|
Published By Your City Hall |
|
|
It’s been reported that there is more than half a million people in the U.S. who experience homelessness on any given night. We see it in our own community. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of citizens who are experiencing homelessness in the last decade. Both President Biden and Governor Kotek have listed addressing homelessness as one of their top priorities as it has become a humanitarian crisis in this country and in our state.
Locally, we have been working as a city and with our partners in North Bend and the County to address homelessness at the local level. Homelessness is complex and there are many contributing factors which include the lack of affordable housing, mental illness, and the lack of state resources to assist those suffering from it, and increased rates of drug abuse / addiction in our country. Some of these causes are outside the control or ability of a city like Coos Bay to properly address, which could make it easy to say that there’s nothing that can be done. I don’t believe that! Together, with partners including willing individuals who want to lend a hand, non-profits, our faith-based community, along with state and federal resources, we can make a difference in the lives of our unsheltered and sheltered citizens.
For example, I was recently invited to the Devereux Center to witness the one-year anniversary of what has been called Project DKD. The project is nothing short of amazing. Below is a recent press release describing the project, who are involved, and the number of people assisted. After witnessing the good work being done, I believe more now than ever that working together we can make a difference!
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
|
|
|
“Every first and third Tuesday of the month, an onsite clinic offers free holistic healthcare to Coos County’s homeless through the Devereux Center. Project DKD is named after a homeless woman who received a coordinated continuum of care, resulting in her regaining control of her life and getting back on her feet. Rachel Stappler (pictured to top), a Physician Assistant at North Bend Medical Center, and five other community partners started Project DKD when they realized how effective it was to provide these wrap-around services right where the patients are – at the Devereux Center. She and several other nurses, clergy, behavioral health professionals, mental health professionals, and representatives from various housing and life assistance programs provide our clients with physical, mental, spiritual, behavioral, and social health care. Dr. Carmen Hudson focuses on wound care for the clinic.
|
|
Living without stable housing can drastically worsen health. Homelessness can exacerbate or trigger mental illness, make ending substance abuse difficult, and prevent chronic physical health conditions from being addressed. People with these and other health issues often end up in crisis while living on the streets, and emergency rooms may be the only health care they can access. Unfortunately, poverty-driven individuals have been found to over-utilize emergency services, putting a strain on an overloaded system.
The team has operated 25 clinics in its inaugural year, growing from six providers to 20. They’ve seen 238 patients, with 70 being referred for follow-up. There is an 88-percent mental health referral rate and follow-through covering 89 clients. Seventeen percent of the clinic’s patients have been housed so far. Numerous clients have been connected to primary healthcare providers and continue to see their new PCP.
The program is working,” states Tara Johnson, Executive Director of the Devereux Center. “A major contributor to the success is having spent seven years developing trust amongst our clients. They know we are all looking out for their best interest and believe that what the DKD team does will improve their lives.”
Contact Information:
The Devereux Center
Tara Johnson, Executive Director
(541) 888-3202
|
|
On June 6, 2023, two Proclamations were signed during the City Council meeting.
Both can be viewed by clicking the boxes below. |
|
 It’s that time of year again. The annual Blossom Gulch Fish Release was another great success. The City of Coos Bay and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) teamed up to release approximately 200,000 juvenile Chinook salmon again this year.
Over the next few weeks, the City’s Water Quality team will feed the fish daily and ODFW will then release the fish to venture down to the bay once they are the right size for best survival rates.
 These salmon will make their journey into the Pacific Ocean before returning to spawn in 3-4 years, averaging 20-40 pounds.
To date, several million salmon have been released through this program and countless have returned to the bay and local estuary. Each year the return runs of salmon help boost local recreational fishing opportunities.
|
|
 Recently, Sergeant Dan Henthorn was granted his Supervisory Certificate by the Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards, and Training. After completing the 80-hour Supervisory Leadership Academy, as well as serving two years as a sergeant and completing several other requirements, Sergeant Henthorn was able to apply for this upper-level certification.
Sergeant Henthorn has been in law enforcement for nearly 17 years and has been with the Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) for over six years. During his tenure with CBPD, Sergeant Henthorn has held the positions of Patrol Officer, Watch Commander, Field Training Officer, Armorer, and Firearms Instructor. Sergeant Henthorn also has experience as a Background Investigator, a Taser Instructor, and a member of the Major Crimes Evidence Collection Team. Sergeant Henthorn holds his Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and now his Supervisory Law Enforcement Certificate with the Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards, and Training.
Congratulations Sergeant Dan Henthorn!
|
|
 Coos Bay registered voters may be getting a call, email, or text in the next couple of weeks to participate in a survey. The survey is regarding the location for a new library facility and the amount of a general obligation bond. The City is looking forward to receiving the results to make the possible decisions regarding the new facility.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
|
|
Coos Bay Shakespeare in the Park Presents Free Shows at Mingus Park
 Coos Bay Shakespeare in the Park will present the well-known Shakespeare comedy Much Ado About Nothing two consecutive weekends in June -- June 17, 18, 24, and 25 – beginning at 3 p.m. at Mingus Park Amphitheatre, 725 N. 10th Street, Coos Bay. The production uses Shakespeare's dialogue placed in a corporate office environment for a modern twist on the classic play.
