Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2013)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 1, 2013 /LIHLQWKH 9DOOH\ RI5LFKHV %\'$10$1&862 3XEOLVKHU The Josephine County Board of County Commissioners sent out an April 18 press release concerning the closure of the Cave Junction mill owned by the Rough & Ready Lumber Company. The commissioners’ release stated that the mill closure was, “the direct result of litigation brought by extreme environmentalists, resulting in the loss of jobs and our rural economic stability.” Fast forward to Monday, April 22. The commissioners held a meeting in Cave Junction that was only attended by a handful of folks by pure chance. See, the people who attended only found out that a meeting was being held because they were trying to book the building and found that the commissioners had it reserved. I only found out about the meeting because one of the attendees sent a letter to the editor of the Illinois Valley News. I called the commissioners’ office to find out why I hadn’t been notified about the meeting. I was told that when they figured out they were going to have the meeting it was past my deadline and therefore it was decided to forgo letting me know. We were able to get a copy of the meeting from Dale Matthews, a Grants Pass videographer who was in attendance. After watching the video, it became clear why the Illinois Valley’s only newspaper was not alerted. It was also clear that Commissioner Simon Hare wasn’t all that interested in being there either. After some people in the small and pleasantly behaved crowd started asking questions about the use of “extreme environmentalists” in the county commission’s press release, Hare responded that it was his opinion and said that, “I can use any words I choose” in a personal opinion column. The problem is that it was the same wording in the county press release, not just some OpEd by Hare. Commissioners Walker and Heck said that it was only Hare’s opinion and that it was never posted on the county website, let alone sent out to the media. Strange thing is, we got a press release on county commission letterhead bemoaning the mill’s closure due, in part, to “extreme environmentalists.” It is apparent to me that Commissioner Hare is not used to being questioned and, like many times in the past, when he didn’t like what he was being paid to hear, he just got up and walked out of the meeting. Didn’t say a word, just gathered his few belongings and walked out the door. For Hare, who apparently considers himself some self- appointed spokesman of the timber industry, to call people who fight and win lawsuits against timber sales e tremists, is a joke. I am all for logging and don’t consider myself an environmentalist by any stretch, but I do believe in the truth. The reason the timber sales are fought against in lawsuits and won in court is that the sales are illegal. Maybe the BLM could start following the laws and maybe the sales will not be contested, and certainly not won. The end result of that would be the 85 employees of the mill could still be employed. Commissioner Hare wants us to give the county an additional $9 million with the upcoming levy. My question is, how can we trust him with more money when he doesn’t even stay for an entire meeting to earn what we pay him now? Thank you for picking up this week’s paper, enjoy! — djm Letters to the Editor Illinois Valley News welcomes Letters to the Editor. Please e-mail them to dan@illinois-valley-news.com POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ encour- ages letters to the editor provided they are legible and not libelous or scurrilous. All letters must be signed, including name, 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. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. *** (Editor’s Note: Views and com- mentary, including statements made as fact are strictly those of the letter writers) Message to mill owners and Commissioners - lose the insults I share the community’s sorrow for the friends and neighbors who lost their jobs at Rough & Ready Mill but I could live without the mill owners and Commissioners pointing a full magazine of accusations at the community and indiscriminately spraying blame for the mill’s closure into a democratic society of people who have different opinions about the future of our public forestlands. The forest is a toolbox that gives each of us a way to generate wealth. These tools include scenic landscapes that give value to our property, increase the marketability of real estate, and help attract travel spending to our local businesses, some of which are important marketing outlets for products made by our cottage industry, wineries, and art community. Clean rivers and a diversity of plants and wildlife are tools that increase