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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 2002)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 11, 2002 Page 2 This is the week that the editor was going to tell you about his jolly experiences on Thursday, Dec. 5 during a 12- hour out-patient extravaganza at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford for an angiogram. Sounds like something a criminal would send to someone on a hit list: “Hey, Jack- son -- send that creep on the East Side an angiogram.” Something like that. But because El Jefe was back at RVMC on Monday, Dec. 9 for a return engagement, he has decided to talk about something else. At least for now, until my chances for enter- ing the Olympics look a bit better. Not to worry; I just have a bit of a heart problem related to bypasses and stents clos- ing, apparently because of bad reviews (?). Anyway, Jan and I have faith that God is in charge, along with various cardiologists and other medical folks, so we’re leaving it their hands. Especially God’s. What does all this mean? Unfortunately, or fortunately -- depending on how one wields a two-edged sword -- it likely means that the editor will have to take a diminished role at the “Noose.” One that doesn't take too much time, and espe- cially one that avoids as much stress as possible. We’ll see about that, but it seems a distinct possibility. We have a terrific staff, and they will continue to pro- duce the “Noosepaper.” El Jefe will have to take more of a sideline approach. Kinda’ like in high school, when my football position was Left Out. As this is written on Sunday, Dec. 8, our kittens are go- ing at it tooth-and-nail in a “playful way.” They also are making noises like veloceraptors. They’re funny little crea- tures (the kittens, not the veloceraptors). How did I get into the topic of cats? Don’t know. Going to stop this column for now. Get back to you next week after I deal with another doc coming at my femoral artery with a sharp knife. God bless all. 5 Star Mobile PC Service T’was the day after Christmas And all thru the house No computer was working Not even one mouse New accessories were strewn on the floor without care In hopes 5 Star Mobile soon would be there... Happy Holidays from all of us at 5 Star Mobile PC Service Free Pickup & Delivery!* No Fix/No Charge! Senior & New Customer Discounts! Member of Grants Pass/Josephine County Chamber of Commerce 541-956-9688 Grants Pass, OR *in Josephine County 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 Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523 Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Volume 65, No. 38 STAFF: Virginia Gilliam, Cindy Newton, Chris Robertson, Sharon Silva & Becky Loudon Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified Ads NOON MONDAYS POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. One letter per person per month. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the editor's opinion. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $20.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas Counties - $24.40 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state -$28 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523 (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary expressed in letters to the editor are strictly those of the letter- writers. * * * Typed, double-spaced letters are acceptable for consideration. Hand- written letters that are double-spaced and highly legible also can be con- sidered for publication. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters.) * * * Losing our outback From Larry Warnicke Cave Junction Summer is gone, and the fires are finally out. Cave Junction is back to its lazy self and digging in for another winter. I just took a ride over the hills from O’Brien, up Lone Mountain Road to the west where the Biscuit Fire burned hot. I went down into the val- ley of Diamond Creek, one mountain range over from Sourdough where the fire first broke out and was totally heart broken. What was a pristine place to go camping -- with four beautiful pools in the size of a large Jacuzzi with crystal- clear waterfalls splashing, causing the water to bubble with excitement -- are gone. The waterfalls and ponds are still there, but the scene surrounding them is devastat- ing. The trees and brush once thick with paths to various rural campsites, with beauty only surpassed by clean air and blue sky, are gone. Now in its place are blackened, burned-out tree trunks standing like monu- ments to remind us how Mother Nature can be so cruel if we don’t heed her warning. How does something like this happen? We had two small fires that could have been easily put under control. However, the paid bureaucrats decided to let it go until it be- came the largest fire in the United States in 2002, and the largest in many decades on the West Coast. Environmental groups fight hard to keep the timber industry out of the areas, and are doing so today in order to “preserve our forest.” Does this mean we should clear-cut all the timber in or- der to prevent fires in the fu- ture? This is as devastating as not select-cutting timber or clearing out under the brush. Now we have nothing but burnt forest to remind us that we need to regroup and start managing our forest before it becomes a waste land. At what point should the environmental groups be held accountable for their actions? Do they stop responsible for- est management with protest and high-paid lobbyists at the governmental level? Are they willing to pay for this and other fires, or absorb the cost of replanting the more than 50 square miles of de- stroyed forest? How long are we going to hold our forest captive in the name of preservation? I won’t be able to go into my forest unless I hike, so how does my dad get there. How does the handicapped person get into the backcountry? I bet they all pay taxes to maintain trails, and fight the fires. It’s going to take millions of dollars to rehab this forest, and who is going to pay for it? Does this mean toss out the environmental groups or put people who were in charge of this fire in the unemployment line? Should we allow the tim- ber industry to go in and clear- cut large areas or allow the off-road groups to run through our forest unchecked? Not at all. Is it time for our govern- ment to hear from the people, instead of special interest lob- byists? We need to help the economy not cost billions in firefighting and rehabilitation of our forest. It is time for the people to reclaim lands lost in the name of preservation. Thousands of acres are gone in this fire, and the tim- ber will remain there until the next lightning strike starts an- other devastating fire. Less than 20 percent of the burnt timber will be logged, and if not cut and processed soon it will be of no use to the timber industry. With the cost of lumber and lack of jobs in Oregon, isn’t it ridiculous to waste what we should have ad- dressed before this fire? And at least get something out of the burnt timber? The forest will be cleaned up, trees replanted, roads re- paired and reopened, along with making money for the state at little or no cost to the people of Oregon. R&R sadness From Paul Dillon Cave Junction I was sad to hear of the potential loss of jobs should Rough & Ready Mill close. It is my prayer that every- one affected by this lay-off will put their trust in the God of the living, Jesus Christ, in this time of change and al- ways. This is yet another exam- ple of the chipping away of the strength of our Nation by those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, while fan- tasizing that they are the sav- iors of the Universe. Romans 1:18 - 32 should make it very clear even to those of us perceived to be less educated than the Clinton/ Gore liberal-left, what is really going on here. I believe that when these people have finally obtained what they want they will still be dissatisfied. They may see themselves as some sort of savior, who they really need is the Savior. MUSIC MOOLAH -(Top photo) IVHS and Lorna Byrne Stu- dents sing Christmas carols as Linda Oncay of Family Tree Garden Center presents T. Lund with a $300 check to the Illi- nois Valley Music Program at the 5th Annual I.V. Music Dept. Benefit and Open House on Saturday, Dec. 7. The check con- sisted of 10 percent of Family Tree Garden Centers Decem- ber 2001 sales. The benefit continues Saturday, Dec. 14. (See ad below) 5th Annual I.V. Music Department Benefit and Open House Saturday, Dec.14 at Noon 441 S. Junction Ave. 592-3799 Come listen to the Lorna Byrne & IVHS choir, enjoy refreshments & share the joy of the holiday! A portion of all sales will be donated to the music department. Winter Hours: 9;30 - 4:30 Monday through Saturday Closed Sunday
