Curry Coastal Pilot Nov 13 2010 A section

Page 1

40 POUND SALMON!

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Chetco River season one for the history books so far • 11A

Today! Annual Brookings event with 100-plus vendors, food • 5A

WEEKEND EDITION

PILOT

CURRY COASTAL

Serving Curry County since 1946

SATURDAY, NOV. 13, 2010

BROOKINGS, OREGON • 3 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES

50 CENTS

Sinkhole Head-on crash claims two Brookings lives caused by complete pipe failure By Arwyn Rice Pilot staff writer

The cause of Thursday’s headon car accident that killed two elderly men on Highway 101 north of Brookings was still unknown as of Friday evening. Rodney Orlando Draheim, 80, and Robert Dale Lewis, 81, both of Brookings, were killed Thursday afternoon when their Dodge

By Arwyn Rice Pilot staff writer The broken culvert that caused a massive sinkhole in front of Brookings City Hall last weekend is in complete failure and will have to be replaced, City Manager Gary Milliman said Thursday. “Pieces of the pipe brought up from the sinkhole essentially disintegrate when handled,” Milliman said. The sinkhole opened up in front of city hall at about 1 a.m. Sunday, and quickly grew to 20feet by 30-feet wide and 25 feet deep. Crews from the city and Tidewater Contractors, Inc. widened the hole Monday to provide access for repairs. The culvert carries water from Macklyn Creek, at the northeast corner of the city hall parking lot, to Mill Pond, located on South Coast Lumber Co. property behind Fred Meyer. On Wednesday, video camera exploration of the pipe, provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation, revealed that the roof of the 30-inch unreinforced concrete culvert is sagging down into the pipe, Milliman said.

Ram pickup trucks collided. The accident occurred just after 2 p.m. in the center turn lane of Highway 101. The vehicles came to rest against a guardrail just south of the Carpenterville Road intersection. Both drivers were declared dead when rescue crews arrived, according to a Brookings Police Department press release. There were no passengers in

either vehicle. Draheim’s white 2003 Ram was traveling northbound on Highway 101, while Lewis’ burgundy 2001 Ram was heading southbound when they collided, police said. Traffic on Highway 101 was stopped for much of the afternoon, causing a backup for several hours, while police investigated the accident.

The first report of the accident to the Brookings emergency center came in at 2:13 p.m., police said. The road was reopened at approximately 5 p.m. Brookings Volunteer Fire Department, Brookings Police Department, Curry County Sheriff, Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the accident scene. See Crash, Page 5A

Fugitive arrested in Brookings

See Culvert, Page 3A

Health care and economy top Wyden’s list of goals By Valliant Corley Pilot staff writer GOLD BEACH — Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., told Curry County residents he’d work toward improving the economy, creating jobs and making changes in health care legislation as he spoke and answered questions for almost two hours at a town hall meeting in Gold Beach on Friday. “What I’m trying to do is drive the focus on the economy,” he said at the 10th of 11 town hall meetings held on the Oregon Coast and in Eastern and Southern Oregon over the past 10 days. His first priority is natural resources and timber, he said. “A lot of people think the timber payments law that I wrote is some kind of welfare. That’s not the case,” he said. “It’s based on an agreement we entered into 100 years ago, when our forefathers kept half the land in Oregon as public lands.” Wyden said that when he wrote the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act, it brought $2.5 billion to Oregon. See Wyden, Page 12A

The Pilot/Scott Graves

Officers converge on a truck in downtown Brookings Wednesday driven by a wanted felon and carrying a Brookings woman. Both suspects were arrested without incident. See story on Page 3A.

Letters a labor of love for U.S. troops By Marjorie Woodfin Pilot staff writer For Brookings Emblem Club member Teri Clawson, sending Christmas letters to U.S. troops has been a labor of love for 41 years. This year, Clawson’s efforts received national recognition — she received the National Association of Vietnam Veterans Award for the year for her “dedication and commitment to veterans, her community, and the country.” Clawson started by mailing 456 letters in 1969, the year she began her letter-writing project in association with the American Legion in Montana. With help from two dozen other Emblem Club members and friends, Clawson sent 11,104 letters this year from the Harbor Post Office to 1,000 U.S. bases, ships, hospitals and U.S. Coast Guard stations around the world.

‘It’s soul satisfying to send greetings to those who are away from home for the holidays.’ — Teri Clawson, Emblem Club “In 2000, when I moved to Brookings and joined the Emblem Club, the president, Areta Schock, asked me to be Americanism chair and said she was looking for a program, and I said, ‘I have one,’” Clawson said. That program has grown over the years, with help from an increasing number of letter writers, local support and donations from

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area businesses and organizations, and fundraising breakfasts. She said, “Banks, insurance agencies, and title companies make copies for us, and Ray’s Food Place, Shop Smart, Fred Meyer, and Grocery Outlet make generous donations of eggs, syrup, and pancake mix for the fund-raising breakfasts I do at the Elks Club in August and February.” Clawson explained that she raises funds to purchase Christmas stationary and pay for postage. It’s important to make the letters as festive as possible, she said. “I had a hard time finding Christmas paper this year.” It costs approximately $150 to mail the boxes of letters to the organization that sends them abroad, Troop Fan Mail Friends of the Troops, in Fayetteville, N.C. See Clawson, Page 5A

The Pilot/Jef Hatch

Teri Clawson’s letter-writing efforts received national recognition this year.

Weather Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 12 Normal

High 58 58 65 59

Low 46 43 47 46

Sunrise/Sunset Rain 0.26 00 00

Hi wind 16 18 16

Precipitation totals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inches Since Jan. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56.46 Normal since Jan. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54.66 Since Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.42 Normal since Oct. 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.97

Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 15 Nov. 16

A.M. . . . . . . . . . . . .7:05 . . . . . . . . . . . .7:06 . . . . . . . . . . . .7:07 . . . . . . . . . . . .7:09

P.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:58 . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:57 . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:56 . . . . . . . . . . . . .4:55

Forecast Partly sunny, high near 53. See Page 3B for details. 24-hour weather: http://www.currypilot.com

Page 2A-Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Curry Coastal Pilot

Drop in property values means less taxes for county coffers Taxes averaged an increase of 2.48 percent, County Assessor Jim Kolen told the Curry County Board of Commissioners in a work session on Wednesday. “That’s a half percent less than we expected,” Kolen said. “That is $110,000 less for our taxing districts. In Crook County, it actually dropped 5 percent — over a million dollars.”

By Valliant Corley Pilot staff writer GOLD BEACH — Declining property values will result in less property taxes collected in Curry County this year than had been expected. That despite Measure 50 which would allow taxes to go up by 3 percent on property where assessed values are below actual property values.

T H E

Tax value increases are limited to 3 percent by Measure 50, a constitutional amendment approved by Oregon voters in 1997. The Measure 50 limit caused tax values to lag far behind market values as property values climbed through 2007. Since 2007, property values have been plunging. Kolen said that under Measure 50, if market values drop below assessed v al ue s, m ar k e t v al ue i s what the taxes are based on. “With the recession in Oregon, more people are paying on real market value and property values are dropping significantly,” Kolen said. “In 2007, the average assessed value was about 50 percent of market value,” Kolen said. “This year, it’s at 75 percent and still dropping. Next year it will be worse.”

