The Umpqua Post
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Wednesday, April 30, 2014 | Serving the Reedsport area since 1996 | theworldlink.com/reedsport | $1.00
Measure 10-133
Mayor: ‘report’ is misleading BY KEITH TYMCHUK Reedsport mayor
By Lou Sennick, The Umpqua Post
Susan Morgan, a commissioner for Douglas County, talks to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission during their hearing Friday about changes to coastal sport fishing policies.
Controversy still swirls over coastal fishing plan THOMAS MORIARTY The Umpqua Post
NORTH BEND — Don’t mess with our fish. That was the message South Coast leaders sent to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday morning at the agency’s meeting at The Mill Casino-Hotel. The state commission discussed the Coastal Multi-Species Management Plan, which has been the subject of local controversy since late last year. The plan, intended to meet the state’s obligations under the Native Fish Conservation Policy, has been criticized for proposing the shift or elimination of some hatchery fish raised by volunteers. “I continue to have concerns about the science or lack thereof,” Coos County Commissioner Melissa Cribbins said. “We can’t afford to get this wrong.” Cribbins was referring to the agency’s characterization of the threat posed by hatchery fish to native fish of the same species. That specific “conservation risk” is one of several factors the agency is citing in its proposal to end hatchery fall Chinook releases on the West Fork Millicoma River and shift those same fish lower in the Coos Bay system. The current draft of the plan also proposes a 50,000-fish reduction in fall Chinook releases in the Elk River, and the end of winter steelhead releases in the East Fork Coquille River. Both Coos and Curry counties passed resolutions in recent months opposing the hatchery
release changes on the basis that ODFW never consulted with local government. This time around, they were joined by Douglas County Commissioner Susan Morgan in challenging the reductions. “Given that your own study documents wide public support for wild winter steelhead, you may be as perplexed as I am that your staff is recommending that wild winter steelhead harvest on 11 coastal rivers may occur, but not the Umpqua,” Morgan said. Ed Bowles, fish division administrator for ODFW, described the Coastal Plan as a proposal for the long-term, saying he hoped it would prevent year-to-year controversy. “This is a very large and comprehensive piece in front of you,” Bowles said. Tom Stahl, the agency’s recovery program manager, said planners attempted to take predation into account to balance changes in harvest numbers and hatchery releases. But he said ODFW is limited in what it can do by the Marine Mammal Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which regulate the double-crested cormorants and sea lions at the heart of many fishermen’s complaints. The agency also wants to help habitat managers map and prioritize areas of concern, but wouldn’t prescribe any specific course of action under the current draft of the plan. The commission plans to make its decision regarding the plan during a meeting June 5-6 at ODFW headquarters in Salem.
Budget is similar to last year
Sanitary district deal
The city of Reedsport Budget Committee has completed its work and has recommended a fiscal year 2014-15 budget to the city council. The committee recommended a $13,773,830 budget for the next year. That compares to the $13,307,900 adopted for the current year. City Manager Jonathan Wright says there are no major changes for the budget. He did report lower income for the city’s wastewater, stormwater and sewer funds. “We realized some savings last year,” Wright said, “which will be passed along in the form of technology upgrades and equipment upgrades necessary to keep our police department, public works and city hall operational.”
