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FRIDAY, JUly 1, 2022
Brookings, Oregon
Offshore wind project passes first hurdle
Governor candidate Betsy Johnson talks independent campaign
Hilary Dorsey Country Media
Contributed photo
The state of Oregon and the federal government are considering bringing offshore wind farms to the coast of Oregon, with one call area ranging from Coos Bay to Brookings.
By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot
On Tuesday, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management closed its comment session for a proposed offshore wind farm
along the Oregon Coast. The comment period was set aside to allow people to share concerns and ask questions and also allowed companies interested in running wind farms to share their interest with the
federal government. One of the major call areas presented by BOEM is offshore from Coos Bay to Brookings, with potential wind turbines located at least 20 miles offshore. One of the companies inter-
ested in possibly building a wind farm in the area is Deep Blue Pacific Wind, a joint venture between Total Energies and Simply Blue. Peter Cogswell, director of Please see WIND Page A3
Gold Beach Main Street to present downtown plan Asks Urban Renewal Agency to support bold initiative By ANNA MARIE CURTIS Guest Article
Main Street had conversations with other communities that have done similar projects. We also had discussions with architects, engineers and ODOT. As a result, we realized we needed to further educate ourselves and revise our scope of work to be more comprehensive. Our increased scope includes vision, continuity and safety and encourages place-making and
Gold Beach Urban Renewal Agency initially awarded $30,000 for a $60,000 feasiContributed photo bility study for unGold Beach Main Street is hoping to do a feasibility study that could lead the way to a derground utilities renovated and improved downtown corridor with more traffic lanes, no overhead wires only. Gold Beach Please see PLAN Page A3 and new and improved sidewalks.
Fireworks to light up Independence Day The Pilot
Fireworks will return to the night sky over Brookings this Fourth of July as the city celebrates Independence Day, Spearheaded by a group of volunteers and business sponsors, the fireworks show will begin at dusk on SportHaven Beach, as the community celebrates America’s birthday. The celebration for Independence Day will continue in Gold Beach and Port Orford with both communities hosting fireworks celebrations. In Gold Beach, the show is set to kick off at 10 p.m. thanks to the File photo fundraising efforts of local businesses and Fireworks light up over Brookings-Harbor to celebrate Independence Day. Brookindividuals. ings-Harbor, Gold Beach and Port Orford are all planning fireworks displays to In Port Orford, the celebrate July 4th.
Fourth of July Jubilee will continue with three days of celebration. The fun kicks off with a pickle ball tournament, farmers market and paddle parade at 9 a.m. Saturday July 2, and runs throughout the weekend. Most of the events are hosted at Battle Rock Wayside Park, but there are events throughout the city over the three days. On Independence Day, the fun will begin with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast at the American Legion Hall at 7 a.m., with the Port Orford Jubilee Party beginning at 9 a.m. at Battle Rock Wayside Park. Events will continue throughout the day until the fireworks show starting at dusk.
Former Oregon State Rep. Betsy Johnson is running for governor of Oregon as an independent in the November election. Her campaign is focused on improving public schools, affordable housing for workers and make Oregon appealing to job creators. Johnson served in the Oregon House and Senate for more than 20 years, retiring as chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee to run for governor. She has a reputation as an advocate for her constituents. Johnson has also served on the boards of numerous local, regional and national organizations, including the Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Public Broadcasting Foundation and the High Desert Museum. She also ran a commercial helicopter company for 20 years. She is currently on the Board of Visitors of Northwest School of Law and serves as president of the Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, named after her late father. Johnson said she decided to run for governor because she has had a front row seat to the deterioration of the state she loves. There are issues of homelessness, crime, lawlessness in Portland, the education system lowering standards for students, lack of affordable housing, and more. “I believe we cannot continue in this way,” Johnson said. “And nothing is more disruptive to the status quo than having a nonaffiliated governor.” Johnson is running as an independent. She left the Republican Rarty because she felt they became too extreme. As a Democrat, she felt the party went too far to the left, especially with issues such as defunding the police. She said she is running as an Oregonian. One of the main things Johnson plans to do as governor is support law enforcement and make them accountable. “They have to be responsible and professional, but we need to augment the amount of sworn officers that we have,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to get a hold of the lawlessness that has plagued Oregon.” Johnson said she has maintained that Oregon cannot succeed if Portland fails. She said something must be done to get people off the streets and into affordable homes. “Lincoln City is probably not atypical of what we’re seeing all up and down the coast where Please see BETSY Page A3
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