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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Brookings, Oregon

Petitions to recall mayor, two city councilors turned in ELLIOT SCHWARZ Country Media, Inc.

Hedenskog and city councilors Michelle Morosky and Ed Schreiber. The recall effort centers around the vote by the three to retain City Manager Janell Howard. Howard was arrested for theft on July 4, 2022. That initial charge was reduced by the district attorney to a Class A Violation to which she pleaded no contest.

The petitions for recalling Brookings mayor and two other city councilors were turned into the Brookings City elections office Sept. 6. The recall petition drive required 463 valid voter signatures by Oct. 9, to recall Mayor Ron

Ron Janell Hedenskog Howard Given the current number of signatures gathered, and vigorous efforts by those

Community

Ed Michelle Schrieber Morosky circulating petitions to ascertain the residency and validity of the signers, it

appears likely that enough valid signatures of 463 needed would trigger the recall process. If that is the outcome, the subjects of the recall have five days in which they, can resign. Should they not, a special election would take place no later than 35 days from the end of the five-day period according to Oregon Administrative Rules

Connection

(OAR). The consequences of the election hold the dire possibility of a city council with less than a quorum, preventing the city from acting on any project costing over $25,000, or passing any resolutions, or conducting any of the standard business of the See PETITION, Page 12

In The Money

Taxpayers to see $5.6B Chetco Activity Center fosters a sense of belonging, support and fun in credits Steady economic growth continues, inflation slows JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Elliot Schwarz / Country Media, Inc. The Chetco Activity Center Kitchen staff and volunteer driver loading Meals On Wheels for delivery. From left to right, Markus Staudinger, Mary Saran and Brad Bennight. ELLIOT SCHWARZ Country Media, Inc.

rom companionship, to a an investment fund allowing it to draw root beer floats available. The meals mid-day meal, to a karate the interest for capital improvements are offered on a strictly donation basis. class, to tax preparation, the after grant opportunities are exhausted. The center runs a deficit of almost Chetco Activity Center in Over the years, the center has grown $2.50, on average, for each meal Brookings has a rich history of serving from a modest gathering place in a served, despite some federal grants the local community with a diverse rented building to a comprehensive through South Coast Business/Area array of services and activities. facility which addresses the evolving Agencies on Aging, these grants cover Established as a hub for social needs of the community which has only about one-third of the cost of engagement and support for seniors, generously supported it financially, the dining room meals and the Meals the center has played a On Wheels program that pivotal role in enhancing brings hot lunches to more the quality of life for than 70 home-bound and residents in the area. In seniors each day of the 2003 the name changed, but week. not the mission; the center The center hosts several broadened its reach to the fundraisers each year, the entire community. Through most important for dollars the years the center has raised being the yearly showcased its commitment Thanksgiving dinner, to fostering a sense of celebrated by upwards of belonging and promoting 100 supporters for a full-on well-being across all of holiday feast. Brookings’ community. Another was the most The Chetco Activity recent Grill Masters BBQ Center began as an idea Contest that brought Elliot Schwarz /Country Media, Inc. local chefs together with among friends. It was “group of folks around the The Chetco Activity Center is located at 550 Chetco Lane in supportive diners who oak dining table of Theora Brookings. contributed donations for and George Humphries. In a taste of the competitor’s the mid-’70s it was decided a place and with the participation of countless efforts. That day also had an indoor was needed for area residents to meet volunteers over the years. yard sale as another fundraiser. for conversation, activities, card games Every weekday there is something Among the major capital and lunches. Volunteers took turns going on at the center, and that includes improvements, the center is engaged making pots of soup, served with bread lunch. Meals are carefully planned in is a “Welcoming Doors” effort each day. Sometimes they were treated and prepared to be nutritious, tasty, to allow greater accessibility to the to Ruth Dalton’s famous shortbread.” and appealing. About 30 diners enjoy widest range of participants. This is a So goes the description on their lunch at the center daily, some with project to replace its two entranceways, website, which goes on to tell how live music, with up to 100 more or for making it easier for those with physical Virginia Manley generously donated turkey dinner on the last Wednesday challenges. The almost 40-year-old the land, building funds, and an of each month. Fridays there is free See CENTER, Page 10 endowment which provides the center bingo after lunch, along with popcorn

INDEX

A robust state economy should allow Oregonians to see a large tax credit through the Oregon Kicker system, according to the latest state revenue forecast. Currently $5.6 billion will be returned to Oregon taxpayers next filing season. The median, or typical Oregonian is expected to receive a $980 credit. The kicker tax credit goes into effect when the actual state revenue exceeds the forecasted revenue by at least 2%. An amount is then returned to the taxpayers through a credit on their tax returns. The following is the September 2023 Oregon Revenue Forecast Executive Summary prepared by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. T h e economy continues to be in an inflationary b o o m . Growth is outpacing expectations. The good news is inflation has slowed considerably in the past year. The consensus Metro Creative Connect of economic Currently $5.6 billion will be f o r e c a s t e r s returned to Oregon taxpayers is now that next filing season. The the economic median, or typical Oregonian soft landing is expected to receive a $980 is the most credit. l i k e l y scenario. The challenge today is twofold. First, there are emerging signs that the economy is reaccelerating which means inflation could re-heat at some point in the quarters ahead. Second, this leaves the Federal Reserve in a tough position of trying to thread the needle of raising interest rates just enough to cool the economy and bring inflation down, but not too much that chokes off growth. The initial descent appears to have gone as good as can be expected. However, navigating the crosswinds of waiting for the full impact of past interest rate increases to slow growth even as inflation remains above target is challenging. Oregon’s economic outlook remains effectively unchanged from last quarter. The labor market is tight, albeit less so than during the reopening phase of the cycle. And as See MONEY, Page 10

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

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