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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 23, 2007)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Page 9 Ire roused as Jo County OKs budget (Continued from page 1) lost federal funding, given in lieu of declining timber re- ceipts. However, that income tax failed during a recent election, Toler said. A possible regional sales tax has been discussed with Jackson County officials, Toler said, but without much success. One obstacle to such a tax is the fear that the state may try to implement a sales tax. Despite that, Toler said, a regional tax is “certainly something that’s worth look- ing at.” Commissioner Dwight Ellis responded to Larsen’s remarks that officials had not done enough to prepare for the discontinuation of federal dollars. “We’ve done more than any other county to try and straighten this thing out,” Ellis said. He said that he is grow- ing increasingly weary of citizens criticizing county officials for failing to prepare for the looming fiscal crisis. “I can’t take it any more. I’m tired of it,” Ellis said, adding that residents “need to step up and start paying” for county services. Commission Chairman Jim Raffenburg said that the state has tried repeatedly to implement a sales tax, but that voters have soundly re- jected those attempts. He went on to explain that his- torically, Oregon’s state gov- ernment has been funded through income tax dollars and that local governments have operated off property taxes. “The people of Josephine County don’t seem to under- stand what form of govern- ment we have in the state and county,” Raffenburg said. “People have to be involved and not just complain.” Raffenburg admitted that there probably would be a “political price” for the com- ments he and Ellis were mak- ing, but that “This needs to be said. The people that don’t listen are the first ones who complain when they don’t get what they want,” he said. Larsen said that as a property owner, “I find it hard to go along” with further tax increases. “That’s the government you have, sir,” Raffenburg responded. Shawn Hall, a reporter for the Grants Pass “Daily Courier,” suggested that county officials should con- sider using funds in the $3.2 million contingency fund to pay for police patrols. “If you’re keeping $3.2 million in the bank for an emergency, maybe the emer- gency is right now,” Hall said. “I’m just advocating a discussion of that issue.” Raffenburg said that the county won’t collect the $3 million it expects to receive in property taxes until Novem- ber or December. “We have to make pay- roll until then,” he said. Oth- erwise, Raffenburg added, the county would have to borrow that money and pay $180,000 in interest. Then too, the county has lawsuits pending against it from nonunion employees whose benefits were cut. Suits stemming from Dave Daniel’s administration when he was sheriff also have yet to be settled, Raffenburg said. After the public hearing, the Budget Committee re- sumed its discussion of the Level 1 budget. Ellis said that the juve- nile justice department won’t be able to operate on the $400,000 allocated to it under Level 1. He moved to transfer $115,000 from the county’s contingency fund to that de- partment. Raffenburg said that the D.A.’s and sheriff’s offices also are hard-hit under Level 1, and that the county shouldn’t make exceptions for particular agencies. “I won’t be able to sup- port that,” Raffenburg said. “Once we spend those re- serves, they’re gone.” Toler said that the re- quest should have been brought up earlier in the budgeting process, but Ellis defended his motion. The commissioners allo- cated $400,000 to juvenile justice. Ellis called it an “arbitrary figure,” which “is not going to work.” Committee members voted 5-1 against the motion by Ellis. Budget Committee Chairman Ron Strom said that the county assessor’s office is budgeted more than $1 million higher than last year. Strom suggested lower- ing that budget and the treas- urer’s budget by 30 percent and transferring $376,000 to the sheriff’s office for patrols and $75,000 to the D.A.’s office. Sheriff Gil Gilbertson said that having patrols would cost $400,000 for dispatching services. “That really won’t help us,” the sheriff said. Strom’s motion was de- feated 6-0. Raffenburg moved to approve the Level 1 budget, with a maximum of 312 full- time county employees, and to allow the county to pro- pose a September property tax levy. Ellis said that an- other levy likely would cause consternation among county residents. “It’s going to look to the average voter that we didn’t listen to them,” Ellis said. “The public will not under- stand it.” Toler said that the mo- tion “establishes the possibil- ity” of a September levy. Budget Committee mem- bers then voted 6-0 to ap- prove Raffenburg’s motion. A public hearing on a September levy has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 13 at 9 a.m. in Anne Basker Auditorium. Driver training at I.V. set by RCC, 21st Century A high school driver training course at Illi- nois Valley High School is offered this summer by Rogue Community College. Classroom sessions will be held July 9 through 24, Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. They will take place during IVHS’s regularly scheduled summer school session so that bus service will be available to participants. An additional 12 hours of on-the-road driving instruc- tion that does not coincide with the classroom schedule will be arranged between the instructor and students. The course is available for a discounted tuition of $217 for current high school or GED students younger than 18 who have a learner’s permit, but do not yet have a driver license. The course is avail- able to IVHS graduates and those 18 or older for $427. The course meets Ore- gon requirements for high school driver education and might allow for discounts on student auto insurance. RCC also will offer a free two-hour class for par- ents and guardians on July 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. “Partnering with Parents and Guardians for Safe Driving” will review high school driver train- ing instruction methods