Court Boice, Commissioner David Brock Smith Oregon State Rep. Dist. 1
[email protected] [email protected]
541-247-3229 541-253-7506
Tour of Honor, Southern Oregon’s Fabulous Veteran Memorials …
Visit the Curry “Veterans Memorial”. Then south into the tip of California, Hwy 97 through the California Redwoods to Hwy 199 following the Smith River Canyon. Next to Central Point’s “Fallen War Heroes Memorial”. From Central Point go to the Eagle Point’s Veterans National Cemetery. On to Merlin’s “Walk of Honor”, and then back to Interstate 5 and on to Roseburg’s “VFW Remembrance Wall”. Travel Highway 38 along the Umpqua River to the Oregon Coast and the North Bend Veterans Memorial. Finally head south, returning to Gold Beach via Hwy 101.
Gold Beach
Curry County Veterans Memorial Location: 94199 Hwy 101 S., Gold Beach 97444
“Remember their sacrifice”
Central Point
Oregon Fallen War Heroes Memorial Location: 222 W Vilas Rd, Central Point 97520
“Honoring all those servicemen, living and dead, who served our nation”
Eagle Point
Veterans National Cemetery Location: 2763 Riley Rd. Eagle Point 97524
“A memorial dedicated to All known and Unknown Veterans”
Merlin
Veterans Walk of Honor and Memorial Location: Merlin-Galice Road, Merlin Community Park 97532
“We shall never forget”
Roseburg
Veterans of Foreign Wars Remembrance Wall Location: 127 Walnut Street, Roseburg 97470
“Honoring those who so honorably served the cause of freedom”
North Bend
David Dewitt Veterans Memorial Location: US Hwy 101, North Bend 97459
“Peace comes when the power of Love overcomes the Love of power”
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL VETERAN MEMORIALS AND PARKS IN SOUTHWEST OREGON … Rogue River
A memorial in memory of veterans from Jackson County who were killed during the Vietnam War and also the Korean War Memorial. Location: Fleming Park on the Rogue River – At the Rogue River VFW post, 410 Main Street
Grants Pass
A Memorial “Honoring the men and women of Josephine County who served their country in all wars of this century.” The Memorial is in remembrance of the wounded, the disabled, and those MIA-POWS. It is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the “Quest for Peace.” Dedicated: June 14, 1994. Location: Riverside Park; 6th and Park Streets, off Highway 99
American Veterans of the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars Memorial. Inscription: “All who shall hereafter live in freedom will be reminded that to these men, women and their comrades, we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their sacrifice and the high resolve that the cause for which they served shall live eternally.” Location: Riverside Park, 111 E. Park Street
Will you please honor , support, and work for the benefit of our Vets?
Myrtle Creek
Veterans Memorial and Rose Garden is a stonework wall with bronze plaques lists names of veterans killed in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf. The memorial includes a flagpole in the center wall. Location: Across from Mill site Park on Volunteer Way
Roseburg
Stonework wall with bronze plaques listing names of veterans killed. Location: Courthouse lawn, 1036 SE Douglas Street
Seven-foot wooden Statue of a veteran in honor of veterans of all wars. Dedicated on June’84’. Location: Roseburg VA Hospital, just inside of the front door of main building.
The Major General Marion Carl Memorial Field (regional airport) is named in honor of the late-World War II Marine Corps fighter ace, and veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars. Location: 900 SE Douglas Ave.
Brookings
Memorial Marker–only known incident of Japanese bombing on American mainland during World War II. Location: Near Constitution Way.
Coos Bay
A wooden life-sized three-figure statue memorializing America’s war heroes consists of two soldiers and a nurse near a 20-foot tall flagpole. Location: Temporarily housed in front of the main city fire station, 150 S. 4th Street.
If you can donate funds directly to any Veterans Organization, or offer time and ideas on how we can bring better attention to our Service Men and Women – or if you just need information, please contact the offices of either Court Boice or David Brock Smith. Appreciation and admiration to each and every one of our Veterans. They are Heroes !
