17 November, 2014
City Manager Search and Rhody Path Discussions Tonight
Members of the incoming and outgoing Florence City Council will meet this evening at City Hall to talk about how to handle two different items in the coming weeks.
The first item on the agenda for the 5 o’clock work session is to discuss the history and possible future of the controversial Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path.
Plans for the path have changed considerably since the first proposal was introduced last spring. That prompted a firestorm of protest about losses of privacy and vegetation.
The other item up for discussion will be on how to handle the recruitment process for a new City Manager. Elected officials thought they had a viable candidate last month, but he backed out at the last minute. Rather than go back over the list of prior candidates, the outgoing council opted to defer the matter to the incoming council.
A regular meeting of the current council is set for seven pm at City Hall.
Tax Payments Due Today
Have you mailed your property tax payment yet? This year property owners have two extra days to get their first payments in.
That’s because the usual date, November 15th, fell on Saturday.
Property owners have until the end of the business day today to pay their bill.
Tax payments are payable by mail… as long as the envelope has a November 17th post mark; in person at the County Assessment and Taxation office in Eugene; or online at a secure website… www-dot-LaneCounty-dot-org; or, you can drop it at the payment drop-box in front of the Florence Justice Center.
If you pay your tax bill in full by today you can deduct a three-percent discount. A two-percent discount is available for those who pay two-thirds.
Kiwanis Community Thanksgiving Set
A community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner will once again be offered up next week on Thanksgiving Day.
Florence Kiwanis Club members, their family and friends will get together at the Elks Lodge on 12th Street to prepare and serve up the meal this year from noon to two pm on November 27th.
Orgnizers say the number of people attending has been steadily growing each year with more than 500 expected to dine on turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and pie
Free transportation to and from the dinner will be provided within city limits once again by River Cities Taxi.
Organizers say they have plenty of volunteers to prep, cook and serve; but there is room for just a few more. You can sign up by calling 541-999-4883.
Sheriff Listening Tour
Lane County Sheriff Tom Turner will reach out to the community once again through a series of awareness meetings in various cities.
The first will be this Thursday evening in Cottage Grove, then December 3rd in Veneta and the 11th in Florence. Three more sessions are planned for Junction City, Lowell and Eugene in January.
The December 11th meeting in Florence will be from 6 to 8 PM at Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue.
Sergeant Carrie Carver with the sheriff’s office says Turner will talk about positive impacts from the approval earlier this year of the jail levy and future challenge facing his agency.
Chamber Seeking 108th Rhody Festival Logo
It may only be November, but the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is saying “let’s Rock-n-Rhody”.
That’s the theme for the upcoming 108th Rhododendron Festival in May and Chamber organizers have put the call out for logo designs.
The winning entry could win a cash prize along with some swag; or a business level chamber membership package. Chamber spokesperson Jenna Bartlett says they’re looking for “fun, original designs” that capture the energy of the festival and celebrate the community.
Entries must be submitted by December 17th… complete details can be found at www-dot-FlorenceChamber-dot-com.
More Patrols on Highway 126
Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies will join Oregon State Troopers in extra patrols along Highway 126 between Florence and Eugene. Sergeant Carrie Carver with the Sheriff’s office says the goal is to remind motorists to slow down and drive safely.
The Sheriff’s office is also deploying a speed indication trailer that displays the speed of oncoming motorists in order to provide a graphic reminder to slow down. Carver says the trailer will be posted at different locations along 126 over the next few weeks.
The additional patrols are being funded by a grant administered by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association.
