The Umpqua Post
Weekly news from the Heart of the Dunes AN EDITION OF
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 | Serving the Reedsport area since 1996 | theworldlink.com/reedsport | $1.00
Volunteers make Christmas in July possible BY STEVE LINDSLEY The Umpqua Post
By Steve Lindsley, The Umpqua Post
Reedsport City Manager Jonathan Wright, who is also a general contractor, gives some painting tips to members of Westminster Presbyterian Church from Salem. The youth group came to Reedsport to help during Christmas in July and, in fact, did projects the entire week they were here.
Dozens of volunteers on dozens of projects became a helpful hoard Saturday for the annual Christmas in July volunteer effort. The day kicked off with a volunteer breakfast at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church. Reedsport City Manager Jonathan Wright acted as emcee for Pastor Allen Chaney, who could not be there. Large posters on the wall gave the projects and their location and volunteers were asked to sign up. Projects included everything from weeding, to pulling up stumps, putting up siding, painting and even a porch repair. The group’s website explained the purpose: “Our mission is to preserve and revitalize houses and
our community, assuring that lowincome homeowners, from the elderly and disabled to families with children, live in warmth, safety, and independence. In partnership with communities, our goal is to make a sustainable impact.” One project was designated in recognition of Stan Bates, who started Christmas in July. Bates died May 31 at the age of 91. “There’s a memorial fund set up for him at Umpqua (Bank),” Wright told the assembled crowd. “If anybody knows anybody that would like to contribute to Christmas is July, those funds can be deposited at Umpqua Bank.” Wright ticked off the list of people to thank for the day-long effort to assist senior and disabled people in the area. “I want to thank the Eagles
School board meeting tonight
Lodge for hosing and spaghetti feed fundraiser again this year,” Wright read, “and a big thank you to Kitty Roden of Kitty’s (Kitchen) is Christmas Forever for donating and raffling a Christmas tree to benefit Christmas in July. All told, between Kitty’s effort, and the spaghetti feed and auction, (we) raised almost $6,000.” The Reedsport/Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce donated $1,000, the Reedsport United Presbyterian Church donated $500 and the United Fund donated $350. Nick and Gretchen McNeff, and ACE Hardware, gave a donation of $500, as well as taking 20 percent off all purchases for the various projects. Mailed-in donations tallied over $1,000.
SEE VOLUNTEERS, PAGE A2
Reedsport gives GSD extension
An ongoing saga continued earlier this month. The Reedsport City Council voted to amend a contract it had The Reedsport school board will just signed with the Gardiner meet in regular session tonight, Sanitary District. Wednesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. The council, at its July 7 meetIt will be the first meeting of ing, agreed action was needed. new, interim Superintendent “I know that this is a topic most Dennis Friedrich, who started the people wish had been done a couone-year position July 1. ple of months ago,” City Manager Friederich comes to the Jonathan Wright said. “The city of Reedsport district after spending Reedsport and Gardiner Sanitary four years as superintendent of the District recently agreed to a new Fern Ridge School District, just west 10-year contract for service. Part Contributed photo of Eugene. of this agreement requires that the The kilted Luke Robinson and his dogs, Hudson and Indiana, are walking along U.S. Highway 101 in a trek He replaces former superintendGardiner Sanitary District conduct from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. His trip will take him through Reedsport, North Bend, Coos ent Jim Thomas, who has become a rate study within a set period of Bay and Bandon in the next few days. superintendent of the McKenzie time. However, the board was School District, east of Springfield. recently recalled by the voters of The board will elected a chair and their district, thereby restricting vice-chair. Kerrie Palermo is the the district’s ability to meet the current chairwoman. obligations of the city. In order for One of the agenda items, includthe Gardiner Sanitary District to ed on the consent agenda, will be to not accidentally breach the existing designate Friedrich as the chief contract, section 3.4 must be modadministrative officer, district clerk, ified.” safety director, custodian of funds, That modification struck out a district election