Oregon Coast Humane Society Struggles To Move Forward
The past several months the Oregon Coast Humane Society has been in the forefront with allegations of poor shelter conditions, lack of transparency, and an investigation by the department of justice. Board meetings have been contentious and sometimes volatile causing the board to ask for police attendance in order to provide safety and have a non-partisan presence. Board President Robert Bare says conducting business can be difficult and have had to bring in legal council for direction.
“We have legal council that’s kind of given us direction on how they would like to see us conduct the meetings and I think we are trying to follow that protocol.”
Last month’s meeting was streamed live on Facebook by several audience members. In those recording you could hear shouting coming from the crowd. Questions were sometimes delivered in a heated manner, some were merely looking for answers to concerns that they had about the animals. One concern was why there was no veterinarian associated with the shelter. Board member Jackie Allen says that it isn’t for lack of trying.
“We advertise in the veterinary magazines, we’ve talked to the various vet colleges, we’ve talked to veterinarians to see if we could share some of their tech people with us and they are not willing to do that.”
Animals are currently being taken to Veneta for care. Board members Robert Bare, Ed Gervais, and Jackie Allen will be guests on the December edition of our town next Wednesday (Thursday on KCFM) on KCST. Tune in for the entire interview.
Expansion Nears Completion at Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County is experiencing growth and is preparing to set up a separate building to house the teen center. All the preparatory work has been completed and a new building will be placed on the property, but Executive Director, Jack Davis says they have a need of a few more dollars to set the building in place.
“The plan is to have a mover, we already have the foundation laid, we’ve got the electricity run, we’ve got the sewer run, we’ve got the water run, we’re all ready for this building and all we have to do now is get the mover and of course the funds.”
Davis says the rest of the move will take about $35,000 dollars and they are actively seeking the monies to complete the move. He says they have already seen tremendous strides in recent years coming back from the brink of extinction to once again be a viable entity in the community. Davis credits the incredible dedication of the board to the turn around.
Fitness Trainer Turns Author
Fitness trainer and now author Tracy Markley says it was her goal to tell the story of one man’s journey back from a stroke that encouraged her to get serious about writing. In her first book, The Stroke Of An Artist, The Journey of a Fitness Trainer and a Stroke survivor, Markley tells the story of Local Artist Gary O’Gara’s journey back from a stroke.
“I met him after he had his stroke…he was 6 months post stroke when I met him. He had been an artist his whole life and that’s kind of how we came upon the name of the book. He had to re-learn things and art and writing and reading all that again.”
Markley said his progress was fueled by his determination and as she saw him progress she took time to learn more about the brain and how it functions after a stroke. After his recovery O’Gara had experienced other health issues and passed away before the books completion. But Markley says the goal of the book is a vision they both shared.
“His goal and my goal was to bring hope to others, and encourage others who have had strokes.”
Markley will be having a book signing this Saturday at the Waterfront Wine Store and Provisions between 1 and 4 pm. Some of O’Gara’s artwork can be seen at River Gallery on Bay Street.