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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2003)
Page 12 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 19, 2003 Not porn ... County charter change? (Continued from page 1) can’t really do anything right now to prevent the store from opening. “State law says we can’t discriminate” based on the type of business, he said. An exception down the line, however, would be if the city could show, as evidence in court, of the harmful effects resulting from the adult busi- ness and warranting closure. “Public pressure can work wonders,” said Steve Lyons, real estate agent at Century 21 Harris & Taylor in Cave Junc- tion, noting that petitions against Midnight Oasis are circulating at St. Patrick’s Church and Bridgeview Church, where he is a mem- ber. While he said he didn’t yet know all of what would be sold in the store, Lyons said that having an adult novelty store in town could not only lead to the detriment of Downtown Cave Junction it- self -- by likely increasing crime in the vicinity of the store -- but also that of the city’s image, which, he added, would counteract efforts to boost area tourism. “I don’t want my children and grandchildren walking downtown (past the store),” Lyons said. But besides a letter he recently received in the mail, Motley said that almost all of the comments from others have been positive inquiries about when Midnight Oasis will open. One of them was even from an area churchgoer, he added. “I know for a fact there’s a market (for our products) out here,” said Motley, who has lived in the valley for 14 years, and knows there are a number of parties held by I.V. adults. Motley added that he un- derstands some parents might be fearful about their children being inappropriately exposed to sexual-related items. That is why he plans to black out the store’s windows. “Nothing in my shop is going to be visible to minors,” he said, adding that nothing -- including neon lights, posters or displays -- will be used to attract customers. Only a small sign with the name of the business will be visible from the front. Customers who look younger than 30 will be re- quired to show identification before entering the store, he added. And, whereas it is lawful for minors to accompany their parents into an adult novelty store, according to Motley, absolutely no persons younger than 18 years old will be al- lowed inside Midnight Oasis. “I’m not going to walk that line,” he said. Motley said that he and Deason do want to hear con- structive criticism or substan- tial concerns from members of the community. “We’re always willing to listen,” he said, noting how- ever that individuals have the free will to shop where they choose. “If you’re not happy with my business, you don’t have to frequent it,” Motley said, adding that Midnight Oasis is not the first adult novelty store in Josephine County. There are such stores in both Merlin and Medford. Lyons said he plans to stand outside the Cave Junc- tion Post Office and grocery stores with the petition to in- form valley residents about the business opening in town. Referring to the quote, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” by Edmund Burke, Lyons said, “If we do nothing, evil will triumph in our town.” After 18 months of work, members of a grass-roots committee plan to present a draft for a brand-new charter including seven county com- missioners, instead of three, saving $214,000 per year in salaries. The proposed Josephine County charter replacement also includes a county admin- istrative officer, who would be responsible to the seven- member board, said Jerry Smith, of northern Josephine County, who served as chair- man of the committee. Smith said he will submit the charter revision to County Clerk Georgette Brown on Thursday, March 20. She will have five days to review it, and submit it to the district attorney for a legal check and a ballot title, Smith noted. After it goes back to Brown, those behind the char- ter would need 2,377 signa- tures of registered voters to get the item on the Nov. 4 bal- lot, Smith said. If approved by voters, it would take effect in January 2004, Smith said. “This has been as grass- roots an effort as you can imagine,” he said on Tuesday, March 18. “It all started when a bunch of residents decided to quit griping about the county not having enough money -- causing problems for funding areas like the sheriff’s office, parks and the I.V. Swimming Pool -- and to do something about it. “We came to the conclu- sion that we need a whole new charter.” Under the proposal, four commissioners would be elected from each of four dis- tricts. Only those who live in the districts could vote for those to represent their con- cerns and needs. Three at- large commissioners would be elected by voters from all four districts. Those elected would be paid $500 per month, said Smith, for a yearly total of $42,000. The county’s current three commissioners are paid some $86,000 per year with salaries and benefits. “We need to bring our commissioners closer to the people,” Smith said. Under the plan, those in the districts, including one taking in Illinois Valley and the area to Jerome Prairie, would in essence have their own advocates. Smith said that the admin- istrative officer, should the charter revision get on a ballot and be approved, would be chosen by the seven commis- sioners. Applications would be reviewed by the seven, plus four “civilians,” he said, and a recommendation referred to the board. “Josephine County is one of nine home-rule counties in Oregon,” Smith said, “and that’s designed to allow more power for those counties, plus provide a lot more flexibility in its operations.” The hoped-for charter re- vision, he indicated, would go a long way toward increasing the flexibility, while saving the taxpayers a considerable amount of money. Among Illinois Valley residents who’ve been in- volved in the discussions are Lynn Boucher, Jim Finley, Cory Krauss and Al Devine. WAIT IS OVER - After much an- ticipation, the ‘Welcome Sign’ at the intersection of Redwood Hwy. and Hamilton Avenue in Cave Junction was dedicated on Tuesday, March 18. Mayor Ed Faircloth greeted a group of ap- proximately 25 people, including city council members, Josephine County Commissioners Harold Haugen and Jim Riddle, and fifth-graders from Lise Van Brunt’s leadership class (photo above) at Evergreen Elementary School, who, along with the city, installed a time capsule to be opened in the summer of 2030. Photo right, Gary Biggs from public works praised the efforts of those in the community who helped make the project a reality. presents: with & Join us for a pole utilization demonstration and tour of Kauffman Wood Products show room and workshops. For more information phone (541) 488-0208