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Major Nature-based
center planned on
Illinois River Road
City delays
approval of
med project
Does the proposed
Primrose master planned
private-duty care facility in
the city of Cave Junction
constitute a residential or
industrial use?
And are all technicali-
ties answered that might
otherwise cause the city a
liability issue? Plus, is the
zoning right and proper?
Those seemed to be the
principal questions with
which the city council grap-
pled for nearly two hours
Monday night, April 24 be-
fore voting 3-1 to continue
the public hearing to May 22.
Councilman Russell
Ehrman’s motion to con-
tinue was seconded by
Mayor Tony Paulson. They
and Councilman Dan Fiske
voted “yes,” while Council-
man Margaret Miller voted
“no.” Councilor Rita Dyer
was absent.
At issue is develop-
ment, by California-based
Manor Communities Devel-
opment and represented by
Larry Osborn, of a 13-lot
gated subdivision on Bur-
gundy Lane off Hanby
Lane. It would contain 86
units (43 duplex homes),
and there would be a central
medical services complex to
serve residents 55 and older.
As during previous
council meetings, strong
protests against approval of
the project were presented
by Old Stage Road resident
Carolyn Fosmore, who ad-
dressed the council on be-
half of herself and Dave
Toler, of Rockydale Road.
Their five primary
points of concern contend
that first, the proposed use
conflicts with the purpose
and description of the EG-
LI (Employment and Indus-
trial) zone as described in
the city municipal codes.
Further, they state that
Ordinance 477, previously
passed by the council, did
not have proper review and
contradicts EG-LI codes.
Also, that Manor Communi-
ties’ application is incom-
plete.
Toler and Fosmore, the
latter whose parents have
property adjacent to the
Siskiyou Field Institute partnering with
So. Oregon University at 870-acre site
Announcement of establishing the Deer Creek Field Station & Education Center was
made Monday night, April 24. Partners in the plan say that education, research, and
Nature-based tourism are among major goals. Facilities include a ranch house
(below) and significant water tributaries and forest areas. (Photos provided)
“Unprecedented Nature-based education” on an 870-acre
site on the west side of Selma will be available with establish-
ment of the Deer Creek Field Station & Education Center,
according to partners in the project.
Enhancing Nature-based tourism is another goal, the part-
ners said.
Planned for kindergarteners through college post-graduate
students, the project is headed by Takilma-based Siskiyou
Field Institute (SFI) and Southern Oregon University (SOU)
at Ashland.
Announcement of plans for the former Deer Creek
Ranch on Illinois River Road occurred Monday night, April
24 during a public meeting at Selma Community Center.
SFI directors and the SOU Foundation Board “paved the
way for creation of the Deer Creek Field Station & Education
Center by recently approving purchase of the property,” the
partners announced.
“We will be able to provide unprecedented educational
opportunities while furthering research in the region,” they
said.
Added Sue Parrish, SFI executive director, “We will be
able to provide regular access to continual field research and
hands-on science programs that also will enhance Nature-
based tourism. This will enable us to stimulate economic
growth of the region.”
The site for the new endeavor highlights much of what is
unique to the Klamath-Siskiyou region, which is world-
renowned for its rare biodiversity and natural features, accord-
ing to SFI and SOU.
“Situated at the gateway to the Wild & Scenic Illinois
River, the site is home to rare plants, salmon-bearing streams,
serpentine rock formations and forest affected by the 2002
Biscuit Fire,” the partners said.
Noted Joseph Graf, dean of the SOU School of Sciences,
“The educational opportunities for SOU faculty and students
in such a biologically diverse setting are unprecedented, and
we will have a role in the education and training of future
young scientists.
“In addition, we expect that this project will attract re-
searchers whose projects will be enhanced in this environ-
mentally unique region,” Graf said.
Devine gets
Lovejoy’s
service nod
(Continued on page 4)
Ballot coming
for May votes
Ballots for the Tuesday,
May 16 vote-by-mail pri-
mary election are to be sent
Friday, April 28 by the Jose-
phine County Clerk’s Elec-
tions Office.
The “Voters Pamphlet”
was sent last week by the
Oregon Secretary of State.
The deadline for sub-
mitting ballots is 8 p.m.
May 16. Ballots must either
be in the county clerk’s of-
fice (not merely postmarked
before the deadline), or they
can be deposited in a ballot
box at Cave Junction City
Hall up to 8 p.m. the 16th.
There are eight Republi-
can candidates seeking the
office of Oregon governor;
and three others who are
Democrats. Gov. Kulon-
goski is not running.
The election also in-
volves candidates for one
seat on the Josephine
County Board of Commis-
sioners, and the office of
county sheriff.
Voters are urged to re-
view the pamphlet.
A NEW BRIDGE at
Rough & Ready Creek on
Hwy. 199 is under con-
struction, directed by
Oregon Dept. of Trans-
portation (ODOT). The
new bridge is being built
on a highway alignment
that is different than the
current one so a tempo-
rary bridge will not be
necessary. Three other
bridges on 199 in Illinois
Valley will require tempo-
rary bridges. ODOT said
that cost for the four-
bridge project is $16 mil-
lion using funds from the
Oregon Transportation
Investment Act and the
state Transportation Im-
provement program.
(Dale Sandberg photos)
The Community Calendar for May is on page 20. Be sure and keep it for reference, as many events are listed.
On Thursday, April 20,
Lovejoy Hospice celebrated
its 25th anniversary by pre-
senting The Haley Service
Award to rural Cave Junc-
tion resident Al Devine.
The Community Ser-
vice Award went to the
Grants Pass office of Lin-
care Inc., a nationwide firm.
Lovejoy Hospice was
founded in 1981 and has
been providing end-of-life
support and care “from the
heart” to patients and their
families in Josephine
County.
Besides the awards to
community leaders, Lovejoy
presented awards to out-
standing volunteers and staff
for the past year. The annual
programs coincided with
National Volunteer Week.
The Haley Service
Award is named for Tenison
Haley, former Lovejoy Hos-
pice Board of Directors
president and community
leader, who demonstrated
compassion and inspiration
for service.
Devine, vice president
of marketing for Evergreen
Federal Bank based in
Grants Pass has been sup-
portive of Lovejoy Hospice
and many other not-for-
profit organizations which
offer vital services to hun-
dreds of those in need in our
community, Lovejoy said.
“Devine’s humble gen-
erosity in providing state-of-
the-art graphic and public
relations services has en-
abled many community not-
for-profit organizations to
keep pace with regional
marketing standards,” said
Lovejoy.
The annual Community
Support award was
(Continued on page 10)