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Coos Bay dissolves homeless work group

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The Coos Bay Homeless Work Group helped the city council make many decisions in recent years, including an ordinance that limits when and where the homeless can camp in the city.

By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

The city of Coos Bay has dissolved its homeless work group with the goal of partnering with Coos County, North Bend and other cities in the county to face the challenge on a greater level. The city council voted unanimously to dissolve the work group that was started in 2018 and was involved with several major decisions

in Coos Bay in recent years. Assistant City Manager Nichole Rutherford told the council the work group played a large role in recent council decisions such as the development of a community resource officer as well as new city regulations for towing, camping and parking rules. “That has been very effective, but now we’re walking into a new area where we have a consolidated group with North Bend and the county,”

Rutherford said. “The county took lead on that and they are going to start a group and manage that.” Coos County received a $1 million grant from the Legislature to partner with Coos Bay and North Bend to look at homelessness in the county. The legislation requires a countywide committee to look at the homeless issue. “I’m curious what the homeless work group discussion was on considering the city of Coos Bay is

priority,” Councilor Sara Stevens asked. “I guess I’m concerned if we dissolve the work group and it moves to the county, there’s not that laser focus on the city.” Councilor Stephanie Kilmer, who was on the work group with Councilor Drew Farmer, said the city’s work group was not eager to disband, but the members can see the benefit of looking at homelessness on a larger level. “I guess it was mixed emotion,”

Kilmer said. “There’s a lot to try to work with, but I think they actually feel there are individuals from our homeless work group that should be incorporated into this new group and there are things and people that could be added to that group and work on more issues. We’ve been working toward a goal, and are moving to the next phase.” Kilmer said the success of the Please see HOMELESS Page A6

Candidates for Congress square off in debate By DAVID RUPKALVIS The World

The four candidates hoping to replace Peter DeFazio in the U.S. House shared their thoughts on a variety of issues during a candidate forum Thursday. The virtual forum allowed the candidates to show their differences on a number of issues important to the Fourth Congressional District, Oregon and the country. Republican Alek Skarlatos and Democrat Val Hoyle are the top candidates in the race, but they will also face a challenge from Mike Beilstein with the Green Party and Libertarian Levi Leatherberry. During opening statements the four candidates introduced themselves and some of their thoughts on the race. “The two major parties have a lock on political parties, but they’re the same brand of political power,” Beilstein said. “The Green Party represents the opposition to the controlled political party. The Green Party represents the power of the Earth and peace.” Hoyle, the current labor commis-

Contributed photos

Alek Skarlatos talks to voters during a campaign stop in North Bend. Skarlatos is one of four candidates running for the Fourth Congressional seat.

Val Hoyle talks to supporters during a campaign stop. The Oregon labor commissioner is running to replace Peter DeFazio in Congress.

sioner in Oregon, said people in the district know her and can trust her. “People here know me because I’ve lived and worked in this community for 22 years,” she said. “In this debate, you get to make some very clear choices because there’s a vast difference between the candidates. I have always stood up

said. “Both parties, financially, are the same. I’m trying to find an alternative. I’m a farmer, I’ve seen how my land changes by their policies, how my ability to feed my family changes by their policies. You can’t be funded by the problem and create solutions at the same time.” Skarlatos, who served in the

for working people, I have always worked for jobs. You know me, I’ve delivered time and time again for this district.” Leatherberry said it is time to give a third-party candidate a chance. “I’m a local farmer, an independent and a libertarian as well,” he

National Guard before running for office, said Democrats in charge right now have done little for the district. “I saw that our district was hurting. We’re the poorest congressional district in the state of Oregon,” Please see CANDIDATES Page A6

North Bend goes to the dogs - and cats - for a weekend

Photos by David Rupkalvis/The World

The North Bend Community Center went to the dogs over the weekend as Animal Shelter Partners hosted its sixth Barktoberfest to raise funds for the Coos County Animal Shelter. Dozens of vendors sold wares while guests were invited to bring their pets or look at animals available for adoption from the shelter. See the Friday paper for more information.

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