Ukraine fundraiser....................... PAGE 4 Pancake breakfast is back . . ......... PAGE 9
March 29, 2022
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Newport considers supporting residential treatment facility HILARY DORSEY Editor
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ewport City Council directed city administration Monday, March 21, to look at financial options to support Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital’s proposed residential treatment facility for substance use disorders. The facility will serve adults with substance use disorder from across Oregon, with priority given to residents of Lincoln County. As a nonprofit health care provider, Samaritan does not turn anyone away for inability to pay. Lesley Ogden, chief executive officer for Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and Pacific Communities Hospital, said they have been talking about this proposal for years and who might be a partner. The district purchased a facility that was previously Graceland Care Homes, an adult foster care facility. The location had been vacant for some time. “That facility went through a 60-day due diligence period and was found to be very appropriate for a substance abuse treatment facility use,” Ogden said. “In a very bold leadership move, Pacific Communities Health District placed an offer on that property of $950,000 and that was accepted.” Samaritan Health Services is committed to operating a recovery center in Lincoln County and needs partners to finance the capital costs for the facility. “We’re going to need some help getting this facility paid for in that the facility as is, is not able to support everything that we need it to
be,” Ogden said. “It does not currently have any sort of medical space or enough office space. It doesn’t have a commercial kitchen or a joint place to sit down and eat a meal.” The facility is planned to have 16 beds with some shared rooms if possible. “The facility, as it is now, is a 12-bed facility,” Ogden said. “If we can, and we’re able to with COVID restrictions, will easily be able to make with some shared rooms a 16-bed facility.” Partner organizations are being asked to play a part in the project. She proposed the city contribute by waiving the particular infrastructure sort of charges that would come their way. “We have many, many other partners to have the same discussion with,” Ogden said. “The really great thing is no one is saying no. Everyone is saying yes.” Ursula Marinelli, coastal foundations director for Samaritan Foundations, said health and human services has said Oregon is number two in the country for substance use disorder and it would be great to have that facility locally. People have to drive to Corvallis to seek treatment. “We are working with our government liaison, who works with Samaritan, regarding connecting with those states Legislation dollars that have been given through state Legislation to Oregon Health Authority,” said Marinelli. Marinelli said there is theoretically funds available for this kind of program. Samaritan has one of these centers in Lebanon. “We’ll be sharing an operations director, a medical director between the two facilities,” Ogden said.
City Manager Spencer Nebel said if the council is interested in participating financially in this project, they should look at a dollar contribution. The city will be receiving a settlement from the opioids class action suit. Those funds have to be used to address the opioid crisis. “We’re supposed to get about $18,000 over
Dancing like everyone’s watching Man spreads positivity in Lincoln City
HILARY DORSEY Editor
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tephen Goetz, 75 years old, has a mission to spread joy to Lincoln City. You may have seen him on Hwy 101, dancing and waving to the cars passing by. Goetz moved to Lincoln City in 2018. He had lived in Portland at one time when he was younger. He has also lived in California. “I’m trying to get back to my self-worth and be happy now,” Goetz said. “I had trauma so much in my life and now I’m setting my soul free like a butterfly.” He lived in Sacramento for 38 years while taking care of his mom. He started dancing on the street during a trip to San Francisco, blowing kisses to cars that passed. He then danced in Sacramento at a bus stop. People liked the dancing, Goetz added. They honked and blew kisses back. “I kept it up,” Goetz said. “I just send love out on the street.” Goetz also writes poetry. “This August, I’m going to be in the third
book coming out, a poetry anthology book, with 123 writers around the world,” Goetz said. “It’s published in India.” Goetz said his work appears in the book’s two hard copy versions per year. “GloMag” is printed every February and August by Glory Sasikala. The books are put out for sale in India and sometimes the U.K. They are also sold on Amazon. “I’ve had poems published in the Seychelles Islands and all over online,” Goetz said. “I’m proud of myself.” Goetz has won awards from Motivational Strips, an active writers forum. He has poet friends from all over the world and over 1,000 friends on Facebook, many of which are fans of his poetry. “I’m going to rise like a phoenix up here,” Goetz said. “I’m for the underdog always.” Goetz said he is going to spread his love back on the street. “I’m going to keep dancing,” Goetz said. Dancing for passerby is important to him as so
many people are down. He hopes to lift people up with his positivity. He’s been told his dancing makes people smile. Many people call him Uncle Stevie. When people are down, he talks to them and builds them up. Goetz said he plans to have an amazing life the rest of his days. He will be turning 76 years old this May
VOL. 95 NO. 12
Important dates for primary election, ballot drop box sites STAFF REPORT
and will continue to dance on the street. As you drive past Hwy 101, give him a shout or a wave in support. Note: At request of businesses, please be mindful of traffic and wave instead of honking. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
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he voter registration deadline for the primary election is April 26. Ballots will be mailed out to Lincoln County voters on April 27. Election day is May 17.
Drive-up ballot boxes and drop site locations
Drive-up ballot drop boxes are now available during election periods 24 hours a day, seven days a week and until 8 p.m. on election day, May 17. Drop boxes are available in Newport, Lincoln City, Toledo, Waldport, Depoe Bay, Siletz and Yachats. Your ballot must be received in the office of the county clerk or at a designated drop site or placed in the U.S. Mail by 8 p.m. on May 17. You may mail in your ballot or drop it off at one of the following drop sites:
Newport
PHOTO BY ROBYN SMITH
Stephen Goetz dances to help spread cheer to those around him.
Lincoln County Courthouse – 225 W Olive St., Room 201, Newport. Drive-up box located in rear parking lot at the east end of the second row of parking. Open April 7 through May 17. Inside box open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday April 7 through May 16, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 17. Newport City Hall – 169 SW Coast Hwy in Newport. Outside box located at city hall between the bus stop and the former Chevron Station from April 7 through May 17. Inside box open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday April 7 through May 16.
Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 17.
Lincoln City
Lincoln City City Hall – 801 SW Hwy 101 in Lincoln City. Drive-up box located in the lower parking lot under city hall. Open April 7 through May 17.
Toledo
Toledo Police Station – 250 W Hwy 20 in Toledo. Drive-up box located in the police station parking lot at the A Street exit. Open April 7 through May 17.
Waldport
Waldport City Hall – 355 Alder Street in Waldport. Drive-up box
See BALLOT DROPS, Page A2
thenewsguard.com
WEATHER
INDEX Classifieds..................... 5 Opinion ......................... 7
an 18-year period of those funds,” Nebel said. The council agreed to direct city administration to look at financial options to support the project and will bring back to the council for review and potential approval. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
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