Community leadership in 2015

Coast Radio News
Local News
8 January 2015

New Leadership in Florence…

Three new city councilors and a mayor were sworn in Monday night at Florence City Hall. Joe Henry took the oath of office; as did the new councilors: George Lyddon, Susy Lacer and Ron Preisler.

The sole holdover on the council: Joshua Greene. He got in on the action too. Greene was unanimously selected as Council President; he’ll preside over meetings in the absence of Henry. If neither are available, Ron Preisler will take over. He was elected vice-president.

Meeting schedules and start times for the coming were also rearranged. The first and third Mondays of each month will remain as regular meeting dates. But, instead of convening at seven they’ll come to order at six. Work sessions on the third Mondays will be held at noon.

The council had to immediately alter their schedule for this month as the third Monday is a holiday. Those meetings… the noon work session and the six o’clock regular session… will be the following day, Tuesday, January 20th.

Dunes City Officials to take oaths

The Dunes City Council will meet for the first time in 2015 this evening.

The first official action on the agenda is the swearing in of returning Mayor Rebecca Ruede. Re-elected councilors Sheldon Meyer and Duke Wells will be sworn in this evening, as Ken Platt who was elected by write-in votes.

Councilors will review applicants and likely make appointments for several open positions on Dunes City committees and commissions.

They’ll also reschedule a goal-setting session that had originally been set for this Saturday.

The Dunes City Council meets in Westlake at Dunes City Hall at seven this evening.

Legislature to handle preliminaries next week

The Oregon Legislature will meet three days next week in Salem to take care of ceremonial and organizational details in preparation for the 78th State Legislative Assembly.

Next week’s activities, the 12th through the 14th, will include the opening ceremony and swearing in of all 60 members of the Oregon House and half of the 30 State Senators.

When the legislature convenes February 2nd, Coastal State Senator Arnie Roblan will assume the position of Chair of the Senate Education Committee. He’ll also serve as a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Cougar Caution

The number of encounters with cougars or mountain lions in Oregon has been on the rise, although officials say there has never been a documented attack on humans in Oregon.

Oregon wildlife biologist Doug Cottam says cougars typically cover a lot of territory in their regular travels.

They primarily prey on small mammals and deer; most often in the early morning hours or at twilight.

If you encounter a cougar, try to make yourself appear as large as possible and back away slowly… never run. That could trigger a natural instinct by the large cat to pursue you.

AARP Tax Prep Program

Volunteer tax counselors are being sought right now.

Each year the local AARP chapter offers the tax counseling and preparation services for low income and senior residents in the area. Classes for counselors will begin Monday with tax preparation beginning February 2nd.

Anyone can volunteer, but coordinator Frank Williams says they especially need people with tax and or computer experience.

Interested volunteers can contact Williams at 997-7836.

Grant Applications Due

Over the past 40-years the Western Lane Community Foundation has awarded grants and scholarships totaling more than $2.4-million. Last year grants to area non-profits amounted to more than $77-thousand.

This year, a similar amount will be handed out, but in order to get the money, organizations and worthy causes have to ask for it.

The current grant application cycle is already underway and closes at the end of next week.