Editorial: Roses & thorns

Rose

There are many beautiful flowers growing in Oakland, and to the City Council we add this rose for removing a potentially noxious weed from its garden.

In a city where rancor rears its ugly head quite frequently, if several recent recall elections and a bucketful of reader comments left on our Web site are any gauge, it was a commonsense move that cleared the air, reduced confusion and showed political maturity.

We’re talking about competing ballot initiatives involving the city’s charter, which sets down how government functions.

One measure, sponsored by a citizens’ group, would require Oakland to fund its own police department. The city now hires Sutherlin officers for that function.

Shortly after that initiative made the ballot, the council approved a second measure that would completely replace the current charter — the one the citizens’ group wanted to amend — with a new document altogether if approved by voters.

You can see the potential for confusion. And rancor. Kudos to the City Council for seeing it, too.

Thorn

Another candle, another fire.

It seems that all too often, we read about preventable fires breaking out because of inattention to a little flickering flame that turns into a full-fledged house fire.

Whether they are being used for a nice decorative touch or for a little candlelight when power problems arise, it is wise not to leave candles unattended, ever.

Last winter, a fire from a candle destroyed a mobile home in Green and a family lost all of its possessions.

This week a candle in Winston led to a house fire that damaged another family’s home.

Sometimes candles are a necessity, sometimes they’re used just because they’re nice to look at, or because they smell good.

But a fire is a fire, no matter how small, and all of them deserve watching.

Rose

Here’s a bed of roses to make a beautiful setting even more beautiful.

An idea first discussed more than 20 years ago finally flowered last weekend, as the Chief Miwaleta Campground at Galesville Reservoir near Canyonville opened for business.

Campers lined up at 7:30 in the morning for a choice spot.

“We’ve been coming here for 15 years,” said Dustin Rivera, a Myrtle Creek resident. “To us, this is our lake; we come here and fish all summer long.”

The opportunity to spend the night, light a campfire, and enjoy a family weekend just makes things sweeter.

The 31-acre campground has 20 water and sewer hookup sites and one cabin with a lake view. On a first-come, first-serve basis, visitors can camp overnight for $20 year-round. Douglas County residents pay $18.

A shower and restroom are in the works, as well as several tent camping sites.

The reservoir is prime for fishing, especially for bass, and there are no boat-launching fees. The campground was funded by two separate Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grants.

Congratulations and thanks all around.