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He said that throughout his career as county assessor, Curry County has had about the third highest average home values in the state. Now, “a lot of counties have subdivision after subdivision of empty houses,” Kolen said. Another thing hurting taxing districts is urban renewal districts, he said. Kolen said that with urban renewal districts, normal increases in taxes within those districts go to the urban renewal district instead of the county, city, school and other taxing districts. Brookings has urban renewal districts that are being explored by both Gold Beach and Port Orford, he said. “Generally, urban renewal districts are set up for 15 years, but they can renew,” he said. “The idea

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is, they are making improvements. Once the taxes go back to the districts, it will generate more values. Yo u c a n d e f i n i t e l y s e e downtown Brookings is nicer than it used to look.” He said the Brookings urban renewal district currently takes about $28,000 from the county’s share of taxes and about $151,000 from the school district’s share. Kolen said earlier that countywide last year, the average single family home’s market value was around $257,000. “This year, that average has dropped by about 15 percent, to $218,000,” he said. “The average home’s taxable value was $159,000 last year. This amount increased by 3 percent to an average of $164,000,” Kolen said. “Real market values actually fell by more than 15 percent in the Port Orford and northern areas of the county and less than 15 percent in the Brookings and Gold Beach areas,” he said. Approximately $22.7 million has been billed by the tax collector for 201011. Of this amount, Curry County receives 6.46 percent. Of the rest, more than 57 percent goes to

schools, more than 18 percent to the cities, more than 5 percent to libraries, 3 percent to fire districts and almost 3 percent each to the health and port districts. “Property tax statements show the amount of tax you pay to each taxing district in which your property is located and they show this year’s total tax compared to last year,” he said. The tax statement also shows this year’s real market and assessed values compared to last year. “The real market value is the assessor’s estimate of what the property would have sold for on Jan. 1, 2010 and i s base d up o n sales evidence collected in 2009,” Kolen said. “Market reductions which have occurred since Jan. 1, 2010 will be reflected on next year’s tax statements.” The first third of this year’s property tax is due on Monday. “Taxpayers receive a 3 percent discount if taxes are paid in full by the first trimester date of Nov. 15. If you make a two-thirds payment by Nov. 15, you will receive a 2 percent discount,” said Izabella Brock, the county’s tax collector. “Trimester tax payment dates are Nov. 15, Feb. 15 and May 15.”

Curry Coastal Pilot, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010-Page 3A

Brookings residents mark Veterans Day Pair driving stolen car arrested in Brookings

By Marjorie Woodfin Pilot staff writer

By Scott Graves Pilot staff writer Weapons in hand, police officers converged on a stolen vehicle in downtown Brookings Wednesday, arresting the driver, a Central Point man, and his passenger, a Brookings woman, without incident. Jacob Benjamin Hefner, 27, the driver of a 1987 Ford Ranger reported stolen in Jackson County, was charged with vehicle theft and possession of methamphetamine and related contraband. Hefner, who was on felony probation, was also wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service because he skipped trial for charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. There is no bail. His passenger, Barbara Ann Hart, 40, of Brookings, was ar-

The Pilot/Marjorie Woodfin

Brookings Pastor Ray Robinson opens the ceremony with a prayer, asking for a blessing for all veterans. But the celebration isn’t over. Bremmer noted that it continues today (Nov. 13) with a special hobby exhibit, chili cook-off, and barbecue, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Bremmer said that the big hobby exhibit is not to be missed, with its many military exhibits including his huge collection of hats, some belonging to very famous people.

FRAGRANCE OF THE MONTH Lots of New Unique Fragrances

of care to remember and honor individuals in our community whose lives have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behav-

ior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks, according to the Alzheimer’s Association website: www.alz.org. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a

Candle Co.

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Thank You ~ Thank You

Candle lighting honors those touched by dementia

The public is invited to a Commemorative Candle Lighting at 7 p.m. Sunday at Ocean Park, 984 Parkview Drive, Brookings. Friends and families of Ocean Park residents are welcome to join in lighting candles

20%

! Cranberry Citrus Goblin Shoe Off Holiday Fragrances Are In…

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Obviously, members and friends of the VFW believe that no veterans celebration should ever end without refreshments, and homemade cakes and drinks were served to all. Attendees were positive in comments about the celebration and the appearance of the newly-refurbished VFW hall, with its fresh paint and magnificent wall mural painted by Colleen Stafford.

rested and charged with vehicle theft and possession of methamphetamine. Her bail was set at $50,000. Both suspectes were booked into the Curry County Jail. The couple were driving the stolen truck into Brookings when it was spotted at 3:49 p.m. by a Brookings police officer, according to Brookings Police Sgt. Terry Murray. The police officer, joined by a Curry County sheriff’s deputy and an Oregon State Police officer, followed the truck through town and stopped it in a parking lot in the 600 block of Spruce Street. Because Hefner was a convicted felon and possibly armed, officers approached the vehicle with guns pointed. Both suspects followed police orders and were arrested without a fight, Murray said.

The Brookings-Harbor

Community Food Bank

general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

wishes to thank the Curry County Cruisers Classic Car Club for its most generous donation. Thank you to all who donated to their Memorial Day Car Show at the Port of Brookings Harbor that made the donation possible.

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Brookings-Harbor residents came together Thursday for a special celebration on Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of soldiers from all branches of the United States military. The solemn event at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 966 hall, scheduled for the 11th hour of the 11th day, began with a posting of the colors by members of the U.S. Coast Guard from the Chetco River Lifeboat Station. Pastor Ray Robinson of the Bethel Baptist Church opened the meeting with a prayer, asking a blessing on all in attendance, and especially for all veterans. VFW Commander James Thebaut welcomed attendees and introduced vice commander Rick Bremmer, who served as master of ceremonies. Bremmer introduced Brookings Mayor Larry Anderson, who gave a short speech of appreciation for all those who have served to help keep our country safe. The hall was filled with celebrants from babes in arms to those at the other end of the age spectrum, and all appeared to be emotionally involved while participating in the salute to the flag and the “Star Spangled Banner.” In conversation after the celebration, Bremmer said, “I think this definitely shows that there a lot of people out there who care about our vets.” He added, “I was happy to get through my speech without shedding tears.”

Culvert: !The pipe will continue to collapse ..." Continued from Page 1A

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!!"# $%%&'() Workers clear a failed water pipe that caused a sinkhole outside city hall. no estimate on the cost of the project. A preliminary estimate was created based on replacing the section immediately around the sinkhole. That estimate has been abandoned, Milliman said. “City engineers are working on a couple of different design scenarios,” he said. The city’s insurance carrier will not help cover the cost of replacing the failed culvert. “They won’t cover a facility that is failing due to age,” he said. Two scheduled storm drain projects, one at NAPA Auto Parts and one between city hall and the new Curry

Health District clinic, have been suspended. “Together, these projects were budgeted at $191,000. These funds may need to be transferred to the new storm drain replacement project,” Milliman said. City records do not show when the culvert was installed, but city employees have estimated the age of the pipe to be 30-60 years. What records do exist are incorrect, and show the pipe to be 36 inches. An emergency city council meeting will be held to address funding and other issues related to the culvert failure.

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What ever happened to Rick Jackson, previous owner and chef of Chives Restaurant? He has now opened a new place in Gold Beach called THE BRIDGE. Over the past five years Rick has been working as a full time father to his children Ruby, nine and Emerson, six. Two years ago he opened Bella Rogue bed and breakfast on the Rogue River near Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge. Now that both his children are in school full time he decided to return to his passion... good food, people, and fun with the opening of THE BRIDGE, open Wednesday through Sunday at 4 p.m. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6. THE BRIDGE features live music, a beautiful private meeting and banquet room, catering and much more and is available for holiday parties.

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ing lot will be closed for about 10 days while a contractor removes the dirt, rocks, chunks of concrete, and plastic pipe, Milliman said. An empty lot near U.S. Bank will be used to temporarily store debris removed from the culvert. There is no plan to divert the water from Macklyn Creek. The forecast calls for dry weather in the coming week, and the city is moving forward as quickly as possible. “We want to get it done before the next big rain event,” he said. By Friday, there was still

Rick Jackson’s New Restaurant

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The Pilot/Jef Hatch

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The culvert will have to be replaced, from the inlet to the parking lot to Chase Bank, he said. “Whether we would continue this project (from there) is a matter of further discussion,” he said. Milliman has instructed the city engineer to approach at least three contractors for informal bids for the replacement work. Once the new main is complete, the failing main will be filled with a slurry material and sealed. A junction between the culvert and two storm drains leading from Chetco Pharmacy, Elk Drive and Fifth Street is the apparent starting point of the pipe’s failure. “The pipe will continue to collapse in a domino manner. The failure clearly appears to be related to the age and quality of the pipe,” he said. The culvert enlarges to a 48-inch pipe at Chase Bank. The larger culvert pipe is heavily blocked with rubble, so much that ODOT was unable to maneuver the video camera into the tunnel, Milliman said in a Friday update. It will have to be cleaned out by vacuum and by hand. “Workers were lowered in on Thursday,” Milliman said. “They stood on the gravel bed.” Access to the larger pipe is in the parking lot at Taco Bell/Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, at the corner of Chetco Avenue and Fifth Street. Beginning Monday, portions of the restaurant park-

