DIPLOMATIC WHIRLWIND
SETTING SUNS
Kerry tour takes unexpected turns, A7
Blazers still having trouble with Phoenix, B4
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Bids close on Elliott land BY THOMAS MORIARTY The World
COOS BAY — As bids close for a controversial sale of public forest lands, state regulators say critics may have to wait a little while longer to find out who the lucky winners are. Bidding for the 788-acre East Hakki Ridge parcel, 355acre Benson Ridge parcel and the 310-acre Adams Ridge One parcel in the Elliott State Forest officially closed on March 28. The lands, which went up for auction in February, were offered for sale after forestry said they needed to compensate for a harvest shortfall
which lowered the value of the Common School Fund, which is fed by timber sales in the Elliott. According to the auction catalog published by the state’s broker, Realty Marketing Northwest, high bidders were due to be notified by Friday. But the Department of State Lands said they weren’t planning to make a major announcement this week. “We’re not going to announce it — we’re still looking at the bids and making decision,” said communications manager Julie Curtis on Thursday. Curtis said there may not be a formal announcement
until the sales are closed, which could take several weeks. By the time an official release is made, the land could be in the hands of its new owners. While there’s no official public listing of bidders, a Eugene-based environmentalist group named several in a letter last month threatening legal injunctions against the high bidders. Among the familiar names listed in Cascadia Wildland’s letter were Georgia Pacific, Lone Rock Timber and Roseburg Forest Products. “There is a strong likelihood that high-value public old-growth forests on the
Elliott are being sold off to the timber industry at rock bottom prices as we speak,” said Josh Laughlin, Cascadia Wildand’s communications manager. “The state must be transparent by informing the public who the high bidders are and the sale price immediately.” The minimum bid for East Hakki Ridge — the most expensive parcel — was listed at $1,820,000. Reporter Thomas Moriarty can be reached at 541-2691222, ext. 240, or by email at thomas.moriarty@theworldlink.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ThomasDMoriarty.
Coos Bay Boardwalk
Stars shine at Coquille Twilight
Fence project chugs along BY TIM NOVOTNY The World
By Alysha Beck, The World
Pacific’s Garrett Phillips sprints to the finish in second place followed by Reedsport’s Egan Glover in the first heat of the 4x100 meter relay at the Coquille Twilight meet Friday. Coquille’s Brandon Bowen had a big meet with a Class 3A-leading mark of 50 feet, 11 inches in the shot put and a new best of 135 feet in the discus to lead the Red Devils to the boys title. Glide won the girls crown. Despite light rain in the Bay Area on Friday afternoon, the meet was run under mostly cloudy skies with just intermittent sprinkles. See story in Sports, B1.
Important election coming in Curry Co. The World
INSIDE
PORT ORFORD — Curry County holds a primary election Tuesday, May 20, to pick a county commissioner and decide whether to adopt a home rule charter. Measure 8-76 will determine whether to adopt a home rule charter for Curry County. It will change the number of commissioners from three to five. They will not receive pay or benefits, but will receive an annual $10,000 stipend, paid in monthly installments. The charter also calls for the county to have an administator, appointed by the commissioners, who would appoint the county clerk, assessor, surveyor and treasurer. The commissioners would approve the administrators’
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Home rule charter and county commissioner spot will be decided selections. The sheriff and district attorney would continue as elected officials. In the race for commissioner, incumbent David Itzen has three competitors: Randy Dowler, Jim Relaford and Thomas Huxley. Itzen, of Brookings, has a doceducational in torate administration from the University of Oregon and Central Washington University. He also studied history and political science at the University of Oregon. He graduated from BrookingsHarbor High School. His employment includes: co-
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owner of Emerald Coast Estates and Itzen Bulb Farm Inc., a teacher, principal and plywood mill worker. Challenger Dowler, also of Brookings, received his bachelor’s in chemistry and a minor in art from Revelle College, University of California San Diego. He graduated from Pasadena High School. Dowler’s employment includes surfboard builder, Waxx On Surf Wax, Blinds & Draperies Express, Granite Guy; State of Oregon, residential construction contractor; state of Washington, general construction contractor; and chemist.
Jessie Steward, North Bend Richard Bramblett, Allegany Richard Culver, Florida Winsome Hayes, North Bend Mary Hall, Coos Bay
Relaford, also of Brookings, studied economics and political science at the University of Washington. Relaford has been president of Mainbrace Technologies Inc. since 1987. He has been in the computer industry since 1968. He also has been commissioner for the Port of Brookings Harbor. Huxley, of Harbor, received his Bachelor of Science in industrial technology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He graduated from Camarillo High School. Huxley is retired, but was on the Curry County Citizens’ Advisory Committee. He helped operate construction, manufacturing and rental companies. He was responsible for the startup
COOSBAY—Withanotherissue taking up more time than expected duringtheregularcouncilmeeting, Coos Bay’s Urban Renewal Agency endeduphavingtotablediscussion on a pedestrian safety project in the downtown area. Mayor Crystal Shoji said, however, that the agency is expected to approve the release of funding to help create pedestrian access and construct a fence along the railroad tracks on the eastside of U.S. Highway 101, from the H istorical Rail Museum Video for this story to the start of appears online at theworldlink.com/video First Street. After the railroad shut down operations years ago, pedestrians got into the habit of crossing the tracks to reach a prime fishing area south of the Coos Bay boardwalk. With the return of rail traffic, safety became a concern. Officials said last year that some sort of barrier needed to be considered to prevent any kind of future tragedy. Fencing became the first option. However, it wasn’t the most visually appealing option, particularly considering the amount of visiting traffic passing through the area along U.S. Highway 101. Ultimately, it was decided that the barrier would match existing concrete fencing located near the boardwalk.It will consist of 1940sera bridge railings, which the city is powder coating to add durability. The Historic Railroad Museum gave the city the railings in
SEE CURRY | A8
Gladys Eason, Coos Bay Richard Rynearson, Coquille Daloris Peterson, Myrtle Point Trevor Glass, North Bend Nancy Becker, North Bend
SEE FENCE | A8
Melanie Hutchins, Coos Bay Barbara Hopwood, Portland
Obituaries | A5
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