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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2007)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 7, 2007 PERS better This is as good a time as any for a colorful column, even though it’s in black and white. The topic arose a couple weeks back when I wrote that our in-house black panther, Flint Eastwood, has green eyes. Actually, he has yellow eyes. My fellow pet cat-keeper straightened me out as to the correct color. She accused me of possibly being sort of colorblind, although I think it’s just a matter of chro- matic interpretation perhaps related to light saturation. How’s that for weaseling? Just the other night at a large gathering I pointed out a man wearing a green shirt. She said, “It’s not green, it’s blue.” At least, I think it went that way. Maybe I said he was wearing a blue shirt, and it was actually green. Maybe I should use some other description. Like I could say, “He’s the guy built like a refrigerator.” Or a utility pole or whatever. That might work better. Actually, this color shift might be hereditary. I recall that Way Back, when I was the world’s oldest 2nd Class Boy Scout, my Dad bought a ‘55 Buick off a showroom floor. He told us it was green. But when he got it home, it was blue. Weird. More than 20 years ago, while serving as editor- and-publisher of the “Curry Coastal Pilot” in Brookings, I attended annual company gatherings in Bend. Thanks to Jan, I dressed well, because she provided a list of what shirts to wear with what trousers. She did the same thing for me when I went to a con- ference in Washington, D.C. All I had to do was not lose the list to look sharp. No telling what I would have looked like without that list. At this time of my life, I manage to select shirts and trousers, or sweaters that basically go together. It wasn’t always that way. There was a time when people would point at me and fall down laughing, or cover their eyes when I came into view wearing the color combinations I’d chosen. Actually, my being able to choose good combos probably has a lot to do with Jan weeding through my part of the closet to be sure my stuff is up to snuff and hung together. And she is good at telling me when I’ve combined unattractive colors. For example, I asked her the other day what I should wear with my yellow-and- pink shirt and purple pants. “Hip boots,” she answered. Anyway, these days, I still can tell red traffic signals from green ones. Isn’t that enough? And if I see red, or red-and-blue flashing lights behind me, I pull to the side of the road. As for the eye colors of our four cats: No comment. Cave Junction Wednesday, March 7 Copious clouds, chance of sprinkles High--52, Low--34. Thursday, March 8 Smattering of sunshine High--51, Low--35. Friday, March 9 Rain returns in evening High--55, Low--39. Saturday, March 10 Lot’s of clouds w/rain High--61, Low--40. Sunday, March 11 Rain dwindling, then clouds High--64, Low--34. Monday, March 12 Chance of continued cloudiness High--58, Low--31. Tuesday, March 13 Somewhat sunny High--52, Low--30 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson. *Fri., Feb. 23: 42-32 0.94 snow 5.00 *Sat., Feb. 24: 44-36 1.65 snow 2.00 *Sun., Feb. 25: 41-34 1.26 snow 2.00 *Mon., Feb. 26: 40-33 0.43 snow 5.00 *Tues., Feb. 27: 39-32 0.20 snow 10.00 *Wed., Feb. 28: 36-33 snow 3.00 *Thurs., March 1: 44-34 0.75 snow 1.00 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in Cave Junction at Mountain Wind Farm. *Fri., Feb. 23: 44-29 0.83 *Sat., Feb. 24: 46-35 1.28 *Sun., Feb. 25: 39-33 1.85 *Mon., Feb. 26: 39-31 0.54 *Tues., Feb. 27: 40-31 0.61 *Wed., Feb. 28: 46-32 0.95 *Thurs., March 1: 47.32 0.78 illinois-valley-news.com Illinois Valley News www.illinois-valley-news.com An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and published by Robert R. (AKA Bob or El Jefe), Editor and Jan Rodriguez 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 69, No. 51 Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Scott Jorgensen Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association “PlanSponsor” maga- zine has recognized the Ore- gon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) for closing its $17 billion dollar pension funding gap. The national publication named PERS as its Public Plan Sponsor of the Year. The announcement was made in the cover story of the magazine's February issue. “Oregon PERS made tough decisions and con- fronted the issues head-on,” said Nevin E. Adams, edi- tor-in-chief of “PlanSponsor” magazine. It recognized the bold PERS system reforms and the $60 billion retirement fund in- vestment by the Office of the State Treasurer and the Oregon Investment Council. During 2003 the PERS system was facing a $17 billion unfunded actuarial liability. Because of PERS reform, good investment returns, and pension obliga- tion bond investments the PERS system now has a $1.75 billion surplus, the magazine reported. Republicans (Continued from page 1) to support the surge in mili- tary personnel. On other issues, dele- gates voted 119-109 to tie public funding of state schools to student perform- ance; voted 121-73 to amend Oregon’s Constitu- tion to abolish state- sponsored gambling, includ- ing the lottery and video gaming machines; and voted 92-81 against recommend- ing repeal of the National Real ID Act. In a straw poll of Re- publican presidential candi- dates, delegates selected former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as their top pick. Giuliani re- ceived 60 votes; former House Speaker Newt Gin- grich and former Massachu- setts Gov. Mitt Romney 34 each; and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) 19, despite being the only candidate with a booth at the annual event. Daylight-time (Continued from page 1) passed a law to “preserve daylight and provide stan- dard time for the United States.” Repealed in 1919, Presi- dent Roosevelt instituted year-round DST during World War II, when it was referred to as War Time. After the war ended in 1945, DST was no longer a law. However, some states still used it, which led to a number of scheduling diffi- culties. