Mayor concerned about growing costs of ReVision
Increasing cost estimates for a Highway 101 facelift in downtown Florence have not derailed the plan, but it has Mayor Joe Henry feeling uncomfortable.
Joe Henry – “This started out as a five-and-a-half million dollar project at which point ODOT was going to pay somewhere between a million and a million five of that. So that left us with about a million-seven from urban renewal and a budget gap at that point of about 2.3-million.”
Henry said as they continue to spend money on engineering, costs estimates keep going up.
Joe Henry – “After we spent 460-thousand the cost then escalated to 6.4-million and then shortly thereafter, after we examined some right of way access negotiation the project then jumped to 7.4-million.”
Even though the city’s Urban Renewal Agency will pay a portion of the costs, Henry says most of it will be borne by the City… and its residents. Still, he said, he believes it’s worthwhile.
Joe Henry – “After 6.4-million I was a little hesitant but still I thought the value was there for our community. And I still do believe the value is there for our community but to have this go from 5 ½ million to 7.3-or-4 million makes me uncomfortable.”
That’s why he says he will work to find ways to pay for the project that don’t require diverting city funds that would otherwise be used to pay for other projects… and economic development efforts.
Three Rivers job fair Thursday
Most of the immediate job openings offered by area employers at a community job fair this week are seasonal and in the service sector. But, says Three Rivers Casino and Confederated Tribes Recruitment Specialist Pam Hickson, others are permanent and long term. Hickson, who has organized the job fair at Three Rivers Casino, said they’re looking to attract a wide variety of prospects.
Pam Hickson – “Folks that are interested and actively looking for jobs, as well as folks that are kind of exploring what their career opportunities are.”
The third annual job fair is Thursday, from ten am to three pm. There are 33 different groups and businesses represented. Hickson said she’ll have a chance to do something she doesn’t often get to do when it comes to dealing with prospective employees.
Pam Hickson – “We have an online application process which is wonderful, but we don’t have an opportunity to meet one on one with active folks looking for jobs.”
Hickson added the fair is not all about jobs… there will be some self-employment opportunities available; as well as a few volunteer groups hoping to talk about what they have to offer.
Must-read for coping with TBI
A local author will talk about her experiences working with the – quote – “invisible population of the homebound, bed-bound, and hospital-bound”. Tarno Greene finished her cosmetology training and began working with people who suffer from brain trauma, dementia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. From that work, she published her first book in 2016. It’s called I’m Inside, Y’Know: Traumatic Brain Injury and You.
The book quickly drew positive responses from readers, one of whom called it a “must” for anyone coping with a loved one with brain issues.
Tarno will talk about her book this Friday at two pm at Siuslaw Public Library.
Florence makes list of top retirement spots… again
For the third straight year the Florence area has been listed among Oregon’s top retirement spots. SmartAsset, a financial technology company surveys cities on a variety of different criteria and Florence wound up being number two on the list for Oregon, behind only Roseburg.
Steve Sabato with SmartAsset says they look at “tax friendliness”, recreational and social opportunities for seniors, and the availability of medical care. Hood River came in at number three, Brookings was fourth and Ontario was ranked fifth.
