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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (June 11, 2003)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 11, 2003 Lovejoy Hospice puts Allister in charge of outreach, funding With arrival of granddaughter Natalie, two of our three cats disappear during her waking hours into our cabinets and closets, where they hide until their nocturnal instincts take over. Or until they can tell, as cats can, that little “Nat” has begun her own over- night hibernation. The third cat either rushes outside as soon as possible, or hangs around the house glaring and occasionally hissing. I think she has a leak. Oh, and “Bubba” has taken to shredding toilet tis- sue in great quantities, in protest to the “intruder” in his house, I think. Daughter Vicki and Natalie arrived at “Medford Interna- tional” on Tuesday a week ago, and we’ve been in a bit of a tu- mult since. Natalie, at nearly 10 months, is more than a handful. She fits the descriptions (which I state lovingly): rug rat and cur- tain climber. This girl, with curly brown hair and beautiful blue eyes -- not to mention a world-class smile -- is a champion crawler, and no doubt will be walking soon. At the airport, the editor and proud grandfather was advised by an enormous security guard that our van was not allowed to even drive up to the building. The van has a propane stove, you see, and I guess that with the New Security Syndrome, there is fear that either I’d make a dangerous omelet or that the stove it- self could be some sort of hazard. But those are only guesses. Back to our visitors, who left early this week, headed back to San Diego County and their home in Carlsbad. It was a wonderful visit, filled with baby food, drinking water from straws, lovely baby smiles, and the simple joys of watching a child discover. Plus the inevitable diaper changes. But those are minor compared to the happiness factor. And Vicki brought a number of toys. My favorite is the one that plays music accompanied by flashing col- ored lights. Natalie loves it best, too, and enjoys smacking the keys with her hands. We had to keep close watch on some of the other toys, such as stuffed animals, as our dogs were sure that they were just right for canine teeth chewing practice. Something like that. Granddaughter Nat has learned to clap, wave and point, al- though not simultaneously. She pulls herself into standing posi- tions frequently. Our little visitor also makes a variety of noises and word-like sounds. She and Vicki are a delightful pair, and Jan and I are grateful for the visit. As well, we’re grateful to Matt the Husband/Dad, who missed his loved ones greatly, but who didn’t protest at Vicki’s plan to visit us, and friends and family in Brookings. Although Natalie doesn’t appear to listen too intently, Vicki lovingly and patiently reads to her. My favorites of the children’s books she brought are “If I Had a Little Car,” and “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.” In case you can’t tell, I also enjoy being read to. Natalie is mostly an early riser, making her first utterances in the vicinity of 6 a.m. She takes a couple of naps during the day, and usually is “ready” for the evening retreat around 9 p.m. Of course, times are variable. Like most pre-toddlers, L’il Nat abhors going to sleep. She fights sleep even when her eyelids droop, and she’s clearly exhausted; but sleep? No way. She’s afraid of miss- ing something. Eventually though she drops into the arms of Mor- pheus, and all is quiet. For a while. It’s said that all good things must end, and so the visit falls into that category. But we look forward to many more visits, as Natalie grows. Besides, I want to hear “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” again. 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 66, No. 12 Staff: Cindy Newton, Britt Fairchild, Chris Robertson, Steve Fairchild & Becky Loudon Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 3 P.M. FRIDAY (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.) 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 com- mentary expressed in letters to the editor are strictly those of the letter-writers. * * * 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. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters.) * * * ‘Pending disaster’ From Bonney Carlson Grants Pass Public trust in our law- makers takes a nosedive when it appears that they rate tax- payer needs of less importance than public employee retire- ment benefits. Why can’t they legislate retroactively to pre- vent this pending disaster? The rush to retire while retirement benefits of PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) still apply is clearly not in the public’s interest. Three Rivers School District “has more than twice the num- ber of people retiring this year than in the last record year,” reported the Grants Pass “Daily Courier” on May 31. According to Kent Granat, Josephine County’s personnel chief, “Josephine County is seeing about a 50 percent in- crease in the number of retir- ees this year.” Also, what a tragedy for Rogue Community College and our area that we should lose two highly trained educa- tors, unless our lawmakers can cancel those outdated and un- conscionable promises. RCC President Rick Levine, at only 60 years of age, has chosen to leave a lifelong successful career. Dean of Student Ser- vices Kathy Burkey, another longtime educator at RCC, will also abandon her impor- tant position in