Page 4A-Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Curry Coastal Pilot

OPINION Editorial Rants and raves for local newsmakers Rave: The Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor gets a gold star for giving St. Timothy’s Outreach Free Clinic a $4,000 grant to purchase supplies. The clinic, which opened in July at 401 Fir St., offers health care for the uninsured from 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday. This hefty donation will go a long way in providing medical services to those less fortunate Rant: The Brookings City Council deserves a black mark for putting the needs of construction companies and contractors over those of residents when it came to approving a new noise ordinance. On Monday, the council tentatively approved an ordinance to allow construction to take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The final decision is set for Dec. 13. Much of the councilors’ discussion favored liberal hours to help contractors meet deadlines, with not even a mention of concern for residents. Why no residents attended Monday’s meeting to protest the decision remains a mystery. Rave: City workers, police officers and private work crews deserve gold stars for working non-stop on a giant sinkhole that opened up near Brookings City Hall after midnight Sunday. Rave: A heartfelt “woof!” goes to Curry County’s volunteer group The Trash Dogs for its continuous efforts to clear our beautiful forest roads of unsightly trash. Rant: Shame on Curry County officials for waiting until after the Law Enforcement Levy failed at the ballot box to get serious about seeking new revenue sources. With the inevitable end of federal timber funds looming over the county for years, solid efforts to keep the county solvent should have begun years ago.

Elected Officials President Barack Obama White House, Washington, DC 20500 Comment line 202-456-1111 Sen. Jeff Merkley Washington office Portland office 107 Russell Senate Office Bldg. United States Senate 121 S.W. Salmon St., Ste. 1250 Washington, DC 20510 Portland, OR 97204 Phone 202-224-3753 Phone 503-326-3386 Fax 202-228-3997 Fax 503-326-2900 Web site: www.merkley.senate.gov Sen. Ron Wyden Washington office Medford office: 223 Dirksen Senate Federal Courthouse Office Building 310 W. Sixth St. Room 118 Washington, DC 20510 Medford, OR 97501 Phone 202-224-5244 Phone 541-858-5122 Fax 202-228-2717 Fax 541-858-5126 Website: http://www.wyden.senate.gov U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio Washington office Coos Bay office 2134 Rayburn House 125 W. Central Ave., Office Building Ste 350 Washington, DC 20515 Coos Bay, OR 97420 Phone 202-225-6416 Phone 541-269-2609 or 800-944-9603 Fax 541-269-5760 Fax 202-225-0032 Website:!http://www.house.gov/defazio Gov. Ted Kulongoski 900 Court St. N.E. #254, Salem, OR!97301 Phone 503-378-3111, Fax 503-378-4863 State Sen. Jeff Kruse 900 Court St. Northeast Suite S209 Salem, OR 97301-1701 Phone 503-986-1701

State Rep. Wayne Krieger 95702 Skyview Ranch Road Gold Beach, OR 97444 Phone 541-247-7990 wkrieger@hughes.net

Curry County Commissioners Georgia Nowlin – e-mail:!nowling@co.curry.or.us George Rhodes – e-mail:!rhodesg@co.curry.or.us Bill Waddle – e-mail:!waddleb@co.curry.or.us P.O. Box 746, Gold Beach, OR 97444 Phone 541-247-3296 Curry County Sheriff John Bishop P.0. Box 681, Gold Beach, OR 97444 Phone 541-247-3242; e-mail: bishopj@co.curry.or.us Brookings City Council Mayor Larry Anderson, Ron Hedenskog, Jake Pieper Dave Gordon, Brent Hodges 898 Elk Drive, Brookings, OR 97415 Phone 541-469-2163, Fax 541-469-3650

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At the Helm SCOTT GRAVES

Thanksgiving memories

Letters to the Editor Share your homes for Habitat tour

cast and crew for such an entertaining evening. Mike Wiley Brookings

Editor: For the past several years Habitat for Humanity’s annual home tour has been a much anticipated holiday ritual for me. It has been an opportunity to share in the special homes and hobbies of fellow area residents and contribute to a worthy cause. Unfortunately, when I spoke to one of the organizers a few weeks ago, there were not enough homes signed up to make a tour possible. I had planned to make my tiny home part of the tour this year, but unexpected surgery has put that off until next year. I sincerely hope that a few willing folks will find it in their hearts to share their homes on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. The contact number is listed in the phone book. Cathleen Witt Brookings

Editor: The 2010 BHHS (Brookings-Harbor High School) volleyball season has now come to a close. We would like to thank everyone who attended our games and supported our team. We would especially like to thank Wild River Pizza, Daryn Farmer, Chetco Appliance, New Hope Plumbing, and Tidewater for their generous contributions. Also, a big thanks to Linda Hadley, who sang the national anthem for us at every home game. Go Bruins! Lori Cooper and Vanessa Nidiffer, BHHS volleyball coaches

‘Oklahoma’ offers high energy fun

Time for annual Turkey Shoot

Editor: I joined friends last Friday (Nov. 5) to see the opening performance of “Oklahoma” at the Brookings-Harbor Community Theater. From the beginning, the commanding voice of Mike Vest (Curly), the beautiful singing of Megan Walters (Laurey), and the uplifting rendition by Sarah McDonald (Ado Annie Carnes) of, “I Can’t Say No,” the production was a huge success! There was the comic high energy of Ira Tozer (Ali Hakim) as well as the graceful dancing of Eileen Goodwin (Suzie-Ballerina Laurey), as the performers sang, acted and danced their way through an amazing musical. I highly recommend seeing “Oklahoma” when you can, and congratulate the entire

Meetings Saturday, Nov. 13 •Southwestern Oregon Community College board of education, policy committee, 9 a.m., Tioga Hall, room 505, 2110 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay. Tuesday, Nov. 16 •Brookings Site Planning Committee, 10 a.m., Brookings City Hall council chambers, 898 Elk Drive, Brookings. Wednesday, Nov. 17 •Brookings Site Planning Committee, 10 a.m., Brookings City Hall council chambers, 898 Elk Drive, Brookings. •Curry Health District Board of Directors, 3:30 p.m., Shore Pines Assisted Living activity room, 94220 Fourth St., Gold Beach. •Curry Health District Board of Directors, 2:30 p.m., 94220 Fourth St., Gold Beach. Thursday, Nov. 18 •Brookings Public Arts Committee, noon, Brookings City Hall council chambers, 898 Elk Drive, Brookings. ~~~ Government and nonprofit agencies and organization in Curry County may send their meeting notices to sgraves@currypilot.com or fax to (541) 469-4679.

Appreciate support of Bruin volleyball

Editor: Dear golfers: My dog Maggie and I were out and about early Sunday morning heading for the golf course in the rain. The chance of a traditional Sunday morning skins game looked pretty bleak. But with the election of the 2011 board of directors coming up, I had to deliver a sealed ballot box to the club house. All members were mailed ballots. Please vote and return your ballots ASAP. Also, don’t forget the Nov. 17th Annual Turkey Shoot. All members signing up will get a turkey. Also, there will be a raffle with $1,200 in prizes, food, and closest-to-the-pin contest. The sign up sheet is at the club house, or call the Tournament Chair, Bob Alamada at 541-469-2971. Ron Sloniker, president, Salmon Run Men!s Club

Officials, stop being Chicken Littles

Editor: County officials need to quit being Chicken Littles and crying, “The sky is

falling,” on an endless basis, and put their sharp minds to work for what they were elected for. We all know the economy bites. We all know presidential elections bring more money — just like the last one. Get over it and get back to work. Channel 99’s 2010 Award of the Year for Scaremongering and Bickering goes to: Curry County! Raymond Connors Gold Beach

