As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 25, 2014
As I was going through some of my old negatives, I found several of former police officers, including long-time chief "Big Mac" (Donald S. MacDonald), and officers Harry Franson and Sid Dominy. In the one of Mac and Harry, they are removing the parking meters from the downtown area (now Old Town) in February of 1962. You can see the M&L Grocery in the background, which is now the parking lot for The Minute Cafe.
'Big Mac' and officer Harry Franson, 1962 photo
In the picture of Sid Dominy standing alongside the patrol car (driven by Harry Franson), they are talking with a man who was the producer of "Car 54 Where Are You." I took this picture in January of 1963 in front of what was then Kronenberg & Waldrop Insurance and now houses Ed and Beth Wood's business, Timeless Treasures.
Producer of 'Car 54 Where Are You', 1963 photo
In the background is Carvers Furniture, later torn down to make way for the second Harbor Hall, which is now Coastal Mist and Second Street Gallery.
The other is a picture of Sid Dominy with his model train set, which he put together for the cranberry festival.
Sid Dominy with his model train set
Speaking of former police officers, I have learned that former chief Rick Lewis is running for mayor of Silverton. He was chief in Bandon in the early '80s.
* * *
Alive After Five, which featured the first of several wine walks, was a big success. Dean Conyers, president of the Bandon Historical Society board, told me that the museum sold more than 160 wine glasses that night ... at $10 a glass ... for the wine walk. There were people walking all around town, visiting the local businesses and generally having a good time. Harv Schubothe of Greater Bandon Association and his crew of helpers deserve a big vote of thanks for all they did to organize this event. The next Alive After Five will be Friday, July 4, with another scheduled for the fourth Friday in July, the 25th.
* * *
In addition to announcing that people who shoot off illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday could/will be cited, Bandon Rural Fire Dept. Chief Lanny Boston has put together a list of things people can do around their homes to prepare for fire season.
1. Is there defensible space around your home (remove brush and debris so fire from another area can't creep to your house or outbuildings)?
2. Is the road wide enough (10 feet minimum width) for emergency responders to reach you? Clear branches and overhead obstructions to allow for a 12-foot minimum height.
3. Is the chimney or flu properly attached so that it will not come loose with violent shaking? Are there tree limbs hanging over the chimney which have become dried out due to the heat.
4. Open flames should not be used in emergencies if it can be avoided. Under no circumstances should candles be used when cats are present as they can easily knock it over.
5. Is your address posted where it can easily be seen? It can be a big problem at night or in bad weather. If possible give detailed directions to the operator in the case of an emergency.
6. Store wood and flammables away from the house if possible.
7. Do not use space heaters for temporary heat as they can be a fire hazard; also silent, deadly carbon monoxide can overtake you without warning.
8. Avoid open flames of any type if possible.
9. The best defense for fire prevention applies to normal everyday living as well as in a disaster.
For people who may be wondering: Oregon law bans possession, use, or sale of fireworks that fly, explode, or travel more than one foot into the air or more than six feet on the ground. All others are illegal in Oregon, and are generally purchased in other states, like Washington.
Fire departments across the state, including Bandon, will be cracking down on illegal fireworks this year.
* * *
A petition is being circulated titled "For the safety of our children," which will be presented to the Bandon School Board. It says: We, the undersigned parents of Ocean Crest Elementary School, Harbor Lights Middle School and Bandon High School students and concerned citizens, require an immediate action plan to ensure the safety of our children in the coming earthquake and tsunami. Ocean Crest School needs to be rebuilt on higher ground. We are prepared to have our children attend classes at alternative facilities which are located out of the inundation zone while a new school is being built. We request you implement a plan without delay or we will be forced to make alternative plans for our children."
* * *
A Bandon woman posted an important piece of information on the Bandon, Oregon, website last week concerning her 15-year-old daughter, who was long-boarding down Beach Loop to the park on June 20.
"A guy in a brown truck with contractor rack and truck stow boxes that run the long way of the pickup bed passed her on the road. Up by Lord Bennett's, he pulled over and did something out of the truck.
