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After heated discussion, council denies towing appeal By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

After an emotional and sometimes tense debate, the Coos Bay City Council voted unanimously to turn down a protest over its decision to award a sole towing contract to Mast Brothers Towing. Tina Amatisto, who owns North Bend Towing, protested the decision, and the council was forced to reconsider the decision it made just two weeks earlier. Amatisto told the council its decision was destroying small businesses like hers by taking away a significant portion of the towing work it had previously done. “You guys are the people behind the city that should help us, not take away our business and our income and maybe make us close our doors,” Amatisto said. “I’m a woman-owned business. Aren’t you supposed to help women in business?” For decades, Coos Bay used a revolving system for towing vehicles, Under that system, 9-1-1 dispatchers had a list of available tow companies, and when a vehicle needed to be towed, the dispatchers called the next company on the list. Under that format, all the companies were given the opportunity to do business with the city. That changed a year ago when Police Chief Chris Chapanar asked the council to consider hiring only one company, and the city sent out a request for qualifications to choose the company. Based on the requirements of the RFQ, only Mast

File photo

A Mast Brothers crew works to tow a semi that wrecked near Coos Bay. The city of Coos Bay will use Mast Brothers for all its towing needs after the city council denied an appeal over its decision to use only one company.

Brothers Towing qualified and was chosen as the sole towing company for a year. Earlier this year, during a second round seeking a towing company, only Mast Brothers and North Bend Towing turned in RFQs. After review, only the Mast Brothers had

the qualifications the city required and was chosen again. The big hang up with North Bend Towing was a requirement to have indoor storage to hold all towed vehicles for 30 days. The indoor space must be secured and must be available for vehicle owners to visit

to collect their belongings. “What you ask of us is kind of impossible when you’re taking income away from us,” Amatisto said. “How am I going to go get a building, how am I going to go get property? Even if I did do that, would you guys even give it to me?

I doubt it. “There’s enough for everybody. It’s been like that for 50 years. There was always a rotation. You guys have got to do something. It’s going to kill us.” Please see TOWING Page A12

Celebrating a historic state title Tuesday night was a time of celebration at Marshfield High School as the school’s volleyball team got back together to be recognized as the first state championship banner for volleyball was unveiled at the high school gym. Volleyball became a recognized sport in Oregon 48 years ago, and the Marshfield volleyball team won the school’s first state title in school history last year. The Pirates were the top-ranked Class 4A team in the state entering the state tournament. After overcoming a stiff challenge in the quarterfinals, Marshfield dominated the rest of the way, winning in straight sets in the semifinals and in the championship match against Cascade.

Photos by David Rupkalvis/For the World

Council agrees to earlier meeting time By DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

The Coos Bay City Council will move up its regular meeting time by an hour after the majority of people who voted asked for a 6 p.m. start time. The council first brought up the issue during a work session three weeks ago, as several council members said an earlier start time would make it easier for community members to participate in meetings. During the work session, the council asked

the community to weigh in on whether to start meetings at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. The city received 38 responses, with 60% voting for a 6 p.m. start time and 35 percent saying to stay at 7. A small number asked for a different time. “I would support 6 o’clock,” Mayor Joe Benetti said. “It’s not a huge response, but it gives us an idea of what the public thinks. One of the things that stuck out to me is if meetings start at 6, they will end at 9.” Councilor Stephanie Kilmer said she personally preferred the later start time but

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would be willing to move to 6. “I think with the way technology has been mastered, it boils down to council,” Kilmer said. “It’s a lot harder for me to get here earlier, but the people have spoken.” “I agree with you, Stephanie,” Councilor Lucinda DiNovo said. “I would prefer 7. But in the spirit of consensus, I would approve 6.” Councilor Sara Stephens was one of the councilors who asked for an earlier start time, and she reiterated it would be better for many people who might want to participate

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in a meeting. “I think 6 o’clock is much more reasonable, especially for people who work all day and people who have small children,” Stephens said. After the discussion the council agreed to make the change. City Manager Rodger Craddock said to change the meeting time, the council will need to change its council rules at the next meeting. The council also agreed to move the times for work sessions to 6 p.m., so all meetings will begin at the same time.

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