Our veterans worth a simply thank you

Editor: Veterans Day recognizes the “service above-self” of military veterans who served our country, so you may want to seek out veterans among your friends and neighbors and offer them a simple thank you! My approach this year is to honor the memory of “The Breadman,” a USAF veteran who left us last Veterans Day. I will make a tax-deductible contribution in his name to the Curry County Veterans Memorial Association, a 50l (C)3, which has started to raise funds for a memorial honoring Curry County military service veterans and first responders who died in the line of duty. See the CCVMA website at: www.currycountyveteransmemorial.org. A proud USAF veteran, Emily Francona, Port Orford

Officials should get better educated

Editor: In the article on the failure of the law levy to pass, a county commissioner was quoted, “I don’t think people were informed,” and that next time they hope to “educate” the public more (Pilot, Nov. 3). I’ve got news for you: the commissioners had better get informed and educated. The people have heard what you have to say. They have also seen what has been done with the money that you have been entrusted with, and have made their decision. Here is the word that you will continue to hear from taxpayers, “No.” Jake Pieper Brookings

Letters Policy The Curry Coastal Pilot welcomes letters to the editor. E-mailed letters are preferred. Typewritten letters should be double-spaced. They should be limited to approximately 250 words, and must be signed and include the writer’s address and daytime phone number for verification. Letters exceeding 250 words may be subject to editing for length, and publication may be delayed depending on space available and the volume of letters received. We edit letters for brevity, grammar, poor taste and legal reasons. The Pilot will not publish any submissions that include irresponsible or unverifiable characterizations or charges against any individual or organization. Thank you letters are limited to those mentioning individuals and noncommercial organizations, and are subject to the 250word limit. We accept public forums from community newsmakers such as current or former public officials, representatives of organizations in the news, and individuals having particular experience or expertise that bears on an event or issues in the news. We do not accept letters published elsewhere or addressed to persons other than the editor. Anonymous letters or poetry will not be published. All submissions become the property of the Pilot and will not be returned. Address: The Pilot, P.O. Box 700, Brookings, OR 97415 fax: 541-469-4679 e-mail: news@currypilot.com

Ah, the memories. The toasty home on a cold winter’s day. Mom humming a tune in the kitchen. The aroma of delicious food wafting through the air. Friends and family members gathering around the table or in the living room. The football game playing on the TV in the background. Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. Even more so than Christmas, although not by much. When I was a child, Thanksgiving meant a weeklong visit from my grandma, who traveled from Mesa, Ariz. She was the sweetest woman in the world and taught me how important it was to have an optimistic take on life. Thanksgiving also meant visits with aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. It was a break from our hectic lives; a chance to catch up on one another’s lives. In my teen years, my younger brother and I started a new Thanksgiving tradition: going to the movies. This may seem counter to what the holiday is all about, but it was a wonderful opportunity for my brother and I to spend quality time together — and it kept us out of our mother’s hair while she prepared dinner. There’s nothing liking bonding with your brother while sharing a ginormous box of Red Vines and cheering on Rambo or the Terminator. Afterward, we’d share our movie critiques with the rest of the family as we sat down for a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast. Thanksgiving also was a time to introduce the latest girlfriend to family and friends, followed by a similar visit with the girl friend’s family. This, of course, meant getting two homemade Thanksgiving dinners! Looking back on past Thanksgivings, I realize how blessed I was — and still am. I am extremely grateful. And that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. Right? It’s sad to think that for some people, Thanksgiving has become more a family obligation than a family celebration. Worse yet, it’s been downgraded to simply a day off from work, to watch the “big game” or to prepare for shopping on Black Friday. Well, not me. Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday. And come Nov. 25, I will be spending time with my family in our cozy home on a cold winter’s day, creating new Thanksgiving memories. My parents or brother won’t be there — they still live in California — but the inlaws will likely be there, as will our two big dogs. We will probably rent a few movies instead of going to the theater. I will be the one humming a tune in the kitchen while my daughter and wife prepare the turkey and I cook my famous gravy. The smells of good food will fill the house as we enjoy good conversation and play games or music. And we’ll take a moment to remember those less fortunate, asking our heavenly father to bless them with much-needed comfort, good food and good company — the things on which fond memories are built. Scott Graves is the editor of the Curry Coastal Pilot. He can be reached by calling 541-469-3123 or sgraves@currypilot.com.

Curry Coastal Pilot, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010-Page 5A

Shopping opportunites abound today in Curry, Del Norte counties In addition to the 41st annual Brookings-Harbor Community Christmas Bazaar today (Nov. 13) in the Azalea Middle School gym and Brookings-Harbor High School cafeteria, other shopping opportunities exist in Curry and Del Norte counties, including: •A holiday bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Smith River United Methodist Church, 121 Beckstead Ave. •Chetco Community Public Library will have a Holiday Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the library, 405 Alder St., Brookings. A $2 Bag Sale will be during regular library hours on Mon-

day, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 15, 16 and 17. •A Hobby Exhibit Fair and Chili Cookoff will begin at 8 a.m. and will be open all day at the VFW Hall, at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Pioneer Road, Brookings. •The Brookings-Harbor Garden Club’s Country Store and Plant Sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 416 Azalea Park Road, Brookings. •The Christmas Sale at the Hospice Marketplace on Wedderburn Loop north of Gold Beach will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Dottie Olson of Coos Bay, owner of Flowers by Dottie, hangs a wreath in her booth inside the Brookings-Harbor High School cafeteria in preparation for today’s (Nov. 13) Christmas Bazaar.

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Emily Johnson and Hannah Goergen of the Surfside Bruins softball team use tape to mark vendors’ spaces in the Azalea Middle School gym Friday night. and gifts. In addition, Christmas edibles will be for sale. “It’s the beginning of Christmas and a good place to see everyone and see what everyone has made,” said Vangie Andreason, who has been one of the planners of the event since its beginning. “The creativity and quality

in the bazaar amazes me.” The Christmas Bazaar luncheon will help keep serious shoppers energized until the last gift on their list is found. Lunch includes chicken casserole, gelatin salad, hot rolls, homemade pies and beverages. It will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The

cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children. The bazaar started 41 years ago with 26 clubs, organizations, churches and individuals offering Christmas goodies. The bazaar has grown to include 100 vendors from as far away as Portland and Eureka, Calif.

Not only do we serve an excellent breakfast and are the #1 Council in Oregon, but we’ve now become the Columbian Award Winner, presented for excellence in programs that serve our church and community! Come on over and enjoy – Your money goes back into your beautiful town of Brookings!! KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

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Vendors and volunteers were busy Friday night setting up the 100 booths for today’s (Nov 13) 41st annual Brookings-Harbor Community Christmas Bazaar. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Brookings-Harbor High School cafeteria, the Azalea Middle School gym and in the hallway between the gym and the exit doors leading to the cafeteria. Helping set up were members of the Surfside Bruins softball team. According to Peggy Goergen, one of the event organizers, the team was hired to help set up, serve lunch, and help tear down and clean up following the event. Team members will use the money raised to help pay for trip expenses to tournaments, Goergen said. During the bazaar, vendors will be selling handcrafted wearables, decorations

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Clawson: ‘I personally did 2,537 letters’ Continued from Page 1A The letters must be accompanied by a check for $2,000 to cover postage on to the individual military personnel, she said. “I personally did 2,537 letters, using five major letters,” she said, explaining that letter writers make copies of their original letters because it would be impossible to write that many, individually. Clawson encourages letter writers to send e-mail ad-

dresses with their letters. “It’s amazing how quickly we get an e-mail response. It comes back right away, and they’re so pleased.” Clawson often shares her own experiences about the sacrifices made by troops and their families — two of her three sons served in the military during the Vietnam War, and one was aboard a destroyer off the coast of Vietnam in 1969 when it went down with all 87 on board.

“I started my letters in June,” she said. “It’s soul satisfying to send greetings to those who are away from home for the holidays, and I won’t give it up as long as I can pick at a computer.” Clawson said all donations are appreciated, and she is currently accepting donations for next year’s Christmas letters. To make a donation or volunteer to write letters, contact Clawson at 541-412-0333.

Crash: Cause remains under investigation Continued from Page 1A

As of Friday, the cause of the crash was still under investigation by the Brookings Police, with the assistance of the OSP. OSP investigators staged an accident reconstruction on Friday afternoon. Results

from the investigation are expected to be released by Tuesday. Witnesses to what may have happened leading up to or at the time of the accident, or who have knowledge of the events, are asked to call Brookings Police at 541-469-

3118. This is the second tragedy to strike the Draheim family in recent years. In June 2009, Lonny Draheim, 54, son of Rodney Draheim, died when a small plane he was flying crashed in a remote area near Nome, Alaska.

