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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 2006)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 8, 2006 Has the editor been contemplating: his navel, the price of rutabagas, or riding Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to Oceanside, Calif.; and wondering whether to title the article, “On a train without a strain,” “Rail never stale,” or “Track attack & clickety-clack.” My recent trip to Carlsbad in San Diego County to be with family began with an early flight from Medford to LAX. The father behind me didn’t notice that his young daughter kept kicking the rear of my seat. He told the flight attendants though, that she was well-traveled and used to flying. I was tempted to quietly tell him later that seat-kicking is frowned on and uncomfortable (for the kickee), but decided to let it go. By the way, some air- lines still announce “preboarding.” How is it possible to get aboard before you get aboard? I think they mean “early or special boarding.” Let that one go too. One of the neat aspects of train travel is looking in everyone’s backyard, whether residence or business. This means that you get to see lots of clutter, and plenty of graffiti on fences, walls and buildings. At one large building painted a creamy color, extensive graffiti had been painted over with gray. But atop one of the gray splotches, some fool had painted, in black letters, “Ha- Ha.” Most amusing. In Fullerton, I spotted a sign a block off the tracks proclaiming, “Chinese/Islamic Restaurant.” Wondered about the menu. Entering Santa Ana, I glanced at the nearest street signs and was surprised to find that we were at Washington and Lincoln streets. As it was Presi- dents Day, I thought it an interesting coincidence. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I tried the waterslide at the Medford motel the night before my a.m. flight. Too dumb to pinch my nostrils or blow out when I hit the wa- ter, I suffered for about 15 minutes because of the chlo- rine up my nose. Ouch. Also, I didn’t enjoy the slide, as I got a feeling of vertigo. However, the 35+ little kids in the pool with their mommies and daddies weren’t bothered. OK, back to jumping around from observation to ob- servation. When I first boarded the train at Union Station in Los Angeles, I automatically looked for a safety belt. Had to laugh at myself. And watching a Korean Air flight land at LAX I did a double-take, because its emblem looks almost identical to that of the Pepsi-Cola Co. Must be a fizzy business. From the air, you can see that Greater L.A. is densely packed. Scary to see that much humanity so jammed. San Diego County is well on its way to that same scenario. In fact, there are predictions that the population there could double in 10 to 15 years, which is something to contemplate because it’s already almost gridlocked. Once again I’m running out of room this week, so will skip to a great visit to the San Diego Zoo. Jan and I went with our daugh- ter, Vicki, and our granddaughters, Natalie and Ella. For- tunately, Vicki be- longs to the zoologi- cal society and had passes. Otherwise it would have cost us like $21 each per adult. Hey, I know the animals have to eat, and the employees have to be paid. But when I was a kid down there, the ad- mission was a buck. Kind of reminds me of the guy at a service station com- plaining about having to pay for air. “Sorry,” said the at- tendant, “it’s inflation. Anyway, we were at the zoo for several hours; took it easy and didn’t try to see the whole place. It’s one of my favorite spots to visit. We had a good lunch at Al- bert’s Restaurant in the zoo, named for a famous, late resident, who was a gorilla. There are lots of eateries in San Diego County, and we went to a few. Jan and I flew back home. If we had enough time we would have taken Amtrak, but you know how it is having your own business. Guess I’m just not well-trained. 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 Email: newsroom1@frontiernet.net or newsdesk@illinois-valley-news.com Volume 68, No. 51 Staff: The Irrepressible Michelle, Becky Loudon, Bryan Harley, Tabitha Jackson, Zina Booth. Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 5 P.M. THURSDAY (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Friday 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 publishers’ 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. 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 (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including state- ments made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced let- ters written solely to this news- paper are considered for publi- cation. