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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)
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