Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2008)
Applegater November-December 2008 17 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor represent the opinion of the author, not that of the Applegater or the Applegate Vallley Community Newspaper. We are a community-based news- paper that receives diverse opinions on different topics. Letters should be no longer than 450 words, and may be edited for grammar and length. Opinion Pieces should be no longer than 600 words. All Letters and Opinion Pieces must be signed, with a full street address or P.O. Box and phone number. Individual Letters may or may not be published in consecutive issues. Address Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor to: The Applegater c/o Applegate Valley Community Newspaper, Inc. 7386 Highway 238. • PMB 308 Jacksonville, OR 97530 Email: gater@applegater.org Dear Editor: My name is Randi Martin and I have a problem. At the bottom of Applegate school hill, Highway 238 drivers are disobeying the law and they are told to slow down, signs show to slow down and a light warns them of a school zone. I can’t help but notice that they ignore that. I have come to school and heard kids talking about how they have almost got hit. So my question to you is: Is there any way you can make it safe to come to school? Well I have a couple of ideas. 1. Law enforcement 2. A camera to take pictures 3. Talk more about it (newspaper, TV, etc.) 4. Enforce the law 5. Have a school zone guard JACKSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER PETS OF THE MONTH Ferris a friendly, fuzzy ferret full of frisky fun! Swirly - #1860 a 10-mth-old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix boy. Blue Belle - #K2330 a Russian Blue who likes a belly rub. Thank you, Randi Martin, Applegate School Dear Editor: Living in the culturally famished Manhattan I don’t know what I would do without the news of the Applegate Fire District, the Cantrall-Buckley Park, and the Williams Creek Watershed Council (all exotic sounding areas I hope to see one day). Keep up the good work. Although much of my limited donation money is currently going to ensure that Sarah Palin stays in Alaska and thus does not have wider duties that may bring her here and perchance mistake me for a moose, here is my pittance. Best wishes, Bob Raber . New York, NY Emu - #K2478 A clever 2-year-old Border Collie / Whippet mix girl with great energy. adopt volunteer donate Dear Editor: I am happy to support this wonderful publication—as a landowner though not a resident. Keep it up! Dr. Phyllis C. Moeller , Los Angeles, CA Opinion A lesson from Ike? BY SANDY SHAFFER Watching the coverage of Hurricane Ike last month, I found myself grateful that New Orleans was spared, confused that some Galvestonians decided to stay put, and astonished at the destruction in Houston. Two to three million folks without power for how long – a week? Unbelievable! A lesson, I think, for us all. Not to fear hurricanes, but to take our survival in situations like Ike into our own hands. Could you and your family survive at home for a week without water and electricity? Would everyone, including your pets, have enough to eat and drink? Would you have a way to contact authorities or a neighbor? And, could you provide first aid to a family member or friend if needed? In our region, floods, wildfires and winter storms can put any of us in the Applegate into this type of situation. Are you prepared? Both Jackson and Josephine Counties have survival information on their websites. So does the Red Cross. A “72-Hour Kit” for your home includes supplies such as canned Bella - #K1364 a mellow Lynx-Point with sparkling blue eyes. foods, water, canned milk, first aid items, blankets and other items that could help save your life. Do you have something like this set up for your family? Because “being prepared is another form of insurance,” my hubby and I are putting our “kit” together this month. It’s not been difficult. You can go to one of the following websites now, before winter sets in, and prepare your own family kit. w w w. a p p l e g a t e f d . c o m a n d look for the link “Emergency Preparedness.” www.co.josephine.or.us and go to “Emergency Preparedness,” download the Family Emergency Handbook. www.co.jackson.or.us and hit “site map,” then under “documents and forms,” go to “Emergency Preparedness Plan for Families.” www.redcross.org/services/prepare Sandy Shaffer • 541-899-9541 WWW . FOTAS . ORG 774.6654 The Jackson County Animal Shelter is located at 5595 S. Pacific Hwy. 99, between Talent & Phoenix. Adoption Hours: 11-4 weekdays, Noon-4 weekends. LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER COUPONS AVAILABLE www.spayneuter.org or call 541.858.3325