7 May 2014
Greener pastures have come calling for Florence City Manager
Greener pastures have come calling for Florence City Manager Jacque Betz. She will be leaving her current position early next month for a similar spot in Newberg.
Mayor Nola Xavier said she was sorry to see her go, adding Betz is a – quote – “young, ambitious woman” and will be “difficult to replace”.
Betz, a long-time city employee in Florence, started as an administrative assistant in the Police Department before moving to City Hall under former manager Rodger Bennett who began grooming her for more responsibilities.
The next city manager, Bob Willoughby eventually named her assistant City Manager, a post she held for two years until Willoughby left for a similar position in Silverton.
Betz, slated to earn $119-thousand this year, was responsible for helping guide Florence to a long range financial plan; construction of the Siuslaw River Interpretive Center; and a multi-million dollar water and sewer facility upgrade in Old Town.
The population of Newberg is about two-and-a-half times that of Florence. She’ll be sworn in as the city manager of that community June 6th.
The search for a new City Manager in Florence will be methodical.
Mayor Nola Xavier said she was aware City Manager Jacque Betz was a finalist for a similar position in Newberg.
That’s why, when she got Betz’ official notice early Tuesday, she wasn’t surprised.
Xavier said she spoke individually with three of the four councilors about how best to proceed with finding a replacement.
She expects officials will find an interim manager from outside the city to run things until a permanent replacement can be hired; rather than name a current employee to that post. The Mayor said staff at City Hall is already short-handed and current managers have their hands full. She also did not rule out that a permanent replacement could come from within.
Sea Star Wasting Disease Confirmed
A dive team from the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport has confirmed the presence of “sea star wasting syndrome” on the Central Oregon Coast.
The fatal condition has plagued sea stars in other areas and has puzzled scientists. It started without warning, creeping along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and the California coast. It causes sea stars to slowly disintegrate as each ray, or arm, walks away and eventually dissolves.
Divers and scientists began monitoring tide pools and habitat on the Oregon Coast in January. Their fears were confirmed last month.
Rhody Showcase
Queen Rhododendra 107 and the first ever King of the Coast will be crowned this evening at the Florence Events Center during the Rhododendron Festival Court Scholarship Showcase.
The lights come up at 6:30 this evening on a show that will be similar to past coronation pageants, but also different in many ways.
Showcase producer Joshua Greene says the biggest difference is that it will be staged on the ‘flat floor’ of the FEC and not in the theater. That lends itself to a more intimate and informal setting.
Another difference will be the addition of a multi-media display. Greene said they’ve been able to use high-definition video equipment from Siuslaw Middle School to add to the show; and also provide different camera angles and views for the audience.
Advance tickets are only ten dollars and are available at the Chamber Visitor Center this morning.
Tickets are $15 at the door.
