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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009
‘Healthy Americans’ focus at Wyden GP forum
transportation infrastructure.
Programs aimed at im-
proving forest health can help
reduce Josephine County’s
unemployment, which was
14.2 percent in September.
That includes thinning second-
growth timber, which Wyden
said also can provide a clean
source of energy.
“We’ve got to put people
back to work,” he said.
In order to aid small
businesses, Wyden said that
the federal government
should alter existing tax laws
that currently reward compa-
nies for moving their manu-
facturing operations overseas.
“It’s time to bring incen-
tives home to the United
States,” he said.
Wyden discussed his
proposed Healthy Americans
Act at length. He stated that
it would enable small busi-
nesses to pool their efforts for
greater health-care purchasing
By SCOTT JORGENSEN
IVN Staff Writer
Health care was a main
topic when a few hundred
people turned out for a Friday,
Nov. 13 town hall meeting
held by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
(D-Ore.) at the Grants Pass
High School Heater-Newman
Memorial Gymnasium.
It was the 36th and final
town hall held by Wyden this
year. He has conducted more
than 500 such gatherings
since being elected to the
Senate in 1996.
After being introduced
by Grants Pass Mayor Mike
Murphy, Wyden presented
U.S. flags flown atop the na-
tion’s capitol in Washington,
D.C. to some of the veterans
in the audience.
Wyden said that his leg-
islative focus has been on
reducing unemployment, ex-
panding health-care coverage
and reinvesting in the nation’s
power. It also would alter the
longtime practice of em-
ployer-based coverage by
making it portable, he said.
The United States does
not spend its health-care dol-
lars in the right places, Wy-
den said. And he added that
the health act would not add
to the federal deficit.
Tort reform also is in-
cluded in Wyden’s bill, he
said, which is being co-
sponsored by several conser-
vative Republican legislators.
A discussion of the pub-
lic option component of
health-care reform drew
shouts of dissent from some
in the audience. Wyden said
that option will be made
available to only some six
million Americans.
Wyden stated that his bill
hasn’t received more serious
consideration because many
special-interest groups op-
pose it. Groups include insur-
ance companies, trial lawyers,
labor unions and health-care
providers, he stated.
However, the senator
predicted that most of his
bill’s major provisions will
end up in a final version of
health-care legislation.
The health act also would
cover all citizens equally,
including members of Con-
gress, Wyden said.
“There cannot be a dou-
ble standard,” Wyden said.
“That’s something I feel
strongly about.”
In response to a question
from the audience, Wyden
said that his bill would not
deny health care to the chil-
dren of illegal immigrants. He
said that no adult could re-
ceive a federal subsidy under
his bill if their citizenship is
undocumented, but would be
able to spend their own
money on health insurance
coverage.
Wyden promotes plan to prosecute sexual exploitation
alternative so they can pro-
vide law enforcement with
the evidence needed to bring
the real criminals to justice.
“These girls are victims.
Their pimps are the crimi-
nals,” Wyden said. “Without
a place for the girls to escape
to, they return to life on the
street and to the same men
who exploited them in the
first place. That leaves police
and prosecutors with no vic-
tim and no case.”
Said McKeel, “Safe
housing is a desperately
needed next step in combat-
ing the sexual exploitation of
our youth. This will allow us
to build on the good work
that is already being done
here with partners at the fed-
eral, state and local levels.
“We can’t stand by idly
any longer as thousands of
young women are victimized
right here in our own country
every year.”
“Recognizing Oregon’s
increasing human sex traffick-
ing problem,” Oregon Sen.
Ron Wyden has proposed
greater protection for victims
as a way to aid in prosecuting
pimps.
During a news confer-
ence in Portland, Wyden was
joined by Multnomah County
Commissioner Diane
McKeel, Multnomah County
District Attorney Michael
Schrunk and representatives
of police and victims’ rights
advocates, who endorse the
proposed legislation.
“Sex trafficking is slav-
ery, pure and simple,” said
Wyden. “It’s time to take a
harder line in prosecuting
those who prey on young
girls and lure them into a life
of sexual exploitation.
“The first step in doing
that is separating them from
their pimps and providing
them a safe and promising
Wyden’s legislation
would target federal funds to
regions of the country with
the greatest need, including
Oregon. Each pilot project
would receive a grant of $2.5
million. The money would be
used for:
*Shelters to provide
separate housing for traffick-
ing victims.
*Clothing and other daily
needs to keep victims from
returning to the street.
*Victims’ assistance
counseling and legal services.
*Education or job train-
ing classes for victims.
*Training for law en-
forcement and social service
providers.
*Police officer salaries –
patrol officers, detectives,
investigators.
*Prosecutor salaries, and
other trial expenses.
*Investigation expenses
– wire taps, expert consult-
ants, travel, other “technical
assistance” expenditures
(currently, there is a cap on
“technical assistance” that is
too low.)
*Outreach, education,
and deterrence/prevention
efforts.
