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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 2007)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 5, 2007 Page 13 County commissioners approve new fee schedule Protester Charles McNeil (Photo by Michelle Binker) Suspended sheriff’s aide protests on many fronts Suspended from his du- ties because his passionate enforcement of handicapped parking laws has generated complaints from Cave Junc- tion business owners, a vol- unteer unarmed deputy with the Josephine County Sher- iff’s Office (JCSO) has taken his protest to the street. Charles McNeil, who has been an active volunteer for the Cave Junction Citizens Patrol and JCSO, took to the street Saturday afternoon, Dec. 1. He protests what he feels is unfair treatment for himself and disabled drivers whose parking spaces are often taken. The irony is, businesses had complained about drivers who parked in handicap ac- cessible spaces. Now some are complaining that McNeil’s over-zealous en- forcement of those parking laws has become bothersome -- especially for management at Shop Smart Food Ware- house, whose after-hours cleaning crew used to park their vehicles closer to the building for safety’s sake. McNeil contends that because services are available after the business closes -- bottle return machines, tele- phones and water machine -- that the handicap accessible spaces ought to be available at all times. “They shouldn’t have to fight the (employees) to get to the phone,” said McNeil. “It’s not morally right; it’s not legally right.” Some in the community have said that common sense must be used about the mat- ter. They indicate that McNeil has gone too far. And a store spokesman stated that em- ployees have not parked on the disputed spaces since early October, adding that, “It’s a null-and-void issue,” Additionally, it has been noted that the bottle return machines automatically turn off at 10 p.m. when the store closes. Complaints about McNeil’s activities are under investigation, said JCSO Un- dersheriff Don Fasching. The complaints range from allega- tions that he’s been confron- tational when issuing warn- ings, to an accusation that he undertook a traffic stop, which volunteers are not au- thorized to perform. “Instead of investigating people who break the law, they keep investigating me!” McNeil said incredulously. Fasching stated that volun- teers are trained to issue cita- tions for parking violations, but that “They are not to take direct enforcement action.” “We have some 30 vol- unteers,” Fasching stated. “I love them, and they do a great job for us. “ Fasching said he feels that McNeil has taken the situation with Shop Smart personally. “I commend Charles for his efforts, but he has lost sight of the goal,” said the undersheriff. - Michelle Binker By WALLY AIKEN For IVN What was anticipated to be a low-key Josephine County Commission meeting Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Anne Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass turned into anything but a routine meeting, apparently as a result of a letter printed in the Grants Pass Daily Cou- rier the day before. In the letter, Grants Pass resident Paul Walter stated that “Commissioners Dave Toler and Dwight Ellis held a non-televised public meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 21) to secretly impose and sneak in new and higher fees.” Three individuals were present during the most re- cent county commission meeting in support of that view. And the three, Lorraine Walter, Kurt Ramme and Pamela Hackett, dominated the tone of the meeting. The issue in question was the county’s exploration of raising certain fees already charged by the county for essential services. For in- stance, dog licensing fees will increase $3, going from $35 to $38. Fees to cover the cost of restaurant inspection for a facility seating up to 50 will increase a total of $16 from $498 to $514. In all, 205 types of fees are listed in the action; and of these, 131 will not change; some will be reduced. An example of a reduction is an enterprise that operates 250 vending machines. Its yearly licensing fees will drop $91, from $441 to $350. The largest increases in fees came in the area of “Environmental Health Fees” and deal with inspections of restaurants, hotels and motels, child-care facilities and other related operations. Although Commission Chairman Jim Raffenburg opposed the fee increases, he stated during the meeting that the material he saw justifies an increase in that area. His general opposition to the increases stemmed from what he said was a lack of information from the other agencies affected by the in- creases. “That is a major problem for me,“ he stated during discussion. Toler stated that this is- sue has been under considera- tion for more than two months and that letters had been sent to all people who would be directly affected. Illinois Valley News con- firmed this statement by checking with restaurants which had received a letter dated Oct. 18 explaining the pending increase. He added that Raf- fennburg’s stated objection was not made to him during the two months. Two Grants Pass resi- dents commented during pub- lic discussion indicating that although they did not like the fee increases, they understood their necessity and would pay them without complaint. Concerning the allega- tions of a “secret” meeting, Ellis explained the situation this way: Most of these meet- ings are held at 9 a. m. How- ever, every third Wednesday the meeting is held at 7 p.m. to allow an opportunity for those unable to attend morn- ing meetings to express their views to the commission. The commissioners realized that the Nov. 22 meeting, regu- made a scheduling error, which he regretted. This explanation was given as a result of question- ing by Ramme. After the ex- planation he stated for the Commissioner Jim Raffenburg