Local News Digest – Verger retiring; Spilde honored; Property Tax Statements; Trophy Elk Wasted

Verger retirement to leave senate seat up for grabs.

After 22-years in the public eye, State Senator Joanne Verger will be returning to private life when her second four-year term comes to an end at the end of 2012.

Joanne Verger – “I have made a decision not to run again, not to run for reelection in 2012. Now, you know that means I have another year.

In addition to representing the Fifth Senate District Verger also spent two terms in the Oregon House and four terms as Coos Bay Mayor… all after retiring from professional life in the late 1980s.  She says while she won’t be directly involved in government when her term ends, she doesn’t expect to lose interest.

Joanne Verger – “I daresay after 22 years I’m not going to become a disinterested bystander. So, that’s just hard for people to do after they’ve invested years into public life, so I will always have a very keen interest in public policy.”

Her retirement leaves an open seat that both parties will be very interested in.  Already, North Bend oral surgeon Scott Roberts has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination.

Reward posted for information on killing of bull elk

The local chapter of the Oregon Hunter’s Association has posted a $700 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the illegal killing of a trophy bull elk near Florence last month.  The 6-by-6 bull was found dead in a field off North Fork Road the afternoon of September 6^th.

Authorities say it was shot once by a firearm, probably the evening of the 5^thand left to die.  Anyone with information on the killing is encouraged to call the state’s Turn-In-Poacher tip line at 800-452-7888.

LCC President singled out

The Association of Community College Trustees says Mary Spilde is the best in the business.  Spilde, the President of Lane Community College, was honored by the association last week as the C-E-O of the year during their annual meeting.  Nominees come from any of the 12-hundred community, technical or junior colleges that belong to the organization.  Spilde took over as President of Lane in August 2001 and is a past president of ACCT.

Property tax statements hitting mailboxes next week

Property owners outside the City of Florence, but within the Siuslaw School District will likely see a reduction when they get their property tax statements next week.  That’s because both Siuslaw School District and Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue reduced their rates.  The school district reduced a bond payment from $1.7-million to $1.4-million and the fire district reduced its rate by 67-cents per thousand.  Property tax statements will begin being mailed in Lane County next Tuesday.