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July 26, 2022

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Lincoln County discusses pretrial services program HILARY DORSEY Editor

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incoln County proclaimed July 17-23 as National Pretrial Services Week in Lincoln County during a Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday, July 20. The pretrial program puts together a recommendation of release from jail. The proclamation states that pretrial staff members are an essential part of the criminal justice system. They uphold the law, while recognizing the right of the public to be safe guarded from criminal activity. Staff members are responsible for monitoring clients while in the community. They provide services and referrals for clients. “Pretrial staff members work in partnership with community agencies,” Commissioner Kaety Jacobson read of the proclamation. “Pretrial staff mem-

bers promote prevention, intervention and advocacy.” Jeff Hoey, pretrial specialist at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, gave an update on how the program is going. When adults in custody come to the jail, the program puts together a recommendation for release to the judge. “During the interview process, we also verify information and give it the judge so the judge can make a wellinformed decision,” Hoey said. “If that client is not released at the arraignment initially, we’ll go do a second look to try to identify some of the barriers that are holding them in custody and potentially make another recommendation.” If a client cannot go home, the program will identify if they need a hotel or a pretrial house. They also meet with clients who have been issued a citation that are not lodged in jail.

“We do receive copies of those citations,” Hoey said. “If they have contact information, we reach out to them.” The program’s system has robocall features by text and calling, which provides reminders of appointments. Hoey said the program recommends levels of monitoring to the judge. There

are urine samples, GPS tracking and alcohol monitoring available. “Since the opening of our program in October of 2018, we’ve had a total of 10,505 cases that have been open,” Hoey said. “There have been 5,500 cases closed with a successful outcome, 3,300 closed unsuccessful.” The high number of unsuccessful closings were related to COVID-19. The program has made significant efforts and are seeing a downward trend now, Hoey added. An unsuccessful closing is if the client did not show up for a court date or violated conditions. If a client is unsuccessful, Hoey reaches out to them. It is not a one and done, he added. Hoey said building a relationship with clients and helping set up reminders helps them be successful. The program offers pretrial housing. “We currently have five down

there,” Hoey said of how many people are housed. “It’s a nine-bed facility.” There are more rules at the house that the clients have to follow. The program has also helped with the crowding issue at the jail. Sheriff Curtis Landers said the vision of a pretrial program took off in 2017 with training. The program was opened in 2018. Landers said having pretrial services when jails were limited during COVID-19 was helpful. One of the barriers the pretrial service program faces is behavioral health issues, Landers added. The program tries to reduce barriers as much as possible. The program has solid relationships with drug and alcohol counselors. Counselors are available for clients. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net

Newport discusses stipend for councilors, tables topic HILARY DORSEY Editor

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Peace by Piece concert marks comeback of Central Coast Chorale A

fter an abrupt COVID-19 shut-down, a cancelled concert series, a new artistic director, vaccination and mask mandates, constant re-evaluation of rehearsal protocols, and a new scheduled then re-scheduled concert series, choral music will once again fill the air on the Oregon Coast. The Central Coast Chorale will present three performances of their concert Peace by Piece at three different venues: Friday, July 29, at 7 p.m. at the Yachats Commons; Saturday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at the Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church in Lincoln City; and Sunday, July 31, at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Newport. The theme “Affirming the cycle of life, death, grief, and healing with singing” should resonate with everyone at this time. Artistic Director Rhodd Caldwell wanted to create something especially relevant to the current socio-political climate. “As I was pondering a theme for this concert and going through our choral library,” said Caldwell, “I came upon a work entitled ‘Peace by Piece.’ The text of the song, set in a gospel vein, affirms that despite what seems to be an impossible task, the work of peacemaking is something that all of us can do every day. It’s all about the little choices we make that lead to both inner peace as well as peace in the greater world. That spoke volumes to me, given how all of our lives have been dramatically changed by COVID and, more recently, impacted by the tragic war in Ukraine. The theme grew from that work, and other appropriate literature fell into place very quickly.” The chorale often has narration during their concerts, providing backstory on composers and the individual pieces.

