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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014,
Happy New Year! With 2013 in the rearview mirror, I am
optimistic about the year ahead. Over the past year I have no-
ticed what I believe to be good indicators that we are moving in
the right direction.
The closing of our largest and oldest employer, Rough &
Ready Lumber Company, was partially offset with the addition
of a second shift at the Taylor’s Sausage Inc. I’m told a new call
center is in the works and that should add an additional 20 jobs.
Many new stores opened downtown, like Communi Tea, Lady
Thyme Herbs, IV Trophy, Withem’s Gun Shop, the Soulshine
Studio and Diggin Livin.
Some older businesses have found value in the Illinois Val-
ley News and began advertising. They include Caveman Heat-
ing, Gooseberries, IV Building Supply, IV Guns and Ammo and
Dave’s Outdoor Power Equipment. Please let them know how
you appreciate their help in underwriting your community news-
paper.
Our staff changed quite a bit with Darcy’s departure to the
Springfield Times where she is now the editor. Annette, Judy and
Jenna have stepped up and done a fine job for you this year. We
also added some other writers like Mary Halvorsen and Michelle
and Ray Smith. Roger Brandt and Greg Walters have submitted
quite a few interesting historical articles along with our awesome
find of “Winding Trails” by Al Hobart.
I would be remiss if I left out Kindi’s “History of the Hip-
Life in the
Valley
of Riches
By DAN MANCUSO,
Publisher
pies in Takilma.” This started out as a whim of mine that turned
out to be so much more. I asked for a four-part series and we
ended up with over 25 installments. Kindi turned the series into
a book and it should be on sale in the next few months.
Those who say that newspapers are going down, are dead
wrong when it comes to the community journalism front. Your
paper made great strides in 2013 and is heading into 2014 stron-
ger than it has been in years. I attribute this to our focus on you
and what is important to the readers here in the Valley. Keep
in mind that we have a wide range of people in the Valley who
value different things. We strive to keep that in mind and give a
little of something to everyone. If you don’t see something that
you would like for us to cover, feel free to let me know.
My new year’s promise is to keep working hard and stay
focused on the task at hand, bringing you the best hometown
paper I can. While I may miss the mark form time to time, I feel
you have a great “little paper” and I will continue to persevere
and try to improve it each week.
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)
Some of my times
When I moved to Grants Pass I was
truly impressed with the way things were.
Everyone was really friendly, always waved,
neighbors at ready to help their neighbors. And
the beat went on.
Then I met a few folks around town
like the Building Suppliers and my second life
really took off. Then came the misc. jobs. Then
came the church. Then came the JOCO Sher-
iff Posse. And the Jail and Prisoner Transport.
Then a wonderful Sheiff by the name of Bill
Brant, plus Mark Dixon, Dave Koler. He was a
great man along with Chief of Police in Grants
Pass, Norm Hedgpath. They treated me really
well. But some time back in the 1970s I began
to hear some really bad things about the Val-
ley. Danger at the least. But, not from the sheriff
nor the chief. But other folks. Bad place to be,
drugs, murder etc.
I began patrolling with deputy Joe
Dykes. A great man along with Deputy John
Handcode. Another great man and many more.
They were all enlightened with the truth about
the Valley. Not as bad as I’ve been told at first.
Next, I got the job as Cave Junction City Police
Officer. I quickly met some really nice folks.
Beginning with, yep Fred Krause. Wow, a real-
ly long story there. And, Trefathen, Knowland,
Wolf and sooo many more.
Finally, I moved here and I’ll probably
never leave. What a great place to live. This Val-
ley is filled with sooo many great folks. What a
blessing to be here and being part of the his-
tory. Just think about the way things were back
then. So many folks working and making pretty
fair wages. And, oh yeah, the sound and sight
of those one and two log loads, knowing we
are going to get some really good lumber from
it and not a lot of waste. Don’t get me wrong
now, I don’t like clear cutting, but we now have
a better control for re-prod after clear cutting.
Disease free trees and faster growth, etc. And
that’s a really good thing.
