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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 26, 2003)
Page 4 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 26, 2003 (Continued from page 3) Monday, March 17 *2:07 p.m. Vehicle fire: 600 block E. River Street. *4:07 p.m. Motor vehicle accident: Lake Selmac. *9:13 p.m. Illegal open burn: 600 block Thompson Creek Road. Tuesday, March 18 *4:43 a.m. Medical assist: 28000 block Redwood Hwy. *10:30 a.m. Medical as- sist: 24000 block Redwood Hwy. *10:30 a.m. Medical standby: 600 block Caves Hwy. *10:54 a.m. Vehicle fire: 800 block Caves Hwy. Wednesday, March 19 *11:14 a.m. Medical as- sist: 8000 block Holland Loop Road. *11:14 a.m. Medical standby: 600 block Caves Hwy. *1:10 p.m. Illegal open burn: 1000 block Lakeshore Drive. *10:06 p.m. Medical as- sist: 5500 block Rockydale Road. Thursday, March 20 *2:09 p.m. Medical assist: 4700 block Caves Hwy. Friday, March 21 *5:00 p.m. Medical assist: 100 block O’Brien Road. *6:49 p.m. Open burn: 100 block Finch Road. *8:41 p.m. Medical assist: 300 block E. River Street. an ethical reason for war. We do what we do be- cause we know from our own life experiences that the only legacy of violence is more violence, and that it has to end somewhere. We’re there be- cause we know that “collateral damage” really means inno- cent women and children dead because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We’re out there because we know what “friendly fire” means. We want all our troops to be safe at home, where they belong. We’re standing vigil for the safety of Paxton’s sons. We may, indeed, “get our___ slammed in jail.” That’s a risk we’ve under- stood full well since we first began our vigils. The first and most tragic casualty of Mr. Bush’s “War on Terrorism” was the Constitution. But Pax- ton shouldn’t be so quick to gloat. Yes, our civil rights are being taken away. But so are his. They may arrest me on Monday, but he may be ar- rested on Tuesday. He’s not safe just because his beliefs are different from mine. “Homeland Security” and “Patriot Acts 1 and 2” rob all American citizens of their civil rights, not just the people you don’t like. Sadly, patriotism isn’t just waving flags and singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Sometimes, it means thinking for yourself. It means asking unpleasant questions, and finding equally unpleasant answers. It means realizing that two and two still equal four, even when you’re being told they really equal five. And when you make this unhappy discovery, patriotism means that, for love of your country, you have to do some- thing to try to make things right. That’s why we’re out there. Should Paxton come to realize that two and two really do equal four, he’s welcome to join us. He doesn’t even have to wear black. ‘We are at war’ From Raymond Karczewski Cave Junction We are at war. I have armed myself. I look to no man to protect me, for I fully understand that no man can protect another in that moment between life and death. I will protect myself. I will protect my wife. I will protect my neighbors to the best of my ability. I will pro- tect my community because it is my community. I encourage able-bodied men in Josephine County to strap on sidearms and do like- wise. This is our country. This is our life. Who will attack a community, a state, a nation of able-bodied armed men and women? I spent a 20-year career as an armed police officer, and private security company owner. The sidearm never got in the way of my doing busi- ness then: It shall not get in the way of doing business now. When another comes to disarm me in a time of war, I shall know the face of our en- emy. Oregon unemployment rate rises again With 1.6 million people employed, Oregon’s season- ally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.5 percent in January from a revised 7.3 percent in December, said Oregon Employment Dept. (OED). Newly revised figures for last year show that in the first part of 2002, Oregon’s unem- ployment rate went down from a high of 8.4 percent in January. From May through December, Oregon’s unem- ployment rate stayed between 7.2 and 7.4 percent, which is close to last month’s 7.5 per- cent, OED said. Besides the January 2003 unemployment figures, OED is releasing revised labor force data for 2001 and 2002. Over- all, these revised data paint much the same picture as the preliminary information re- leased during the past year. Oregon’s unemployment rate peaked early in 2002 and has since declined. Employ- ment losses seemed to end early in 2002, but the state’s economy has been unable to sustain any kind of significant employment growth during the past 10 months. “Today’s numbers rein- force the general economic assessment that prevailed throughout most of 2002,” said Graham Slater, OED’s administrator for Workforce and Economic Research. “It