Filing deadline approaching, as is stormy weather. Services for long time educator; Return of Stillwater

Coast Radio News
Local News

19 March 2013

Candidate Filing Deadline Approaching

It’s still two months away, but a key date in the May 21st election is coming up later this week.  It’s the filing deadline for candidates seeking any of the several director and commissioner positions open in local school, fire and other special district elections.

Candidates have filed for the Port of Siuslaw, School Boards, Lane Community College Board, Fire and Ambulance Districts, and even for a district that’s not yet formed.

That would be the proposed Heceta Water People’s Utility District that voters north of Florence are being asked to approve.

So far there are few contested races.  But there are some…

At the Port of Siuslaw all four open positions have drawn at least two candidates… one has even drawn three.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Siuslaw Public Library board where there are three expiring terms… and so far only one candidate.

Completed nomination forms must be received by Lane County Elections by four pm Thursday.

Return of Stillwater

A one-time controversial project in Old Town Florence is coming back to the Planning Commission.  The Stillwater Condiminiums next to the Siuslaw River Bridge on Bay Street was completed in 2008 after considerable controversy about the building’s height and proximity to the Highway 101 bridge.

The building has sustained water damage and portions need to be repaired.  Occupants of the building claim the restrictions placed on the design of the building led to the damage and they want to expand the top floor to fully enclose a stairway.

The Florence Planning Commission will review the application at the body’s March 26th meeting.

Jess Young Memorial Friday

Services for long time Siuslaw principal Jess Young will be held this Friday afternoon, 1:30 at the Florence Christian Church.  Young passed away March 8th at the age of 89.  He was a World War II navy veteran who taught and served as an administrator at Siuslaw and Rhododendron Elementary and Siuslaw Junior High for 21 years.

Retirement in 1982 didn’t mean he slowed down.  He and his wife Esther served two years in Indonesia as Christian Missionaries and we was instrumental in founding the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Spring Storm

It may have felt like spring was on the way for the past few weeks… but a touch of winter may be returning to the Oregon coast this week.

Forecasters are saying a pair of strong storm systems could bring heavy rains, thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 50 miles an hour between now and Thursday.  The National Weather Service says the stormy weather is likely to be short-lived… but the wet weather is expected to stick around at least through the weekend.