Temporary Closure For OCHS Thrift Store; Meeting Time Change; School Board Meeting; Boice Vies for Congressional Seat

Temporary Closure For OCHS Thrift Store

The Oregon Coast Humane Society has announced that it has closed its Thrift Store operations as of yesterday.  The close is a temporary one as the interim Executive Director Barbra Butzer and the new OCHS board evaluate staffing and “relevant” needs of the organization.  According to new OCHS board president, Jack Hanigan, volunteer support has waned over the past year as the Department of Justice investigated the organization and the subsequent press that followed.  Currently the board is looking at updating job descriptions and improving staff training.  OCHS is making a push for new volunteers and members.  Hanigan promises that the Thrift Store will be back and “better than ever” but no date for the proposed reopening was offered.  The humane society is currently looking for a new paid shelter manager as well as volunteers for the shelter.

Meeting Time Change

The City of Florence Planning Commission has announced a change in its meeting time.  The new scheduled time for their meeting will be tomorrow evening at 5:30 at the Florence event center.  The commission will be looking at approving a conditional use permit for the Seventh Day Adventist church to allow a modular building on its property for educational uses as well as changes to Florence City code regarding off-street parking as well as updating the Restricted Residential District code as it relates to Accessory Dwelling units design, siting, and construction criteria.

School Board Meeting

The Siuslaw School Board has a meeting on the schedule for this week.  The board will be looking over proposed changes and revisions to school policy for next school year as well as looking at updated plans for expansion and a new bond.  The meeting will be this Wednesday at 6:30 at the district offices on 2111 oak street.

Boice Vies for Congressional Seat

Gold Beach resident and former tour boat owner, Court Boice is looking to unseat longtime congressman Peter DeFazio.  Boice spoke in length with coast radio news about his primary run.  He says that the impetus for his campaign was watching the fires that burned last year and feeling as though the government has not done enough to protect the lands from fire desolation.

”I felt like I had to have an opportunity to speak for rural counties, especially our own county, we were  hit so hard with smoke, one fifth of our county incinerated.”

Boice said that not enough is being done to protect the land and the residents that live in areas that are prone to wildfires.

“I’ve lived three fires down there in 32 years and it’s destroying the reason we live there.  The Rogue Siskyou  national forest is the most unique, the most wild, should be the most productive forest in America.”

Boice says he is interested in providing his grandchildren with the same type of American that his grandparents left him.  Primary ballots are due by May 15th.  for the complete interview with Court Boice, check out the Coast Radio Website.