17 February 2015
Mayor says he’s not averse to medical marijuana…
Florence Mayor Joe Henry has taken some heat for a comment he made at a City Council meeting two weeks ago about medical marijuana. A comment he says was taken out of context:
Joe Henry – “You’d have to go and look at the whole two hour meeting to understand what I was talking about. I wasn’t talking about the fact that I don’t necessarily share their views on medical marijuana, I was in particular referring to one councilor who did quite an extensive marketing pitch.”
Henry says his comment was in response to Councilor Joshua Greene’s request that the council visit a dispensary, and that marijuana could serve as an economic stimulus.
Joe Henry – “I look at this like any other business that brings revenue and jobs to our community, but I do not believe that it’s the council’s position to support medical marijuana. We shouldn’t show a lack of support, but I think we need… sort of remain neutral like we do any other business that comes to town.”
During the February 2nd meeting, Henry says he led the council to a consensus that expanded the number of locations available for medical marijuana dispensaries. The council will meet this evening and take additional testimony before possibly taking action.
Legislature returns focus to session
Members of Oregon’s Legislature were paying attention over the past two weeks during the tribulations of Governor John Kitzhaber and the ongoing ethics scandal.
Arnie Roblan– “It was a distraction in the building. I don’t know that it was as big a distraction as the media may have been playing it, but we knew it had to be resolved.”
Now that it has been resolved with the announcement of Kitzhaber’s resignation, Senator Arnie Roblan says lawmakers will continue taking care of their business.
There are still some unknowns: Who will Kate Brown appoint as Secretary of State to fill out the remaining two years of her term?
Brown will be sworn in Wednesday morning. She’ll hold the office until January of 2017. A special election will be held next year to select a successor for the final two years of what would have been Kitzhaber’s fourth term.
C.R.O.W. scratches up $46K
The Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshop exceeded their own estimates last week and raised $46-thousand in one evening.
That amount is well over half of what organizers say they need to raise before seeking outside grants that will be used to purchase a permanent base for the children’s theater and arts group.
Artistic Director Melanie Heard said the total amount they’re targeting is $280-thousand… but only 75 of that will be gathered in the area.
The group hosted the “Share Your Heart” event Friday night at the Florence Events Center. They’ll meet later this month to evaluate their process and finalize a plan to help them reach their goal.
