29 October 2013
Possible new home for Public Works
A draft proposal to move the City’s Public Works headquarters to the Kingwood Business Park would also more than double the size of Gallagher Park. Florence Public Works Director Mike Miller says the city is exploring the possibility of building a new facility.
The existing Public Works building on Spruce Street was originally built in the 1950s as the city’s police station and has been added on to several times. The space is cramped, according to Miller, and inefficiently laid out. The fenced compound is also small and doesn’t have enough covered storage space to keep expensive equipment out of the elements.
Miller says he is looking at a three-acre parcel near 27th and Kingwood, next to the airport.
Funding for the four-plus-million complex is still to be determined. Miller said some of it could come from a community development block grant… similar to the one that funded the Senior Center… or from revenue bonds repaid by utility fees.
Once the new center is completed… in two or three years… the existing building would likely be demolished and the space would be used to expand Gallagher’s Park.
Hang Up On Scammers
A recent scam aimed at gaining credit card information from consumers is relatively simple and the solution to stop it is equally plain.
Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon’s Attorney General says the Oregon Department of Justice has received reports of Oregonians receiving pre-recorded messages from imposters claiming to be with Master Card and telling the resident their account has been “locked” or “frozen”.
The call instructs the listener to enter their 16-digit card number immediately to unlock the card. Rosenblum said credit card companies and banks never operate in this manner and the best way to respond is by simply hanging up.
She goes on to say that if you feel you have fallen victim to an imposter seeking your personal information to contact your bank or credit card company, then notify the Oregon Department of Justice.
Takenitch Beach Cleanup
An effort this weekend will be made to clean up a remote stretch of beach in northern Douglas County. Members of the Siuslaw Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will hike in one to two miles to reach Takenitch Beach where Melissa Buckwald says there is an estimated accumulation of up to two tons of debris.
She adds the remote location makes it difficult to access and haul out the trash.
Volunteers will only have to worry about getting themselves there, however. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will have a truck and driver on hand to haul the debris off the beach.
Buckwald says there are two ways for volunteers to access the beach… via the Takenitch trailhead at milepost 202; or via the Stagecoach trail at Siltcoos Outlet.
Three Rivers Foundation
$100-thousand will be presented to various central and south coast non-profit agencies in early December. It’s the third annual distribution of funds by the Three Rivers Foundation… the “giving” arm of Three Rivers Casino and Hotel.
Completed applications are being accepted through November 21st at the foundation’s website… threeriversfoundation-dot-org. Foundation President Mark Ingersoll says grants are intended to support a variety of different needs in arts, education, problem gambling, health, public safety and historic preservation.
