Legislator Symposium
The month of May begins in Florence with a drive to boost the coastal economy. The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with several other coastal communities is bringing together state senators and state representative along with US senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden. This Coastal Corral will be moderated by Dr. Russ Pierson, Lane Community College’s Florence Campus Dean. The corral will broadcast through a special Zoom meeting and a special Facebook Live event will simulcast the meeting for the public. The symposium will focus on what legislators are doing to help support small businesses and major employers along the coast.
The event will begin at 10 am the Facebook live link is https://bit.ly/coastalcorral
Brown to Introduce Tracing Plan
Governor Kate Brown will be holding a press conference this morning at 10:30 to introduce the state’s plan for COVID-19 testing and Contact Tracing to facilitate the reopening of Oregon’s economic network. Under the guidelines set by the Federal Government certain contingencies need to be in place prior to restarting commerce and opening state parks. Brown is not yet expected to release a time-frame, but there has been a lot of input from county health departments and county commissioners across the state as to the individual preparedness that has been taken. Elective surgeries begin again today with a more extensive relaxing of certain medical restrictions expected by May 15th, this may be an indicator of a potential time-line.
More COVID-19 Numbers
Two more deaths were recorded in Oregon yesterday to add to the coronavirus pandemic. The total is now 103 confirmed deaths and 2,510 cases of the virus. Tests conducted went over the 56 thousand mark. Both deaths were also diagnosed with underlying medical conditions. A 77 year old male died at home in Marion County and a 69 year old man died at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. According to the Oregon Health Authority numbers Oregon reached its peak of cases in the third week of March and has been experiencing a steady drop since with the exception of a slight spike in mid April. Lane County is entering its 8th day without a reported case of the virus with the current total of completed tests at 3,468. Lane County mimicks the state when it comes to peak cases in mid March it saw the greatest number of cases and has since declined.
City Council Meeting
Monday evening the Florence City Council will convene. The meeting will be void of an audience due to the coronavirus. The city has made arrangements for public comment through email and written letters. City officials are wanting to ensure the safety of the public as outlined in Governor Brown’s executive order 20-16. There will be a public hearing as the Florence Elks Lodge is asking the council to rezone the property located on 12th street from High Density Residential to commercial. The main reason stated for the change is to increase signage size on the property. They will also consider accepting a proposal from Cascade Civil Corporation for construction of the Safe Routes to School project that will upgrade and add to sidewalks and crossways along oak street and a crossing on Highway 101. The meeting will begin at 5:30 and can be seen on cable channel 191.
Building Safety Month
The month of May has been designated Building Safety Month. The annual event reaches it s 40th year this year and is focused on four different themes. Today through May 10th is disaster Preparedness, week two will focus on Water Safety, week three is Resiliency, sustainability, and Innovation and culminates in the final week with Training the Next Generation. In conjunction with Building Safety Month the city has begun a campaign celebrating the Dog on the Job Photo Contest. Week one’s winner is Lizzy and Abner, submitted by Ron Mann.