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Page 8A-Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Curry Coastal Pilot

NOAA gives Navy marine mammals protection measures coasts of Washington, Oregon, and northern California. The federal agency said Tuesday the Navy must establish a safety zone round vessels using sonar, use

spotters to shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen in safety zones and not detonate explosives when animals are detected within a certain

distance. The Navy requested authorization from NOAA because noise from mid-frequency sonar and explosives may affect the behavior of some marine mammals or cause temporary hearing loss. The Navy approved a plan last month to expand training activities and weapons testing in the sea and air in the Northwest Training Range Complex. NOAA says it does not expect the exercises to result in serious injury or death to marine mammals. The Navy had requested authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act because the mid-frequency sound generated by tactical sonar, and the sound and pressure generated by explosions may affect the behavior of some marine mammals, or cause a temporary loss of their hearing. NOAA’s Fisheries Service does not expect the exercises to result in serious injury or death to marine mammals. It is requiring the Navy to use mitigation measures to avoid adversely impacting sea mammal populations. In certain circumstances, exposure to sonar has been associated with the stranding of some marine mammals, the press release stated. Therefore, it stated, authorizations for Navy training exercises at other locations where those circumstances may exist have included allowances for a small number of incidental injuries or mortalities of marine mammals. However, due to the short duration and less intense nature of the sonar exercises in the northwest training range, mortality is not anticipated or authorized. Under the authorization, the Navy is required to follow mitigation measures to minimize effects on marine mammals, including: •establishing marine

Map courtesy of U.S. Navy mammal safety zones around each vessel using sonar; •using Navy observers to shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen within designated safety zones; •and using exclusion zones to ensure that explosives are not detonated when animals are detected within a certain distance. These measures should minimize the potential for injury or death, and significantly reduce the number of marine mammals exposed to levels of sound likely to cause temporary or permanent loss of hearing, the press release stated. Additionally, it stated,

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SEATTLE (AP) — NOAA’s Fisheries is requiring the U.S. Navy to minimize impact to marine mammals when using sonar and explosives during training exercises off the

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the authorization includes an adaptive management component that requires the Navy and NOAA’s Fisheries Service to meet yearly to discuss new science, Navy research and development, and Navy monitoring results, to determine if modifications to mitigation or monitoring measures are appropriate. NOAA’s Fisheries Service and the Navy have worked to develop a monitoring plan that includes passive acoustic monitoring and marine mammal tagging that will augment the marine mammal abundance and distribution data available in the Northwest. Additionally, the Navy has developed (with input from NOAA’s Fisheries Service) an integrated comprehensive monitoring plan to better prioritize monitoring goals and standardize data collection methods across all of their U.S. range complexes. The Navy has been conducting training exercises, including the use of mid-frequency sonar, in the northwest training range for more than 60 years. Training in this area consists primarily of 90-minute exercises by one surface vessel, using sonar while the vessel is in transit from one location to another. The total annual sonar use in this area is substantively less than planned in other Navy training ranges. Some exercises involve explosives. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. For more information, see the NOAA website at: www.noaa.gov, or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

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Curry Coastal Pilot, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010-Page 9A

Nowlin questions $21/hr pay for worker

Gold Beach neighbors begin training for ‘Block Watch’ program

Health, Human Services director says pay necessary to get quality candidate GOLD BEACH — County Commissioners approved hiring a new executive assistant for the Health and Human Services Department at $21.03 an hour Wednesday after Commissioner Georgia Nowlin complained that current employees with more experience are paid less in similar jobs. “We’ve talked about how we value our employees,� Nowlin said. “And we’re looking at tough times ahead.� Nowlin has complained about several recent hires of the Health and Human Services Department that Director Jan Kaplan has brought in at higher than beginning pay scales for those positions. “The sheriff’s executive assistant is now paid $17.71 an hour,� she said. Nowlin said the current office manager for the commissioners, Pattie Cook, who recently was promoted from executive assistant, is paid only $20.03 an hour and has several years experience.

By Valliant Corley Pilot staff writer GOLD BEACH — Neighbors from Wallace Street and 11th Street attended a session on setting up a Block Watch this week as police held their first training event for the city’s new neighborhood program. “This first time Block Watch meeting was the result of our National Night Out efforts in August,� Police Chief P.J. Janik said. “We were very pleased with the turnout of neighbors and their interest in our police department programs. The Wallace Street Block Watch has been officially formed,� Janik said. The session Tuesday centered on how the program works and what the benefits are for a formal block watch group. “A community member from Gold Beach Mobile Home Park also attended to see if that is something they would be interested in,� Janik said. The chief said neighbors in the Wallace Street area will be getting new Block Watch signs for their street. Gold Beach’s first National Night Out Block Party in August was sponsored by the Police Department and the Curry County Sheriff’s Department. In setting up a block watch, each neighborhood selects a captain who reports to a Gold Beach police officer, Janik said. “We’re already making signs to designate the neighborhood,� he said. “We will put the signs up.� Janik said others interested in the block watch program who have not already signed up should contact the police department by calling Gail Whitmore at 541-2476671, extension 111.

The Brookings-Harbor Friends of Music

Invite You to Join us for an International Cultural Experience

The New Zealand String Quartet Helene Pohl, violin Douglas Beilman, violin Gillian Ansell, viola Rolf Gjelsten, cello

Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2, “Compliments� Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Allegro Adagio cantabile Scherzo: Allegro Allegro molto quasi presto

String Quartet No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 138 Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) Adagio

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I’m relying on Jan’s expertise.� Nowlin said that Bradford does not have experience as an executive assistant, that she has been a real estate broker. “I’m not looking for someone experienced in this job. I’m looking for someone with a skill set,� Kaplan said. “I have reviewed this candidate’s professional experience,� Commissioner Bill Waddle said. “It looks to me this person has experience in different categories.� Nowlin said her comments were not a reflection on the applicant. “It has to do with salaries and fairness,� she said. The commission approved the hiring of Bradford as executive administrative assistant in Health and Human Services on a 2-1 vote, with Nowlin voting no.

Hey Kids! Enter The Pilot’s Thankgiving Coloring Contest

String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D887 Op. 161 (posthumous) Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

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Bonneville Dam as a dangerous place they would leave. A Humane Society official, Sharon Young, was the only member of the task

All entries will be displayed on The Pilot’s windows! Winners will appear in the November 24th edition of the Pilot. Pilot and sponsor employees and their families not eligible.

and relevant to existing state and federal law; and “because of the professional expertise required for the position, the Gold Beach chief of police is best able to ensure that city police policies are current and advocate best practices in municipal law enforcement.� The resolution rescinded three previous resolutions relating to police policy and any others that may be in conflict. It gives the police chief authority to amend police policies as long as those policies have the approval of the city administrator and are in keeping with city policies approved by the Gold Beach City Council. Mayor Jim Wernicke and all five members of the council are new since the August 2007 council meeting when then chief Russ Merkley protested revisions made in his department’s policies. The police chief said he had worked with then-council members David Alexander and Sue Johnson on the police policies, but they could not agree on whether the department should have an unmarked police car. After much debate, the council decided that Merkley could drive an unmarked car as long as it had magnetic decals on it when it wasn’t used for surveillance.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ An advisory group recommends killing more sea lions that have been dining on salmon at the Columbia River's first dam, known to some as the “Bonneville buffet.� The Oregonian reports the task force meeting in Portland this week concluded Wednesday that the states of Washington and Oregon should shoot the California sea lions on the spot, rather than trapping and killing by lethal injection. One member of the task force, Oregon Anglers executive director Dennis Richey, says if they saw the

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GOLD BEACH — The way Gold Beach police policies are made and modified underwent a major change this week. In the past, the city council established police policy and changed it from time to time. On Monday, the council approved a resolution delegating to the Gold Beach chief of police authority to adopt and amend policies governing the police department. City Administrator Ellen Barnes said she had been working on policies in other areas and Police Chief P.J. Janik had been working on a police policy manual for more than a year. “This is fairly standard procedure in many communities,� she said. Janik was hired as police chief 18 months ago and Barnes was hired as city administrator shortly afterward. The council’s resolution states that existing city policies governing police activities are out of date and in need of revision; court decisions and changing state and federal laws require frequent and rapid changes to police policies; it is in the city’s best interest to ensure that police policies are kept current

in some of the things I’m looking for, and what it’s going to take to bring that person aboard. To bring in new mental health workers, I have to go beyond step A,� Kaplan said. “I have a job to do. I have two departments to run and I have no administrator to help me do that. I just know I need help.� Nowlin said she wishes the county could pay all its employees what they are worth. “We’ve got some excellent people who work hard. I wish we could pay them more, but we cannot,� she said. “I would suggest when you consider hiring someone above step, talk with your liaison commissioner and if you decide you must, the two of you could then come in and explain.� Commissioner George Rhodes is the liaison to Health and Human Services. “Director Kaplan and I talked, and I agreed,� Rhodes said. “This person will earn that salary and he’ll get the benefits he is looking for. I’m prepared to make that recommendation.

