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SERVING CURRY COUNTY SINCE 1946 www.currypilot.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2024

Brookings, Oregon

Gold Beach Visitor’s Center increasing beach mobility BY BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media, Inc.

The Gold Beach Visitor’s Center is making strides to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beach on Oregon’s South Coast – no matter what their age or physical ability. The visitor’s center is one of the latest locations on the Oregon Coast to receive a ‘David’s Chair.’ Both David’s original Action Trackchair and their newer youth-sized Trackchair have been used by people with mobility challenges to go places and experience freedom they haven’t been able to, free of charge. Because of donations given by grants, sponsors, and generous individuals, David’s Chair has taken people and their families on exciting outdoor excursions at locations that are inaccessible to regular wheelchairs. That’s why when Ruth Dixon, the lead at the Gold Beach Visitor Center, saw a social media post from ‘David’s Chair’ in July, 2023, reporting that they had one chair left that needed a location on the Oregon coast – she didn’t hesitate to contact them. Dixon immediately reached out, and in October, 2023, a Fixed Location Chair was placed at the Gold Beach Visitor Center located at 94080 Shirley

Please see MOBILITY, Page 10

New Brookings City Manager brings 23 years of experience

his leadership, Weed recovered from a tragic fire that destroyed the sawmill that was the town’s largest employer, along with 60 homes. He was able to work with county, state and federal officials to get relief funds and rebuild the mill, saving numerous jobs. Rundel worked diligently with the Weed City Council to get Weed financially sound again and leaves the community with the largest reserve fund in its 100plus year history. Rundel was hired after a sixmonth nationwide search. More than 20 people applied for the position, many serving as city

A longtime city manager in Northern California and the Midwest has been hired to lead the City of Brookings. New City Manager Timothy Rundel, who brings more than 23 years of experience in public administration, community development and economic development, begins work in Brookings on July 22nd. The Brookings City Council voted unanimously to hire Rundel during a special meeting June 13th. Rundel currently serves as the City Manager of Weed, California where he has worked since March 2020. Under

Governor Kotek urged to embrace the “Oregon Way” in offshore wind energy development For the World

managers elsewhere. The council interviewed three very qualiﬁed and experienced candidates, and chose Rundel because of his strong track record of leadership, community involvement, and successful city management

experience. “It is an honor to be appointed as the next City Manager of Brookings,” Rundel said. “While living in Siskiyou County for the last 4 1/2 years, I have visited Please see RUNDEL, Page 10

Brookings’ Yard of the Month for June Kalmiopsis School Garden The K-School garden has been a community fixture since the early The City of Brookings is 2000’s, and received a new lease continuing to highlight both on life after the pandemic began to residential homes and commercial subside in 2022. spaces that go above and beyond Julia Bott, Michelle Gayden to make the City an even more & Frank Furtaw are the main beautiful place to live. A wellvolunteers for the program, maintained yard or garden is providing green-thumb guidance symbol of hard-work, a point of for elementary aged students. personal pride for the residents, and There are three 2nd grade classes an inspiring sight for neighbors. and three 4th grade classes helping Winners are rewarded with a to maintain the garden. commemorative certificate, a yardThe kids do the majority of the sign declaring their award to the gardening, getting the hands-on community, and a $50 credit on experience of growing multiple their water bill. kinds of flowers and fruits. The Here are the commercial and students were just getting ready residential winners for the July to harvest some strawberries; they Yard of the Month award: Please see YARD, Page 2

BY NATE SCHWARTZ Curry Coastal Pilot

INDEX

In a recent letter, Oregon’s state seafood commodity commissions have expressed concerns to Governor Kotek over offshore wind energy plans proposed for the southern Oregon coast, emphasizing its adverse effects on the ocean environment and Oregon’s sustainable seafood industry. Oregon Trawl, Oregon Dungeness Crab, Oregon Albacore and Oregon Salmon Commissions urged Governor Kotek to prioritize Oregon’s own planning process under the auspices of the state official “Roadmap” initiative, intended to guide responsible offshore wind energy development in Oregon. The alternative would be to follow the rushed federal process, which does not allow the impacted communities an authentic seat at the table, and it does not prioritize the viability of the seafood industry or the health of the ocean. “Being situated in the middle of one of the world’s four most productive marine regions, Oregon is blessed with its healthy abundant fisheries, which are known to be among the top wellmanaged fisheries in existence today,” said Yelena Nowak, the executive director of the Oregon Trawl Commission. “It is critically important for Oregon to step up our efforts in ensuring Oregon’s impacted communities and the pristine natural environments are respected and protected in the pursuit of offshore wind energy development.” Oregon is one of many states around the country where the Biden Administration is looking to deploy industrial offshore wind energy projects in the global fight against climate change. These facilities Please see KOTEK, Page 10

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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