AN EDITION OF
Bandon
WESTERN WORLD Thursday, March 27, 2014
theworldlink.com/bandon ♦ $1.00
Rotary 4-Way Test:
Hotsteppers:
Inside this edition:
Three win Rotary speech contest, see page A2
Dance Team competes at state, see page A8
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 Bandon Police Log. . . . . . . . A3 Arts and Entertainment . . . A5
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A8
Marijuana dispensary moratorium approved By Amy Moss Strong Bandon Western World
Photo by Amy Moss Strong
Mosquito plan vetting Bill Bridgeland, restoration biologist for the Bandon Marsh Refuge, explains to a group attending a recent open house the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s plan to control the mosquito population on the marsh this summer.
This year, the buzz is about prevention By Amy Moss Strong Bandon Western World
BANDON — Though summer is three months away, Bandon residents are already talking about and dreading the possibility of another mosquito-infested season. But the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with county officials and partners, are hoping to prevent a repeat of last summer and have unveiled a plan that they believe will help. About 50 people attended an open house last week at The Barn held by USFWS representatives and attended by council officials. The intent of the open house was to
inform the public of and solicit comments on the proposed mosquito control plan as well as the environmental assessment for tidal marsh restoration at the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Comments are being accepted on both plans, which together constitute an integrated marsh management approach to mosquito management on the refuge, according to Roy Lowe, project leader for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It has been determined by USFWS that the abnormally high salt water marsh mosquito population is largely
■ See Mosquito, A4
BANDON — The Bandon City Council unanimously approved an ordinance at a special hearing Monday night enacting a 120-day moratorium on siting medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits. The council said the move gives the city time to plan for siting and regulating such facilities. The ordinance also declared an emergency so the moratorium would go into effect immediately. “The whole debate across the state is intensifying and keeps bringing up how these are going to fit into communities,” said City Attorney Fred Carleton. “Various cities’ approaches to this are all over the map.” Carleton said some cities have banned the dispensaries outright, while others have enacted temporary bans. Further, he said, the Legislature has not been much help, though a bill was passed last week that allows cities to enact up to a one-year moratorium if passed by May 1. The council, however, decided since it has been advertising that it wanted to pass a 120-day ban that it wouldn’t enact a longer one. The Bandon Planning Commission will discuss the issue Thursday and look into the city’s existing zoning ordinances to determine what might work regarding where to site medical marijuana dispensaries. That meeting will be held at The Barn at 7 p.m. rather than City Hall, to accommodate more people. Rob Taylor was the only member of the public who spoke at the hearing and said the council needed to plan because medical marijuana dispensaries are coming “whether you like it or not.” Taylor added that if the city doesn’t
■ See Marijuana, A4
Bandon’s Douglass celebrates her 104th BANDON — Marie Douglass holds the distinctive title of being the oldest person in Bandon. However, if there are any others out there who claim to be older, they should speak now or forever hold their peace. For now, anyway, at 104, Marie holds the title (and the crown) and she is enjoying every minute. Marie was honored at Pacific View Assisted Living (formerly Heritage Place) on Friday afternoon and given a tiara, cake, certificate and lots of admiration, surrounded by family members and friends. Still as sharp as ever, Marie thanked everyone at the gathering and said she hoped their would be music. Marie was born March 24, 1910, on a farm in Siloam Springs, Ark. She was lucky to have a loving and caring family who worked hard at whatever they were doing — farming, running a restaurant or selling Avon. She was raised with strong family
■ See Marie, A4
“We’re certainly not surprised ...
because that’s what they do — fight perceived issues based on principle rather than fact, even when it’s in the best interest of Oregonians.” — Project manager Troy Russell
Environmental group appeals golf course plan By John Gunther Bandon Western World
Photo by Amy Moss Strong
Still going strong
SOUTH COAST — The proposed Pacific Gales golf course near Port Orford faces an expected obstacle: An appeal from an environmental group. Oregon Coast Alliance has appealed the Curry County Planning Commission’s approval of a conditional use application that allows the golf course on a portion of Knapp Ranch, located between Port Orford and Cape Blanco. The group appealed the project on several grounds, and now the conditional use application will be heard by the Curry County Commissioners in a hearing April 17. The course developer, Elk River Property Development LLC, remains committed to the project, Project Manager Troy Russell said. “We’re certainly not surprised by the Oregon Coast Alliance’s appeal, because that’s what they do — fight perceived issues based on principle rather than fact, even when it may be in the best interest of Oregonians,” Russell said in
Pacific View activities director Lorinda Harless presents 104year-old Marie Douglass with a cake in honor of her birthday.
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■ See Appeal, A4