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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 2010)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Perhaps because of a recent excursion to visit family in San Diego County, my thoughts turned to some of my fa- vorite trips. Of course, riding trains, followed by Greyhound buses (so to speak), pretty much top the list. Airplane journeys are OK, mostly because they are so much faster than driving yourself, or riding a train or bus. For example, commercial flight time from Medford to Port- land to San Diego is around 3.5 hours. If we can get aboard a direct flight to LAX or Santa Ana from Medford, we’re looking at approximately 2.5 hours. Even with me driving our car with my foot glued to the gas pedal, the one-way drive time is 18 hours from Cave Junction to Carlsbad, Calif. I was going to compare rail and bus times, but finally gave up trying to get the info online. Anyway, one of my favorite jaunts occurred aboard a Greyhound Bus Lines Scenicruiser, when that conveyance was big and clumsy looking. Even had an actual upper deck. My cousin, Cliff, and I, perhaps 14 years old, were going from El Paso, Texas to San Diego. We scrambled aboard to claim seats on the upper deck. We were equipped with a shoe box full of homemade chicken sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. They were provided courtesy of my mom’s sisters, primarily Mary, Carrie and Flo. So we were ready for anything. At our first rest stop, in New Mexico, the sky was look- ing grim. Cliff and I enlarged our larder with quarts of chocolate milk, and off we went. A storm hit a short time later. To this day I do not know how the bus driver navi- gated through it. It was raining so hard that car drivers were pulling off to the sides of the highway because visibil- ity was so bad. It was raining so hard that water was com- ing through some of the seams next to our seat. We didn’t care. We had chicken sandwiches, cookies and milk. And we were 14 with great views of the passing scenery, although with all that rain it was tough making out detail. But being well-fed, and in a fast-moving vehicle passing everything in sight, plus sharing our weird senses of humor, made it all the better. I think it was on the same trip that we treated ourselves to double-scoop strawberry ice cream cones. That was at 3:30 in the morning at a rest stop somewhere in Arizona. When you’re young and able to take advantage of having cast-iron stomachs, why not? OK, running out of room this week. I’ll just say that the next best trip was when Cliff and I were riding the Sunset Limited from El Paso to Los Angeles. The train underwent a derailment in the Arizona desert, and we were stuck there about a day. The derailment was not our fault. Really. Rose of Sharon Occasions Open Valen ti Sund ne’s Day ay 9 a.m , Feb. 14 . - 3 p .m. Has just what you need to spoil your Sweetheart on Valentine’s Day • Flower Specials • Gourmet Baskets • Balloons • Harry London Chocolates • Greeting Cards • “Singing” Floral Grams Limousine Service provided by “Rose-1” Valentine deliveries begin February 10th Free delivery to Evergreen Elementary, Lorna Byrne and IVHS 202 N. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction (541) 592-4948 (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter- writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced letters are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double- spaced and legible also can be considered. “Thank you” submissions are not ac- cepted as letters. Victory over hot air hoax From Kathey Linn, chapter leader, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) S. Douglas County On the evening of Jan. 14, the Douglas County Plan- ning Commission met to con- sider an amendment to the county’s Land Use Compre- hensive Plan. The proposed “environmental overlay” was filled with references to cli- mate change, global warm- ing, greenhouse gases, etc., which were irrelevant to the purpose of the amendment. Originally billed as an effort to force the federal gov- ernment to manage affected national forest land in Doug- las County in the aftermath of “catastrophic events” such as large forest fires, the amend- ment also included privately held tracts of land exceeding 4,000 acres. The planning commis- sion meeting was a great statement on the position of people in Douglas County and the power of the grass roots. It was standing room only, and the speakers were great. Oregon Grass Roots Director Richard Burke repre- sented AFP. He gave a great discourse on its position on “global warming” and the dangers of implementing into county statute anything that references climate change, gives it a credibility it does not deserve, and allows the government control over pri- vate land anytime it believes it can claim climate change is happening. Many AFP members followed, expressing their Sweetwater Meadows , CSA Imagine getting fresh, tasty, locally-grown vegetables each week without shopping, planting, weeding, watering, or harvesting. has the answer! 9375 Caves Hwy. Cave Junction 541-592-4637 sweetwatermeadows @ yahoo.com Cave Junction Wednesday, Feb. 3 Cloudy, rain possible High--50 Low--32 concerns. Only one person spoke in favor of the amend- ment, and her comments were in favor of any climate change ordinance or legisla- tion. Rich Raynor, planning commission chairman and East Douglas County AFP Chapter leader, did a great job during deliberation when he explained why he could not vote for the environmental overlay. Raynor explained that he has spoken out many times about his desire to use the state and federal govern- ment’s “global warming” rules and regulations against them in such a way as to re- store some semblance of rea- sonable forest management on federal lands, especially post-fire. He noted he was too con- cerned about how the pro- posed wording of the measure would codify “global warm- ing/climate change” in the Douglas County Land Use and Development Ordinance, and that such codification would result in untold dam- age to the county in the fu- ture. Two commissioners had no comments, and two others spoke against the climate change implications. One commissioner abstained for conflict of interest, as he had worked on the final revision. A