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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 9, 2004
First time I actually met him, as I recall, was quite
a few years ago, maybe 10, when he came to the front
counter of this newspaper and inquired about the pos-
sibility of a job. This was when the “Illinois Valley
News” office was in the large building in front of the
smaller quarters we now occupy.
Oh, I had seen him around town at various loca-
tions. And always had admired his classy attire. He
wore Mark Twain-type suits. Or New Orleans-style
suits and shirts. He liked distinctive vests and ties,
nice shoes. Sometimes he wore hats. He enjoyed
“dressing up;” you know, classy. A mark of his atti-
tude about himself, I always thought. He was a sig-
nificant, distinguished presence, simply by his attire.
His given name was Anthony Francis Betchik.
But in many circles, maybe going back to his early
days in Takilma, he was known as “Charlie Two-
Shoes.” Although I asked him about that appellation,
somehow the explanation never seemed clear. It re-
minded me of a Britisher explaining cricket. Anyway,
as a consequence of his names, Senor Betchik was
known among various of his acquaintances as either
“Charlie” or “Tony.” As far as I know, no one called
him Anthony. No matter what they called him, he had
many friends.
He had an engaging personality with a good,
sometimes weird, sense of humor. I enjoyed that as-
pect among others. I did hire him; first assigning him
to cover a meeting, I believe. He did fine. Before I
knew it, he was covering meetings, writing feature
stories, taking photos, working in the darkroom, and
helping with layout. He was a hard worker, and I en-
joyed him. He did good work.
Not too long after going to work at the “Noose,”
his father took him and his brothers on a cross-
country odyssey in a motorhome. “Charlie” filed sto-
ries from the numerous locales they visited, and we
managed to publish the newspaper during his absence.
His stories were interesting; always with a somewhat
unique angle.
A while later, he contracted a severe case of hepa-
titis that ruined his liver. Due to circumstances, he had
to relocate from his beloved Illinois Valley haunts to
the state of Washington to become a resident and ob-
tain help through the University of Washington Medi-
cal School. The help was a new liver, and it gave him
an extended life, although he had to be cautious with
his lifestyle. It was a tough situation, but he handled it
with aplomb.
I remember him telling me later about how much
he appreciated the liver and how much he enjoyed
living in Seattle. He also was immensely proud of his
son and grandson, and was able during the past sev-
eral years to be a grandpa with baby-sitting privileges.
He loved it.
Last time I saw Tony was during one of his visits
here. He came to the newspaper office to say “Hello.”
I was so pleased that I hugged him, and he seemed a
little taken aback. At the time I told my wife, Jan, that
Tony looked a bit peaked and that I had some concern
about his condition.
Long story short. Tony’s liver began failing not
long ago, and he recently was hospitialized; not doing
well. He died last week at 53, and the news saddened
me. But I’m happy that his life here was extended for
as long as it was; that he was able to experience more
of living than he would have otherwise.
A mutual friend wrote, “Charlie’s Verse,” and it’s
offered here in his memory:
Anthony Francis Betchik was finally able to
loose the laces of his too tight two shoes;
he wiggled his toes, freed his soles, and walked
right off the planet. Stage left.
(Totally Anonymous)
Registration at gate …………..8 to 11 a.m.
CJ Lions Club Breakfast …….8 to 11 a.m.
Show & Shine …………………Noon to 4 p.m.
CJ Lions Club Lunch ………..11:30 - until
Raffle Drawings ………………Throughout the day
Trophies & Awards …………..3 p.m.
Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday
(Editor’s Note: Views and
commentary expressed in let-
ters to the editor are strictly
those of the letter-writers.
* * *
Typed, double-spaced
letters are acceptable for con-
sideration. Handwritten letters
that are double-spaced and
highly legible also can be con-
sidered for publication.
Cards of thanks are not
accepted as letters.)
* * *
Medic salute
From Robert Cornett
North Kerby
On Friday, April 21 at
approximately 1:40 p.m.
American Medical Re-
sponse in Cave Junction
responded to a 911 call
from 23101 Redwood
Hwy.
Because of the quick
response and highly com-
petent medical care I re-
ceived, I am writing this
letter.
I also appreciate those
from the I.V. Fire District
who arrived at the same
time to assist.
I and my family are
extremely grateful.
Biscuit choices
From Scott D. Conroy
U.S. Forest Supervisor
Medford
The last two years
have been an incredibly
challenging and exciting
time to be a steward of
public lands - especially
here in S.W. Oregon. We
have had the eyes of the
nation upon us.