authority, budget three month requirement and BY STEVE LINDSLEY need water or food or if I need a place to pitch a officer and Equal Education added the words “Until such time The Umpqua Post tent overnight. In Washington state, actually, no Opportunities compliance officer. as the rate study has been comone even stopped us at all.” The superintendent is also the sigpleted, the Parties agree to continA familiar sight will be traveling through town Robinson says the walk started May 10. He nature authority on all state and fedue billing the district as provided in in the next few days. took a little break in Florence so Hudson could eral grants. the 1991 agreement.” A man walking with his dogs. heal an infected paw. Also on the consent agenda will Gardiner’s entire five-member However, this man and his furry friends are That paw is healed and Hudson rejoined his be the official school board meeting board was recalled last month, walking for a cause. friends Monday to continue the walk. calendar. The board is expected to leaving the Douglas County district The kilted Luke Robinson, of Texas, and his Otherwise, things have been good. keep the start time at 6:30 p.m. at unable to pay bills. dogs Hudson and Indiana are currently traveling “It’s been wonderful,” he said. “I clarify to the district offices. Commissioners are expected to along the Oregon coast as part of an effort to walk people that my mission is not fundraising. The The board will also vote on the name at least three members to the from the Canadian border to the Mexican border mission of this walk is not fundraising. It’s educaresignation of Reedsport board this week. That new board to raise awareness of canine cancer. He recently tion and awareness. It’s my job to be out there Community Charter School art will pick two other members. completed a stretch through Florence and is talking with people and educate them. teacher Kyle Mulligan and accept the “So, as we currently bill them,” headed south this week. “We’ve met really wonderful people and just hire of Janet Ramsey as the ASPIRE said Wright “we’ll continue on Robinson says he’s amazed at the numbers of the backdrop of the walk ... the Oregon coast has coordinator. until they get their rate structure in people who have stopped to talk. been breathtaking. Really magnificent. Everyone Under action items, the board place. At such time then the city “We’ve had the most people ever stop,” he said will consider approval of the school will assume the billing for the disof his walk along the coast. “They ask if the dogs SEE CANCER, PAGE A8 trict.” SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A6 “And this has nothing to do with the contract that we have with Gardiner?” asked acting mayor Frank Barth. “The original contract specified that, within three months of the parties execution of this agreement DuneFest The event is sponsored by the The community is getting ready Bay for another DuneFest celebration in Reedsport/Winchester happens July ... obviously they can’t meet that Chamber of Commerce and Polaris. Winchester Bay. 30 to Aug. 3 three-month provision now ... that wording has been removed, struck “The Reedsport/Winchester Bay This year’s five-day event runs at Winchester and replaced (with the new wordChamber of Commerce recognizes from July 30 to Aug. 3. Bay at the ing),” Wright explained. “It The event features adult and kid the significance of the ATV/UTV dunes near removes the time-sensitive proviactivities including motocross rac- industry,” a news release said, “and it. The event sion and allows the new Gardiner ing, freestyle shows, sand drags, a welcomes all participants, sponsors is sponsored board to move into that position, poker run, a new kids’ treasure hunt, and vendors. With their help, and the the Reedsget acclimated and start moving a Show ‘N Shine, a drive-in movie help of hundreds of volunteers, port/Winches- forward.” night, charity action, and “Rock the DuneFest is the premier ATV/UTV ter Bay sand event in the country. DuneFest Dunes” on Saturday night. Chamber of DuneFest 2014 offers on-site is a family-friendly atmosphere and SEE EXTENSION, PAGE A6 Commerce sand camping and off-site camping, boasts the slogan: The most fun a along with free parking, free shuttle bus service family can have in the sand.” Polaris. More info is available at from Winchester Bay,a kids safe ATV riding area and non-ethanol gasoline www.dunefest.com or 541-271-3495 Umpqua Post or 1-800-247-2155. at the Salmon Harbor fuel dock. file photo
Border to border walk for canine cancer awareness
DuneFest ready to blow the doors off July 30
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