TSN131

Page 1

INSIDE

SCAPPOOSE RESIDENT WINS FLORENCE PHOTO CONTEST Liz Happala was chosen as the winner of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce 2023 photo contest. | PAGE A4

R&D Propane Residential and Commercial delivery service Family Owned and Operated Since 1983

We Pride ourselves on providing the best customer service possible.

Now Serving Florence 541-746-4621 • www.rdpropane.com

Public stand divided over charter school By TONY REED Siuslaw NEWS

After lengthy discussion at its Jan. 10 meeting, the Siuslaw School District Board of Directors opted to pen a letter to Siuslaw Valley Charter School (SVCS) organizers, asking that it renounce any affiliation with Hillsdale College, a known Christian conservative institution in Michigan. On Friday, Jan 19, District Superintendent Andrew Grzeskowiak said a letter of clarification was sent to SVCS. Due to the length of the discussion, the board opted to take a break before continuing the meeting. Upon returning, the board heard a stream of public comments, mostly regarding the proposed charter school.

PUBLIC COMMENT

High School student Madison Condy said she was afraid the charter would take needed funding from the high school, which would impact other high school students. She said even a slim possibility that the district could lose funding for approving the charter school is not worth the risk. “For a lot of people, this school and these teachers are like second homes and second parents.” She said that as a former charter school student, she didn’t feel she was given the educational building blocks she needed, and that other issues prompted staff to exclude her and put her into another classroom. “Being here at Siuslaw has been the best part of my life,” she said. “I’ve met people that love me and don’t bully me and have teachers See SCHOOL, page A7

SN

Siuslaw News News & views that define our community

$1.25

thesiuslawnews.com

Siuslaw News Florence, Oregon Wednesday, January 31, 2024

SN

Number 5 • 133 years

Council discusses upcoming camping ordinances By TONY REED Siuslaw NEWS

The Florence City council held an informal work session Jan. 11 to discuss details and potential changes to city codes to regulate camping, particularly by homeless citizens, within the city limits. “For the most part, this is brand new code that is being proposed,” Community Development Director Wendy Farley-Campbell said. “There is a small section that is related to location change in the code but that’s also something new to talk about. Everything you’re looking at is pretty much brand new to the City of Florence. It’s not new to the world of municipalities, but it is a new code section. You are literally watching how it goes from a blank sheet of paper to a draft code and then eventually adopted.” Farley-Campbell reminded the

council that the draft could be changed and revised. Farley-Campbell gave a PowerPoint presentation to the council, noting that the city needs to update its code and procedures in response to House Bills 3115 and 3124, regarding camping on public property. She said the council needs to look at the code and procedures and provide input or code updates relevant to those two house bills. Farley-Campbell explained that the work session came from recommendations made at other meetings regarding emergency shelters, and transitional housing issues. “The Ninth Circuit Court said being homeless is something you can’t control, so we can’t punish people before the act of being homeless,” City attorney Ross Williamson said. “That has dribbled down to our Oregon legislature in

their adoption of ORS 195.530, which is an independent regulation on cities to only enact reasonable regulations for folks who are experiencing homelessness. “The only new piece of information in the memo is the fact that the Grants Pass case is currently under consideration at the US Supreme Court,’ he said. That case revolves around a suit filed by a group of homeless people against the City of Grants Pass for its camping restrictions on outdoor sleeping. According to the Supreme Court docket, the petition for the case was granted January 12th, one day after this Council work session. “If they do take the case, they will likely hear it either in April or October and then it will be another several months before we actually get an opinion,” he said. “For us, even if we do get a ruling from

the Supreme Court, we are still governed by the statute,” he said. statute 195.530 was intended to codify the court ruling so even if the Court ruling changes, we still have the statute, it doesn’t automatically change. We are still governed by OS 195.530 that says we can only Implement reasonable regulations for folks that are experiencing homelessness, no matter what the Supreme Court says.” When asked, Williamson affirmed that if the Supreme Court makes a ruling, it will not only apply to the 9th circuit, but the entire United States. However, until changed, cities are beholden to ORS 195530, he said. “Tenting,” Is subject to consideration by individual cities, but no See CAMPING, page A6