Advice: Kill more Bonneville Dam sea lions

Gold Beach OKs change to police department policies By Valliant Corley Pilot staff writer

Kaplan had asked to hire Lavonne Bradford as his executive administrative assistant at $21.03, working part time until Jan. 1, when she would become full-time. Nowlin said the new administrative assistant would be coming in at Step C.5. “If she is brought in at Step A, that is $18.51 an hour approximately,� Nowlin said. “That’s where we start everybody.� Kaplan said that since he was named to head the Health Department in addition to Human Services he needs an executive assistant. Nowlin said that it is not fair to other employees to pay them less for a similar position when new employees are paid more. “There are a lot of factors that go into the hires. I have to look at the budget — not general fund — to get the best qualified people I can get within the budget that I have. What other people get, I didn’t study that at all. I’m not trying to say one is worth more than the other,� Kaplan said. “It’s finding someone having extraordinary experience

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By Valliant Corley Pilot staff writer

Page 10A-Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Curry Coastal Pilot

County Jail Log

Tuesday, Nov. 9

Terry Lucky Price, 50, of Gold Beach, for parole violation, felon in possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and criminal driving while suspended or revoked; no bail. David James Rhodes, 24, of Smith River, for probation violation; transported to Del Norte County. Samuel Keith Jefferies, 54,

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Obituaries

of Brookings, for probation violation; no bail.

Conrad James ‘Jim’ Higgins 1927-2010

Wednesday, Nov. 10

Robert Dean Smith, 24, of Brookings, for probation violation; no bail. Allen Winfield Scott, 40, of Brookings, for probation violation; no bail. Joseph Wayne Cyrus, 21, of Brookings, for third-degree rape; bail set at $25,000. Kelly Jo Lovejoy, 37, of Brookings, for reckless driving; bail set at $50,000. Jacob Benjamin Hefner, 27, of Central Point, for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor driving while suspended, possession of methamphetamine, a U.S. Marshall’s warrant and a release violation; no bail. Barbara Ann Hart, 40, of Brookings, for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of methamphetamine; bail set at $50,000. Andre Dwayne Wright, 25, of Brookings, for second-degree criminal trespassing, delivery of a controlled substance to a minor and thirddegree escape; bail set at $112,500. Brandon Jay Whirry, 27, of Brookings, for harassment, menacing and strangulation; bail set at $25,000. Todd Wayne McCloskey, 47, of Brookings, for third-degree theft; bail set at $10,000.

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Conrad James Higgins, 83, of Dayton, died Nov. 6, 2010, at his home while under Hospice care. Jim was born July 19, 1927, in Aberdeen, S. D., an only child, to Leslie O. and Ida Veronica Reidinger Higgins. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1949. He earned a World War II Victory Medal and American Theater Good Conduct Medal. Jim served on Guam and Midway islands. After his service to our country, he lived in Eugene for many years. He moved to Brookings in 1969, where he was a coowner and operator of Reliance Appliance, until he retired in 1994. He raised his family in Eugene and Harbor. He moved to Dayton in 2000. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Newberg. He was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brookings, Grace Lutheran Church in Crescent City and Trinity Lutheran Church in McMinnville. Jim was very involved in the community. He helped prepare and serve meals for seniors through the Meals on Wheels program. He volunteered his time with the SMART program for seven years. Jim also served communion visitation to homebound members of his church.

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Tuesday, Nov. 9

Warrant service, 1:43 a.m.: During a traffic stop on Highway 101 near Winchuck River Road, the 27-year-old driver of the vehicle was found to be the subject of a statewide felony warrant for violating his parole. Both he and his passenger, 33, were found to be in possession of hashish, more than a pound of mar-

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Non-injury accident, 3 p.m.: A non-injury accident was investigated when a car pulled out of the South Coast Center parking lot into the path of a vehicle driven northbound on Highway 101. The driver pulling out was cited for failure to yield and driving uninsured.

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and Tyler Iorg, all of Crescent City; brothers Ralph Christensen of Eureka, Calif., John Christensen of Eureka, and Mel Christensen of Loleta; sisters Jean Grant of Kneeland, Calif., and Kathy Christensen of Eureka, and Laura and husband Bud Horn of Crescent City. Carol was preceded in death by her father Eugene Christensen; and step-son Leslie Moen Jr. Also surviving are nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. There will be a Celebration of Life at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov., 13, at the Cultural Center, 1001 Front St., in Crescent City. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Carol

Carol Lee Moen Moen Scholarship Fund, Tri Counties Bank, 936 Third St., Crescent City, CA 95531. Submitted by family.

State Police Log

Suspicious conditions, 7:07 a.m.: 500 block of Ransom Street.

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Fudge, Beth (David) Johnson, Susy (Dave) Werner; and 11 grandchildren. Also surviving are step-daughters Gordean (Terry) Ash, Debbie (Dean) Vail, Julie (Don) Grimes; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Eila’s family. He was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley in 1997. A service will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at Zion Lutheran Church, 301 South River St., in Newberg. Remembrances may be made, in his name, to Attention Debra Johnson-Clayton Manager, Legacy HospiceMcMinnville, 2275 N.E. McDaniel Lane, McMinnville, OR 97128. Submitted by the family.

March 22, 1944-Oct. 25, 2010

Carol passed peacefully, at 12:15 a.m., Oct. 25, 2010, her family by her side, in Medford, after a brave and courageous fight with cancer. Carol was born, the oldest of six children, March 22, 1944, in Seattle to Eugene and Melba Christensen. She had a passion for life and loved her family dearly. She loved cooking and baking, gardening, picking berries, the holidays, celebrating with friends and family, and traveling. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Les Moen; mother Melba Christensen of Loleta, Calif.; daughter Lori Barker and husband Scott Barker; son Brian Iorg and his wife Emma Iorg; grandchildren Michael Barker, Katie Iorg

Police Log

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He loved spending time with children and they were drawn to him because of his kind, youthful spirit. He enjoyed various kinds of music, particularly his favorite, big band . Jim enjoyed traveling. His favorite trip was a visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Another favorite pastime was picnicking as well as relaxing with a book; his favorite was the Bible. Jim was wonderful and kind. He will be missed by all those who were blessed to know him. Jim is survived by his wife Eila McNew Higgins; seven children from his first marriage: sons Randy Higgins, Keith Higgins and Mark (Loretta) Higgins; daughters Lori Stedman, Kitty (Brad)

Carol Lee Moen

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The following information is taken from the daily logs of local law enforcement agencies. Charges listed are preliminary and are made at the discretion of the arresting officer or agency. Charges may be amended or dropped at the discretion of the district attorney or courts.

ijuana and psyilocybin mushrooms. Both were arrested and transported to Curry County Jail. Brookings Police K-9 Charger assisted. Traffic stop, 5 a.m.: During a traffic stop on Colvin Street in Gold Beach, a 50year-old driver was arrested for misdemeanor driving while suspended, parole violation, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a Schedule III controlled substance. The driver was transported to Curry County Jail. Boating under the influence of intoxicants, 10:30 a.m.: Following a rescue of a kayaker who overturned in the Chetco River, an Oregon State Trooper detected the strong odor of alcohol and found an open container. After the victim was transported to Sutter Coast Hospital, the trooper requested California Highway Patrol obtain a blood sample. The investigation continues. Diesel spill, 12:45 p.m.: The owner of Gold Beach Lumber Co. in Harbor reported someone removed the drain plug from a diesel tank and drained more than 100 gallons of fuel into the parking lot. Heavy rains washed most of the fuel into a storm drain that leads to Tuttle Creek and the Port of Brookings Harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard Station Chetco River spotted the fuel and set up a containment buoy. A Department of Environmental Quality hazardous material cleanup contractor was dispatched.

