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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2007)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, August 1, 2007 Even hard-bitten newspaper guys, including me, myself and I (Bob, El Jefe, and the Nooseman) get tired sometimes. It’s a weariness stemming from constantly dealing with the 26 letters of the alphabet, and feeding the weekly beast. Therefore, my offering for this issue is comprised of some of the photos I took during the past three-plus weeks while our daughter and two of our grandgirls vis- ited. It’s said that a photo takes the place of a thousand words, so here goes: Granddaughter Natalie Kaplan, soon to be 5, caught her first fish during an outing at Lake Selmac. The visitors also toured Oregon Caves National Monument and Great Cats World Park. Our little guests and their mom en- joyed going to Yreka, Calif. to ride the Blue Goose train of the Yreka Rail- road. This shot was taken at a former tavern and hotel in Montague, which is reached via the train ride through Shasta Valley from Yreka. The 1925 Baldwin 2-8- 2 Mikado steam engine for the Blue Goose is a nos- talgic part of the experi- ence. Our visitors, (and the editor), liked the huff- ing locomotive and its piercing whistle. At the end of the day (below) the Natalie, her sister, Ella, 2, and their mom, Vicki were ready for cooler weather. (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. * * * ODF wildfire protection letter, situation explained From De Spellman Selma Because of the anger and misunderstandings about Senate Bill 360, I will conduct an explanatory meeting on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Josephine County Bldg. in Downtown Cave Junction. We all know how the July 18 meeting called in Grants Pass by Oregon Dept. of Forestry turned out. People who have already accomplished the recom- mended wildfire protection got letters, and some were signed off by ODF. So it is clear that ODF did not use the data base and information previously gath- ered for the Illinois Valley Fire Plan. It identified high- risk areas in the valley, re- sulting in projects including Thompson Creek and North Selma, and the fire danger was reduced there. During my two years working with the Forestry Action Committee (FAC), I wrote hundreds of prescrip- tions for defensible space and fuels reduction. I would flag property for the work; ODF would perform the final in- spection; and the land owner would get $330 from ODF. I took “before” photos, and ODF took “after” photos. ODF has been getting grants for years to encour- age home owners in Jose- phine County to learn to live with fire. There is a data base at ODF, and one for the Cave Junction Wednesday, July 25 Hot and sunny with wind High--91 Low--59. Thursday, July 26 Brilliant sunshine and warm High--99, Low--55. Friday, July 27 Warmer with much sun High--98, Low--55. Saturday, July 28 Hot and sunny with an occasional cloud High--95, Low--54. Sunday, July 29 Mostly sunshine High--94, Low--55. 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 70, No. 20 Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Josiah Dean, Scott Jorgensen Millie Watkins, and Tina Grow Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association DEADLINES: News, Classified & Display Ads, Announcements & Letters 5 P.M. THURSDAYS (Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be accepted until Noon, Fridays with an additional charge.) 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 publica- tion. 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 Monday, July 30 Passing clouds & sun High--93, Low--52. Tuesday, July 31 Hotter still with sun High--99, Low--53. Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson. *Fri., July 13: 91 - 53 *Sat., July 14: 87 - 57 *Sun., July 15: 83 - 57 *Mon., July 16: 83 - 59 *Tue., July 17: 75 - 57 0.43 *Wed., July 18: 73 - 58 0.48 *Thurs., July 19: 78 - 54 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in Cave Junction at Natural Designs Farm. *Fri., July 13: 86 - 50 *Sat., July 14: 86 - 54 *Sun., July 15: 83 - 51 *Mon., July 16: 84 - 59 *Tue., July 17: 71 - 53 0.37 *Wed., July 18: 72 - 58 0.39 *Thurs., July 19: 76 - 54 Thompson Creek and North Selma projects with Illinois Valley Community Devel- opment Organization (IVCDO). With a little ef- fort to check the data, a lot of anger and frustration could have been averted. Senate Bill 360 is a good thing if you have done the work. It provides re- course if your neighbor doesn’t do the wildfire haz- ard reduction work, and a fire starts, goes to your land, and you have losses. I have been talking about this bill since 2000 when I first learned that I could save more homes and lives through education than with a fire hose. Those who got prescriptions from me were told about SB 360 and given a copy of it. ODF and FAC were working off grants, and eve- rything must be documented when using them. So let’s