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North Bend council punishes one of its own
Noordhoff removed from role as liasion to committees, boards By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
The North Bend City Council took a dramatic step Tuesday in an effort to control one of its own members. In a 6-0 vote, the council
removed Councilor Susanna Noordhoff from all city boards, commissions and lay committees. Noordhoff was not at the meeting. Councilor Larry Garboden brought up the topic, saying the council must act to protect itself and North Bend.
“We’ve all witnessed the lack of decorum and continued violation of council rules, seeing the city spend money to provide training, legal fees and staff time for the benefit of one councilor,” Garboden said. “Also given the potential grievances this one council member has
done inside and outside the council chambers, I think it’s best we sever as many ties to this one council member as possible.” Garboden then made a motion to remove Noordhoff from her liaison role to city committees, boards and commissions.
Each members of the council then spoke about their coming vote. “I think we’ve spent an awful lot of time since us new people got elected on the council and some of it was time we really didn’t need to Please see Punishes, Page A3
Resilience highlights the Class of 2021 Coos Bay Council approves list of city goals
North Bend seniors march through rain to receive diplomas By JILLIAN WARD For The World
NORTH BEND ─ North Bend High School’s graduating class of 2021 overcame the pandemic, a year of distance learning and even the rain. On Friday evening, 170 seniors sat three feet apart in the middle of the football field during a rainstorm. Some opened umbrellas, others donned ponchos, but all walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. “In the past year, even today, (we have been) taught to be resilient,” said Kevin Bogatin, superintendent of the North Bend School District, during the graduation ceremony. He pointed to the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic and the doubt that the graduating class would be able to gather for a ceremony at all. In an earlier interview, Bogatin said though the ceremony would be outside it was still more traditional than the graduation ceremony from 2020. “Last year, we did a drive-thru graduation,” he recalled, but added the only part of last year’s event to be carried on were the posters of the graduates along the high school’s fence surrounding the stadium and track field. “(But) our graduation is typically in the high school gym. This year, it is outdoors.” The ceremony was held on the football field to accommodate current pandemic restrictions. “It’s a step in the right direction to getting back to some normalcy,” he said. This included allowing students four guests to sit in the audience during the Friday ceremony, all of
By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Photos by Jillian Ward/For The World
After persevering through a global pandemic, a year for distance learning and the death of a classmate, the North Bend High School Class of 2021 had to endure a rainstorm while rececing their diplomas. Despite the difficulties, the 170 students marched through the rain to graduate Friday.
Marshfield graduation Editor’s Note: Due to an early press deadline, this paper went to press before the Marshfield High School graduation. To see a story and photos from the Marshfield graduation, visit www.theworldlink.com and see our Friday edition of The World newspaper. whom huddled on the bleachers to stay dry. “This is the first time (a graduation has) been outside since 1975,” said Darrell Johnston, principal at North Bend High School, adding he Please see North Bend, Page A4
Ardiana to retire after 33 years in education By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
Doug Ardiana jokes that he’s spent the last 56 years going to school. This week, that streak will end. Ardiana, the superintendent of the Bandon School District, will close out a 33-year career in graduation when he does what he always has – greeting every student who arrives to school and waving at the buses when they drive away. Ardiana will step into retirement knowing he gave his all to students, the last six years in Bandon after more than 26 in Montana. And he will retire the same way he taught, his own way. For Ardiana, that meant getting up and personal with students. “One of my hallmark Mr. Ardiana things is to be at the buses every morning and greet every student with a smile,” Ardiana said. “I’ve done that everywhere. As a classroom teacher, I stood at my door and greeted students. As a Please see Ardiana, Page A2
Photo by David Rupkalvis/The World
Bandon School District Superintendent Doug Ardiana gets emotional while reading cards sent to him by a fifth-grade art class. Ardiana taught the class earlier in the year, and several students used the technique he taught when making the cards.
Photo gallery: Bandon honors those who gave their all Photo gallery: Yokum Point a surprising find AT THEWORLDLINK.COM D • Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 • A Country Media Newspaper • Copyright 2020 Follow us online:
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Earlier this month, the Coos Bay City Council unanimously approved their city goals for the next two years. The goals highlight issues and projects the city council hopes to prioritize over the next two years. Some of the goals include finding funding to build a new library at John Topits Park. The goal includes finding funding from federal, state, granting organizations and donations along with asking voters to approve a bond issue. The city also hopes to begin planning to move the city shops facility our of the tsunami zone as well as planning to build a new fire station in Empire. Among other goals, the city hopes to complete roadwork on 4th Street downtown, stabilize the slope on Koosbay Boulevard and develop design plans to improve the Newmark Avenue intersection with Empire Boulevard. The goals include street repairs, more sidewalks around the city and developing several parking lots. One of the big challenges in the list of goals is the city taking over its wastewater plant, which is happening in the coming weeks. The city also hopes to replace two pump stations and upgrade two more. Increasing housing and mitigating homelessness is another key goal, with a specific goal of cleaning up the former Englewood School property so it can be turned into housing. The council is also hoping to create a smart phone app to better communicate with citizens as well as update the city’s website. In parks, the council is planning to resurface the Mingus Park Pool, install fishing piers at Mingus Park, creating a community park on Fulton Avenue and add athletic and sports fields. In the city’s Friday update, Mayor Joe Benetti said he believes the goals can be accomplished. “It is a lofty list, but definitely not outside of the possibility to complete,” Benetti wrote. “As we have found with past biennial goal lists, the lists are ‘live’ and often ebb and flow with necessity of change. We will remain flexible to ensure we are focused on the needs of the community and the responsibility entrusted to maintain the city’s assets in good working order.” The complete list of council goals can be seen at http://coosbay.org/government#city-goals.
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