County Registration Fee Could Benefit Florence Roads.
Florence Mayor Elect Joe Henry initially expressed some skepticism about the county’s proposed vehicle registration fee. County Commissioners are considering asking voters in the spring to approve a county surcharge of $35 per year on top of the state’s $43.
200 – “I believe some people are going to look at it as just another fee… and I do to some extent.”
But, Henry acknowledged, city streets are in poor shape, and the approximately $143-thousand that Florence would get every year would be a big help when it comes to paying for repairs. That’s why he supported the fuel tax that was denied earlier this month by Florence voters.
201 – “I voted for the fuel tax because I believed that it was a fair way to get our streets repaired and spread the costs to more people that actually use our streets.”
The proposed measure would require Lane County to use their share of the money… about six-and-a-half-million-dollars a year… for roads and bridges. Cities would not be bound by that.
202 – “I can’t speak for the rest of the council, but I would champion the cause to dedicate that money to street repairs.”
Henry says his major cause in the coming year is to find some way to pay for Florence’s streets.
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If you’re confused about why so many rhododendrons are in bloom around the area, you’re not alone. The plants themselves are a little confused.
205 – “In the summer time and the spring time, when the sun is moving north, it moves very slowly. So it triggers a mechanism in those plants for them to bloom.”
Rhody expert Mike Bones, with Bones’ Nursery, says the recent long stretch of sunshine had the same effect.
206 – “But it’s enough time in there to make those plants think it’s time to bloom and they throw color out there.”
The local chapter of the American Rhododendron Society can be a very good way to find out more about Florence’s signature flora. Bones said the group’s next meeting is Tuesday, November 18th, 7 PM at the Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw. It’s open to all.
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Volunteers for a twice-annual program to help visitors to the Oregon Coast spot migrating Gray whales are being sought once again.
Three annual training sessions are offered to aid volunteers in their task. The first session, December 6th at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport is nearly full. That class will be taught by Dr. Bruce Mate, an expert on whales and the director of the Oregon State Marine Mammal Institute. Biologist Carrie Newell will deliver the training sessions January tenth in Brookings and February seventh in Tillamook.
Information on how to volunteer can be found at www-dot-WhaleSpoken-dot-org. and click on training dates.
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It’s being billed as the story of “Beauty and the Beast”… a tale of how the same geological forces that threaten our lives with earthquakes and tsunamis, also nourishes our spirits by creating the magnificent coastline of the Oregon Coast.
That’s the story that will be revealed Saturday afternoon at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center north of Florence by Dr. Robert Lillie.
The Oregon State University Geosciences Professor will speak at the center at two pm Saturday. The talk is free, but there is a $5 day-use access fee.
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Have you mailed your property tax payment yet? This year property owners have two extra days to get their first payments in.
That’s because the usual date, November 15th, falls on a Saturday.
Property owners have until the end of the business day Monday, November 17th to pay their bill.
Tax payments are payable by mail… as long as the envelope has a November 17th post mark; in person at the County Assessment and Taxation office in Eugene; or online at a secure website… www-dot-LaneCounty-dot-org.
If you pay your tax bill in full by Monday you can deduct a three-percent discount. A two-percent discount is available for those who pay two-thirds by that date.
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Members of the incoming and outgoing Florence City Council will meet Monday evening at City Hall to talk about how to handle two different items in the coming weeks.
The first item on the agenda for the 5 o’clock work session is to discuss the history and possible future of the controversial Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path.
Plans for the path have changed considerably since the first proposal was introduced last spring. That prompted a firestorm of protest about losses of privacy and vegetation.
The other item up for discussion will be on how to handle the recruitment process for a new City Manager. Elected officials thought they had a viable candidate last month, but he backed out at the last minute. Rather than go back over the list of prior candidates, the outgoing council opted to defer the matter to the incoming council.
A regular meeting of the current council is set for seven pm at City Hall.
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