It’s so sad that the mill had to shut
down. I truly feel bad for those who got laid
off. They must be going through hell now. The
mill not only supported those workers. But, also
where they spent their wages. You know, gas,
diesel, food, doctors, rent and so much more.
I wish I had the answer. And maybe I
do. Although, some may not agree.
Vote them out of office. And next time
vote, pay attention to who your vote is for.
This is your country, act like it. Stand up. Get
off your____. Get serious. Let’s take America
back.
Look back at the past when parents
and grandparents were honorable…they taught
children the “hard facts of life” i.e. earn your
keep, think, dream, listen quietly to wisdom.
That way you have an upper hand to success.
But, these days we’re taught to be po-
litically correct. But, the political chumps “for
the most parts” don’t have a clue to what really
is the right and correct way to raise children.
They don’t teach anything, but money, money,
money! There’s more to life and happiness than
that. But, we all drive Chevys, Fords, etc. But
that’s our choice. It doesn’t mean we can’t be
good friends and good neighbors.
Justin Levitt and other community mem-
bers showed the peace and love of America
as it should be today and I have the peaceful
photo of the I.V. News to this day hanging in
my office as a continual reminder of peace as it
should be today.
Thank you one and all.
Ken LeGaux
Selma
I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
Obituaries
Wayne Dussault
a long time resident of O’Brien,
Oregon died December 19, 2013 of a massive stroke. Wayne was
born in San Francisco, California in 1941 and he was 72 years
old.
Wayne was owner/operator of Twins Pines Restaurant,
Motel and RV Park in O’Brien, Oregon. He worked at Mare Is-
land Naval Shipyard and also owned two businesses in Vallejo,
California.
Wayne loved to play golf, play with his cats and dogs,
go horseback riding, and tinker around the house and yard. He
enjoyed listening to country music.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife Brandy Dobler
of O’Brien, Oregon; daughter Tammy Beck; son Dan Dussault
both of Vacaville, California; three grandchildren, Casey Beck,
Richie Beck and Eden Hey. He is preceded in death by his par-
ents and brother. Wayne will be greatly missed by family and
friends.
Roberta Ann (Bert) Brittain
“Bertie”
crossed over on Dec. 11, 2013 following an ongoing battle with
pneumonia, congestive heart failure and COPD.
She was born in Corvallis on Feb 15, 1958. She had
lived in Bend for years before moving to I.V. in the early 80s.
She enjoyed playing her guitar, writing songs and “Dancing the
night away” for the better part of her life.
Bertie moved to Takilma and raised her 3 children.
She enjoyed summer BBQs, making dinner and bak-
ing goodies for friends and neighbors a.k.a. “family.” She was a
master crafter and loved to make beautiful things. Bertie loved
making dream catchers and “goodies for everyone around her.”
Bertie is survived by her 2 daughters, Molly and Trinity
and son Jake; brother Wilber; 3 sisters Marie, Helen and Janis;
and several grandchildren.
She was a sweet soul and will be deeply and dearly
missed for a long time to come. We love you Bertie, you are a
heaven bound sister, God Bless.
A celebration of Bert’s life will be handled through John
Scott, 541-291-1390 and arrangements will be pending for Feb-
541-592-4110
ruary, 15, 2014 (her birthday). All are welcome to come share the
stories and memories with us all.
David, we miss you now, our hearts are sore.
As time goes by, we miss you more.
Your loving smile, your gentle face.
No one can fill your vacant place.
3/16/1942 - 12/30/2006
We love and miss you.
Susan, Betty, Justin,
Family and Friends.
The Illinois Valley News would like to wish
everyone a very safe New Year. Thank you all so much
for everything this past year.
-D an , L aura , K evin , J enna , K imberLy , a nnette , m iLLy ,
K imberLie , n ina , D eLane , K inDi J uDy & G-D ub
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
W.H. Alltheway, LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
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vided they are legible and not
libelous or scurrilous. All let-
ters must be signed, including
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reserves the right to edit letters.
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