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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2007)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 7, 2007 Page 3 County commissioners outline financial situation; plan to announce criminal justice levy next week Sheriff Gilbertson tells Cave Junction crowd about ‘emphasis on excellence’ for service AFFORDABLE HOUSING - A workshop to help people get their own homes will be presented Friday, Feb. 9 in Cave Junction City Hall. The program is organ- ized by Luz Moore, of Century 21 Harris & Taylor. More than 40 persons have signed up for the free presen- tation, which will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. CHAMBER RECOGNITION - Citizen and Busi- ness of the Year awards for 2006 will be announced dur- ing the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce public dinner-dance Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Junction Inn. Sher- iff Gil Gilbertson and the board of county commission- ers will attend. There will be live music, and a no-host bar beginning at 5 p.m. PLAYGROUND PENNIES - Evergreen Elemen- tary School PTA’s annual Penny Drive is under way. Slightly more than $2,000 was raised last year, and it’s hoped that will be exceeded for 2007. The PTA again has voted that half the net proceeds will go toward pur- chasing new playground equipment. The other half will help pay for field trip buses, art grants for each teacher, and the Artist in Residence Program. To donate pennies to the PTA, leave them at the Evergreen office. Also accept- able: nickels, dimes, quarters, cash or checks. Any dona- tions will be appreciated. Last year, Principal Linda Brown offered to dye her hair if the goal of $2,000 was met -- and she looked wonderful with rainbow-colored hair. This year, Principal David Valenzuela has offered to wear a dress to school. The classroom that raises the most money will pick his make-up. ‘LIKE A DREAM’ - Tom Hewkin, principal at Lorna Byrne Middle School in Cave Junction, will take home approximately $1.8 million from his winning $5.4 million Oregon Lottery Megabucks ticket. He bought a winner late in January. It’s believed to be the largest jack- pot won in Josephine County. Hewkin and his wife, Kathy, a teaching assistant at Fruitdale Elementary School, will retire from Three Rivers School District in June. Her retirement was planned; his is expedited by the winning. “It’s like a dream,” said the effervescent Tom Hewkin. “We’ve paid off all our bills, and we’re going to invest.” But they’re also going to have underground sprinklers installed for her home garden. And maybe go to Disneyland. NOTEPAD - Tax help for senior citizens and those of low income is available by phoning 592-4440 for ap- pointments, said Illinois Valley Community Develop- ment Organization … An item in another newspaper last week stated that an accident occurred “on Williams Hwy. near Hay’s Hill.” Last time we checked, Hay’s Hill was nowhere near Williams Hwy. Upon seeing the item, one valley resident expressed tongue-in-cheek con- cern about Grants Pass encroachment … HUD housing counselors are available from SOFCU Community Credit Union through a grant from the National Credit Union Foundation. SOFCU said that it is the only HUD- approved housing counseling agency in the county. Phone 479-2601, Ext. 1721 … Strawberry-flavored meth has turned up in Nevada, says JoCo Sheriff Gil Gilbertson. It can be identified by its pink color, and there’s concern that it will appeal to young persons ... Bumper stickers: *God is coming, and she’s not happy. *If you are born again, do you have two belly buttons? *I’m only driving like this to annoy you. *Clear the road. I’m 16. *Men are idiots, and I married their king. LAST WORDS - *Let my heart be broken with the things that break God’s heart. (Bob Pierce) *If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him. (Voltaire) Budget group seeks member Applications to fill one vacancy on the Josephine County Budget Committee are being accepted by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners until the position is filled. Applications are avail- able at the commissioners’ office at the Josephine County Courthouse, Room 154, Grants Pass. For more information, phone (541) 474-5221. The committee is com- posed of three members of the public and the board of commissioners. The Budget Committee meets three or four times in a public setting each spring to review and approve pro- posed budget documents by the budget officer for the county. The budget consists of several funds covering a variety of departments such as public safety, property services and general fund. Budget Committee members should have an interest in county operations and an understanding of governmental budget proc- esses. By SCOTT JORGENSEN IVN Staff Writer A weeklong series of countywide public meetings was concluded by the Jose- phine County Board of Commissioners Monday night, Feb. 5 at Illinois Val- ley High School. The meetings were an attempt to solicit public opinion regarding the re- placement of federal O&C funds with a proposed pub- lic safety levy in May. Approximately 36 per- sons attended the Cave Junc- tion meeting. It began with commission Chairman Jim Raffenburg explaining the severity of the situation. He was accompanied by Vice Chairman Dave Toler and Commissioner Dwight Ellis. “As a matter of public safety, we have to address those impacts,” Raffenburg said. “This is our problem, and we have to face it to- gether.” Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Rosemary Padgett said that alternative funding methods have been consid- ered. They include a con- sumption tax, gasoline tax, and a bed-and-breakfast tax. However, she said, none of those options would raise enough money to fund county operations. Sheriff Gil Gilbertson told the audience that his agency has established a more active presence in the rural portions of the county, including Illinois Valley. “You’re seeing more vehicles out here than in the past,” Gilbertson said. He added that the primary empha- sis by the sheriff’s office now is “excellence in service.” “We want to provide you with service you’ve never seen before,” Gilbertson said. During a question-and- answer session, Raffenburg said that the median county property tax rate in Oregon is $2.25 per $1,000 of as- sessed value. The lowest rate in the state is in Jose- phine County, where resi- dents pay 58-cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Sherman County pays the most, at $8.71 per $1,000 of assessed value. In response to concerns about senior citizens living on fixed incomes or pen- sions, Raffenburg said that the state has a property tax deferral program to help offset potential hardships. “Nobody’s going to lose their home if they can’t afford to pay,” Raffenburg said. “The county has not taken a home in years and years and years.” Real estate broker Jim Frick, of Century 21 Harris & Taylor, suggested that the 18 Oregon counties that have traditionally received O&C funds should file a class-action lawsuit against the federal government for failing to honor its commit- ments. Frick said that more national attention should be brought to the issue. “Let’s make a national media story out of this,” Frick said. Raffenburg said that other states would not be very sympathetic, since a vast majority of the O&C funds come to Oregon. Kerby resident John Bowler said that if the levy passes, Grants Pass property owners would end up pay- ing more than $8 per $1,000 of assessed value. “I don’t see them voting for this,” Bowler said. After taking questions from the audience, county officials made themselves available to speak with citi- zens individually. Ellis said that he is en- couraged at the level of sup- port that residents have ex- pressed for a possible public safety levy. “I’m happy to have them say they want to sup- port the new sheriff, and that they’re willing to do it with their pocketbooks,” Ellis said. “I thought we’d get more anti-tax people speak- ing up.” County officials had distributed surveys to audi- ence members during all the meetings held during the last week. According to Ellis, out of 115 partici- pants, 20 said that they would vote against any levy; 29 would support a basic levy; and 59 would support an enhanced levy. Out of 92 participants, 51 said that they would sup- port a three-year levy; and 41 would support a five- year levy. Another survey ques- tion asked whether partici- pants would be willing to Extra traffic safety en- forcement efforts will be utilized during a Three Flags Safety Blitz through Sun- day, Feb. 18. Agencies including Jo- sephine County Sheriff's Office, Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety, and Oregon State Police will be in- volved. The campaign will involve extra patrols funded by federal grant money. The focus during the blitz will be on appropriate child passenger restraints. They include car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts. Officers also will concen- trate on enforcement of driv- ing under the influence of intoxicants laws. Oregon’s crash fatality and injury rates have de- creased to 46 and 45 percent respectively since passage of the adult seatbelt law in 1990. Sa t urda y, Fe brua ry 1 7 , N oon t o 4 p.m . I .V . Se nior Ce nt e r - 5 2 0 E. Rive r St . 3 -ga m e She e t 2 5 ¢ Want to avoid medication or joint surgery? Illinois River Acupuncture 592-5041 Mon., Wed., Fri. Jo Anne Stone, M.S., L.Ac . Sna c k Ba r ope n a t 1 1 a .m . w it h: Burge rs, H ot Dogs, Pie s & Ca k e s Raffenburg said that the commissioners will consider the surveys as a group and announce the levy amount during their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. in Anne Basker Audito- rium adjacent to the county courthouse in Grants Pass. (Related story, page 13) 30 years experience in water, sewer & pipeline construction, brush clearing, septic installation & utility line trenching Spe c ia lizing in a lt e rna t ive se pt ic syst e m s READY TO DIG & AIMING TO PLEASE 24 HOURS A DAY 1 -(5 4 1 ) 5 9 7 -4 4 8 6 CCB#159580 Steve Schiffman, Arborist 541-597-4048 660-2574 License 99805 ~ Bonded ~ Insured I.V. Little League Tryouts & Registration Where: Evergreen Elementary School gym When: Saturday, February 17, 10 - 4, Minors/Majors Sunday, February 18, noon - 4, Juniors/Seniors What: You will need a birth certificate & 3 proofs of address Registration forms are available at Evergreen, Lorna Byrne, & from our website (www.seavla.net). Register early! We still need coaches, umpires, & concession stand helpers. Contact Trisha Arias at 592-5112, email at i.v.ll@hotmail.com, or Janet Ewing at 592-4389. WE’VE GOT YOUR • CARDS • CANDY & • CANDLES AT THE BEST PRICES IN THE VALLEY KIGHTS CRAFTS Traffic safety blitz under way To the Root Chinese herbs can actually strengthen the bones, as well as reduce swelling & pain in tendons & ligaments. Varicose veins, weight problems and aggravating pain can also be treated. Acupuncture can help genetic and work or sports related injuries. If you want to avoid surgery or the side effects of pharmaceuticals, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is for you. Cold and damp lead to increased pain, so keep warm, and begin TCM treatment. It’s been keeping people active for 5000 years! support two levies, one for sheriff’s patrols and the other for the rest of the criminal justice system. Ellis said that the split levy proposal failed to gain any traction among citizens. “Hardly anybody wants separate patrol from the whole package,” Ellis said. 2027 DEER CREEK RD., SELMA 597-4190 or 597-4995 Luz Moore Presents: Low-Income Housing Workshop Friday, February 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Cave Junction City Hall Council Chambers. Financing is available for up to 100% of value with no down payment required for purchase of a new or existing home in rural areas. Eligibility based on household size, income, credit history, & debt to income ratio. Sponsored by: Depending on household income, mortgage payments may be subsidized to a low as 1% interest. Eligibility requirements & area income limits will be discussed at the workshop. Those needing help with credit scores should attend the Credit Repair Workshop. Guest Speakers: Bret Dixon, Area Director, Luz Moore United States Dept. of Agriculture with Susan Cherry Century 21, Harris & Taylor Seating is limited. For registration, call (541) 415-1961
