19 September 2013
Route Changes May Not Extend Time Between Stops
Changes to the Rhody Express bus routes in Florence may not change the timing.
The City Council approved the addition of Three Rivers Casino to the regular weekday route earlier this week and kept two stops that had been targeted for possible elimination because of low ridership.
The move was expected to extend the regular hourly service to a 70-minute route. But, Sue Hekimoglu a staff-member with Lane Transit District, said they believe they can include the extra stop and still keep it on a one-hour schedule.
That would make it easier for riders to keep track of just when the bus would arrive to pick them up at their stop.
The two stops that had been targeted for elimination… at the Senior Center and Greentrees… will be kept. A spokesperson for the Greentrees Homeowners told the city’s Transportation Advisory Committee yesterday that they are committed to working with them on increasing ridership.
Operators hope to have the new route in place by November 1st.
Special Session Likely
Governor John Kitzhaber says he will call Oregon lawmakers into special session to vote on measures affecting taxes, public-employee pensions and the regulation of genetically modified crops.
Kitzhaber said Wednesday he’ll call lawmakers to Salem on Sept. 30. The announcement caps months of negotiations with House and Senate leaders from both parties.
Officials say the deal includes further cuts in retirement benefits for government employees, saving millions for state and local governments, including school districts. It also would raise new revenue, and certain small businesses would see a tax cut.
To sweeten the pot for Republicans, who are reluctant to vote for higher taxes, the deal also would allow a vote on a bill prohibiting local governments from regulating genetically modified crops.
The governor is offering a promise to possibly reluctant lawmakers… he has said he will not sign any legislation approved during the one-day session unless all of the bills pass.
Congressional Road Warrior
Congress is on a brief hiatus next week and to mark the occasion, Fourth District Representative Peter DeFazio will be putting in plenty of road miles.
The Springfield Democrat will hold 16 Town Hall meetings with several stops in Lane County and along the Coast.
Monday he’ll be in Reedsport… 10:00 at the Umpqua Discovery Center; then Coos Bay, Bandon and Gold Beach.
Tuesday he’ll be in Brookings; then work his way north through the district with stops in Cave Junction; Canyonville; and Roseburg.
Wednesday the 25th, DeFazio will be at the Siuslaw Public Library from ten until 11; then he heads for Eugene and Springfield for three more meetings that afternoon.
The Congressman’s complete schedule can be found at www.defazio.house.gov.
Celebrate Salmon
The Siuslaw Watershed Council will celebrate salmon; 16 years of habitat preservation and restoration; and raise money for their efforts this Friday night during their second annual fundraising event.
It includes a silent auction, local food and brews… and two Northwest bands… the Steel Wool Band and Conjugal Visitors. Both have a significant local following. Steel Wool has been described as “harmony driven; all original funky world beat folk rock upbeat and happily serious”.
The Visitors present a mix of “mountain dance music, bluegrass, jazz and jug-band” along with some serious rock and roll.
Tickets are $40 each and are available at the Florence Events Center. Council spokesperson Liz Vollmer-Buhl says all proceeds be used to “develop more education, monitoring, and restoration projects directly benefiting the Siuslaw Watershed and coastal lakes”.
