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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 23, 2005)
Page 8 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 23, 2005 FD gains reimbursement Chief Harry Rich Fire Prevention Coordinator De Spellman Lt. Dan Green Firefighter Nick Bjornstad Firefighter Kamron Ismaile Battalion Chief Ken Gavlik Dale Sandberg Delaine Sherman VALLEY SMOKE-EATERS HONORED - Illinois Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association held its annual ban- quet Saturday, March 19 at Illinois Valley High School cafeteria. Delaine Sherman, a volunteer in the support group, received the Administration Award, the Chief’s Award, and the Board of Directors Award. Jeff Gavlik also received the Board of Directors Award. Daniel Green was given the Top Training Award and pro- moted to lieutenant. The Prevention Award went to De Spellman, and the Maintenance Award was given to Kamron Ismaile. The district’s volunteer photographer, Dale Sandberg, who works with his wife, Elaine, re- ceived the Support Member of the Year Award. Ken Gavlik was honored with the Officer of the Year Award. The plaque he holds contains a replica of a staff officer badge and will be passed on to the 2005 award recipi- ent. The same holds true for Firefighter and Rookie of the Year. The Rookie of the Year award went to Nick Bjornstad. Chief Harry Rich was recognized with the Staff Member of the Year Award. The guest speaker for the ceremony was State Fire Marshal Charlie Chase. (Photos by Shane Welsh) Merging advisory boards for airports at Illinois Valley and Merlin pondered Josephine County com- missioners are discussing plans to recombine advisory boards for the Illinois Valley and Grants Pass (Merlin) airports. The boards now are separate, but there was a combined board several years ago. However, be- cause of a number of fac- tors, the boards again be- came separate bodies. Members of the I.V. Airport Advisory Board heard about the proposal from county Commissioner Jim Raffenburg during their meeting Thursday evening, March 17 at the airport. Under the proposal, the existing seven-member I.V. board and the eight-member GP board would be dis- banded. In their place, said Raffenburg, there would be a nine-member combined airports board. Three members would represent I.V. Airport avia- tion interests, and three would represent Grants Pass Airport aviation interests. In addition, there would be three members represent- ing nonaviation interests. One each would represent I.V., Grants Pass and citi- zens-at-large, Raffenburg outlined. He added it’s likely that the two current advisory board chairmen would be retained for the new board, but that all other seats would be filled via applications. Raffenburg indicated that commissioners are con- cerned because of a lack of progress at both airports. He linked the situation to “a real problem in structure,” not- ing that under the new ar- rangement, if approved, the advisory boards would ad- dress long-range visions for the facilities and not day-to- day operations. “The current structure is not working,” said Raffen- burg. “We need to change the way the boards do busi- ness,” he said. The advisory boards, he noted, would be responsible and report to the county commissioners, not the di- rector of airports. Airports Director Alex Grossi was out of town and unable to attend Thursday’s meeting. Much of the 80-minute meeting involved discussion by I.V. board members about the differing philoso- phies between the airports. Although the I.V. site could attract commercial ventures, it also is seen by the board as a unique, prime recreational attraction for pilots and others. Board members also expressed concern about a possibility that the historic buildings, from when the airport was the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base, would be destroyed under the cur- rent Airport Layout Plan (ALP). There also was consid- erable discussion about a grant, received through the former I.V. Community Response Team, for the air- port industrial park. The board and Raffenburg said it appears that discussion with Federal Aviation Admini- stration officials could iron out some wrinkles regarding the ALP in connection with that grant. Raffenburg said that he would try to set up a meet- ing with FAA. He added that the plan for combining boards will be brought be- fore both boards before any action is taken. Hotline time set March 30 Four legislators will review measures on which they’re working during the legislative hotline session with Josephine County com- missioners next week. The public meeting will be held Wednesday, March 30 in Room 154 of the county courthouse from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Legislators are to be state Sen. Jason Atkinson, and Reps. Gordon Ander- son, Dennis Richardson and People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. - Eleanor Roosevelt - Our character...is an omen of our destiny, and the more integrity we have and keep, the simpler and nobler that destiny is likely to be. - George Santayana - Growing & Going Strong. The only licensed & bonded pawn broker in Cave Junction. Need money? Let’s talk! 592-2987 Western Plaza Due to a death in the family, King’s Chinese Cuisine in Cave Junction will be closed from Friday, March 25 through Monday, March 28. The restaurant will reopen Tuesday, March 29. By SHANE WELSH Staff Writer Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) will receive $10,632.49 reimbursement for Workers Compensation insur- ance overcharges. According to Beth Beards, IVFD administrative secretary, the charge stems from a misun- derstanding that occurred dur- ing the 210-acre 2004 Rough & Ready fire. She reported the situation to IVFD directors during a meeting in administra- tive headquarters Thursday evening, March 17. Apparently, a SAIF Corp. auditor had assumed that IVFD fought wildland fires. District firefighters respond to wildland fire calls to help prevent struc- ture loss and to extinguish and control fire damage to struc- tures. “We do structure protec- tion during these wildland fires,” said Beards. “She (the auditor) assumed this included wildland firefighting,” said Beards. In December 2004, IVFD met with representatives from Special Districts, an organiza- tion IVFD uses for many ser- vices including Workers’ Com- pensation and health insurance. During that meeting, it was decided that IVFD could greatly reduce costs by switch- ing its policy from SAIF Corp. to Wilson Heirgood Associ- ates, a company recommended by Special Districts. Beards noted that prior to changing the IVFD insurance provider, the district had to pay approximately $26,000 for Workers Comp insurance every four months. Under the new company, IVFD only has to pay $10,000 a year for the same coverage. The reason this figure is so much lower than SAIF is that the new policy provides one set fee for firefighters, board mem- bers, and clerical workers. “Our guys are on scene only about 5-10 percent of the time we’re charged for,” said Beards. “The new policy pro- vides the same coverage at 1/3 of the price.” She said that SAIF will reimburse the district for a per- centage of charges incurred from July to October 2004. Horsemen win Sisters Kelsey and Kaylah Arnett, members of the Illinois Valley High School equestrian team, took some top competi- tion places. They and fellow team- mates competed in a Southern Oregon High School district meet at Central Point Expo March 11-13. Kelsey took a 3rd place in Driving. Kaylah took a 1st in Individual Flags, 2nd in Figure 8, and 3rd in Steer Daubing. In Two-Man Birangle School, Illinois Valley took a 3rd place. Lisa DeRov, Hairstylist Terri Smith, Hairstylist Tasha Lewis, Nail Technician Donna Melton, Barber Full Service for Men, Women & Children: Haircuts - Hairstyling - Perms - Dyes - Weaves Facial Waxing - Up-Do’s for Special Occasions Acrylic, Fiberglass & Gel Nails Pedicures for Men & Women We do it all. Our happy shop is newly expanded & remodeled. Coffee’s on. Bottled water provided. Best Prices in Town + Senior Discounts Open: Mondays through Fridays 8-5, Saturdays 10-3 Evenings by appointment. 223-A North Redwood Hwy. Tallest shop in town, on the hill above River Valley Restaurant.