Page 7
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 18, 2004
(Continued from page 3)
where the entire commu-
nity can come together to
work for the advancement
of the valley. What really
counts is not a person’s
political orientation but
their ability to work effec-
tively as a team to promote
the interest of the commu-
nity.
If anyone has a desire
to work toward promoting
the interests of their com-
munity, then yes, please
join with us in the IVCRT.
Why not
Metcalf?
reappoint
From Jim Raffenburg
Josephine County Plan-
ning Commissioner
Grants Pass
I am deeply concerned
about the decisions of Jo-
sephine County Commis-
sioners Harold Haugen and
Jim Riddle not to reappoint
Planning Commissioner
Elizabeth Metcalf to a sec-
ond term.
Metcalf is an experi-
enced, dedicated and
highly competent member
of the commission with a
record of clear, thoughtful
and responsible questions
and deliberations relating
to every land-use decision
or recommendation in
which she has participated.
Metcalf is the only mem-
ber of the planning com-
mission to hold a master’s
degree in planning.
Riddle tried to explain
his decision as one based
upon a (new?) policy re-
quiring all appointed vol-
unteers to reapply upon
their term’s expiration.
He also cited concerns
that automatic reappoint-
ment would look like an
effort to create a rubber
stamp review body. Yet,
only weeks before, the
county commissioners re-
appointed Planning Com-
missioner David Beck to a
third term without any re-
quirement to reapply.
Haugen noted in his
comments that his decision
was influenced by a Dec.
22, 2003 letter received
from land-use consultant
Bob Hart, regarding the
county board’s hearing of
an application for a com-
prehensive plan amend-
ment and zone change for
Hart’s clients, John and
Joanne Devry. The plan-
ning commission had pre-
viously recommended de-
nial of the application.
In his letter, Bob Hart
voiced a complaint alleg-
ing conflict of interest and
ex parte contact regarding
the matter of Planning
Commissioners Sunny
Sunquist and Elizabeth
Metcalf providing testi-
mony before the county
commissioners hearing on
this matter.
Both testified as pri-
vate citizens, not as repre-
sentatives of the planning
commission. The Jose-
phine County Rural Land
Development Code, Arti-
cle 31 addresses issues of
conflict of interest and ex
parte contacts, prior to
participating in a decision
or recommendation, nei-
ther of which occurred.
There are serious ques-
tions that need to be an-
swered as a result of this
decision:
Is there an underlying
issue at hand, namely that
Metcalf often does not
vote for development fa-
vored by (as per the public
record) Haugen?
Is there any other form
of discrimination in-
volved?
Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind;
it requires the same effort of the brain that
it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.
- Helen Keller -
When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun.
And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.
- Joe Namath -
‘GO GUARD EDUCATION
DAY’ - An Oregon Army
‘Delta Dragons’ National
Guard Blackhawk heli-
copter landed on the
football field at Illinois
Valley High School on
Friday, Feb. 13. The visit
was to help students
‘recognize the impor-
tance of a high school
diploma and furthering
their education through
vocational institutions,
as well as showing how
the Guard can assist in
monetary and educa-
tional incentives.’ IVHS
students Jason Pernicke
and Natalie Allen disem-
barked when the helo
landed.
(Photos
by
Shane Welsh )
Deputies aid despondent
man; K-9 officer injured
A suicidal man from
Ashland was taken into
protective custody after a
stand-off with law enforce-
ment officers during which
a K-9 officer was slightly
injured.
According to the Jose-
phine County Sheriff’s
Office (JCSO), on Sunday,
Feb. 15, Michael Dawkins
was attempting to asphyxi-
ate himself by running a
hose from the exhaust pipe
through the window of his
pickup truck. A passerby
saw the vehicle, parked
near the Green Bridge on
Eight Dollar Road, and
alerted law enforcement at
approximately 1:30 p.m.
Dawkins drove on
Eight Dollar Road toward
Baby Foot Lake, and be-
came stuck in snow near
milepost 14.
The hose had come
free of the tailpipe, elimi-
nating an immediate threat.
Due to concern that
Dawkins might be armed,
officers tried to engage
him from a safe distance.
Dawkins refused to
exit his vehicle and ex-
pressed his desire that he
be killed by law enforce-
ment personnel, according
to JCSO.
Due to impending
darkness, cold weather and
Dawkins’ refusal to com-
ply with the officers and a
negotiator, it was deemed
necessary to remove him
from the vehicle by force.
Officers approached
the vehicle at 4:10 p.m.,
and, finding the doors
locked, broke the passen-
ger-side window. K-9
Deputy “Smitty” was in-
troduced into the cab of the
vehicle as a distraction
while officers worked to
get the doors open.
Dawkins was not in-
jured in the incident except
for a small self-inflicted
knife wound to one wrist.
“Smitty” suffered a minor
cut on the pad of one paw
due to broken glass.
Dawkins was taken
into protective custody and
transported to Three Rivers
Community Hospital.
1-541-476-2127
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IVHS Activities Calendar
Brought to
592-3556
Cave Jct .
469-7545
to mention, you can be on the phone and online at the same time. Call to sign up by
April 9, 2004 or all bets are off. So pick up the phone and get connected now. C’mon.
Let’s go. Stop stalling. Chop, chop.
Brookings/
Harbor
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
*State wrestling at
Portland
To be announced
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
*State wrestling at
Portland
To be announced
*Boys basketball at
Mazama
5:30/5:30/7 p.m.
*Girls basketball vs.
Mazama - here
5:30/7 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
*State wrestling in
Portland
To be announced
MONDAY, FEB. 23
*Spring sports practice
begins
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