Court Boice, Commissioner
94235 Moore Street, Ste. 122
Gold Beach, OR 97444
Ph.: (541) 247.3229
January 31, 2017
Plan for the "Curry Recovery," Court Boice, Curry County Commissioner:
It’s time to go to work …
It’s really academic that unless our County comes together and works diligently we cannot rescue our own futures and the negative consequences could be immeasurable. I ask that everyone review this content with an open mind. I am only one Commissioner. Surely the other two have comprehensive plans of their own, but the time is now. We all must put politics and ego aside and do the right and best thing. I would appreciate any comments.
The following basic outline would of course require comprehensive review for regulatory and legal acceptance: As a County Commissioner, I have every responsibility to seek ways to overcome the many difficulties we face. Should we fail, insolvency is inevitable and the State of Oregon will take control of local Government. Our citizens would have little if any say. No question the State would quickly raise taxes! I will do my part to make decisions that will help to not only grow and prosper Curry communities, but to steadfastly keep and improve on local control.
Accounting and Finances: Fiercely protect the interests of the tax payers. Every penny, every budget, every year working towards Zero Waste!! Always a reminder to challenge all County Departments to find ways to be more productive and develop additional efficiencies. My view; honorable and successful governments are those with good leadership that spend tax-payer dollars with frugal and stingy precision.
Issues and Problem Solving: Innovation and creativity in seeking solutions. The lack of revenue for our County is the problem, not the lack of a County Administrative Officer. With the exception of raising property taxes, everything has to be open for analysis and research to find additional funds. We must use extra time to our advantage until our and other Oregon rural Counties can obtain a higher level of timber harvest from public lands.
Top Goal for My Term: By January 1, 2020; to have 2mm in a Curry County General Fund Reserve.
1 Consolidation of all County Law Enforcement: Construct one Law Enforcement Agency by combining all (4) Public Safety and Police Departments of Curry into the County Sheriff’s Department. This would wisely form one large Agency, resulting in better coverage for the entire county, more effective peace keeping, less duplication and less expense. All present officers would remain. A win for all. Less overall taxes, plus support and plan to avoid the closing of our Jail. 51% of the population is covered by basically only 6 deputies. This plan would ultimately be safer and more secure both for the public and our law enforcement personnel. Protecting our citizens is our No. 1 and my most important obligation as a Public Official. Would go before the voters.
2 Curry County Taxing Districts Contributing back to the County: Not for raising taxes, but as a new approach to where the money and spending priorities are for some of our districts. Taxing Districts could offer 10% back to the County or each could be charged an administrative fee. This could raise approximately $ 1mm for the General Fund. School and some portions of the Health District excluded. Would go before the voters.
3 All Commissioner Meeting and related Record keeping: Move to the 'Care, Custody and Completion' of the Curry County Clerk. BOC Meetings should be interpreted and recorded by an independent and neutral party. We should prefer an Elected Official. Not to seek past blame, but this is a sacred responsibility and we must catch up immediately those minutes not yet completed.
4 Association of Oregon O&C Counties Litigation: Bureau of Land Management. Continue to fully support and be actively involved. BLM and USFS are not living up to their contractual agreements to Oregon rural counties. This is the fastest and best way to improve the financial position of our County. Curry grows the best timber in the world, trees that are renewable and the best resource in the entire U.S... This is an annual garden that needs the very best management and wisest harvest. Our people deserve the time to see the O&C litigation process work. The BLM and USFS control almost 70% of Curry County lands. Consider sending them a Property Tax Bill at the same rate private timber property owners are currently charged. This could get National attention and may encourage the Departments of Interior and Agriculture to return some of our public lands likely passing through the State of Oregon. We deserve a chance to at least co-manage our lands. History clearly shows the positive results of local control. Curry as a potential "test County."
