CGS23

Page 1

Bundle home & auto to save $$.

The Cottage Grove

$1.00

entinel

Friday, November 24, 2023

Number 47 • 134 years

Get an insurance plan —not just a policy.

(541) 942-0555 MMANorthwest.com

Plenty of sunshine with a high of 49 and a low of 27. See more weather on Page 4A. Serving the communities of Cottage Grove and Creswell

Municipal Court sees Veterans find support and wellness at Camp Alma B J S decline in cases and T S COTTAGE GROVE, revenue Ore. — He’s known for y on

for

By Cindy Weeldreyer Sentinel Community Reporter

TODAY’S EDITION

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. — Across the United States, local governments generate substantial revenue through law enforcement. In 2021, Oregon ranked 21st highest with $83.8 million. Per capita, that’s $19.78 per resident compared to the national average of $27. Of the $83.8 million state total in 2021, Cottage Grove’s portion was approximately $80,000. Two years later, in 2023, Cottage Grove revenue generated through law enforcement is estimated to be $21,000, a 75% decrease. The significant decrease was a decline in officer-issued citations that reduced the court’s caseload by nearly 50-percent, resulting in the significant drop in collections. “I think it’s fair to say the turmoil and turnover in the police department in the past year has contributed to the reduction of court activity and revenue,” Municipal Court Judge Martin Fisher said during the Nov. 13 meeting of the Cottage Grove City Council. “After the new officers receive their training and become more in-tune with what is happening here, we expect to see those numbers go back up to where they were, but probably not until 2025.” Another factor is seven-years without a jury trial. Though six jury trials were originally scheduled, four were settled before trial, one could not proceed by virtue of the defendant failing to appear, one was dismissed because the arresting officer was on administrative leave and later terminated and one was canceled for the same reason. Fisher also reported that this year’s closure of the Cottage Grove jail has limited the court’s ability to sanction defendants. The City now has a contract with Springfield that guarantees three beds for local offenses and more if space is available. “The Springfield jail refuses to house defendants prior to arraignment and possibly defendants who are not sentenced,” Fisher wrote

Reports — A2 Opinion — A4 Sports — B1 Classifieds — B4-5

in his report. “This has had profound ramifications on the court.” Prior to the jail closure, when a defendant was arrested, an officer had two choices: lodge the defendant in jail or issue a citation with a requirement to appear in court on a certain day and time. The officer’s decision was based on public safety, the defendant’s safety, the defendant’s history or the severity of the alleged crime. The lack of a custody option means the person gets a citation to appear. The number of defendants appearing has steadily declined. At a recent court session only four out of the 11 criminal defendants appeared. The Springfield jail refuses to hold someone with a failure-to-appear bench warrant so, currently, refusing to appear in Cottage Grove’s municipal court is without consequence. Fisher said, “To address this problem local officers have cited defendants into Lane County Circuit Court because he or she will be held for a brief period. Unfortunately, the Lane County District Attorney’s office doesn’t prosecute crimes of this nature and the defendants are released and the charges simply go away.” On a brighter note, recent discussions between Judge Fisher and new Police Chief Cory Chase may lead to changes in how Springfield interprets the Cottage Grove contract for beds. Responding to Councilor Greg Ervin’s question of court affordability, Fisher said, “Until this year, what we got was accountability. Most of what comes through our court would never see a courtroom if this court didn’t exist. There will come a time where there has to be a discussion about do we just stop enforcing and expecting any accountability for crimes committed in Cottage Grove as a trade off for just spending money (to have a local court).” In their remarks, all councilors and the mayor expressed their support for maintaining the local court and reaffirmed its importance in assuring accountability from lawbreakers in Cottage See COURT page 5A

he

tinnett

entinel

giving back to his community, lending his time and talents to a broad array of projects meant to make life better for those living in the town he’s loved his entire life. Just prior to Veterans Day, however, Jeff Gowing took a field trip, bringing some of Cottage Grove’s most impactful folks with him to try and make life better for area veterans. Gowing, a former City Councilor and Mayor of Cottage Grove, was recently part of a journey that brought several locals to Camp Alma, a veterans wellness camp about 32 winding, curvy miles northwest of town. “I feel that as a good board member you should promote your organization,” said Gowing, a member of the board of Veterans Legacy, which

