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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 2007)
Page 5 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Walden hits Senate for funding cut Two drivers refused treat- ment following a crash (top) in Downtown Cave Junction Monday, Dec. 17 reported at 9:40 a.m. Oregon State Po- lice said that a Toyota driven by Alex Ponder, 26, was struck by a pickup truck driven by John Brandt, 55. Brandt was to be cited, OSP said. Another crash (left) occurred in the afternoon at I.V. Building Supply. (Photos by I.V. Fire District) Safety net failure leaves budget holes By WALLY AIKEN For I.V. News Failure of the safety net funding bill was the primary concern during a meeting of Josephine County elected officials at the county court- house in Grants Pass Monday morning, Dec. 17. Attending were county commissioners Jim Raffen- burg, Dwight Ellis and Dave Toler plus county counsel Steve Rich, county treasurer John Harrelsen and county assessor Mike Schneyder. The safety net funding was attached to a spending bill that included the repeal of tax cuts given to oil compa- nies and failed to receive the votes required for passage in the Senate. Raffenburg stated that the problems with pas- sage came “from the Republi- can side of the Senate.” It’s indicated that De- mocrats are continuing to look for a way to pass the safety net funding to allow for four years of decreasing payments to the affected rural counties. Sen. Ron Wyden (R- Ore.) still is trying to find a bill to which the funding measure could be attached. Toler stated that currently “It looks very, very bad -- but we’re not giving up.” The major concern dur- ing the meeting was that even with safety net funding, there has been no progress toward a permanent funding solution for the county. “We are doing the citi- zens a disservice” was a com- ment made by Rich. He added that prior to each elec- tion there are candidates who claim to be able to do the job with less money. “Frankly, it’s a fraud,” said the attorney. Schneyder, who recently attended a state meeting of county assessors, said that because Josephine County has the lowest tax rates in the state other counties say, “Your folks aren’t paying their way.” Harrelsen said that it seems apparent that timber funds cannot be counted on as a final solution. He noted that in the early 1980s and late 1990s timber prices plum- meted, and funds to the O&C counties plummeted as well. He also said that that environmentalist concerns aside, the current timber mar- ket would result in very little in the way of funding. Raffenburg said that the problem is, “We have a di- vided community. We have no common ground.” County commissioners have yet to issue a definitive statement about how to deal with the lack of funding. O&C money has provided approximately $12 million per year for county opera- tions. Second District Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has chastised the Senate for elimi- nating funding for rural coun- ties that was contained in an energy bill. After hearing reports late last week that the Senate leadership stripped funding for the Secure Rural Schools & Community Self- Determination Act (county payments) from the energy bill passed by the House, Walden stated: “Having the Senate lead- ership gut county payments from the Energy Bill is but one more in a long list of fail- ures by the leadership of this Congress to get its work done and solve the problems real people are facing every day in our country. “No budget. No funding for our veterans. No county payments. No fix for the looming tax hike on the mid- dle class. “It’s been all politics all year with no real accomplish- ment. Nothing. Zero. Zip. Zilch. This place is dysfunc- tional.” Walden held out hope, noting that one week re- mained in this year’s session. “If there’s a big enough outcry, perhaps there’s still a chance that we can secure an extension,” he said. “As I have said in the past, I will continue to do everything I can for Oregon’s forested communities.” Seat available One member-at-large position is open on the Jose- phine County Emergency Medical Services Board. Ap- plications will be accepted until Friday, Dec. 14. Appli- cations are available at co.josephine.or.us. to obtain the most suitable equipment for the district. Gavlik also reported that an in-house first responder training program, as part of continuing education, is planned to begin during the third week of February. It will last through May, he said. The deputy chief also noted that he has received some applications for volun- teer firefighter positions. Oth- ers would be welcome, he said, and a Fire Academy will be conducted for applicants. At the recommendation of Fire Marshal Jerry Schaeffer, the board voted 3- 0 in favor of two annexations. One is for property at 353 Borica Drive, owned by Georgann Simms, of Grants Pass. The other is for Portland resident Aaron Moog, owner of property at 2301 Reeves Creek Road. Schaeffer told the board that residents should check their property tax bills to see if they list IVFD. If not, he said, they could be billed for emergency services. “It will save them money if they belong to the district,” said the fire marshal. Besides billing, he was referring to the point that a person’s insur- ance rates could rise consid- erably if the carrier deter- mines the property is not within district boundaries. Additionally, not being in the district could render fire insurance invalid if a car- rier is under the impression that property is within IVFD boundaries, Schaeffer said. The board set its next meeting for Jan. 17. Does someone’s drinking bother you? Al-Anon can help. www.OregonAl-Anon.org Water Wells Pump Sales Installation Service New Cave Junction meeting: 592-6777 Friends of Lois 1470 Caves Highway Wednesdays, 7 p.m., I.V. Senior Center 520 W. River St. Health Products & Unique Gifts 27893 Redwood Hwy. 592-2009 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Valley Evangelical Free Church Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us! Monday, December 24 6 p.m. SHAE JOHNSON, D.O. Most Insurance Plans Accepted Oregon Health Plan Sliding Discount Shae Johnson, D.O. is accepting new patients at Siskiyou Community Health Center 25647 Redwood Hwy. Cave Junction, Oregon 97523 Call to make an Appointment 541– 592-4111 SCHC is an equal opportunity provider. Caring for You Since 1973 Dr. Johnson is Siskiyou Community Health Center’s newest Cave Junction physician. He received his medical training at A.T. Still University of Health in Kirksville, Missouri and completed his residency at Utah Valley Family Medicine. He brings, not only his interest in working in an underserved area, but is bilingual. He speaks fluent Spanish. He is married with one son. SCHC is a private, not-for-profit organization Kerby Transfer Station Holiday Schedule I.V. Fire District annexes two properties With two directors and the chief absent, a meeting of the Illinois Valley Fire Dis- trict (IVFD) Board nearly set a record for brevity on Thurs- day night, Dec. 13. The gathering at IFVD headquarters on Caves Hwy. lasted some 17 minutes, ap- proximately four minutes longer than a record-setting meeting awhile back. Chief Harry Rich was out of town, and Directors Dusty Bouchard and Jerry Lamb also were absent. Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik told the board that he is re- viewing self-contained breathing apparatus units with an eye toward replacing exist- ing units. He said it is likely that IVFD will receive a fed- eral grant to cover the cost, and that he wants to be ready A Health Store & More! 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