Page 13
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 14, 2007
ATV rulings
big concern
for riders
Rep. Smith questions
government intervention
Joe Brown (Photo by IVFD Media Dept.)
He’s not your average Joe:
firefighter honored at RCC
By SCOTT JORGENSEN
IVN Staff Writer
Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) Firefighter Joe Brown
recently was honored for his academic efforts at Rogue Com-
munity College (RCC).
Brown had spent four years volunteering with IVFD until
the agency obtained funding to hire two student apprentices
and help send them to school. Brown started his first term at
RCC in September, and is pursuing a fire science degree.
Every year, the Oregon Community College Association
selects two students from each of the state’s 17 community
colleges to be honored during a special event with the state
governor and all the community college presidents. Brown
was one of seven RCC students nominated.
Although Brown won’t be one of the two RCC students
to attend the event, he said he was honored to even be consid-
ered for it.
Brown said that the recognition will help inspire him to
continue his studies.
“Sometimes when you get overwhelmed with homework,
it’s easy to get frustrated because you’re working all the
time,” Brown said. “You tend to get down and have second
thoughts, and then something like this comes along and reas-
sures you that you’re doing a good job, to keep at it and stay
strong.”
Brown, under his agreement with IVFD, pulls shifts at
Station 1 in Cave Junction as part of his “hands-on” education
and training.
He has been involved in a number of emergency re-
sponses, including a rescue in which he saved a young woman
marooned on a rock in Illinois River.
SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - The family of the late
Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) Volunteer Firefighter
Brenton ‘Brent’ W. Monsma, who died of complications
from ALS, received a special glass-enclosed plaque from
the district. Chief Harry Rich made the presentation to
Gertrude Monsma, his widow, and their son, David, during
the board meeting Thursday night, Feb. 8 at HQ. The me-
mento contains his badge, which is now retired; a shoul-
der patch, and a brass plate with Mr. Monsma’s name and
the dates of his service: 2004-2006 at Takilma Station 6. A
certificate signed by the board of directors, and the chief
and Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik attest to his devotion to duty
and community spirit, even during his illness. (Photo by
Dale & Elaine Sandberg/IVFD Media Dept.)
Oregon taking pains for patients
A statement drafted by
Oregon's 19-member Pain
Management Commission
to strengthen Oregonians’
access to effective pain
treatments has been signed
by eight state licensing
boards and 12 associations
of health-care professionals.
It is the latest step in the
state’s efforts to bolster the
availability of effective pain
treatment in Oregon. It is
recognized as among the
leading states in addressing
the issue of chronic pain be-
ing under-diagnosed and
under-treated.
“I always get a little
uncomfortable when we
start trying to legislate com-
mon sense,” said Rep. Greg
Smith (R-Heppner) after
reviewing a series of bills
moving through the capitol
to restrict the use of All-
Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
Smith is a member of
the House Transportation
Committee which heard
three of these bills last week
in Salem.
The Oregon Parks Dept.
is proposing the new rules
because its leaders feel that
it will enhance safety.
“There are five children
in my immediate family
and we love to ride ATVs,”
said Smith. He added:
“I also think it is my job
as a parent to teach them
how to ride responsibly and
safely. Our family chooses
to wear helmets when we
ride. I’m not convinced that
more government interven-
tion is necessary. We may
be talking about a solution
in search of a problem.”
The legislation consid-
ered by the House Transpor-
tation Committee included
the following:
House Bill 2062 re-
quires anyone older than 18
to wear a helmet on an
ATV. (Current law already
requires anyone younger
than 18 to use a helmet).
House Bill 2063 pro-
hibits passengers on ATVs
not specifically designed
for them.
House Bill 2064 re-
quires ATVs to have a title
through the Oregon Dept. of
Transportation.
Besides these bills, on
the Senate side there are
two pieces of legislation to
further restrict the use of
ATVs by children younger
than 15 and to require man-
datory safety training for all
operators.
“We already have laws
on the books to hold
reckless drivers account-
able,” said Smith. “Why
should we put up roadblocks
to family fun when we’re
not sure this will lead to a
significant increase in
safety?”
Smith also is worried
that the state is unfairly
targeting one segment of the
recreation industry without
looking at larger policy im-
plications
“What about snowmo-
biles? You don’t need pro-
tective headgear to ride one
of those,” Smith said.
“What’s next, requiring
adults to wear helmets on
bicycles? And are we going
to require titles for jet skis,
scooters and (electric scoot-
ers)?”
Residents can let their
state representatives and
senators know what they
think about the proposed
changes for ATVs. Visit
leg.state.or.us.
Any workout which does not involve a certain minimum of danger
or responsibility does not improve the body. It just wears it out.
- Norman Mailer -
Llama Love
to You on
Valentine’s
Day
From all of us at
Jerry Work at work (Submitted photo).
SOG class illuminates digital photography
In the first of a series of
classes for artists and arti-
sans, Jerry Work, president
of Illinois Valley-based
Southern Oregon Guild
(SOG), demystified film and
digital cameras.
He also illuminated
studio lighting, providing a
foundation for the artist stu-
dents to take high-quality
photos.
Titled, “How to Reach
Any Prospect, Gallery or
Agent Anywhere in the
World In Any Media,” the
series of classes will prepare
SOG members and non-
members to utilize the
Guild’s suite of photo equip-
ment, computers, printers
and other resources to reach
those distant markets.
The course was taught
at the Guild’s Artist Center
and Gallery at the RCC
Learning Center in Kerby
on Saturday, Feb. 10 to a
packed classroom, utilizing
the Guild’s equipment.
The series is part of the
Guild’s mission to support
artists and artisans to in-
crease their commercial suc-
cess. Also as part of that pur-
pose, SOG and RCC are
developing a cooperative
relationship to enhance
learning and marketing op-
portunities for artists, accord-
ing to an announcement.
The second class in the
series is slated for March 31.
Outback Septic Services
Servicing The Illinois Valley Exclusively
If it has been 5 years or longer since you last
pumped your septic tank-Now is the time to
set your appointment before the rain starts. Cost is
$300.00 for a 1,000 gallon tank with an exposed lid.
Additional Costs:
Dig & Expose Lid Minimal $50.00 Charge
Emergency Call Out Fee $100.00
(541) 592-6307
Progress comes from the intelligent use
of experience.
- Elbert Hubbard -
* * *
Take time to deliberate, but when the time
for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.
- Andrew Jackson -
Act Now
While limited funding
is still available for
clearing hazardous
vegetation from
around your home.
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Home
Assessment Team is available to evaluate your prop -
erty for wildland fire survivability free of charge.
Limited funding is now available for defensible space
and additional fuel reduction projects if you qualify.
Call for details. This will create defensible spaces
around homes in Josephine County and help make
our community fire safe.
Now would be the best time to prepare your home for
wildland fires. Call to schedule an appointment to see if
you qualify: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Grants Pass Office
(541) 474-3152