Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Page 2
Returning to Illinois Valley after a week in San Diego
was a breeze, compared to leaving. As some might recall,
we were fogged out on Oct. 1 at Rogue Valley International
Medford Airport. But we were able to leave on Wednesday
the 2nd, arriving in San Diego shortly after noon.
The return trip last Wednesday was smooth, except for
some airborne speed bumps while I was attending to busi-
ness in the forward rest room somewhere over the Golden
State. We made the 7:10 a.m. Alaska Airlines flight from
San Diego, arriving in Portland at around 9:35 a.m. This en-
abled us to catch a Horizon Air flight at 10:03 a.m., and
with a good tailwind we landed in Medford at 11 a.m.
Thank God that our son, Michael, works for Alaska Air-
lines, and so we are blessed with discount, stand-by passen-
ger fares.
We also are blessed to have Matt Kaplan, a son-in-law
who willingly and with good grace arose at 4 a.m. to drive
us from Carlsbad to Downtown San Diego. And you know
what? Even at 5 a.m. on I-805 and I-5 there was plenty of
traffic. Unfortunately, our native San Diego is getting to
look a lot like Los Angeles, from a traffic standpoint. But
it’s still a beautiful city with plenty to offer, whether you
were born and raised there or are a first-time tourista.
The only fly in the soup was the 44 bucks we were
charged for parking at Medford airport for a week. Dang.
Anyway, in-between those two Wednesdays we had a
fine time, visiting with our daughter, Vicki, and Matt (two
outstanding parents); and of course their new arrival, Natalie
Emma. Plus we spent time with my mom, “Val,” and my
cousin, Micheline, and her husband, Ron Santina. As well,
we had lunch with Matt’s parents, Paul and Roberta.
As always, I lament my hometown as it is today because
I recall it as it was when I was a child. It’s way different
now, with a huge influx of people, who each drive two cars,
sometimes simultaneously. Tremendous growth in all direc-
tions has occurred. Areas that used to be open fields or can-
yons or foothills are becoming home to shopping centers,
office complexes, housing developments and the like. I
mean, you have to be careful or you’ll become part of a con-
struction project if you stand still too long.
As I said, San Diego is still beautiful, but there are so
many people that they often suck most of the oxygen out of
enclosed spaces. It’s especially tough on people like Jan and
me, who have grown used to Oregon during these past 23
years. Even Portland and Seattle aren’t as crowded as San
Diego, although Seattle is getting close.
On Monday the 7th Vicki, Natalie, Jan and I tried to go
to one of our favorite attractions, the San Diego Zoo. But
the parking lot was full; Park Blvd. was lined with cars; and
the side streets were crammed. And this was a Monday
morning. We decided to avoid the zoo on this trip; and
ended up in Downtown San Diego, taking a look at the Gas-
light District and a place called Seaport Village.
I am not that great a shopper, but I enjoyed looking at all
the stuff available. And our credit card began to melt before
I decided to drip it back into my wallet. But hey, we were on
a vacation, and we tried to keep the purchases reasonable.
Whatever that means.
Jan and I also enjoyed wandering around Downtown
Carlsbad, which I remember as a wide spot along Hwy. 101
back in the Olden Days. Now it’s an attractive, large city,
especially for someone like me, who enjoys trains. Coaster
commuter trains and Amtrak trains add lots of atmosphere
(railroad noises) while you’re having a meal or a cup of
java. Yep, there’s plenty of everything no matter where you
go in San Diego, from Oceanside to the Mexican border, out
east to El Cajon and beyond, and other directions too.
The “Noose” staff put out last week’s issue without El
Jefe, which should come as no surprise to anyone. I’ve been
trying to work myself out of a job for years.
As for my beloved San Diego, it is indeed a wonderful
place to visit, but I’m really not sure that I’d want to live
there again.
Editor’s Note: Views and
commentary expressed in
letters to the editor are
strictly those of the letter-
writers.
* * *
We no longer will accept
single-spaced
hand-
written letters. Typed,
double-spaced letters are
acceptable for considera-
tion. Hand-written letters
that are double-spaced
and highly legible also
can be considered for
publication.)
Library levy
From Lou Levison
Cave Junction
Groucho Marx once said,
“Outside of a dog, a book is a
man’s best friend. Inside of a
dog, it’s too dark to read.”
Inside our Illinois Valley
Branch Library there are
plenty of books; access to
close to a million more with
the SOLIS system; new,
friendly staff; public-use
Internet computer terminals,
and good light for reading --
when it’s open.
Let’s ensure that it stays
open 35 hours per week and
provides these and many more
services by voting “yes” in
November for the library levy.
What’s the cost? It just so
happens that our house is as-
sessed at about $100,000. That
means my family pays only
approximately $20 per year to
help keep our library strong,
and that helps create the real-
ity that our valley is a great
place to live. If that’s the real-
ity you want too, vote “yes”
for the library.
