No ballot yet? You can check the progress…
Ballots for the November 8th General Election were mailed last week and most voters should have already received theirs. According to Lane County Elections Supervisor Cheryl Betschart, if you don’t have yours yet, there is a website you can visit to double-check your registration info.
Cheryl Betschart – “Oregon votes dot gov, you can enter your information; your name and your birthdate and your zip code and you can check on the status of your ballot. So that would be your first option.”
If you registered just before the cutoff date your ballot is likely still being processed and you should get it within another week. Betschart says if you don’t have a ballot and you’re sure you are registered… you should call her office in Eugene. It’s 541-682-4234.
Utility fees to pay for new facility
Funding for the new $3.5-million Florence Public Works Facility planned for the Kingwood Business Park will come primarily from utility fees. City Manager Erin Reynolds said planning has been under way for the past five years.
Erin Reynolds – “This is a cost of doing business and providing utility services and other public works activities to the community; so it’s been something we’ve built into the rates for about the last five years planning for this.”
The facility will provide for more covered storage space for city owned vehicles and equipment, along with a larger shop in which to perform maintenance and repairs.
And, the clerical and supervisory functions will finally move out of the 1950s era former city jail it has occupied for more than 20 years.
The Florence Planning Commission will consider a Conditional Use Permit request this evening for the facility.
Veteran’s Day Parade to fete Coast Guard
Planning for the annual Florence Veteran’s Day Parade November 11th is underway. Organizers are putting the call out for patriotic groups and individuals to participate.
This year’s Grand Marshal will be Senior Chief Tim Tregoning (treh-GO-neeng) and the rest of the Siuslaw River Station detachment of the U.S. Coast Guard.
In addition to recognizing the contributions of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen, this year’s parade will also emphasize the wartime efforts of Coast Guard men and women.
The Siuslaw River Station will also be celebrating its centennial next spring.
The Veteran’s Day Parade will go through Old Town Florence Friday, November 11th at 1 pm, ending at the Veterans Memorial Park.
Oregon Climate Change
A presentation on the changing northwest climate will be given Wednesday evening when the Siuslaw Watershed Council meets in a special “upriver” meeting.
The October general meeting of the council will be held at the Lorane Grange near the headwaters of the Siuslaw River, Wednesday at 6:30.
Dr. Gabrielle Roesch-McNally from the Northwest Regional Climate Hub will explain how Oregon is projected to experience longer and drier summers along with warmer winters with less snow.
Tsunami Safe
The seasonal lull between the busy summer and winter holidays can be a good time to catch up on important information that can make difference for those visiting our area. That’s why the Oregon Office of Emergency Management has scheduled a series of informational classes about how to talk to visitors about tsunami safety.
The basic concept is that hospitality begins with safety.
The three-hour program is free and is intended for those in the lodging, restaurant and “attraction” industry. They are scheduled for Lincoln City, Gold Beach, Coos Bay and Astoria. One class will be held Wednesday, November 2nd from one to four pm at Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue in Florence.