On Nov. 9, Camp Alma raised a sign in anticipation of Veterans Day. The sign was made possible by a generous grant from Weyerhaeuser. Lane Electric Co-op made a crew available and had the sign hung in short order. The trio under the sign from left to right are Brian Marcus, who did the metal fabricating, John Payette who did the marvelous woodcarving and Board President, John LeBow. (Courtesy photo) works to coordinate treat- Gowing at Camp Alma, in- Jake Boone, Chamber of ment resources for veter- cluding new Cottage Grove Commerce Director Georans in need. Police Chief Cory Chase, gia Haskell, Community In all, 14 locals joined Assistant City Manager See ALMA page 6A

Hand painted ‘auto camp’ sign found in barn, a rare relic from 1919 By Jon Stinnett for The Sentinel

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. — Found inside of an old barn, Brandon McManus recently posted a picture to a local Facebook group of a curious sign he noticed on the property he purchased in 2020 in Cottage Grove, near Walker. “This sign is being used as a door in our barn. Does anyone know what park it would be referring to?” he asked, wondering about the signs’ origins. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a stage prop, but who knows.” he guessed. Hand painted on Z-braced boards, the sign reads, “Free Auto Camp - in City Park - Cottage Grove, 8 acres of trees, Pure mountain water, Large camp stove, free wood,” and underneath, written in bold black lettering on top of a shabby, white flakey, painted background it says, “Tourists Welcome.”

Councilor recall fails

By Cindy Weeldreyer Sentinel Community Reporter COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. — The Save The Grove political action committee (PAC) petition to recall Councilor Mike Fleck failed to gather enough valid signatures to initiate a recall election. On Nov. 20, City Recorder Mindy Roberts

541- 942-3325 ph | 541-942-3328 fax 1498 E. Main Street, STE 104 P.O. Box 35 Cottage Grove, OR 97424

Brandon McManus hoped the 4’ x 5’ sign used as a hay door at his family’s farmhouse barn had history. It’s perhaps the only original artifact from Cottage Grove’s first auto camp, which were formed in different cities across the west to encourage migration. (Courtesy photo) McManus holds a rare when the city first opened artifact from 1919, back an auto camp at the south-

announced that the Lane County election officials conducted signature verification on Nov. 17 and found an insufficient number of signatures to qualify for the ballot and the recall petition is void. “I’m thrilled that the current situation is resolved,” Fleck said. “I’m hopeful we can work together to have a dialogue about our future.”

Since the recall process began, Mayor Candace Solesbee has publicly said she does not believe it is proper for the mayor to make a statement either in favor or to oppose the effort. She says this is because she supports the process and the citizens’ constitutional right to use this tool to address their perceived wrongs with elected officials.

ern end of Coiner Park, then known as the City Park. With the help of the Commercial Club, who represented commercial interests of the city, encouraged immigration and promoted industrial development, the auto camp welcomed tourism, traveling, and in some cases settling. As transportation with cars and tourism in Oregon spiked, camps were formed in towns to lure traffic and migration. Auto camps were met with some resistance from people who believed the city park would be desecrated by vagrancy. In the first ever city “Park Day”, Main Street businesses closed at noon, May 27, 1919 and the town merchants and their employees cleaned up the 8 acres, prepared a roadway and put up signs throughout Highway 99. All for the guidance of those wishing to use the camp, free See AUTO page 6A

“I believe our community can grow from this experience,” Solesbee said. “To the best of my knowledge, this process has never been carried out in Cottage Grove and should be a wake-up call for all of us. The community has been through many changes in the last few years, some of them have been positive and See RECALL page 5A

Cottage Grove Sentinel Follow us for the latest news: 2 Sections | 12 Pages @CGSentinel Copyright 2023 CGSentinel.com

Joe Piscopo Plumbing


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
CGS23 by C.M.I. - Issuu