Dorothy Johnson was the lucky winner of a full turkey-and-fixins
dinner from the Cave Junction Lions Club Turkey Bingo held on
Saturday, Nov. 14. Hopeful turkey-winners packed the Jose-
phine County Bldg. for 14 bingo games, a pie auction, 50/50
drawing and door prizes. (Photo by Michelle Binker, Illinois
Valley News )
Water Wells
Pump Sales
Installation
Service
State parks
calendar now
on Website
592-6777
1470 Caves Highway
Licensed • Bonded • Insured
Locally owned and
operated in the valley
for over 25 years.
The Oregon Parks and
Recreation Dept. (OPRD) has
released the 2010 “Go Click”
state parks calendar, a version
that is free and paperless.
Visitors to the OPRD
Website can download and
print the calendar at
www.oregonstateparks.org/
goclick. It is available only
online.
WWC #1504 • CCB #152266 • CPl #7-113
Member Oregon Ground Water Assoc.
In a closed society where everybody's guilty,
the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves,
the only final sin is stupidity.
~ Hunter S. Thompson ~
After initial placement, the ad will continue to run
and the customer will be billed. The customer must
contact Illinois Valley News to remove the ad.
Health & Well-Being (cont.)
Illinois River Acupuncture Clinic
139 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction
Jewelers
Yanase Jewelers
(541) 592-4838
541-592-5041
www.yanasejewelers.com
CareSource welcome
Custom Designs * Gold/Silversmith
Remounts & Stone Setting * Quality Repairs
Watch Batteries * Stock of Gems * Finished Jewelry
JoAnne Stone, M.S., L.Ac.
“The Heart of Caring”
474-1193
www.lovejoyhospice.org
Serving Illinois Valley for 26 years
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Roofing
Bonded / Insured CCB #101392
Humphfres Construction
Roofing, Remodel, Additions
(541) 597 - 4085
Ron Humphfres
Landscape & Yard Care
Senior Living
Storage
Landscape Construction & Watergardens
Independent Living for 55 & over!
Econo Mini Storage
www.CreatingYourGarden.com
Rental with no buy-in!
Call 541-955-0777 for a tour!
Herbal Medicine
Therapeutic Bodywork
(541) 415-0250
9335 Takilma Road, Cave Junction
Also RV & Boat Storage
Now Open
Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Licensed, Bonded, Insured - LCB #6076
Carol McBride Garden Design
3098 University Rd. • www.horizonvillage.com
592 - 6785
Home Decor
Livestock
592-2413
Mini Storage
Rose of Sharon Occasions
Affordable Alpacas
for fun and profit
“the rose of Sharon,
the lily of the valley”
280 Dogwood Lane, PO Box 2661
Cave Junction, OR 97523
Nurseries
1-4-U RV Repair
25 years experience
Jeff Claflin
541-592-9905
Classes 3 days a week: Tues 10 am, Thurs 4 pm, Sat 8:45 am
Phone Suzanne to register 592-5082
(541) 592-5386
1/4 mile south of Cave Junction
Insurance
Rock & Gravel
1.541.592.6590
OLD STAGE MINI STORAGE
Gates open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 7 days a week
On-site manager - Reasonable Rates - Secure
181 S. Old Stage Road
classes begin November 3
128 S. Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction, OR 97523
UNITS AVAILABLE - VARIOUS SIZES
Outside Storage for RVs, Boats & Trailers
14urvrepair@gmail.com
for Adults and Seniors
Independent Ins. Agent
118 Hogue Drive
Selma, OR 97538
RVIA / RVDA Master Cert
Oregon Reg. #569617-91
Beginning Tap Dance
SELMA MINI STORAGE
541-597-2336
CALL FOR PRICES
St art ing at $500
Local shearing service/ support
We come to U
Linda Sallman Insurance
592-6855
541-592-4948
www.cavejunctionflowers.com
www.suri- fut ures.com
Immanuel United Methodist Church - 200 Watkins St., C.J.
2567 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
Floral Design • Formal Wear • Event Planning
Phone Christ ine 4 1 5 - 2 6 1 4
Instruction
3-1/2 miles South of CJ
Services
HOMETOWNE INTERIORS
30088 Redwood Hwy.
29910 Redwood Hwy.
592-2427
Landscape design & Consulting
CARPET * VINYL * LAMINATE
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Phone for pricing
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture
License #94699
HARMONY GARDENS
Ron & Ann Padgett
476-0137 / 592-4678
Louisa Suta, L.Ac.
5 4 1 -5 9 2 -3 3 9 1 / 5 4 1 -7 8 7 -7 7 8 2
Ranch Rock
592-3382
3/4 Minus * Sand: 1/4” to 3/4” crushed
Drain Rock * Base Rock * Dry Top Soil
592-4204
Professional Seamstress
Alterations, Hemming & Mending
Fast Service, Affordable Prices
592-5364
Title & Escrow Service
Pat’s Sanitary Service
First American Title
(dba Southern Oregon Sanitation)
(800) 922-1025 or (541) 479-5335
Insurance Company of Oregon
Payments can be deposited at
Cave Junction City Hall
Mon. thru Fri.
8 AM to 5 PM
Complete Title & Escrow Service
1031 Tax Deferred Exchange
210 W. Lister St., Cave Junction
592-2131