told Illinois Valley Rotary Club that increased user fees can help offset the cost of some county programs. (Photo by Michelle Binker, IVN) larly scheduled as an evening meeting, would fall on the night before Thanksgiving. They rescheduled the meeting at 9 a.m. However, they did not have time to properly follow state require- ments for public notification. The end result was that two meetings were held Nov. 22; one at 9 a.m. and one at 7 p.m. Because there is a cost to televising the meeting it was decided to save money by not televising the evening meet- ing. According to Toler, com- mission vice chairman, no action was scheduled to be taken. Ellis commented that they expected to open the meeting, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and close the meeting. Ellis added that the commissioners simply had record that he could accept the explanation as valid and further that he could accept the fact that a mistake had been made. After discussion however Ramme told I. V. News that he was being forced to accept the explana- tion and compared the at- tempt at a “secret meeting” to what he believes to be gov- ernmental conspiracies against U.S. citizens. Hackett went further in the public discussion, accus- ing Toler of being a “die-hard socialist and Communist.” She went on to attack Ellis, telling him, “You are a threat to the future of Josephine County.” The outcome was that the fee increases were ap- proved 2-1 with Raffenburg not in favor of the changes. Two structure fire alarms cause residents to flee homes Two structure fires on two consecutive days caused residents to be evacuated, said Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety/Fire Rescue. The first blaze was re- ported Thursday, Nov. 29 at 11:50 a.m. at an apartment complex at 210 S.W. Rogue River Ave. First-arriving fire- fighters saw light smoke coming from attic vents; eight people had vacated their apartments. Fire was located in a bathroom wall on the second floor. The fire had been extin- guished by the apartment owner, Joe Tramdellini. He told Fire Rescue that he had been soldering in new water fixtures when his portable torch caught insulation paper on fire. Damage to the bathroom wall was estimated at $1,500. No injuries were reported, said Fire Rescue. Another structure fire, this one requiring a second alarm, occurred at a duplex at 1860 N.E. Fairview Ave. It was called in at 9:16 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 by a passer- by who saw an orange glow and went to investigate. Besides GP Fire Rescue, there were responses from Rural/Metro Fire Dept., and city of Grants Pass police officers. The latter, arriving three minutes after the alarm, found a second story fully involved in flames. Firefighters entered the building, and found no one still inside. The fire was called under control at 9:38 p.m. Heavy smoke damage was sustained throughout the residence, and there was heavy fire damage to the sec- ond story, said Fire Rescue. No monetary damage estimate was available. Investigation indicates that the fire cause was a ciga- rette accidentally dropped into the upstairs bedroom by a resident as he crawled through it due to being locked out. The cigarette was picked up, said Fire Rescue, but it’s believed that embers remained. State announces $458 million project for psychiatric sites Sabrina Miller, a senior stu- dent at Illinois Valley High School, is November Student of the Month honored by Kerby Belt Lodge AF&AM. Miller is the daughter of Gerry and Cathy Miller, of Selma. She has maintained a 3.71 grade- point average. Miller is a member of Cougar Pals, College Dreams, Focus Teen Council, Dream Leaders, Southern Oregon Meth Project Teen Forum and IVHS Chapter of the National Honor Society. She has received the Cougar Pride Award, Principal’s Student of the Month recogntion, and numerous Attendance Awards. After graduation, Miller plans to attend Southern Oregon University at Ashland and major in psychology with a minor in business. A nationally recognized architectural and engineering firm with offices in San Fran- cisco has been awarded a contract to design new state- operated psychiatric facilities in Salem and Junction City that will replace aged Oregon State Hospital. And an award-winning construction company based in Portland has been named construction manager and general contractor on the Salem portion of the six-year project, with a contract to be signed soon. The project is to build a 620-bed psychiatric hospital south of Center Street N.E. in Salem; and a 360-bed facility at Hwy. 99 and Milliron Road in Junction City. Financing the first part of the $458 million project with certificates of participation (COPS) was authorized by the 2007 Oregon Legislature. COPS are sold on capital markets, and because investor income is exempt from state and federal taxes, the state pays a reduced interest rate. Construction is planned to begin during spring 2008 on the Salem facility, which is scheduled to open in Octo- ber 2011. The Junction City facility is scheduled to open in Octo- ber 2013. The architecture and en- gineering contract went to Hellmuth, Obata and Kassa- baum. The architecture and engineering firm, also known as HOK, was awarded the contract jointly with Portland- based SRG Partnership to design the two new facilities, for which conceptual ideas are being solicited. The project’s general contractor likely will be Hoff- man Construction Co., with whom the Oregon Dept. of Human Services is currently in contract negotiations. Ear- lier, a contract was awarded to CH2M-Hill, a global com- pany founded in Oregon, to manage the project. The relatively modest increase in patient capacity over that of current facilities assumes state investment in strengthening community mental health services. Such services help people with mental illness avoid psychiat- ric hospitalization and pro- vide