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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 10, 2007)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, October 10, 2007 UDINK has been found “offensive” by a jury of Oregon DMV employees that reviews personalized license plates. Unfortunately for the Udink Family, of Merlin, that means the panel has ordered them to remove their plates of UDINK1, UDINK2 and UDINK3. The DMV reasoning is that “dink” could be considered sexual or an insult against Asian people. The family was left alone until Mike & Shelly’s son, Kawika, applied for UDINK4. That’s when the same commit- tee that had approved plates 1, 2 and 3 decided that the fam- ily’s last name was inappropriate. We disagree. But we agree with a statement by District 3 Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass): “This is political correctness gone wild. This is why citizens are so frustrated with government.” He said that everyone he’s talked to about the situation feels that it is ridiculous. Maurer was seeking a solution to the mat- ter with ODOT because DMV is under its jurisdiction. And District 4 Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) also stood up for the Udink Family to be able to use its name. However, Mauer met Thursday last with the head of ODOT. “They’re not going to change,” he said, “so they plan to recall the plates. My idea is that there’s no legislative solu- tion to this, but there should be an appeals process, probably outside DMV.” He said that 10 DMV employees constitute “the social police for Oregon” in reviewing personalized plates. Mauer said that he will help DMV to perhaps institute a policy change. “Their position on the plates is indefensible,” he said, indicating that there needs to be change, especially noting the need for an appeals process. According to DMV, the agency “denies requests for any combination of letters and numbers that may be viewed as objectionable. Objectionable combinations include those that would, by means of foreign or slang words or phrases, by use of phonetic, numeric or reverse spelling, or when viewed as a mirror image, have the effect of alarming, threatening, offend- ing, or misleading a reasonable person. Such choices may include, but are not limited to, combinations of letters and/or numbers that: “Refer to intimate bodily parts or to sexual or excretory functions. “Refer in an alarming or offensive manner to a person or class of persons on the basis of race, color, gender, ethnic heritage, national origin, or other characteristic. “Suggest that the vehicle to which the custom plate is issued is an official vehicle of a public agency when it is not. “Refer to illegal acts. “Refer to alcoholic beverages or controlled substances or paraphernalia used in the consumption thereof.” Mike Udink said that he has received some 30 phone calls from people supporting the use of his last name, and criticizing DMV for its position. Udink plans to pursue his case as far as possible, including a move to abolish the personal- ized plate program if need be. Besides radio and newspaper interviews, he received four vinyl bumper stickers from Backwoods Graphics, of Bor- ing. The stickers read UDINK 1 through 4. The company owner basically said that if DMV is going to legislate against the family name for license plates, it can’t do anything about bumper stickers. Mike Udink commented that the Website MSN.com ran a survey about the plates. “Some 83 percent are in favor of them,” he said. Meanwhile, he and his family planned to sub- mit renewal applications every three months “to stay legal.” They still have their plates. For now. He further notes that besides DMV setting a precedent for the UDINK plates, our country “speaks English, not slang.” He has a good point. There are numerous “words” or letter com- binations that can be construed as “offensive” or suggestive if you’re looking to be that way. Rather than micromanaging in the name of so-called po- litical correctness, or what someone somewhere sometime could find odious, perhaps the DMV jury needs to revise its thinking. Don’t UDINK so? 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. 30 Staff: Michelle Binker, Zina Booth, Jennifer ‘Birthday Thundah’ Newsted Josiah Dean, 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 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 (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. Disaster prep? What’s wrong with this picture? From Pauline Knott Cave Junction The state of Oregon is upgrading its emergency preparedness. The fire dis- trict has expanded. Homeland Security has gifted search and rescue, border patrols, and the sher- iff’s office with a plethora of Big Boy Toys. Hopefully this will make rural govern- ments happy with federal government. And I need a tazer too. Here in Cave Junction we have our very own multimillion dollar health clinic. Our preparedness is airtight; for a disaster that might or might not happen. Remember Katrina? What about a tight, user- friendly health-care system? What about urgent care? “No. We don’t do urgent care. You have to go to the ER in Grants Pass.” What’s wrong with this picture? Newspaper appreciated for support of benefit From President Elizabeth Rousseau-Rooney National Federation of the Blind Of Oregon Cave Junction Thank you, Bob. We appreciate your support of our efforts for the benefit concert featuring Danny O’Flaherty on Sept. 15 in Grants Pass. It was a great event, and lots of folks commented on your article. Negative attitudes about prayer cited From Dusty Rhodes Cave Junction In response to the Oct. 3 letter, “What is this world coming to?” I would suggest that some of the staff, who felt the note was wrong or illegal, need prayer on their behalf to soften their hearts. Last I heard, we had the right to freedom of speech, press, and the right of as- sembly. Since we are al- lowed to talk, we may talk to God and about God. Since we may assemble, we may talk to God together. Because there is free- dom of press, we may print and distribute what we feel is the truth. The hateful re- action to a message of ap- preciation and support seems so wrong to me. It is indeed unfortunate, in my opinion, that these kids (who are trying their best to do good) are subject to such negative attitudes from per- sons they are told to respect. It is also my opinion that the beliefs of these negative individuals should not encroach on the free- doms of others. So I would like for Sonny Moore to publish a