Last day of school; Pay hikes proposed for county officials; Pump prices steady; Florence City Council examining fee schedule; Two new residents at Oregon Coast Aquarium; and a local vigil Thursday night will remember Orlando victims

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Classes end for the year at Siuslaw…

When students at Siuslaw schools went home yesterday afternoon it was for the final time this school year.  Siuslaw Superintendent Ethel Angal said if she were to issue a report card for the district it would be mostly A’s.

Ethel Angal  – “I think there would be a “b” or two.  We definitely have room to grow.  I think if we were just looking at our continuous progress we’d get a really good grade, because I think a lot of things in terms of looking out for individual kids have really improved.  But I don’t guess you get a 4-point until every single kid is successful coming out of high school.”

Angal, who is retiring in two weeks, reflected on the change in administrative leadership.  She’ll be succeeded by the current middle school principal Andy Grzeskowiak.(griz-KO-wee-ACK)

Ethel Angal – “97-J’s in great shape.  You know he’s a 20-year veteran.  And I’ve often relied on him when I need a listening ear or I need to get some perspective based on his years here.”

Teachers and aides are wrapping up their work today, administrators will be there through the end of June.  All, with the exception of Angal, will return in late August in preparation for the first day of school on September 7th.

Gas prices holding steady

Despite recent increases, prices at the pump are at their cheapest level for this time of year since 2005.

Higher crude oil prices and strong demand for gasoline continue to put upward pressure on pump prices however.

The local average cash price for regular gas held steady in the last week at $2.41 a gallon, while the average statewide price went up a penny.  It’s at $2.52.

According to Marie Dodds with Triple-A, the national average price went down by less than a cent… it’s $2.37 this week.

All three are at the highest level since late last summer… but are about 50-cents a gallon lower than last year at this time.

Councilors examine consolidated fee schedule

Florence City Councilors sat down in a work session Wednesday to hear about city fees…

Erin Reynolds – “Currently the city has many fees, as I know most people are aware of.  They reside in various resolutions and ordinances and other city council actions over the years, spanning decades.”

City Manager Erin Reynolds said the lack of one central fee schedule can lead to challenges and confusion.  That’s why she and the city’s financial staff sat down with Councilors this week to talk about that.  She said Wednesday’s meeting was informational only and no action was taken.

New additions to aquarium on display

A pair of California Sea Lions rescued last year will spend the rest of their lives at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Biologists say neither would be able to survive if they were released back into the wild.

Three-year-old Catalina and two-year-old Rosa were rescued by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, California.  Catalina was discovered to be blind in one eye and Rosa was unusually small for her age.

Both arrived in Newport in July of last year; they’ve been gradually introduced to the rest of the sea lion population at the aquarium.

They are full fledged members of the crew and will be available for viewing by aquarium visitors… or on the aquarium’s web cam.

Vigil in Florence for Orlando victims

An ecumenical gathering is set for Thursday night in Florence to remember and honor those involved in Sunday’s mass shooting in Orlando.  Georgia DuBose is the Vicar of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Florence.  She says all are welcome for the outdoor candlelight vigil.

Georgia DuBose – “That event is to remember those who died and also to pray for those who have people they lost in this event.”

DuBose began planning the vigil with Judy Schwartz of the Florence Jewish Community, but several other faiths and congregations will be involved.

Georgia DuBose – “The objective is remembrance.  It’s not a political event, we’re not there to make a point, we’re there to remember the people who died.”

The vigil begins at 9 p.m. Thursday at the labyrinth behind St. Andrews on 19th Street at Tamarack.  People are encouraged to bring votive candles in glass jars or; preferably; battery operated candles.   Du Bose said it is expected to last about 30-minutes.

Pay raises recommended for seven of nine county elected officials

A salary boost has been proposed for seven of the top nine elected Lane County officials.  The most dramatic would be a nearly 90-percent hike for the half-time Justice of the Peace position.  The current pay rate of $25,469 would increase to just over $48-thousand if Lane County Commissioners approve it next month.

The five commissioners would also get a pay hike out of the deal… something they have not had since 2008.  The county’s “elected official compensation committee” submitted their recommendations this week to give the five commissioners a 14.5-percent increase… from about $79-thousand a year to $85-thousand.  The other elected official to see a suggested raise would be the Sheriff… he would see the smallest jump percentage wise, but would remain the highest paid official at $141,570… up from about $136-thousand.

The District Attorney and County Assessor’s pay are in line with the counties surveyed and no pay adjustments are being suggested for them.  The committee is made up of five public and private human resource directors who compare pay for similar positions in Clackamas, Deschutes, Jackson and Marion Counties.