treatment and care in the community for patients ready to be discharged, said Gov. Kulongoski, who has worked to implement the project. LEGAL NOTICE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to O.R.S. 86.705, et seq. and O.R.S. 79.5010, et seq. Trustee No.: 035-15681 Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by Donald C Mel- ville and Lisa M Melville as Grantor/Trustor, in which Downey Savings and Loan Association, F.A., is named as Beneficiary and DSL Service Company as Trustee and recorded 05/14/2004 as Instrument No. 2004-011014 in book xxx, page xxx of Official Records in the office of the Re- corder of Josephine County, Oregon covering the following described real property situated in said county and state, to wit: Exhibit "A" Real property in the County of Josephine, State of Oregon, described as follows: Beginning at the Northwest corner of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of the North- east Quarter of Section 25, township 35 South, Range of West of the Watannetta Meridian, Jose- phine County, Oregon. thence East along the North line of the Southwest Quarter of the South- east Quarter of the Northeast Quarter to a point; which bears 55 feet Westerly from the Southwest corner of a parcel of land described in Volume 203, page 672, Josephine County Deed Record, when measured along the North line of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter; thence North, parcel which and 55 feet distance from the West line of said parcel, the South right of way one of Soldier Creek Road; thereon West; along said right of way and, 140.0 feet to the West line of the East Half of the West Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of said Section; thence South, along said line, to the point of beginning. Tax Parcel Number: R304561. APN: R304681 The street address or other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is pur- ported to be: 695 Solider Creek Road, Grant Pass, OR 97526 The undersigned Trustee dis- claims any liability for any incorrectness of the above street address or other common designa- tion. Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said Trust Deed and a Notice of Default has been recorded pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes 86.735 (3); the default for which the foreclosure is made is Grantor’s failure to pay when due, the following sums: Total payments from 8/1/2007 through $6,514.86 Total Late Charges Total advances $0.00 Interest on Advances (if any) $0.00 Total due the Beneficiary $6,514.86 Also, if you have failed to pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property or pay other senior liens or encumbrances as re- quired in the note and Deed of Trust, the benefici- ary may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. The beneficiary may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you have paid all senior liens or encumbrances, prop- erty taxes and hazard insurance premiums. These requirements for reinstatement should be con- firmed by contacting the undersigned Trustee. By reason of said default, the beneficiary has de- clared all sums owing on the obligation secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following: The unpaid princi- pal balance of $306,729.30 together with interest thereon at the current rate of 8.67200 per cent (%) per annum from 7/1/2007 until paid, plus all accrued late charges, escrow advances, attorney fees and costs, and any other sums incurred or advanced by the beneficiary pursuant to the terms and conditions of said deed of trust. Wherefore, notice hereby is given that the undersigned trus- tee will on 3/4/2008, at the hour of 01:00 PM in accord with the standard of time established by O.R.S. 187.110 at the following place: At the front door to the Josephine County Courthouse, Sixth and "C" Street, Grants Pass, OR County of Jose- phine, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, the interest in the said described real property which the Grantor has or had power to convey at the time of execution by him of the said Trust Deed, together with any in- terest which the grantor his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said Trust Deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in O.R.S. 86.753 has the right, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for the sale, to have this foreclo- sure proceeding dismissed and the Trust Deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required un- der the obligation or to cure the default, by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforc- ing the obligation and Trust Deed, together with trustee’s and attorney’s fees. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the femi- nine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word” Grantor” includes any successor in in- terest to the Grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by said Trust Deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the success- ful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse Date: 10/25/2007 Lawyers Title Insurance Corpo- ration By: Tina Suihkonen, Assistant Secretary For further information please contact: Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation c/o LandAmerica De- fault Services Post Office Box 5899 6 Executive Circle, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92616 (949) 885- 4500 Sales Line: 714-573-1965 or www.priorityposting.com Reinstatement Fax Line 949-606-9274 State of California County of Or- ange I certify that I, Tina Suihkonen am an author- ized representative of Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, Trustee, and that the foregoing is a complete and exact copy of the original trustee’s notice of sale. Tina Suihkonen Authorized Rep- resentative of Trustee This office is attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. P330848 Publish: 11/14, 11/21, 11/28, 12/05/2007