Recently a single-page, very misleading leaflet has been circulated around Reedsport. It is titled “The Opposition Report Number Four.” Perhaps you’ve seen it. This “report” is titled “Regarding City of Reedsport Measure 10-133.” The leaflet is anonymous and it is filled with misinformation and error. If the first three leaflets (considering that this is labeled No. 4) were as inaccurate and misleading as this one, thank goodness I was spared reading them. The mysterious authors, who will not attach their names (perhaps because they prefer not to make such wild claims out in the open) once again accuse the Reedsport City Council of maintaining a “slush fund.” They claim that the mayor (that’s me) “does not like to hear this.” In fact, what I don’t like to hear are public lies. These “clever” authors have tried to make this false claim before. However, the truth to this matter is precisely the opposite. There exists no slush fund hidden within the city budget and the authors of this falsehood are aware of that very thing. In a public meeting just a few months ago, I addressed that very accusation to the city’s auditor. I asked directly if the city’s
books were accurate and whether there was any evidence of such a slush fund. She said that there was no such evidence and no such fund existed. But, alas, our mysterious authors, because they won’t identify themselves, once again assume they need not be concerned with accuracy or the truth. Were the authors to sign their names, I might be able to just say, “consider the source.” The authors of the report also further mislead the public by stating that “there are private sources for flood insurance starting at $129 per year.” That figure comes from a website called Oregon Flood Insurance, and what they don’t point out is that amount covers a building worth only $20,000 and contents worth $8,000. They also don’t tell you that such a rate exists only if your home is in a low-risk zone. Without certification, our downtown will lose that advantage. By the way, I imagine most home and business owners in downtown Reedsport have more than $20,000 worth of building. The authors of “The Opposition Report” could tell you all that, but they don’t. They even go so far as to encourage the city to do nothing and wait for “an act of Congress.” What they won’t tell you is that
SEE TYMCHUK, PAGE A6
Is bankruptcy in our future? BY MARV CLOE
ulated to cover a levee certification. This is reported to have been mandated by FEMA. Is this another case What is happening to of an outside authority, that may Reedsport: Is bankruptcy in our not have constitutional authority, future? saying jump and Reedsport offiWith Measure 10-133, you are cials that you have elected saying being asked to approve an adjust- how high? ment of wastewater and stormwater We should never consider scare fees. The results of this maneuver tactics! The dikes have served us will lower wastewater fees by $2 per very well, having survived two high month,with an increase of stormwa- periods in 50 years. Highs that realter fees by $2 per month. Is there a ly did not even test the dikes. The plan behind this manipulation of level reached was 18 inches above fees? Some think that there is. the concrete sill at the Riverfront Each time that the city finance Way access closures. officer is questioned about the Observation shows that servicing of the state loan, she Reedsport levees face a flooding advises that Reedsport is meeting duration of about four hours. In its obligations. At the time of the order for a river crest to cause floodjudicial review findings, the judge ing, it must be accompanied by an said that fees may only be increased extreme high tide, and an onshore if that is required to service the wind causing what is termed as a state loan. Otherwise, the voter- hold up. Imagine the timing that this approved Measure 10-119 would requires! Once in 100 years is the stand, unless it is appealed and this expected frequency. has not happened. I observed and recorded the Technically, if the wastewater build-up of the 1964 flood experifees are reduced to less than what is ence. The river crest disappeared required to meet Reedsport’s obli- during the extreme low following gation to the state loans, the coun- that trouble-making high tide. I cil could then raise them without have witnessed the high water voter approval. Wastewater fees events since that time. It has been and stormwater fees should not be exactly the same. co-mingled because of very differIf I were your mayor, I would ent agency concerns. Stormwater fees will be manipSEE CLOE, PAGE A6
Reedsport resident
Miller, Flury earn Beacon Awards Photo by Steve Lindsley, The Umpqua Post
Reedsport Mayor Keith Tymchuk signs an agreement for the city that will allow the city to take over billing for sewer customers of the Gardiner Sanitary District. The two have been talking for years, since Reedsport provides the wastewater treatment for GSD. An agreement was necessary for GSD to secure two grants, totalling $2.5 million, that will allow it to upgrade the collection system, do a rate study and repair a leaking pipe under the Umpqua River. A second meeting on the rate study will be Thursday night at the Gardiner Fire Hall.
SEE BUDGET, PAGE A6
The Lower Umpqua Hospital Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2014 Beacon Awards — established by the foundation to recognize the voluntary efforts of local individuals and organizations to improve the health, wellness and safety of individuals in our community. The foundation has announced Judy Miller and Terry Flury are being recognized this year. A ceremony will be held
Monday, May 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Lower Umpqua Hospital conference room. Each winner will receive a check for $100 for a local program of their choosing. Along with the awards, the hospital will serve healthy snacks. The public is invited.
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