5 Secure Loan from Curry Road Department Reserve Funds for Sheriff’s Budget: Up to 1.5mm. Good terms for both. 3% annual interest and offer considerable County property as real collateral, I.E. just one example; 65 acres at the South East corner of the Cape Blanco Airport. Also, compounding interest should be calculated for the last few years Curry has used those road funds. Part of the Curry “Come back” would be to recognize that obligation and establish a legitimate “long term” re-payment plan. Obviously would take considerable legislative research.
6 Veterans, Housing and Child Poverty, County Emergency Declaration: Commit to immediately develop a food sovereignty policy and a housing plan at both the municipal and county government levels. Work with our Oregon State Government and Legislature. Proclaim the serious housing shortage and lack of developable land. We need help, relief and wise rural amendments with changes in the planning, zoning and the permit process. Curry as a potential "test County."
7 South County Airport; Enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Brookings: Fifty-Fifty ownership with a 5-year test period and possible renewal. Include 14 county owned acres located adjacent to the Airport on South East side. Share costs and responsibilities showing a strong combined and focused force. Brookings has done substantial work and planning to find a workable solution. Curry would be in a better position to own and manage the Cape Blanco Airport. Accepting this good faith option would aid in FAA and ODA helping with future projects.
8 Develop, sell or trade North Curry 500 Acres: Located between Floras Lake and Cape Blanco Airport, this property is zoned residential. It has been dormant for years and should be part of our solution. Possibly find and recruit developers. County could offer to the State, Nature Conservancy or similar group. It also needs to be cruised for possible timber harvest; however, this is a beautiful area that should have more value as potential home-sites, i.e. 3-4 per acre at least on the East Side. This property could within 10 years have over 500 quality homes? Would help solve the lack of buildable land and housing needs for Central and North County. 9 County Dormant Properties: Take up where the recent County Real Property Task Force recommendations left off. Implement a program for a Real Estate Co-op with Commission incentive to sell many County properties. Realtors will help, and moving those properties is a good clean-up and will generate interest and some economic activity overall. People and citizens could purchase or donate funds in memory of others or as small parks or plots in their names. The County could also help with quality signage, recognition or in memory of.
10 Create a County Forestry Department: Team up with private timber- land owners. Position Curry to ask for small stands of privately owned timber to be contributed back to the county. Working together, this would help protect the private company investments and be a win for all. Combine efforts with Curry Parks, Coos Forest Patrol, Curry Sheriff's Department, Curry Assessor and Curry Road Department. Better ways to best manage and more effectively assist in fire prevention, environmental issues, planning, roads, habitat restoration, etc. (Revenue eventually must and will come back to the County).
11 County Loan to the Port of Brookings From Road Fund Reserves: Up to 2.5 mm with 3% annual finance charge. Much better return for the Road Department. Port would offer significant property and equipment as security. The Brookings-Harbor Port is critical for Curry County and our overall economy. Where possible, it is imperative that the County take a very pro-active role in helping the Brookings Port.
12 County Loan to the Curry Health Network From Road Fund Reserves: Up to 1.5mm with 3% annual finance charge, likewise a much better return. The Curry Health Network would offer significant equipment as security. It is also imperative that the County assist in getting the Brookings Emergency Room facility open and this proposed loan would be specifically designated for that purpose. The Curry Health Network is a crucial economic entity and needs support in moving toward the goal of excellent and always improving health coverage for our citizens.
13 US Forest Service Campground Transfers to Curry: County Parks has the capacity to easily manage these parks and handle more responsibility. Brings additional funds, employment and tourism promotion back to Curry County. We will take exceptional care of these properties which would be a win for all, and return local control.
14 County Road Fund, Improve Investment Position: Commissioners should take a more active role. Purely a business and wise stewardship approach to investment. If Curry County collapses into any form of bankruptcy or insolvency, it is likely that those funds would unfortunately be taken over by the State of Oregon and as well our County Road Department itself.