"When she got to the park, he had caught up with her again, stopped and said something to her like, 'Hey, throw your board in the back and I can give you a ride.' Or course, she said no. She said he was around 40. This is so seriously creepy to me!! Anyone have any idea who this could be? She said that there might have been signage on the rig too. Warn your kids please. Creeper action alert."
* * *
Meghan Butts (McCurdy) was pretty excited when she told my sister and me a couple of weeks ago that her daughter, Brooklin, was about to have her port (Portable catheter) removed. Later, they posted a picture of Brooklin and her little sister holding a sign that said: "I kicked cancer's butt so give me a shout." Meghan posted on June 19, "I am one happy, but nervous, mama. Please keep her in your prayers."
Brooklin has been battling leukemia since December of 2011 and she's won the hearts of the community. Our prayers are with her and her family as they celebrate this important milestone.
* * *
I was surprised when I read the article last week about a drunk driver, who was stopped twice in the Charleston area within an hour ... for driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) three times the prima facie evidence of intoxication.
The 47-year-old Arizona man was stopped in the beach access area below Bastendorff County Park; he blew a .26, which is triple the .08 limit.
But for some unknown reason, he was turned loose ... to drive again.
The deputy cited and released the guy on charges of DUII, careless driving and reckless endangering. The last charge was related to a woman riding in the truck with him at the time of the arrest.
About an hour after the guy was released from custody, he was again seen operating a motor vehicle on a paved public roadway.
Well, hey, he'd sobered up a little. This time he was taken to the county jail where his blood alcohol content had "dropped" to .23. Still way, way too drunk to drive.
This time they booked him into jail on a $10,000 bond. It was fortunate he didn't hit another vehicle before he was arrested the second time ....
I sent a note to Sheriff Craig Zanni, saying I was sure there must be more to the story as I couldn't imagine releasing a guy this drunk.
Craig said: "Once cited an intoxicated person would only be released to a 'responsible party.' However, there is no criminal recourse to the responsible party if they release or fail to monitor the released intoxicated person."
That didn't really answer my question as to why the guy was released in the first place if there was any chance he'd be driving again, but I have a lot of respect for Sheriff Zanni so I'll take his word for it.
I remember years ago when I was married to an Oregon State Policeman. We'd met in Coos Bay for coffee, and shortly after he left the cafe, he stopped a guy pulling into the shell station and charged him with drunk driving ... but he decided just to cite him and let him continue driving. I remember questioning his judgment.
An hour later, the guy went over a steep embankment just before he got to Reedsport; fortunately neither he nor anyone else was hurt, but it left an impression on me as I am sure it did on my husband.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 18, 2014
The huge headline on the front page of the June 11, 1914, Western World says it all: "Greater Bandon to Rise from the Ruins of Disastrous Fire."
The subhead adds: "Fierce flames sweep business section of Bandon and cause loss of a quarter of a million dollars for local people ... district of the City ruined will soon be rebuilt ... insurance not over 20 percent of the total loss."
"Fully three blocks of business houses in the heart of the business district of Bandon were burned to the ground early today in the most disastrous fire ever experienced in Coos County.
"More than a hundred commercial and professional establishments have been either completely wiped out or are badly injured by the fire, smoke, and water, and a gloom has been cast over the city, the memory of which will linger for many years in the minds of the citizens. No lives were lost but some narrow escapes are reported and many were forced to take to the streets attired only in their night clothes.
"The origin of the fire was at the rear of the L.N.E. restaurant which is located in the center of the block between Bandon avenue and Cleveland avenue on First street. It was first discovered about 4 o'clock this morning by someone connected with the restaurant, but it had already gained such headway that a few minutes after the alarm had been given those sleeping on the second floor were forced to abandoned their clothing and effects and get out with their lives.
"The fire alarm was sounded and the boats at the waterfront blew their whistles which were heard all over the city. Probably 15 or 20 minutes elapsed before sufficient men appeared on the scene to begin a systematic fight against the flames which by this time had gained great headway.
"The tug Klyhiam which was docked near the Bandon warehouse was brought into service and it is largely due to its effective work that a greater portion of the city was not consumed by the flames.
