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Published By Your City Hall |
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 I have traveled across the old bridge near Scottsburg many times over the years. If you’re like me, being on that old narrow bridge was more than a little scary. Especially when you had to share the bridge with a large truck or motorhome. Coastal routes from the I-5 are indeed limited and there were a number of times over the years when traffic was detoured to other routes when the bridge was closed due to damage from a traffic accident.
Oregon 38 (Umpqua Highway) is a vital route between Interstate 5, the southern Oregon coast, and the Coos Bay area. Although many other bridges along Oregon 38 have been replaced over the years, the Umpqua River (Scottsburg) Bridge remained largely unchanged since it was built. The bridge opened in 1929, during an era when most vehicles were small, and speeds were low. Today’s traffic is certainly different!
Thankfully, the 1929 Scottsburg Bridge has been decommissioned, removed, and replaced with a newer bridge providing a wider roadway that is aligned to provide greater safety to the highway curves on both ends of the bridge.
 The cost to replace the bridge was formidable at best! The total project cost $42,848,000. Former Oregon House Representative Caddy McKeown successfully secured $40 million for the project which was a part of the Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017). Without her dedication and persistence, more than likely the new bridge wouldn’t have become a reality. The new bridge was formally dedicated at the September 29, 2022, ceremony.
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with both Caddy and her husband Jeff for many years. They are no strangers to public service. In addition to Caddy’s eight years in the Oregon House of Representatives, she formerly served nine years as a Port Commissioner at the Port of Coos Bay, and 11 years on the Coos Bay School Board. Jeff served 14 years on the Coos Bay City Council (eight years as a City Councilor, two years as the Council President and four years as Mayor) from 1996 - 2010. Thank you both!
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
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Congratulations on Years of Service
 The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) would like to recognize Telecommunicator Samantha Fleming on achieving her five-years of service anniversary as a Telecommunicator in the North Coos 9-1-1 Center. Fleming serves as a Field Training Officer for new employees and holds her Basic Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher certifications.
We would also like to recognize Records Specialist Michelle Westrum for achieving 10-years of service with CBPD.
Westrum processes numerous public records requests, partner agency records requests and all court paperwork from the department. Further, she is responsible for reporting all criminal cases to the FBI through the state repository. Westrum has a Masters’ Degree in psychology and has completed Critical Intervention / Mental Health First-Aid Training.
Fleming and Westrum help CBPD and the community daily to provide the best public safety service to our community. Without employees like Fleming and Westrum our department wouldn’t be able to provide the level of service our citizens expect. Please join in congratulating and thanking Telecommunicator Samantha Fleming for her five-years of dedicated service and Michelle Westrum for her 10-years of dedicated service to the CBPD, the City of Coos Bay, and the citizens and visitors of this area!
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Ehler Retires from City of Coos Bay
Long time city employee, Debbie Erler, Planner II, has announced her retirement effective October 7. Erler started her career with the City in July 1988 and has held several different positions during her tenure. Erler is well known in the community for her exceptional customer service in performance of her duties. The City Council will recognize Erler’s service at their October 4, 2022, during the regular meeting at 7 p.m. in City Hall. The public is welcomed to attend.
We wish Debbie Erler a fun and enjoyable retirement and wish her the best in her future endeavors.
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National Fire Prevention Week Turns 100
 Fire Prevention Week is a nationwide fire safety campaign that occurs every year in the second week of October. Fire Prevention Week was initially started to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The devastation that occurred caused many things to change in our country from how we construct our buildings to how firefighters do their job. The focus of Fire Prevention Week changes every year to highlight different issues that help create a more fire safe community.
Please join the Coos Bay Fire Department (CBFD) in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.
As part of Fire Prevention Week, the CBFD will be hosting an “open house” on Wednesday, October 12 at the main Coos Bay Fire Station from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The open house will include free hot dogs and popcorn, fire prevention materials, games, prizes, and educational material for kids.
For more information or if you have any questions, please call Coos Bay Fire Department at 541-269-1191 or go to www.NFPA.org to learn more about Fire Prevention Week.
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Boat Ramp Floats Are On the Way
 The City of Coos Bay received grants from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon State Marine Board to assist the Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency in the replacement of both the Empire and Eastside boat ramp floats. For this project, which entails the fabrication and delivery of 14 aluminum boat ramp floats, the City has contracted with Topper Industries I, LLC. Six (6) boat ramp floats will be replaced at the Empire Boat Ramp and eight (8) will be replaced at the Eastside Boat Ramp. The City is excited to get these resources upgraded. The original expected delivery of these floats was the end of August. However, due to material delays and labor force setbacks, the projected ship dates have been delayed.
The current delivery time frame is set for mid-October. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Operations Administrator Greg Hamblet at 541-269-1181, ext. 2201.
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Connections Case Manager Volunteers Clean-Up John Topits Park
  On September 22, 2022, Connections Case Management volunteered to work with the City at John Topits Park for their first organized park clean-up event. The group had a terrific time and made a big difference in the cleanliness and safety of the park. The City would like to thank Connections Case Management and their volunteers for the positive impact they made not only in the park itself, but also on the community as a whole.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Operations Administrator Greg Hamblet at 541-269-1181, ext. 2201.
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Upcoming Street Improvement Projects
The City has contracted with Knife River Materials for the rehabilitation of several streets, including:
- Michigan Avenue between S. Camman and S. Marple streets
- Wasson Street between Schetter and Newmark avenues
- LaClair Street between Milligan Avenue and Ocean Boulevard
- Fourteenth Street between Myrtle and Nutwood avenues
Work is anticipated to commence within the next few weeks and will conclude by mid-December.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Operations Administrator Greg Hamblet at 541-269-1181, ext. 2201.
