16 July 2013
Tribal Water Sale Gets Go-Ahead
The Florence City Council gave the green light last night to begin the process of drawing up an agreement that would allow the sale of surplus water to the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. The only people in attendance at the council meeting were those directly involved with either the tribe or the city, and no objections were raised. Even so, Councilor Joe Henry urged caution.
Joe Henry – “There are a number of people in our community that are very interested in this… and as you mentioned there may be some controversy.”
Henry had praise for the tribe and Three Rivers Casino. But, he was concerned about the enforceability of some provisions of any possible agreement.
Joe Henry – “However, there are a number of instances where tribes who have sovereign immunity have entered into contracts with municipalities and there have been issues.”
Council President Sue Roberts noted the city and the tribe already have an existing agreement regarding police and it contains a cancellation clause that can be triggered on notice by either party. She said it appears to be functioning well. City staff will work with legal counsel and tribal representatives to draw up an agreement that will be brought back to the council in the fall.
Fire Danger Rising
Tighter fire restrictions in coastal areas of two counties are being imposed this week. Coos Forest Patrol, which provides wildland fire protection on state and privately owned timberland in Coos and Western Douglas Counties, is imposing a “regulated use closure” beginning Saturday, July 20th.
That follows a similar ‘regulated use’ declaration in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties that took effect yesterday.
The condition limits the use of campfires to only approved sites in campgrounds and bans smoking, logging and off-road vehicle use in many areas.
Thunderstorms are forecast for coastal areas tonight and tomorrow… with a return to dry and breezy conditions later this week.
Portable Blood Pressure Monitors Allow For More Outreach
A $23-hundred grant from the Western Lane Community Foundation helped provide no-cost sports physicals to 176 area students last month.
The grant was awarded to PeaceHealth Medical Group which used it to purchase two portable blood pressure monitors and stands. The devices are mobile, making them more versatile in the clinic… but also allowing them to be used in community events.
Last month at schools in Florence and Mapleton, they helpd medical professionals give free sports physicals to student athletes. During the sports physical day, students got routine health screening to help ensure they are physically capable of meeting the demands required to compete in Middle and High School athletics. Health experts say high blood pressure is on the rise in young people, a trend related to the increase in childhood obesity.