"The three concrete buildings the Bank of Bandon, Hartman's and Trowbridge's were instrumental in checking the fire in those three directions, and dynamite brought into play by J. C. Shields and Ernest Boak, on the Anderson residence on Wall Street, and the Club saloon opposite the Hub clothing store, proved remarkably efficient in preventing the loss of the entire eastern part of the business section."
Both buildings, which housed Bandon's two newspapers, Western World and the Bandon Recorder, were saved.
In an editorial in the same issue, my grandfather (who was the publisher and editor of the Western World) says it is no surprise that the fire occurred given the condition of the buildings and the lack of fire protection. But "the most deplorable feature is the lack of insurance," said the editorial, lamenting that probably only about 20 percent of the loss was covered by insurance.
He adds: "After all the big blow may be a blessing in disguise. What is necessary is for all to pull together. Let bygones be bygones; take a new lease on life." (He refers to other articles in the paper, which indicate there was extreme animosity in city government.)
Today, Bandon is fortunate, most of our buildings have been upgraded and we have excellent fire protection provided by the Bandon Rural Fire District, which whom we contract to protect the city.
It's also pretty obvious that the community is ringed with deadly vegetation, including way too much gorse, which, while it did not play a role in the 1914 fire, it was a factor in the 1936 Fire, which burned all but a handful of homes and businesses.
The picture that I've included with my column was taken before the fire, and it's not hard to see that most of the business district was located along the waterfront in the area where the old Coast Guard station and the green building are now located.
* * *
I heard from several people wondering why officers were speeding through Bandon, with sirens blasting, Saturday evening. What's really scary is that they were headed to Brookings ... nearly 100 miles away after the SWAT team was called out to deal with a guy who had barricaded himself in a home following a domestic violence call.
I just wonder how many lives were endangered as the officers traveled from Coos Bay to Brookings to answer this call.
The standoff escalated Saturday night, forcing the closure of part of U.S. Highway 101. Police closed the highway between Crissy Circle and Beach Avenue and detoured traffic onto Ransom Creek Road and Heather Lane.
According to the Oregon State Police, the SWAT team was called out to help Brookings police and Curry County sheriff's deputies.
It wasn't until around 4 a.m. Sunday that SWAT team officers found the man suffering from what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds, after using tear gas to enter the home, and airlifted him to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay.
They certainly made their presence felt as they went through Bandon with sirens blaring.
* * *
Around 4:30 Saturday afternoon, I noticed on the Bandon, Oregon, Facebook page that people in the southwest part of Bandon were without electricity ... many of them for the second time in a week.
The first outage occurred when strong winds blew a limb into the power line.
Saturday's outage was more extensive after a vehicle, driven by long-time Bandonian Al Sherman, crashed into a power pole in the Two Mile area. Not sure what happened, but his daughter, Breanna Quattrocchi, posted that Al is OK, which is good news.
After seeing the first post, I immediately called Matt, who made several phone calls and found out what happened. At first, it was thought that the power might not be restored until dark, but he assured me the city crew would work until all power was back on.
And they did. And it wasn't out nearly as long as at first thought, with most people back on by 6 o'clock and some not until 7. I think there might have been a few isolated outages that took longer to repair, but we have a great hydro electric crew and they got the job done pretty quickly.
* * *
Several people have expressed their concerns to me about the upcoming Fourth of July celebration, and the ever-present illegal fireworks. I have since learned that a lot of people are concerned because it's been a dry season and it wouldn't take much to start a fire.
Fire Chief Lanny Boston met with city officials last week, and the word is out that officers will be issuing tickets to those who choose to shoot off illegal fireworks this year. And they are particularly concerned about the South Jetty area, so my advice is: keep the illegal fireworks in their boxes or don't buy them in the first place.
Let's just enjoy the big display set off each year across the river near the lighthouse by trained pyrotechnic experts.
* * *
People who may be thinking about getting or updating a website, or learning how to tap into social media, are reminded of a special seminar being offered by CyberLynx on Wednesday, June 25, at 2 p.m. at the library.