15 County Ordinance Confronting Unnecessary Land Use and Environmental Law Suits: Require preservation activist groups to get a permit to operate: Cost is $ 50K based on potential threat to County Budgets. Groups required putting up a bond of $ 50mm for paying just compensation in case of economic harm to citizens. Guarantee all businesses and workers legal standing in court to sue for past damages. Require economic impact studies in conjunction with environmental studies before any natural resource hearings. Refuse to recognize any entity no having a minimum of 2 independent studies.
16 Community & Economic Development, Recovery Strategy: ‘South West Oregon Commerce.com’ and ‘Curry Commerce.com’ are registered domain names and available for Curry County Economic Improvement efforts. We can and will compete with any other Counties and Cities for business start-ups. State lottery dollars should be put into a local volunteer Industrial and Economic Growth Board or Business Development Committee that would send monthly recommendations back to the BOC.
17 State of Oregon Block Grants: Direct to Curry County. Under the Trump administration, the federal government is likely to give money to the states through the ‘Block Grant’ system. This would give small rural and remote counties the opportunity to lobby for the same concept in ‘Block Grants’ likewise direct from the State of Oregon. Curry as a potential "test County."
18 Transfer of deferred “Sanctuary City” federal funds: Send these funds back to rural areas and counties around the country. Work with Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Greg Walden. Curry as a potential "test County."
More in the months ahead …
Court Boice, Curry County Commissioner
2017 Year in Review -- Work and Accomplishments -- Partial List...
I presented an 18 point plan to address the issues Curry County faced in 2017
This plan was submitted January 31st to the Curry Board of Commissioners and Curry Citizens as promised. No other specific plans or solutions for County issues were offered by the other two commissioners in 2017 and none to date for 2018.
2017 Year in Review as your County Commissioner.
1. Voluntary $20,000 Pay Cut – Commissioner Boice, in order to help balance the budget took a $20,000.00 pay cut in 2017. Also, to date has paid close to $1,300 out of his personal funds to supplement limited County Travel Funds and restrictions. Commissioner Boice works 50 to 70 hours per week.
2. Sheriff’s Annual Pay Amendment – After three tries, Commissioner Boice was able to get passed by the 2017 Curry County Board of Commissioners a pay adjustment for our County Sheriff. The results are instead of Sheriff John Ward being the lowest paid Sheriff in Oregon, now just one of the lowest paid.
3. Curry County Administrative Officer – Commissioner Boice was able to get to know John Hitt through his attendance with the South Coast Business Development Corporation meetings. Mr. Hitt was a successful Executive Director there and was considering retirement. Court asked him more than once if he would consider applying for the Curry position. He agreed and was hired. He has been a good and solid addition. Court would characterize their relationship as respectful and productive.
4. Future Proposal Under Consideration - County 4-day Employee work week – On the basis that Curry County is small County and with very limited resources, Commissioner Boice researched with many Dept. heads and staff and is preliminarily convinced (Mon. - Thurs. -- 10 hour days) would save the County significant dollars. (Most offices could have one person available on Friday's in order for public access?) Court is still gathering data -- plans on offering the Board of Commissioners and County Administrator a report and Workshop recommendation soon. The planning and Road Departments presently do a 4 day work week.
5. All Care Grant Funding – Commissioner Boice called no less than 5 meetings to address All Care Funding, related time and effort toward building community consensus on viable individual Curry Housing Projects – recommendations to the BOC best projects in distributing the $98,000.00. After all the meetings and effort the Curry County Board of Commissioners returned the All Care Grant Funding. Court voted in opposition of returning these funds. 6. Curry County Head Start Program, 1.6 mm Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Commissioner Boice set up no less than 5 related meetings to help clear up questions left by previous Curry County Board of Commissioners. At this time Commissioner Boice is opposed to returning these valuable funds and the County walking away.
7. Building relationships with all County Elected Officials and Department Heads Commissioner Boice spent significant time getting to know, understand issues of all County Officials in seeking solutions for improving Curry County and solving problems.
