Area residents speak out at public meeting
A controversial plan that opponents say would cut off public access to about 31-thousand acres of forest land and render it off-limits for logging got a second hearing last week in Mapleton. More than 200 people showed up to tell U.S. Forest Service officials what they thought of the Indian Creek Landscape Management Project. One of those was Thane Beers who says the plan would change management of the timber from “second growth”… eligible for logging sales… into “old growth” which is off limits.
Thane Beers – “It’s big government. People don’t understand that the old forest, it’s beautiful to look at but it doesn’t really support that much life. You know; it’s not for the wildlife. The wildlife needs openings.”
Beers and other opponents of the plan presented a petition with more than one-thousand signatures on it. The petition called for a more thorough economic analysis of the plan and retaining more public access. Beers also said the salmon habitat restoration plan on Indian Creek called for in the plan would cause more erosion and negative impact downstream… ultimately doing more damage to salmon than if they did nothing.
Beers speculated that one reason there wasn’t any opposition for larger land owners was because of the ultimate impact on the price of timber.
Thane Beers – “The price of logs is going to go up because of the supply and demand. So, I’d be better off if they did. And the big companies aren’t wanting to say anything because they love it, you know. They’re getting more dollars for their logs because public lands are off the market, so.”
He also said he thought the hearings were more of a formality than a real attempt to get public input.
Thane Beers — “No, I feel that they’re just puppets and they’re doing whatever Washington wants them to do. That’s what I think.”
The deadline for input to the Forest Service about this plan is April First. A link to the plan and supporting documents can be found here.
Siuslaw Pathways project topic tonight
A public forum tonight at the Florence Senior Center is the culmination of a lengthy process that has the goal of making Florence, Mapleton and Dunes City an even better place to grow up, live and work.
Co-leader Becky Goerhing (GO-ring) said there has been “great input” from residents of all ages. Using that input, along with a series of open houses, forums and discussions, the “Siuslaw Pathways Regional Forum” has come up with a list of possible projects that would help accomplish the group and the community’s goals.
Goehring says she is hoping someone would “champion” some of those projects. They include things like creating community recreation centers; enhancing job training with internships and mentors; intergenerational support of child care; aging in place; better access to health care; affordable housing; and repurposing vacant commercial and industrial sites.
The forum is open to all ages and Goehring said there will be a space for young children. It’s from six to eight p.m. this evening at the Florence Senior Center on Kingwood Street.
Gas prices continue to rise
The average price of regular gasoline has jumped back up the highest level in two months. Locally, the average cash price increased by four cents this past week to $1.93 a gallon. That’s the same level it was at in mid January. But that also means that just since March 1st the price has increased by 27-cents a gallon.
The statewide average increased a dime and is back above the two-dollar mark at $2.09.
Marie Dodds with Triple-A said the national average price increased by 14-cents in the past seven days to $1.95 a gallon.
She said a decline in gasoline supplies… largely due to refinery maintenance and relatively strong demand has combined for the sharp increase.
Columbia Coho returns lagging
Regional fishery managers are considering closing recreational and commercial salmon fishing off the coast of Washington and northern Oregon this summer due to a low number of returning Coho salmon.
The closure is one of three options being considered by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council. It sets the fishing seasons in ocean waters off the Pacific Coast.
The council is scheduled to make a final decision at its April meeting in Vancouver, Washington. A federal panel must approve the plan before May 1st.
The last time the ocean salmon fishing season was closed was in 1994. Fishing was also severely curtailed in 2008.
Spring Break at the Aquarium
Visitors to the Oregon Coast Aquarium during spring break can get a “whiskery kiss” from a harbor seal or “shake suckers” with a giant Pacific octopus.
The Aquarium, in Newport, is gearing up for an expected crush of visitors during Spring Break. To accommodate that crush, they’ll be open extended hours between March 19th and 27th. Instead of closing at five each day, they’ll be open until six p.m.
More scammers victimizing the elderly
Police in Florence say another resident has fallen victim to a scam in which a caller identifies themselves as an IRS agent and demands immediate payment from their victim… or face arrest.
John Pitcher – “No. The IRS will never do that. You know they will contact people through the mail… they may call people but they will have you call them and they’ll have confirmation information that you can follow up with. They will never call and demand payment immediately.”
Police Commander John Pitcher said the perpetrators of this type of scam prey on the elderly.
John Pitcher – “These people that are doing these scams they’re very convincing. Remember to never ever do anything immediately. Take the time to confirm, who you’re talking to and what you’re going to do.”
One clear tipoff that it is a scam is the demand for immediate payment over the phone, often using Western Union or a prepaid debit card. Pitcher says, unfortunately, once the money is gone… it’s gone for good.
John Pitcher – “It’s very very difficult. These people use a lot of methods to hide where they are and their identity. There’s not a lot that we can do to try and get that money back.”
Take your time, he said, confirm who you are dealing with… and don’t be afraid to just hang up.