A local IT consultant is offering the two-hour seminar on steps to an effective web presence.
In "Anatomy of a Web Presence," David Gerhart will provide a "recipe" for acquiring your site, domain name and various social media accounts, while explaining the "social media" approach to marketing. He'll show you how to get started and have a simple, mobile-ready site up and running in just a few hours. He'll give you tips and tricks for design and optimizing.
Sponsored by the Bandon Library and CyberLynx, this is part of an ongoing series of free computer literacy classes for the Bandon community ... both individuals and nonprofit organizations. Register for the class online (http://cyberlynxoregon.org) or at the library.
* * *
While reading the weekend edition of The Wall Street Journal, several "local" items caught my eye.
The first was a 2x2 ad advertising a 168-acre coastal estate "close to world famous Bandon Dunes," for $975,000.
The ad reads: "Forest and pastures with vineyard and orchard potential within the private wildlife preserve bordering wilderness and dramatic Southern Oregon coast."
It had a Port Orford phone number (541-332-3302) and a website (overlookpreserve.com). I visited the latter, and after seeing the photo that accompanies the ad and on the website, it is clear that the property is in Curry County, but that's all I got from either the ad or the website.
The second item was a lengthy front-page article titled "These CEOs are all work but know play," accompanied by a picture of a model railroad half built by Robert "Steve" Miller, chairman of American International Group Inc., (best known as AIG).
Miller, of course, has spent a lot of time in Bandon over the years, with his late grandparents, Emma and D.H. Miller, and other relatives. And he is the father of Robert S. Miller III (known to us as Robin), who apparently submitted the picture that accompanied the story.
The article explains that Steve Miller took the hobby up a notch, spending about $150,000 building half of a planned 2,000-square-foot model railroad in the basement of his Sunriver, Ore., home. The turnaround specialist started the project in 1995 and worked on it for a decade with his late wife (Maggie).
"In between CEO gigs at Waste Management Inc. and Federal-Mogul Corp. he drove 20,000 spokes through tiny railroad ties and laid 200 feet of track.
"Mr. Miller had completed a train layout of 1,000 square feet when he put his home up for sale in 2007. The property didn't sell for years, in part because he refused to remove his prized possession," hoping that someone would come along and buy the house to get the model railroad.
He finally sold the home in 2012, the year he took charge of Hawker Beechcraft Inc., and six months after he cleaned out his basement.
Miller previously served as chairman and CEO of Delphi Corporation, a diversified global auto parts supplier located in Troy, Mich., during its restructuring from 2005 until 2009. He has a long career as a "turnaround executive," including as vice chairman of Chrysler Corporation under Lee Iacocca back in the 1980s.
He now resides in Naples, Fla., with his wife, Jill.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 11, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, is the 100-year-anniversary of the first Bandon Fire, which destroyed much of the business district along the waterfront. I was planning to share stories with my readers, but I loaned my 100-year-old Western World to the Bandon museum and I didn't pick it up before they closed Sunday ... after I remembered that the anniversary was this week.
My sister found the paper among my mother's belongings when we were cleaning out the house. It was in surprisingly good condition considering its age. My grandparents purchased the paper in 1912 and they still owned it when the Bandon Fire of 1936 struck. My uncle, Lou Felsheim, ran Western World for many years after my grandfather died in 1962.
I am sharing one of the pictures this week, but there are a lot of neat stories in the paper, which I will save for next week (if I remember to pick up the paper from the museum).
The first Bandon fire took place in 1914
* * *
If ever I hoped that no one watched our City Council meeting on the Public Access channel it was last Monday night.
I had just mused that almost no councilor ever misses one of our meetings. For example, I've been mayor for 10 years, and have never missed a meeting (even though I wished I'd been almost anywhere else Monday night).
But that was about to change. I had known for a couple of months that Claudine Hundhausen planned to be in Wisconsin to watch her granddaughter graduate from high school, and she was willing to "attend" the meeting via phone conferencing.
