Earth Day Planned For Florence; High Surf Advisory; ReVision Florence On Track; PAC Moves Under City Umbrella

Earth Day Planned For Florence

Florence is gearing up for an Earth Day Celebration.  Saturday April 20th along the boardwalk there will be exhibitors and information on how individuals can contribute to a positive effect on our environment.  This is the second annual event and organizer Sandy Todd Says a variety of groups have come together.

“We have about 15 local organizations, Master Recyclers, Oregon dunes, we have surf riders, we have Oregon wild, Florence garden club, food share.”

Todd says there will be a lot of valuable information from these and many other groups.

“All kinds of organizations are bringing different kinds of projects to show local people how we can better take care of our local environment and take care of our local species.”

Todd says that taking care of the environment is a global issue, but has to start at the local level with each community doing whatever it can.

High Surf Advisory

A high surf advisory has been posted for tomorrow along the coast.  High surf is a danger to beach goers as the surf often brings in debris from the ocean and can toss large logs around like they were toothpicks.  The national weather service advises beachgoers to avoid beaches during this event which will take place from 9am tomorrow morning through 3 am Sunday.

ReVision Florence On Track

Weather has not slowed the progress of the ReVision Florence project.  Despite rain and rain in the forecast workers continue to pour concrete curbs and sidewalks along highway 101.  While access to local businesses has been difficult at times those businesses remain open during the construction.  Crews were working on utility lines yesterday setting underground hubs for phone, cable and electricity.  Routes are open to banking, the library and the post office from highway 101, but Kingwood is a good alternative for people wishing to access those businesses.  The city of Florence is encouraging motorists to use alternate routes and detour as much traffic as possible away from the construction area.

The controversial mural will go up as planned for the Central Lincoln PUD building, but in the wake of the controversy the city has adopted its work plan that includes moving the Public Arts Committee back under the umbrella of the city and not the Florence Urban Renewal Agency.  Councilor Green was concerned that the PAC would not receive the money already promised from FURA, which totaled $250,000.

203: “I will say for the record, I do think that the money that was budgeted through the urban renewal agency for the use of public art should be honored.”

Councilors agreed to honor that commitment but further financial approval will have to go through the council.  Green said the Public Arts Committee is committed to find alternative funding through grants and private donations.