2 June 2014
Full House Expected at Council Meeting
Despite years of public meetings and outreach, residents of Greentrees are expressing alarm about a project that will clear vegetation from the Rhododendron Drive right-of-way through their neighborhood. A multi-use bike and walking path has been under development since 2007. All along, it has been represented, say city officials, as a separate asphalt path running next to, but separate from Rhododendron Drive.
It wasn’t until surveying work began over the winter and letters were sent to adjoining property owners that a groundswell of opposition appeared. Critics are now saying they’ve been kept in the dark and the plan has grown.
City Manager Jacque Betz has expressed surprise over the reactions. She says the plan has not changed at all and nearby property owners and the Greentrees Association have been kept in the loop.
While the project is not formally on the agenda for this evening’s City Council meeting, it’s expected there will be a large crowd on hand to address the council about the matter during the public comments section. Because of the length of the agenda, the meeting will start at six pm.
May Primary Still in Limbo
About 500 ballots hanging in limbo at Lane County after the May 20th Primary Election has extended that condition to two races for the Board of County Commissioners.
The ballots have all been challenged because of signatures on the secrecy envelope that are either missing, or don’t match voter registration records.
Ballots in the West Lane District have been almost evenly divided in a two-way race between Jay Bozievich and Dawn Lesley, with Bozievich holding a slight edge. The Lesley campaign is hoping that if they can’t make up that difference, they can at least force a runoff election.
In the East Lane race, incumbent Fay Stewart is well ahead of the other four challengers, but is hovering at that 50-percent mark as well. If he can’t clear that mark, he’ll possibly face challenger Kevin Matthews.
Voters who have been notified of the challenge have until tomorrow to rectify the situation. Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart has until June 9th to certify the election results.
Flag Day Ceremony Set
Local VFW and American Legion posts will be hosting a flag retirement ceremony on June 14th once again. The United States Flag Code specifies the manner in which damaged or worn banners can be disposed of. The most popular method is through burning in a flag retirement ceremony.
VFW spokesman Paul Gargis says anyone with flags that need to be retired can drop them off at Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue during regular business hours between now and the 14th.
The public ceremony will be held on Bay Street, across from Veteran’s Park on the 14th at five pm.
Free Fishing Weekend
No license is needed this weekend if you want to give fishing a hand.
For two days… June 7th and 8th, the State of Oregon waives license requirements for fishing, crabbing or clamming anywhere in the state.
Rick Hargrave, deputy administrator for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says they want to make it easy for anglers to take a friend or family member out fishing for the day.
Hargrave says while license and tag requirements are waived, all other regulations, such as bag limits and size restrictions, still apply.
The weekend coincides with State Parks Day this Saturday. All day use access fees for the day are also waived.