But it wasn't until Monday morning that I learned that Nancy Drew was still in California, Geri Procetto was in a great deal of pain with a nerve problem and councilor Brian Vick was nursing a very painful wrist. Suddenly we didn't have a quorum (which requires four councilors in addition to the mayor). It ended up with Mike Claassen, Chris Powell and I occupying the seven seats.
We had planned a reception before the meeting honoring our retiring librarian Deidre Krumper, so I knew that we would still have that even though it looked like we would have to postpone the council meeting a week or so (although the budget had to officially be adopted before the end of June).
Later in the afternoon, Geri said she felt well enough to join the meeting by phone, along with Claudine from Wisconsin, and that meant we had a quorum.
What happened after that could best be described as scenes from old Laurel and Hardy movie.
As the meeting got underway with a prayer, Geri and Claudine began talking without realizing what was going on, because they couldn't hear what was happening at our end.
We finally got that remedied, but things went from bad to worse as Claudine's signal kept dropping. When it came time to vote, I would say at the top of my voice: "Claudine, can you hear me," as if she were on some kind of life support. It turns out Matt was the only one she could hear.
Unfortunately, there was a couple in the audience who had never been to a Bandon City Council meeting, and from the looks on their faces, they were just trying to figure out what was happening ...
and they weren't alone.
We finally did make contact long enough to get all the necessary votes taken ... but I didn't know whether to laugh or cry ... until I remembered that it was all on TV.
This is one meeting I would just as soon forget . . .
P. S. The reason we agreed to go ahead with the meeting was after our finance director advised us that it would cost about $800 to readvertise the budget hearings, and she stressed the importance of adopting the budgets before the end of June.
* * *
Like other Sterling Bank customers, I received my new Banner Bank checks in the mail last week. There was only one "small" problem. I received checks for two different accounts, both in my name and address, but I personally have only one account in that bank. Both packets of checks also contained a phone number that I haven't used in many years.
The new checks are to be used after 6 p.m. on June 20. Maybe I'll have to write a check on both accounts to determine which one is my actual account (with money in it), since the account numbers are completely different than my Sterling account. Of course, that could result in my being charged with writing a check on a closed (or should I say never opened) account.
I also share the account with another family member whose name has never been on my checks. But Banner Bank felt they needed to add it ... for some reason.
It ends up with an account I don't have, a name I don't use, and a phone number I haven't had in years.
Great start ....
(Later: after going to the bank and closing out my account, I received a letter from Banner Bank saying that they had inadvertently added a name to my checks and would redo my checks. Too late, I'd already thrown out the checks and closed the account. Also I learned that the other account, on which they put my name and address, actually belonged to the Continuum Building, which I manage. My name has never been on those checks. They were also thrown into the waste basket along with the others). The employees at Sterling/Banner were extremely helpful, and it definitely is not their fault.
* * *
I've learned that the very popular Catholic priest, Father Rodel de Mesa, has been transferred to Holy Family in Portland. He has been priest at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bandon, and at St. John's in Port Orford, for two years. The young priest (he is under 30) is a native of The Philippines and was ordained in June of 2012 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland. Soon after that he arrived in Bandon. There will be a reception for Father Rodel Sunday, June 22, after the 10:30 a.m. service to say goodbye to him.
I know the parishioners really hate to see him go ...
* * *
Phyllis Ray, who with her late husband Bob owned Ray's Pharmacy in Bandon for many years, celebrated her 90th birthday May 23, but I learned that she was hospitalized on June 2, and is spending a week or so in a rehab center before (hopefully) being able to return to her home. Anyone who would like to send her a card can address it to 3318 Lake Glenn Drive, Eugene, OR 97408.
Phyllis is a beautiful person and we hope she recovers quickly so she can return to her own home. In recent weeks, I have heard from both her daughter, Marti (Martha) Mills, and her son, Chris Ray. Brother, Steve, also came to Eugene to see his mother. Their brother, Bob, died four years ago.
* * *
I haven't seen anything about it, but I do know that the annual Townwide Garage Sale is next Saturday (June 14) in Powers. It's always fun to sort through people's trash and treasures and see what we can add to our own collections. I think it starts around 9 a.m., but don't hold me to that time. It could even be 8.
