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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2004)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Tuesday, April 14, 2004 Page 7 Five-person fatality had child driver Harold Haugen Paul Walter Jim Brock Gayle Shane Dwight Ellis Eleven seeking two county commission seats By SHANE WELSH Staff Writer Eleven candidates, including two incumbents, are seeking two seats on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners in the May 18 vote-by- mail primary election. Ballots are to be mailed to registered voters on or around April 30. (Editor’s Note: All candidates were asked to submit photos and state- ments. Those who chose to respond are in this story.) * * * Douglas K. Beck Douglas K. Beck is campaigning for Position 3. He is a U.S. Navy vet- eran, and is serving as a member of the Josephine County Rural Planning Commission. Beck notes that 80 per- cent of the jobs in South- ern Oregon are generated by small business. He feels that the key to expanding business is good communi- cations. “I will devote time to formulate a plan to provide a high-speed Internet con- nection to at least 90 per- cent of homes and business in Josephine County,” he said. “This will be ena- bling technology to permit the ‘best and brightest’ to remain in Josephine County and for seniors to have a sustaining job to help with retirement.” Jim Brock Josephine County Commissioner Jim Brock wants to take Position 2. Brock, who has served as commissioner in Position 3 for eight years, was a social science teacher at North Valley High School. Brock feels a strong need to preserve rural val- ues in Josephine County. He also feels a need to im- plement the county’s abil- ity to pay for services. “We need to make sure that growth has the proper infrastructure, is well planned, monitored care- fully, and has community support,” Brock said. “As I look into the future, I think we need more self- sufficiency and self- reliance.” Dwight F. Ellis Dwight F. Ellis is run- ning for Position 3. He has been involved in the county for many years serving on various com- mittees and is executive director of the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce. Ellis’ decision to run is based on his concern re- garding budgeting issues and other problems that have surfaced during the past few years. “I think it’s time to address budget issues,” said Ellis. “Even if we cut leave for county employ- ees to three or four weeks instead of nine weeks, we could save a significant amount of money.” Harold L. Haugen Harold L. Haugen, who has been a county commissioner since 1991, is running as incumbent for Position 2. He said that he estab- lished the Blue Ribbon Committee and the Jose- phine County criminal jus- tice system that is cur- rently in use. Haugen’s decision to run is based on his belief that with his experience and leadership, he can pro- vide the knowledge and commitment to make deci- sions in the next four years that will lead Josephine County through some diffi- cult times. “I am the only person running that has knowl- edge of the past that will help in making the deci- sions for our future,” he said. “I believe we need to manage our renewable re- sources, to provide a healthy economy, and healthy forests.” Lance William Noble Lance William Noble is running for Position 3. Noble lives in Applegate Valley, overseeing a fam- ily business as operations manager of Noble Dairy. He believes that his life experiences and ideas for a more active local leadership would ensure greater local economic security and would greatly enhance the quality of life in the county. “I think a sound fiscal policy, where existing funds are better allocated amongst existing depart- ments and principals of privatization are applied to county projects, will en- able us to build a better community,” he said. Jim Raffenburg Jim Raffenburg is a contender for Position 2. He has been serving on the Josephine County Planning Commission and has worked as a reserve deputy sheriff and has many hours of experience serving in The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw - the community. Raffenburg hopes to alleviate budget problems within the county justice department and hire more law enforcement personnel to reduce response time for emergency calls. “Adequate funding for law enforcement has been repeatedly identified as the most important service county government pro- vides,” said Raffenburg. “I will volunteer a 10 percent pay cut to go toward keep- ing sheriff’s deputies on the road.” James Rossi James “Jim” Rossi is running for Position 2. Rossi, a graduate of Santa Barbara High