and new driving concepts. These courses are being brought to IVHS through the school’s 21st Century Grant Program. Students who suc- cessfully complete the pro- gram will be eligible for a $100 refund on their course tuition. Scholarships may be available to families that qualify. For more information contact Jennifer Marsden at 226-6368. To register for the class phone 956-7116. HARDY SOLV VOLUNTEERS - A group of Illinois Valley residents, including a few not shown, participated Saturday, May 19 in the annual Down by the Riverside pro- ject. The valley effort was led by (fourth and fifth from left) Selma residents Jack and Janet Walker. The group devoted approximately five hours at Caves Creek camp- ground near Oregon Caves National Monument for work including campsite clearing and other related chores. SOLV listed some 12,500 volunteers participating in the statewide project. (Photo by ‘Illinois Valley News’) May 15 special election tallies listed Final, unofficial results show that 62.5 percent of ballots cast carried “No” votes regarding a proposed public safety levy on the Tuesday, May 15 vote-by- mail special election. Josephine County Clerk’s Office further noted that there were 16,261 “No” votes vs. 9,760 in favor. (A typographical error in last week’s issue provided incor- rect “Yes” vote data.) The proposed levy at- tracted nearly 54 percent of voters, thereby surpassing the required 50 percent “double majority rule,” but failed: 62.5 percent to 37.5 percent. The measure sought a three- year, $42 million levy to fund the offices of the sheriff, D.A. and juvenile justice. Funding is needed due to the elimination of federal O&C monies related to the loss of timber income. The levy defeat means that 95 county employees will be laid off by Thursday, May 31. A total of 125 are involved, but approximately 30 of the county’s 400 positions al- ready are vacant. The layoff includes 42 sheriff’s deputies and 28 juve- nile corrections employees. I.V. Fire District Election Results In voting for three posi- tions on the Illinois Valley Fire District Board of Direc- tors, Jerry Lamb defeated incumbent Joe Malcolm, 1,318 vs. 614 for the Position 4 seat. Position 2 incumbent Sam Michel ran unopposed, receiving 1,566 votes. There were 110 write-in votes. Position 5 incumbent Joel Downing did not seek re- election. Ron Humpfres and Edwin W. Butler vied for the seat. Butler won by 97 votes: 1,106 vs. 1,009. School District Winners Both incumbents were re- elected to the board of Three to be a part of the manage- ment process,” said Abbie Jossie, field manager for the Grants Pass Resource Area. A wide variety of public land management functions will be showcased through displays and literature. BLM resource specialists will be on hand to introduce manage- ment objectives for timber harvest, cultural resource pro- tection, wildlife habitat, ripar- ian restoration, and Wild & Scenic Rivers. Also, silvicul- ture, fire and fuels, recreation, roads, stewardship and bio- mass, noxious weeds, water- For more information, visit http://oregon.gov/ODF/ FIRE/SB360/sb360.shtml for an outline of the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act and a link to the Josephine County For- estland-Urban Interface Clas- sification Committee. Information also may be obtained by phoning Brian Ballou at ODF’s S.W. Ore- gon District, (541) 665-0662. 5.750% Fee .875% rate APR 5.858% $1,167.15 Monthly principal and interest payment at the rate stated above. 15-Year Fixed Conventional (loan amounts up to $417,000) 5.375% Fee .875% rate APR 5.555% Ask us for a free rate comparison. (Continued from page 1) * * * For the Zone 1 seat on the Rogue Community Col- lege Board of Education, Jo- seph M. Zagorski won with 2,827 votes. Opponents were Hal Reardon (2,344) and An- dreas M. Goldner (2,783). Incumbent Jim Dole did not seek re-election. Conventional (loan amounts up to $417,000) sheds, and off-highway vehi- cle usage. “This is a relationship- building endeavor to learn directly from each other what is beneficial for BLM and the communities surrounding BLM public lands,” stated Katie Wetzel, community planner. “We are very ex- cited to have this opportu- nity,” she said, “and look forward to the outcome of this type of interaction with our communities.” For more information, contact Wetzel or Max Yager at 471-6500. Brush peril * * * No one ran for Kerby Water District Position 4, although there were 10 write- in votes. Position 5 was sought by Geraldine G. McLean, who received 38 votes. Is your mortgage payment headed for an increase because of your 30-Year variable rate? Fixed BLM meet-and-greet to feature how-and-why A casual “meet-your- neighbor” open house will be held by the Grants Pass Re- source Area of the Bureau of Land Management Wednes- day, May 30, to introduce the “how and why” of managing BLM public lands. The open house will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Grants Pass Interagency Of- fice, 2164 NE Spalding Ave., Grants Pass. “We are excited to meet our public who have interest in, or live near, BLM lands to share land management ideas, challenges, and opportunities while also encouraging them Rivers School District. Garnering the most votes were Jim Weaver (8,535 or 97.46 percent), who ran unop- posed; and Dave Strahan, who got 5,623 votes. His challenger was Nicholas Hogg, who was sup- ported by 5,568 persons, los- ing by 55 votes. $1,620.93 Monthly principal and interest payment at the rate stated above. Come see us… At Home Valley Bank. Linda Sallman 128 S. Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction OR 97523 541-592-4541 Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is based on a typical loan of $200,000 80% loan to value, .875% loan fee at the stated rate and fee. Rates effective as of 3-23-07 and are subject to change without notice. Cave Junction Grants Pass Offices Kerby Ave. MEMBER FDIC 541.476.HOME (4663) www.homevalleybank.com 4th & G Streets Mill & F Streets Union Avenue Across from the new Home Valley Bank on Redwood Hwy. Open Mondays - Fridays, 9 to 5 Auto - Home - Life - Commercial Support the merchants who advertise in the ‘Illinois Valley News’
