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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 2013)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, October 30, 2013 and many readers could just look out their windows and see the same thing. Last year, my father called me when he By DAN MANCUSO, received his paper in Arkansas with Publisher a plant on the cover. He asked, “What’s that on I know I am about to open a can the front page?” of worms here. I expect this to bring I replied that it was Cannabis. “Oh I a barrage of letters both pro and con, didn’t know it had flowers,” he said. but isn’t that what a good opinion I told him that the flower is what piece is supposed to do? contains the medicine. “I thought I don’t know why the prior you smoked the leaves,” he said. owners chose to run the plant on the I explained that the leaves contain front page each year. So, why do I do cannabinoids and that when eaten or it? Because like it or not, it is a major juiced it was a cure-all that doesn’t economic driver in this community. I have the side effects that smoking also believe that many people don’t causes. “Huh,” he replied. Then he realize how beautiful the “Devil went on to tell me about the NASCAR Weed” actually is. We could have race that day. run a photo of a beautiful tree in fall Cannabis was labeled the killer colors, I was told. Yes, I could have, drug back in the 1930s. Opponents Life in the Valley of Riches claimed that its use causes murder, insanity and death. Oddly no one in documented history has died from an overdose of the plant’s drug, THC. In 1936, the federal government funded the movie “Reefer Madness.” The movie included a hit-and-run accident, suicide, homicide, rape, and a rapid descent of the cannabis users into madness. Congress held a hearing and after two hours they voted to take action. The evidence used to make this decision was later proven to be utterly false, but that really doesn’t matter because it garnered the effect it desired and that is the Marihuana (yes, that is how they spelled it) Tax Stamp Act of 1937, signed into law by President Roosevelt. A violation of the Tax Stamp Act was a felony with a maximum fine of $2,000 and/ or 5 years in prison. According to Grand Rapids, Michigan, Attorney Bruce Alan Block, over 20 million people have been sent to jail for its possession. The law did not make possession or use of cannabis illegal, as that would be a violation of the 10th Amendment. What it did do was require a person possessing it to have a “tax stamp.” In order to get this stamp you first must have it in your possession, thus a violation of the act. Since that time the law has been found unconstitutional and Cannabis has been added to the list of controlled substances such as heroin and cocaine. The main complaint that I most often hear is that the growers don’t get taxed on the sale of the plant. With the dispensary law having passed the tax free days may be at an end. Like most business when you sell something for $10 and your cost is $5 you only pay taxes on the $5 profit, less overhead. Any dispensary owner worth his salt will be issuing 1099’s for tax mitigation purposes. The lower price for the product will be offset by one simple fact, you can’t go to jail for selling it. Seems to me that this is a win-win for most Oregonians, pro or con. Many people in this area have strong feelings against this plant. They grew up in an era when the government was still on its high horse about how evil this plant was. The funny thing to me is that in that same time period people hid their children at home who had afflictions like Down syndrome or other genetic abnormalities. Today, TV shows are built around people with disabilities. Maybe its time to stop treating the plant like the red headed stepchild and really take some time to see what this plant really can do. As I write this, we have about six Oregon State troopers in town pulling over all sorts of cars looking for Cannabis. Forget the meth labs and the heroin dealers, they are too hard to find, I suppose. I would like to hear your opinions on this subject. I only ask one thing, keep it factual. 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’ encourages 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 commentary, includ- ing statements made as fact are strictly those of the letter writers) Letter to Editor “Listen up People!” or should I say, “Wake up America!” I read that stupid ballot and I can’t imagine it passing. Who ever thought of that crap needs to resign from office. I didn’t vote them into office! How do you like them now? At least Simon Hare did well by not voting for it. If you really want law and order in this county, here’s where you begin: Tax dollars need to be set aside first and alone for the Sheriff plain and clear. The tax dollars set aside shall go directly in to the Sheriff’s account for law enforcement only! Then, when and if he runs out of money we’ll know who to go to and find out where it went. See how simple that is? The Meth Poison and users along with the waste will be handled properly. The funds will pay for jail, etc. as the Sheriff sees it. Then there will be a straight line of responsibility to track. Got it? Not the so called general fund. As it stands, your tax dollars are not being used for our protection or as it should be. I’m sure some of it is, but I don’t think the tax dollars are being used wisely. Recall option is there for a very good reason. Do you remember these words? “Together we stand, divided we fall?” Well, if you do, then get together. If you don’t then blame yourself! Hey! I have an idea…what about growing hemp. Wow! That caught your attention, huh? Marijuana was something I was brainwashed about during my days of law enforcement. Then one day I had a vision. Who put it here? Do you follow me so far? I could honestly go on for quite awhile, but would it do any good? I finally woke up at 71 years of age. I’m ashamed of myself for not waking up a lot sooner. But, I’ve been awake since. From 20 years ago - I apologize to the so called Hippies for not understanding way back then. They were right about a lot of things back then. Not everything, but a lot of things. I’ve read a lot about cannabis over the years and found a lot of doctors, attorneys, judges, law enforcement, etc. use