To Build or Not to Build
Concerns were raised after the Oregon legislature revised a statute that restricted building in the inundation zone. The statute restricted the building of critical facilities like fire stations, police, hospital and schools. An issue that state representative David Gomberg says did not make sense due to the coastal area being largely susceptible to a large scale earthquake. Businesses and residences flourish along the inundation zone and Gomberg says that facilities that would respond to a disaster should be close enough to help protect lives. He says that with new technology and evolving inundation plans critical facilities can be built safely.
“What we did was is that we amended the current statute to now allow construction in that zone, but I want to make clear that this is a first step in that conversation.”
Gomberg says that no one is suggesting that schools be built within the critical areas. He say s another issue is that money allocated for seismic retrofitting is not available for projects like moving a school or fire station or police station out of the inundation zone under current statutes, yet a Eugene gymnasium can get grants. Gomberg says the legislature is working on getting that changed. Currently California and Washington have adopted building codes that consider inundation zone construction and Oregon simply does not allow it.
Currently Oregon State University at its campus in Newport is constructing a facility that is using leading edge technology that is incorporating vertical evacuation as part of its emergency preparedness. Gomberg says that the structure is using the most current technology in engineering, architecture, and science to create a leading example in the world on how to build and survive a large magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Florence Woman Arrested
Friday afternoon police responded to multiple 911 calls of a possible stabbing at 1550 15th street. Police located a male victim with stab wounds and he was transported to Peace Harbor Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. During their investigation police arrested 37 year old Danielle Passenger of Florence for second degree assault and the unlawful use of a weapon. Passenger and the victim were acquainted prior to the incident according to a Florence Police release. Passenger was to be transported to Lane County. The case will be referred to the Lane County District Attorney for further review.
Local School Teacher Dies
Siuslaw Middle and elementary school teacher Scott Anderson has died. Details surrounding his death have not yet been released, but Siuslaw School Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak says that district crisis teams are on alert and there are plans of having grief counselors on hand for the first day of school next week. Today is the first day back for teachers and crisis teams will also be available for them. Anderson taught social studies at the school for the past several years according to Grzeskowiak.
