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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2004)
Fire board looking at Fire Mtn. Sen. John Kerry at Central Point rally (AP photo) Kerry scores president on conservative issues By MEDFORD ‘MAIL TRIBUNE’ John Kerry was inter- ested in reaching more than the roaring crowd that greeted him Thursday, Aug. 12 at Jackson County Expo in Central Point. “I know there are a lot of conservative folks down here in this part of the state — I want you to listen to me,” Kerry said. With that, Kerry, who was on the last leg of a two-week campaign across the nation, ran down a list of why he felt the Bush Administration was not conservative. “There is nothing con- servative about driving deficits up as far as the eye can see,” Kerry said. “There is nothing conser- vative about an attorney general who has been cited at least twice by his own inspector general for tram- pling on the Constitution and our civil rights.” Historically, Republi- cans have outnumbered Democrats in the region. Although Vice President Al Gore edged President George Bush in the 2000 election in Oregon, Bush easily carried Jackson County. However, Oregon is considered one of a dozen contested states across the country in this election. Kerry spoke near where Vice President Dick Cheney appeared two weeks earlier. Cheney drew a crowd estimated at 3,000. Kerry’s crowd was estimated at 6,000. As it did during Che- ney’s visit, the temperature hovered around the triple (Continued on page 8) IVFD mechanic lauded By SHANE WELSH Staff Writer The new Illinois Val- ley Fire District mechanic, Kenny Pangburn, is “money well spent,” said Joe Feldhaus, Illinois Val- ley Fire District (IVFD) division chief. During an IVFD Board of Directors meeting in Cave Junction City Hall on Wednesday evening, Aug. 11, Feldhaus praised the performance of Pangburn, who began working as a paid employee for the dis- trict July 19, 2004. “One of the main rea- sons we hired the me- chanic was to reduce cost (to IVFD taxpayers),” said Feldhaus. Several months ago, the board approved hiring a mechanic who could maintain equipment “in- house” so when something broke down or needed ser- vicing, it could be fixed immediately without hav- ing to wait for response from an outside mechanic. Feldhaus detailed equipment that was ser- viced by Pangburn that saved the district money including: *Brake adjustments to 13 trucks at an estimated $650 savings in labor cost. *A clutch replacement on a brush truck that could have cost more than $50 an hour in labor to replace. *Two alternators re- placed for a total cost of $322. (Feldhaus said Pang- burn helped reduce cost by getting a good price for the parts.) *Three brush trucks damaged during fire. (Rich said two trucks were back in service within 30 min- utes due to having a me- chanic on scene.) “None of this would have happened that quickly if we didn’t have a me- chanic,” said Feldhaus. “I think this is money well spent.” IVFD Chief Harry Rich added, “As far as having on-scene failures (of equipment) like we have had in the past; I don’t think that will be happening again. “Our mechanic was on-scene within 15 min- utes of the fire,” he said. “He stayed for almost 17 hours...with a tender, mak- ing sure it didn’t have any more problems.” “Chief Feldhaus and his mechanic are doing things that the district has not had in many, many years,” he said. By SHANE WELSH Staff Writer A lease agreement is sought between Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) and Fire Mountain Gems. During a meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 11 in Cave Junction City Hall, the Board of Directors voted 5-0 to allow IVFD Chief Harry Rich to nego- tiate a lease for the prop- erty by the end of August. Rich will seek a lease agreement of $1 per year with Fire Mountain Gems for its property and build- ings at 28195 Redwood Hwy., approximately 2 miles south of Downtown Cave Junction. If approved by owner Stuart Freedman, an Illi- nois Valley resident, the smaller building will be used for IVFD administra- tion offices, as well as board and public meetings. Rich also said that a large warehouse on the premises (still being used by Fire Mountain Gems) may also provide space for emergency vehicles and equipment if the owner agrees to allow its use. Free training planned for young sailors The Josephine County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol is sponsoring and will pre- sent its first free Junior Boater Program at the Grants Pass YMCA from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The recommended age group for the program and activities is 7 to 13. Parent participation and support is welcome throughout the program. The Junior Boater Pro- gram consists of a series of activities designed to teach youth about basic safe boating practices. Each activity includes student learning objectives, materi- als/equipment list, step-by- step instructions and dis- cussion points. This program engages participants in fun, hands- on, boating seamanship, water safety and aquatic activities. An Oregon Junior Boater certificate will be given to each participant when they safely complete all activities. Contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol at (541) 471-2114 to confirm participation. FAA funding will improve I.V. Airport BERRY GOOD WEEKEND - Hundreds of people thronged Downtown Cave Junction for the 23rd annual Wild Blackberry Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14 and 15. Among booths (top photo) was one by Lovejoy Hospice in front of Taylor’s Sausage Country Store (see related photo on page 3). ‘Southern Oregon Blues Band’ (photo above) played for ‘The Rummage Experience’ at the ‘Illinois Valley News’ office. And among the goodies offered during the festival were ‘donuts’ at a downtown booth. (Shane Welsh photos) Selma resident strikes tree with pickup; dead at scene On Wednesday, Aug. 11, Allen Dale McCollum, 76, of Selma, was fatally injured when he struck a tree with the vehicle he was operating on Hwy. 199 near milepost 9, said Oregon State Police (OSP). OSP said that McCollum was eastbound on 199 near milepost 9 in a white 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck. Ac- cording to witnesses, McCollum was driving at or near the speed limit and drifted off the south side of the road and struck a tree at approximately 2:19 p.m., according to OSP. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hwy. 199 was shut down to a single lane for approxi- mately 1 1/2 hours. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Dept. of Transportation and Rural/Metro Fire Dept. assisted OSP in conducting the investigation. IVHS daily class schedule, health center noted Classes at Illinois Val- ley High School this year will begin at 8:15 a.m., and end at 3:30 p.m. Students will be ex- pected to arrive at school no later that the 8:10 a.m. first bell. Those who arrive in class after 8:15 will be marked as “tardy.” Principal JoAnn Beth- any also announced that the IVHS Health Center will be in operation this school year. There will be a form in student enroll- ment packets that parents will need to sign for stu- dents to be seen by nurses at the health center. Just be glad you don’t get all the government you pay for. - Will Rogers - A project to improve Illinois Valley Airport us- ing a $300,000 federal grant was among agenda items for Josephine County commissioners during their meeting in Grants Pass Wednesday, Aug. 18. Commissioners were to consider action on ac- cepting or rejecting the grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. The cost to the county would be $15,789. Using the FAA grant, the I.V. Airport runway would be improved, in- cluding some rehabilitation work using slurry seal. In addition, a taxiway would be constructed. In other matters, county commissioners were to: *Approve installation of “Stop” signs on Lake- shore Drive, Dryden Road and Crooks Creek Road. *Consider a contract with Thomas Marineau for architectural services to aid in the design and planning for a Search And Rescue compound. The cost to the county is not to exceed $25,000. Subscribe to the ‘Illinois Valley News’ See page 8 Cave Junction Wednesday, August 18 Sunny, very hot High--94, Low--59. Thursday, August 19 Mostly sunny, hot High--97, Low--60. Friday, August 20 Sunny, partly cloudy High--96, Low--59. Saturday, August 21 Sunny, partly cloudy High--94, Low--58. Sunday, August 22 Partly sunny High--92, Low--57. Monday, August 23 Sunshine, cloudy High--90, Low--45. Tuesday, August 24 Some sun High--82, Low--41.