list of those who felt the note was wrong, so we can all cross their names off our Christmas card list and put them on the prayer list. Male-female marriage rationale expounded From Chuck & Cheryl DeBrett Cave Junction We are responding to Linda Schluter Tedder’s letter in your Sept. 19 edi- tion. Other than her quote from the Bible that “God is Love” we may not agree on much else. Tedder has completely missed the point on the peti- tions in our view. The peo- ple of Oregon voted over- whelmingly (nearly 2 1/2 to 1) to define marriage as be- tween “One Man and One Woman.” The same God Tedder quotes established this relationship for love, but also to replenish our race through procreation. The result is a family, which, according to nearly every recent study, functions best when a child benefits from learning their identity from both a mom and a dad. But the petitions were not primarily speaking against homosexual mar- riage. When we voted in 2004, a change was made in the Constitution. When the people speak they should be heard and their will carried out. Instead, the Legislature drew up major changes to the voters’ wishes and fil- tered their committee hear- ings so that essentially only one side was heard. They then took the leg- islation to the floors of the Senate and House, and passed the bills on a party line vote. (How’s that for partisan government?) The petitions were for allowing Oregonians to again speak out on this is- sue. If enough signatures are gained, a re-vote would be scheduled in November 2008, and democracy will be served. Then the People of Oregon will make their decision -- not arrogant poli- ticians who think they know better than the voters. Wouldn’t it be nice for legislators to listen to the majority when they try to govern? (Note: Our local Thanks Z Coffee Cave Junction Wednesday, Oct. 10 Some sun with showers later High--63 Low--39 Thursday, Oct. 11 Mostly cloudy High--69, Low--37. Friday, Oct. 12 Afternoon showers and some sun High--68, Low--42 Saturday, Oct. 13 Proliferation of sunshine High--71, Low--46 Sunday, Oct. 14 Indian summer? High--82, Low--48 Monday, Oct. 15 Warm and sunny High--81, Low--48 Tuesday, Oct. 16 Beautifully sunny High--80, Low--49 for your donation to our golf tournament! I.V. Volunteer Firefighters Assn. Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson. *Fri., Sept. 28: 61 - 40 0.40 *Sat., Sept: 29: 65 - 36 *Sun., Sept. 30: 52 - 44 0.83 *Mon., Oct. 1: 66 - 44 *Tue., Oct. 2: 67 - 37 *Wed., Oct. 3: 61 - 47 0.09 *Thurs., Oct. 4: 53 - 41 0.75 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall, recorded in Cave Junction at Natural Designs Farm. *Fri., Sept. 28: 56 - 39 0.37 *Sat., Sept: 29: 65 - 36 0.01 *Sun., Sept. 30: 51 - 40 0.74 *Mon., Oct. 1: 67 - 42 0.07 *Tue., Oct. 2: 71 - 38 *Wed., Oct. 3: 68 - 47 0.05 *Thurs., Oct. 4: 52 - 42 0.73 legislators, Sen. Atkinson and Rep. Maurer, voted to uphold the people’s vote.) Measure 49 problems, reasoning outlined From Robert Thomas Grants Pass Measure 49 will stop future land development and sales. Contrary to radio ads, November’s Ballot Measure 49 (M49) will gut Measure 37 (M37) and virtually stop or stall all future land devel- opment and sales. Based on Oregonians in Action legal staff literature, here are a few talking points about the effects of M49 if it passes: M49 will reduce prop- erty value and take land without compensation, and prevent passing property rights on to our children. It will cancel 61 percent voter- approved M37 in 2004, re- turning to past, onerous land-use controls. M49 allows govern- ments to change rules after property is purchased, and really wipes out all property protections for farmers and forestland owners. It will stop rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed by fire or other disasters; and allow anyone, public or private entity, to sue land developer/ owners for any reason. M49 makes property owners pay for all attorneys, appraisers, planners and court costs. M49 ignores the Ore- gon Supreme Court unani- mous ‘06 ruling that M37 is constitutional. It was created exclusively by a Democrat legislative majority and gov- ernor. It will result in fewer jobs, lower tax base, greater taxes and bureaucracy. All citizens, businesses and real estate agents have a huge stake at risk if M49 passes. Real estate sales will plummet, and all aspects of building construction and suppliers business will shrink. If O&C funding ex- pires as expected and M49 passes, few if any new homes will be built, leaving the existing taxpayers to foot higher future taxes. Home buyers will not view Oregon as a great place to live, but instead will see it as the biggest environ- mental habitat in the United States with serf-like taxpay- ers stuck in a feudal society. Contrary to radio and TV ads, Measure 49 is really a wolf in sheep’s skin. Cottage Cafe Hours: Wednesdays - Sundays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 210 E. Main St. Rogue River 659-6953 Helping Children Who Have Been Exposed to Batterers The Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance is pleased to offer our community “Helping Children Who Have Been Exposed to Batterers.” This 16 week program is designed for parents, grandparents, foster parents or anyone interested in helping children who have been exposed to domestic violence. At the end of 16 weeks participants will receive a certificate of completion. Classes are always free, however pre- registration is required. Classes begin October 22 and will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon and will be held at the Illinois Valley Resource Center, 535 E. River Street, Cave Junction. To sign up or for additional information please call Susie, the Women’s Advocate at 592-2515. Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance - More Than a Safe Place Fall Home Improvement Show & Builder’s Garage Sale October 13 & 14, 2007 10am- 10am - 4pm Josephine County Fairgrounds Floral Building & Floral Patio No admission charge! BUT bring 2 cans of food for the Food Bank and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a basket of goodies. s It ! is M t ’ n o D Fall Tour of Homes October 13 & 14, 2007 11am - 4pm Self guided tour of a variety of homes built by proud members of the Josephine County Home Builders Association Free maps available at the Home Show or by calling 479-1311 223 NE B Street, Suite B, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 Tel: 541.479.1311 Fax: 541.476.6619 hba@homebuildersofjoco.com www.homebuildersofjoco.com