The venue is outdoors and is lawn seating so audience members should provide their own chairs or blankets and dress appropriately for the weather. There is no charge but donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover costs of scenery, costumes, etc. The actors, director, and all those who are involved in the productions are volunteers who come from the community. Currently in its eighth year of presenting free Shakespeare plays, Coos Bay Shakespeare in the Park is a 501(c)3 non-profit who strives to provides quality, live theatrical productions of Shakespeare’s works accessible to the community with an emphasis on those who would not otherwise have this opportunity.
For additional information, please visit www.coosbayshakespeare.com.
|
|
Library Board Members Needed
 The City of Coos Bay is seeking volunteers to fill openings on the Library Board. Applications are available from the City Manager’s Office during the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling 541- 269-8912, or on the City’s website at www.coos.bay.org or email Christine Sylvester at csylvester@coosbayor.gov. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2023. Applicants will be contacted for interviews, and appointments will be made by the City Council at the July 18, 2023, regular council meeting.
Library Board Background
The Library Board, Coos Bay Municipal Code 2.25, was established by Ordinance No. 57 and consists of seven members. The term of office is four years. Up to three board members may at any one time reside in Coos County within the boundaries of School Dist. 9 but outside the city limits of Coos Bay. Members shall be limited to serving no more than two full consecutive terms; however, any person may be reappointed after an interval of one year. There are currently two openings on the Board.
|
|
The South Coast Equity Coalition in partnership with the Juneteenth Celebration Committee is hosting Coos County’s Third Annual Juneteenth Celebration June 17 and 19, 2023.
Our theme this year is Family Reunion. We chose this theme because for Black communities, family reunions have centered around resilience through storytelling, visibility, joy and food.
|
On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Texas finally learned that they had been freed from bondage. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, but Texas slaveholders hid that fact from the people they kept in chains. Since then, generations of Black Americans have celebrated the anniversary of that liberation as “Juneteenth.”
The South Coast Equity Coalition is honored and delighted to bring the FREE celebration to Coos County for the third year with fun, education, entertainment, and activities for all!
Juneteenth Celebration Itinerary
Saturday, June 17, 2023
11 am – 1 pm A Keynote Address from Oregon Remembrance Project’s Taylor Stewart
A FREE discussion followed by Q&A at the Coos History Museum with Taylor Stewart. Learn about Juneteenth and its historical ties to black communities and how resilience through equity is achieved. We will also be remembering the life of Mr. Alonzo Tucker.
Taylor Stewart has resided in Portland, OR his entire life. He graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Communication and Portland State University with a Master’s in Social Work. Two encounters inspired Stewart to start the Oregon Remembrance Project. The first was a quote from John Lewis, longtime Civil Rights icon and Congressman from Georgia, who said, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” This inspired Stewart with the fierce urgency of now. The second was the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum where the museum focused on the stories of everyday Mississippians who did their part to pave the way for justice. This taught Stewart the idea that you don’t have to be an extraordinary person to do extraordinary things. Stewart’s life was transformed by the opportunity to participate in the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Projects. He hopes to bring that same opportunity for transformation to other individuals and communities in Oregon.
To learn more about Mr. Alonzo Tucker follow the link: https://www.oregonremembrance.org/the-story
Saturday, June 17, 2023
4 pm – 8 pm The Family Reunion Reception at Black Market Gourmet
4:30 pm Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by Zoey Acker
5:00 pm Oregon’s Black Pioneers by Carolyn Acker
5:30 pm A Taste of Reliance by Chef Jardin Kazaar
6:00 pm Black National Anthem by Gold Meadows
6:30 pm Intermission (A lot of fun with music, food, and arts and crafts)
8:00 pm Closing of the Space (Call to Action) by Taylor Stewards
A FREE day at Black Market Gourmet with music, food, arts, crafts and activities for all ages!
Black Market Gourmet is located at 495 Central Ave, Coos Bay, 97420
Monday, June 19, 2023
6 pm – 8 pm FREE Movie Night at the Egyptian Theatre
On the day of Juneteenth, the planning committee will be showing a family friendly movie, Soul, a Disney Pixar film. The movie centers on Joe, a middle school band teacher who feels unfulfilled because his ambition is to be a full-time jazz musician. On the day he lands the biggest gig of his career, Joe nearly dies — but then gets the chance to return to his body if he can figure out the purpose of his life.
The South Coast Equity Coalition is a Regional Health Equity Coalition (RHEC), we are an autonomous, community-driven, and cross-sector group. We work by building on the inherent strengths of local communities to meaningfully involve them in identifying sustainable, long- term, policy, system and environmental solutions to increase health equity for communities of color, and those living at the intersection of race/ethnicity and other marginalized identities.
For more information about the Juneteenth Celebration and the South Coast Equity Coalition, visit https://southcoastequity.org/ or email equity@unitedwayswo.org.
|
|
 Water Quality Treatment Operator
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for one to two Treatment Operator positions. The positions can be filled as a Treatment Operator-in-Training, I, II, or Lead depending upon qualifications of selected applications. To apply for a position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the HR Office or by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov. City applications are available from the Finance Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings.
The deadline to apply is June 28 at 5 p.m.
Operator-in-Training…………$3,812 – $4,731 DOQ
Operator I…………………………$3,919 – $4,884 DOQ
Operator II…………………………$4,172 - $5,204 DOQ
Lead Treatment Operator….$4,639 - $5,784 DOQ
|
|
|
|
|
