Ballot title next step in fire annexation ; Session length hangs up Democratic leaders; Taylor Graham to go to D.C. and new County Clerk.

Voter referral approved for fire annexation

Florence City Councilors and Fire District Directors each unanimously approved resolutions last night to send the question of annexing property inside the city into the Siuslaw Valley Fire District. The next step is the preparation and publishing of a ballot title to be filed with the Lane County Elections office by March 9th. Voters would then ultimately decide the issue in the May 18th election. Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue has been providing fire protection inside the city since 1999 under a contract with the city. Fire District Directors put the city on notice last year that the contracted price did not accurately reflect the true cost. A special task force came up with several options; annexation being the most feasible. Property owners in Florence would end up paying more in the long run, just under 50-cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, while those outside the city would see their rate go down.


Democratic legislators disagreed yesterday on a constitutional amendment their leaders hope to send to voters in November. The ‘annual sessions’ proposal is the last major issue of what is supposed to be a four-week session. House Democrats have taken a stand for 30 more days of time every two years than are in a proposal the Senate passed with bi-partisan support. The two Democratic caucuses couldn’t find a way during bargaining Wednesday to resolve their differences while at the same time gather enough Republican votes to present annual sessions to voters as a bipartisan idea.

He’s helped to raise and gather more than $50-thousand worth of food for Florence Food Share. Now, Taylor Graham is going to Washington D.C. The Siuslaw Middle School Seventh Grader was selected this month as the Oregon finalist in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Graham, along with family, friends and neighbors, has conducted an annual book sale and shopping cart derby. In addition to the trip to D.C. he receives a $1,000 cash award and a silver medallion. During the May ceremonies ten national finalists will be selected for an additional $5-thousand award and a $5-thousand grant to be awarded to a nonprofit charity of his choice.

Lane County has selected a new County Clerk. Cheryl Betschart has been an elections supervisor for 20 years. She took over the duties of County Clerk February Sixth, filling a vacancy created when the former Clerk, Annette Newingham, retired after 20-years in the post. Betschart has been involved in testing and implementing recent changes in the statewide voter registration and election system.

Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports..
The Mapleton Sailors’ playoff run ended last night in East Portland as the Columbia Christian Knights downed the sailors 56 – 41 in the opening round of the OSAA 1A Boys Basketball Playoffs. Chad Walker scored 23 points before fouling out with 2 ½ minutes remaining. Kenny Smith and Micah Espinosa each contributed 9 points each. The Knights will face Days Creek in Southern Douglas County Saturday evening in the second round.