Third candidate enters commission race; Habitat proposal before planning commission tonight; HWD to review applications; and it's ok to razor clam

Eugene Man to Declare Candidacy

For the third time in as many weeks there’s been another entry into the race for the West Lane County Commission seat. And, for the third time, it’s someone with a connection to Lane Community College. This time it’s Tony McCown, a sitting member of the college’s board of directors.
200 – “I think this county’s been mired in kind of a ‘left right’ debate for so long that we really haven’t made any forward progress.”

McCown will make his formal announcement this afternoon in Eugene. A marketing and outreach consultant with a newly formed company in Eugene, he’s also pursuing his Master’s Degree. He says his perspective and experience will help the commission.
202 – “We can get mired in the ‘left right’ debate and there’s no progress. I think when we start to focus on solutions then we start to see progress.”

McCown doesn’t call himself a centrist…
201 – “I don’t know if I really fall somewhere in the middle there so much as I fall forward and that’s kind of my goal in life.”

He joins two other candidates with a tie to the college. Jay Bozievich is a former member of the LCC Board and Anselmo Villanueva is professor at Lane. All three are seeking the position currently held by Bill Fleenor who initially said he would not run again but appears to have left that door open for now.

Florence Planning Commissioners will review preliminary plans tonight for a 20-unit housing development submitted by Florence Habitat for Humanity. There are actually three decisions in all. Habitat wants to locate their next batch of homes on the current Senior Center site on 15th street once the new center is completed. They’re seeking conceptual approval for the entire project, plus tentative approval of the subdivision that will accommodate the first ten homes. Because the property is zoned for ‘multi-family residential’ the planning commission must also grant approval for the single family homes. The Florence Planning Commission meets at seven pm at city hall this evening.

Five hopefuls have submitted their names to be considered for an opening on the Heceta Water District Board of Commissioners. Lea Patten, after serving a brief period on the panel has submitted her resignation. Chuck Gesik, Gayle Montgomery, Frank Nulty, Charlotte Ryner and Wendy Rohner have all submitted letters of interest. Rohner served on the panel two years ago. The remaining commissioners will review the list during today’s meeting and possibly make a selection. They meet at the water district offices north of Florence at five pm.

Oregon officials have reopened Pacific coastal beaches for recreational razor clamming from the south jetty of Yaquina Bay to the California border. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has also approved the recreational harvesting of mussels from Bastendorf Beach in Coos County to the California border. Officials say levels of paralytic shellfish poison have dropped.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Athlete of the Week:
Siuslaw Football standout Sonny Tupua is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The Viking sophomore carried the ball 27 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns in Siuslaw’s Far West League victory over South Umpqua. Tupua has carried the ball 153 times for 846 yards and nine touchdowns in the first five games of the season….Honorable Mention is given to Viking Cross Country standout Linda Paredes who pegged a personal best of 16:49 at the Paul Marriman Invitational in Philomath, finishing fifth place overall.

Prep Volleyball:
Lindsey Logan had eight kills and Amber Harris had five aces as the Mapleton Sailors eased to a three game victory over Oak Hill in a Mountain West League match yesterday. Coming up on the schedule tonight… Siuslaw will be at home against South Umpqua in a Far West League matchup… Reedsport will host Rogue River in the Sunset.