favor of cur- rent admittedly attractive re- tirement pay. What can be done to stop these and future losses of valuable public employees? Surely our legislators, in rec- ognition of the unexpected national and state economic downturn, can devise some emergency, retroactive law that will prevent unnecessary resignations. Such a measure would benefit both the public and the anguished employees faced with cutting short valu- able careers. Why would anyone want to take for his or her personal advantage the retirement bo- nanza which will deprive our state and county residents of needed funds for schools, pub- lic safety, the elderly and poor? ‘No shows’ From Commander Dan Warden, Post 70 American Legion Cave Junction The people in Illinois Val- ley do not show support for their veterans, and I don’t un- derstand it. There are more than 1,000 veterans here in the valley. While driving in Downtown Cave Junction, I saw maybe eight flags out on the city’s main street by that many busi- nesses. None were out by the city other than at city hall. And the only pictures in the paper were pictures that Ellie Buell of the American Legion Post 70 Auxiliary submitted. Memorial Day is the day you thank the many that gave their lives so that we could be free. I might add we paid one heck of a price with all the wars, plus the one everyone has forgotten about. That was the one before Vietnam. It was called the Korean conflict, which took more than 55,000 lives. But it was not a war, so they say, but dead is dead. If the people here are up- set with our government, that’s one thing, but let us not forget the men and women that had to go or those that volunteered to go. I would also like to invite any veterans out there to come down and see what the Ameri- can Legion is about. We need more vets to help us carry on. ‘Airport support’ From William and Debra Bowling Cave Junction This question has been first and foremost on the minds of the members of Illi- nois Valley Airport Support Group and the Airport Advi- sory Board. The support group is com- prised of pilots, aviation en- thusiasts, non-aviation busi- nesses, neighbors of the air- port and concerned citizens of the Illinois Valley. The group was formed to find ways to breath new life into our air- port. The advisory board has its members appointed by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. The board advises the commissioners on the long-term planning for the airport. At one of the recent advi- sory board meetings a pro- posal was put forth and sent to the commissioners recom- mending, among other things, that all new development oc- cur on the west side of the runway adjacent to the new industrial park. Support of the industrial park through infrastructure usage fees, preserving the res- taurant and the loft buildings along with their camping and park-like setting and maintain- ing the condo-hanger “live with your airplane” concept were some of the reasons given in support of the pro- posal. It was supported by both of the above organiza- tions. The county in its infinite wisdom, has determined to reject all the input from these groups and is planning to lo- cate two corporate hangers on the east side of the runway just south of the access road. If they are successful, we be- lieve we will have lost pre- cious assets which can’t be replaced. Once again, deci- sions are being imposed on the valley without concern for the desires for its residents. At a recent meeting with Commissioner Jim Brock, the advisory board addressed and resolved all of the county’s concerns with locating these hangars adjacent to the indus- trial park. I believe that the county board is excited about two new hangers, but ques- tions the proposed location by the county. Write or e-mail the com- missioners advising them of your support for the advisory board and the support group. These individuals are your neighbors, friends and valley residents. Who understands the needs of our airport better than these people? Pam Allister is the new Lovejoy Hospice developmen- tal coordinator. She will man- age funding resources and fund-raising for community outreach educational programs and bereavement counseling services. She has worked for nonprofit organizations in New York, New Jersey and Idaho including advocacy groups for families. “Pam Allister’s appoint- ment gives Lovejoy Hospice the opportunity to expand edu- cational programs in addition to Lovejoy’s hospice nursing, social services, spiritual care, and grief support counseling,” said Christina Snell, executive director. “Community education and training is an ever- expanding role for our agency and Pam’s focus will be on the agency’s goal of increased fiscal diversity and independ- ence.” To Old Stage Mini Storage Dear Sirs: On behalf of the board of directors of the Illinois Valley Little League, we would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest regrets in not including Old Stage Mini Storage in our list of sponsors for Little League. Old Stage Mini Storage has been an avid sponsor of Little League since 1993. We were very remiss in not mentioning your name in our list of sponsors. We are putting this letter in the ‘I.V. News’ to make people aware of the things that you have done for Little League. Once again, please accept our deepest apologies for this unfortunate incident. If there is anything we can do to be of assistance to you please let us know anytime. Cordially, Janet Ewing, Information Officer on behalf of I.V. Little League Board of Directors