
let Rose, 88, of Cottage
Grove, Ore., died Feb. 19,
2021. Arrangements by
Smith Lund Mills Funeral
Chapel in Cottage Grove.
Jeff rey Dale Mailer
5/4/47 – 2/19/21
Jeffrey Dale Mailer, 73,
passed away Friday, Feb-
ruary 19 in Cottage Grove,
OR. Jeff was born May 4,
1947 to Sally Toner Mailer
and James Mailer of Ever-
ett, WA.
Jeffrey (Jeff) graduated
from Kalani High School in
Honolulu, Hawaii, where he
majored in Surfi ng. At 14
years old, he was hired by
the newly built Colony Surf
Hotel to paddle out every
evening at dusk to light the
torches on the reef. After
high school, Jeff was draft-
ed into the Army, where he
was trained in the US Army
Aviation School and served
as a helicopter crewman in
the Vietnam War, fl ying on
recovery missions.
Following his discharge in
1969, Jeff settled in Cottage
Grove, where his gentle
soul chose an individualistic
path. He was drawn to the
Native American ways, res-
onating with their life close
to nature. Multi-talented,
Jeff excelled at everything
he did – a master mechanic,
a meticulous craftsman, an
attentive gardener, a spotter
for the forest service during
summer fi re seasons, taking
calls to pick up wounded
animals during the local vet-
erinarian’s off-duty hours, a
working cowboy and ranch
hand, a reviewer of books,
the provider of end-of-life
care for his mother … the
list goes on.
Jeff loved working in his
woodshop, fi shing, and
being on horseback – trek-
king into the mountains or
participating in the Southern
Oregon Headwaters 25
cross-country race, in which
he fi nished in the Top 10
in 1993. Thoughtful and
generous, Jeff was always
available to help when
needed; he took care of peo-
ple, touching them deeply
and making lasting friend-
ships. His twinkly warmth
and humor permeated every
conversation.
Jeff is survived by his lov-
ing partner, Stevie Convey
of Cottage Grove; his twin
sister Jo Habib of Kihei,
HI and her sons Sky Olson
(Faye), Joshua Olson, and
Aziz Habib and daughter
Leslie Johnson (Andy);
his sister Cheryl Mailer of
Seattle, WA; his brother
Don and his wife DeeJay
of Boise, ID and their two
daughters Renee DeHaas
and Brandy Ragain (Casey);
several great-nieces and
nephews who will grow up
hearing loving stories about
their unique uncle Jeff; and
innumerable dear friends.
He will be greatly missed.
Arrangements in the care of
Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral
Chapel & Cemetery.
~Trusted by Generations
As you may have heard…
William “Bill” Robert Good
1957-2021
William
“Bill”
Robert
Good, 64, of Cottage Grove,
Oregon passed away on Feb-
ruary 15, 2021. Bill was born
to John Good and Lorraine
MacDonald on January 11,
1957 in Hicksville, New York.
He worked as a chef in New
York and California as well as
a laborer in Oregon for Starfi re
Lumber Company and at a lo-
cal nursery growing plants. He
loved to birdwatch and could
name all wild birds. He enjoyed
gardening, working in the yard
and loved his nieces and neph-
ews.
Bill is survived by his moth-
er, Lorraine MacDonald, his
brothers Gary Good and wife
Joy of Washington, James
Good and Daniel Good of
Oregon and his sister Pamela
Knight and husband Scott of
Montana as well as numerous
nieces and nephews.
Arrangements in the care
of Smith-Lund-Mills-Funeral
Chapel of Cottage Grove, Or-
egon.
Why Pre-Plan?
Pre-Planning makes matters easier for those
you love.
Pre-Planning allows you to provide guidance
to your family after your death.
Pre-Planning allows you to control potential
expenses of a funeral and disposition.
Pre-Planning provides an advanced
opportunity to assemble life data.
We are entering a great spring real
estate market!
Call me if you’re seeking advice about
Buying . Selling. Or Both!
I’m a native of the area with 25+ years of
experience helping clients with farms,
fl ips, forest and view properties, bare
land, new construction, single or
multi-unit homes and much more.
king
N ow Boo ts
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Appointm
S entinel
C ottage G rove
Contact: Meg Fringer
541-942-3325 x1200
mfringer@cgsentinel.com
(541) 942-0185
123 S. 7th St., Cottage Grove
Visit smithlundmills.com for more information.
Jodie Smith, Principal Broker, Realtor ,GRI, SRES
P/T: 541-729-3801 • JodieSmithRealEstate.com