assume that readily avail- able data was not used. I am happy to hold meetings to answer questions and help people understand SB 360. It is about protecting pru- dent land owners. SB 360 can be found on the ODF Website. And there will be copies at the Aug. 2 meeting for review. No one should respond to any SB 360 matters until they are educated. Some 2,000 persons who were sent letters responded to the July 18 meeting, which was closed, and another has not been scheduled. Besides the gathering I will conduct in Cave Junc- tion, there will be others during August in Selma and Takilma. I hope that the poorly written ODF letter will not stop what this valley has been doing for years. We had the first plan to live with fire, and a lot of money came into the valley. Let’s keep up the good efforts; we can work this out. ‘Natural instinct’ noted during Pizza pit incident From Allison Ballard Cave Junction Citizens of Cave Junc- tion followed their natural instinct, and provided in- stant response and rescue of the victims in a motor home after it destroyed half of Pizza Pit on July 1. Employees of Pizza Pit should be recognized for their quick action after the crash. I heard about it on my scanner, and was at the scene after the third rescue truck arrived. First thing I saw was a big mess. I pushed through the crowd looking for my daughter, Rose, who was working at Pizza Pit that day. I was crying and pray- ing that she was OK. I spot- ted her next to what was left of the restaurant. I gave her a big hug, and asked if she was OK. She had been working with Calvin. For two 20-year- olds who had experienced a horrific accident that could have killed them, they still knew what to do. They left the building; turned off the gas; and went to check on the RV occu- pants. Rose said that there was blood everywhere. She and Calvin obtained as many clean towels and rags as they could find. I arrived five or 10 min- utes after the accident. As soon as I found that my daughter was OK, I watched a town that had no time to wait for professional assis- tance come together and do what they had to do. I was impressed when nine people, who should be recognized, lifted a wall off one of the victims that a fork lift couldn’t move. It took approximately 45 minutes to get out the last victim. It paid off for all those who worked frantically be- cause they saved the lives of those four people in the RV. I’m proud to live in a com- munity that cares. Mishap causes fingering an awkward situation From Dale Sandberg Selma To say that someone is “all thumbs” has negative connotation, to say the least. Well, let me tell you, I sure wouldn’t want to be without my thumbs. The other day I cut my right thumb on the very end and into the nail. You never know just how much you use your thumb until it hurts. Some- thing as simple as buttoning your shirt; or picking up a glass; or try writing with a hurt thumb. Sure, you can write just using your fingers, but give it a try, and you will find that it’s much easier when you use your thumb. When I turn the key in my car, my thumb hurts. You have no idea how many times you hit your thumb in the course of a day: until it hurts. Maybe I’m just being a baby, but I definitely want to keep my thumbs in good working order. So the next time some- one says I’m “all thumbs, I will wear it like a badge. Planning on selling your home and carrying the loan? Our professional staff will process your monthly payments at a reasonable rate. Se t-up $100, basic monthly fee ONLY $7 We’re your locally owned collection escrow company. Pacific Trust Deed Servicing Company Inc. 225 N.E. C St., Grants Pass · 955-6672 Sign Petitions before Tuesday, September 4th to vote NO on the ‘Gay’ Marriage Law (HB 2007) and ‘Immoral’ Education Law (SB 2) in the November, 2008 General Election Petitions available at: Dave’s TV, GP ~ Hardwoods Plus, GP ~ Heritage Moments, CJ We are proud to announce the Senior Little League Team has won the State Championships and is now advancing to the Regional Championships . Each team will play 4 games, requiring a minimum stay of 5 days in Salem where the championships are being held. The team will play Washington on 7-29, Montana on 7-31, Southern California on 8-2, and Nevada on 8- 3. The semi-finals will be played on 8-6 with the championship game scheduled for 8-7. When the team wins the championship it will then be flown right to Ban- gor, Maine for the Little League World Series. The I.V. team is proud to be representing the State of Oregon in the re- gional championship; it's very exciting and the boys have worked very hard to get where they are now. We are in need of funds to help with expenses while the team was at the State Championships and for the trip to the Regional Championships. We are currently trying to raise the necessary funds. Donations can be mailed to: I.V.L.L. P.O. Box 86 Cave Junction OR 97523 We are a non-profit organization, your donations are tax-deductible.
