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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2005)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 15, 2005 New administrative site envisioned for I.V. Fire Because many are unaware of my reputation as the Mexican Trashman, a title bestowed on me by several friends in our former haunts around San Diego County, I was going this week to address my adventures in that realm. By the way, I was not offended by the informal knighthood. However, that topic will wait because another one slipped in, coiled, and was ready to strike. So it will be the subject of this week’s hydra-head exercises. The idea came to me for two reasons: 1. This is graduating season for high schools. 2. Our son, Michael, a new resident of Cave Junction with his daugh- ter, Kimberly, attended his recent Brookings-Harbor High School 20-year class reunion. Michael’s class, unlike mine of 44 years ago, made predic- tions about their classmates. One youth was tabbed as “most likely to succeed.” And guess what? He showed up at the reunion, and his occupation is: A. Vagrant. B. Retired gangster. C. Pediatric brain surgeon. If you picked C you are correct. Imagine that. I have been unable to attend either of my class reunions. The first was in 1981, two years after Jan and I and the kids moved from Escondido, Calif. to Brookings, Ore. We had neither the time nor dinero at the time to make the trip. The next reunion for my class, from dear ol’ St. Augustine High School in San Diego, was in 2001. I wanted to attend, but due to various circumstances -- all of which were my own fault -- I was unable to attend that one either. Of course, the burning question is why anyone would want to “reunite” with the former dunderheads, weirdos, bullies and lunatics who comprised that class. Good question. Maybe I’m a masochist; or maybe I simply have an innate curiosity about how all those guys (“Saints” is a school for boys) turned out. One classmate was always in trouble. More than once, an unmarked police car would be at our school, and this student would be called out of class. He had sticky fingers, I think, or what some cops call the “10-finger discount.” And guess what? He became a sheriff’s deputy, put in his 25 years and retired with pension at the tender age of 46. I should be so lucky? It’s not easy keeping track of many of my former off- balance deskmates (I’m referring here to the desks) because they (the students, not the desks) were from Mexico, Baja Cali- fornia. We had quite a contingent who drove daily across the border to attend classes. And they always got “B” grades in Spanish class. I never could figure out that one. I think that the reason I’ve wanted to attend a reunion is because I just want to see how everybody turned out. How do they look? What are they doing? Are they retired? Etc. I think it would be extremely interesting. Naturally, some people say, “Who cares!?” I can’t explain it; it’s the way I feel. Although my class made no predictions, its members did confer a title on me. I was known during my junior and senior years as “The Snack Bar King” because for those two years I was one of three students who worked in the school snack bar, which was run by Canteen Service. The title accompanies my photo in the 1961 annual. Working in the snack bar is worth a whole column by itself. Maybe. OK, so being called the Mexican Trashman and the Snack Bar King doesn’t make me royalty. It’s OK, considering what I could have been called. Sunday, June 19 8 a.m . t o noon ALL- YOU- CAN- EAT * Adu lt s- $ 5 * Ch ildr e n u n de r 1 1 - $ 3 .0 0 PUBLI C W ELCOM E * W a ffle s * Pa n ca k e s * Biscu it s & Gr a vy * H a m * Sa u sa ge * Eggs * Ju ice * Coffe e * Te a or M ilk Illinois Valley News An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez - Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523 Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Volume 68, No. 13 Staff: Kacy Clement, Michelle Binker, Becky Loudon, Bryan Harley, Nina Holm Consulting. Advertising Design Consultant: Wonder Dog Graphics Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 3 P.M. FRIDAY SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $20.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $24.40 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $36 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR 97523 * * * Forestland query From Fred Krauss Selma Should Josephine County be in the business of owning and managing for- estland? Josephine County man- ages more than 30,000 acres of forestland with an annual budget of approximately $1,000,000. This requires a full-time staff equivalent of six to seven people. The annual harvest level for the county forests appears to average about 3,000 mbf per year. In reviewing public in- formation regarding the budget, it appears that reve- nues received are approxi- mately the same as ex- penses, and therefore the lands are managed on close to a “break-even basis.” In analyzing this data and considering the difficul- ties the county is continually facing with funding, it seems to me that managing on a break-even basis does not make a lot of sense when there might be better alternatives. For some reason, Jack- son County does not have a forestry department, and elected to resell private lands which it obtained through foreclosure for de- linquent taxes. Evidently, Jackson officials decided early on that it was not in their best interest to own and manage forestland. It seems to me that the best way for Josephine county to reap substantial economic benefit from their forest land would be to sell that land; put the money in the “bank;” and use the yearly interest to help fund the county budget. With this scenario, the county could return the land back to the tax rolls, and potentially generate, from the proceeds, several million dollars of interest each year to help balance the budget. If the county pursued such a program, it would be important that it consider breaking the ownership down into a number of smaller packages rather than selling the entire 30,000 acres as one offering. This would increase the number of viable bidders, allow mixing higher and lower quality tracts, and maximize the return on the total 30,000 acres. By not having the sales packages too small, it would help maintain the integrity of the parcels as forestland and by not having them too large would help realize full market value. To be fair to the public and prospective purchasers and