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Road Repairs Begin on Central Avenue
The City of Coos Bay tracks and monitors the conditions of city roadways and infrastructure. Due to budgetary constraints, only a certain number of projects can be completed each year. The City has contracted with Knife River Materials (KRM) to complete a designed road rehabilitation project titled, ‘Central Avenue Road Repairs’. This rehabilitation will address Central Avenue between Ocean Boulevard and North Eleventh Street. This project will be performed during the evenings and nights to facilitate a safe work area with less vehicular traffic. Work is anticipated to commence within the next few weeks and will conclude by mid-December.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Operations Administrator Greg Hamblet at 541-269-1181, ext. 2201.
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Toy Drive Hits the Rails in October
North American Railcar Operators Association to Return to Coos Bay Rail Line
 Photo Courtesy: Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary
The International Port of Coos Bay announced that the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) will be returning to the Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL) for an excursion and toy drive from October 7- 9, 2022. NARCOA is a non-profit group of railroad enthusiasts with a mission to preserve safe and legal operation of historical railroad equipment.
Members of NARCOA operate privately owned speeders and participate in railroad-sanctioned excursions throughout the United States and Canada. This year’s run will begin on the north end of the CBRL starting the morning of October 7. It is anticipated that approximately 25 motorcars will participate in the October run.
NARCOA will be collecting new and unwrapped toys at four locations for distribution as a kickoff to the annual K-DOCK Rotary Bus Jam event. Pick up locations will include Mapleton on Friday the 7 at approximately 11 a.m., North Thirteenth Street in Lakeside on Friday the 7 at approximately 1:30 p.m., and the Coos Bay Boardwalk on Saturday, October 8 at approximately 1:30 p.m., and Sturdivant Park in Coquille between 11-11:30 a.m. A donation box is also available at the Coos Bay North Bend Visitors Center. Community members who would like to participate by donating to children in need are welcome at the drop off locations.
For additional information about NARCOA, upcoming excursions, or to locate motorcars for sale, please visit www.narcoa.org
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History of Green Crabs in Coos Bay
 October is on its way and our First Tuesday Talk for spooky season is about the invasion of the green crab on Tuesday, October 4 at 6 p.m. Invasive species can be a nightmare for local ecosystems. Learn from Dr. Shon Schooler, Lead Scientist with the South Slough Reserve, how this species came to inhabit our local coastal waters, and the potentially harmful impacts to local native species and environment. Register here for online or in person https://my.mtr.cool/qmungweexb
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Southwestern Oregon Community College kicks off its free Physics and Astronomy Lecture Series for the 2022-23 academic year on Thursday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Explore possibilities of life in the universe with Dr. Scott Fisher, lecturer from the University of Oregon Physics Department. Join in-person on Southwestern’s Coos Campus in Umpqua Hall 184 (the main lecture hall) or online at https://livestream.com/swocc/physicsandastronomy2022-23.
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 The September Second Saturday Clean Up Project was canceled but the event is back on for Saturday, October 8. This family friendly volunteer event will involve litter pick up, weed eating, blackberry removal and bench and picnic table painting. We are focusing on a wide area, from the Coos History Museum to the Coos Railroad museum. Sign in will be at the Boardwalk in the covered area at 12:30 p.m. Bring work gloves, pruners, trash grabbers, water, sunscreen and wear sensible shoes! Painting clothes are a bonus if you want to help with those projects.
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Recruiting and Keeping Employee Talent
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is thrilled to be offering an in person interactive workshop with presenters who will share tools on recruiting talent and then retaining your workforce. This is one you don't want to miss! Contact BACC to get signed up at info@oregonsbayarea.org or call (541)266-0868.
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Library Hosting End of Life Series
In collaboration with Coos Elderly Services, Coos Bay Chapel, and South Coast Hospice and Palliative Services, Coos Bay Public Library will be hosting a series of events focused on end-of-life services. This series will include a Will and Trust Workshop, a presentation from Coos Bay Chapel, a Care for the Caregiver Workshop, and a Hospice Myths and Facts Presentation. The goal is to prepare and support people ahead of time, promoting more peaceful deaths and helping loved ones through a difficult process.
These free events will take place Coos Bay Public Library’s Myrtlewood Room throughout September and October. Find details at coosbaylibrary.org on the events page, or call 541-269-1101 and press 2 to reach the Reference desk.
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Planner II
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time Planner II. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, by email at administration@coosbay.org or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website www.coosbay.org For complete announcement and application packet, click button below.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Code Inspector I or II
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time Code Inspector I or II. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a City application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or email to administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, by email request to administration@coosbay.org or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website www.coosbay.org. The City may consider filling the position at the Code Inspector I level (salary range $4,809 - $5,996) depending upon qualifications of applicants. This position will be opened until filled. The first review of completed applications is October 21, 2022. For complete announcement and application packet, click button below.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
9-1-1 Dispatcher - Certified and Entry Level
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of certified and entry level 9-1-1 Dispatcher. It should be noted that preference points will be given to certified dispatchers applying for this position. In addition to preference points, certified applicants would be eligible for a $7,500 hiring bonus ($3,500 after being hired and $4,000 after successful completion of probationary period) as well as the possibility of up to $1,000 moving expense reimbursement. For Lateral and Entry Level candidates, this position will be open until September 30, 2022, at 5 p.m. For complete announcement and application packet, click below.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Code Enforcement Officer
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Code Enforcement Officer. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a City application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or email to administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website. This position will close on October 7, 2022, at 5 p.m. For complete announcement and application packet, click the button below.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Water Quality Engineer / Administrator I or II
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Water Quality Engineer / Administrator I or II. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website. The deadline for receiving completed applications is 5 p.m., October 13, 2022. For complete announcement and application packet, click the button below.
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