Local News Digest – Country redistricting; Food Survey; DMV; Vets Parade

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Redistricting Hearing Set for Lane County

Every ten years the Lane County Commission must review the boundaries for the five districts dividing the county.  The 2010 census showed relatively little change in population within the existing lines, but there are still three proposals on the table for the next decade.  One would leave things as they are, the other two would redraw boundaries in the Eugene Springfield area.  One of those proposals, presented by West Lane Commissioner Jay Bozievich, has drawn fire for shifting a larger population of more conservative Republican registered voters into the North Eugene District currently represented by Rob Handy.

The Eugene Progressive will be seeking reelection next year and he says the proposal is intended to provide support for a more conservative candidate.

The third proposal would redraw lines in the Glenwood Area, the unincorporated area between Eugene and Springfield.  A public hearing on all three proposals will be held tomorrow afternoon, 1:30, at the County Courthouse in Eugene.

Surveying Food System

Food for Lane County is conducting a “community food assessment” in the Florence area.  Coordinator Danielle Hummel says she’ll be conducting a workshop in Florence in early December to…

Danielle Hummel – “Identify opportunities to create news ways of accessing food that’s healthier, affordable, more local.”

For the past several weeks Hummel has been visiting the Florence area, as well as several other Lane County communities, trying to gauge the food distribution network.  Hummel says she wants to hear from people in all aspects from subsistence gatherers… deer hunters, anglers and mushroom pickers, to distributors and retailers including farmers markets and traditional grocers.

Gold Star Families to lead Florence Parade

Immediate family members of anyone who has died in the line of duty in a combat zone while on active military duty are encouraged to honor the memory of their loved one in next month’s Veteran’s Day Parade.  Committee spokesperson Jenna Bartlett says the freedom we enjoy is precious, but often it comes at a price.  That’s why Gold Star Families are being invited to act as parade Grand Marshalls.  More information can be had by contacting Tim Sapp at T.R. Hunter Real Estate.

Florence DMV getting new testing equipment

The Florence DMV Office will be closed later this week for installation of new testing equipment.  The current automated testing devices are about a dozen years old, and according to a DMV spokesman, are obsolete and difficult to maintain.  Installation of new equipment began in offices last month.  Setup and training takes a day in most offices.  The Florence location will be closed to the public Thursday.