Rent Control Bill Signed; SVFR/WLAD Introduces Candidates; LCC Closed Today; Cold Weather Shelter To Move For This Weekend; Florence Home and Garden Show; City to Christen New Hall

Rent Control Bill Signed

Gov. Kate Brown signed the nation’s first statewide mandatory rent control measure yesterday, giving a victory to housing advocates who say spiraling rent costs in the economically booming state have fueled widespread homelessness and housing insecurity.  Brown, said the legislation will provide “some immediate relief to Oregonians struggling to keep up with rising rents and a tight rental market.”  Landlords are now limited to increases once per year that cannot exceed 7 percent plus the change in the consumer price index, which is used to calculate inflation.  The law prohibits them serving no-cause evictions after a tenant’s first year of occupancy, a provision designed to protect those who are living paycheck to paycheck and who affordable housing advocates say are often most vulnerable to sudden rent hikes and abrupt lease terminations.

SVFR/WLAD Introduces Candidates

Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue and Western Lane Ambulance held an informal get together last night to introduce 4 candidates that it is interviewing for the position that will ultimately head the IGA that oversees both entities.  One local familiar face was among them.  Jim Dickerson, who is currently the division chief with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue.  The other three candidates are Paul Sullivan jr.who currently resides in Maryland and is president of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association.  Keith Long from Mead Colorado, Operation Chief at Mountain View Fire and Protection district, and Michael Schick, chief of Camano Island Fire north of Seattle.  Schick is transitioning from his position there and assisting with the department as they search for a replacement.  Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue and Western Lane Ambulance hope to have a decision and hire by April.

LCC Closed Today

The campus of Lane Community College here in Florence will remain closed for today as they try to restore network facilities there at the campus.  LCC is currently not able to link to its campuses in Eugene and Cottage Grove due to storm related issues.  Hopes are that systems will come online over the weekend and be ready for Monday classes.

Cold Weather Shelter To Move For This Weekend

Cold temperatures for Saturday and Sunday evening will cause the Florence Cold Weather Shelter to open for at least 2 more nights.  Saturday and Sunday evening the shelter will be open, but it will be at a new location.  New Life Lutheran Church will be hosting the shelter.  It is located on 2100 Spruce Street.  Transportation will still be available from Safeway, Fred Meyer and the Library from 5-6 pm and dinner will be served at 6 and breakfast will be served in the morning.

Florence Home and Garden Show

Beginning this afternoon and lasting through Sunday afternoon the 23rd annual Florence Home and Garden show will be at the Florence Event Center.  38 different exhibitors will be present with displays from Do it Yourself information, to windows, home furnishings, garden and landscape, and even food.  The event costs 2 dollars for adults, but half price admission coupons are available at Bi-Mart.  There is a Free Admission time from 4-6 on Saturday afternoon.

City to Christen New Hall

Monday evening the Florence City Council will convene its first meeting in the newly remodeled City Hall.  Along with consideration of applying for a grant from the Ford Family Foundation for the Chamber of Commerce, and the consideration of the purchase of a Broom Sweeper vehicle, the council will also introduce two new employees.  Finance Manager Lezlea Purcell and accounting clerk Katie Bennett.  The meeting will begin at 5:30.