Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Page 9
Advice provided to avoid pneumonia
What is the best way to
prevent pneumonia this time
of year?
“Pneumonia” can be
any number of different
pathogens. It is quite dan-
gerous because the bugs
causing pneumonia are of-
ten the most virulent and
contagious.
They may be mutations
(such
as
MRSA-
Methacyllin-Resistant Staph
Aureus) or the toughest vi-
ruses from hospitals or
schools. People may carry
more than one at a time,
especially if they have
chronic respiratory prob-
lems such as asthma or al-
lergies.
Anytime someone has
phlegm and is coughing or
nose-blowing, the bug is
particularly contagious.
Hand-washing after nose-
blowing and keeping the
person’s surroundings clean
is vital. Viruses often can
live on surfaces for up to
two weeks.
If you have been ex-
posed here is the best way to
avoid becoming ill.
*Remove your shoes,
and ideally, outer clothing
(into a washing machine)
before entering your house,
and shower immediately.
*Be sure to wash your
hair thoroughly. If you are
sharing a bathroom with an
ill person, disinfect surfaces
frequently with soap and
water, especially sinks, toi-
lets, and doorknobs. Wash
towels daily and rugs fre-
quently.
Most virus or bacteria
will persist in the mouth or
gut. Remember to change
your toothbrush during and
after illness so you do not
reinfect yourself. Mouth-
wash is a good idea at bed
time. Avoid eating meats
(likely to contain bacteria)
while ill. You don’t want to
compound the problem.
The human organism is
naturally resilient, but often
our lifestyle choices will
depress our immunity.
(The preceding informa-
tion was provided by JoAnne
Stone, of Illinois River Acu-
puncture).
Oregon budget, taxing ideas draw salvos
(Continued from page 1)
state cannot fund those agen-
cies at their desired levels.
“The perception is that
we’re awash in money up
here: We’re not,” Bates said.
“Some budgets are not go-
ing to be enhanced as much
as they wanted.”
Bates said that “a lot of
the governor’s budget is
built on rather significant
new taxes,” some of which
are proving to be
“problematical.”
Among them is the gov-
ernor’s plan to add a sur-
charge to Oregonians’ auto-
mobile insurance premiums.
Funds raised would go to-
ward restoring around-the-
clock patrols by Oregon
State Police. Hanna said that
the surcharge has little
chance of passing out of the
House.
“I think that’s com-
pletely dead,” Hanna said.
Kulongoski spokesman
Anna Richter Taylor said
that the governor suggested
the surcharge to fund OSP,
but is open to other funding
methods.
“The governor has al-
ways said that if there’s an-
other proposal on the table,
he’ll sit down and talk,” said
Taylor. “But the primary
focus is to get a dedicated
funding source for the state
police. He’s never been
wedded to it, but wanted to
start a conversation.”
Nick Smith, communi-
cations director for the
House Republican Caucus,
said that there’s an
“excellent chance” that full
patrols will be restored to
OSP. However, he said they
can be funded without the
auto insurance surcharge.
“Even the governor has
said the money is there,”
Smith said. “There is current
revenue available to achieve
that. We don’t need a tax
increase, we just need to
make it a priority and do it.”
Rep. Susan Morgan (R-
Myrtle Creek) said that the
addition of new line games
to the state lottery could
provide a stable funding
source for OSP. Such a plan
could be referred to voters
for approval, Morgan said.
“It’s a guaranteed
source of revenue that
doesn’t involve any sort of
tax increase and would be
used on a permanent basis to
fund the state police much
in the same way we use part
of the money now to fund
state parks, and salmon and
watershed restoration ef-
forts,” Morgan said.
Kulongoski’s plan also
calls for a Healthy Kids Pro-
gram, which would provide
free health care to all chil-
dren in the state. That pro-
gram would be funded
through an 84-cent increase
in the state’s cigarette tax. If
passed, it is predicted that it
would raise $182 million
during the ‘07-’09 biennium.
Taylor said that the in-
crease “seems very fair,” but
Smith disagrees.
“Our caucus believes
that the Healthy Kids Pro-
gram and cigarette tax are
separate issues that should be
voted on separately,” Smith
said. “House Republicans
are committed to expanding
children’s health care, but
believe that it should come
out of the general fund and
the costs should be shared by
all taxpayers rather than a
small, declining number of
smokers.”
There are other points
of contention regarding the
proposed program, Hanna
said.
“The new tobacco tax
that’s been proposed would
literally have families with
income levels up in the
$70,000 range subsidized by
people who smoke and are
at a much-lower income
level,” Hanna said. “It
seems backwards to me.”
Also at issue is the pro-
gram’s long-term sustain-
ability. House Republicans
maintain that the Healthy
Kids Program could ulti-
mately cause financial prob-
lems for the state.
“We received informa-
tion from the nonpartisan
Legislative Fiscal Office
that it could cause a $70
million shortfall in the ‘09-
’11 biennium,” Smith said.
Taylor disputes such
claims.
