Dave Morgan

Another Obama report card

 Economy, Government  2 Responses »
Jul 272010
 

Courtesy Pew Research Group

While most Americans disapprove of Barack Obama’s handling of the economy, far more think his administration’s policies — rather than those of the Bush administration — would do more to improve economic conditions over the next few years.

As Congress gears up for debate over the tax cuts passed when Bush was president, the public is divided, with roughly equal numbers in favor of keeping all of Bush’s tax cuts, repealing only those for wealthy Americans, or scrapping them entirely.

In the latest Pew Research/National Journal Congressional Connection poll, sponsored by SHRM, conducted July 22-25 among 1,004 adults, 46% say that following the policies of Obama administration would do more to help the economy improve in the next few years, while 29% say that following the Bush administration’s policies would do more to help. Nearly one-in-five (17%) volunteer that neither administration’s policies would help.

Keep reading by clicking the link below:
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1677/obama-economic-policies-better-than-bush-divide-over-tax-cut-expiration

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Oregon's unemployment rate flat in June. Lincoln up slightly to 11%.

 Economy, Lincoln County  No Responses »
Jul 272010
 

Lincoln County’s jobless rate in June rose 2 tenths of a percent to 11%. It was 10.9% in June of last year, so clearly the local unemployment rate is just bumping along the bottom. However, there was glimmer of hope in one deeper number. State Employment Department numbers show that logging and mining jobs rose 7% in June. Unfortunately, the rest of the categories were down compared to June of last year. Construction was off nearly 25% (-11.8 statewide), manufacturing of durable goods was off 4.5% (-3% statewide). Retail trade was down 1.4% (-1.3% statewide), Leisure and Hospitality -6.3% (+1% statewide), Financial Activities – 1.2% (-2.2 statewide), Local Government -3.2% (+.3% statewide), State Government -4.7% (+.6% statewide).

A view of Oregon’s construction industry by state employment department analysts indicate that jobs in the construction industry will gradually rebuild, but very slowly. They estimate that construction’s peak job numbers of 100,000 workers in mid-2007 will take more than ten years to recoup, if then. They predict 80,000 construction jobs statewide MAYBE by 2017. Today there are about 65,000 construction workers still on the job.

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Consolidating 9-1-1 dispatch centers in Lincoln County. The cost of saving money.

 Accidents-Emergencies  No Responses »
Jul 272010
 

Lincoln City City Manager Dave Hawker gave a report to his city council Monday night that created more questions than answers as to whether Lincoln City, the County, Newport and Toledo should go in together on a consolidated 9-1-1 dispatch center.

Hawker portrayed such a consolidation as definitely saving money, but questioned how much, and whether it would be worth it. Figures range from $75,000 up to nearly $400,000 a year in savings to Lincoln City if it could buy into a consolidated system. Continue reading »

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Lincoln City Council: Getting a little bit more serious about expanding city limits to include Roads End.

 Government  No Responses »
Jul 262010
 

Lincoln City Council, Monday evening

It appears that the Lincoln City Council is starting to get serious about annexing the Roads End area into the city. City Manager Dave Hawker told the council that the Roads End area, under an original agreement to get water pipes extended out into county lands where they live, would annex into the city and begin paying property taxes and other fees to help pay for city services to their neighborhoods. That was back in the 1970′s. They’re still outside the city.

Hawker said, in effect, enough is enough, especially after the millions of dollars in water system and other services the city has invested in Roads End. Continue reading »

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LC City Mgr David Hawker on consolidated county 9-1-1 Dispatch: Go slow. Think it through.

 Public Safety, Uncategorized  1 Response »
Jul 262010
 


Typical smaller community 9-1-1 Dispatch Center

Lincoln City City Manager David Hawker, in a memo to his City Council, recommends that serious discussions begin between Lincoln County communities on how best to consolidate the county’s three separate 9-1-1 dispatch centers. It’s been estimated that the three centers, Lincoln City, Lincom (Newport/County) and Toledo are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars a year more than if the county had one center. It’s the old “duplication” argument. Continue reading »

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When the meaning of life begins to escape you…

 Health  No Responses »
Jul 262010
 

Rennie Maguire, Meditation Instructor

A Beginning Meditation Workshop will be taught on Thursday, August 5 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Newport Chamber of Commerce Meeting Room.

Meditation is an ancient art that has many benefits for people today. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, soothes emotional mood swings and gradually brings practitioners a sense of peace and well-being. It is a gift to oneself of amazing self-care, inner exploration, ancient wisdom and profound possibilities. Continue reading »

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Oregon Cultural Trust announces nearly $1.5 million in grant awards to cultural organizations around the state

 Arts and Culture  No Responses »
Jul 262010
 

The Oregon Cultural Trust announced today from Salem $1.47 Million in cultural grants to help support 57 heritage, arts and humanities nonprofits, 40 county and tribal coalitions and five statewide partners across Oregon.

Each year, the Trust distributes 42% of the prior fiscal year’s revenues; 58% remains in the endowment. In FY2010, Trust revenues totaled $3,781,396, an increase of 1.8% from FY2009’s $3,714,887. Although contributions increased six percent, from $3,493,004 to $3,702,885, current low interest income resulted in a 1% increase in grantmaking this year. Continue reading »

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Senior Center Culinary Engineering now in print!

 Books, Charities, Senior and Disabled  No Responses »
Jul 262010
 


The Newport Senior center is cookn’ up something great.

Recently released is our “Senior Coastal Cooks” cook book. The books sell for just $10.00 each and the proceeds will benefit the center by adding additional storage to house senior program supplies. There are several locations in Newport to pick one up. Stores selling on the Bayfront are, Bohemian Candle, Bridies Irish Fair, Bayscapes Gallery and Marine Discovery Tours. Also at Canyon Way, Hair’s the Thing, Waves n’more , Newport Recreation Center and the Newport Senior Center. If your business would like to help support this project by letting us sell at your shop. Please contact us at 541 265 9617. Continue reading »

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Sheriff Dennis Dotson: How to safely carry firearms.

 Accidents-Emergencies, Public Safety  No Responses »
Jul 262010
 

DRIVING WITH FIREARMS

As we’re preparing for hunting season, let’s pause to ask ourselves one question. “Just because we can carry a loaded firearm in our vehicle; does that mean we should?” Oregon law does not prohibit someone for having a loaded shotgun or rifle in a motor vehicle. The prohibition of carrying a loaded shotgun or rifle only pertains to Class I, II, and III ATV’s such as quads, 3-wheelers, and motorcycles. Continue reading »

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Coast Guard rescues six from grounded power boat

 Accidents-Emergencies, Coast Guard  No Responses »
Jul 252010
 

http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=949566 <<< Click for video

A pleasure boat trip out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Bellingham turned out to be less than an enjoyable experience for all six aboard the “Honeybee” out of Bellingham. When they got into trouble, they were saved by the Coast Guard in the air and on the water at around 5:30 this morning.

The video above shows the rescue operation of the last of four adults and two children who set out on a trip in the “Honeybee” only to wind up grounded on rocks beneath a cliff. The six occupants were lifted off their craft and gently lowered on to several Good Samaritan boats waiting in deeper water. None were injured. All were transported by a Coast Guard Response Boat to Bellingham, just this side of the Canadian border.

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