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. ‘Thank you’ submissions are not accepted as letters. * * * Oh handy, dandy person, wherefore art thou? From Katy Morrison Kerby What I wouldn’t give for someone to work for me. To bring their own tools, and do A and B and C. This person would show up on time, and not a minute late. They know that I am busy too, and really hate to wait. This person would have some knowledge of the tasks I have in mind. This wonderful person would finish them all, and not leave me in a bind. If I ever were to find this person, I would treat them just like gold. I would shower them with money, and bring cocoa when they’re cold. But, alas it goes that there are a few, but they are very dear. The rest I fear will just do enough to pay for daily beer. And so it goes because I’ve tried a few who said that they would work. It always ends with unfinished jobs -- and my money to a jerk. About that banner the mayor pulled From Mark Berry Cave Junction (Editor’s Note: The fol- lowing letter to Cave Junc- tion Mayor Tony Paulson was submitted for this col- umn.) I have just received your letter dated Feb. 28. I have never met you personally, but have heard good things about you, and I am happy that we share a common faith. My hope is to meet you in April at the prayer breakfast being organized for you by Pastor Les Knapp, of Valley Evangelical Free Church, and other leaders in the community. May we all be edified, and may God be glorified. I am grieved at the situa- tion that some misunderstood my intention. I assure you that I am in no way trying to cause division in this community. Quite the contrary, as the text of the banner concerns display- ing “all-church congregational gathering.” I have complied with all the requirements on the banner instruction, and if I had been made aware of any infractions, I would have altered the text. I pray that we continue to all be blessed with insight as to how to handle future banners. Who are these people, and why are they here? From William Schneider Cave Junction There can be no clearer evidence of the mentality that the world is dealing with in what has become the hijacked religion of Islam and its abso- lutely intolerable acts of self- righteousness as to include murder en mass. Speaking only for myself, it is difficult to find sympathy for any hurt feelings of any Muslim who has not stood up and spoken out against the indiscriminate slaughter of their brothers and sisters throughout the world by sui- cide bombers. Or who through silence condone the murder of their women by stoning; or who condone gang rape as punish- ment for adultery, a punish- ment handed down by some oh-so-wise tribal elder. No, instead, it appears that many have, in their self- absorbed ignorance, directed their rage toward cartoons, finding them far more offen- sive than the scattered body parts of women and children splattered on walls and in the streets. To all who would con- done murder in the name of Islam, I say shame on them times 10. I am tired of soft peddling for murderers. I am sick and tired of stupid, demented men threatening the world with violence, like the president of Iran, ayatollahs who preach and teach a death cult; Saddam Husseins; and half the sheiks of Araby. Who in the name of sanity are these people and why are they still here? It tries the soul to truly feel peace in one’s heart these days, but I have always thought hon- esty was far more in that direc- tion than pious postulations. The lack of peace in my heart for any oppressive religion and or government speaks for itself. And, be as it may, the Mideast will be dragged out of the Dark Ages, kicking and screaming or otherwise. Two commissioners tax-bound, he feels From Tony Corriea Grants Pass The citizens of Josephine County are beginning to see what Commissioners Riddle and Ellis, along with their sup- porters, are focused on with their misguided efforts to bring the property owners to their knees, with taxes. These two commissioners will polarize the county. Voters have lost all faith in them and in their ability to lead this county, to protect us and our homes and land. The two commissioners, with their illegal actions, are examples of what great harm can be caused to property own- ers. It is a betrayal and an out- rage against the voters for them to continue in the direction they are going. The facts are painfully clear. If Riddle and Ellis get their way with more taxes the property owners will be drained dry, virtually wiped out; leaving the county at risk of financial disaster. This is real and it is hap- pening right now. And unless the voters, all of us, do some- thing about it, our land and homes will be going down the drain. These are our homes and land we have worked and paid for during all our working years. Clearly two of the com- missioners now in office, are not working in the best inter- ests of the people, voters and citizens of Josephine County. They are playing fast and loose with our funds, and they are hoping that no one is paying attention to what is going on. Good example, some of us uncovered many back-room maneuvers, and then exposed their activities. Citizens are urged to learn the facts and be ready to vote come election time. said it was helping are dead now, and fire risk has greatly increased. Cooperative community alternatives have been ignored. Hundreds of community mem- bers have written letters and testified during recent public meetings in opposition to these