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August 12, 2020
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City Council Expanding The Town Footprint announces vacancies MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
With the 2020 election coming up in November, Lincoln City had been tasked with filling three positions on the City Council. And after the August 10 regular City Council meeting, the City learned it had an additional position to fill, as Councilor Diane Kusz announced her resignation. Kusz held the position for Ward 2 on the City Council after being elected January 1, 2019. Her term was slated to last until December 31, 2022. Unable to attend the meeting, Kusz submitted a letter to the council that was read at the Monday meeting. “When I was given the opportunity to start a new journey, serving on City Council, it was our intention to be here for the fouryear term. However, life plans change, so with sadness I resign my position,” Kusz said in the letter. “The next chapter in our life takes us on a long road trip listening to good music and discovering beautiful places, debt and commitment free. “In my opinion, Lincoln City is a well run city… I am proud of Lincoln City’s leadership, octopus and all.”
See ELECTION, Page A6
COURTESY PHOTO/FRANK CAVEZZA
The proposed Urban Renewal district at Roads End includes 27 years of tax increment revenue collection and includes a voluntary 15 percent annual revenue sharing, according to City staff.
Tax plan approved for Urban Renewal district
tax increment finance plan for the proposed Urban Renewal district located at Roads End on the north end of town. At the August 10 City Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to approve the plan for the Villages at Cascade Head (Sitka Woods). The Roads End/Villages at Cascade Head (Sitka Woods) Urban Renewal Area, consists of approximately 500
MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
After years of drafting plans, the City of Lincoln City has approved a
acres of land including rights of way. According to the City, the purpose of urban renewal is to improve specific areas of a city that are poorly developed or underdeveloped. These areas can have old deteriorated buildings, public spaces which need improvements, a lack of investment, streets and utilities in poor condition or they
See URBAN RENEWAL, Page A3
Depoe Bay Chamber, community to distribute COVID-19 grants THE NEWS GUARD
The Depoe Bay Chamber of Commerce announced this week they will be distributing grant awards made partially through their long-standing Community Fund, which is comprised of proceeds from their annual Salmon Bake. Recently, to supplement this existing fund, the Chamber sold locally-made face shields provided by Lincoln County, requested donations from community members and utilized marketing grant
dollars. In July, the Chamber received applications from local organizations impacted by COVID-19 challenges, and then made selections through a grant award committee comprised of long-time Depoe Bay residents and Chamber leadership. “This grant project is why I believe in the whole concept of a Chamber of Commerce,” said Bob Sullivan, Depoe Bay Chamber Board Treasurer and Community Fund Award Selection Committee Member. “We have a Community Fund that is funded primarily by the
Chamber’s fund raising events. We are using these funds in a very responsible and community-minded way to support local small businesses during this very difficult economic environment. I plan that we will do more in the future whenever it is feasible.” The Chamber received five grant applications and was able to provide some level of support for each organization that applied. Applicants included A+ Taxi and Tours, Depoe Bay Food Pantry, Depoe Bay Winery, Mo’s West at Devil’s Punch Bowl and
The Whale’s Tail Charters. “Though we had very limited funds compared to other nearby cities, we wanted to help even if the grants were small,” said Laura Furgurson, Executive Director of the Depoe Bay Chamber who facilitated the application process. “To encourage applications and create impactful results, we kept the process very simple and targeted our support to each organization’s most pressing needs.” Since many of their 200 regular clients are high-risk and
are no longer going out into the community or to doctor appointments, after seven years with solid financial results, A+ Taxi and Tours has lost 90 percent of their business since COVID-19. The Chamber will be paying their business insurance deposit that’s due in August, so owner Taffy Gleason can keep her business afloat. Marketing support will also be provided via other Chamber resources to help promote her new private tours.
See GRANTS, Page A3
Fall sports moved to March, 2020-21 season condensed MAX KIRKENDALL newsguardeditor@countrymedia.net
The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) recently announced that it would be shifting its traditional Fall sports season contests to begin in March under a new 2020-21 school activities calendar approved by the association’s Executive Board on August 5. The Board also voted to waive current out
-of-season coaching policies to allow for student participation during the Fall, which they refer to as Season 1. Participation will be at the discretion of the local school district in those activities allowed per directives from the Governor’s Office, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE). “Decisions by the Executive Board provide a framework to maximize the potential opportunity
COURTESY PHOTO/FRANK CAVEZZA
The empty Taft 7-12 sports field in Lincoln City. for students in Oregon to participate in three
seasons during the 202021 school year,” said Peter
Weber, OSAA Executive Director. “The Board recognized that a one size fits all approach isn’t what’s best for students across the state. By waiving policy to allow regional participation this Fall, local school districts will have the discretion for participation in those areas that are able to do so safely per state directives.” The Lincoln County School District did not respond at press time as
to whether or not their schools would be taking advantage of the Season 1 for training, practice and potentially contests for schools in similar regions. “We think it’s just as important,” Weber said of Season 1 in a OSAA Today article. “We’ll hopefully get kids an opportunity to get re-engaged and participating. We feel like it’s really important to their physical and mental
See SPORTS, Page A3
Property Management Pros Under New Ownership Visit us: 2140 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City Call (541) 994-2100 • Web: re100lc.com • Find us on Facebook: @re100lc
INDEX Classifieds............4–5 Look Back................. 6 Opinion.................... 7
VOL. 93 NO. 33
thenewsguard.com
WEATHER Obituaries............... 7 Police Blotter........... 8
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