25 September 2015
Port Commission to begin recruitment process
When Bob Forsythe was hired as the manager of the Port of Siuslaw in the spring of 2012, he said his intention was to hold the post for only three years.
He wasn’t very far off. He intends to step down from the post December 23rd. Forsythe believes the Port is better off now than three and a half years ago.
Bob Forsythe – “Financially, structurally, policies and procedures, yes, we’re… I think it’s significantly better than what it was. It’s not necessarily me. Staff has done a fantastic job of looking at all of the ordinances and the policies and procedures that we’ve had and actually starting to bring them back to focus for everybody.”
Still, he says, there is one major hurdle his successor will have to deal with: that is debt.
Bob Forsythe – “We’ve not cured our indebtedness for infrastructure from the past, getting grants and then having to come up with money to match. We still have that.”
The district does have surplus property and proceeds from the sale of that land, he says, would offset that debt.
The Port of Siuslaw Commission will hold a special meeting early next week. Commission President Ron Caputo says they’ll talk about their options;
Ron Caputo – “and go over the job description. As soon as we come up with that we are going to go ahead and post the job. It will probably be within a week that we will do that.”
Is there an internal candidate already working for the port that might meet the qualifications?
Ron Caputo – “I don’t think so. There could be. I’d really like to see someone local apply because I really like to deal with people that I know.”
Forsythe submitted his resignation Thursday, giving Commissioners up to 90-days notice that he would be stepping down.
Transient man arrested on rape charges
Florence Police arrested a 45-year old transient man following a report of a rape in a wooded area near Rhododendron Drive Monday evening.
Lieutenant John Pitcher said a woman knocked on the door of a residence in the area of Rhododendron Drive and 8th Street and said she had just been raped.
Police responded and located Brent J. Brant nearby.
He was booked on charges of rape, sodomy and sex abuse.
The victim, whose identity will not be released, is also a transient; she and her alleged attacker reportedly knew each other.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins with Sunday March
It will only take about ten minutes Sunday afternoon, but the annual march to highlight the problems of Domestic Violence through Old Town Florence should have a significant impact.
David Wiegan heads up Siuslaw Outreach Services. He says domestic violence is a very serious issue. It is present in all communities, he says, including Florence where S.O.S. provided assistance to 170 survivors… a number he says “needs to be significantly reduced”.
Last year there were more than 100 marchers in the event; and Wiegan adds that each year, immediately following the march, there have been domestic violence victims step forward seeking assistance.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The march begins at Veterans Memorial Park at the foot of Kingwood Street at one. It will end on the other end of Bay Street at the Boardwalk.
Wiegan calls the march a “serious but positive experience”.
Florence Festival of Books
A “Publisher’s Panel” this afternoon at three o’clock will give prospective authors information about the many ways they can get their work into print. It’s the first official event of the Third Annual Florence Festival of Books at the Events Center.
New York Times best-selling author Jane Kirkpatrick has written 27 books, including her latest, a memoir. She will be the keynote speaker this evening at seven.
Tomorrow, there will be dozens of writers and publishers displaying and talking about their work. Readings by featured authors will be presented three times each hour between ten and four.
The keynote event tonight is $8 in advance, $10 at the door. There is no admission charge tomorrow.
7,8, AM only
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