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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
Brookings, Oregon
Disabled woman receives $300,000 in lawsuit against Brookings By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot
A disabled woman who was arrested following an extremely-low-speed chase was awarded $300,000 in a settlement with the city of Brookings. Jennifer Gayman, who was arrested by Brookings Police officers in November 2018 and later convicted in a jury trial, had her conviction thrown out by the state court of appeals last year. Gayman then filed a lawsuit against Brookings, which concluded this week. In a Facebook post, Johnstun Injury Law, which represented
Gayman in the lawsuit, explained the conclusion. "We are pleased to announce the conclusion of Jennifer Gayman's civil lawsuit against the City of Brookings and some of its police officers, who cited Ms. Gayman, who is disabled, for driving her mobility scooter on the sidewalk, through a crosswalk, and without a helmet," the post reads. "After officers gave Ms. Gayman an unlawful order to abandon her mobility scooter and walk the rest of the way home (over a mile) because she did not have a helmet, Ms. Gayman refused and drove home.
Officers arrested her, and she was eventually convicted with one felony count of eluding a police officer. She spent 5 days in jail. "The Oregon Court of Appeals reversed Ms. Gayman's felony conviction in June 2021. Now, the city has agreed to pay Ms. Gayman $300,000 in damages, issue her a public apology, and require its officers to undergo Americans with Disabilities Act training. It was very important to Ms. Gayman that ADA training be given, so that other disabled citizens in mobility scooters can feel safe driving around town without the fear of being cited or
arrested for exercising their basic rights." According to previous reports in the Pilot, Gayman's case began in November 2018 when two Brookings police officers stopped Gayman, who was riding her electric mobility scooter on the sidewalk. Gayman has a degenerative eye disease, as well as other disabilities. During the traffic stop, which was captured on body camera footage, officers claimed Gayman was in violation of state law for operating the scooter on the sidewalk. While they were More Lawsuit, Page A9
RNC opens new office in Brookings By Michael Combest For The Pilot
Chetco Avenue has a new tenant – the Republican Party of Oregon has opened a new office on the main artery of Brookings at 605 Chetco Ave. Fran Chambers, Julie April, Juliana Reasor, and Jim Newman staffed and opened the new Republican Party offices with a grand opening event Saturday afternoon. There was a steady stream of supporters venturing in to say hello. The mood at the opening event was electric with positivity and inclusivity. The near-term goal of this Republican office is to drive up voter registration among the undecided who feel they are not being represented by the elected class. The spirit of engagement was abundant at the grand opening. The assembled group hosting the event were unanimous in their interest in dialogue with the community, especially focused on the independent, undecided and disaffected. This Photo by Michael Combest/For the Pilot is a group of people who are not Fran Chambers, Julie April, Juliana Reasor, and Jim Newman staffed and opened the new Republican slogan-mongers, but are soluParty offices in Brookings on Saturday. tions-oriented and bound by principles – they made sure to hand Councilor Brad Alcorn, who maligned and misunderstood as feel let down by the system and out their principles in a leaflet dropped by to say hello. Alpart of someone else’s strategy. the party of their choice. The prepared for anyone to read. It takes quite a bit of bravery representatives at the Brookings Among the artifacts on display corn shared his ideas about a to participate in a system of looffice of the Republican party at the event were various polariz- well-supported and well-trained law enforcement infrastructure cal-driven politics when funding do understand the feelings that ing bumper stickers, buttons and along with a civil support infracomes in from non-local sources. people have of being on the commemorative Donald Trump structure that is ready to meet This office is 100% local and outside looking in on a system gold coins or ball caps. Nothing the challenges of this rapidly ready to chat with you or anyone that is not working for them. This unusual here. Such fundraising changing community, state and else about the issues of the day. assembled group has very high do-dads are a universal part of nation. There were a good number of hopes for their candidates and for the political polemics show. In Politics is a very difficult busi- new-to-the-party Republicans the well-organized growth of the this office, the barbs are aimed at ness. It is very easy to be either present. The feeling is that there South Coast community. team Biden. are a lot of people out there who misunderstood on accident, or One of the visitors was City
Spending bill returning millions to the South Coast By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot
The omnibus spending bill recently signed into law by Pres. Joe Biden will deliver tens of millions of dollars to the South Coast, benefitting communities in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties. Many of the projects were spearheaded by Congressman Peter DeFazio and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, who all voted in favor of the spending bill. The biggest funding element is $6.8 million for repairs to the Coos Bay North Jetty. After years of decline, the jetty has lost close to 200 feet, but a contract has already been approved to extend and stabilize the jetty. "The North Jetty, which maintains the safety of the Coos Bay bar crossing for mariners, has receded nearly 1,000 feet from its original build design,” said John Burns, CEO of the Port of Coos Bay. “Senators Merkley and Wyden have championed funding to extend the jetty by approximately 150 to 200 feet
and stabilize the head, trunk, and root system. This is truly critical maritime infrastructure to maintain safety within the harbor, and to promote future commerce and economic development for the region and state. We are extremely grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden for their ongoing efforts." Some other projects in Coos County include $231,000 for the Coos County emergency radio system, $1.3 million to the city of North Bend to upgrade the city's water and wastewater system and $850,000 to Coast Community Health Center, which has offices in Bandon and Port Orford. The gift to Coast Community Health was roundly applauded. “We are honored to receive such a wonderful award in support of our continued expansion of services in Curry County,” said Linda Maxon, chief executive officer, Coast Community Health Center. “These funds will directly support our delivery of health and wellness services to south Curry County. Our investMore Spending Bill, Page A3
File photo
Senator Ron Wyden, above, and Senator Jeff Merkley worked to include funding for several Southern Oregon projects in the 2022 spending bill recently signed by President Joe Biden.
Look online at www.currypilot.com 2022 Health and Fitness Guide
Late season rise in flu cases JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media
This month’s lifting of state mask requirements put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic is prompting many Oregonians to remove their face coverings. Oregon health officials say it’s a good time to remind people about the importance of getting vaccinated against another circulating virus: influenza. Oregon is seeing a late-season rise in flu cases – flu season generally peaks around late January or February – as mask requirements for public indoor spaces and schools fall away, making it easier to spread the virus from person to person, according to Oregon Health Authority communicable disease experts. “The 2020-2021 flu season was virtually non-existent as public health restrictions, such as stay-home orders, mask requirements, and limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings, kept flu cases down at record-low levels,” OHA’s Public Health Division Medical Director for Communicable Diseases and Immunizations Paul Cieslak, M.D. said. “Now we’re seeing more cases at a time when the season is usually coming to a close.” During the week of March 6 to March 12, Oregon reported that 3.1% of influenza tests were positive, compared with 2.5% the week of Feb. 27 to March 5, 1.6% the week of Feb. 20 to Feb. 26, and .6% the week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 12. During the same week of the 2020-2021 season, a scant .1% of flu tests were positive. The vast majority of flu cases have been influenza A. Cieslak emphasizes that it’s still not too late to get a flu vaccine, and getting it now, as indoor and outdoor gatherings become more common, can help reverse the surge. Getting vaccinated can also reduce the severity of flu illness even if you get infected. Anyone ages six months and older should get the flu vaccine, particularly young children, older adults and those who have chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease or metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Pregnant women should get vaccinated since children younger than six months can’t get the flu vaccine. When a pregnant woman gets the vaccine, it means she not only avoids serious complications during pregnancy, but she also transmits, through the placenta, precious flu antibodies for her unborn child. Flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19. That’s why it’s important to get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine, both of which are available from health care providers, local health departments and many pharmacies in Oregon. The flu vaccine is free or low cost with most health insurance plans. To find flu vaccine clinic, visit www.flu.oregon.gov and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu, according to health officials. Additional ways Oregonians can help prevent the spread of flu include: Staying home from work or school when you are sick and limit contact with others. Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Washing hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available. Avoiding touching your eyes, Please see Influenza, Page A2
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