our community’s quality of life and make the valley more attractive to business and industry owners looking for a location to set up their enterprise and bring jobs to the valley. These jobs are equally important as mill jobs. What the mill owners propose to do with our public forest, the tools that give the entire community a way to generate wealth, is take everything for themselves to make a profit for themselves and send our toolbox down the road and forever out of Josephine County on the back of a truck along with the opportunity for all of us to grow a diverse and stable economic future. You can bet I am against that. Roger Brandt Cave Junction Bad Bikers On April 25 I had two very dangerous altercations with the same two dirt motorcycles while riding my mule in the Limestone Rock area. The two bikers claimed that they didn’t see me and my mule I was riding. We were standing in plain view on a small treeless, brushless knoll right next to a clear cut dirt road, going to Limestone Rock as they roared and revved by. As they claimed when I passed them taking a break at Limestone Rock. I told the bikers that they scared my mule and caused her to run away, and to be more courteous next time. The second time was a vicious deliberate attack on me and my mule. When I heard the motorcycles coming up fast behind me on an open, straight road, I bailed off the mule and started tying her to a tree, next to the road. I didn’t have time to get away from my mule’s panic scramble as they roared by, revving the bikes as they passed the mule-I couldn’t duck around the tree because of the sharp stubs sticking out. So I ran a few steps and dove into a pile of branches. They didn’t stop or slow down to see if I was injured or if the mule had impaled herself on the sharp stubs. I was able to ride back to my truck and trailer- several hard miles away. I was extremely fortunate that I only had a swollen left knee from this ordeal. What would have been the outcome if I had been a novice rider on a young horse? T.Sullivan Selma Whither Thou Goest Bigfoot? A drive to Grants Pass A tedious bore With lots of loud music Or a stop at the store Did we see it or did we not? He thought so, I thought not. Oh Bigfoot, Oh Bigfoot Where hast thou gone? Come back to wander Where you belong. You gave us a laugh And a smile for sure But I coulda tole ya Whoever done stole ya Is not worth a pile of manure You brightened our day And made our trip quicker Please come on home And we’ll drive with a snicker. Loyal and Mary Jane Ingersull Cave Junction The Levy: An Injustice to the Poor Regarding the Josephine County Property Tax Levy – Measure 17-49 to be decided on May 21, I cry out and ask, “What is the fair and only thing to do on this matter for suffering humanity of this County? The Wise One gives Biblical Council: “The Righteous Man considers the cause of the poor; but the Wicked Man closes his eyes to them.” Proverbs 29:7. So Listen: Those who plan to support the Levy, STOP! Consider the words of warning from Ben Franklin: “When you force those who don’t want to pay their money for what you want, you commit the Crime of Extortion.” efinition “ tortion is a form of Criminal Racketeering and of acquiring money by threat.” – Webster’s. In Street English: Extortion is the threat of the Sheriff kicking you off your land if you don’t pay the “Threat Money” ordered by the Commissioners. There are many Social Security poor people in this County who are barely squeaking by in paying the current property tax. In paying the current tax, they struggle to maintain basic necessities which are vital to sustain life itself, but they often lack enough nourishment for their bodies and heat for their homes. My wife and I would suffer a knock-out blow if an additional Levy were added to the current one. Property tax is not the answer. Sales tax could be. The poorest of the poor need a place to lay their heads in peace without being threatened by mail every November. But when it comes to sales tax, the poor can CHOOSE to buy or not to buy taxed items. So, the Compassionate Tax-Funding Solution is as follows: Those who are eager and deep-pocketed enough to support an additional Levy, the ounty Treasures office in the County Courthouse Basement wants you to know that their doors and money coffers are wide open to receive all of the Levy Money you want to give. They will direct your donations to the County Services you want to support. I was told that they will even issue you a receipt. So, County residents, this is the answer. Those who are eager and in a hurry and able to pay the additional tax, hurry up – go ahead and pay. The County Treasurer is waiting. But for those who are unable to pay the additional tax, it is fair and just that they be taxed at the current tax rate only. This is the