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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024

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Engelke, Haines address local issues at WBC forum BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke and challenger Harry Haines VII participated on Sept. 25 in a forum hosted by Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at its weekly Wednesday Business Connection luncheon. The candidates had the opportunity to address local issues before a rapt audience. Engelke opened by explaining why she volunteers. “I want to be a good example… and I know I have the skills to move the city forward,” she said. “There has been a sense in the community of being the victims. I’ve decided we’re not going to do that. We’re going to move forward and focus on the things that you want and want to

see here in the community.” Her message over the last six years has not changed, she said. “We need to focus on economic development. We need to support our small businesses, which is the heart of our community. We need to continue to work on the revitalization of downtown, and make sure we’re making that impression to people who come to visit here and want to live here that we’re open for business,” she said. Haines expressed that his candidacy is “not an attack” on Engelke or the city’s administration. He simply has “different ideas on how to move forward.” “I believe that getting the input from all of the citizens of North

Please see FORUM Page 3

City of North Bend supports SORA Portland ﬂight effort

Coos County voter registration up ahead of 2024 general election BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

discussion, there was some dispute as to whether the funds would exclusive support a North Bend City Council on northbound flight or, if SORA Sept. 24 approved supporting fails in the effort, would go to Southwest Oregon Regional support the airport’s efforts to Airport’s efforts to bring a flight expand its southbound flights. service to Portland to the North At a joint session between the Bend/Coos Bay Area. council and the Urban Renewal SORA received a federal grant Agency on Sept. 24, SORA in 2019 for $750,000 that requires Executive Director Rodger a local match. The grant is to help Craddock explained that the the airport expand its air service airport is also pursuing additional to the region. flights to Las Vegas and Burbank. The council approved $7,500 “We already go south, let’s a year for three years for the go north,” said Goll. “The way northbound flight, starting with Roger explained it, I know he the 2025-26 fiscal year. said north and their potential for The motion, made by doing it on their own to Vegas Councilor Jenny Jones and and stuff, but ... we’re better off seconded by Councilor Pat Goll, having north service than Las passed unanimously. Vegas.” During the council’s He added, “We already did this BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

in ‘19 and because of COVID it never came true so all we’re doing is re-upping our original giddy-up.” City Administrator David A. Milliron explained the council could approve it that night, and revisit it during the budget season in May 2025. “Northbound is their priority,” he said. “They can come back at any time to the governing body and request a modiﬁcation to any action you’ve taken.” He added, “You can always alter or change, as could a subsequent council.” Craddock, at the previous day’s joint session, asked the council to reafﬁrm its prior commitment to the matching grant. He noted that in 2023, SORA had 44,000 passengers through

Voter registration in Coos County has increased ahead of this year’s general election on Nov. 5. The county has 50,447 registered voters as of Sept. 24, Coos County Clerk Julie A. Brecke told The World. “There were 47,680 registered voters at the time of the 2020 General election, and 79.33% of them voted,” reported Brecke. The county expects a large voter turnout this year. “Presidential elections always bring a high turnout,” said Brecke. “We would love to see Coos County break an 80% turnout.” Among this election’s local races are Coos County Board of Commissioners (Drew Farmer, Robert Main), Coos Bay City Councilor (Scott W. Frasieur, Jacob W. Niebergall, Troy A. Cribbins, Lucinda M. DiNovo, Stephanie L. Kilmer), North Bend Mayor (Jessica Engelke, Harry Haines VII), and North Bend City Council (Matt Hamilton, Melinda Torres, Susanna Noordhoff, Timm Slater). Local measures include

terminal. “That’s larger than any other year in the past 10 years,” he said. Currently, SORA has two flights, seasonal, twice a week, to Denver and back, and daily, for the majority of the year, to San Francisco. But SORA wants to do more, said Craddock. “One of the goals that was provided to me when I became director at the airport last year was to find new routes, and the highest priority is northbound flights to either Portland or Seattle,” he said. This work began in 2019, with SORA going to community partners for matching funds for the $750,000 federal grant.

Please see VOTERS Page 10

Please see SORA Page 10

Devereux Center working to address city council concerns do not feel the description of the The Devereux Center center by City Councilors and has many challenges to Mayor Joe Benetti at their Sept. 17 meeting is accurate. face and is working to “We do not agree with the full description of the center by the meet them. council and mayor,” the board

responded. “However, in the spirit of partnership we are choosing to not focus on differences of opinion at this time.” Devereux Center is taking On Sept. 17, Coos Bay City steps to address the concerns of Council approved revoking the the council and retain its business center’s business license in 30 license. days if it does not show progress “We are taking the city’s in addressing some of the city’s parameters to heart and moving concerns, particularly onsite forward to address their requiresecurity. ments,” the board told The World. The World asked Devereux Fencing around the center at Center what its plans are should 1200 Newmark Ave. and greater the center lose its business security are being pursued. license. “Fencing funding has been se“We have no intention of losing cured via the Ofﬁce of Homeless our business license,” the board Response. We have requested a responded. “If it were to occur, we have community partners that bid from a local security company to provide regular patrols of the have offered to carry the load while we regain our footing.” Devereux Center property. The The board told The World they intent is to ensure no one is on the BY BRANDON SUMMERS The World

property during non-operational hours,” the board responded. The city has also asked that the center change its policies to ensure it follows city code and ensure people are not onsite when

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not in operation. To this end, a review of operational plans that align with the organization’s mission, building size and location, stafﬁng, and funding is underway.

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“The board is exploring strategic planning to for this purpose,” the board responded. “A consultant has been hired to conduct an Please see DEVEREUX Page 9

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