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Coos Bay City Council acts to revoke Devereux Center business license BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

Coos Bay City Council on Sept. 17 began the process of revoking the business license for the Devereux Center. Located at 1200 Newmark Ave., Devereux Center “offers support systems and advocacy for the homeless, those suffering from mental illness, and veterans,” including meals, shelter and health care, according to its website. Mayor Joe Benetti, who requested the discussion on the council’s agenda, said the site needs 24-hour security and emphasized its ongoing burden on city services. “I’m suggesting… we revoke their business license,” he said. “It takes 30 days to go into place. If it can come back before that 30 days is up, and they show us what’s been done, and they have security in place… that would be

a step in the right direction and we can do a reconsideration.” The motion was seconded by Council President Lucinda DiNovo. “We’re at a place where we have to represent all of the citizens,” she said, “and if in 30 days they can come back and show us some of the work that’s been done, perhaps we can consider changing it.” The motion passed unanimously. City Manager Nichole Rutherford reported that the city has had an ongoing relationship with the Devereux Center over the years. In May 2023, there were talks between the two entities about the potential for ﬁnding “more appropriate locations” for the center. “The funding for that ended up being not available,” she said. Please see DEVEREUX Page 2

Southwest Oregon Regional Airport pursuing Portland flights probably one of the most requested and necessary things that the Coos County Airport Southwest Oregon Regional District Board is working to Airport is pursuing flights establish.” from North Bend/Coos Bay to For the grant match, SORA Portland International. is presently reestablishing The service is being made its community commitments possible through a federal and reaching out to new Small Community Air Service community partners, Development Grant for including Coos Bay/North $750,000, which requires a Bend/Charleston Visitor local matching grant. and Convention Bureau, Since losing its Portland Bandon Dunes Resort, the route in 2017, the local cities of Coos Bay and North airport has had an ongoing Bend, Travel Southern Oregon desire to reestablish a flight Coast, Mill Casino, Coos northbound, said SORA Aviation and more. Public Information Officer Some matches are in-kind. Stephanie Kilmer. TSCO, for example, pledged “We were very fortunate advertising. that we had the southbound “The incentive package in San Francisco flight when the past had overnight stays at Portland left. It left us an the Mill Casino,” said Kilmer, option for commercial air travel,” she said. “But it is Please see SORA Page 8 BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

District 1 Candidates Court Boice and Bret Cecil debate in WBC-hosted forum BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

Seeking to be elected as Oregon District 1 Representative, Republican incumbent Court Boice and Democratic challenger Bret Cecil participated in a forum on Sept. 18 held during Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s weekly Wednesday Business Connection luncheon. Asked what the greatest challenge is facing Southwest Oregon and they would address it as a state legislator, Boice said it is illegal immigration. “I don’t know anyone, never have known anyone, who isn’t for legal immigration. It’s part of our fabric of our America,” he said. “But the extent people are pouring over our border, and I mean really bad people… Drug cartels are coming over our border. Now we just ﬁnd out we have a Venezuela gang just east of Vale and Ontario (Oregon) on the Idaho Border. So we’re surrounded!” Boice also evoked Antifa, and an event at Portland State University earlier this year. “Remember in April? Seventeen police cars destroyed,” he said. “Cost to taxpayers is a million dollars. You’re going to pay for that too. No one has been held accountable.” Cecil said our greatest challenge is housing and supporting busi-

nesses. “I believe in supporting our people, and making sure that we’re housed, that we’re healthy, wealthy and wise, that our businesses will thrive,” he said, “because our people who live in our district will have the means necessary to spend money in our businesses and be good consumed and keep things moving along in our counties and our district.”

Jobs are also needed to create consumers to support businesses, said Cecil, commenting on Port of Coos Bay’s planned expansion. “I know most of our labor unions are supporting some expansion there, and I’m open to all of those ideas,” he said. “Everything we can do to create more jobs for the people who live in our county and in our district.” Candidates were asked how

they see Oregon addressing the growing need for affordable housing and forming stronger partnerships with cities and counties for long-term solutions to the homeless challenge. Cecil said helping the homeless involves greater access to transitional housing. “Obviously, we don’t want people living in hotel rooms for their entire life if we can avoid it,” he

said. “We want to transition them into something more permanent.” Cecil shared how he has been homeless. After moving to Oregon in 2017, he lived in an RV on his friend’s property, and currently lives in RV parking in Port Orford. “That suits my needs, but that doesn’t suit everyone’s needs,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish that on Please see DEBATE Page 8

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