Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2004)
Page 12 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, May 12, 2004 Transportation safety aim of special month in state EVERGREEN ELEMENTARY TOP STUDENTS - Se- lected as Students of the Month for April at Evergreen Elementary School in Cave Junction are (rear from left) Kayla Johnson, Roger Hults, Devan Elmer, Rhiannon Quall, Emily Crutcher, Dylan Wilson, Andrew Keith, Mikiah Davis, Hannah Kanig, Mariah Nolan; (front) Taya Stewart, Miliya Stewart, Latecia Torres, Josh Nel- son-Webbe, Zak Vineyard, Keven Smith, Joss Vawter, and Ariel Allen. They were chosen based on scholar- ship and other factors. (Photo by Shane Welsh) ODOT spans bridge gap to make needed repairs James E. Leuenberger Leuenberger seeks court seat May 18 Former Idaho Deputy Attorney General James E. Leuenberger is running for Oregon State Supreme Court position 4 against incumbent Rives Kistler on the May 18 election ballot. Leuenberger, who has been a private practicing attorney for the past 12 years in Portland, feels the appellate courts have been deciding cases in secret for years. He said the proper function of any court is to interpret the law, not to create the law. “My opponent sup- ports the status quo, I sup- port the Constitution,” he said. “Laws are to be writ- ten by the people, not by the courts.” - Shane Welsh I know only one truth: work alone creates happiness. I am sure only of that one thing - and I forget it all the time. - The Journal of Jules Renard (Braziller) The Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) signed a contract recently with Oregon Bridge Deliv- ery Partners, a private- sector firm that will man- age the $1.3 billion state bridge replacement pro- gram. The contract marks a major milestone in ODOT’s rapid implemen- tation of the Oregon Trans- portation Investment Act of 2003. “This is a good pro- gram for Oregon,” said Gov. Kulongoski. “The people of this state will see major improvements in our infrastructure and a major boost for our economic recovery. “These bridge projects will provide jobs in con- struction and many sup- porting industries. Con- struction workers need concrete and steel, but they also need food, lodging and other services that generate business. “I applaud ODOT for moving so swiftly in get- ting OBDP on board so that the work can get started.” Oregon Bridge Deliv- ery Partners (OBDP) is a joint venture formed by HDR Engineering Inc. and Fluor Enterprises Inc. OBDP will provide day-to- day support to the OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program, ensure quality projects at least cost, man- age services and supplies, and provide reporting for the program. The firm, based in Sa- lem, will manage engineer- ing, environmental, finan- cial, safety and other as- pects of the largest trans- portation construction pro- gram in Oregon since the interstates were completed in the 1950s and early ‘60s. Passed by the 2003 Legislature, OTIA III uses revenues from increased motor vehicle and trucking fees to finance $2.46 bil- lion in transportation pro- jects. The act provides $1.3 billion for state-owned bridges on major freight routes, $300 million for city- and county-owned bridges, $371 million for city and county pavement maintenance and preserva- tion projects and $500 mil- lion for projects that add capacity to the transporta- tion system. OTIA III builds on OTIA I and II, which provide a combined $500 million for projects throughout the state. When added to the infrastructure improve- ments funded with other resources, construction volume will increase to $4.78 billion in the next 10 years. All told, transporta- tion construction will sus- tain more than 8,900 fam- ily-wage jobs per year. Construction tasks out- lined in the first work or- der will go through the 2006 construction season. OBDP will outsource all design work to other firms. The work order in- cludes OBDP taking over management of 74 bridges in various stages of devel- opment. The first work order includes managing approximately $250 mil- lion in bridge construction work. Reading the fine print may give you an education - not reading it will give you experience. - G. K. Chesterton - GP transient found dead; cause sought An anonymous person phoned law enforcement to report a dead body in a field near Agness Avenue in Grants Pass. On Thursday, May 6, Grants Pass Dept. of Pub- lic Safety received a call from a person who said that while walking through a field, they smelled an odor. Upon investigation, the person located a par- tially decomposed body. Officers responded to the scene where they dis- covered Rome M. Dear- man, a 6-0, 200-pound, 45- year-old Caucasian male, possibly a transient who last had been seen two weeks ago. The cause of death will be determined by the state medical examiner. More investigation is planned. Gov. Kulongoski pro- c l a i m e d M a y “Transportation Safety Awareness Month” for Oregon. In his proclamation, Kulongoski cited a number of ways Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT), law enforcement and com- munities in Oregon con- tributed to a safe transpor- tation system. “The governor’s proc- lamation helps us highlight the hard work that goes on every day of the year,” said Troy Costales, admin- istrator of the ODOT Transportation Safety Di- vision. “Oregon has experi- enced a great reduction in traffic deaths and injuries during the past four years largely because of the ef- forts of our partners in law enforcement as well as citizen volunteers.” Among the safety- related activities slated for this month: *Child safety seat clin- ics. *Traffic safety talks at schools. *A major law enforce- ment blitz for seatbelts and child passenger safety. *“Drugs, Drinking, Driving, Don’t” program for college and high school students. *Motorcycle Safety Awareness Day. To date, the traffic fa- tality count is down about 10 percent from the same time last year. As of April 21, the fatality count was at 109, compared to 121 for the same date in 2003. “That is good news for now and we hope the trend continues,” said Costales. Greek Barbecue & Great Entertainment Benefit Auction for RCC Student Scholarships SATURDAY, MAY 22 - 3 TO 7 P.M. Outdoors - fountain area, RCC Redwood Campus (in case of rain the event will be held in Student Center) Tickets: $15 Price of ticket includes entertainment, raffle ticket and bidding number (available through RCC cashier at Redwood & Riverside Campuses or by phoning 956-7095) *Original artwork & prints *Raku & other pottery *Metal, rock & wood sculpture *Two pairs of llamas *Furniture, stained glass *Antiques, collector’s items *Plants for the garden *Beauty packages Getaway Packages: *One-week stay at the Tennis Club in Palm Springs - airfare included! *Hot Springs Resort *Oregon Coast, Sun River *Britt, Shakespeare, skiing trips *Eugene romance package *Portland shopping trip *Magical treehouse visit *Wildlife trip to Upper Klamath Lake *Jacksonville Christmas stay A volunteer effort by RCC faculty, staff & students: no administrative fees charged. For more information: 956-7095 www.roguecc.edu/rccauction