21 November 2013
Police Chief Hiring Process to Begin after Thanksgiving
The effort to hire a new police chief will officially begin after December First in Florence
City Manager Jacque Betz had praise for Ray Gutierrez who announced his decision this week to retire after a 36-year law enforcement career.
That retirement is actually a couple years later than what Gutierrez had originally planned. He had strongly considered the move two years ago while a Lieutenant and the number two officer on the force.
But, Betz, who had just ascended to the manager’s position, was in need of a new police chief so Gutierrez agreed to stick around.
It’s expected that Betz will follow a process similar to what she has done for other key personnel decisions over the past 24-months. She will take time to visit with not only leadership at the department, but also sworn officers and elected officials in order to assess the needs of the community and the department before taking action.
Betz did not identify a target date for hiring a replacement, but Gutierrez’ final day on the job will be January First.
A Mycological Bounty at the Cape
Wet and mild weather conditions this fall have translated into a fungal bounty at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Accomplished mushroom hunters say there is still time to learn about how to seek out and harvest the wild fungi this season.
One of those is amateur mycologist Anna Moore. She’ll be at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center Saturday afternoon at one pm to talk about gathering and cooking mushrooms. An experienced mushroom picker, she’ll also talk about forest ecology and the esthetics of simply appreciating their form and color.
Immediately before and after Moore’s presentation, Yachats violinist Ruth Mock will fill the center with music.
Gathering mushrooms for personal use is allowed on a limited basis at the Scenic Area, but commercial picking is not allowed.
What, no elf?
Thanksgiving is still a week away, but one harbinger of Christmas will be in Florence tomorrow afternoon from one to three. Spruce Point assisted Living on 9th Street is hosting Santa and his Reindeer.
The visit is not just for residents of the assisted living facility. Rachel Kilfoy says the public is invited to join in the fun. They’ll be serving one of Santa’s favorites… milk and cookies, and helpers will be handing out special gifts while they last.
Kilfoy says there will also be plenty of photo opportunities.
Community Thanksgiving
Prep work for the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner next week is underway. It will be at the Florence Elks Lodge, but it’s organized and funded by members of the Kiwanis Club.
Dozens of volunteers will prep, cook and serve the meal to all comers… and it’s free.
Three Rivers Taxi will provide transportation at no cost within city limits to and from the Elks’ Lodge during the dinner.
It’s from noon until two pm Thanksgiving Day.
Cash and non-perishable food donations gathered during the dinner will be donated directly to Florence Food Share.