“That’s absolutely in-
correct,” Taylor said. “For
the time period we need to
be certain, easily the next 10
to 15 years, the program is
very sustainable.”
Bates said the cigarette
tax and Healthy Kids Pro-
gram have a “very good
chance” of passing the Sen-
ate. However, the cigarette
tax would need 36 votes to
get out of the House, where
the Democrats hold 31 seats.
“They would have to
get everybody in their cau-
cus to vote for a tax in-
crease, and would have to
find five Republicans who
would be willing to do it,”
Morgan said. “At this point,
they don’t have the votes.”
Both legislative cham-
bers also are considering
plans to establish a rainy day
fund, both of which involve
suspending or eliminating
the state’s corporate kicker.
According to Taylor,
there are two “parallel
tracks” between the House
and Senate proposals on the
issue. The House plan calls
for a temporary, one-year
suspension of the kicker.
That money, estimated at
$275 million, would estab-
lish a rainy day fund.
The Senate’s plan
would refer a permanent
repeal of the corporate
kicker to voters. Bates said
he was optimistic that such a
measure would pass.
“I expect that if we put
it out, people will vote for
it,” he said. “Polling indi-
cates that they would.”
House Republicans
came up with a counter-
proposal, the Oregon Stabil-
ity and Investment Plan,
which combines a rainy day
fund plan with reductions in
the state’s capital gains and
inheritance taxes. However,
Democrats hold majorities
in the House and Senate,
making the passage of such
a plan extremely unlikely.
Hanna said that there
are “ongoing negotiations”
regarding the corporate
kicker, but acknowledges
that Ways & Means Com-
mittee members are a long
way from final passage of
the state’s budget.
“We have a lot of long
days ahead of us,” Hanna
concluded.
THE BIG NEWS this week
turns out to be snow. So,
here’s another photo, in
the event you hadn’t no-
ticed. This shot was taken
in the Deer Creek area by
Dale Sandberg for ‘IVN.’
Greenhouse
gas initiative
unites states
Bridges to Motherhood
Pregnancy Center
A new memorandum of
understanding (MOU) be-
tween the states of Arizona,
California, New Mexico,
Washington and Oregon
regarding climate change
was announced Monday,
Feb. 26 by Gov. Kulongoski.
The MOU establishes
the Western Regional Cli-
mate Action Initiative.
It expands the regional
strategy to address climate
change from three states
(Oregon, Washington and
California) to five states,
establishing a five-state ap-
proach to reducing green-
house gas emissions in the
Western region.
When I turned 2,
I was anxious because
I doubled my age in a
year. I thought, if this
keeps up, by the time
I’m 6, I’ll be 90.
- Steven Wright -
Free Parenting Classes
592-6058
First office at I.V. Medical Center
Monday - Friday by appointment
Pain - Stress - Injuries
Deep massage
CranioSacral Therapy
Senior Discounts
Gift Certificates
Outback Septic Service
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. Cost is $300.00 for
a 1,000 gallon tank with an exposed lid.
Additional Costs:
Dig & Expose Lid Minimum $50.00 Charge
Emergency Call Out Fee $100.00
(541) 592-6307
12 th Annual March on Hunger
“...because no one should be hungry”
Day: Saturday, March 3
Time: 11:30
Where: 5th & “A” Streets, Grants Pass
(parking lot)
Route: 6th & “A” Streets to the River
Rock Café parking lot
What: Walk (skip, dance, skate, etc.)
Why: This parade is the kick-off for the entire month of March,
which is “Hunger Awareness Month”.
During March, the Josephine County Food Bank seeks to raise food
and funds donations as well as awareness about the hungry people
living right here in our own community.
“Hunger has a face...our neighbor’s”
IVHS Activities Calendar
Riverside Physical Therapy
Brought to you by the folks at
592-3356
Cave Jct.
469-7545
Brookings
Full Rehabilitation
Services:
*Physical Therapy
*Occupational Therapy
*Anodyne therapy
THURSDAY, MARCH 1
*Cougar Pals come to visit
IVHS
FRIDAY, MARCH 2
*Szijjartos Spanish classes to
S. Medford High 9:00 a.m.
*IV Grad Night baggin’
4:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
*IV Grad Night baggin’
4:00 p.m.
*IV Firefighters Awards Ban-
quet (Cafetorium) 6:00 p.m.
TWO LOCATIONS
TO SERVE YOU
Cave Junction Office
218N. Redwood Hwy.
(541) 592-6580
Grants Pass Office
1619 N.W. Hawthorne Ave.
Suite 109
(541) 476-2502
Jeff Wood, M.S., P.T.
Josephine Community Transit will provide free transportation at the end of the
parade back to 5th & “A’ Streets.
Yes!!! I want to help fight hunger.
Enclosed is my gift of
$25
$50
$100
$500
$1,000
Other________
Josephine county food bank
1470 SE “M” Street, Suite 1-C, Grants Pass OR 97526
Phone: (541) 479-5556 FAX: (541) 476-6268