8. Consumption Tax Advisory Committee -- (C.T.A.C.) Commissioner Boice attempted twice to form Consumption Tax Advisory Committee, however could not get support from the other County Commissioners, the 3rd try finally got approved by the Board with the help of County Administrator Hitt. Commissioner Boice is strongly opposed to raising property taxes, however, feels it is critical for the county to look for all possible alternate ways to raise revenues without increasing property taxes. All Alternatives need to be explored as revenues from timber sales are shrinking every year and have reached a point of critical mass. Ultimately the voters will decide, but the gathering of information and offering a plan so informed decisions can be made by voters is of critical importance to the county, failing to do so means county commissioners are not doing their job.
Curry County Parks Advisory Committee Commissioner Boice in 2017 tried 3 times through the board of commissioners to establish a Curry County Parks advisory committee; however as of this date that effort has failed to get approval from the other two commissioners. Commissioner Boice has worked toward and believes our County should take ownership of some of the USFS local parks. It is his view that Curry Parks can manage better and offer improved services to our visitors and would be a small compensation resulting from the Chetco Bar Fire loses.
9. Marijuana growth, production and expansion Medical Marijuana is regulated by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Recreational Marijuana is regulated by The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). Southwest Oregon is one of the largest marijuana growing areas in the nation. Commissioner Boice has been working with the 5 Southwest Counties – Coos, Douglas, Josephine, and Jackson and of course Curry. Meeting with most of the county commissioners of these 5 counties to give a level playing field for growers with a uniform 5-County Resource Tax. Commissioner Boice worked heavily with Josephine County Commissioner Dan DeYoung and Association of Oregon Counties Legal Counsel Rob Bovett. Commercial and now industrial growing in Southwest Oregon has reached almost explosive levels with apparent “Cartel” influence and impact. Oregon growers are producing more marijuana that the state can consume, so it is clear much of the marijuana produced in Oregon leaves the state un-taxed and on to the black market. This plan, if passed by the Oregon Legislature short session (February ‘18’) would make it legal to tax the property where the plants are grown – (by the square foot). It would also help identify illegal and unlicensed growers getting them in to compliance! This issue has required out of county travel to all the other 5 counties and the State Capitol.
10. Southwest Oregon County Commissioners Meetings Commissioner Boice worked throughout the year on Drug Enforcement issues with Bob Main, Coos County Commissioner and other neighboring County Commissioners and Representitives on Marijuana growing issues, Public Safety and Drug Enforcement awareness.
11. Initiated Curry County Board of Commissioners Workshops Throughout the year Commissioner Boice scheduled for the Board of Commissioners miscellaneous workshops including Oregon Department of Transportation, Industrial and commercial Marijuana Growing in the Southwest Oregon; including reviewing unintended consequences and related issues.
12. Public Land Management Issues were Huge in 2017 Commissioner Boice worked with all Southwest Oregon Counties – Coos, Douglas, Josephine, Jackson and of course Curry on Public Lands Management Policy Changes brought to the forefront by the Chetco Bar Mega Fire. Commissioner Boice spent untold hours this summer trying to bring sense to the USFS handling of a small lightening caused fire becoming the largest Forest Fire in the nation this year and threatened to burn Brookings, chocking unhealthy smoke and reduced tourism were products of a Mega Fire that did not need to happen. The Forest Service may have wrongly applied Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) to save money and compromising our property and forests. “The new (USFS) fire-management policy directed managers to minimize fire-suppression costs and damage consistent with land and resource objectives”. This is an ongoing issue that has seen little cooperation from the other Curry Commissioners.
13. City Council and Local Port Meetings Commissioner Boice attended several City Council and Port District meetings throughout the county and in each City in the county. Several meetings occurred with the Brookings City Manager, local firefighters, and first responders.
14. 'Fire Awareness Meeting' Commissioner Boice with the assistance of Representative Brock Smith called a Curry 'Fire Awareness meeting' one week before the discovery of the Chetco Bar Fire. He wrote local 'Letters to Editors', also asking citizens for help with small local and rural fire departments in finding additional volunteers. The Fire Awareness meeting was well attended and again all initiated prior to the Chetco Bar Fire.