“I’m very pleased to announce that Jason Holland, Executive Director of Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, will serve in that role for this event,” said Caldwell. The chorale will be accompanied by pianist Milo Graamans and guest percussionist Rick LaDoux. In addition to the chorale, the new mixed ensemble Sound Waves will perform two pieces under the direction of Assistant Director Cameron Garner. “Our musical selection for this concert will bring emotion and contemplation to every listener,” said Garner. “It will be a journey we are excited to share with you.” Concert admission is by donation ($10 per person suggested). A 50/50 raffle will be held at the end of each concert. “It’s been a long haul,” said Katrina Theodore, board vice president. “Like all the performing arts organizations, we’ve been working, researching, and waiting for the appropriate time to resume doing this thing we love. The uncertainty can be crippling, but we look at the numbers and take what precautions we can and move forward.” To long-time chorale supporters, this group will look a bit different. At 35 singers the chorale is smaller than usual. Roughly half of the singers are new. Some familiar faces have withdrawn due to the uncertainty of COVID-19. All chorale personnel are fully vaccinated. Some singers choose to wear masks for additional protection. The chorale board reviewed several options and recommends the singers masks endorsed by the National Association of Teachers of Singing. For more information about the Central Coast Chorale visit the website at centralcoastchorale.com.

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community members and possibly those who have been part of the city’s budget process in more recent years. Goebel said he would support a workgroup as long as it did not come out of the council or staff. Parker was not in favor of creating a committee. “My point is that people can do their own research over a number of months and submit something to Spencer,” Parker said. “He can compile a report of his own and bring that to a council meeting.” Parker said the council could discuss the topic during a work session. “The spirit of this is starting in the next year or beyond that,” Parker said. For future vacancies and appointments, this needs to be discussed, Parker added. He suggested putting the topic as an agenda item in the fall. The motion to form a workgroup failed with a vote 3-3. Parker made a motion that in the next 90 days, the council and other interested parties submit their input on potential future compensation for city council members during their elected terms, at a rate to be determined, be sent to the city manager by Oct. 31. Hall said the timing of this feels like the city is not operating with integrity as several councilors will be put for election. Parker said he proposed this as there will be a vacant seat, as he will not seek reelection. “If we’re interested in all the keywords that people keep bringing up at these meetings, like inclusion and diversity, then we need to do something substantive to help people who don’t have the economic privilege to have Monday off every other week for four years to be a member of our community in a leadership role,” Parker said. Botello said it is important to have community members offer their opinion. Parker said if the council wants to put it to the voters, that is their decision to make. The motion was amended for councilors to provide input by Dec. 31. The motion did not pass and was tabled. Send comments to: newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net

TheNewsGuard.com

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INDEX Police Blotter ............... 2 Opinion ......................... 5 Classifieds..................... 6

ewport City Council discussed during a meeting Monday, July 18, a stipend for councilors. Councilor Ryan Parker had requested that the councilors discuss the stipend, which was last discussed in March 2021. The city manager’s report states that a number of Oregon cities provide some level of compensation for elected members. Parker requested that the council discuss a possible stipend for the councilors. Currently, the council does not receive compensation. Parker said he approached a number of people who may be interested in running for a seat on the council. Some of them voiced concern about missing time away from work and losing wages. Not everyone has the economic privilege to spend for city council meetings, Parker added. Councilor Dietmar Goebel said the council spends a lot of time in city council meetings two days per month. “It’s a lot of time with the committees we do and special meetings,” Goebel said. “I haven’t added up the hours.” Councilor Beatriz Botello said having a stipend could pay for child care or other related expenses. “Nobody’s going to get rich being a city councilor,” Councilor Jan Kaplan said. It would be a question of what level of funding would be needed, Kaplan added. Council President CM Hall said the council needs to think about what fits and the needs may not be one size fits all. The council does receive compensation to attend Oregon League of Cities conferences to continue their education of serving on a council. “If we are thinking about this, then think about it for the next budget,” Hall said. Hall would like to see what other coastal cities near Newport’s size are doing in terms of compensation. Hall made a motion that the city form a workgroup that would look at city councilors with the League of Oregon Cities and see what would be useful for the city so they can think about this for the next budget. The workgroup would look at what compensation would look like and what Lincoln City is doing in terms of compensation for its councilors. “The workgroup would maybe make some recommendations,” Hall said. The workgroup would consist of

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