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 was signed by President Johnson. States that wanted an exemption had to pass a state law to do so. Currently Hawaii and Arizona are the only states that do not participate. Since then, there have been various modifications to DST, but the biggest change is this year, when the clock changes will be pushed back and ahead one month. (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. * * * One-year O&C Band-Aid offers time for planning From Don Loving, Public Affairs director, Oregon Council 75, American Federation of State, County and Munici- pal Employees (AFSCME) Portland A solution to the “county payments” issue is proving elusive. Without the funds tradi- tionally provided by timber receipts and, more recently, subsidies from the Secure Rural Schools and Commu- nity Self-Determination Act, several Oregon counties are beginning to lay off workers or making plans to do so. As can be inferred from our organization’s name, this is a big concern. Many of the workers targeted for layoff are members of our union. But despite what may be thought about public employees and their unions, this issue is not about people “keeping their jobs” -- it’s about good public policy. And, dare we say it, the moral obligation of the fed- eral government. This issue has become much harder than it needs to be. Oregon is the 10th- largest state geographically, yet more than 50 percent of our land is owned by Uncle Sam, who pays no property taxes. Counties rely on property taxes to fund their most basic and essential services. To offset that loss of revenue, federal officials agreed decades ago that Oregon counties should re- ceive a share of the funds gained from timber cut on federal forest lands. That system worked fine as long as trees were being cut. But in the 1980s, reces- sion and increased concerns about the environment se- verely decreased the number of trees harvested, prompt- ing the federal subsidies. It’s a fair trade-off given the reality of our geography. Yet our AFSCME Inter- national lobbyist working this issue on Capitol Hill says that many legislators “just don’t get it.” Never mind that Oregon has coun- ties larger than some states, nor that it’s hardly our fault God covered the Pacific Northwest with trees. “They need to diversify their economy out there,” our D.C. lobbyist hears re- peatedly. Hey, if there were an economic diversification silver bullet, Oregon coun- ties would surely have fired it years ago. Achieving such diversification isn’t easy when your county’s largest land owner is an increasingly disinterested out-of-stater. The original Secure Rural Schools and Commu- nity Self-Determination Act was an understood “deal” reflecting geography and economics. Many lawmak- ers from other states don’t like the fact that Oregon receives such a large portion of the payouts. But the pro- portion is based on the real- ity that this is where the trees are -- or at least were. And that argument is disingenuous at best. Ore- gon has no large military bases that receive seemingly endless federal funding. We receive no subsidies for not growing a particular cancer- causing crop. No cash for acres of unused or otherwise inoperative oil derricks. Nationally, people want Oregon to have pristine, publicly owned forests. We’re fine with that, but there’s a price to pay. It appears that the best solution for now is a one- year “emergency extension” of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act to be attached to a supplemental budget earmarked to move A presentation in the Feb. 28 issue on page 14 about O’Brien residents George & Anwyn Leverett and their daughter, Annaka, contained two errors. First the headline stating that they are working on their second album is incor- rect. It will be their fifth al- bum. Second, the name of that album is “Hearth Light,” not “Heart Light.” “Illinois Valley News” apologizes for the blunders. through Congress sometime in March. We’re encouraging AFSCME members to write House Speaker Nancy Pe- losi and urge her to throw her considerable clout be- hind this extension, and we urge the general public to join our effort. It’s a Band- Aid at best, but would buy some needed time to devise a long-term solution. And note that Congress is rarely swayed by e-mail. People should take the time to write a “real letter” and invest 39-cents in Oregon’s future. Vertical Horizons Tree House Paradise is offering winter rates until May. Check us out, come by and look around! (541) 592-4751 verticalhorizons@frontiernet.net treehouseparadise.com Household F URNITURE AND A PPLIANCES since 1969 Factory Authorized Appliance Repair serving the Illinois Valley T o p b ra n d NEW furniture and appliances Ask about our reconditioned appliances 626 SW 6th St., Grants Pass (c o r n e r o f ‘ L ’ & 6 t h) 479-7561 www.householdfurniture.homeappliances.com Ted Crocker LTC, Licensed Tax Consultant Advisory Representative* 541-592-3667 MENU OF SERVICES T AX AND A CCOUNTING Individual and Business Tax Preparation Refund Anticipation Loans - Electronic Filing Payroll Services and Reporting Tax Planning and Consulting I NVESTMENTS * Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Mutual Funds College 529 Plans Investments Health Savings Accounts News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters I NSURANCE Fixed and Variable Annuities* Life Insurance Disability Insurance Long Term Care Insurance Health Insurance Medicare Supplement Insurance 5 P.M. THURSDAYS F INANCIAL P LANNING (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Fridays with an additional charge.) Retirement Planning Rollovers* IRAs* SEPs* SIMPLEs* 401 Ks* College Planning Tax Reduction Strategies Cash Flow Analysis DEADLINES: 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 publication. Submissions must be resubmitted weekly if the item is to run more than one week. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $22.80 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $26.40 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 Linda Sallman 128 S. Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction OR 97523 541-592-4541 Across from Caves Pharmacy on Redwood Hwy. Open Mondays - Fridays, 9 to 5 Auto - Home - Life - Commercial *Securities offered through HD Vest Investment Services sm , member SIPC Advisory services offered through H.D. Vest Advisory Services Non-bank subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company 6333 North State Hwy 161, Fourth Floor, Irving TX 75038 (972)870-6000 Support the merchants who advertise in the ‘I.V. News’
