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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2008)
Property rights focus of JoCo ‘vested interests’ Inside: County quarrel D.C. trip, back-pay controversial Page 3 IVFD budget woe Reducing costs, levy in planning Page 8 ASPIRE Volunteers sought to mentor grads Page 9 Class cut-ups Precision tools provided LBMS Page 14 “Vested interests” chal- lenged Josephine County commissioners as to whether the county will honor their property value claims under Measure 37 as contracts to protect their holdings. Approximately 10 citi- zens wearing red-white-and- blue “I’m Vested” paper vests were among more than 20 persons who attended the board of commissioners meeting Wednesday morning, Feb. 27 in Anne G. Basker Auditorium in Grants Pass. At one point, the board was asked point-blank by Grants Pass resident Rob Kendall if they will honor Measure 37 waiver claims as contracts. Commissioners Jim Raffenburg and Dwight Ellis gave brief, concise responses that they are in favor. Chair- man Dave Toler hesitated, then said that he sees a need for clarification. He said that it’s impor- tant to discover the legal ramifications, and explained that he has been in contact with Oregonians In Action. It “has concerns,” he said, about Measure 49, which modifies Measure 37. Paul Walter, editor-at- Selma resident Bill Wagner was among several ‘vested’ citizens who addressed the county board. (IVN photo) large of NewsWith- Views.com, who had ad- dressed the board earlier dur- ing the meeting, began to speak from the audience, but Toler interrupted him, saying, “I’m not ready for another go-round.” Walter replied that it would not be a go-round, but spoke no further. Raffenburg then com- mented, “I’d like to thank Dave Toler for the longest two-minute answer” in con- nection with his reply as to supporting Measure 37 claims. He added that he sees “a cabal” linked to Measure 49 and that “it circumvents the legislative process and is a serious threat to representa- tive government.” Many in the audience applauded his comment. He continued with, “If it’s the last thing I do as a commis- sioner, I hope to protect your property rights in this matter.” There was more applause as Ellis stated that he supports Raffenburg in that regard. “It (Measure 49) is a mistake that needs to be fought: I stand by the peo- ple,” said Ellis to more ap- plause. He called the measure “a sham being shoved down our throats because some property owners up north didn’t like Measure 37.” Toler then concluded the meeting by noting that “my big concern” involving claims “is that we do nothing to jeopardize those claims.” He adjourned the session, as Walter shouted, “We don’t trust you Toler!” Another man in the audience added, “Second that,” and another said, “I third that.” * * * Measure 37 was ap- proved by Oregon voters in 2004. It basically provides that owners of property are entitled to just compensation when a land-use regulation is enacted if the regulation re- stricts use of the property and lowers its fair market value. Measure 49 was ap- proved during a special elec- tion on Nov. 6, 2007. It es- sentially modifies 37 by al- lowing small land owners to develop large housing subdi- visions, so-called big-box stores and strip malls on their properties. It’s sink or swim time for deficient Cave Junction Swimming Pool By LINDA COREY-WOODWARD For IVN This year apparently will mark a sink-or-swim situation for the beleaguered Cave Junction Swimming Pool. Emphasized Shawn Car- mody, president of the com- mittee, “It’s time for this community to decide whether or not it wants the continued use of a public pool. If the community members do, then they need to let us know by stepping up to the plate and helping make it happen. “Members of our com- mittee have put in many hours of grant writing, only to receive letters of denial by grantors, which all share a common response: that we are unable to show commu- nity support by way of con- siderable monetary donations or pledges. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.” She added, “I guess you can consider this a ‘wake-up call’ for anyone who wants this pool. We’re doing this for the community, but we can’t do it on our own. “If we want to be suc- cessful in getting grants,” said Carmody, “then we have to show grantors that we have the financial backing of our community. There are many worthy programs/causes in our valley and one-by-one they seem to be falling by the wayside. How many more programs or services does this valley have to lose before there is nothing left? “If the community does not come together to support saving the pool, or the other worthy causes that are in dan- ger of disappearing (for ex- ample the Illinois Valley Sec- tion of Boys & Girls Club), then our efforts as a commit- tee, and the multitude of other hard-working groups, has been for naught.” Noted Mary Reynolds, a member of the pool commit- tee, “More grants could be- come available if the commu- nity actively supports the pool. Written