massive old-growth logging sales that ignore recreation dollars flowing through our community and waste taxpayer money. More than $40 million goes through our valley every year because of Redwood Hwy., and the people visiting the area who come to see the spectacular natural values of the area threatened by bad BLM and U.S. Forest Service management. The economies of Illinois Valley are now more dependent on tourism than ever before, which begs the ques- tion: Why sacrifice our future for a quick couple of bucks? The forest service is mov- ing to clear-cut hundreds of acres of old-growth reserves from Oregon’s largest and third-largest roadless area. Wait until the forest service and BLM hears from the public this summer, as more protests are being planned. Pregnancy Center getting out word From Mary Lefner, executive director Cave Junction One of the outstanding characteristics of the Preg- nancy Center of Illinois Valley is that we fit hand-in-glove with the mission of the Illinois Valley churches. Our mission is to reach women and families facing crisis pregnancies while shar- ing the love of Jesus Christ. For those who are open, our desire is that they become ac- tive in a church. And others can play an important role as a liaison be- tween the Pregnancy Center and their church. We need members of valley churches to be active in this ministry in all types of ways. For starters, we need liai- sons in each church -- people who keep their own congrega- tions up to speed on what is happening here at the center. When we put out a call for volunteers, it helps to have someone share the necessary information. And when special events come up, we work with our church liaisons to get the word out. You may be wondering how much time this will in- volve; you’re pressed for time, and we understand that. Our church liaisons, like our other volunteers, are not going to be overburdened. We will stay in touch, make sure they have all the tools they need to make things go smoothly, and keep their time commitment to a mini- mum. Those interested in being our contact in their fellowship can phone the Pregnancy Cen- ter at 592-6058, or send an e- mail to PregnancyCen- ter@cavenet.com and we will set up a time to share more information. Now is the time to phone: Our church liaison network is growing, and added participa- tion will make us even stronger. Logging Takilma’s ‘backyard’ decried From Vicki Woods Cave Junction BLM’s plan to log in the Takilma area would be like the Takilma residents going to town and cutting down all the trees in everybody’s backyards for firewood and building ma- terial. Well, let’s not stop at the trees. Toss all those fire-hazard shrubs into slash piles as well. Don’t worry if there are no back alleys at your place either, as we’d be glad to put in some roads, at your expense, to make our job easier. And the noise and dust will end when we’re done. Don’t worry about the yards being destroyed in the process. Mud dries and grass grows back. Just plant some more grass. While you’re at it, plant some more trees so we can came again in a few years and log it again. We like that about renewable resources, don’t you? Craziness, wouldn’t you agree? That is what it is too, when BLM wants to come, literally, to our backyards and log our well- kept trails and our beloved forest homes. According to Siskiyou Project, BLM plans to put five major timber sales in Illinois Valley up for auction, includ- ing the East Illinois, which encompasses the last remaining old-growth in the Takilma area. BLM already is marking trees and laying out logging areas, before even accepting public comment or finishing its environmental assessment, which is a watered-down ver- sion of an environmental im- pact statement. In this area, many resi- dents hike, hunt, mountain-bike and bird-watch, and the area is home to bear, cougar and much other wildlife. More than 90 percent of residents are not (Continued on page 3) BLM, USFS anti-logging summer protests noted From Justin Rohde Selma I recently have visited all five Illinois logging sales cov- ering 28,000 acres combined, called the Althouse-Sucker, East Illinois, West Fork, South Deer, and Tennessee Lime logging sale. I am saddened that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would turn a recrea- tional and ecological paradise into a wasteland by commer- cially logging too much in old- growth and riparian habitats. BLM has ignored the community in its fast track to log so much of the stunningly beautiful Illinois Valley. In past treatments such as Deer Mom, many of the pine trees BLM Women’s Café A Fine & Performing Arts Show Saturday, March 11 5 to 7 p.m. - Art Show 7 to 10 p.m. - Performances Admission is on a sliding scale: $8 - $15 Dinner & desserts are sold separately from 5-7 p.m. All are welcome but young children are discouraged. Info: Dome School - 592-3911 9367 Takilma Rd., Cave Junction Normadee says, “Hmm. Smells good but it doesn’t LOOK like a llama.” Hat workshop dates to be set soon. Call to be placed on the list. Joyce & Harry Abrams 592-6078 llamuz@forestedgefarm.com
