Bailey Apology
Tensions continue to swirl at the Oregon Coast Humane Society. This time it was in response to several comments made by a former board member during coast radio’s Our Town. During a discussion of paid membership, Scott Bailey suggested that current board member Jackie Allen was herself not a member of the Oregon Coast Humane Society. Bailey said that upon receipt of the current list of paid members Ms. Allen’s name did not appear on the list.
“One of the Current people on the board is not a member… it’s Jackie Allen and I know that she and her husband have been members for years.”
The full conversation was in context of people not getting notified when it is time to renew memberships and clerical accuracy in general and not about someone trying to thwart the system. But the statement by Bailey was inaccurate. Allen wrote a letter to Mr. Bailey and forwarded it to the press. In it she corrects Mr. Bailey and outlines her process for paying her dues. Allen did admit that she noticed her name was not on the list of members and repaid her dues. Subsequently Bailey contacted Coast Radio and issued a correction.
He wrote: “I want to apologize for my comments on KCST suggesting Jackie Allen was not a current paid member of OCHS. I made those comments based on information I had at the time, which was provided to me by OCHS. I have since learned that a clerical error left Ms. Allen and her husband off of the membership list, but they had paid their membership dues and were current members in good standing well before I made those comments on the radio. My comments were incorrect, and I apologize to Ms. Allen.” The interview referenced can be heard on the Coast Radio website by going to the Our Town Page.
Grants For Lane County Students
The Oregon Department of Education and the Meyer Memorial Trust has awarded grants to Connected Lane County and Lane Stem. The three grants totaled more than $250,000 and are intended to bring career connected learning to students and increase access to computer science and digital literacy. Over the past 18 months students have been connected to work learning opportunities outside the classroom. This year 370 fourth and fifth graders from across Lane County will be exposed to hands-on learning, as well as the introduction of a STEM student ambassador program. Connected Lane County will be hosting a community celebration on January 24th at the University of Oregon Ford Alumni Center and the public is invited to learn more about the program.
More Revitalization Opportunities
On the heels of the Main Street Revolution excitement the group Oregon Main Street has announced that it will be accepting applications for revitalization assistance. Successful applicants will receive monies and support to help revitalize the economy, appearance and image of their traditional business district. Oregon Main Street is part of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and has been instrumental with bringing in visitors, shoppers and investors into downtown areas. The goal of OMS is to enhance economies while preserving the historic nature and landscape of local communities
Crude Prices Still Climbing
Climbing crude oil prices are pushing retail gas prices higher. Drivers are paying the most for gas in early January since 2014 when the national and Oregon averages were both above $3 a gallon. For the week, the national average for regular unleaded adds half a cent to $2.49 a gallon while the Oregon average ticks up one-and-a-half cents to $2.80. Florence prices across the board are currently at $2.59 a gallon according to gasbuddy.com
