Failed searches are top stories for Florence in 2014.
Finding replacements for a retired police chief and a city manager who moved on to a similar position in a larger community proved to be tougher than originally thought. 2013 ended with the retirement of Ray Guttierez as Florence’s Police Chief. Then, in May, City Manager Jacque Betz announced she would be taking the Manager’s job at the City of Newberg, but assured officials she would hire a new chief before leaving in mid-June.
As she interviewed finalists, though, she was not comfortable with the selections and ultimately suggested to the City Council that they allow the new city manager to hire someone he or she could work with.
Finding a new City Manager proved to be challenging as the selection process dragged through the summer and fall. The Council did select a finalist and offered him the job, but were unable to get him on board.
The task of finding a new City Manager will be one of the first on the agenda for a new City Council that will be sworn in January 5th.
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Forecasters say Arctic air moving into the Northwest will push temperatures below normal in many areas. The Weather Service says the air is dry. Clear skies should keep significant snow away from Oregon until possibly next weekend when precipitation could return. Winds will increase today with the coldest temperatures expected tonight and Tuesday night. Generally this week, highs west of the Cascades will be in 30s and lows in the teens. It will be colder east of the Cascades with highs in the 20s and lows to zero. Temperatures should moderate by the end of the week. Then a cold snap is expected to continue through New Year’s Day.
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Applications for members of the 2015 Rhododendron Festival court are currently being accepted by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. Five young women and five young men will make up the Senior Court.
All ten will compete in Rhododendron Showcase, May sixth. Then, the winner of the title of Queen Rhododendra 108 and the King of the Coast will reign over the 108th festival set for May 15th, 16th, and 17th.
All candidates will be selected from Siuslaw Mapleton High Schools. The application forms are available online at Florence Chamber-dot-org or at the Chamber Visitor Center. They must be submitted no later than January 15th.
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Oregon’s state geologist has urged Oregon State University to either make sure a new marine studies building can withstand a tsunami at least 43-feet high; or not build it in a tsunami zone.
OSU is planning the new building adjacent to the existing Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.
Geologist Vicki McConnell says the building is designed to accommodate up to 500 people, the maximum capacity allowed by state law in a tsunami zone.
OSU says fewer than 300 would actually work and study there; and students would have quarters on higher ground, making the risk maneageable.
University officials say buying land on higher ground for the center itself, then pumping sea water uphill for studies would be too expensive.
Another option available under building codes would be to make the first two levels “blow-though” construction allowing a wave to pass through without damaging the structural strength of the building. Occupants would be able to seek refuge on higher floors.