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TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2013
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ORCCA probe finds no misuse of funds BY EMILY THORNTON The World
COOS BAY — There was no misuse of federal funds by Oregon Coast Community Action, according to Oregon Housing and Community Services. OHCS investigated ORCCA after a former ORCCA employee accused the agency of wrongdoing. One accusation said ORCCA used federal funds from Housing and Urban Development to pay for South Coast Food Share workers’ salaries. ORCCA must use certain
federal funds accordingly to be compliant. OHCS’ review concluded “a small number of hours were charged between programs.” John Misterly, essential services director, was cross-training an employee, said Mike Lehman, executive director of ORCCA. Lehman said the employee had nine and a half hours of cross-training in the energy department. The review found it “did not rise to the level of misappropriation by any definition.” The report found that a $177,000 South Coast Food Share deficit was
Curry to attempt another tax vote
attributed to changes in funding parameters of the Food Share facility. ORCCA provided a proposal to offset the amount by re-allocating funds. Lehman said Food Share constantly drained funds, but attributed that to the mission of the organization. “When you’re giving food to hungry people, you’re going to have a deficit,” Lehman said. “I’m not worried about us not surviving.” Lehman said Food Share actually had about a $110,000 to
$120,000 deficit, but he planned to use grants and donations to fill the gap. He said he would use money from other programs, such as Park West Apartments, corporate funds, or its campus account as a last resort. ORCCA has applied for 15 grants, five of which were new, in the past one and a half months, Lehman said. He attributed the increased applications to Deborah Ross, the new development coordinator. “She’s impressive,” Lehman said.
Increased salaries needed adjusting to “bring them in line with counterparts in other similar organizations,” according to OHCS. ORCCA allegedly increased salaries of some employees. Lehman said when the Food Share director left, the salaries were spread out among the other employees. “The total salary cost is lower than a year ago,” Lehman said. He said the average salary at ORCCA was lower than other comparable SEE ORCCA | A10
One way to beat the heat
GRANTS PASS (AP) — Hoping to stave off bankruptcy and a state takeover, Curry County commissioners are again asking voters approve a tax increase to keep sheriff’s patrols on the road and the jail open. County Commission Chairman David Brock Smith said Monday he hopes two things that have happened since a tax hike was voted down last May will make a difference come November. The county is asking for less this time — $3.2 million over three years. And a new law allows the governor to declare an emergency in counties where citizens refuse to pay for minimum public services. That opens the way for county officials to impose new taxes. If voters turn down the levy, Curry County is in line to be the first test of the new law. By Lou Sennick, The World
No better way to spend the last week of summer vacation from school than at the Coquille Pool. Lots of youngsters were sliding, splashing and keeping cool in the pool before the start of the new school year next week. In North Bend on Monday, the temperatures reached 77 degrees, tying the record high for Aug. 26, set back in 1935.
Showers help fight wildfires Signs of work around Chandler
COOS BAY — The drooping Chandler Building in downtown Coos Bay is getting some much needed attention. Workers in red were visible throughout the day on Monday, after getting some prep work done on Friday. Jim Hossley, Coos Bay public works and development director, said he spoke with the contractor on Monday. He said a spokesperson for Ram Jack told him that the work had indeed commenced. “He said they are on site, starting work, and plan to keep going until they are done,” he added. In July, the city said the building was “bordering on a dangerous
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By Thomas Moriarty, The World
Construction workers chat next to idle machinery outside the Chandler Building in downtown Coos Bay on Monday afternoon. state,” as movement was starting to become more and more noticeable on the outside of the building. The Chandler was built in 1909 and served as a hotel for years. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the building started showing signs of stress on the northwest corner about four years ago. Some work was done underneath the building at the
Delsie Lang, Langlois Dean Russell, Bandon Elizabeth Andruss, Lakeside Gordon Elroy, Salem Ronald Hollingsworth, Coos Bay
time to try and keep it propped up. Hossley says they are now working to put stabilizing pilings beneath the exterior wall of the building to help correct the sinking northwest corner of the historic structure. The contractors will not, however, be at work on Wednesdays in order to allow for the farmers market to continue without interruption.
Now that’s bling
Obituaries | A5
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Emma Joy Hawkins, 9, outlasts several other competitors to win an unusual contest at the state fair.
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SEE WILDFIRES | A10
BY ALBERT AJI The Associated Press
BY TIM NOVOTNY
DEATHS
PORTLAND (AP) — Unusual late-summer rains are helping crews battle wildfires in southwestern Oregon and the Columbia Gorge — and even driving some from soaked tents to bed down indoors. Some firefighters at the Government Flats complex southwest of The Dalles reported leaky tents and wet bedding on Sunday, the Oregon Department of Forestry said. They were given dry sleeping bags and moved indoors to sleep in the gym at Wahtonka High School, where the department observed in its daily fire summary Monday that the “floor may be harder, but it is dry and warm.” The fire has destroyed four homes. It’s burning on about 19 square miles, or 12,000 acres. The state agency says the cool, wet weather has helped the crews in the gorge, and the fires are considered 45 percent contained. Fire crews are being redeployed to other parts of the fire, demobilized
Chemical attack is alleged DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s foreign minister said Tuesday his country would defend itself using “all means available” in case of a U.S. strike, denying his Inside government was behind Secretary of Defense says U.S. is ready to an alleged strike. Page A6 chemical weapons attack near Damascus and challenging Washington to present proof backing up its accusations. Walid al-Moallem spoke at a press conference in Damascus as condemnation of President Bashar SEE SYRIA | A10
Mostly cloudy 70/57 Weather | A10
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