Court Report Francisco Mendoza Anguiano, 22, Fortuna, Calif., was convicted by default Nov. 8 of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was required to pay $1,045. ~~~ Pamela Marie Barron, 47, Gold Beach, was convicted Nov. 8 of furnishing liquor to a minor. She was required to pay $500. ~~~ Daniel B. Bergen, 54, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 8 of furnishing liquor to a minor. He was required to pay $500. ~~~ Jack Dennis Ingram Jr., 48, Crescent City, on Nov. 8 had his diversion revoked and was sentenced for driving under the influence of intoxicants. He was sentenced to 48 hours in jail, 24 months’ probation and required to pay $1,620. ~~~ Kirsten M. Lockwood, 22, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 8 of furnishing liquor to a minor. S he was re quired to pay $500. ~~~ Benjamin A. Mattson, 21, Gold Beach, was convicted Nov. 8 of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was required to pay $795. ~~~ Joel K. Mitts, 21, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 8 of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was placed on a one-year diversion and ordered to pay $333. ~~~ James Robert Elkins, 52, Grants Pass, was convicted by default Nov. 8 of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was ordered to pay $1,045. ~~~ Shane Michael Ortiz, 39, Brookings, failed to appear Nov. 8 for a further proceedings hearing. A warrant was issued for his arrest. ~~~ Stephanie M. Rogde, 19, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 8 of furnishing liquor to a minor. She was ordered to pay $500. ~~~ Kenneth Allen Vandervoorden, 47, Gold Beach, was convicted by default Nov. 8 of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was ordered to pay $1,045. ~~~ Alicia Marie Console, 46, Gold Beach, was convicted Nov. 9 of resisting arrest and harassment. For resisting arrest, she was sentenced to 24 months’ probation and ordered to pay $202. For harassment, she was sentenced to 24 months’ probation and ordered to pay $102. ~~~ Frank Virdine Torrez Jr., 49, Bedford, Maine, failed to appear Nov. 9 for a pretrial conference on a theft charge. A warrant was issued for his arrest. ~~~ Joseph Anthony Vecchetti, 23, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 9 of harassment. He was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and was ordered to pay $502. ~~~ Robin Dale Corey, 53, Coos Bay, failed to appear Nov. 10 for a show cause order. A warrant was issued for his arrest. ~~~ Laura Dalene Evans, 38, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 10 of violating two probations. On one, she was sentenced to 20 days in jail. On the other, she was sentenced to 10 days, to be served concurrently. ~~~ Codey Alan Grable, 19, Salem, failed to appear Nov. 10 for a plea hearing on a criminal mischief charge. A warrant was issued for his arrest. ~~~ Jarrod Keith Hoskin, 21, Brookings, was convicted Nov. 10 of driving under the influence of intoxicants and criminal mischief. He was placed on a one-year diversion for the DUII and ordered to pay $458. Sentencing was set for Dec. 3 for criminal mischief.

Curry Coastal Pilot, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010-Page 11A

Krieger speaks to Rotary Club Volunteers sought to decorate Azalea Park A partisan deadlock in the Oregon House of Representatives may stall approval of any new state policies, State Rep. Wayne Krieger, R-Gold Beach, said Thursday. There is a lot of “negotiating and talking” going on as a result of the 30-30 split between Democrats and Republicans. “It’s going to be a new process,” Krieger said. “We might not do a lot of new policy. There are some fix-it things that probably will go through.” Krieger, who spoke to a sparse Veterans Day audience at the Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce monthly forum, coasted to re-election this month for a fifth two-year term. The first agreement between Republicans and Democrats will have to be how to organize the house, Krieger said. If one person is not chosen as speaker, a co-speakership arrangement is possible, he said, and so is bringing in an outside party to be speaker. Traditionally, when one party has a majority, it

Wayne Krieger chooses the speaker, who makes every committee assignment and manages the agenda of what does and doesn’t come to the house floor for a vote. The split chamber will also have to find a way to agree on a state budget. “There’s going to have to be a reduction. It’s not going to be easy,” Krieger said. “It will not be a fun time.” The forecasts for the hole in the state budget have risen from $3 billion to $3.7 billion in recent months, he said. “We have had 10 con-

secutive forecasts that state revenues are down, and they expect the next two quarters to be down,” Krieger said. “We face some really difficult decisions.” Even Krieger’s own comments pointed out some of the hard choices. He complained about the growth of budget and employees to cover the increased caseload at the state’s welfare agency, the Department of Human Services, and he also complained about cuts to education funding, to patrol positions in Oregon State Police and to funding for veterans services. With 75 percent of the state budget going for wages and benefits, Krieger said key decisions will have to be made on those costs. “We are the only state with full health benefits for employes — no deductible,” he said. “All of us — even me — need to pay 20 percent of the health care cost.” He also said the state’s wage levels are above those of the private sector. “We have to look at all new programs and new employees,” he said. “Public safety and education is where we have to prioritize.”

Man fights to prevent bullying in schools

ROSEBURG (AP) – When Jim Knapp began the seventh grade at a new school, he was soon running home every day when the last bell rang _ not because he was excited to be free of teachers and textbooks, but because he was terrified of the boys who tormented him in the hallways. “My very first day of school I was grabbed by the back of my pants in the bathroom, thrown into a mirror and they tried to throw my books into the toilet,” Knapp said. Now, 50 years later, Knapp, a retired Roseburg educator, is trying to put an end to bullying. In 2006, he starting writing a bully prevention newsletter which now has international subscribers via the Internet. That same year he published his first novel, “Bobby’s Story,” based on his childhood as a victim of bullying. The book has been assigned in classrooms around the country. More recently, Knapp has taken his campaign to Douglas County school districts to raise awareness and prevent the type of violence that still haunts him. When his family’s orchard in Payette, Idaho, went under, Knapp’s parents lost everything. In an attempt to get back on their feet, the family moved in 1960 to Boise, a bigger city with more opportunities. But Knapp, an only child, said he wasn’t accepted by his new peers and was looked down upon by his teachers because of his family’s economic status. “I had a teacher say to me, ‘You will never amount to anything because you’re poor’,” he said. His classmates pointed and laughed at his old, worn clothes. Three boys in particular, two ninth-graders and a seventh-grader, physically and verbally intimidated him for sport, he said. Knapp, who was only 11 years old because he started school a year early, said his

‘The emotions involved with being bullied last forever though. I can still remember being humiliated.’ — Jim Knapp, retired educator biggest mistake was never telling anyone what was happening to him. “I never shared with my parents. They were struggling so hard to keep us alive,” he said. “They didn’t need another problem.” He continued to be bullied until he grew bigger and his tormentors graduated. “I was a small kid until I was 16,” said Knapp, who is now just over 6 feet. “The emotions involved with being bullied last forever though. I can still remember being humiliated.” Knapp said even though he outgrew his bullies, he never tolerated it happening to anyone else. His passion for the cause led him to a career in education. Since retiring, he has devoted his time to writing and speaking to teachers, students and parents about bullying. Bullying can lead to depression and suicide and has been in the headlines in the past year across the country. Several teenage suicides have been blamed on nonstop verbal and physical abuse from peers. In Massachusetts, three 16year-old girls are being charged with bullying a classmate, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince, so relentlessly that she hanged herself in January, according to The Associated Press. Another teen, 13-year-old Asher Brown of Texas, was “bullied to death,” the boy’s parents told the Houston Chronicle after he shot himself in September. His family said he was picked on for his small size, his religion and because he did not wear designer

clothes and shoes. Kids also accused him of being gay. Knapp said he always wondered what he was doing to deserve the bullying, and it took him a long time to realize it wasn’t his fault. “That’s what I tell kids: ‘It isn’t about you, it’s about them.’” It’s important for parents to take the responsibility to be prevent bullying and prepare their kids to fit in, he said. Knapp advised parents to see that their children dress and act appropriately, he said. “Teach your kids compassion, and teach your kids to talk to an adult if they need help.” Parents should also be aware signs that a child is being bullied include being withdrawn, a decline in confidence and not wanting to go to school. Glide School District Superintendent Don Schrader brought Knapp in to speak to the entire staff, including bus drivers, about preventing bullying. “He’s really helped unify the district and helped us to try and be bully-free,” Schrader said. There have been very few incidents since Knapp’s districtwide talk, said Schrader, who is also the middle school principal. “We’re not seeing as much of it.” Knapp also visited with parents and students during parents night. Schrader said he hopes kids will learn from Knapp’s story that bullying is unacceptable. “If someone is standing around and they see it happen, maybe they won’t just stand there. Maybe they’ll stop it or get an adult.”