15. Association of Oregon Counties Commissioner Boice was elected to the Board of Directors, the Associated Oregon Counties where much work is done and a good understanding of issues affecting Oregon County Governments is learned. In 2017 Commissioner Boice attended 14 meetings all over Western Oregon to network and learns how other counties have addressed important issues, which avoids reinventing the wheel with every similar problem the county encounters. Commissioner Boice attended the Association of Oregon County College for County Commissioners, legislative days at the State Capitol as well as other special meetings addressing our current issues. Commissioner Boice usually stays at Motel 6 and shares a room to keep costs down as most many meetings require an overnight stay.
16. Association of O & C Counties Commissioner Boice was e Elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of O & C Counties, Oregon & California Railroad attending 7 meetings traveling around Western Oregon to do so. The O & C Railroad Revested Lands are approximately 2,600,000 acres located in eighteen counties of western Oregon. Since 1916, the 18 counties where the O&C lands are located have received payments from the United States government as compensation for the loss of timber and tax revenue, beginning as a 50% share of timber revenue on those lands but changing over the years as timber production decreased. The governments of several of the counties have of course dependent on the O&C land revenue as an important source of income for schools and county services. Those funds to the County have been severely cut during the past 15 years. Being a board member assures that Curry County will be represented and Commissioner Boice embraces the challenge as he’s deeply concerned with how O & C timberlands are managed. This again requires out of county travel.
17. Sudden Oak Death Task Force (SOD) Commissioner Boice worked extensively with State Rep. Brock Smith and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley on SOD issues. Court has only missed one meeting out of 6 working meetings held all over Western Oregon in working to solve this Curry County and South West Oregon forest disease from spreading an issue critical to our forests health.
18. Gorse Action Group (G.A.G.) Commissioner Boice attended 3 meetings on Gorse irradiation and other invasive species issues affecting Curry County. This required out of county travel to mostly Coos County.
19. Meetings (Boards, Associations -- all level of Governments) Commissioner Boice has attended numerous meetings including, but not limited to: Coos Curry Douglas Business Development Corporation Oregon Coast Community Action Southwest Oregon Transportation Commission Southern Oregon Workers Investment Board Retired Badges South Coast Business Development Counsel and work on 2017 Legislative issues requiring travel to Salem. This included working with Representative Brock Smith on HB 3435 which passed unanimously and signed into law. It gives Curry County the option of loaning to Taxing Districts funding for projects from Road Fund Reserves. These loans are very well
20. Court House Window Financing Commissioner Boice has worked with Curry Facilities Director Eric Hanson and Representatives of Oregon Business Council for debt reduction or new loan term adjustments.
21. Curry Fair Board, Other Meetings Commissioner Boice has attended many Curry Health Network, Curry Medical, and Curry General Hospital meetings. Commissioner Boice attended Fair Board meetings and worked with Fair Manager Ron Crook, Road Master Robbins, and Gold Beach Fire Chief Tyson Krieger to get debris blocking the North Ocean Road Exit cleared in time for 2017 Fair opening.
Court also was em-cee at County Fair Manager Ron Crook’s retirement event after Ron served 50 years as County Fair Manager, an amazing career -- work for betterment of Curry County – Well Done Ron!
22. Triton 32 Exercise Commissioner Boice attended the Emergency Management Test and 2 days of training at Cape Blanco Airport in better understanding Disaster Readiness as we should.
23. Rogue River Gravel Bar Closures Commissioner Boice worked with Sheriff John Ward to advert the arbitrary U.S. Forest Service decisions to close these historical public river access locations.
24. Wild Rivers Coast Forest Collaborative Commissioner Boice attended 3 different meetings and a fourth via conference call working most recently on their support for reasonable burned timber salvage from the Chetco Bar Mega Fire – this is an ongoing effort.
25. Title III – Funding Commissioner Boice worked extensively with Douglas County Staff (pro bono), Counsel Huttl, and O&C Counties Exec. Director Rocky McVay to secure Title III Funding.
