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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 2003)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 20, 2003 CARLSBAD – Although the Interstate 5 speed limits in California are posted as 65 (70 mph for those longer valley desert stretches) most everyone keeps their right foot depressed so as to maintain 75 or even 85 mph. You can cover a lot of distance in a short time at those speeds. El Jefe’s time-tuner (the one in his brain) is about out of whack. I flew to San Diego last week, and boy are my arms tired. But seriously, I flew down to this part of Southern California because my mother was ill, having suffered a kidney infection followed by a massive heart attack. I wanted to be with her. During the two days I got to spend with her, along with my brother, Steve and his wife, Lisa, we reminisced about many happy happenings in our lives. We shared the events of a lifetime. We laughed and joked. We expressed our mutual love and blessings. Her spirit left this world on Thursday morning, Aug. 14. I was in the shower at our daughter’s house, preparing to go see her again, when the call came. I finished getting ready and drove to the assisted-living facility where she’s been living for the past couple of years. She looked peace- ful, freed from the cares of this Earth. I was thankful that she had passed on in her sleep; that her pain and anxiety were gone. Flew back to Oregon on Thursday afternoon and had a “lovely” time at PDX, as there was a four-hour layover. By the time I reached Cave Junction, it was close to midnight. We left for San Diego by car on Friday afternoon; thus my timeclock is running overtime. I think I know what day it is though. Meanwhile, our flock and stock are being cared for by a friend. Would write more this week, but there are a lot of arrangements to make. 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. 22 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 commen- tary expressed in let- ters to the editor are strictly those of the letter-writers. * * * Typed, double- spaced letters are ac- ceptable for consid- eration. Hand-written letters that are double- spaced and highly legible also can be considered for publi- cation. Cards of thanks are not ac- cepted as letters.) * * * ‘Freedom in truth’ From George Long Grants Pass After reading Jose- phine County Library Di- rector Sue Luce’s letter and interview about the library in the July 23 issue of the ‘I.V. News,’ I stand by my previous statements. The meetings I re- ferred to in my previous letter were broadcast on television and are available on videotape. The public does not have to take my word for what I said they could review the video. If they do so they will also see and hear Luce make the ludicrous statement that she will need more managers not less since scheduling part-time work- ers will be more difficult. It is true I did not at- tend all the budget meet- ings or phone or e-mail Luce about her budget. The budget is presented as a written document and I can read. I would like to ex- pound some on the case of Senior Library Specialist Jennifer Berubee, who is the senior staff member at the I.V. branch and over- sees the day-to-day busi- ness. Her immediate man- ager is Princessa Vichi. As of July 1, Berubee has had a 25 percent reduction in her hours, which means a 25 percent reduction in her pay. She can no longer af- ford health insurance. Vichi, on the other hand, has had only a 10 percent reduction in her pay, which means it is still more than $48,500 per year in salary alone and her co-pay for her insur- ance remains the same as it was prior to July 1. I as- sume she also still gets her nine weeks paid leave that all county managers get. Luce, Vichi’s department head and supervisor, still gets an annual salary of more than $67,000, even with a 10 percent decrease. In her interview, Luce stated, “I know some peo- ple are hurt (by the situa- tion). It’s a tough time but we’re doing the best we can.” I think the comparison of Berubee and Vichi shows just who is being hurt. I know the recently impoverished staff mem- bers of the library are feel- ing the pain. Clearly Luce and the library managers have no intention of sharing it. And Luce claims to be doing the best she can. Well quite frankly her “best” is not good enough. Not for what she and her mangers are paid. My first statement about the situation at the library was that I was not upset about the amount of money budgeted to the library, I was upset about the way it was being spent. And that remains my point. DOWNTOWN ACCIDENT - David Carter of Cave Junction was injured on Monday, Aug. 18, after being rear ended in his Geo Storm by an RV on Redwood Hwy. in Downtown CJ. Carter stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk when the RV, driven by Melvin Lee Forester of Watsonville, Germany ran into him, JOCO sheriff’s depu- ties said. The pedestrian was not injured. Carter was treated and released at Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass. (Photo by Steve Fairchild) Recently I had a pri- vate meeting with Com- missioner Jim Riddle, something any citizen can do. Hopefully he will con- sider what we discussed and a more equitable solu- tion will emerge. Riddle could not tell me if Luce had taken a pay cut. I bet he went to a lot of the budget meetings and I bet he event spoke directly with her. I believe the managers at the library including Luce have taken a 10 per- cent pay cut. I know Berubee by her statement has taken a 25 percent cut. My wife’s pay has de- creased 38 percent and a fellow employee took a 41 percent cut. The library budget was balanced by impoverishing the staff and protecting the mangers pure and simple. My fel- low citizens know the truth and the truth shall make you free. We want to thank friends and neighbors for their prayers, flowers and support during the loss of our loved one. Special thanks to Bob Clausen of Illinois Valley Funeral Home and the people of Community Bible Church for providing love, support and a wonderful meal. The Family of Bob Newton ‘Government plun- der’ From George Lee Cave Junction When a portion of wealth is transferred from the person who owns it -- without his consent and without compensation, and whether by force or by fraud -- then I say that property is violated; that an act of plunder is com- mitted. When the law itself commits such an act that it is suppose to suppress, I say that plunder is still committed. The responsi- bility for this legal plunder rests with the law, the leg- islator, and society itself. I do not mean to attack the intentions or the moral- ity of anyone. Rather, I am attacking an idea which I believe to be false; a sys- tem which appears to me to be unjust; an injustice so independent of personal intentions what each of us 203 N. Redwood Highway - 592-4128 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seven days a week is celebrating our 1-year anniversary and we are offering a coupon to give thanks for the wonderful comments and support throughout the past year. Here are just a few remarks from our guest register. ‘Soup was delicious. Thanks so much for looking for a thermos.’ Karen & Martin, Portland, Oregon ‘We love River Valley.’ Jackie, Nan & Chew, Florida The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of the circumstances. - Aristotle - (Continued on page 3) is open Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hours: Mondays - Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information phone (800) 922-1025
