Tom Turner says Dallas shootings will likely influence his comments
Police officers and deputy sheriffs in the state’s 358th Basic Police Class will graduate from their 16-week course this Friday. Addressing them at their commencement will be Florence Police Chief Tom Turner. It will be the second time he has spoken to new police officers, just beginning their career.
Tom Turner – “Normally my speech would have been a little bit lighter. Welcome to the occupation; you know; basically be careful out there and keep yourself at the right frame of mind so you can last in this career because it’s a tough one.
Last week’s killing of five Dallas, Texas police officers and the wounding of seven more will make it more of a somber occasion.
Tom Turner – “This is so aberrant… It’s just… I don’t even know what to say.”
No doubt, Turner will stress the fact that officers need to be careful.
All 38 members graduates of the course were already employed with various police agencies through the state before entering training, including officer Brandon Bailey who has been the department’s Correction Officer. Turner said Bailey is excited to on the street and will be on the job immediately.
Heceta Water PUD lifts curtailment order
After several months of living under a water use curtailment order, 95 homes in the Mercer Lake and Collard Loop areas were restored to full water service late last week.
Vicki Kennedy with Heceta Water PUD said a new water supply line feeding the Mercer Lake Reservoir was completed and went on line Friday.
Water tankers from Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue had been making several trips a week, hauling about 25-hundred gallons of water at a time to keep the tank filled.
Kennedy was thankful for area residents who limited their water use during that time.
The curtailment order was instituted following a landslide December 18th that rendered the original water line unstable.
That slide also resulted in the death of 70-year old Delores Miller and heavily damaged the home occupied by her and her husband.
Local marijuana tax to be referred to voters
Voters in Florence will likely have the chance in November to vote on whether or not to impose a three-percent local tax on all legal marijuana retail sales.
The Florence City Council is considering a resolution Monday night that would enable that tax.
A previous council had imposed the tax more than two years ago, but subsequent legislation nullified it, requiring a “do-over”.
Councilors are expected to approve the proposal this evening. If not, they could extend it to a later date. Ultimately it would be voters making the decision November 8th whether or not to impose the tax.
Dunes City and Lane County are also considering similar proposals.
