Grants Aid Retrofit; Planning Meeting; Flag Day Celebrations

Fire Station Seismic Retrofit

It will take  about 5 years and a lot of grant money to accomplish, but the Siuslaw Valley Fire and rescue is in the process of strategically planning a seismic retrofit for all of the districts buildings.  Chief Jim Langborg said they worked closely with H.G.E. Engineers in Coos Bay.

“They figured out exactly what it was we needed to have done for each of the stations.  They were kind enough to complete the grants for us and submitted them and we got them.”

Langborg says that we should see construction begin sometime in the next few months and it will start with the ambulance station.

“We want to tie that in with an addition that we’re working on for an enclosed area for an ambulance to keep it protected from that wonderful Oregon weather that tends to cause a lot of corrosion.”

Langborg says the biggest concern is the logistics of having to shut down a station for a period of time while undergoing retrofitting.  And the North Fork Station is the most remote.  About 12 miles up North Fork road.  He says that will take some planning in order to minimize the negative effect of having to temporarily close that station.

Planning Meeting Scheduled

What may be a contentious meeting this evening the planning commission is hearing a request to make a temporary land use change to a property on highway 101 across from Roby’s Furniture and Appliance.  Helping Hands is making the request to allow for a multi-use designation.  There is some anticipation that there will be a lot of public comment on this issue.  City Manager Erin Reynolds outlines the plan for the property:

“Their plan is to serve free meals three days a week out of this facility.”

The Planning commission meeting meets the 2nd and fourth Tuesday of the month.  The Meeting is tonight at 7:30 at City Hall

Flag Day

It is a tradition that we have practiced since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day.  Commemorating the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as our National Symbol of Freedom.  The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks was the first group to celebrate June 14th as Flag Day in 1907 and later adopted the practice for all Elks Members in 1911.  This year the Florence Elks Lodge will be hosting a ceremony that begins at 11 am.  All are invited.  The Elks lodge is located on 12th street.  In addition to that ceremony, the American Legion will also hold a Flag Retirement Ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park at 4 pm Wednesday.