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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014
Last week, our county commissioners began the daunting
task of figuring how to ban state sanctioned medical marijuana
in Josephine County.
That follows in the footsteps of Medford and Grants Pass
which have recently hid behind federal law. Our board had to
scroll through 73 pages of the 395 pages of our Rural Land De-
velopment Code to come up with a reason:
“ARTICLE 12 –ADMINISTRATION 12.010 - SCOPE &
COMPLIANCE: No transfer or division of property contrary to
the provisions of this code shall occur. No structure or lot shall
be used or occupied, and no structure or part of the structure
shall be erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or
altered contrary to the provisions of this code.”
And, more importantly:
“12.020 - CONSISTENCY WITH PLANS AND LAWS B.
Actions initiated and approved under this code shall be consistent
with the requirements of the Josephine County Comprehensive
Plan, the Goals and Policies of the Comprehensive Plan, and any
applicable local, state, or federal laws, rules and regulations.”
The State has been dealing with this issue in the form of Sen-
ate Bill 1531. The bill specifies that the governing body of city or
county may regulate or restrict operation of medical marijuana
facility, prohibit the registration of medical marijuana facility, or
Life in the
Valley
of Riches
By DAN MANCUSO,
Publisher
regulate, restrict or prohibit storing or dispensing of marijuana
by a facility legally authorized to store or dispense marijuana.
The prohibition provision was stripped in the Judicial Commit-
tee, but in a Feb. 21 conference call with the county commission-
ers, State Senator Herman Baertschiger and Congressman Wally
Hicks seemed to feel the bill would be rewritten to again include
the ability for counties to ban such dispensaries. This brought a
sigh of relief from our job-killing commissioners.
But, to me the real question remains: If I am not going to
build or make any changes to an existing building and I don’t
need a permit, how can you use this code to restrict its use? How
can you deny a legitimate, taxable job-creating resource?
Growers that choose to sell to dispensaries will likely re-
ceive a 1099. That means that the income they make will be
taxable. Isn’t that a good thing?
No matter how this shakes out, it’s going to be a conten-
tious process.
Thank you for picking up this week’s paper, enjoy ~ djm
Obituaries
Bonita Faye Newtown was born on Feb. 11, 1945 in Grants Pass and passed away in
her home on Feb. 18, 2014. She was preceded in death by her brother Frankie Robinson, parents
Roy and Dovie Robinson and her husband Robert Newton.
Bonita lived in Cave Junction all of her life. She loved playing with her great-grandchildren,
spent time with her girlfriends and helping out at the restaurant with her daughter, Trina.
She is survived by her sisters Debbie Newton of Grants Pass, Corky Quen of Cave Junction,
her children Richard Miller of Cave Junction, Trina Mason of Cave Junction, and Christine Milner
of Gold Hill. She also left behind 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Any donations please send to Lovejoy hospice. The family of Bonita Newton would like to
thank everyone for their generosity and kindness in our time of sorrow. It is greatly appreciated.
I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
A moment with Mary: By Mary Halvorsen
I took a fall at work recently,
carrying a container of paper to the
shredder. It began with an ankle roll
that progressed into a slow-motion
ballet to the floor, the plastic box in
my hands banging against surfaces on
the way down, echoing through the
silent storage room. The first concern
was not for injuries, but if anyone had
witnessed it. There was burning in
the hands, knees, and side of one leg,
but when a co-worker peered around
a corner, eyes wide with concern, to
ask “Did you fall?” the response was
dismissive, joking. “Oh, I’m fine”
I smiled, shrugging away any mo-
mentary pain. Later, tossing back
an anti-inflammatory, three nurses in
the vicinity zoned in, wondering if
all was well. Upon admitting to the
tumble in the copy room, they turned
towards me with such alarm on their
faces, I may as well have been setting
myself on fire.
The Center for Disease Control
reported in 2010 that, “…2.3 million
non-fatal fall injuries among older
adults were treated in emergency de-
partments, and more than 662,000 of
these patients were hospitalized…”
To “fall” is described as, “to come or
drop down suddenly to a lower posi-
tion” and doesn’t necessarily convey
only physical action. It can be the
beginning in a shift in how one is per-
ceived. The amount of times we pick
ourselves up and brush ourselves off
in a day can vary, but seeming weak
or unsteady, is a profile no one wishes
to foster.
In their book, “You, Staying
Young,” Doctors Michael Roizen and
Mehmet Oz explain there is a right
and wrong way to fall, that the cor-
rect way is to land on as much surface
area of the body as possible, rather
than allowing all the weight to be ab-
sorbed by a hip or a shoulder. They
offer that stretching, a part of many
yoga practices, can facilitate this abil-
ity, that “…flexibility, that is, length-
ening your muscles and giving them
the ability to adapt to all kinds of situ-
ations is important…” continuing, “It
will give you the ability to maneuver
yourself during a fall or get yourself
up, after…”
A loss in balance has not always
carried with it the threat of toppling
over. In younger years, there was
little concern about the state of one’s
core, which is described as the “area
around the trunk where the center of
gravity is located.” The Mayo Clin-
ic’s, “Fitness for Life” affirms a core is
functioning “…when the twenty-nine
muscles in abdomen, pelvis, lower
back, and hips, work together.”
