Page 6
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Grounds for history
(Continued from page 1)
the nearly 300 people who
attended, were individuals
including Dr. Jim Shames,
Kenny Houck, and Len Lea.
Shames in 1973 began
the Takilma People’s Clinic,
forerunner to SCHC. Houck,
a former SCHC chairman,
“cut through the bureauc-
racy” to help set the stage for
new clinic development.
Lea, who served as mas-
ter of ceremonies Thursday,
is current board chairman.
He was cited for his vision
and leadership by Carol
Meyers, SCHC development
director, organizer of the
groundbreaking event.
Also singled out for
recognition was Sue Terran,
a physician assistant, who
came to the valley as a stu-
dent nurse in 1971. She
noted the continuing pro-
gress to improve and expand
medical care for the valley,
citing many staff members
and others in the community
who have given their time
and talent through the years.
She stated that health
care is a right that should be
available to every human
being, and not just those in
urban areas.
“This is really happen-
ing,” she said, “and we’re
going to watch it happen.”
Recognition also went
to longtime office manager
Sheila Mason, and physician
assistant Joe Patton. They
were among many asked to
help break ground after the
initial shovelfuls of dirt
were turned by Lea, Janke
and Scheufele.
Agnes Pilgrim, last sur-
viving member of the
Takilma Tribe, gave a bless-
ing for the site and develop-
ment. The benediction was
by Pastor Dennis Webber of
Parkway Christian Church
in Grants Pass.
Chris Conroy, from the
office of Congressman Peter
DeFazio (D-Ore.), read a
congratulatory statement
from DeFazio calling the
event “wonderful for the
valley.”
In addition, a laudatory
comment was read on be-
half of Sen. Jason Atkinson
(R-Central Point).
Susan Scheufele, CEO
of SCHC, began her com-
ments by stating she was
afraid that she might burst
into tears because of the
significance of the event,
recalling the dedicated ef-
forts of many.
She said that SCHC
will continue to strive to
provide medical care, not-
ing, “We believe that our
role is to serve you.”
“Cave Junction and
Illinois Valley are set to
grow rapidly,” said Meyers.
“This new center will allow
us to serve more people
with more capabilities.
“By September 2006,”
she said, “we should be
able to have a ribbon-
cutting for the new facil-
ity.”
Also as part of the cere-
monies, Cave Junction
Mayor Tony Paulson read a
proclamation designating
Aug. 11 as “Siskiyou Com-
munity Health Center Day.”
SCHC acquired the 7-
acre site on the east side of
199 several years ago.
There will be nine exam
rooms and two procedure
rooms in the structure,
which will contain 10,000
square feet of space.
The new SCHC is de-
signed to allow expansion
as the valley population
grows, and to bring special-
ists and specialty services to
the community. Having
more medical services un-
der one roof, without hav-
ing to travel to Grants Pass,
is part of the overall plan-
ning.
SCHC has been con-
ducting fund-raising to
meet the $2.6 million cost
for the facility.
A “Choose to Care”
capital campaign is still
under way, as more than
$1.5 million has been
raised. Donations are tax-
deductible, and can be paid
during a three-year period.
Information is available
from Meyers toll-free at
(866) 667-2870, or (541)
955-6053, Ext. 1140.
House passes ‘Vet Net’
Enhanced care and ser-
vices for Oregon Guard and
Reserve members and veter-
ans are in the final two
pieces of the “Vet Net”
package of legislation
unanimously passed by the
Oregon House.
Senate Bill 1100-B will
establish the Oregon Mili-
tary Emergency Financial
Assistance Fund for the
Oregon Military Dept. to
provide hardship grants and
loans to members and im-
mediate family of Oregon
National Guard members on
active duty.
The bill also establishes
a program in the Dept. of
Veterans Affairs to enhance
and expand the services to
be provided by county vet-
erans service offices. Senate
Bill 5629-A will provide
$2.6 million in state general
funds to support that effort.
