Issuu

Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878 | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022 | theworldlink.com | $2

North Bend ethics complaint rejected

BY DAVID RUPKALVIS For The World

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission unanimously rejected an ethics complaint ﬁeld against North Bend Main Street Manager Stephanie Wilson. The commission board voted 8-0 to dismiss the complaint against Wilson, who was hired to the post earlier this year. Former mayoral candidate James Rose ﬁled the complaint in September, saying that hiring Wilson to oversee the Main Street program when she owns a downtown business was an ethics violation.

Rose also claimed in a letter published on the Rob Taylor Report that Wilson was not the most qualified candidate and was only hired because she had a strong relationship with Mayor Jessica Engelke. In his ethics complaint, Rose said hiring Wilson and using taxpayer funds to promote downtown events was a conflict because Wilson owns the Painted Zebra Boutique in downtown North Bend. He claimed that her employment and the events sponsored by the Main Street program benefited her business directly. Rose pointed specifically to a Sip

‘N Stroll event downtown where the Painted Zebra Boutique was listed as a sponsor. ‘She is now a city employee receiving a taxpayer-funded salary and benefits in the neighborhood of $85K per year and remains the sole owner of a clothing boutique with a direct financial conflict of interest when any taxpayer funds are spent to promote NB’s so-called Main Street.” Rose wrote in his letter. “In the recent Sip & Stroll taxpayer dollars were spent to promote 22 NB businesses including her own business… that’s a problem they all know about… are they hoping

mission met December 18, members found no conﬂict. In a notice rejecting the ethics complaint, the commission said the decision was made after a preliminary review, and the vote by the board was unanimous. On its Facebook page, the city of North Bend reported the commission’s decision. “Congratulations to Stephanie Wilson on having the Oregon Government Ethics Commission Board conclude there was no wrongdoing and, therefore, no cause to proceed with an investigation,” the city wrote.

nobody will say anything? They are breaking the law every single time she says anything without first making a public disclosure of her business ownership… in most expenditure discussions and recommendations she will need to recuse herself completely due to the actual or potential personal financial benefit she may/might receive as a consequence of her recommendations… as an employee business owner in this position everything she does is a conflict of interest and is tainted…unless and until she closes or sells her business.” However, when the Ethics Com-

South Coast Train Club: Enjoying trains all year long

Photos by David Rupkalvis/For The World

The South Coast Train Club hosted its annual holiday train show last weekend as club members of all ages showcased their collections. Many displays turned their trains into holiday displays while others showcased their traditional set ups. Guests at the show got to vote for their favorite displays in different categories. The train club is open to anyone who loves model trains, with expert members always willing to help newcomers. For information, ﬁnd the South Coast Train Club on Facebook.

Students show big heart donating gifts to animal shelter BY BREEANA LAUGHLIN The World

Courtesy photo

Kathleen Augsburger and Priscilla Weston’s second-grade classes at Bandon's Ocean Crest Elementary school donated a variety of items to the Coos County animal shelter before they headed out on Christmas break Dec. 16.

FIND US ONLINE: TheWorldLink.com

Obituaries

Opinion

Western World

Classifieds

A11

Police Blotter

A13

Calendar

A16

EMAIL US: WorldCirculation@CountryMedia.net CALL US: (541) 266-6047 Serving Oregon’s South Coast since 1878 •

A Country Media Newspaper

•

facebook.com/theworldnewspaper

twitter.com/TheWorldLink

Second-grade students at Ocean Crest Elementary School in Bandon are embracing a holiday tradition to help their furry friends in need. Instead of taking part in a traditional holiday gift exchange, the students donated gifts to the animals at the Coos County animal shelter. Kathleen Augsburger is longtime teacher who started the tradition years ago. She said she wanted to do something a little different with her classes for the holidays. “We thought wouldn’t it be cool to do something more meaningful? Let’s take care of the animals that don’t have anybody at Christmas time,” Augsburger said. Augsburger’s class teamed up with Priscilla Weston’s second-grade class to donate a variety of items to the shelter before they headed out on Christmas break Dec. 16. They collected dozens of items on the shelter’s holiday wish list. The shelter’s holiday wish list included items from blankets, food and cleaning supplies, to toys, treats and leashes and puppy pads. A couple weeks before the holiday break, the teachers message their students’ parents and with the shelter wish list. Please see DONATION, Page A13

instagram.com/theworldlink