still looks like unem- ployment peaked and job losses subsided early in 2002,” said Slater. “But the pace of recovery, especially in terms of new jobs being added is painfully slow. After some hopeful months in the spring of 2002, job gains petered out, and Oregon ended the year at essentially the same employ- ment level where it started.” In January, payroll em- ployment dropped by 33,500 from December. This job de- cline was close to the normal seasonal trend, as the January employment level is typically the low point for the year. One positive sign for Ore- gon’s economy was the ten, 100-job increases in the 12 months ending in January. However, this gain was mod- est at less than a 1 percent in- crease. Several industries contrib- uted to the job gains since January 2002. Certain con- struction industries boosted employment levels as low mortgage interest rates spurred demand for housing. Building finishing contractors added 1,600 jobs in the 12 months ending in January, a 16 percent gain. Similarly, residential building construction was up 900 jobs and building equip- ment contractors added 1,900 jobs. Another industry related to the housing sector -- build- ing material and garden sup- ply stores -- was a top per- former in the past 12 months, adding 1,800 jobs in that time. Hospital employment has grown steadily and rapidly in Oregon during the past three years. The industry gained 2,600 jobs, or 6 percent, dur- ing the past 12 months. During the past year, full- service restaurants have grown at about the same pace as hospitals, up 2,800 jobs or 6 percent in that time. Federal government em- ployment grew by 1,300 jobs in the past 12 months as hun- dreds of airport security work- ers were included in the fed- eral payrolls in the latter half of 2002. Rounding out the list of major industries that have grown by 4 percent or more is employment services, which grew by 1,300 jobs or four percent in that time. On the down side, many industries experienced net job losses in the 12-month period e n d i n g J a n u a r y. No n - residential building construc- tion has been hurt by reduced demand for commercial pro- jects and has cut its employ- ment by 1,500 jobs or 16 per- cent during that time. Primary metals manufac- turing has been hit with en- ergy price increases and the downturn in industrial de- mand, resulting in a loss of 1,000 jobs or 11 percent since January 2002. ROARING ROUGH & READY - Winter and spring rains bring seasonal flows to Rough & Ready Creek every year which normally lasts until late summer before it disappears under the rocks when the next big rain arrives. Enjoyment of the running water may be seasonal, but the Rough & Ready Botanical Wayside offers those interested the chance to meander along trails and enjoy the diverse botanical specimens and unique landscapes. The Illinois Valley Airport, also in the vicinity, offers a ’work in progress’ nature trail that gives hikers a different view of the botanical wayside. $31.5 million restores OHP drug benefits More than 100,000 Ore- gon Health Plan members who lost Medicaid payment of pre- scription expenses on March 1 are now able to have their pre- scriptions filled again. The benefit had been eliminated as part of $140 million in state general fund reductions to the Oregon Dept. of Human Services (DHS) since November. The drug benefit was re- stored as part of approxi- mately $31.5 million approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Kulongoski March 4. Not restored were Oregon Health Plan dental, outpatient mental health, outpatient alco- hol and drug, and medical equipment and supply cover- age for “standard” clients, who are working-poor Orego- nians who would not qualify for traditional Medicaid. Some drug benefits were not restored for selected mem- bers of the DHS Medically Needy program. Medicaid- paid long-term care was also restored for more than 4,000 seniors and people with dis- abilities. 1691 Rogue River Hwy. Grants Pass, Oregon 97527 (541) 471-0830 Providing quality hair care for all ages. ‘Tony the barber’ who listens to you and cuts your hair the way you want will have a new schedule as of March 31, 2003 NEW HOURS: Tuesday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Remember: 1691 Rogue River Hwy. ‘Where the nicest people meet.’ Josephine County Fairgrounds Grants Pass Siskiyou Community Health Center 30th Year Anniversary Open House Chain Link Specialist 592-6192 Siskiyou Community Health Center in Cave Junction is having an Open House celebrating our 30th year and introducing Lucinda Kolo, M.D. Please come join us and meet Dr. Kolo, the staff, and some of our board members. We look forward to seeing you. We will have the latest information on our new clinic building planned on the north end of town. Date: April 11, 2003 Time: 4 to 7 p.m. Location: 319 Caves Hwy. Cave Junction, OR