Lane County Extension to ask voters for money; tree and downed powerlines block N.Fork Rd.; Fleenor set to announce re-election bid?

Lane County Extension Service Could Benefit From Tax Levy

Lane County voters could be asked approve a five-year $5-million property tax levy that would restore many services to the Lane County branch of the OSU Cooperative Extension Service. Lane County Commissioners will hold a public hearing November 24th on a proposal to ask voter approval of a levy that would cost tax payers five-cents per thousand dollars. That would mean a homeowner with an assessed valuation of $100-thousand would pay five dollars a year. Extension Staff Chair Steve Dodrill says the agency has cut back the number of programs they provide over the past two years because of a loss of local funding from Lane County.
205 – “It’s a three-legged stool and it comes from federal, state and local funding. If we don’t have the local funding, then, in this case OSU needs to figure out what do we do? Do we close the office? Can we find other partnerships? What’s the next step?”

Most of the remaining programs are expected to be eliminated in July if no replacement is found for that local money. The OSU Extension Service offers non-credit educational programs such as master gardening, 4-H, food preservation and nutrition education.

A dead tree slid down the hillside above North Fork Siuslaw Road at six this morning, taking out power lines and blocking the roadway for several hours just above the seven mile marker. School buses weren’t able to make the trip above that point, and power was also out in the same area. Lane County road crews are waiting for workers from Central Lincoln PUD to clear the downed lines before cleaning up the debris and restoring traffic.

West Lane County Commissioner Bill Fleenor admits he’s not the most well-liked man in county government. Fleenor said yesterday that when he walks into the county courthouse in Eugene he can literally feel the ice freezing around him. But, he adds, it’s not his job “to be liked by the employees”. He is, however, well-liked by many of his constituents and they want him to change his mind about seeking re-election. He hasn’t said it outright, but it appears as if he has. Fleenor has scheduled what he’s calling a – quote – “major announcement” next Wednesday at noon in Eugene.

North Bend oral surgeon Dr. Scott Roberts announced his plans yesterday to challenge Representative Arnie Roblan for the House District Nine seat. Roberts, a Republican, is the only candidate so far to announce intentions for that party’s primary. Roblan, a Democrat and former educator, said last month that he would seek a third term in Salem.
A mud and rock slide blocked the North Fork of the Siuslaw Road just above the seven-mile marker this morning. Siuslaw School Transportation coordinator Noland Huntingdon said the slide came down about six this morning, blocking the roadway and taking out power lines. Huntington says there’ll be no bus service above that point this morning. He said Lane County crews were working on clearing the slide and he didn’t know how long the road would be closed.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports…

Prep Football:
The Siuslaw Vikings travel to Scappoose tomorrow night where they’ll face the Indians in opening round action of the OSAA 4A football playoffs. Scappoose is 7-and-3 overall with a 3-and-2 Cowapa League record. They claimed third place in the Cowapa, and the playoff berth, with a 63 – 15 victory over Tillamook last Friday night. The Indians are also five-and-oh at home this season. The Vikings are four-and-five overall, three-and-two in league play finishing in third place in the Far West League. They’re also three-and-one on the road this year. The pregame show airs at 6:40 tomorrow on KCST… kickoff is at seven.

Pac Ten Football:
The Pac-Ten is ranked first in four of the six computers used by the Bowl Championship Series. And it ranks third in the other two. But while the strong ratings are a nice boost for conference pride, it may not mean much when BCS pairings are announced Dec. 6. The league is hoping to land an at-large berth, worth $4.5 million to the conference.