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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW UPDATE: Arrest made in dog-mauling case ... Expo will host major country music festival in 2017 ... Trail man jailed after toddler struck by car ... UPDATE: Arrest made in dog-mauling case ... Expo will host major country music festival in 2017 ... Trail man jailed after toddler struck by car ... ROGUE RIVER Life jacket stations stalled by red tape Comment By Alex Madison of the Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Alex Madison of the Daily Courier Posted Jun. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Alex Madison of the Daily Courier Posted Jun. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News MURPHY — There are not as many operating life jacket loaner stations along the Rogue River this summer due to a hangup between the Josephine County Foundation and the county Parks Department. "We have to do what's best for our foundation and our county and the citizens of that county," Chris Pendleton said, executive director for the Josephine County Foundation. "The project is still on." Project Float began last fall when three students from Hidden Valley High School in Murphy decided they wanted to construct two life jacket loaner stations and stock another to help prevent summer drownings. The students used the project for their Future Business Leaders of America class taught by Pendleton. Pendleton helped manage the students and project. At the start of the project, the FBLA students received a $4,000 grant from the Grants Pass Active Club, which then reached out to the Josephine County Foundation. At that point, the foundation decided to head the project and help the students complete Project Float. Although they are not currently operating, two new stations have been built by the students at Schroeder and Fish Hatchery park, while Indian Mary Park already had a building that the students planned to restock with life jackets. "I wish we had them running today," Pendleton said. In order to get the stations built, the students needed to receive approval from the county Board of Commissioners and the Parks Department. The students got approval from both. Now, the only thing that stands in the way of opening the life jacket loaner stations is a signed agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding, between the Josephine County Foundation and the Parks Department, something the foundation is working on as they are not yet satisfied with the language, Pendleton told The Daily Courier. "We're working with county parks to do justice for both sides," he said. "In any agreement you want to be happy with the terms in the MOU." Although Pendleton did not comment on what would satisfy the foundation, Sarah Wright, the county parks director, felt the hangup was over liability issues. "It was all about liability — they didn't want to get sued," Wright said. "If someone fastens it on a child wrong, who's going to get in trouble? Who will they sue for that?" It's been about three months since the Josephine County Foundation first received the MOU, but Pendleton said the foundation held a meeting a week ago to specifically discuss the topic. The students put forth a lot of work to get this project done. Project Float has cost the students months of fundraising, gathering materials from multiple woodworking classes at several high schools, attending Board of Commissioners meetings, and more. "It's unfortunate, the kids worked so hard and their intentions are so innocent to save a few lives on the Rogue River," Wright said. Currently there are two operating life jacket loaner stations at Baker and Chinook Parks. Those stations were built by The Middle Rogue Steelheaders and the Grants Pass Police Association. The inspiration for the stations came from the drowning of 7-year-old Dakota Vincent at Baker Park in 2014. Cole Tidwell, president of The Middle Rogue Steelheaders, said their organization had an MOU signed with the county within three weeks. Neither the Parks Department nor the foundation provided an estimated time of resolution, although both say they want to continue Project Float until life jackets are in the hands of residents on the river. By Alex Madison of the Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Alex Madison of the Daily Courier Posted Jun. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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