realize top dollar, all packages would need to be sold on a com- petitive, sealed bid basis. Those who concur that this suggestion has merit and should be researched further can write or call their county commissioners. We ought to all get together and get this land back on the tax roll. ‘Guilty as charged’ From William Schneider Cave Junction I have read, and still read, with great dismay of the continuing genocide (finally called) in Africa’s Sudan. After Hitler and right after Rwanda, a continuing holocaust of unimaginable evil is occurring south of Iraq. According to an article in the May 23 “National Review,” the regime of President Field Marshal Umar Hassan Ahmad al Bashir has murdered and displaced millions, not to mention the continuous rape and murder of children in front of their parents. This is happening now. Today. As we eat, sleep, and be merry in our self- righteous War on Terrorism. Saddam’s crimes hardly compare to what takes place in Africa’s Sudan. What puzzles me is that we know who are the perpe- trators. We know where they live and what they do. We even discuss policy with these murderous sons of b. How in the name of God in Heaven are these people allowed to walk on this Earth unchecked by the nations continuously while we search for politically correct ways of dealing with these monsters? I am con- vinced by this contradiction that our motives in Iraq are not humanitarian. Far more terror is hap- pening to the south. What is our War on Terror but self- serving, if these atrocities are allowed to continue. Is it racism, greed or stupidity that runs our nation’s poli- cies? Perhaps all of the above. Shame on our presi- dent and all who could help, but who do not, to bring an immediate halt to the holo- caust in Africa. Like the Germans watching Hitler, we, the world, share the guilt of that which is not made right once it is known to be wrong. at Pottsville Saturday, June 18, 9 to 5 Sunday, June 19, 9 to 4 Parade of Power Charlie West Valley Country Band Food Booths - Wagon Rides Tractor Pulls at 2:30 Skills of Yesteryear events & exhibits 1929, 5 HP Sattley raffle Flea Market both days For information phone (541) 479-2981 50/50 POKER RUN Frida y J une 2 4 t h 2 0 0 5 J ubile e Pa rk , Ca ve J unc t ion Ope n t o e ve ryone 1 8 ye a rs or olde r Drive a Ca r, Ride a Bik e or Fly a Pla ne $ 1 0 pe r e nt ry - M ult iple Ent rie s Allow e d Re gist ra t ion be gins a t 1 1 a m All e nt rie s m ust be in by 3 pm The starting and ending point is Jubilee Park. All drivers must return to the park to turn in your hand and collect your prize. This is a self guided tour. We will provide you with the locations of the stops to get your cards/stamps. Food & Beverages Available For More Info: 592-6391 DI N N ER AN D DAN CE Frida y J une 2 4 t h Live Band, Circle of Stone Featuring Music of the 50’s 60’s 70’s & 80’s Dinner at 5:30 pm: Tickets must be purchased in advance and include dance. Choice of BBQ Tri Tip or BBQ Chicken Breast $15 or 2 for $25 Dance 7 to 11 pm: Tickets for dance only may be purchased at the door for $5 per person Advance Tickets Available At: Book Exchange, Tender Treasures and Home Valley Bank Hosted by the: Men & Women of the Cave Junction Lions Club For More Info: 592-6391 Visit us on-line: http://cjlions.cavenet.com Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. - Plato - Just when you thought it couldn’t be more Beautiful… You See The Price! Solid Oak In a page 1 story in the June 8 issue about a crash involving a school bus and a pickup truck, it was reported that,” “His only passenger was listed as … ” apparently in connection with possible injuries during the collision. That is correct as far as it goes, but initial informa- tion provided for the story did not indicate that there was a total of 31 students aboard. None were reported injured. “Illinois Valley News” appreciates those who tele- phoned to help set the re- cord straight. Queen Bed only 438 $ Dresser w/mirror 426 $ Nightstand 168 $ So many styles- all ready to deliver tonight! Bedroom Collections • Futons • Bunk Beds • Sleepers x161723-5/20 (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.) POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s address and telephone number. The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. Generally, one letter per person per month at publish- ers’ discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publishers. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the publishers’ opinion. POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE,” DISPLAY & CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publica- tion. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week. (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter- writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced letters written solely to this newspaper are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be con- sidered. Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters. zone change for the site to the city of Cave Junction. The council will consider the matter presently. The new administrative HQ would be built after the old, dilapidated station is razed. The new facility would be funded by extend- ing an IVFD loan for the two newest fire trucks, which are the first-run rigs for Cave Junction and Selma stations, as their costs will be paid off in 2007, said the chief. He currently is looking for preliminary funding. The district HQ now is housed in the former Fire Mt. Gems facility a short distance south of Cave Junc- tion. The arrangement is through the courtesy of Stu- art and Chris Freedman. Preliminary planning is under way for a new admin- istrative center for Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD). The new structure, which “will not cost the tax- payers a dime,” said Chief Harry Rich, would be erected on the current site of the for- mer Station 1 on Caves Hwy. in Cave Junction. A new fire station is nearing completion on prop- erty next door. In a related matter it was noted that a well vault for the station was installed by Clouser Drill- ing, which discounted its price by $500, so that IVFD will pay $1,750 instead of $2,250, Rich said. In another related mat- ter, IVFD Monday night, June 13 submitted an appli- cation for annexation and www.bedsforless.com Open 7 Days 891 NE D Street Grants Pass 780 NW Garden Valley Blvd. Roseburg Corner of Court & McAndrews Next to Staples Next to Joann Fabric 772-0282 474-1060 677-9001 1165 Court Street Medford