The nation supported
us as the fire ravaged our
forests and communities,
and they watch us now as
we wrestle with the
choices that will determine
the future of these lands
and the people who live,
work, and recreate in them.
As Gifford Pinchot,
the first chief of the U.S.
Forest Service said, we
seek to “provide the great-
est good, for the greatest
number, in the long run.”
What I presented last week
is my best effort to uphold
this guiding principle.
The lands and commu-
nities affected by the Bis-
cuit Fire are worthy of care
and investment - this is the
foundation of my decision.
I see recovery that pro-
vides opportunity for all -
including those who seek
solitude; clean, clear wa-
ter; abundant wildlife and
jobs.
On Friday, June 4, I
released the Final Environ-
mental Impact Statement;
in 30 days I will issue
three Records of Decision.
I have chosen Alternative
7 as my preferred alterna-
tive because it invests in
the land and balances eco-
logical considerations and
economic opportunities.
Alternative 7 will pro-
tect communities and habi-
tat through a 300-mile net-
work of Fuel Management
Zones.
Alternative 7 will re-
forest 31,000 acres, which
is about 7 percent of the
project area. Alternative 7
will provide up to 6,900
jobs and enough wood to
build 24,000 homes - all
this by salvage of dead
trees on just 4 percent of
the project area - 19,400
acres for a total of 370 mil-
lion board feet.
Helicopters will be
used to salvage dead trees
to minimize effects and
reduce temporary road
construction. No new per-
manent roads will be built.
In fact, this alternative
will decommission 10
miles of road, close 18,
and stabilize 42 miles - all
work that is very similar to
that called for by some
organizations. However,
alternative 7 also has the
potential to support up to
6,900 jobs and generate
$240 million in income.
Finally, it includes a
research plan that studies
ways to produce old-
growth forests as part of
fire recovery.
During the last several
months, our work with
EPA, U.S. Fish and Wild-
life Service, and NOAA-
Fisheries and resulted in an
analysis, and an alterna-
tive, that improves on the
Draft EIS. We have re-
solved the concerns associ-
ated with the draft, and are
poised to go forward with
a proposal that protects
resources while investing
in the future of the forest.
After working with the
governor and the congres-
sional delegation, I am also
proposing that 64,000
acres of lands adjacent to
the Kalmiopsis Wilderness
be considered for their ex-
ceptional wilderness char-
acter.
There is a strong eco-
logical and social need to
take this action now. The
lands I am suggesting for
additional wilderness oc-
cur in five distinct parcels,
areas that range in size
from 1,000 to 34,000
acres.
I would like to con-
clude with one last
thought: we who sit here in
the comfort and safety that
America offers have a re-
sponsibility that results
from the abundance be-
stowed upon us. A respon-
sibility that Aldo Leopold
frames so eloquently -
“...when we see land as a
community to which we
belong, we may begin to
use it with love and re-
spect.”
I fervently hope that
the balanced proposal I
bring forth fosters the hal-
ing of our forests and com-
munities and that we in
Southern Oregon show the
nation that our discourse
can be reasoned, fruitful
and respectful.
Library failures
From George F. Long
Grants Pass
On the front page of
the May 18 Grants Pass
“Daily Courier” in an arti-
cle about the failure of the
library levy, Library Direc-
tor Sue Luce commented
that she had heard that the
(Continued on page 3)
HOLLAND LOOP MISHAP - Illinois Valley emergency
personnel responded to a 7:50 a.m. crash on Friday,
June 4. The driver, whose name was not available in
time for this issue, told a deputy that the Sun blinded
him near Fort Briggs in the 2900 block after he
rounded a curve. (Photo by Shane Welsh)
JCA transit grants a possibility
Transportation pro-
grams that serve senior
citizens and people with
disabilities may be eligible
for grant funding.
Funding may be used
for capital purchases, op-
erations or planning.
Applications for transit
grants are available from
Josephine Community Ac-
tion (JCA), 317 N.W. B St.
in Grants Pass or contact
Dawn Pike at (541) 474-
5441.
Applications must be
submitted no later than 5
p.m. Monday, June 14.
*Treats stress
*Work
*Bereavement
*Life changes
*Decisions
Stress starts in the mind, but can cause tight muscles,
headaches and even illness. When massage relaxes
muscles, the mind responds. The result: An unstressed
you, better able to deal with what life brings.