motion was presented to scrap the current version and rewrite it to eliminate all references which could be associated with global warm- ing, climate change, etc., and removal of any reference to private property. The motion passed unanimously. This is a great start, but just a small battle on the road to the return of our personal rights and control of private property. This grass-roots victory is an example of what can be done when people stand to- gether with a common voice. Be on the lookout for efforts in your community to write “climate change” into law. We should enjoy this moment and utilize it to encourage and recruit others to join the cause as we continue on the road to returning our country to the people. Audio of the meeting is available at http://www.co. douglas.or.us/audio/ County leadership lack From Michael L. Schneyder Grants Pass During the Wednesday, Jan. 20 weekly business ses- sion, Commissioner Cas- sanelli again rejected any suggestion that the Josephine County Board of Commis- sioners bears the final respon- sibility for the level of public safety funding, or for leader- ship in developing solutions to our post-O&C funding crisis. Cassanelli insisted that these responsibilities belong to an ill-defined “partnership” between the county commis- sioners and their county em- ployees. However, the truth is that the board has total con- trol over the budgets of every department and office. Yet Cassanelli denies the execu- tive power of the board. This situation leaves Josephine County in constant leadership turmoil. During recent years there have been several ver- sions of the Long Term Funding Task Force. Each has produced a similar list of funding alternatives. None enjoyed universal support from the public or commis- sioners. Hard work and lead- ership are required when there are no easy answers. If we cannot expect lead- ership on these critical issues from our top elected officials, then why did they run for this office? The public rightfully expects the commissioners to guide all aspects of county finances. That specifically includes leadership for find- ing a solution to our broken financial model. That task cannot wait two or three years. Every day I.V. Little League Last Chance Sign-ups & Try-outs that passes without address- ing this goal is a failure to serve the needs of Josephine County. Protecting the quality of life in Josephine County requires more creativity than just reducing services to a bare minimum. It requires a vision for future progress and prosperity. Golf course destruction From Don Lorensen Cave Junction I usually don’t express my opinions to the editor, but today, Sunday, Jan. 31, I was outraged when I saw photos and first-hand up-close de- struction of the Illinois Valley Golf Course and golf carts by a “group,” which evidently took place on Thursday night, Jan. 28. Everyone in the commu- nity should at least see the photos themselves because it is unbelievable. Why anyone would want to destroy such a valuable asset to the commu- nity is something I can’t un- derstand. There are no word or words bad enough to de- scribe this “group” so I must leave it at losers. They know who they are and deserve to be hanging from the end of a rope, on the first tee of the golf course. I would finance the building of the platform and demand being the one to yank open the trap door. Unfortunately this won’t happen, but I’m sure these losers will have a very rewarding and success- ful life. Saturdays, February 6 & 13 Jubilee Park Rain or Shine Sign-ups for ages 4-16 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NOTE: TRY-OUTS T-Ball (4-6 yrs.) no try-outs Coach Pitch (7-8 yrs.) 10-11 a.m. Player Pitch (9-10 yrs.) 11-Noon Majors (11-12 yrs.) Noon-1 p.m. Juniors (13-14 yrs.) 1-2 p.m. Seniors (15-16 yrs.) 2-3 p.m. If you believe your child can play up a level, please come to both try-outs. Those who do not try out will be placed in the appropriate age division. Contact Shelly (541-415-1718) or Cricket (541-761-8308) For further info. Thursday, Feb. 4 Cloudy, breezy High--47 Low--33 Friday, Feb. 5 Cloudy High--50 Low--33 Accepting Reservations Illinois Valley News www.illinois-valley-news.com An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-publishers: Bob & Jan Rodriguez Editor-in-Chief: Michelle Binker 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 P.O. Box 1370 USPS 258-820 Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330 Email: newsroom1@frontiernet.net or newsdesk@illinois-valley-news.com Volume 72, No. 47 Staff: Zina Booth, Brenda Encinas, Scott Jorgensen and Millie Watkins Website design and maintenance by Ashgrove Visual Arts 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. Gener- ally, one letter per person per month at publisher’s discretion. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is inordinately long in the publisher’s 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 Saturday, Feb. 6 Rain High--51 Low--32 Sunday, Feb. 7 Rain High--52 Low--32 Monday, Feb. 8 Clouds, a shower High--51 Low--38 Tuesday, Feb. 9 Rainy High--46 Low--37 Following are the high-and- low temperatures, and rainfall recorded at The End of the Road in O’Brien by Cheryl & Harry Johnson: *Fri., Jan. 22 48 31 .04 *Sat., Jan. 23 48 30 .04 *Sun., Jan. 24 42 37 2.13 *Mon., Jan. 25 47 42 .51 *Tue., Jan. 26 51 41 .08 *Wed., Jan. 27 50 39 .00 *Thu., Jan. 28 50 36 .00 Following are the high-and- low temperatures and rainfall recorded by Oregon Builders Guild in Cave Junction: *Fri., Jan. 22 49 32 .06 *Sat., Jan. 23 49 31 .02 *Sun., Jan. 24 43 37 1.20 *Mon., Jan. 25 47 43 .39 *Tue., Jan. 26 54 38 .08 *Wed., Jan. 27 51 38 .00 *Thu., Jan. 28 51 38 .00 February is Prevent A Litter Month Shelters across the country are gearing up for the spring breeding season when countless animals will be born with no homes to go to. Visit SpayNeuter.org or call 858-3325 for details. A SNYP and FOTAS event. Joining forces to save lives through spay/neuter. Save lives by having your cat or dog fixed during this exceptional time limited offer! Cat Spay or Neuter: $25 Dog Spay and Neuter: $65 up to 60 lbs., and $75 over 60 lbs. Certificates can be purchased throughout February at: Pet Country, Medford, White City and Ashland Grange CO-OPS, and all Medford Mini Pet Marts.
