14 May 2014
Ballot Returns Lagging
Voters have just under a week to return their ballots for the May 20th Primary Election. As of late Monday, less than one-in-eight Lane County Voters had returned theirs.
The Lane County Commission race has drawn the most attention locally. That’s because it’s the broadest contested race with challenger Dawn Lesley going up against incumbent Jay Bozievich for the West Lane seat.
But, voters affiliated with a political party have some choices to make as well. Starting at the top in the state… Governor John Kitzhaber is the distinct favorite with one challenger. On the red side of the ballot there are six candidates in the Republican primary; including front runner Dennis Richardson.
In the Senate primary, incumbent Jeff Merkley is facing two challengers on the democrat side while Monica Wehby and Jason Conger are the top two among five candidates.
Voters have until eight pm Tuesday to return their ballots. They can be mailed to their respective county elections office, or dropped off at drop sites. In Western Lane County there’s a box in front of the Justice Center off Ninth Street. In Western Douglas County, there is a drop at the Douglas County Annex on Fir Street in Reedsport
Sheriff Says He’s No Longer in Running For Florence Chief
Lane County Sheriff Tom Turner says he is not going to be Florence’s next Police Chief.
He was one of six finalists named last month in the process to select a successor to Ray Guttierez, who retired January 1st. Turner announced yesterday he did not make the final cut.
Florence City Manager Jacque Betz has declined to comment on who may still be in the running. She did say, however, that for this type of position a criminal background check is standard and due to legal considerations she can neither say who is still being considered… nor who is not.
She did say a new police chief will be under contract before she leaves for her new job in Newburg next month.
Providing Rhody Fun Since the 50s
The Davis Carnival has been part of more than half of the 107 Rhododendron Festivals to date in Florence. The company started their run here in 1952. That first time, they set up near the river, very close to their present day location at the Port of Siuslaw Nopal Street Parking lot.
A decade later they moved ‘uptown’ to the former High School Track along Highway 101 where Safeway is.
When that store was built in the late 70s, the carnival moved across the highway to a vacant lot along 9th street, just off 101. When Siuslaw Public Library broke ground in the early 90s, the carnival headed back to Old Town where they started more than 60 years ago.
Davis Carnival will operated through Sunday evening.
Hunter Safety Instructor Needed
Hunting and gun safety advocates in the Florence area are looking for a volunteer to take over teaching duties for the regular hunter safety class. State Fish and Wildlife Trooper Scott Salisbury taught the classes for several years, but he transferred to Central Oregon, leaving a void.
Siuslaw Rod and Gun Club president Jerry Harpole said club members can help coach youth with safety and proper procedures, but they need someone to – quote – “step up” and volunteer to get fully certified with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a hunter education instructor.