King for a day, for 99 years A WWII Army veteran, Bill bounced around like a teenager at his party. If you think you have what it takes to follow in Bill’s steps, there’s one thing you A Milwaukie, Oregon resident was celebrating his should prepare for. 99th birthday Jan. 21 in Florence as the Women’s “He retired at age 95,” Debie said, noting that he March made its way down Bay Street in Florence. worked for Platt Electric Supply since 1954. At the Nosh Eatery on Bay Street, Bill King cele“They didn’t want him to leave, but he said, ‘I’ve brated with friends and family. got a list of things to do that I’ve been waiting 60 His daughter Debie was also celebrating her years to do,’” Debie said. 73rd birthday, as theirs are only three days apart. Of historical significance, Bill’s position as a motor King noted that this will be the last year he can pool driver in WWII found him transporting a lieuwear a shirt he’s been sporting on his birthday for several years. The shirt says, “Built 99 years ago,” but tenant to the International Military Tribunal, where he was allowed to sit in on the Nuremburg trials, particuking has been taping a new number over the second larly the trial of Hermann Goering. digit for five years now. Debie said Bill comes to Florence occasionally and “Next year, it’s done,” Debie said, noting that she loves to visit the Military Museum here. bought him a new shirt. By TONY REED Siuslaw NEWS

PHOTO BY TONY REED

You may not believe this striking gentleman is 99 years old, but it’s true.

Women’s March comes to Bay Street celebrate. Not just a dream but a reality to see, where women are truly, completely free.” Close to 100 marchers walked Denise Diamond noted that in down Bay Street together to demonstrate for women’s rights in Florence 2017, she was in Los Angeles with 300 teachers who joined an in-progJan. 21. Marchers gathered inside the hall ress women’s march there. Diamond wore a pink sweatshirt with an at Florence Methodist Church to image from that march displayed hear speakers beforehand. on it. Dawn Meadows led the group in “Since then, there have been prayer, pausing for the audience to marches each year, sometimes in add, “We are fearfully and wondersmall communities, I was in a very fully made” after each verse. small community called Idlewyld, Jennifer Smith read “Let’s Fly together,” a poem by Ayesha Islam, and we marched,” she said. “I was which signifies the strength of unity in a bigger area, Riverside County among women. It concludes, “Let’s California, and we marched.” Her poem, “Forward and Back”, build a world where love conquers recalled important Constitutional hate, and create a future we’ll all BY TONY REED SIUSLAW NEWS

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B8-9

amendments, from those where women, African-American men and others were given the right to vote, to the dreams and efforts of those who marched, worked and fought to make those amendments happen. “1920, the 19th Amendment passed state ratification by one vote from Tennessee,” she read. “Rep. Harry Burn was opposed, and changed his mind when his mother used her voice. Eight Million women voted on Nov. 2, 1920.” Diamond spoke of Susan B. Anthony, Tillie Paul and Charley Jones, Sacagawea, and Harriet Tubman’s roles in history.

Marchers covered a couple blocks of Bay Street, demonstrating for women’s rights.

See MARCH, page A5

Follow us for the latest news: /SiuslawNews@Siuslaw_News TheSiuslawNews.com

Siuslaw News 2 Sections | 20 Pages Copyright 2023

YOU’RE INVITED TO A FREE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP Thursday, February 15 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

FLORENCE EVENTS CENTER 715 Quince St - Florence

Medicare 101 Workshop • Gain an understanding of how Medicare works. • Learn the difference between Medicare Advantage and Supplements. • Discover how Medicare Prescription Drug Plans work. • Find out how to enroll.

Seating is limited CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT

Dana Dane 541.997.1410

Dana Dane is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 541-973-2100, TTY 711. I offer 47 Medicare plans in Lane County. Any information I provide is limited to those plans I do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.


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.
TSN131 by C.M.I. - Issuu