AN EDITION OF
Bandon
WESTERN WORLD Thursday, April 17, 2014
theworldlink.com/bandon ♦ $1.00
Speech honors:
Leading the pack:
Inside this edition:
Sweep at district, see page A2 for the full story
Tigers finish well, see page A10 for the full story
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 Bandon Police Log. . . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4
Arts and Entertainment . . . A5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A10 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A8-9
“This is the best opportunity to get to
meet and learn about 40 of your neighborhood businesses in one room.” — Kevin Shaw, Coastal Mist
Business Fair is today at The Barn Bandon Western World
Photo by Cardas Photography
Cranberry Court The 2014 Bandon Cranberry Festival Court has been chosen. Court members include, from left: Annmarie Pickett, Paige Smith, Kenzie Basey, Anna Taylor and LizaMay Skeie. This year’s theme has a western focus, “Cranberry Round Up!” and was suggested by Ron and Mary Evans, who won $50 for their submission. The 68th annual Cranberry Festival will be held Sept. 12, 13 and 14.
Bandon land exchange gets state parks OK
BANDON — The public is invited to the second annual Bandon Chamber of Commerce Business Fair from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at The Barn, 1200 11th St. S.W. in City Park. Businesses will once again showcase their products and services. “The Bandon Chamber of Commerce wants to help promote and increase awareness of our businesses during the 2014 season,” said Executive Director
Julie Miller, “and we can think of no better way to do that than to make a positive and memorable impression on those individuals, including front-line employees and volunteers, service organizations, chamber members and the public, who regularly help Bandon visitors access local goods and services.” More than 40 local businesses will be showcased at the event and each will offer giveaways, samples and promotion-
■ See Biz Fair, A7
Commissioners outline SCCF
By John Gunther Bandon Western World
BANDON — The Oregon Parks Commission last week approved a land transfer of 280 acres of the Bandon State Natural Area to Bandon Biota for Mike Keiser to build the Bandon Links golf complex. Keiser owns Bandon Dunes Golf Resort and also owns Bandon Biota LLC, a separate company. The transfer still faces one big hurdle, since the land that would go to Bandon Biota was sold to the Oregon Parks Department by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on the condition that it remain open to public outdoor recreation. That condition must be removed before the property can be transferred, a process that could take several months, according to Chris Havel of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. But the April 8 vote was a huge step toward the transfer becoming reality. “We’re pleased with the outcome,” Keiser said last week, adding that there’s a long ways to go in the process. “The Bureau of Land Management has to sign off on the ultimate use. And we need approval from Coos County when we come up with a specific plan.” Steve Corey, an attorney working on the proposal for Keiser, has had preliminary discussions with BLM, Keiser said, adding “they seem very reasonable.” The Parks Commission approved the concept late last year, but delayed a final vote twice before finally approving it by a 4-2 margin. To approve the transfer, the commission had to find that it provided overwhelming public benefit.
■ See Exchange, A8
Cover Oregon deadline is extended to April 30 By Geneva Miller Contributing Writer
BANDON — New federal law requires all residents to subscribe to health insurance. The deadline for enrollment in a private health insurance policy for 2014 is April 30. Cover Oregon is the insurance marketplace designed to allow Oregon residents to compare multiple insurance options at one time, either online or through a paper application. Other states elected to use the federal exchange, HealthCare.gov, or created their own state-based exchanges. The exchange is similar to travel sites Orbitz or Expedia, which allow travelers to compare multiple airline and flight itineraries. Using Cover Oregon, insurance shoppers start the application process by supplying basic information about household members and income. Then they review policy options from private insurance companies and, for
■ See Deadline, A7
By Amy Moss Strong, Bandon Western World
Coos County Commissioner Bob Main, left, explains details about the proposed South Coast Community Foundation at a town hall meeting last Wednesday night at The Barn in Bandon.
Heated exchange follows Bandon town hall meeting By Amy Moss Strong Bandon Western World
BANDON — The first of several town hall meeting hosted by the Coos County Board of Commissioners to solicit public input on the proposed formation the South Coast Community Foundation ended on a somewhat sour note last Wednesday night. One of the meeting’s participants was cited by Bandon police after she allegedly slapped a man during a heated discussion. Ronnie Herne, 69, of Coquille, was charged with one count of harassment outside The Barn in Bandon following an exchange with Rick Skinner of Coos Bay. According to witnesses, the two were discussing the pros and cons of the formation of the SCCF as part of an overall Community Enhancement Plan when the exchange grew heated.
Need to sell something?
Commissioner Melissa Cribbins began the meeting by telling the approximately 50 people in attendance that it would follow a “world cafe” format. Large sheets of paper with questions written at the top were placed at five tables around the room. People counted off by fives and were instructed to go to a table, then move to a different one when Cribbins indicated. The purpose of the format, she said, was to have people write their concerns down and discuss each question among themselves and with input from commissioners and others representing the proposed SCCF. The comments will be compiled at the end of a series of similar meetings held through Sunday throughout the county. The South Coast Community Foundation is a proposed non-
profit that would manage half of the community service fees the Jordan Cove Energy Project would pay if it gets federal and state permits and if it receives a long-term property tax exemption. The Community Enhancement Plan was designed to funnel those fees into three coffers: SCCF, Bayfront Investment Corporation and the North Spit taxing districts. “This is not giving a tax gift back to (Jordan Cove),” county Assessor Steve Jansen has explained. “This is a vehicle to get their tax dollars out of their pocket and give every bit of it to Coos County schools and the other taxing districts.” Essentially, Jordan Cove would pay the same amount whether or not it gets long-term property tax
■ See SCCF, A8
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