Voters Challenged to Turn Out

28 April 2014

Residents Challenged to Register AND vote

Coast Radio News
Local News

The turnout for the upcoming primary election next month isn’t expected to be very high.

But it doesn’t have to be that way according to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown.

Four years ago… the last time there was a May Primary election with a gubernatorial race… fewer than 42-percent of registered Oregon voters cast ballots. 

Things were even worse than that two years ago in the presidential primary.  That’s when only 39-percent of registered Oregon voters turned out.

Oregonians “need to do a better job” of participating in democracy according to Brown.  She says ballots for the May 20th primary will be mailed later this week. 

If you are already registered to vote, you should get one.  If you’re not registered, there is still time. 

The deadline to vote this time around is tomorrow.  Registration is simple and can be done online at OregonVotes.gov.

Paper registrations can be submitted as well… they’re available at the DMV office.  You can mail it; as long as it is postmarked by tomorrow you’ll be ok.

Municipal Budget Process Under Way

The Florence Budget Committee begins their work for the year this evening.

Beginning at six; the panel including the Mayor, four City Councilors and five residents; will hear the annual budget message as prepared by the City Manager.  Following that, Finance Director Erin Reynolds will give a brief overview of the proposed budget.

The Budget Committee is expected to have in-depth conversations on water, wastewater and stormwater program funds this evening.  They’ll also talk about room taxes, the Events Center and debt service funds before adjourning for the evening around eight pm.

The meeting is at City Hall.

Creating a 'defensible space' around homes in forested areas can help prevent damage to your home in the event of a wildfire. (Oregon Dept. of Forestry photo)
Creating a ‘defensible space’ around homes in forested areas can help prevent damage to your home in the event of a wildfire. (Oregon Dept. of Forestry photo)

Building a Defensible Space

The Oregon Department of Forestry estimates as many as three-quarters of a million people occupy the more than 340-thousand homes in forested areas around the state.

Many of those residents faced challenges last summer during a wildfire season that ended in the deaths of three firefighters, the destruction of four homes and 325 square miles of charred land.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes over several days in central and southern Oregon.

Fire officials say residents can help make their job easier by taking some simple steps to prepare for the coming season.

This Saturday is “Community Preparedness Day” in forested areas across the state.  Residents are urged to spend the day preparing what they call a “defensible space” around their homes in order to make them less vulnerable to wildfire.  More information can be found at the Oregon Department of Forestry website.

Historic Sailing Vessels Making Oregon Port Calls

A pair of “tall ships” are headed for Coos Bay his week.  The brig Lady Washington and the topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftan are scheduled to be moored on the downtown Coos Bay waterfront beginning this Thursday. 

The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Sisualw Indians will participate in a “reconciliation ceremony” with the crew of the Lady Washington Sunday afternoon.

Walk-on tours will be offered beginning Friday afternoon.  Five harbor cruises will be offered through the weekend as well.

Information on reserving spots for either of the tours can be found at historicalseaport.org.