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Commissioners vote for a pay raise BY EMILY THORNTON The World
COQUILLE — Coos County Commissioners voted Tuesday to give themselves and five other elected officials a 2.2 percent raise over the 2013-2014 year. The impact to the county’s budget would be about $12,700 over the next year and would be retroactive to July 1, 2013, if it’s approved by the budget committee in two weeks. It gives commission-
ers about $1,335 more per year and $111 per month. “I don’t think it’s about deserving it,” said Melissa Cribbins, Coos County Commissioner. “With inflation, we have to keep these things up or we’re looking at a 10 percent raise in a few more years.” “We’re the lowest paid full-time commissioners,” Cribbins said. Which they are — at $60,660 per year — compared to Linn County’s Commissioners at $83,208, which are the highest
Next meeting The budget committee will meet to vote on a 2.2 percent pay increase for county officials at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 29 in the Owen Building Large Conference Room, at 225 N. Adams St., Coquille.
paid. The next lowest paid commissioners are in Polk County, at $65,562. Douglas County Commissioners are the second-highest paid at $75,941.
Public comment was almost nonexistent with only a couple folks who said it wasn’t the right time, in light of the county’s budget shortfalls and country’s issues, for officials to give themselves a raise. The raise would bring commissioners up to $61,995 per year. The other county officials’ salary changes are: assessor, $55,272 to $56,488; clerk, $55,272 to $56,488; surveyor, $55,272 to $56,488; treasurer, $55,272 to $56,488; and sher-
iff, $60,528 to $61,860. Even with the increase, the Coos County sheriff still would make less than his subordinates, who make $68,844 annually. In addition, all county officials still would make less than their counterparts across the state. The commissioners will have a special session to discuss giving the sheriff a pay increase to comply with a law that says the position SEE RAISES | A10
American Bridge Closure
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
Workers to get help from state BY STEVE LINDSLEY The World
By Lou Sennick, The World
The white clouds of a chemical fire extinguisher heads for the open flames of a training fire before being snuffed out Tuesday at Marshfield High School. Lt. Rick Cooper, right next to student, is helping to teach an introduction to fire protection class at the high school where the students not only learn for high school, but get college credit from Southwestern Oregon Community College. The flames were fueled by a propane tank and were reignited after each student had the chance to use the extinguisher.
Educational model change rattles teachers BY CHELSEA DAVIS The World
COOS BAY — Some local elementary teachers are resistant to a newer educational model that veers away from traditional classrooms. Madison Elementary second-grade teacher Michelle Newsum went to the Coos Bay school board Monday for the third time with concerns about the district-wide “Walk to Read” program. “All extra people, all support staff, help out at one grade level for a certain amount of time to lower the student-to-staff ratio,” said Chad Putman, coordinator of school improvement for the district. For example, all thirdgraders read or work on math together for 45 minutes. For the next 45 minutes, the grade splits into groups based on the
At the time, Millicoma school staff “readily accepted” Millicoma has clearly outpaced all of the the change, Putman said. They went to Sutherlin schools to other schools in our district observe the model in real time Chad Putnam and to ask questions of teachers District coordinator and staff. “This one is a bit of a sensitive issue because it kind of cuts to teacher practice,” he said.“It was specific skill they’re lacking. the door yet before I start scat- implemented at Millicoma but The “Walk to Read” and tering them around the school.” Madison chose not to go that “March to Math” educational Right now, the Walk to Read route and devise their own plan.” Last year, the district circled models have proven successful model is used with students in in school districts statewide grades 1-6 across the district. back to see how and if its and nationwide, in particular at When students are not in school schools had improved. “Millicoma has clearly outMillicoma Intermediate School, on Friday afternoons, teachers he said. can use the time to set up these paced all of the other schools in But Newsum said it’s not lessons and sort children into our district,” he said. “Considering that (Walk to Read is) a good for the children or the groups based on their need. teachers. The switch began when widely accepted model, and we “The children’s day used to Madison Elementary and Milli- tried it and it was successful in begin with a gathering, or cir- coma were named “schools in our district, we decided to go cle, time that was rich in lan- improvement” four years ago, with the model in K-6.” Millicoma is now the highest guage activities,” Newsum said. which led to state sanctions to “Now, we start the day with a ensure the schools show acajolt. My kids aren’t even all in demic growth. SEE CHANGE | A10
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REEDSPORT — Workers at American Bridge Manufacturing, which announced it would shut down the plant by the end of this year, will get help from the state for training and relocation. The company notified the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development it intends to close the Reedsport facility and start laying off employees on or about Dec. 9. The layoffs are expected to take place over several weeks, according to the notification. The notification was in compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN, and state law. Some employees have already been laid off. A total of 51 employees at the plant will be let go. Employees are already getting help from Roseburg-based Umpqua Training and Employment. “As a Rapid Response Team member, we’re responsible for getting there as quickly as possible,” said Susan Buell, president of UT&E. She said that team was on site at American Bridge the day they received the notification on Oct. 14. “To meet with the staff there and then, of course, with workers who were available,” she said. She said other agencies and groups will also be involved in meeting with workers. “The other piece of it is to also engage the other community partners that will be involved,” she said. “In this case it will be the Oregon state employment department’s Coos Bay office. When we complete the survey process the other partner will be (Southwestern Oregon) Community College or Umpqua Community College, depending on whether workers want retraining, whether they want direct job placement. We won’t know that until after they complete a survey process.” UT&E will hold a meeting with workers on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at an off-site location. “That’s where they’ll complete the survey,” Buell said. The survey is a general questionnaire, she said. “We gather basic information, but we ask them questions about what their desires are. Do they want training? Do they want to be retrained? Do they want direct job placement in a job? For some of them it may be help with reloSEE WORKERS | A10
’13 fire season sets records
INSIDE
COOS BAY — State forestry officials say the summer 2013 Oregon fire season was the worst on record in more than 50 years. According to a report released Tuesday by the Oregon Department of Forestry, fires burned more than 100,000 acres of state-owned land, the most since 1951. ODF spokesman Rod Nichols said that although the total acreage burned exceeded recent numbers, the number of human caused fires was below the 10-year average.
The season saw 1,134 fires, 513 of which were caused by lightning. The other 621 have been attributed to human causes. Weather conditions took the blame for a series of massive fires that ripped through the southwest corner of the state. The Big Windy Complex near Grants Pass burned 27,555 acres between July 26 and Sept. 30. The Douglas Complex near Glendale burned 48,679 acres until it was finally contained Sept. 3. According to ODF, the complex was the top-priority fire in the
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country for 11 days. Officials attributed the spread of the fires to a dry lightning storm and record-low vegetation moisture. Fires cost the state approximately $122 million in suppression costs, part of which was reimbursed by federal government and landowners. Reporter Thomas can be reached at 541-269-1222, ext. 240, or by email at thomas.moriarty@theworldlink.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ThomasDMoriarty.
Darlene Blakey, North Bend Gayle Bultmann, North Bend Jerald Zirkel, North Bend Kenneth Lindquester, Florence
By Alysha Beck, The World
A wildland firefighter patrols the perimeter of the Bear Creek Fire near Bandon in July. Fire companies throughout the county responded to the area to help control the fire.
Mary Graham, Coos Bay Genevieve Williams, Langlois
Obituaries | A5
FORECAST
The World
DEATHS
BY THOMAS MORIARTY
Sunny 61/45 Weather | A10