‘Felonious nerd’
From Ellis Couron
Cave Junction
Thursday morning, as the
wife and I were on our way to
town, we had the unfortunate
experience of having some
fun-loving insensitive nerd in
a vehicle going in the opposite
direction throw something of
some substance at our vehicle
as he went past.
Whatever it was hit our
windshield and nearly took it
out. Glass shards sprayed all
over the inside of our car and
our clothing. Fortunately we
both wear glasses so our eyes
were somewhat protected.
By time we stopped and
figured out what happened,
the laughing, fun-loving in-
sensitive nerd and his vehicle
was long gone. However, he
should know that a criminal
act of this nature used to be
called a “felonious assault
with intent to do great bodily
harm” and is a most grievous
criminal offense that can bring
a long prison term and is not
the least bit humorous.
I don’t know what this
criminal act is called in our
current permissive society
because when I tried to report
the incident to our intrepid
sheriff’s office, the deputy on
duty was just not interested
enough to be bothered.
What about Ray?
From George Lee
McElroy
Cave Junction
A patriot was taken pris-
oner on Sept. 12. He has re-
fused to eat because of this
false arrest and unlawful court
action preceding his incarcera-
tion. He is accused of driving
without permission (a driver
license) and subsequent re-
lated violations.
Raymond
Ronald
Karczewski has chosen to ex-
ercise his common law right.
He has extricated himself
from the corporate noose that
attorneys have (during the last
215 years) placed around our
necks. He has followed the
procedures established by the
UCC and copyright laws.
The court has refused to
respond to his sovereignty,
and to date has arraigned him
five times. The “don’t knows”
and the “don’t cares” are not
obligated to save America.
Those of us who enjoy the
freedom other patriotic
Americans have sacrificed
their lives and their freedom
for must stand up and object.
Ray has decided that if neces-
sary he will sacrifice his life in
his quest for freedom.
I am asking people to
phone the court (Judge Coon),
the jail, and the sheriff and ask
when they will be releasing
Ray. Ray wants only to law-
fully enjoy our Common Law
Rights. These rights extend to
all Americans, but have been
purposely hidden or buried.
Ray, along with many
American patriots in this
country, has unraveled the
web of deceit deliberately de-
signed to transfer power from
the people and a Republican
form of government to those
we rely on to run our govern-
ment; those in high places
dedicated to political sabo-
tage.
We are indeed at war
against a collectivist conspir-
acy. It is a battle between free-
dom and slavery. Ray is in a
battle for his freedom and he
needs our help.
For libraries
From Rachel Goodman
Cave Junction
“Libraries yes.” The
bright yellow signs are up,
reminding me why I support
the coming library levy. I have
no problem adding a small
amount to my tax bill when
the library offers much more
than my money’s worth in
services.
There are lots of books to
read on long winter nights. If
what I’m looking for isn’t at
our small library, our taxes
support interlibrary loans with
the possibility of borrowing
books from elsewhere in the
state. I can read and borrow
magazines without having to
subscribe; borrow videos and
audiotapes; and use the Inter-
net without having to own a
computer or pay for access.
In these ways libraries
contribute to a healthy democ-
racy where children and older
people can become better edu-
cated whether they have
money or not.
Our library is a commu-
nity center where people of
many ages and lifestyles min-
gle. We have funds now for
helpful staff, convenient hours
and services worthy of any-
where. Let’s vote to keep our
library growing.
Profitable season
From ‘Chas’ Davis
Cave Junction
As the summer draws to a
close, I would like to extend
appreciation to everyone who
made the Oregon Cave Cha-
teau a success this last sea-
son.
Despite serious obstacles,
such as a late start, the Biscuit
Fire, and the loss of much of
our staff at the end of August,
the season was profitable.
The Illinois Valley Com-
munity Response Team
(IVCRT), the employees (all
of whom live in Illinois Val-
ley), and the local artisans
who displayed and sold their
arts and crafts in the gift shop
also had a profitable season.
Most importantly, the
park profited by having a con-
cessionaire to serve the public.
As we’ve seen at our na-
tional forest campgrounds and
state parks, public resources
that are underutilized or don’t
“pay their way,” become tar-
geted for closure and disposal
by our political leaders. In the
endless cycle of tax and
budget cuts they are consid-
ered expendable. That is un-
fortunate, because our parks
are one of the few tangible
assets that we will leave to the
next generation.
I appreciate the many vol-
unteers who gave their time
and expertise to this endeavor.
Without the assistance of
these patriots we would not
have made it.
Hopefully, the IVCRT
and Bill Hunt, the new Cha-
teau general manager, will be
able to operate the concession
again next year.
(Continued on page 3)
Tuesday - Saturday
3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
592-3228
355 Caves Hwy.
Closed
Sunday & Monday
Illinois Valley Fire District
New Holland Loop Station #4
invites you to an
OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, Oct. 19 - 3 to 6 p.m.
Refreshments
5465
Holland Loop
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by
Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez
Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post Office as
Official Newspaper for Josephine County and Josephine County
Three Rivers School District, published at
321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
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Volume 65, No. 30
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