As I See It

A big headline on the front page of the Oct. 6, 1927, Western World reads: "Sewer Cost Prohibitive."

"At the city council meeting last evening the matter of building a sewer to take care of the city park (first photo) was under discussion. Engineer Hadsell submitted a profile and estimate of cost of a system, comprising of an eight-inch concrete pile line along Lincoln avenue to the bluff, at an estimated cost of $1,000.

"The council considered the cost more than could be spent at this time. While it would be necessary to establish a sewer district, the property adjoining would probably let the city take it rather than stand the cost. The advisability of installing a septic tank that will meet the requirements of the park was suggested and the issue was referred back to the committee with that idea predominating."

In other business, the council accepted the offer of Jake Hess to buy lots 6 and 7 in block 30, Woodland addition, from the city for $55.21, the amount of the city's interest in those lots. The council directed City Recorder LeGore to collect the rentals from the Oriental hall building which had been bought by the city for back taxes and street improvements.

I believe the Oriental hall was later known as The Coast Lumber Yard, which survived the Fire of 1936, but was later torn down, and is now a city-owned parking lot at the corner of Highway 101 and Fillmore Avenue.

Another item of interest in the same paper was the fact that a five-year-old Eckley boy had been quarantined in Myrtle Point for infantile paralysis.

"The parents leased a small house in the outskirts of Myrtle Point and moved in and were quarantined there. Immediately after the quarantine sign was put up, the occupants of half a dozen nearby houses moved out." (This is how frightened people were of polio before they had a vaccine, administered on a sugar cube).

The second story appeared in the December 2, 1926, Western World, concerning the purchase of property on Harlem avenue between Second and Third streets, to install tanks for the storage of gasoline.

The tanks can be seen, at the far right, in this photo, taken in the late '60s or early '70s, as Bandon Police Officer Sid Dominy covers an accident near the intersection of June Avenue and Highway 101. He is assisted by O.A. "Mose" Dunn, who owned Dunn's Auto Court (now the home of a trailer park).

"The Shell company has recently invaded the Coos county territory, having erected a distribution plant in North Bend. An interview with the men in charge of the local negotiations has not been available but it is believed that the purpose is to maintain sufficient storage here to take care of this part of Coos and Curry counties."

The third picture came from an old business card for Franklin's Cottage Court, which was built by one time mayor Kelly Franklin shortly after the fire. The card was found by the owner of the house at right, Kay Hardin, who discovered it under the floor boards.

Hardin's home is the only thing remaining from the auto court, which was built along Ocean Drive just west of what was once Tupper Rock, and is now an open area that overlooks Pacific View Assisted Living.

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The long-awaited marina redevelopment project undertaken by the Port of Bandon last Fall has now been completed, and was celebrated May 1 with ribbon cuttings at the boat launch at 3, and at the boat basin at 5.

Commissioner Bob Main was present at the launch dedication, with State Senator David Brock Smith and Representative Court Boice joining port commissioners, representatives of the general contractor West Coast Contractors, Marine Board representatives, and city and chamber representatives at the boat basin program.

Federal and state funding through the Oregon Marine board, as well as local funding, made the project possible.

I understand the total cost of the project was $11 million dollars, with $9 million of the cost going to remove 40,000 cubic yards of material, and the replacement of all the docks. There is also a new kayak launching area that is wheel chair accessible.

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Several city officials were invited to take part in the 25th anniversary celebration of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on Thursday night, with the community joining in on Friday, gathering in a large tent at the practice course, and the employees celebrating on Saturday with a party at Bandon Fisheries Warehouse.

Resort owner Mike Keiser was on hand for the celebration.

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Also this weekend was the annual Rotary Conference, hosted this year by the Bay Area Rotary club and held at the Mill Casino. Representing the Bandon club were President Larry Langenberg, incoming president Sheila Langenberg, past presidents Dave and Diane Buche, and Mary Schamehorn, a club member. Bandon native Mark Johnston, CEO of the Coquille Indian Tribe since 2017 and now the Tribe's interim CEO of the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center, was one of two keynote speakers on Friday night. Also speaking was John Ogan, Executive Director of Natural Resources for the Tribe.

During Saturday evening's banquet, the Port Orford Rotary Club was named medium sized club of the year, with Illinois Valley as small club and Springfield as the large club.

The Bandon Club will observe its 50th anniversary in June.

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People are reminded that Attorney Robin Miller will present a program at the Bandon History Museum Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. His topic will be "When Bandon became 'Bandon:' New Evidence From the Archives." Admission is free.

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At least four times in the last week, including two city officials from Coos Bay, said they heard that I was not running for re-election, which is not true.

I will be filing for re-election, and have never said that I did not plan to run again, so I am not sure how that got started? With a new city manager who has a lot of great ideas, I am hoping to help him carry out his much-needed plans for additional workforce housing in Bandon.

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The public is invited to attend the annual meeting of the Bandon Pool Board, set for Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sprague Room at the Bandon Library. Board chairman Sally Weymouth said they will hold board of director elections, and are seeking to fill the position of Social Media Director and a Director at Large position.

"We are also seeking non-board volunteers to help on ad hoc committees, such as events, fundraising, merchandising, marketing, etc. There will also be a short slide presentation to bring people up to date on our feasibility process and capital campaign," said Weymouth.

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The Coos Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring a special World War II Remembrance program, The Black Suitcase Mystery, on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at the Latter-day Saints Church at 3355 Virginia Avenue in North Bend.

The story, to be presented by Gail Elliott Downs, revolves around a black suitcase which contained over 200 letters, newspaper clippings, photos and cards written between 1929 and 1946.

"It is a story of young love separated by war -- reunited by death. It was an awesome presentation," said Karry Johnson, Coos Bay DAR Regent. For more information: darcoosbaychapter@gmail.com.

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The acts of a Gardiner man, Alexander Heckathorn, 22, who was arrested for burglary at the Gardiner, Reedsport, Winchester Bay Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) hatchery has angered many for the wonton act of vandalism.

He is accused of pouring bleach into one of the rearing ponds, causing the death of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 smolt Chinook salmon.

The smolts were headed to fish-bearing streams across the state to enhance the Chinook fisheries, and represented hundreds of hours of work by STEP volunteers.

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It's been a busy couple of weeks, starting with the chamber dinner, the showcase concert, a hospital board meeting, a Rotary meeting, the city revenue sharing/budget committee meeting, a health forum at the Mill Casino, two ribbon cuttings at the port, World Day of Prayer May 2 in front of City Hall, dinner at Bandon Dunes, and the Rotary Conference. This week will include the city park ribbon cutting, a Meet and Greet on homelessness, interviews for the 6 hospital board candidates, a concert at Farm and Sea, Rotary, a joint meeting between the council and the planning commission, and a traffic meeting with ODOT on the 15th in Coos Bay. On the 16th, the City will host the regional meeting of the League of Oregon Cities. On the 17th, I will be the guest speaker at the regional Lions meeting, hosted by the Bandon club ...

It's a good thing I don't have a day job ....