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North Bend City Council designates Liberty Theatre as a historic place BY WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The North Bend City Council voted to ofﬁcially designate the Liberty Theatre as a historic place on the National Historic Register. The council engaged in training regarding the Historic Landmarks Commission. Kuri Gill of Oregon Heritage joined the meeting remotely to conduct the 30-minute training to prepare the council to take on the role of the Historic Commission in North Bend. The Certiﬁed Local Governments program from the National Parks Service helps fund preservation efforts for local governments. Following the training, the

council approved the Liberty Theatre to be included on the National Register of Historic Places. "City Council acting as the Historic Preservation Board ﬁnds that the Liberty Theater meets local Historic Preservation criteria and should be forwarded to Oregon State Parks for listing on the National Historic Register," said City Councilor Pat Goll. The City Council unanimously approved the motion. The next issue on the agenda was the approval of the motion to purchase a new chemical feeder for the pool, which was also unanimously approved. The council then approved a $6,187 payment to Johnson Rock Products

for an emergency sewer repair. The City Administrator, David Milliron, then gave a report. Topics discussed were: • A survey regarding homelessness • A housing needs survey • Visitor center designs for a new town square • The ﬁnal week for the ice skating rink • A new Finance Director, Jeff Bridgens • Report on the ﬁre department • The library will serve as a "pilot project" for supporting library responses to the opioid crisis • A shout-out to the Parks Department for driving

volunteer numbers at the Oregon Bay Area's beautiﬁcation clean up • A shout-out to the police department for responding to 1,902 calls for service, 236 trafﬁc stops • The pool • Public works staff applying for an $852,000 grant from ODOT • Street and wastewater department teaming up to handle three sinkholes in Boynton Park Next, Mayor Jessica Engelke gave a committee report about House Bill 4123 and its application in North Bend and Coos Bay. Working with Coos Bay, the goal is to implement a community plan to "organize and deliver housing and services to meet

the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stabilize housing and maximize sufficiencies." Things they have done: • Creation of a full-time community engagement officer • The creation of a grant-funded social worker • Investment of about a half million dollars in ARPA funds to provide outreach resources • Participation in House Bill 4213 • Town hall meetings to help create a homeless ordinance • A capital construction request for $4.6 million to construct a 50-unit pallet shelter

The council then approved Amanda Mccarthy and Joe Bollig III to the Housing Authority Board. Following the approval of the Housing Authority Board applicants, the council discussed who to approve for the North Bend Water Board between Bob Dillard and Bill Richardson. Richardson was approved as the appointment, with Councilor Noordhoff as the only person opposing his appointment. After Council discussions on a camping ordinance, the Liberty Theatre, the pool, and other topics, the meeting was adjourned. The council urged residents to come to the March 6 town hall meeting to discuss solutions to homelessness.

Getting ready … just in case Members of the North Bend Sector of the U.S. Coast Guard took advantage of clear skies to prepare for a real emergency near agate beach. The North Bend Sector routinely performs emergency rescues, both over land or in water. To ensure the Guard members are ready when needed, it is common to see North Bend members practicing their rescue efforts. Photos courtesy of Bruce Smith - www.brucewsmithphotography.com

Boice takes oath, starts work at Legislature

BY DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

Court Boice is officially representing House District 1 in the Oregon Legislature. Last week, Boice took the oath of office from Oregon Supreme Court Justice Roger DeHoog with his wife by his side. Boice was selected by county commissioners in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties to fill the seat vacated when David Brock Smith was appointed to the state Senate. Boice, who served six years as Curry County commissioners, then spoke to his new colleagues in the Oregon House of Representatives. “I’m here to be a servant leader and look forward to working with each and every one of you in the months and years ahead,” Boice said. “In my Coos, Curry and Douglas district - it’s a privilege to serve for the Timber Capital of the world, and

where we can boast of the very best rivers, best fishing, best golfing and best cranberries all found anywhere. Please bring your families - come and visit us.” Boice will be serving on the House committees of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Land Use, Water, Housing and Homelessness. Boice told his colleagues that public service is a family legacy he is proud to continue. “I’m simply, but greatly humbled by this tremendous honor and responsibility,” he said. “Public service has deep roots in my family beginning with my grandfather Allen, who was historically the longest serving Curry County commissioner from 1930 to 1948. Also, my father Allen who was the famous sheriff from 1964-1975 and too, my first cousin Bev Clarno – who in

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State Rep. Court Boice takes the oath of office from Oregon Supreme Court Justice Roger DeHoog during a swearing-in ceremony last week in Salem. Obituaries

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