SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021
Brookings, Oregon
Brookings limits benevolent meal services 'Balanced' move limits meals at St. Timothy's By Diana Bosetti The Pilot
Churches that provide benevolent meal services to the Brookings community are now required to limit those operations to two days a week and three hours or fewer per day. The new requirement, which the Brookings City Council unanimously passed Oct. 25, is a modification of a previous ordinance that prohibited churches from operating charitable kitchens all together. “We have a dual purpose and that is to protect and bring peace to the neighborhood, as well as help indigents as much as we possibly can,” said Mayor Ron Hedenskog shortly after the vote. “This is about striking a balance.” Following two workshops attended by members of the council, planning commission, church leaders and others, city staff recommended that a municipal code be created that would “provide a method for local churches and other nonprofits to obtain a conditional use permit in
order to provide benevolent meal services in a residential zone.” The council also voted to waive, for three months, the $3,012 fee to obtain a conditional use permit. After three months, a nonprofit organization can still individually request a fee waiver. While the modifications appeared straightforward, the municipal code changes brought with them significant opposition from church leaders and some members of the community. The controversy goes back nearly two years to when four of the churches that served charitable meals resulted in an increase of calls for police service. When the pandemic hit in 2020, only two churches - St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and Brookings Presbyterian - continued to serve meals. Later that year, a petition citing safety concerns was signed by 29 residents who live near St. Timothy’s - which was serving meals several days a week. Fast forward to the first city-sponsored community More MEALS, Page A5
Photo by Diana Bosetti/The Pilot
Spectators watch as the Brookings City Council debates an ordinance that will limit nonprofits from offering meals to the community to two days a week. The council unanimously passed the ordinance.
County Red Ribbon Week in Brookings funds salmon study on Rogue River By Diana Bosetti The Pilot
A $5,000 contribution from the Curry County Board of Commissioners was made Oct. 20 to ECONorthwest and River Docs to study the most current Salmon and steelhead populations in the Rogue River. “ECONorthwest is truly the national leader in resource economics,” said Cam Perry, project director of Coquille-based River Docs LLC. Portland-based ECONorthwest produced a study in 2009 of the overall economic importance of Rogue River salmon and steelhead, but at nearly 13 years old it is outdated. “I believe that in 2007, the value of salmon was $1,800 per fish,” said Steve Beyerlin, the coordinator of Curry County Rogue River Salmon & Trout Recovery. “Now, I believe it’s $2,300 a fish, maybe even higher than that.” Beyerlin added that in order to talk about disaster relief for salmon, it’s “a good idea to know how much they’re worth,” he said. “When we start to figure out what salmon is worth, those are stand up and salute numbers,” agreed Perry. More SALMON, Page A5
Contributed photo
Mayor Ron Hedenskog proclaimed the week of Oct. 25-31 as Red Ribbon Week for the Brookings community. The proclamation stated that substance abuse is damaging to children and is a contributing factor to the three leading causes of death for teenagers - accidents, homicides and suicides. The proclamation was presented to members of the Brookings Emblem Club #265 because of the group’s encouragement to establish an atmosphere that promotes family and individual responsibilities for living drug free. Pictured from left to right are: Jo Atherton, Janet Holloway, Mayor Hedenskog and Marion Roberts, president of the Brookings Emblem Club.
Artwork sends a powerful message By Diana Bosetti The Pilot
The Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness presented the work of Julie Smiley and her multimedia exhibit entitled “We Are Worthy” at the Del Norte County Courthouse on Oct. 26. Standing in front of several artworks that ranged from soft pastel-colored affirmation messages that people could tear and take away with them, to unpredictable and darker watercolors meant to convey acceptance, Smiley explained that each piece of art started with a 20-minute meditation as a way to capture
Photo by Diana Bosetti/ The Pilot
Artist Julie Smiley discusses the project she did that culminated with her exhibit at the Del Norte Courthouse. The We Are Worthy exhibit will be on display through November 18/.
More EXHIBIT, Page A2
Noise parade returns to Brookings Unemployment rate drops to 4.7% AT CURRYPILOT.COM
Call us: 541-813-1717 Fax: 541-813-1931
INDEX Crosswords.................................. A10 Classifieds............................... A6 Crossword Answers................. A8
$1.50 Online: www.currypilot.com