humane, warm- hearted and loving solution to the Tax Levy Problem with the citizens of Josephine County. Please Vote No! Thank you so much. Ron Dez Cave Junction Obituaries Bonnie June Phillips Passed away on April 4, 2013 at age 73 in Cave Junction where she lived since the 4 s. Bonnie was born on August 24, 1939 in Arcadia, Calif. to Carl John McBriety and Estella Emma Donaca; then moved to Oregon. She married at age 16 to James (Jimmy) Phillips and together they ran the family business, Phillips Auto Wrecking. Bonnie also enjoyed designing houses, drawing them out on paper, she was born for it, a self taught architect. She loved going for rides to the Coast and in the mountains, singing old country songs, reading her Bible and watching her son, Michael race around the track, she was his biggest fan! She is survived by Mary S. Phillips, daughter, Cave Junction, Ore.; Tony S. Phillips, son, Perryville, MO; Nancy R. Allen, daughter, Cave Junction, Ore.; Michael J. Phillips, son, Cave Junction, Ore. She had two brothers, Bill McBriety and Tim McBriety. Her seven grandchildren are Mitchell W. Thornton II, Tasha R. Thornton, Brittany J.R. Osteen- Allen, Trinidy M. LaRue and Devan B. LaRue, Cloe R. Phillips and Ross R. Phillips. Her three great grandchildren are Layla Mulch, Kayven Flinders and Katherine Tesky. Floyd “Smokey”Stone Uhl age 47 of the Illinois alley died Thursday pril , . Smokey was born in Marietta, Ga. on February 27, 1966. He moved to the area 35-years ago after his parents purchased seven beautiful acres on the California Oregon border on Hwy. 199. He was dearly loved by his entire family and everyone that knew him. Smokey was a kind and loving man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He is survived by his wife Tonya and their your children, three sons Daniel 19, Cody 13 and Justin 1; and one daughter Kaleigh 6. One brother Frank Uhl-Salem, three sisters Dixie Uhl of San Rafael Calif, Dianna Champie of Cave Junction and Carole Gerughty of San Rafael Calif. He was preceded in Death by his parents Franklyn and Johanna Uhl, A brother Marston “Johnny” Uhl and a sister Johanna “Stormy” Uhl. Here in our small town of Cave Junction, Oregon, we had a very sad tragedy affect a family with four loving children; Daniel, Cody, Kaleigh and Justin, a loving mother and wife. We, in the Community, are coming together to help this family in trying times. On 4-11-13 Smokey... (Box) Uhl passed away unexpectedly. We ask for thoughts and prayers to go out to the family. We are asking all communities for any contributions to help this family during these hard times. We hope you can Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction OR 97523 Illinois Valley News is published at 221 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523 Telephone (541) 592-2541 FAX (541) 592-4330 Since 1937 periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction OR 97523 P.O. Box 1370 USPS 258-820 SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $28.50 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $32.50 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $39.00 Illinois Valley News does not refund subscriptions. Remainder of subscription will be donated to the charity of your choice. find it in your heart to help us help them. If you are out of the area and would like to make a contribution, you can mail it to Junction Realty in care of Tonya Box at P.O. Box 849, Cave Junction, Oregon 97523. If you are in the area there will be contribution cans at various locations in Cave Junction, from O’Brien to Kerby. or you can go to any Sterling Bank and donate, or mail a donation to the “Smokey and Tonya Box Donation Fund” at P.O. Box 781, Cave Junction, Oregon, 97523. He was well known as Smoky and his Jerky that he sold. He has lived in the Illinois Valley since he was 14 years old. The family operates the jerky stand out on the Oregon and Calif. Border on Hwy. 199. Smokey, you will be missed by many all over the World. WE LOVE YOU SMOKEY. For more Information please contact Butterfly at 54 4 4 or you may email butterflywildediblist yahoo.com …. THANK YOU! News - Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Circulation - Kimberly Potter office@illinois-valley-news.com Advertising / Composition Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Mailroom - Millie Watkins Office Manager-Laura Mancuso office@illinois-valley-news.com DEADLINES: News, Classified and Display Ads, Announce- ments and Letters 5 P.M. FRIDAYS POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ encour- ages letters to the editor pro- vided they are legible and not libelous or scurrilous. All let- ters must be signed, including name, 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. Letters are used at the discre- tion of the publisher.
