School Board Positions
Potential candidates for positions on the two area school boards have just a week to file paperwork in order to be on the May 16th ballot. Five candidates for four positions have filed to run for the Siuslaw School Board. Incumbents Bob Sneddon, Frank Armendariz and Dianna Pimlott have all filed. Pimlott has drawn a contender, Dr. Mildred Rowley is challenging her for position 7. Director Brian Lacouture has not yet filed, but if and when he does he will face Devon Weinstein. In Mapleton, no candidates have yet to file for any of the three positions on the ballot. Michelle Holman has said she is committed to running again. Neither of the two other incumbents, Maree (Mary) Beers and Mary Ellen Mansfield, have indicated their intentions. In order to serve on a school board a candidate must be a “qualified” elector of the district they wish to serve and have resided there for at least a year by the time they take office.
Mapleton Water Board
Four of the five director positions on the ballot for the Mapleton Water District will be on the ballot in May. Only one incumbent has filed to be on the ballot; Vanessa West is seeking reelection to position four. None of the other three have filed, Millie Rochon resigned her position earlier this year and Nancy Pettibon is running for the final two years of her term. Neither of the two remaining directors currently serving have signaled their intentions: Roger Gould and Sharon Shrenk. Sharon Kelly is seeking election to Gould’s position 5; Julie Doran-Lee has filed for Shrenk’s position 3. In order to have their name placed on the ballot candidates must complete a “Declaration of Candidacy” with a $10 fee, or a nominating petition to the Lane County Elections office no later than 5 pm Thursday, March 16th.
Coos County Airport District
The Coos County Airport District (CCAD) Board of Commissioners approved a resolution clarifying that property owned by the airport is to be used for the safe and secure operation of the airport and other FAA-defined airport-compatible land uses. At a time when city and county governments locally and across the state are seeking ways to address Oregon House Bill 3115 concerning the homeless crises, the district felt the necessity to formalize by resolution the permitted use of the airport property and disseminate that information publicly. CCAD Legal Counsel of Record, Melissa Cribbins, addressed the board and advised the law was carefully reviewed in terms of how it does or does not apply to property owned by the district. The legislation states the law applies to cities and counties. The Airport Special District is neither a city nor a county. CCAD maintains that the airport property will continue to be operated as an airport and not as a resource for transient or homeless use, camping, or any residential housing in order to protect the safety and security of the airport. CCAD will continue to comply with its federal grant assurances, federal regulations and advisories governing Commercial Air Service Airports, and to function as a Special District. Coast Radio reached out to Public works Director Mike Miller for comment as to how HB 3115 might affect the Florence Airport.
Indoor Yard Sale
The Florence Indoor Yard Sale will be on April 1st. the event is put on by the Florence Arts, Culture and Entertainment group. The popular event will be from 8am until 4pm. FACE President Rachel Pearson says the event is always fun and positive and features more than 40 vendors historically. She says one of the benefits is that vendors can take advantage of the foot traffic that the event generates. Booth space is 50 for a single booth and 100 for a double booth and registered non-profits get discounted rates. Booth applications are available at eventcenter.org.
