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Coos Bay extends moratorium on flag policy tian flag, he was prepared to file a lawsuit and “take it to the end.” The controversy around the flag policy came about last year after the city flew the Pride flag on the Coos Bay Boardwalk during Pride Month. A group of residents came to the council later, asking that the Christian flag be flown. At the time, there was a Supreme Court case waiting to be decided, so the council put a 90-day moratorium on the policy. City Manager Rodger Craddock said he talked to the city’s insurance company, which said it would likely not defend the city in such a case. As a result, the city would be on the hook for any costs related to defending the policy. During the public hearing, there were a wide variety of views shared, most of it centered around the city’s decision to fly the Pride flag last year. The Rev. Carla Ryan urged the city to keep the policy in place and fly the Pride flag again.

By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

Photo by David Rupkalvis

The Pride flag flies above Coos Bay last year after the city council approved a request to fly the flag during Pride Month. The city council voted to keep a moratorium on its flag policy, which will stop all third-party flags from being raised on city flagpoles.

A disappointed Coos Bay City Council chose to shelve its flag policy, at least for the time being, after being threatened with a lawsuit if it allowed some flags to fly and not others. The decision came at the end of an emotional public hearing, where more than a dozen speakers urged the council to either leave the flag policy as it is or scrap it all together, depending on one’s point of view. Despite hearing from City Attorney Nate McClintock that the flag policy was legal even if the council allowed some flags and not others, the council voted 6-1 to keep the policy on a moratorium which will allow no outside flags to fly. The decision was made after Rob Taylor from Bandon told the council if it allowed the Pride Flag to fly and did not allow others, like the Chris-

“Jesus taught there were only two key commandments or rules of faith – love God and love your neighbor,” Ryan said. “He did not say to intimidate or exclude those who do not believe the same thing you do. Never did he instruct his followers to place a flag in front of a government building.” Joanne Moss also asked the council to keep the policy in place. “Contrary to what some may believe, this city was not founded to be one religion,” Moss said. “This freedom means there is room for all, and no one group is to be excluded.” Jamar Ruff told the council seeing the Pride flag over the Boardwalk was a strong message for the LGBTQ community, a community that has often been repressed. “The Pride flag is a visual reminded of the struggled members of the LGBTQ community have faced,” Ruff said. “But it’s also a sign of hope. We know how

important it is to have a visual sign of representation in communities, but especially rural communities. After the city of Coos Bay flew the Pride flag, it did not only affect our community, but it gave hope to the LGBTQ community. For those reasons, I encourage to the city council to keep the flag policy as is.” The Rev. Alyssa Augustson, pastor of Gloria dei Lutheran Church in Coos Bay, urged the city to keep a policy that would allow the Pride flag to fly every year. “I speak in support of flying progressive flags – Pride flag and Black Lives Matter – as opposed to Christian flags,” Augustson said. “Christian communities are not known as a safe space for LGBTQ members.” Tom Jeffries also spoke in support of the Pride flag. “I want to thank the city for flying the Pride flag,” he said. “It Please see FLAG Page A7

A time of change at the sheriff’s office

Contributed photos

It was a week of change at the Coos County Sheriff’s Office last week as longtime Sheriff Craig Zanni completed his final term in office and newly-elected Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio was sworn into office. Left, Zanni, right, swears in Fabrizio before the board of commissioner’s meeting as new Commissioner Rod Taylor looks on. Right, District Attorney R. Paul Frasier presents Zanni with an award from the state, recognizing his years in office.

Urban Renewal Agency approves funds for dispatch center By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

The Coos Bay Urban Renewal Agency voted unanimously Tuesday to spend $250,000 to renovate and upgrade the 9-1-1 dispatch center at the Coos Bay Police Department. Police Chief Chris Chapanar asked the URA, which is made up of city council members, to spend the money, saying the dispatch center has outgrown its space. He explained that before January 2021, the dispatch center handled emergency calls for Coos Bay, Coquille, the Coquille Indian Tribe

and the Confederated Tribe of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. At the time, the center had four consoles and 10 dispatchers. Starting in January 2021, the Coos Bay dispatch center also began dispatching for the city of North Bend, which necessitated adding a fourth console and three additional dispatchers. “This was done by utilizing the existing space but limited the accessibility throughout the center even more,” Chapanar said. “Though the additional console was needed to assist with the ability to provide emergency dispatch services, the

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center’s space is extremely limited and continues to be a concern for staff. A dispatcher’s job is high energy and stressful and involves the constant monitoring six computer screens and several surveillance monitors, all while conversing in a professional and calm manner with those who may be experiencing trauma and in need of assistance.” Chapanar said during a 12-hour shift, dispatchers need the ability to move up and down while quickly maneuvering through different computer screens. The ability to comfortably move around is vital to doing the job right.

Chapanar said there is also a possibility the Coos Bay dispatch center could add additional agencies in the future, but even if it does not, the expansion was needed. He said the $250,000 from the URA would cover the construction costs as well as the expense for new furniture. “This proposal would include all the needs,” Chapanar said. “It would also include all the furniture. It is our hope to get started immediately, as soon as March, and have it finished by summer, fall at the latest.” City Manager Rodger Craddock said the last time there was an up-

grade at the dispatch center, he was in the police department, and it was expanded to fit three consoles. Councilor Drew Farmer, who missed a work session where the proposal was first discussed, asked Craddock why the city was using Urban Renewal funds for government projects. “It’s not uncommon for Urban Renewal to use funds to fix up government buildings,” Craddock said. “We’ve used to fix up the art museum, the library, and this building (city hall) and couple of times.” After the brief discussion, the URA voted to approve the funding.

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