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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 2003)
IVFD eyes two plots for station BIG TOP RAISING - Dozens of schoolchildren and adults watched Barbara, an African ele- phant, help lift the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus tent on Thursday morning, May 15. The circus was sponsored by the Illinois Valley Family Coalition. Related photos on page 8. (Photo by Britt Fairchild) Community center would tap area assets Community Response Team presents I.V. Chamber with plans, requests federal cash In the interests of bolster- ing the sagging Illinois Valley economy, a $350,000 grant is sought for an Illinois Valley Community Arts & Econom- ics Centre that likely will cost some $600,000. The concept was pre- sented to I.V. Chamber of Commerce directors during their noon meeting on Thurs- day, May 15 in Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. in Cave Junction. Ron Phillips, execu- tive director of I.V. Commu- nity Response Team (IVCRT), made the presentation. There is a definite need to tap into two of the valley’s biggest assets: Oregon Caves National Monument, and the steady flow of traffic through the center of the valley on Hwy. 199, known as Redwood Hwy., he said. A community center with approximately 4,000 square feet of space would not only offer concentrated information for visitors, but room for dis- plays of art and other valley products. In addition, there could be space for offices. The grant is sought from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture/Forest Service Rural Investment Fund. Four locations, with assis- tance from Bill Reid of Ore- gon Mt. Real Estate, are being examined. They are the site of the former Cabax Mill across from Kerbyville Museum; alongside the existing I.V. Visitor Center; on the vacant lot owned by Junction Inn on its north side; and the site of the former Wish-U-Well Mo- tel across from the visitor cen- ter on Hwy. 46, known as Caves Hwy. “We need to take advan- tage of our Enterprise Com- munity designation,” said Phillips, noting that less than two years of its designation remain. He added that during the past 16 months, the valley has lost 175 jobs with reloca- tion of Fire Mountain Gems and Krauss Craft to the Inter- state 5 corridor in the Grants Pass area. In addition, with reorganization of Rough & Ready Lumber Co., another 70 jobs are lost. Plus, said Phillips, “The current recession, exacerbated by the poor tourism season in the aftermath of last summer’s Biscuit Fire, has struck at an- other important sector -- tour- ism -- leaving many visitor- dependent businesses up for sale or in desperate financial straits. “The loss of income from these companies and of wages for local recirculation will have a negative ripple effect on other service and retail businesses. By building on local assets, namely the excel- lent arts community and Ore- gon Caves National Monu- ment, a significant improve- ment in the tourism sector can be achieved.” And the way to approach the situation, he said, is to “construct the Illinois Valley Community Arts & Econom- ics Centre to serve as a hub of entrepreneurial activity and creativity. “The proposed center will serve as a catalyst for entre- preneurial development by providing a focal point where business owners, crafters, art- ists and service providers can interact and collaborate. The center,” said Phillips, “will serve as the intersection of Internet and on-site marketing for local products. “The goal,” he said, “is to build a critical mass of com- mercial activity based on ex- isting export products includ- ing furniture, arts and crafts, and wine; and tourism ser- vices including accommoda- tions, dining and attractions.” They would be placed “within Two sites for a new Selma Fire Station are being consid- ered, acting Chief Jeff Gavlik told Illinois Valley Board of Directors during its meeting in Cave Junction City Hall on Thursday night, May 15. One site of 2.5 acres, owned by Rough & Ready Lumber Co., has been a possi- bility for perhaps three months. However, the price was considered too high. Rough & Ready has dropped the price to $80,000, the board was told by Gavlik. Another site, consisting of 3.44 acres, also is available for $80,000, said the acting chief. Volunteer Lt. Jim Gur- ley, said Gavlik, “is research- ing the specifics for me, but his preliminary studies indi- cate that this property would work for our construction plans.” Both sites are on the west side of Hwy. 199; the larger one closer to the existing sta- tion than the other property. The 3.44 acres already has septic and water on-site, said Gavlik, and its location on a straight section of the highway is advantageous. “It’s looking like the better prospect,” he said. Because Illinois Valley Chief Kyle Kirchner’s paid administrative leave during an audit ordered by district direc- tors has stretched