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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (July 23, 2003)
Fire board gives chief a pay raise By BRITT FAIRCHILD Staff Writer Illinois Valley Rural Fire Protection District (IVRFPD) board members thanked Jeff Gavlik for his efforts as Interim Chief with a 30 percent pay raise during their Thursday night, July 17 meeting in Cave Junction City Hall. It amounts to an ap- proximate $4.50 more an hour for Gavlik, noted the board. The increase, to be retroactive to July 1, is the second one Gavlik has re- ceived since taking on the IVRFPD head role after then-Chief Kyle Kirchner took administrative leave on March 28. That raise was for 5 percent, which according to Gavlik, totaled an addi- tional $35 a week. “Thirty-five dollars a week is not fair compensa- tion” to be burdened with that responsibility,” said Gavlik -- who is also the district’s training officer -- who introduced the idea of a pay increase to the board during the meeting. He added he thought that as the interim chief for the time being he deserved a wage at least comparable to the highest paid city employee, who earns around $38,000 a year. Agreeing with him, the board discussed, and then approved, the wage raise. “Jeff is doing a good job,” said board member Leonard Frick. “Everybody really likes him and trusts him.” The board also dis- cussed advertising for a new chief. There are no candidates yet, Frick said, noting that the plan is to advertise with several fire associations. The process could take several months, he added. In other business, the board discussed, and de- cided to wait until next meeting to make a decision about, a ban on the sale (Continued on page 8) Use of library increases despite reduced hours DAY FOR WORSHIP - Families gathered at Jubilee Park in Cave Junction on Sat- urday, July 19 for I.V. Extreme, a Christ-centered event for the community featur- ing carnival games (left photo), a bounce house (right photo), puppet shows, mu- sic, dancing (top photo), volleyball and other activities. The day was co- sponsored by Cross Quest Expeditions and area churches. More photos: page 8. (Photos by Steve Fairchild) New JoCo budget shaves 80 positions Josephine County Board of Commissioners late last month adopted a $108.5 million budget for fiscal year 2003-04. In finalizing its spend- ing plan, which took effect on July 1, some 80 posi- tions were eliminated to balance the budget. Ap- proximately 65 people, most of them front-line workers, have been laid off since January. “This year was bal- anced with cutting posi- tions. Next year it could be another way,” said Com- missioner Jim Brock. Rising labor, health insurance and PERS costs, as well as inflation, con- tributed to the county’s $1.8 million deficit for the year. There was also $875,000 less money in the county’s discretionary gen- eral fund than during fiscal year 2002-03. “We’ve lost some ser- vices,” Brock said. “(But) I think we’re making it work.” He noted that the sher- iff’s office, deemed by the board as a priority, re- ceived more money this IVRFPD finds new home for Selma station year. Funds were moved from other areas, such as mental health and parks, and allocated to Sheriff Dave Daniel, Brock said. The office will also likely receive $100,000 of $500,000 in funds allo- cated to the sheriff and the Community Justice Dept., which is expected to be- come available when the state adopts its budget. In examining this year’s budget, Brock said the board looked at various alternatives to save money, including establishing a 36-hour work week. That idea however, he said, was cause for some concern in some areas. Wait over for firefighters and valley community as plans for new firehouse proceed (Continued on page 8) By BRITT FAIRCHILD Staff Writer After several years of searching for the perfect spot, the Illinois Valley Rural Fire Protection Dis- trict has found a home for its new Selma station. Board members ap- proved the purchase of 3.5 acres of land off Redwood Hwy. for the coming sta- tion during their Thursday night, July 17 meeting in Cave Junction City Hall. The property, owned by Selma resident Carl Alleman, is located across from the current station. “As far as our negotia- tions are concerned, we’re ready to proceed,” Interim Chief Jeff Gavlik told the board, noting that the agreement with Alleman was that he would sell the property for $80,000 with a $20,000 donation to the district for tax deductions. “Selma is growing and they need a good fire station.” -Leonard Frick The benefits of this property compared to oth- ers the district considered are that it has water and septic already on site, said board member Leonard Frick. The current station doesn’t have either on site. Plus, with a ditch on the back of the property, it has better drainage than the current building, which has a tendency to flood in the winter, he added. “Selma is growing and they need a good fire sta- tion,” Frick said, adding that the new building will be constructed to serve for at least 20 years. Following the closing of the sale, surveying, planning and tests will be done prior to breaking ground. A builder for the project must also be found. The new station could be completed within the next several months weather permitting, Frick added. The board also ac- knowledged real estate broker Lynn Johnson of I.V. Real Estate for donat- ing time and efforts to help the district locate property. By BRITT FAIRCHILD Staff Writer Reduced hours, as a result of fewer funds, at Josephine County Library System branches appar- ently haven’t hurt circula- tion. Total June checkouts for the main branch in Grants Pass and the Illinois Valley, Wolf Creek and Williams branches rose slightly, according to Li- brary Director Sue Luce, despite a 22 percent de- crease in hours from a year ago. Circulation at I.V. branch was up 9.8 percent for June despite the cut- back. Like other county de- partments, the library faces the 2003-04 fiscal year with a tight budget. It lost $500,000 when a November levy failed. “That cut our budget dollars by 25 percent,” Luce said, noting that the library’s budget is $1.4 million for the fiscal year, which began on July 1. Approximately $1 million comes from the county, she added. A systemwide slash in staff scheduling, preceded by some positions being eliminated, was made as a result. At I.V. branch, a clerk and library page -- a high school student paid to shelve books -- were let go in February. As of June 30, the I.V. branch in Cave Junction is open Mondays and Tues- days from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The location is closed on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. All the branches, which are now open one fewer day than before, are closed on Fridays. “We worked hard to try and keep everybody. Everyone had cuts, but they weren’t equal,” Luce said of staff, noting spe- cific reductions in hours were based on require- ments of each position. Jennifer Berubee, I.V. senior library specialist, for example, had her schedule reduced by 10 hours, knocking her down to 30 hours per week. Luce added that com- pared with such rising fixed costs as building maintenance, staff hours were “really the only flexi- ble” budget component. While no employees lost their job benefits such as health insurance, ac- cording to Luce, she said the changes did affect some of their benefits. “They have to pay more themselves,” she said. That is the problem that some, like rural Grants Pass resident George Long, have with the way the budget was decided on. As in a letter to the editor sent to “I.V. News,” and in public comments made to county commissioners dur- ing their June 25 budget meeting, Long said it isn’t fair that employees, in- cluding his wife -- who has worked at the library al- most 11 years -- are losing hours and benefits. As a full-time em- ployee, Berubee paid $25.43 a month for health insurance, including den- tal, to cover her and her young daughter, according to Peggy Lowell, county HR tech. That same level of coverage, minus dental, now would cost her $234.14 a month. Dental would be an additional $75.04, Lowell said. “I had no choice but to opt out and choose not to have health insurance,” Berubee said. “I know some people are hurt (by the situation),” Luce said. “It’s a tough time, but we’re doing the best we can.” Two employees have resigned at the main branch in Grants Pass, Luce said. Likely, Luce said, the only way the cut hours will be restored will be with the passage of another levy proposal in November. Now more than ever, the branches are relying on volunteers. Luce said any- one interested in volunteer- ing at the I.V. branch should phone the location at 592-3581. HEAVY-DUTY DEMOLITION - Workers began tearing down the north portion of the main building of Lorna Byrne Middle School, the original I.V. High School, on Tues- day, July 22. The new school complex that has been constructed, is set to open for classes in the fall, and will be visible from South Junction Avenue. (Additional photo on page 7)