MIDWEEK EDITION
Tuesday March 31, 2020
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Brookings, Oregon
SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946
Commissioners shut down transient lodging Linda Pinkham Staff Writer
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urry County Commissioners unanimously passed an order to close all transient lodging facilities in Curry County at an emergency meeting on Friday, Mar. 27. The closure is effective at 5 p.m. today (Mar. 27). The
order contains exceptions for “current users registered for longer than 30 days, victims of domestic violence, health care workers, government workers, first responders, veterans and other persons deemed by the city, county or state to be essential or necessary during the pandemic.” The order came in
response to learning from Governor Kate Brown that she did not intend to issue an order to close transient lodging facilities along the coast because it wouldn’t be an order that applied statewide, according to County Administrator Julie Schmelzer. Over the past week a number of coastal communities and coun-
ties had requested that the governor order the closures per a resolution supported by State Representative David Brock Smith as part of the Legislative Coastal Caucus. “We were advised to proceed with our own declaration if we wanted to do that,” Schmelzer said. Some coastal communities actually do not want
closures, according to State Representative David Brock Smith, who attended the meeting via telephone. The Curry County order would not apply to cities that have passed their own resolutions. The City of Gold Beach passed an order on Mar. 24 that closed More Lodging on Page A5
Brookings bans hotel, motel stays Brian Williams Pilot Editor
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The parking lot is nearly empty just before 8 a.m. at McKay’s Market in Gold Beach on Friday morning, meaning the coast is clear for shoppers who are most vulnerable. Photo by Linda Pinkham.
Vulnerable shopper hours best in the morning Linda Pinkham Staff Writer
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roceries are deemed essential services during these trying times living through a pandemic of unknown proportions. Store shelves are often decimated because of panic buying and everyone in town and beyond needs to shop. If you are designated as one of the novel coronavirus’s most vulnerable, getting groceries can put you at risk. Coastal communities have a higher-thanaverage number of retirees, which are some of those who suffer the most devastating effects if they get the virus. While having others do their shopping is one solution, many local seniors have been wishing for special shopping hours
to limit their exposure while they pick out their groceries. Sometimes, wishes do come true, although all of the stores with senior hours have set them for early in the day. For many seniors, that’s not the easiest time to get to the store, but from the perspective of store managers, most stores sanitize and restock overnight, making mornings an even safer time for those most vulnerable. Rays Food Place in Gold Beach was the first local grocery store to add special hours for seniors (55 years and older ), starting as of March 19. Those hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 a.m. Brookings Fred Meyer began offering “senior shopping hours” as of Monday, March
23, according to a Facebook post from Henry Johnson, store manager. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. “During this time, we are dedicating a special shopping hour for seniors (60+) and other higher-risk customers as defined by the CDC. Our associates will happily assist anyone who needs additional help while shopping. We encourage all customers to respect this special time as we work to protect our community.” These hours are also available for first-responders. The store also offers free curbside pickup service but shoppers need to plan since the available slots fill up quickly, and staff resources are limited. Shopping is done online or More Shopper on Page A5
Incumbent Commissioner Sue Gold files for re-election Linda Pinkham Staff Writer
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urry County Commissioner Sue Gold decided to run for a second term for Position 2. The paperwork and fee were filed on March 9. Gold has been a commissioner for 3 years and 3 months. Two other candidates, Shelia Megson and John Herzog have also filed to run for the same position. The Oregon primary is scheduled for May 19. “I believe that I bring a calm, reasoned and common-sense approach to the Commission,” Gold answered when asked why she is seeking re-election. “At this time, I feel that this is needed to solve all of our current problems. As a life-long problem solver, volunteer and public servant, I
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think that my experience has been, and will be a valuable asset to the Commission and our citizens. “The most important role of a county commissioner is to set policy,” Gold said. “That involves making many decisions for the citizens of our county. I feel very strongly that it is important to research all possible relevant information, as well as listen to those people who want to constructively address these issues. I think that one of my strengths is looking at all sides of issues and being able to come up with decisions that are based on the facts, logic, and in the best interest of all citizens of the county. I feel that my decisions should be made in the interest of all people in Curry County and not a particular political party, interest group,
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Commissioners Sue Gold and Court Boice cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the remodeled Head Start building in Brookings. Photo by Brian Williams. or myself. I am sure that I have made decisions that are controversial in the past and will probably continue to do so. Most individuals understand my reasons and my position after discussion and explanation. “As Commissioners, we reach consensus the majority of the time and there are no problems. There are times when this does not happen
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and the vote will be 2 to 1. We will not always agree but I think it is very important to accept and support the decision of the majority, make the best of it, and move on. I have attended many board trainings and this is the way that functional boards proceed and are effective. We are all human and will not always agree but we should ‘agree to
disagree’ at times and make the best of the decision that is made. I believe that all of us make mistakes and it is important to learn from those mistakes and be forgiving of others that make mistakes rather than being vindictive when we disagree with decisions that are made. “If we are discussing an More Gold on Page A5
ity of Brookings Councilors voted to temporarily ban people from staying in hotels and other commercial lodging, joining many other cities on the Oregon coast that did the same earlier in the week to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Councilors called this a “good first step” and said they would look at adding more restrictions to protect the health and safety of the city’s residents if the need arises. “Definitely not a decision taken lightly by me,” said Mayor Jake Pieper. “I feel like it is our only option. We are going to take this a day at a time and if the situation calls for it I am ready to go further and do whatever we can to keep people from getting sick.” The resolution was passed 5-0 Thursday night, March 26, during a special meeting. Councilors met in executive or closed session for 30 minutes and then met for another 30 minutes in open session discussing the matter before voting on it. The ban of stays less than 30 days at all transient tax lodging facilities, including hotels, motels and shortterm rentals, begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27 and continues through May 1. There were some exceptions to the ban such as people in the trucking industry, health care workers, victims of domestic violence, government workers, first responders and other person deemed by the city, county or state to be essential or necessary during the pandemic; people seeking to responsibly quarantine themselves; and residents of the City of Brookings or any residents with a 97415 zip code. The ban can be extended beyond May 1 by City Manager Janell Howard for up to one additional month as long as the governor’s stay home travel restrictions were also extended. Councilors passed a temporary state of emergency during their regular meeting on Monday, March 23. At that meeting, they passed a resolution presented by state Rep. David Brock Smith (RDistrict 1) asking Gov. Kate Brown to essentially do what More Brookings on Page A5
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