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Rain or shine, volunteers start putting up the lights today (Nov. 13) for the 14th annual Nature’s Coastal Holiday display in Azalea Park. Work parties are set to start at 9 a.m. both this weekend and next, and volunteers are invited to drop by for any time they can spare, according to lead organizer Don Tilton.

Volunteers are needed to help sort and test lights, run extension cords, and string lights on bushes and trees. Groups are also needed to provide volunteers for hosting the lights – taking admission fees and serving refreshments on a particular evening. For details and arrangements, contact Moira Fossum at 541661-5126. Nature’s Coastal Holiday is slated to open at 5 p.m. Sat-

urday, Nov. 27, and continue nightly through Christmas night. The event is a joint effort of several groups, including the Rotary Club of BrookingsHarbor, the City of Brookings, the Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and the Brookings Lions Club. The display features more than 300,000 lights and special sculptures in the formal gardens of the park.

Students flock back to Oregon universities PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon's public universities are bulging this fall with recordhigh enrollment of 96,960 students, a 5.9 percent increase over last year. The addition of 5,380 students to the Oregon University System marks the highest percentage increase since 2001 and the third year in a row that the system has seen growth exceeding 5 percent. The enrollment surge could be a lifesaver for Oregon universities by giving them a boost in revenue that will help them weather expected declines in state funding over the next two years. That boost was enhanced by the influx of an additional 727 new freshmen and transfer

students from out-of-state, who pay up to three times the tuition that Oregon students pay. Betsy Selander, 21, a senior English major at the University of Oregon, where enrollment climbed 4.5 percent this fall,

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Page 12A-Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, Curry Coastal Pilot

Wyden: Senator shares priorities with county residents Continued from Page 1A

“We are going to do it again,� Wyden said. “But it will be very tough.� He said there needs to be more opportunity for goodpaying jobs linked to the ports. One answer, he said, is more money for jetties. There’s some talk of the Army Corps of Engineers making a list of the 50

biggest ports and putting the emphasis there, he said, but work on the smaller ports would open more jobs in rural areas. His third stated priority is to get changes made in the health care legislation approved by Congress this year. He said both the Democrats and Republicans are

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partially right. He said the Democrats are right in that everyone not in the military or on Medicare should be covered. But he said they should be covered the way Congress and federal employees are covered, by private insurers that have an economy of scale and can be dropped in favor of some other insurer if they don’t do their job. “I was able in that bill to get a provision that stipulates any state can go up and get a waiver to do its own approach,� he said. “We ought to give communities and states the ability to come up with their own approach.� Wyden said that the lame duck Congress, that will meet for less than two weeks before the new Congress takes over in January, is unlikely to do anything for timber payments. “The lame duck sessions will be very short,� he said. “What we are interested in is getting the president to include Secure Rural Schools in his congressional budget. “The best thing we have going for us is the 2008 campaign,� Wyden said. He said President Obama, while campaigning

‘I want a tax system that gives everyone in America the chance to get ahead.’ – Sen. Ron Wyden

in Oregon, said that a long term reauthorization is needed. “That’s the best resource now. We’ve got that in writing,� Wyden said. “We’re trying to get the president to include that in next year’s budget.� Wyden said the only budget matter likely to come out of the lame duck session will focus on what to do about the expiration of the Bush tax cuts. He said there should be a compromise between the Republican position of continuing the cuts as they now exist and the president’s po-

sition of continuing them only for people making less than $250,000 a year. “I think both those positions miss the point,� he said. Wyden proposed extending all of the cuts for a year to 18 months, then eliminate tax exemptions for special interests. “That would be used as a bridge to tax reform,� Wyden said. He said the Democrats and Ronald Reagan got together in the 1980s and did just that and created millions of jobs. “I want a tax system that gives everyone in America

the chance to get ahead,� Wyden said. He said a proposal by the Association of O&C Counties to sell off more than a million acres of federal land to help fund a 10-year extension of the county timber payment program and provide a permanent replacement for reliance on shared timber receipts for the 18 western Oregon O&C counties is unlikely to pass. “I want to look at the O&C proposal, but because of east coast environmentalists, it would be a very hard sell,� Wyden said. He said the U.S. needs to change its focus in Afghanistan, which is now choosing sides in a civil war. “I think it’s time to shift from removing the insurgent strategy to removing the terrorist strategy,� Wyden said. “We can do it with fewer troops on the ground at less cost.� He said Wall Street bailouts have harmed the economy. “I voted against them. I don’t believe in ‘too big to fail,’� he said. “Private enterprise is not about bailing people out... “Too big to fail really means to rural Oregon: you’re too little to succeed.�

City OKS limited use of target practice By Valliant Corley Pilot staff writer

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been trained and certified as instructors in rifle and archery by the State 4-H Shooting Sports Association. Burris said that the club currently has 17 members, who have been shooting their bows once a week in the archery range they established in the small animal end of the Livestock Pavilion. They built it in accordance with 4-H Shooting Sports approved range specifications, Burris said. He added that Murphy and Stagner are also building bullet traps according to 4-H specifications and would like to begin training youth to safely handle and accurately shoot air-powered, target-style pellet guns. The Curry County Fair Board at its Oct. 28 meeting noted that there were holes in the building’s insulation caused by errant arrows. “I talked to Frank Burris about it. He said they would certainly cover any repairs,� Board Chairman David Hoenie said. “With the BB guns, I have more concern,� Fair Manager Ron Crook said. “In winter time, apparently they haven’t had the supervision they should have,� Crook said. “They do have supervision, but apparently it hasn’t been adequate.� The board agreed there must be better supervision before pellet guns can be used.

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GOLD BEACH — The Gold Beach City Council has made it official. Archery and target practice with pellet guns within the city limits is now legal for 4-H Shoot Gold members and their invited guests under the direct supervision of 4-H leaders. But it’s only allowed at the Livestock Pavilion on the Curry County Fairgrounds, and at the Gold Beach High School track facility. The council voted Monday to exempt both places from the city code prohibiting the discharge of weapons within city limits.

The exemption, which applies only to members of Shoot Gold and their guests, was requested at the council’s October meeting by OSU Extension Agent Frank Burris. At that meeting, the council agreed to legalize what the club had been doing contrary to city code since March, 2009: using its shooting range on the Curry County Fairgrounds for archery practice. Monday’s resolution added the school track, which the 4-H’ers use when the County Fair is being held. “It was recently brought to our attention we’ve been shooting illegally in Gold Beach,� Burris told the council last month. Burris said the 4-H Club has had a sports shooting program for bows and arrows and pellet guns for about 30 years. He said sponsors recently learned of City Ordinance 5.515, Discharge of Weapons, which prohibits the use of bow and arrows and BB guns inside the city of Gold Beach, unless it’s done at a firing range approved by the city council. “Shoot Gold has not shot their bows since becoming aware of the ordinance, but would like to begin shooting again as soon as possible,� Burris said. He said Ron Murphy and John Stagner, local leaders of the Curry County 4-H Shooting Sports Club, have

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