CCP310 by C.M.I.

Sheriff's department saves dog Dog trapped on a steep bank has been saved! More on this, page A3

SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023

Brookings, Oregon

Brookings adopts co-op franchise ordinance board member John Herzog spoke at the dais, urging councilors to continue negotiations. Buchhalter estimated one percent of gross revenues for city co-op members at approximately $90,000 per year. Upon effectuation of the ordinance, city revenues may be enhanced by about $243,000, three percent of revenue for the balance of year one. Estimated revenues for 2024 at four percent could be just under $400,000. Council President Ed Schreiber discussed what he felt were exorbitantly high salaries for upper management staff. The Coos-County Electric Cooperative is a not-forproﬁt utility. Herzog respectfully disputed councilor Schreiber’s claim and stated, salaries were not excessive and excess revenue was directed back into member’s accounts, in lower monthly fees. Both Herzog and Buchhalter underscored the co-op’s commitment to its members. Councilors left an opportunity to further amend the ordinance, pending the Coos-Curry Board of Directors input on the impact of the ordinance on other communities within its service area. The next city council meeting is Monday, March 13, at 7 p.m.

BY ROGER GITLIN The Pilot

Brookings adopted an ordinance for a 10-year franchise to Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative for the operation of an electric power transmission and distribution system within city limits. The newly adopted ordinance replaces an ordinance due to expire March 31. The new Ordinance 23-O-835 calls for an agreement with a graduated franchise fee called a ramp. The ordinance commences upon expiration of Ordinance 02—O055, which contained no franchise fee but did include a maintenance agreement for street lights. The franchise fee begins at three percent for the remainder of 2023, then increases to four percent in 2024 and caps at ﬁve percent in 2025 for the duration of the agreement. The new ordinance also deletes any maintenance agreement on street lights. The city referenced its other franchisee agreements with Frontier and Beacon Broadband utilizing rightof-ways and public works permits. Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative Marketing and Member Services Manager Keith Buchhalter and

Photo by Roger Gitlin

From left to right: John Herzog, board member Coos-Curry Co-Op, and Keith Buchhalter, CCE CO-OP marketing manager addressed the Brookings City Council.

Commissioner wears lots of hats BY ROGER GITLIN The Pilot

Jay Trost and his family have become a key factor in Curry County.

Contributed photos

Jay Trost has been appointed commissioner for Curry County. Commission Chairman John Herzog and Commissioner Brad Alcorn announced the appointment. Trost will serve the balance of former Commissioner Court Boice term, after Boice appointed to ﬁll the vacancy for District 1, Oregon House of Representatives. Trost's term runs until January, 2025. Trost remains in transition as the deputy public works director for the city of Brookings. He will remain on the job for the next few weeks in assisting the city on speciﬁc ongoing public works projects. Trost's a busy guy. Born and bred in Burns, Trost

moved to Arizona as director of the Rite of Passage juvenile justice program. In 2014, he was appointed director of the Curry County Juvenile Justice Commission. Trost began his career in city of Brookings public works. He also sits as a trustee of the Brookings-Harbor School District, where plans to run again for the BHSD, next year. The newly-appointed commissioner is rapidly learning the ins and outs of prevailing issues the county faces. “Trust must be improved between the commission and those served, “ Trost shared. “Curry County retains only 59 cents of every $1,000 of property taxes in Curry County. Timber receipts continue to plummet. Three

Please see HATS Page A8

Seraph Brass to perform March 17 in Crescent City

Seraph Brass, comprised of ﬁve of America’s top female brass players, will be showcasing their talent and captivating repertoire in concert at Crescent Elk Auditorium on Friday, March 17, at 7 p.m. as part of the Del Norte-Curry Community Concerts Association’s “Music in the Redwoods” 2022-2023 concert season. Admission to the concert is free. Winners of the 2019 American Prize in Chamber Music, Seraph Brass has made a name for themselves in the chamber music industry. The group has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Mexico, Asia and Europe, and has performed and/or been featured in some of the world's most prestigious concerts and music conferences. They are committed to engaging audiences with their captivating repertoire that includes original transcriptions, newly commissioned works, and well-known classics. In addition to Friday evening's performance, Seraph Brass will be presenting a program for Del Norte High School music students. More information can be found on the association’s website musicintheredwoods. com or facebook.com/dnccca The Del Norte-Curry Community Concert Association has been presenting internationally acclaimed artists to the greater Crescent City and Brookings areas since 1949. In addition to their scheduled public concerts, the association also sponsors free master classes and outreach performances to students, as touring schedules allow.

INDEX

Contributed photo

Seraph Brass will perform at Crescent Elk Auditorium as part of the Music in the Redwoods series.

What’s Wrong With Healthcare, Part 3 BY DR. CHARLES HURBIS Guest Article

Where things become almost comical is drug pricing. New drugs are introduced with nosebleed level prices, while old drugs are often relabeled, re-dosed and then remarketed with hugely inﬂated prices. Drug companies price drugs at, “whatever the market will bear” levels. Medications at times have their prices change exponentially. I’ll use examples from within my medical specialty. Bear in mind here that during these pricing follies the supplied product never changes. A standard neomycin/polymyxin ear drop perhaps 20 years ago sold for maybe $20 per bottle. There is nothing fancy here. It is effective but contains a combination of very old medications. Due to an unfavorable study on this medication a few years back prices dropped to $6 whereas the “safer” competing drop was suddenly over $100. When the next study arrived showing the replacement drops to be even more dangerous, the price of original drops suddenly jumped to over $100 per bottle. Another example would be nasal steroid sprays. Medications such as Flonase and Nasacort would average $120 per bottle until many went over the counter. All of a sudden you could buy Please see HEALTHCARE Page A10

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

Calendar of Events Classifieds

Crossword Answer Obituaries Crossword Puzzle