19 March 2015
Long search for new police chief nearing end
After being passed over for the job last spring, Lane County Sheriff Tom Turner says he’s ready to take over as Florence’s Police Chief.
Turner was offered the top cop job in Florence this week after a second search was mounted to fill the spot vacated by the December 2013 retirement of Ray Gutierrez. Turner had been one of six finalists for the position the first time around. Neither he nor the other five were hired following a months-long search conducted by former city manager Jacque Betz. Betz left in June for a similar position in Newburg. At the time, she said the selection of a new chief should be made by her replacement.
That’s what happened, but it took a few months longer than anticipated.
Turner must successfully pass a background check. New City Manager Erin Reynolds said Turner’s starting salary would be $94-thousand. But, she added, they still need to finalize contract talks. Turner’s current salary as Sheriff is $124-thousand.
Who will take over for Sheriff Tom Turner when he makes the move to Florence?
Initially it would be his chief deputy, Byron Trapp. That’s the successor plan that has been in place at the Sheriff’s Department for several years. Turner assumed the role that way. In January 2011 he was 2nd in command at the department when former Sheriff Russ Burger abruptly resigned to take on the job of Oregon’s U.S. Marshal.
Trapp, as was Turner, would have to be affirmed by the Lane County Board of Commissioners. They have the option of naming their own successor.
No matter who takes over at Lane County during the interim, voters will ultimately have the final say. A special election would be required by Oregon and Lane County code to fill the position within the next year. Whomever would win that election would serve until the end of Turner’s original term… January 2018.
Gas prices even in Florence, dropping elsewhere
The national and statewide average prices for gas have backed off their year-to-date highs, but locally the average remains where it has been the last two weeks.
Today’s average cash price in Florence remains at $2.86 a gallon.
Marie Dodds with Triple-A says the statewide average dropped from $2.88 to $2.85 this week. She added the national average has fallen for ten days straight; it too declined by three cents a gallon. It’s at $2.42.
Dodds said the West Coast is still “recovering from localized refinery issues” and remains the most expensive region in the country for retail gasoline. California has the highest average of all 50-states at $3.35 a gallon. Hawaii is number two at $3.14. Oregon’s average price is fifth highest in the nation.
Lincoln, the Civil War, and Oregon
The 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and the assassination of the 16th President will be observed next month at Siuslaw Public Library.
Abraham Lincoln will make an appearance, April 4th.
Not the real Lincoln, but a man who George Vogt (VOTE), the former director of the Oregon Historical Society called the “most convincing presidential impersonator” that he has ever seen.
Steve Holgate will portray Lincoln in a Town Hall meeting at noon the first Saturday in April.
Also coming next month: author R. Gregory Nokes speaking about “Oregon slavery”. Nokes wrote the book “Breaking Chains: Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory”. He’ll be at the library April 14th. Lincoln scholar Richard Etaulain (ETT-uh-lane) will speak Tuesday, April 28th.
The top 65 places to go fishing in Lane County
Anglers in Lane County now have a new guide to find more than five dozen fishing spots. Stretching from the coast to the Cascades, the new guide, called “65 Places to go Fishing in Lane County” offers key details to help novice anglers find the good spots; and the experienced ones to find some new ones.
The guide details things like what type of fish can be found at each location; whether or not they’re wild or hatchery stock; and what types of amenities can be found nearby.
The guide is available on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website, as well as at Eugene-cascades-coast-dot-org (www.eugenecascadescoast.org)
Volunteer recognition event slated for April 15th
Florence’s First Citizen for 2014, Cindy Wobbe, will be the keynote speaker next month during the annual Florence Area Community Coalition Volunteer Recognition event.
The FACC will provide the vehicle to recognize the many volunteers in the community who provide a number of services.
Event coordinator David Wiegan says the event will be Wednesday, April 15th, from two to four pm at the Florence Events Center. It’s sponsored by a grant from the Three Rivers Foundation. Individual tickets are $7… table sponsorships can be purchased in advance for $100.