New Commander Local VFW sees changes Page 3
SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946
www.currypilot.com
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023
Brookings, Oregon
Recall election looms, results remain uncertain ELLIOT SCHWARZ Country Media, Inc.
Brookings voters should be receiving Ballots for the Nov. 7 Special Recall Election. Mayor Ron Hedenskog, City Council President Ed Schreiber, and Councilor Michelle Morosky are the subject of the recall.
Ron Ed Hedenskog Schreiber In a recent online Pilot Poll, 89.1% of those
participating voted for the recall, while 10.1% voted against the recall. If all three officials are Michelle r e c a l l e d , Morosky t h e city council is immediately left without a
quorum. The city’s charter declares “A vacancy in the council shall be filled within 60 days by: (1) Appointment by a majority of the council; (2) Special election when the number of vacancies in the council exceeds the number of members holding office.” Without a quorum,
another special election is mandated by the charter, which explains, “The terms of office of those appointed or elected run from the time of their qualifying for office after appointment or election and until expiration of the terms of their predecessors who have left the offices vacant.”
Uncertainty
It is uncertain if it would be possible to meet that time frame. “Some believe it is not possible to open the vacant seats to completed applications [nominees]. The application must See RECALL, Page 10
Downtown REVITALIZING
Association seeks to unify merchants into a cohesive voice and vision ELLIOT SCHWARZ Country Media, Inc.
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n a concerted effort to bolster their collective influence and address shared concerns, a Downtown Merchants Association (DMA) is taking shape under the organization of Bret Curtis and Scott Larson, two downtown business owners. Notably, about 25 local merchants have expressed interest by participating in meetings organized by Curtis and Larson. At the heart of the DMA’s formation lies the ambition to articulate a unified voice on behalf of downtown businesses and to present a cohesive vision to
city officials. The goal is to develop a vision for how residents and businesses want their downtown to look, feel, and function, according to Curtis and Larson. Curtis is co-owner of the Central Building and REMAX Coast & Country. Larsen is owner of the Redwood Theater. Business invitation In August the two issued invitations to about 100 downtown Brookings businesses to consider the DMA formation, pointing out that “currently there is nothing that identifies this area
as our ‘downtown.’ There is no theme, whether historical, architectural, beachy, or otherwise, that ties the downtown area to something above and beyond any one business or building. Lastly, but equally important, there is currently nothing that ties Chetco Avenue and Railroad Street together (and all the businesses and housing in-between).” Curtis and Larson have been in discussions with the city, and, according to Public Works and Development Services Director Anthony Baron, a “[u] nified voice to city council … is one of the most important aspects of the merchants
association, having a single unified voice to provide recommendations to council on funding priorities.” Following what the group described as “two successful discussions at the Redwood Theater over the past couple of months” they were able, through both the discussions and emails from invitees, to gather “dozens of ideas.” That coalesced into four primary emphases, which the prospective DMA sent to downtown businesses in a follow-up message: • What should our downtown theme be? See DOWNTOWN, Page 10
Deaths of gray ODOT revenue loss will impact whales linked to overall state road maintenance lack of Arctic ice JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
ALEX BAUMHARDT Oregon Capital Chronicle Pilot Guest Article
Fast Fact Researchers at Oregon State University say three major mortality events, including one that’s ongoing, stem from a lack of food caused by ice changes.
The deaths of more than 700 West Coast gray whales since 2019 is likely the result of low food supplies caused by a lack of sea ice in the Arctic. A team of researchers led by Joshua Stewart of Oregon State University found there have been three “unusual mortality events” in the last 36 years, where
the delicate balance of ice in the Arctic shifts, leaving the whales without enough See WHALES, Page 12
INDEX
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is facing significant declines in revenue and added expenses, which means Oregonians and visitors will see less maintenance along the state’s roadways in days and months ahead. ODOT manages a $6.12 billion budget that funds programs related to Oregon’s system of highways, roads and
bridges; railway; public transportation services; transportation safety programs; driver and licensing; and motor regulation. Delivery and operations accounts for about two-thirds, or $4 billion, of ODOT’s 2023-2025 legislatively approved budget. The division spends its resources on maintaining the highway system, bridge and pavement preservation projects, adding capacity
See ROADS, Page 12
Courtesy photo ODOT warns that during winter, you’ll notice more snow and ice build-up, more chain requirements, longer delays and fewer open roads.
Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net
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