it for medicine and recreational use and no one died from it like alcohol and some of the prescription pills that are FDA approved. At this point I want to say, “I hope I’m not offending anyone with this writing. It’s only my opinion.” Now then, I’ve spoke with a great number of folks that have no problem with paying a very reasonable amount of taxes on it. As it is now, the money they get from it buys gas, lumber, food, clothes and so much more. That alone should tell anyone that the money is going back into the community for support, retail and wholesale alike. Yea! Oregon, Colorado, etc. Let’s put folks back to work with Pot…Hemp…If we don’t have the money, how can we hire contractors, buy a beer, go out to dinner, etc.? We all need to work. I could write a book, but you get the message don’t you? I love our Valley, so let’s set the example for the rest of the country. Become the friendliest city/county in America. Quit fighting, mind your own business, help each other and make peace, not war. I love you all! Ken LeGaux P.S. We have a good Sheriff. He wants to help us. Let’s keep him. I vote no on #17. I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date Oct 31 & Nov 1 IV Haunt at Jubilee Park 6-10 p.m. investigate the inner workings of leaves and how they “change” colors on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Nov. 2 Nov. 6 Ecologist Rich Nawa is leading two easy 1-mile hikes at Il- linois River Forks State Park to see salmon spawning. The hikes are planned for October 27 and November 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. both days. Meet Nawa at Forks State Park before 1 p.m. Look for his green Corolla in the parking lot. Then, depending on river flow conditions, the group will drive to Little Falls on the Illi- nois River near Kerby to hike about one-half mile to see leaping salmon from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The trail is steep and rocky near the falls. JoCo Library Cave Junction Branch. TED Talks: Endangered Cultures Wednesday, November 6, 6-8 p.m. Join us for a presen- tation of films, photos and a discussion led by Barry Snitkin. Nov. 2 Day of the Dead Costume Party Saturday, November 2. Takilma Community Building 9367 Takilma Rd. Cave Junction Doors open at 7:30. Music 8 p.m.-midnight. Only Natural, DJ GALxSEE, Frankie Hernandez. All proceeds benefit The Dome School. Nov. 2& 3 FIBERMANIA 2013! Registration is now open for booth space and classes. Event will take place November 2 & 3 at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Fiber producers and artists from Oregon, California, and Washington have taken part in this an- nual event over the last three years. Booth spaces are 10’ X 10’ and are available for $75.00. Classes have various fees depend- ing on the class. There will be classes in spinning, weaving, tat- ting, needlework, and knitting. For information and to register go to www.fibermania.org or you may telephone Diana Shultz at 541-218-1169. FiberMania is sponsored by the State of Jefferson Alpaca Association. Nov. 6 Young Master Gardeners are meeting at the I.V. Library to 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 Nov. 6 FREE Health Talk Parenting with Love and Logic: learn strategies to help improve parenting skills. Wednesday, Novem- ber 6th, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Elementary School: 520 W. River St., Cave Junction. Led by Jody Conrad M.S. School Psycologist. Presented by Healthy U: 541-592-4888 or www. healthyucenter.org FREE! Nov.8 JoCo Library Cave Junction Branch. Intro to Computing Fri- day, November 8, 10-10:30 a.m. Local computer expert Chris Funk will start his three-part computer series with an introduc- tion to the basics on a computer. Nov.8 FREE Movie Night Two Angry Moms - Fighting For The Health of America’s Children Friday, November 8th, 6:30-8:00 PM at Healthy U-535 E. River St., Cave Junction (in the very back of the I.V. Family Resource Building). Part exposé, part “how-to”, Two Angry Moms chronicles the efforts of leaders in the better school food movement as they take on the system na- tionwide. FREE! Nov. 9 Parenting with Love and Logic® Wednesday, November 6th, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Evergreen Elementary 520 W. River St, Cave Junction. Learn strategies to help improve parenting skills. Jody Conrad, M.S. School Psychologist. FREE event with compli- mentary childcare available. Please call Healthy U to register. SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $30.50 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. 541-592-4888 or visit www.healthyucenter.org Nov. 9 6th Annual Acorn Festival and Scarecrow Contest will be held at the Selma Community Center at 18255 Redwood Hwy in Selma from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn how to process and cook with acorns. Fun and educational activities for kids and adults alike. Scarecrow contest enter to win a $100 first prize. Voting ends at 4 p.m. 5 p.m. potluck dinner. Hosted by the Cultural & Ecological Enhancement Network ( CEEN) Call Suzanne at 541-291-8860 for more details. Nov. 16 IV Cheer invites you to its 1st breast cancer awareness Zumba-Thon, Sat. Nov. 16 at IVHS. To sign up call Bobbi Loyd I.V. High Cheer Coach (541) 659-2028 FAX TO (541) 592-4853. Nov. 16 The Spiral Living Center will present a delicious Local Foods Dinner, silent auction, music and a short talk on the history of farming in the Valley on Saturday, November 16th, at the Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 East River Street. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from this event will allow Spiral Living Center to continue to offer programs such as the IV Farm and Garden Festival, other free skill-share events, bicycle repair, and gleaned produce to people in the Illinois Valley. The dinner feast consists of many courses of locally grown, harvested or gathered food. Advance Tickets are available for $12 each or 2 for $20, or you may purchase unsold tickets at the door for $15 each. Con- tact SLC Director Debbie Lukas (541) 592-3386, or send check to Spiral Living Center, PO Box 2093 Cave Junction, OR 97523. Paypal is accepted via the website www.spiralliving.org. Dona- tions of cash, auction items and food are welcome! 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.
