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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014
Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878
CEP divides county commissioner hopefuls
Three more weeks Norma Fowler, of Coos Bay, purchases a $5 bundle of flowers from Doua Chang, of Chang Family Farm, Salem, during the Coos Bay Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoon. The farmers market, which runs on Central Avenue every Wednesday, will conclude its 2014 season October 29.
BY CHELSEA DAVIS
Online
The World
COQUILLE — The two Coos County commissioner candidates have the same goals for the county, but they’re coming from opposite directions. Incumbent commissioner John Sweet and challenger Don Gurney fielded questions from the audience at a forum Wednesday night in Coquille. Sweet and Gurney differ the most when it comes to the proposed Community Enhancement Plan, which would distribute Jordan Cove’s community service fees (in lieu of property taxes) to
By Amanda Loman, The World
Urban Renewal Agency
urvey
Read about the candidates’ views on the Home Rule Charter, Bandon Marsh and more at theworldlink.com.
schools, local government, economic development and North Spit taxing entities. If approved, Jordan Cove would start construction in 2015 or 2016, the same time Coos County is expected to run low on funds. The plan would make Jordan Cove pay these fees almost immediately, rather than eight years down the
State Land Board meeting
SEE CEP | A8
Two in area are deemed ‘model schools’
Front Street grant sought
BY CHELSEA DAVIS
The World
The World
COOS BAY — In an effort to secure additional funds to promote business growth on the waterfront, the Urban Renewal Agency is looking to procure a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The grant, which would provide $400,000 in aid minus management fees, has no initial costs for procurement, and would be used to further the Front Street Plan, Community Development Director Eric Day said. The three-year grant would allow for soil, infrastructure and transit assessments to determine how to best assist current businesses and attract new ones. The 20-year plan, which is now in its 16th year, has seen some hurdles cleared as the area has removed waterzoning dependency requirements and is approved for mixed zone use. While the waterfront has seen aesthetic and safety improvements like increased lighting, flower baskets and sidewalk repair, there is still a greater need for connectivity and pedestrian activity, Mayor Crystal Shoji said. Day proposed the creation of a takedown list, for which the funds would go towards checking off specific items. Councilors agreed it was crucial to seek public input through open houses to determine how to best allocate the potential resources and meet the community’s needs. City Councilor Mark Daily stressed the need to adhere to the plan, given the administration’s willingness in the past to grant business licenses to friends and associates. “I’d like to think we would show a little backbone,” Daily said.
COOS BAY — The report cards are in, and the fact that two South Coast schools are showing rampant child poverty doesn’t mean students can’t succeed in school. Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Rob Saxton released t h e Online annual See graphics for r e p o r t this report online: cards for theworldlink.com. Oregon’s K - 1 2 public schools and districts Thursday. Bandon’s Harbor Lights Middle School and North Bend’s Hillcrest Elementary were two of 28 high-poverty schools to earn “model school” designation, meaning they’ve shown significant academic improvement despite their high poverty status. Students fall into the disadvan“economically taged” category if they qualify for free or reducedprice lunch. During the 2013-2014 school year: ■ 84.5 percent of Harbor Lights and 78.2 percent of Hillcrest students passed reading. ■ 80.1 percent of Harbor Lights and 76.8 percent of Hillcrest students passed math. ■ 85.1 percent of Harbor Lights students passed science (there wasn’t information for Hillcrest). “The use of learning labs where students can get assistance with homework during the school day, as well as having access to after-school classes, extracurricular pro-
Public says no to Elliott Forest privatization BY KURTIS HAIR The World
COOS BAY — Landowners, environmentalists, timber workers and elected officials voiced their concerns to the Oregon State Land Board on Wednesday evening over the ownership of the Elliott State Forest, and the majority want to keep the forest as public lands. The board met at the Hales Performing Arts Center on the Southwestern Oregon Community College Coos Bay campus to get input on the ownership and management of the Elliott State Forest Alternatives Project. The board, which consists of the governor, who was present via Skype, state treasure and secretary of state, is in charge of managing the forest. Of the alternatives the board has put on the table, selling the forest was the main concern for the majority who spoke at the meeting. Selling the forest to a private owner would be possible. For three hours, about 60 people emotionally voiced their concerns over the negative impacts that
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Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber participated in the Wednesday afternoon Oregon State Land Board meeting via videofeed. The meeting was to hear public commentary concerning the Elliott State Forest Alternatives Project. could occur if the forest was sold to a private owner. Amanda St. Martin, a volunteer for the Coast Range Forest Watch, spoke at the meeting, and she said it would be a shame to see the Elliott Forest sold. “I camp, hike and swim in the Elliott regularly,” St. Martin said. “It’s my favorite place. It’s why I
Trent Messerle, Coos Bay Lois Lindsley, North Bend Albert Neiman, Central Point Lois Clayton, Port Orford Christine White, Coos Bay
moved to Oregon.” Of the forest’s 92,000 acres,about 90 percent are part of the Common School Fund, which means money from timber sales help finance K-12 schools. Since the fund was set up, the Elliott State Forest has netted about $300 million for the fund.
Willa VanLandingham, North Bend Garrett Davis, Coquille Ann Swanson, Heppner
Obituaries | A5
SEE ELLIOTT | A8
FORECAST
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Photos by Amanda Loman, The World
Clair Klock, of Corbett, spoke in defense of Elliott State Forest during the public commentary section of the Oregon State Land Board meeting Wednesday afternoon, held in the Hale Performing Arts Center at Southwestern Oregon Community College. More than 50 people signed up to provide commentary to the board during the meeting.
DEATHS
INSIDE
BY DEVAN PATEL
SEE SCHOOLS | A8
Partly sunny 67/53 Weather | A8
Sprague Theater Bandon, Oregon General Admission: $15.00 www.OregonCoastFilmFestival.org