from an esti- mated two weeks to nearly two months, concerns have surfaced about unnecessary expenses to taxpayers, plus anxiety about Kirchner’s repu- tation and the effect on volun- teer firefighters. In addition, board Vice President Larrick Jones said he believes that the situation “could have been handled in one evening” if the board had met with the chief regarding the allegations about misuse of a credit card. “There are no grounds for termination,” he said during a telephone inter- view on Sunday, May 18. “The items we’re talking about,” he said, “are no big concern.” He added that the process used by the board regarding the allegations, under the di- rection of President Don Haviland, “was not done the right way. If there were con- cerns with the budget or what- ever,” said Jones, “the chief should have been contacted directly. Then if we weren’t satisfied, our attorney could have been contacted. “This was not done,” said Jones, a retired fire chief for the city of Del Mar, Calif. with 43 years in the fire ser- vice. “As far as I’m con- cerned, this whole process (regarding Kirchner) is null and void. You either do it the right way or not at all,” he said, referring to board policy. Board President Don Haviland, contacted at home on May 18 about the board’s regular meeting on Thursday evening, May 15 in Cave Junction City Hall, said he had no further comment beyond those from the first public an- nouncement by the board since March 28. It was during a special meeting in city hall on March 28 that the board approved 5-0 Kirchner’s paid administrative leave. There is still some ques- tion as to which of the direc- tors brought up the matter of possible credit card misuse, seeking an inquiry. The matter seemed to have been ad- dressed during a regular meet- ing in March, when Kirchner indicated that it was done in error and without thought of fraud, and that he had reim- bursed the district. During the regular meet- ing last week, the board was (Continued on page 8) JEFF AND MARY CHRISTENSEN Valley couple gives the gift of juggling New Cave Junction business offers free lessons, sells souvenirs and supplies (Continued on page 8) PRICELESS PRANCING PETS - Area animals made a big impression at this year’s Illinois Val- ley Child’s Fair & Pet Parade held in Jubilee Park on Saturday, May 17. Activities included fingerpainting, kite making, face painting, children’s guitar music, karaoke singing and a visit by birds of prey from Wildlife Images. Free food and drinks were also provided. Related pho- tos on page 8. Fire chief’s paid leave sparks cash concerns By BRITT FAIRCHILD Staff Writer Jeff Christensen is partial to bluegrass, but any music will do. As long as it has a good beat, he’ll juggle to it. Throw in some funky stepping and the result is quite impressive. “I’m an avid juggler,” said Jeff, who learned the art some 30 years ago. “It’s a fun thing I’d like to share.” Slowly but surely, he’s getting the chance in Illinois Valley. A little more than one week ago, Jeff and his wife, Mary, opened Jemarc, a Cave Junction gift and “learn to jug- gle” shop where most of the inventory, from juggling bags to intarsia wood art, is hand- made. As word about the new business spreads, more and more are coming forth for the free juggling lessons. Jemarc -- “Je” for Jeff, “mar” for Mary and the “c” stands for their last name -- is the first business the couple has owned. They moved to the valley in June from Thornton, Colo. (a Denver suburb) after their youngest daughter gradu- ated from high school. “We vacationed here for years and loved the valley,” Jeff said. While the couple noted that there are no economic guarantees for their type of business, they said they hope to attract tourists. “If I get people to juggle I’m happy,” Jeff said. Mary, who also teaches lessons, added that she has fun helping others learn. Plus, she said, it’s one of few activities in the area for children. “There’s not too much for the kids (here) to do. It’s something for them to enjoy,” Mary said. Jeff and Mary assured that almost everyone can really learn to juggle in 15 minutes or less -- as long as they can throw a ball with one hand and catch it in the other. “After that, it’s just practice,” Jeff said. While a bit embarrassing at first to learn -- likely plan on chasing after a lot of missed bags; arms waving in unsuccessful attempts to catch bags thrown too high, too hard, or in the wrong direc- tion; and a few bags hitting you, or Jeff and Mary, in the face, or elsewhere. But really, juggling isn’t that difficult to learn. That’s another reason the Christensens opened Jemarc, to help dispel the myth that juggling is some mystical, intimidating art, and therefore no one really tries to learn, Jeff said. Not to mention that jug- gling is good exercise, espe- cially for beginners running around picking up all the missed juggling bags. Jeff noted that research (Continued on page 8)
