Run 21
Photography Hike
PAGE A8
PAGE B1
www.thenewsguard.com
LINCOLN CITY, OREGON Your weekly community Newspaper since 1927
JULY 27, 2016 | $1.00
INSIDE: DE: OOp DE Opinion piinion AA4 • PPolice l Bl Blotter A3 A • Calendar C l d B2 B • Classifi Cl Classifieds fieds d B3-B5
City council addresses homeless issues at well-attended meeting GRETCHEN AMMERMAN gammerman@countrymedia.net
The issues of panhandling and overnight camping prompted a full house at city hall Monday evening, when the Lincoln City Council heard testimony from over a dozen residents before considering ordinance revisions on both topics. The testimony included the reading of a letter from Commissioner Bill Hall encouraging working on solutions for the homeless rather than simply penalizing them. The ordinance revisions, however, were in large part less, rather than more, punishing. Discussion began with the issue of panhandling. “The first proposal is to strike and remove the section on begging, which was placed in the 80’s,� said City Attorney Richard Appicello. “It makes it a Class C misdemeanor, and we are looking at removing that from city code.� The issue of panhandling creating a traffic nuisance in the public right of way was tackled next. “There are ordinances against aggressive or intrusive panhandling,� Appicello said. “I’ve taken some wording from Medford’s code, which prohibits persons in cars handing anything to persons entering traffic. This does not stop panhandling, it is only meant to address people in the vehicular portion of the roadway.� Councilor Anderson asked if this would also cover fundraising efforts such as “the boot.� (The “Fill the Boot� campaign run by NLF&R) Appicello said he believes there is an exception
Anti-panhandling campaign draws lines, sparks discussion CASSIE RUUD cruud@countrymedia.net
Local hotelier Gene Scrutton set about two weeks ago with a simple mission: Raise awareness for his project to ‘Say No to Panhandling.’ “Be part of the solution,� he wrote in a July 13 letter to The News Guard, “Give to local charities and churches only. I have heard a lot of complaining about panhandling but no action. The police and city’s hands are somewhat tied, so as a private citizen I am trying to start some action by having signage on my van and I want to mobilize businesses and citizens to take action.� Scrutton hired Rafael Oyole to hold a sign reading, ‘Say No to Panhandling’ outside of Lincoln City’s McDonald’s—a popular corner for panhandlers to use when asking for funds. “People don’t realize that when you’re giving panhandlers money, you’re just prolonging their misery,� Scrutton said. “They are taking that money and buying booze, drugs and NEWS GUARD PHOTOS/CASSIE RUUD cigarettes.� Rafael Oyole has been standing outside of Lincoln City’s McDonald’s with his ‘Say No to Panhandling’ sign since last week. Scrutton said the discussion brought up by his project is a positive thing. Long said he served 32 “It’s people’s prerogative get money. That’s not cool.� dling,� he said, turning his “At the meeting I held sign sideways and pretend- years in the military and At this point, a vehicle if they want to give money at Sambo’s something like fought in Vietnam. He lives with “Say Yes to Humanity� ing to strum it like a guitar. away or not,� he said. “I’m 38 people showed up,� he in his RV with his dog. Further in town, on the drove by, the motorist yellhomeless. Giving panhansaid. “Our representative “People don’t know how corner by Barnacle Bill’s, dlers money is opening the ing to Oyole, “Take down was there and said we need doors. My sponsors are try- that sign!� to treat the homeless,� he resident Paul Long was more research.� said. “They want us to be “That’s my competitor,� holding his own counter ing to do something.� Oyole has received protest: “Say Yes to Human- invisible. Make us go away.� Oyole said. “Point being, Oyole, who has been mixed reviews from passing homeless for two years, said folks can’t take a walk in this ity.� In response to Oyole’s motorists (during The News that the panhandlers who Long held a framed sign sign, Long said he has town. They don’t want to be Guard’s interview with him, show up in Lincoln City are intimidated.� known him for six months with the phrase on it and one car threw ice at Oyole and added that Oyole is getsaluted passing motorists. In the event of running typically from out of town and another gave him the “I just want to make sure ting paid to hold his sign. and called them “polluters.� into a panhandler, Oyole thumbs up) and called “One hundred dollars a everyone knows that this is suggested walking away “Panhandlers are inScrutton’s project a “demabout humanity,� he said. and avoiding them. timidating,� he said. “They See PANHANDLERS, Page A2 onstration.� “It’s about dignity.� “Just say no to panhanmake people feel fearful to
See HOMELESS, Page A2
Beachtown Charities donates to Backpacks for Kids and Family Promise
VOL. 89 | NO. 30
NEWS GUARD PHOTOS/CASSIE RUUD
Two checks, each for $350, were given to two local Lincoln City charities on Tuesday evening, courtesy of Beachtown Charities Thrift Store located in Nelscott at 3110 SE Highway 101. The recipients were Family Promise, which aids and supports families with children in need and Backpacks for Kids, which provides free lunches and school supplies for children. Donna Morris and Jo Frances Calk run Beachtown—which has been open for four months and recently acquired a new storefront sign through donation. Morris and Calk provided sparkling cider and treats for the occasion and invited the public to come and explore everything Beachtown has to offer.
Open 8a-7p Mon-Fri, 8a-6p Sat
541.994.4556
20102006 NISSAN FORD TAURUS ALTIMA
2009 HYUNDAI 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX ELANTRA
$5,995.00 $12,644.00
$7,450.00 $4,995.00
Over 800 cars online: www.powerford.com
P91042 P93145
P92004 P91005A
P93015 P91010
P90975B P93108
We find the right car for you and have it delivered to Lincoln City We Buy Cars!
$OO SULFHV DQG ÂżQDQFLQJ RQ DSSURYHG FUHGLW 2 $ & $OO YHKLFOHV VXEMHFW WR SULRU VDOH 3ULFHV GR QRW LQFOXGH WLWOH OLFHQVH WD[HV 3KRWRV IRU LOOXVWUDWLRQ SXUSRVHV RQO\
2008 TOYOTA 2004 JEEP FJWRANGLER CRUISER
2011 VOLKSWAGON 2010 KIAGTI SOUL
1940 NE Hwy 101 Lincoln City, Oregon
$14,995.00 $18,995.00
$11,995.00 $15,630.00
L61168 L60894
For local news, photos and events log onto www.thenewsguard.com