School, is owner of Rossi’s BBQ Manufacturing and Cater- ing. His decision to run stems from his belief that the county has serious problems in the Josephine County Courthouse, sher- iff’s office and commis- sioners’ office. “Our rapid growth has created many new prob- lems,” said Rossi. “We need to assure that any future development does not leave us with a failing infrastructure.” Gayle Shane Position 2 is sought by Gayle Shane, a Josephine County resident for 19 years. She spearheaded efforts to establish the Jo- sephine County Rural Transit System. She intends to alleviate county spending waste by reducing nine-week paid vacations for county man- agers. “We need to figure out funding for public safety IVHS Activities Calendar Brought to you by the folks at 592-3556 Cave Jct . 469-7545 Brookings/ Harbor THURSDAY, APRIL 15 *JV softball vs. Casacde Christian - here - 4:30 p.m. *Parent Conference Day No classes FRIDAY, APRIL 16 *Parent Conference Day No classes SATURDAY, APRIL 17 *Varsity softball & JV baseball vs. Lakeview here - noon (doubleheader) *Varsity baseball at Lakeview - noon (doubleheader) *Track at Brookings 10 a.m. MONDAY, APRIL 19 *Academic Masters Grants Pass High School 7 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 20 *Varsity softball & JV baseball vs. Rogue River here - 4:30 p.m. *Varsity baseball at Rogue River - 4:30 p.m. *Girls golf at Cedar Links noon *Prom meeting - lunch WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 *School board meeting IVHS - 7 p.m. *Boys golf at Grants Pass 1 p.m. *Secretary’s Day The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. - Bertrand Russell - and schools,” she said. ‘By reducing vacation time, and the county manager- to-employee ratio, we could shave money off management jobs to aid in this funding.” William E. Turrell William E. Turrell wants Position 2. Turrell worked 12 years as a full- time policeman in Fair- field, Calif. He also served for 26 years in the U.S. Air Force. Turrell entered the race because he did not see anyone wanting to repre- sent the taxpayers in the county. “I will spend your money as if it were mine and you were watching me,” he said. “I will re- view present budgets, sala- ries, and benefits for ex- cess in respect to salaries in Josephine County.” Cherryl Walker Position 3 is sought by Cherryl Walker. Currently a small-farm owner, Walker served in the Ore- gon Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2002. She is also president of Grants Pass Zonta Foundation. Walker feels that the county must encourage small businesses to grow, and seek establishment of new businesses with fam- ily wage jobs that provide security for the future. “As residents of Jose- phine County, we share an appreciation for our rural, small town way of life,” she said. “Strong families, safe homes, and freedom to enjoy a life we choose for ourselves, are values we all share.” Paul Walter Paul Walter is seeking Position 3. Currently an editor for a national Inter- net news site, Walter served in the U.S. Army for three years. Walter opposes any new taxes on family homes. He feels that gov- ernment should stop asking voters for more money until all the waste is elimi- nated. “As your commis- sioner, I will seek an inde- pendent audit of the sher- iff’s office and his spend- ing practices,” he said. “I will never blackmail voters by using scare tactics for more money.” * * * Running unopposed for re-election in May are Michael L. Schneyder, county assessor; Georgette Brown, county clerk; John Harelson, county treasurer; and Peter D. Allen, county surveyor. Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a five-fatality head-on crash in which one vehicle was driven by a small child. The collision occurred on Saturday, April 10 on Hwy. 140 near milepost 21 in Klamath County. The victims, all in a 1990 four-door Mazda that was eastbound, were iden- tified as: Cleora Godowa, 60; Marily Godowa, 25; Vi- June Arnett, 18; Tierra Wilson, 3; and another unidentified small child, all from Beatty, Ore. The small unidentified child was driving the Mazda, OSP reported. The car collided with a westbound 2001 Ford pickup truck driven by Kevin Newman, 41, of Bly, Ore. His passenger was James Amberg, 45, also of Bly, OSP said. OSP said that the car veered onto the wrong lane, and although New- man tried to avoid the crash, they collided. Occu- pants of the car all were ejected. The pickup truck ended up atop the Mazda. Those in the car were dead at the scene. The men in the pickup were treated at the scene, OSP said. Coming soon: Swing into Spring, a special clean-up, fix-up, paint-up section in the ‘Illinois Valley News’ 592-2541