26. Emergency Management Workshop Commissioner Boice set up and invited Coos County Emergency Management Reps along with Coos Sheriff Zanni to a Curry Emergency Management Workshop.
27. Curry Public Transit Commissioner Boice worked with Kathy Barnhardt on Public Transit issues.
28. Oregon State Parks Commissioner Boice had two meetings each with Dennis Comfort and Larry Becker of Oregon State Parks.
29. Chetco Bar Fire Commissioner Boice met with Governor Brown 3 times, Senator Merkley twice and Senator Wyden and their staffs on numerous occasions during the catastrophic Chetco Bar Fire. Traveled to Brookings almost every day from Aug 17th through mid-September -- Attending over 70 meetings (August 17th and through 2017) included, but not limited to B.A.E.R., U.S.F.S., B.L.M., S.W.O.C.C., F.E.M.A., C.M.A.T., and N.I.M.O., C.W.P., City of Brookings, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Public Information Officers, Curry County Sheriff’s Dept., Oregon State Police, Brookings Police Department, Coos-Curry Forest Protective Association, Oregon State Fire Marshall, Brookings Fire Department, all (5) Incident Commanders, and National Guard – numerous Community Meetings, all Daily Briefings, Press Conferences, many local and regional fire related radio interviews. Met with new USFS Chief Tony Tooke and his top aid Erin O’Connor as well.
30. Burned Area Tours Commissioner Boice Led 4 groups into the Chetco Bar Fire and Gardner Ridge areas where homes were lost sue to the fire.
31. Burned Timber Salvage Commissioner Boice is pushing hard for reasonable and maximum burned timber harvest amounts, challenging the US Forest Service and battling the extreme green activists positions.
32. Road Closures Commissioner Boice has successfully battled the USFS and Federal Government “Overreach” throughout Curry County on public road closings within the Chetco Bar fire footprint. Court believes this is a huge challenge and a conflict that also must be overcome in keeping public access to USFS land open for his Curry Citizens. Our roads are the crucial hub for Law Enforcement, Timber Salvage, Recreation, Forest Projects and Future Fire Suppression access.
33. Wild Horse Fire Abatement Commissioner Boice and his wife Britt have spent 4 extensive months in substantial research. They believe this approach should be considered as a very valuable tool to help eliminate huge amounts of horrible and volatile ground fuels. Court is open to all remedies if it means keeping our forest resources and citizens safe.
34. Curry Wildfire Prevention Committee Commissioner Boice Founded this grassroots group and chaired it for 6 months, meeting almost every Monday night to address USFS Management issues and to seek answers, giving residence a means to voice their concerns. Dedicated to preventing future Mega-Fires and working essentially with everyone to help the people who lost property, the City of Brookings, and Curry County recover from the shadows of the Chetco Bar and previous devastating mega fires. Attendance reached over 70 people.
35. Private Property Compensation Commissioner Boice is working and challenging the U.S.F.S. to find relief for the 7 families who lost their homes and property exchanges for Private Landowner destruction due to the fire. Court believes this fire was completely preventable. The USFS did not manage this fire well!
36. Fire Wise Communities Commissioner Boice has helped with progress in Fire Wise Communities solutions, along with Curry County Emergency Management Coordinator and Coos-Curry Forest Protective Association from late June ‘17’ to present.
Commissioner Boice -- 2018 Curry County Priorities, Vision, and Goals
Catastrophic Forest Fire Prevention -- Lower the risks of a repeating or similar Chetco Bar Fire … Public Awareness and Fire Wise Communities. Additional Burn Tours, fighting for more Timber Salvage, and critical Forest Rehabilitation -- Important Federal, State and Public awareness. Battling unnecessary Road closures and Government overreach. Protecting Citizens, Property and Public Access.
Public Safety – giving Law Enforcement every possible tool – Responsibility for improved State-Line Border Security … All Emergency Management issues and projects.
