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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 26, 2004)
I.V. grads ceremony set June 3 I.V. Lions might lose park storage facility To add a picnicking area for handicapped per- sons, it appears that a building used by Illinois Valley Lions Club at Jubi- lee Park will have to go. Cave Junction city councilmen agreed by con- sensus during their meet- ing in city hall on Monday night, May 24 to begin negotiations on the matter with the club. City will propose sharing 50-50 the cost of a new storage building. Although expressing a certain trepidation at the topic, because of a recent tiff about park use fees, Mayor Ed Faircloth indi- cated he believes that the proposed change has more overall positive than nega- tive aspects. The structure in ques- tion is a lath house, appar- ently built more than 40 years ago by I.V. Garden Club. I.V. Lions Club has used it since around 1960 to store material for its annual Labor Day Festival in the park. Members have said in the past that it’s conven- ient to have the items on- hand to readily erect the Lionburger booth and beer garden. The mayor said that the city does not have access to the building. The city will propose to share 50-50 the cost of putting up a new storage building. In addition, the city wants to specify the location, a bit farther back in the park. Funding is available for a concrete slab, a cover and tables especially de- signed for handicapped persons, said City Re- corder Jim Polk. The city would find funds somewhere to share the cost of a new storage facility with the I.V. Lions. The mayor said that besides benefiting handi- capped persons, the planned new area would increase safety. He said that the location of the cur- rent structure blocks the view from the parking lot to the rear of the park, and that deputies can’t see back far enough. There is also a feeling by the council that the building might be unsafe because of its age. The council, with member Tony Paulson ab- sent, agreed to arrange a negotiation meeting with the club. If the session is rejected by the club, the council plans to proceed with a vacation order, giv- ing the club 30 days to re- move items before the building is torn down. I.V. Lions Club Presi- dent Steve Lyons was un- available for comment in time for this issue. Richardson ‘canceling’ CJ postmaster position By CHRISTINA HILL Correspondent Robert “Bob” Richard- son’s postal career and demeanor have stamped him a winner. And on Friday, May 28 the Cave Junction post- master will “cancel him- self” by retiring; leaving the post office and its cus- tomers, a loss that will be difficult for them. He’s known as a genu- ine nice guy by co-workers and patrons alike. Richardson has been employed by the U.S. As a prelude to Memorial Day on Monday, May 31, an All Veterans Field at Lake Selmac was dedi- cated on Saturday, May 22. The Color Guard is from the Rogue Valley Marine Corps League. (Photos by Shane Welsh) Vets memorial dedicated at Selmac By SHANE WELSH Staff Writer “ F r ee do m al wa ys comes at the expense of others. “We owe our freedom to the men and women of every generation who have chosen to lay down their lives to ensure our free- doms and our way of life.” So said Dwight Ellis during his speech dedicat- ing an “All Veterans Field” memorial on Satur- day, May 22 at Lake Sel- mac Boy Scout Area. Ellis, executive direc- tor of Grants Pass Cham- ber of Commerce, is a Vietnam veteran. He also is a candidate for Jose- phine County commis- sioner in the November general election. The memorial was dedicated as “All Veterans Field” to commemorate the following: *The U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps Redwood Grove planted in Novem- ber 2000 and dedicated on Dec. 7, 2000 by Fred Schotte, Clarence Baker and members of Southern Oregon Amateur Radio Club. *A marble stone do- nated by Marble Mountain Quarry with a plaque. *Twenty-one coastal Redwoods planted as a salute to U.S. Navy/ U.S. Marine Corps veterans. It was noted that each tree symbolizes a major military event, outstanding ship or individual. Some 106 trees were planted for U.S. Army/ U.S. Air Force veterans and called “Freedom Row” by home-schooled chil- dren; and a 4-H club stand, “Just Kidding Around.” Trees were also planted for Jessica Lynch, who was a prisoner of the Iraqi Army, and David Bloom (NBC reporter). Included in the 106 trees, 21 Deodara Cedars were planted as a salute to U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force vet- erans and two cedars for all Vietnam veterans. Along with the field dedication, members of the Rogue Valley Chapter of the Marine Corps League presented a flag, donated by the U.S. Navy, which was raised during the cere- mony. Postal Service for the past 38 years, 19 of them as the Cave Junction postmaster. “It’s time to retire,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my career, but it’s time to do something different. “I’m in the process of building a house right now, and I’m going to spend more time with my wife and my church.” Richardson also has plans for visiting his 89- year-old mother in Mon- tana after he retires. (Continued on page 8) Kerbyville development gaining additional land A quitclaim deed for land adjacent to the planned Kerbyville devel- opment across from Ker- byville Museum is among agenda items for the Jose- phine County Board of Commissioners. Commissioners were to consider the matter dur- ing their meeting in Grants Pass Wednesday morning, May 26. The parcel under con- sideration measures 50-by- 100 feet at the southeast corner of Sixth Avenue and Holton Street, said Phil Killian, county prop- erty manager. Illinois Valley resident Bill Pfohl, of Kerbyville Industrial Center LLC, bid $3,700 for the property, Killian said. The assessed value is the same. Killian said that the county foreclosed the property in 1995, and that it was put up for auction in 2000 with a minimum bid of $3,800, but was not pur- chased. It has been for di- rect sale since, he said. Pfohl and his associ- ates are planning a devel- opment similar to Old Sac- ramento. The main site comprises the former loca- tion of the defunct Cabax Mill, and the former mill pond is nearly filled in. (Editor’s Note: A special graduation page, co-sponsored by Fire Mountain Gems, Home Valley Bank, and Shop Smart Food Warehouse, is on page 9). With views to the fu- ture, the Illinois Valley High School Class of 2004 will go through com- mencement exercises on Thursday, June 3. Approximately 78 sen- ior students will go through the graduation ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. on the football field at the high school. The valedictorian is Te s s An a wa lt . Co - salutatorians are Alice We- ber and Kelsi Snook. All three will address their classmates, parents and guests. The class motto is: “What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Daniel Clausnitzer, a junior who is president of the Associated Student Body, will be master-of- ceremonies. He also will conduct the closing. The processional, “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other music will be per- formed by the IVHS Band directed by T. Lund. There will be a special introduction by Principal JoAnn Bethany. Introduc- tion of the Three Rivers School District Board of Directors will be by Super- intendent Dave Burgess. Guest speaker will be Wayne Dudley, a retired teacher who was at IVHS for many years. Instructor Steve Morgan, selected faculty speaker by students for numerous years, again will speak. The class song is, “Here I Go Again,” by “White Snake.” Names of those gradu- ating will be read by class- mates Kim Hamilton and Brandy Ruiz. District di- rectors will help present the diplomas. All graduates are in- vited to attend the annual all-night alcohol- and drug-free party, sponsored by a special committee. The intent, which has been realized through the years, is to help avoid some of the tragedies that have plagued other schools on graduation night. Want to make money? Here are two special opportunities: ON TO STATE! - Illinois Valley High School’s softball team unhorsed the Douglas Trojans 4-0 in the opening round of the 3-A state playoff games in Cave Junction on Monday, May 24. With the victory the Cougars (21-5) proceed to the second round against Taft (19-2) in Lincoln City on Wednesday, May 26. With a win there, IVHS likely would play Thursday either in Baker or Tillamook. Against Douglas, Cougar pitcher Kim Hamilton allowed one hit; struck out 13 and had no walks. She also had 2 hits; with Erika Riley and Ricci Coultas among other major players. *The popular, annual ‘Valley Visitor’ with a deadline for ad copy of Friday, June 11. *The well-received Father’s Day spread also with a Friday, June 11 deadline.