Rep. Donna Nelson (R-
McMinnville), who chaired
the House Veterans’ Affairs
Committee this session,
said, “This is the session the
Legislature made Oregon’s
veterans a priority. The pas-
sage of these bills rounds
out our ‘Vet Net’ package,
providing assistance to Ore-
gonians who have risked
their lives to protect ours.
“Our work on behalf of
veterans this session is the
most attention we have
given to our veterans in Ore-
gon’s 146-year history, and
it is long overdue.”
Senate Bill 1100 builds
on legislation already passed
this session that will:
*Create a Wounded
Solider Relief Program for
Oregon National Guard and
military reserve members
called to active duty for
more than 178 days.
*Increase the education
benefit program in the Dept.
of Veterans Affairs to $150/
month (from $50/month).
*Grant a property tax
exemption of up to $60,000
of assessed value on the
homes of Oregon National
Guard members, military
reserve members of active
militia members who have
been called to active duty
for more than 178 days dur-
ing the tax year for which
the exemption is claimed.
*Establish the Oregon
Troops to Teachers program
within the Oregon Student
Assistance Commission to
pay tuition to veterans at-
tending college who agree
to teach in Oregon.
*Require the Oregon
Military Dept. to reimburse
active members of Armed
Forces and certain retirees
the cost of hunting and an-
gling licenses.
Among those invited to shovel dirt as part of the
groundbreaking ceremony were (from left) Kenny
Domestic
violence
addressed
A bill to protect victims
of domestic violence was
announced by Republicans
in the Oregon House.
House Majority Leader
Wayne Scott (R-Canby)
announced passage of SB
850, which creates Address
Confidentiality Program
(ACP) within the Dept. of
Justice (DOJ).
It’s for victims of do-
mestic violence, sexual as-
sault and stalking who have
relocated because of threats
to their safety and desire to
have their addresses be con-
fidential.
“This legislation is just
one more step we can take
in Legislature to protect vic-
tims from their attackers,”
said Scott. “It is important
legislation, and I’m pleased
that we are able to pass it
through the Legislature in
these final days of session.”
Senate Bill 850 allows
the Dept. of Justice to seek,
solicit, receive and adminis-
ter grants, donations and
gifts to operate the ACP
program. Under the meas-
ure, the attorney general will
designate a substitute ad-
dress for certified program
participants and act as the
participants’ agent for the
purposes of all legal pro-
ceedings.
The AG also will re-
ceive and forward the par-
ticipants’ mail.
“Seventeen other states
have measures that protect
victims in this situation,”
said Rep. Andy Olsen (R-
Albany), a sponsor of the
bill. “From a former police
officer’s perspective, this
bill will help save lives.”
“I used to work in the
district attorney’s office, and
seeing the victims of this
type of abuse is heartbreak-
ing,” said Rep. Patti Smith
(R-Corbett). “This legisla-
tion is extremely important
in protecting the victims of
domestic violence.”
Support the merchants who advertise in the ‘Illinois Valley News’
Houck, Sue Terran, Sheila Mason, and Joe Patton.
(Photo by Dale Sandberg)
SISKIYOU COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
SAYS THANK YOU
To the Individuals and Organizations
Who Have Made
Your New Cave Junction Medical Clinic
A Reality
Janet and David Bianco
CedarBrook Homes
Jim and Karen Frick
John and Joan Kaichen
Christopher Matthews
Larry and Gloria Osborn
Bob Stellflug
Scott and Deelia Warner
Bethany Presbyterian Church
Century21, Harris and Taylor
Illinois Valley Development, LLC
Laurel Pines Golf Club
MasterBrand Cabinets
Saga Designs
Taylor’s Sausage Inc.
Three Rivers Community Hospital
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians Foundation
Four Way Community Foundation
Meyer Memorial Trust
Oregon Community Foundation
USBancorp Foundation
Siskiyou Community Health Center Board and Staff
For more information, please
phone Carol Meyers,
Development Director
541-955-6053, ext. 1140
You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something
for others -- something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.
* * *
Therefore search and see if there is not some place
where you may invest your humanity.
* * *
Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.
- Albert Schweitzer -