7 November 2013
Long term companion program seeking volunteers
A federally supported and locally operated program intended to help keep elders in their homes longer is in need of some help.
Barbara Sussman – “We really need more senior companion program volunteers in Florence.”
Barbara Sussman is the director of the Successful Aging Institute and Senior Companion Program at Lane Community College in Eugene.
Barbara Sussman – “We have supplied volunteers to help meet the needs of older adults who are trying to keep living independently in the Florence area for, I don’t know, 20 or 30 years, something like that.”
Sussman says they recently lost two key members in the Florence area, leaving a gap that she hopes to fill quickly. Volunteers make weekly visits to frail elders and help them with medical appointments; shopping; and social engagement. The program reimburses the volunteers for their mileage and a little for their time.
Barbara Sussman – “Low income older adult volunteers actually earn a tax free hourly stipend of $2.65 an hour. It’s not much, but it’s a little bit of a stipend.”
Interested residents can call 541-463-6260.
Guilty Plea Entered in Cottam Murders
A guilty plea was entered this week in the killing of two former Florence residents and another woman in the rural Coos County community of Bridge earlier this year.
65-year old Edward Nelson admitted to killing his wife Kathleen and their neighbors Renae and Lola Cottam; and then setting fire to both homes June 15th.
As part of a plea agreement entered Wednesday, Nelson agreed to three consecutive life terms in prison without parole. Formal sentencing is set for December 16th.
Had he not accepted the deal, Nelson was scheduled for trial next July and faced a possible death penalty.
Robinson Readies Third Run
Oregon’s Republican Party state chair, Art Robinson, says he’ll run for the third time against Democratic Representative Peter DeFazio in Oregon’s southwestern congressional district.
DeFazio, in his fourteenth term beat Robinson by about ten percentage points in 2010, then nearly doubled the margin two years ago.
Robinson is a biochemist who runs a scientific institute on his ranch near Cave Junction and has a national following thanks to a homeschooling curriculum his family markets and an energy newsletter he writes.
Robinson, who officially filed this week, says he doesn’t yet know whether he will stay on as party chair through the next election cycle.
FEC Box Office
Box office hours at the Florence Events Center have been expanded. FEC spokesperson Paula Becker says beginning this week instead of the old 12:30 to 4:30 availability, the office will be open from nine to 4:30 Monday through Friday.
Becker credited the move to a desire to better meet the needs of patrons at the center.
The box office is also open one hour before major concerts and other events… and tickets are also available online, 24-hours a day at www.eventcenter.org
