Local News – Top Volunteer; Curry County Sales Tax; AOC honors Co-Speakers

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Local News

Service of Top Volunteer Speaks for itself.

Florence Mayor Phil Brubaker says volunteers are what help make the city what it is.  Last week he singled out one person who exemplifies volunteerism when he named Andi Belk as the city’s first ever ‘volunteer of the year’.

Brubaker – “From the get-go has volunteered in one key position and another.  She was given the most important challenge of putting together a community wide neighborhood watch program, both business and residential areas.”

It was a difficult decision on all counts, but Belk’s service spoke for itself.

Brubaker – “Not only typical volunteer service, but way above and beyond the call to be a leader in this whole program.”

The first-ever volunteer recognition event last week wasn’t all fun and games however.  The first part of the evening was actually a training session on ethics for public officials and volunteers.

Curry County Considering Sales Tax

One cash-strapped county is looking at all possibilities when it comes to back-filling a gaping revenue hole left with the expiration of a federal safety net for timber counties.  A citizen’s advisory committee in Curry County included a possible sales tax in a list of ideas to deal with a three-million dollar shortfall.  Curry County Commissioner George Rhodes says the board is considering whether or not to put the idea to voters later this spring.  Curry County, including the communities of Gold Beach and Brookings, has the second-lowest property tax rate for counties in Oregon.

County Group Honors Oregon Co-Speakers

Along those lines, the Association of Oregon Counties will recognize the unique collaborative nature of the leadership in the Oregon House today in a special ceremony at the State Capitol.  AOC Executive Director Mike McArthur says the bi-partisan duo of Bruce Hanna from Roseburg, and Arnie Roblan from Coos Bay, continue to ensure “delivery of vital public services” and have worked “tirelessly” to strengthen the parternship between state government and Oregon counties.