Former attorney starts February 1st
The Port of Siuslaw is turning to the bench for administrative leadership. A former trial attorney and municipal judge will take over as the new Port of Siuslaw Manager on February 1st.
Steven Leskin made a “career transition” of August last year when he left the Bar and went to work for the Port of Bandon as a grant writer. In the past four months he has also worked on several economic development projects as well as to modernize that port’s accounting processes.
Leskin and Port President Ron Caputo completed an employment agreement over the weekend. He will earn $62,500 a year as manager.
Leskin was not in the initial round of applicants to be interviewed in November. He submitted his application after commissioners could not reach an agreement on any one candidate for the position and reopened the process.
High School Students Experience Senator’s Town Hall
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden opened up with his first Town Hall meeting of 2016 last week at Siuslaw High School in front of a mixed crowd of students and members of the community.
For senior Ryan Denning, it was his first exposure to an elected official at that level.
Ryan Denning – “I think he had some good stuff to say, there was things I also disagreed on.”
The Oregon Democrat alternated taking questions from members of the community and students.
Ryan Denning – “Some people were definitely… felt stronger about their opinion. Some people just had a question. There was parts of tension and… but it was definitely interesting and it was fun.”
Community members brought up questions about international trade, forest management and job creation. Students also asked some serious questions with topics ranging from gun control to Oregon’s legalized marijuana, logging at Crater Lake, and earthquake and tsunami preparations.
Planners to hear Marijuana Dispensary proposal
The Florence Planning Commission will review an application for what would be the city’s second medical marijuana dispensary later this month.
Dennis Smith has applied for a Conditional Use Permit for the facility that would be in the Dunes Village Shopping Center between a café and a hardware store.
In his application, Smith refers to the dispensary as being “upscale”. It will be in a 15-hundred square foot space currently occupied by a laundromat.
The Planning Commission will take testimony on the request January 26th.
Neo-Noir “throwback” to be filmed in Florence
Award winning local filmmaker Sean Sisson is readying his next project. The Florence resident won the “audience favorite” award at last fall’s Eugene Film Society Horror Short Film Competition.
His next work… or works… will expand on the short film “Glorious”. It will be called the “Fabulist’s 7”… the filmmaker refers to it as a – quote – “neo-noir throwback to serial thrillers of yesteryear”.
The series will resemble the Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents… with each episode of the miniseries featuring new themes, storylines and characters.
Sisson says it will only be realized with the help of a community “crowd funded” Kickstarter campaign. He and his team will be launching that campaign with a champagne party and live auction at City Lights Cinemas… the reception is at 11 o’clock, this Saturday morning.
December storm damage assessment going on now
The Oregon Office of Emergency Management is working with two federal agencies on assessing damage from wind and rain storms in December.
Damage in 13 of Oregon’s 36 counties, including Lane and Coos, will be evaluated with the objective of helping individuals, businesses, and local governments qualify for disaster assistance.
Preliminary Damage Assessments are being done this week. If qualified, local communities could receive funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs.