“Curry Recovery – Recover Oregon” … Finding the qualifications for Curry County and Brookings listed -- the President’s Federal Disaster Declaration -- relief including compensation for the Chetco Bar Fire Private Property loses!
Marijuana Use, Cannabis Production and all related Expansion -- What this means for our County and our Culture – Preparing – A well informed Citizenry – understanding potential future consequences
Consumption Tax Advisory Committee – New County Resources … Curry County has to be rebuilt from the bottom up … 4-day Employee work week future Proposal for most County departments -- … Curry County Annex Security – Improved!
“Wild Horse Fire Brigade” efforts and plans – critical ground fuel abatement. Increasing our depleted Deer and Elk Populations – improved Predator Control. Wolf Depredation – Support Oregon HB 4106. Canadian Wolves ARE NOT NATIVE to Curry County -- Reducing Mountain Lion populations -- now close to 7,000 in Oregon
Curry County Head Start Program, 1.6 mm CDBG – Overcoming all hurdles and saving this important project All Care Grant Funding – additional requests for Housing projects and related needs
Curry County Parks Advisory Committee – Our County Parks Program has been a huge plus and can be expanded through acquisition of other state and Federal parks for Curry County. Plans to work with Cities, State and Federal Government in possible property trades.
Growing our relationships around the state in working with other County Commissioners, State, Federal Elected, and other officials
Board Member through both AOC, AO&C Counties -- Will work to improve Curry County in several ways, not just financially – CHANGING PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES – and initiate additional County workshops for the CC BOC and public through these connections. Serving also on the Boards Coos Curry Douglas Business Development Corporation Southwest Oregon Transportation Commission Southern Oregon Workers Investment Board Curry Community Health
Sudden Oak Death, Gorse and other Invasive Species -- hopeful eradication … Along with -- Retired Badges, Wild Rivers Coast Forest Collaborative, Curry Public Transit, Oregon State Parks Consultations, and Oregon Coast Community Action participations
This basic list will be updated and amended bi-monthly.
Please contact my office if you have questions or need further information.
Court Boice, Curry County Commissioner
Curry Recovery & Recover Oregon
Curry Commissioner Court Boice
February, 10, 2018
Mission ... Qualifying Curry County for Federal Disaster Declaration
To coordinate Curry Citizens, other Oregon Counties and Government at all levels in the goal of seeing that Curry County receives federal relief similar to that coming to Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and California -- the 100 billion appropriated by the President and U.S. Congress.
"Curry County's story must be told -- it's not just the Chetco Bar Fire"...
I'm asking State and Federal Public Officials to contemplate and calculate the additional issues greatly negatively affecting our Curry County Economic health. We are unfortunately considered the Number (1) economically distressed County of the 36 in Oregon.
* Sudden Oak Death (S.O.D.)
* Gorse along with many other Invasive Species
* Sport and Commercial Fishing restrictions
* Condition of Scenic Hwy 101 - Oregon Coast (plus blocked views by growing evergreens)
* Distractions and lack of funding from pursuing bio-mass projects
* Health hazards and bad tourism public relations resulting from Mega-Fire summer smoke
* Rising crime resulting from less prevention and relating property value drops
* Severely reduced O&C and USFS Timber Receipts to Curry County (P.I.L.T., S.R.S., etc.)
* Harbor Sink hole, 2015
* Harbor Tsunami, 2011
* Port of Brookings-Harbor debts and difficulties (Tsunami and Sinkhole)
* Many other detrimental and complex Curry County and Brookings issues
* Port Orford – Langlois School District is the 8th most impoverished in the Nation.
* Marijuana Industrial massive growing and the related cultural and public safety issues. Oregon is the No. 1 exporting region in the World. Curry is marching toward being the No. 1 County exporting County within that geographical area. * Chetco Bar Fire Timber Value lost – (Very Rough Figures) -- 150 marketable trees per acre X $ 150 per tree value X 190,000 acres = 42 mm. Add the loss of wildlife habitat, damage to 80% of the Brookings Harbor Water shed and many related and residual issues.