* * *
It wasn't good news to learn that the southbound I-5 exit (162) which leads to Highway 38 through Drain and down to the coast would be closed, starting today (Monday), for up to 33 days. In the meantime, people are advised to take the Curtin exist (163) along Bear Creek Road and Curtin Road to Highway 38.
The bad news is that for five days in July, both southbound exists will be closed and drivers headed to the coast will either have to leave Eugene and head to Florence and down the coast, or continue on to the Roseburg exits.
Leave it to ODOT to foul up what little summer tourist season we have.
The bad part is that many people flying into our area can't make connections into North Bend so they have to fly into Eugene or Portland, rent a car and drive to Bandon. And this just compounds the confusion.
A friend recently flew from Chicago to help with a house my sister and I bought, and he had to remain in Portland for 24 hours before he could finally make connections via SeaPort into North Bend (and then they charged our credit card for two $147.50 tickets, which we are still trying to rectify.) He tried to explain, to no avail, that he was only one person and needed only one seat. But apparently that made too much sense . . .
* * *
In an item last week about Bob Bailey and the National Marine Sanctuary proposed for the Port Orford area, I mentioned that he worked for the state Land Conservation and Development Department. But the information I had taken off the internet was outdated. He retired two and a half years ago from DLCD.
He said he is involved strictly on his on. "First because Mayor Jim (Auborn) asked me last summer to help out with the process he was proposing for the PO city council, and then when that was voted down, the folks interested in a sanctuary asked me to continue to help them, so I am," said Bailey. "I do not represent any outside group. I have a long personal and family connection to Port Orford so it is from that angle that I am helping the local group."
I had also asked him for the names of people who support the sanctuary, but I still don't know who they are.
I certainly know a lot of people who do not support it.
As I See It
by Mary Schamehorn
June 04, 2014
I have never had such a response from any photo I've ever posted as I did a week or so ago when I updated the top of my Facebook page with an old picture of Face Rock. I decided if people love Face Rock that much, this week I will share the one that debuted on my Facebook page, as well as two others. The one with the sun glinting at the base of the rock is the one that drew so many positive comments and "shares." It was taken many, many years ago in negative form and I later found the negative, which was pretty badly scratched up, scanned it into the computer and cleaned it up.
Face Rock
The irony is that I almost never post to Facebook. I was actually looking for someone else's post and decided to change the top photo; I opened "pictures" and although I couldn't even see which one I was choosing, it said "Face Rock," and I moved it onto Facebook, certainly never expecting it would be that popular ... with people I didn't even know who had received it from people who are "friends" on Facebook.
The one with the birds flying over Face Rock has long been a favorite, and the third one, which is a wide-angle shot taken from alongside a big rock on the beach was taken just recently and represents a different view.
I also have several pictures of Face Rock taken during the big snow storm of several years ago, but I didn't want to overload Mongo with too many pictures.
Next week I'll return to sharing my old photos.
* * *
Not sure where my readers stand on the proposed National Marine Sanctuary, which would include more than 1,300 square miles of ocean from south of Bandon to the Rogue River Reef near Gold Beach.
It's a hot topic in Port Orford, which is the community that would be most affected by such a federal designation.
The other night I spent several hours watching a video of a meeting in Port Orford last Wednesday featuring a federal marine biologist, who answered questions from the standing-room only audience. From what I gathered, the meeting had not been well advertised, but I do know that no one spoke in favor of the designation.
But it was the Port Orford City Council meeting, held last fall, that really opened my eyes as to the breadth and depth of the opposition to such a designation. There were many enlightened speakers from outside the area, and not a one of them supported the Sanctuary. Most of them were either fishermen or were affiliated with the fishing industry in some way.
Their message was clear: no more federal intervention/intrusion into our area.
At least one speaker mentioned the federal government project, which has essentially put Bandon on the map: the Bandon Marsh and the mosquitoes.
At the present time, commercial fishing is allowed in a Sanctuary, which may be well and good. But as we learned from the Marsh, rules can change. There can be unintended consequences.
I had received an email from Bob Bailey, manager of the Oregon Coastal Management Program (COASST) for the Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development, advising me of the May 28th meeting in Port Orford.