financial com- mitments from citizens are needed now.” The CJ Pool, which the county gave the city some years ago, is in poor condition due to minimal repairs by the county during the past 17 years. Declining funding forced the city to operate the pool as frugally as possible, while keeping user fees down. It was a no-win situation, ending with closing the pool “permanently.” The facility was shut at the end of the swimming season in Septem- ber 2006. The cost to renovate and upgrade the pool and its equipment is approximately $250,000. After two years of fund-raising by the I.V. Pool Committee, only $17,800 has been collected. The commit- tee continues to seek ways to raise money to fix the pool and open it this year, but little progress has been made Some $158,000 needs to be raised to meet a $10,000 challenge grant from the Four Way Foundation which ex- pires in April. Once the com- mittee successfully has reached its goal in raising the needed funds, through pledges and donations, the pool can be repaired. National studies show that swimming is the most popular form of recreation for children. It also is popular with adults well into their senior years as a pleasant way to exercise and stay fit. “The gift of learning to swim lasts a whole lifetime,” said Reynolds. She added that not only children, but many adults, have relied on the CJ Pool for daily lap swims and water aerobics. The facility was built in 1975 by Josephine County on E. River Street, using Land, Water Conservation funds, on land donated for that purpose. The Oregon State Parks & Recreation Dept. oversaw construction and retains con- trol of the property usage. Parks & Rec vetoed a plan to have an enclosed pool for year-round use. “The reason was the lati- tude,” noted Mayor Tony Paulson, adding, “Cave Junc- tion is in a supposedly warm climate where an open pool could be used all year.” Those who live here know that is not true. Tem- peratures fall well below 40 (Continued on page 8) LOUIS COFFEY Suspect in CJ murder captured Listed as her domestic partner, a man has been charged with murder in con- nection with the shotgun- shooting death of a rural Cave Junction resident. The suspect is listed as Louis Grady Jose Coffey, 35. He was jailed by Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) for the death of Shel- ley Marie Croft, 38, who lived at 221 Aries Lane in a motorhome. It was unclear whether Coffey lived at the same ad- dress in an adjacent house, or in the motorhome. Besides the murder charge, he is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. JCSO said that he was “in possession of a sawed-off shotgun at the time it was fired, resulting in Croft’s death.” He is a convicted felon out of Utah, said JCSO. Croft, whom JCSO said was shot in her chest, died on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 21. Residents of the home at the Aries Lane address phoned 911 after hearing a cry for help. They found Croft lying on the floor at the rear of the motorhome. JCSO detectives, after learning of Coffey’s status as domestic partner of Croft, distributed flyers describing Coffey as a person of interest in the case. On Wednesday, Feb. 27 at approximately 3:30 p.m., JCSO patrol deputies, as- sisted by Oregon State Police troopers, took Coffey into custody after a traffic stop. It was made on the north side of Selma on Hwy. 199 near milepost 16. The suspect was a pas- senger in a vehicle. He of- fered no resistance and is cooperating with the investi- gation, said JCSO. Those with information about the case can phone the JCSO Major Crime Unit at 474-5153, or the confidential tip line at 474-5160. Saturday, March 8 is the last day to obtain tickets for the Illinois Valley Chamber annual meeting and awards banquet on Saturday, March 15. Phone 592-3326. Wildfire clearing meets set Tree-Planting Day, sponsored by Forestry Action Committee on Saturday March 1, re- sulted in more than 700 seedlings placed on riparian properties. More than 50 volunteers turned out, and about a dozen businesses do- nated food for the end- of-day meal. To comply with Senate Bill 360, homes on properties identi- fied under wildfire-risk classification rules generally must have fire breaks around them of 30 to 50 feet on all sides. The Josephine County Forestland-Urban Interface Classifi- cation Committee has completed its proposed maps of residential areas located in parts of the county where potentially destructive wildfires could occur. To review maps and comment on committee findings, prop- erty owners can attend one of two hearings, both in Grants Pass, said Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF): *Tuesday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. at Fleming Middle School, 6001 Monument Drive. *Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. at the Floral Bldg. at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Attendance is optional, said ODF. Those with questions can visit oregon.gov/ODF/FIELD/SWO/SWOfire.shtml or phone ODF’s Kyle Holcombe at 471-3875.