After watching the videos of both meetings, I sent him an email, asking him to explain the benefit to the community of Port Orford.
The three-page letter is way too long for my column, but in essence, he said economic benefits will come from three clusters.
"One, of course, is just having maybe a half-dozen or so good-paying professional jobs and support staff in the community."
He said two would be "research and monitoring ... the science side of things," referring to research funds that flow into the community to support salaries, lodging for scientists and graduate students, etc.
The third is "an indirect benefit of better information to ensure that ocean fisheries are managed on a sustainable basis. Even though ocean fisheries on the West Coast are far, far better managed with a much more robust scientific basis than they were even up to 2000 there are many unknowns about the marine environment that affect the stocks of commercial and recreational interest. Despite the belief by some that the ocean off our coast is 'healthier than it's ever been,' that is not the case nor is it likely to be in the future.
The other area of economic activity, cited by Bailey, "has to do with attracting visitors and their money to the area."
He added: "Even though sanctuary opponents are fearful that a sanctuary will hamper ocean fisheries, there is no evidence to support that fear. First, sanctuaries do not regulate fisheries ... the existing fishery management council does. Even if there were adjustments needed for areas within the Sanctuary, the council would do the job."
If anyone is interested in reading Bob Bailey's lengthy email, just email me at marys@coosnet.com and I will forward it on to you. Or if you want to watch the videos of the two meetings, to see the concerns for yourselves, I will also forward those.
What this really tells me is that the federal government has millions of dollars to pour into this venture at a time when we are continually reminded of the trillion dollar federal deficit.
Personally, based on past experience, I share the fears of the commercial fishing industry, which is huge to the economy of Port Orford and the south coast.
* * *
For us wine lovers, it was good news to hear that our own wine guru Dennis Thomason is opening a wine shop in the Bandon Shopping Center at Bandon Golf Supply, which he manages for owner Cathy Underdown. It will be known as Bandon Fine Wines.
As you all know, Dennis was the long-time manager of Tiffany Drugs, and he had the premier wine selection on the Oregon Coast. The change of ownership changed all that; Dennis moved a short distance away to the golf shop and the top-notch wine shop disappeared.
Wine lovers can celebrate its return . . .
* * *
The Bandon Public Library has a new library director. The library board has hired Rosalyn McGarva, who is now director at the Dallas (Or.) library. Rosalyn and her husband own a house in Bandon and have been visiting here on weekends for years, which means she already knows and loves the community. Her first day will be July 1.
She replaces our retiring library director Deirdre Krumper, who has held the position for 10 years, and will be honored at Monday night's meeting of the City Council.
Members of the library board are Mary Hedges, Merle Logan, John Morgan and Syd Wiesel.
The interviews for the Library Director were conducted through Skype, which means that candidates did not have to travel, and people interested in the process could listen in.
In a memo to the council, Deirdre said she highly recommends this method of interviewing for candidates at a distance.
Who knows maybe we'll use that method when we hire a new city manager to replace Matt Winkel, who is retiring at the end of the year.
* * *
The Bandon Community Youth Center has announced that it is revitalizing.
"We will close for activities after school ends on June 11 in order to recreate our programming and spruce up the place to be ready for our grand reopening when school starts," said a statement from the board.
They also plan to have two community workdays to paint, landscape, etc., as well as a contest for youth to rename the Youth Center, with "a fantastic prize to the winner."
The board has five new members, who will be conducting a search for a new director to replace Ollie Jones, who will be leaving the job in June. The new board members are Angie Smith, Kim Russell, Al Greenfield, John Ohanesian, Vicki Affatati and Shay Williams. Current board members Chris Powell and Mellis See will be leaving the board when their terms expire June 30.
* * *
Recently I wrote that Earla Daoust has moved to the Eugene area to be nearer her son and family. Friends who wish may send her a note in care of Sheldon Plaza, #144, 2440 Willakenzie Road, Eugene, Or. 97401.
I know she would love to hear from the many friends she made during her long years in Bandon.
previous columns by mary schamehorn