Walking around the remainder
of the day after the mishap, muscles
were tight and a little sore. I thought
about falling, and remembered an-
other ankle roll that had pitched me
into a stumbling, flailing struggle to
stay upright. This horizontal waltz
played out for the occupants of the
emergency room waiting area, on the
other side of a long glass wall. When
it was over, I walked on, hoping no
one had noticed. It made me wonder
why ankle rolls had become the pre-
cursor for these spectacles.
A core that cannot do its job is a
liability, but the blame for going soft
should not be laid entirely on get-
ting older. I am not ready to concede
much to age; not health, not mind,
not future. It is possible to regain
and maintain flexibility and balance.
“Fitness for Life” states that if one
works towards a more flexible body,
one can look forward to movements
that become, “easier and more free,
keeping you in better balance and
making you less prone to fall.” They
go on to suggest signing up for your
class of choice, one is more likely to
stick with a program, after taking that
extra step.
Within Cave Junction, opportu-
nities for strengthening and improv-
ing flexibility are offered at three dif-
ferent locations: In the heart of town
is The Yoga Studio, whose schedule
lists daily session for all levels. For
more info call 592-3130.
Tiger Dance Studio on Caves
Highway, “encourages wellness” with
Zumba dance, which is described by
health foundation, “Livestrong” as
“both dance and full body workout.”
Among other offerings, Zumba is
scheduled most mornings and eve-
nings. They can be reached at 592-
4700.
Healthy U, on River Street of-
fers different yoga options at varying
days and times, and can be reached at
592-4888.
claim a public safety fiscal emer-
gency in one or more counties. Jo-
sephine County has a self governance
clause written into the county charter.
House Bill 3453 which allows the
state to raise the 911 taxes on your
telephone bill, not property or income
tax, to fund public safety can only be
implemented in Josephine County if
a state of emergency is declared by
the County Commissioners.
For people who may have
been unaware of these facts, I hope
this eases their minds on what may
be considered an impending threat
should one decide to vote “no” on
any upcoming property tax levies for
public safety.
5322. Care should always be taken
so that smaller, easy to fix problems
do not become magnified into unnec-
essary and expensive work.
County. Last week their collective
efforts culminated in successfully
gathering enough signatures to put an
initiative on the May ballot to do just
that.
Huge KUDOs in accomplish-
ing this feat, in the middle of winter
no less and to the wonderful team of
people it took to make that happen.
This post is to thank their team
for all their hard work and efforts.
Their goal is a GMO-FREE
Josephine County with Measure
#17-58, regulating the growing of
open-air genetically engineered crops
within Josephine Country. It fol-
lows efforts by neighboring Jackson
County with their Measure # 15-119,
to do the same. These Initiatives give
citizens the right to protect our food,
farms and future, creating a GMO-
Free Rogue Valley.
Please be sure you are regis-
tered to vote. The power and money
from the likes of Syngenta, Monsanto
and their ilk will be working hard to
defeat these initiatives.
Letters to the Editor
Illinois Valley News welcomes Let-
ters 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 commen-
tary, including statements made as
fact are strictly those of the letter
writers)
Need For Accurate
Information
I consider it a disservice to the
public to provide untruthful, mislead-
ing or inaccurate information to the
voting public, especially around elec-
tion time. However, it can happen.
Therefore, I feel it is important to
correct certain statements as quoted
from County Commissioner candi-
date Mark Gatlin.
In a recent I.V. News article,
Gatlin stated, “The budget shortfall
created largely by dwindling federal
funds that had replaced out timber
revenues have brought us right behind
Curry County, which is now poised to
be taken over by the state. When that
happens, by most estimates, the state
will charge $3 to $5 per $1,000 of as-
sessed property values, for 18 month
increments, to bring back the level
of safety that the state deems neces-
sary.” Mr. Gatlin went on to state
that Josephine County can avoid this
fate if citizens “take charge of our
situation and make the hard choice to
pass a temporary levy that will build
a bridge to a permanent and stable
funding source that is not heavily
based on taxes.”
Correction #1. The state will
not raise property taxes to fund law
enforcement if a public safety levy
fails. The state, or county, cannot
raise property taxes without a con-
senting vote of the public. This law
is incorporated into the property tax
limitation which is in the state con-
stitution.
Correction #2. House Bill 3453
provides that the Governor may pro-
Save Feb. The
Date
26
Wed, February 26th – Craft
Night: Origami, 6 p.m.
Roberta and Rochelle are fold-
ing fancy paper into beautiful flow-
ers and would love to share the joy.
Paper and instruction are supplied,
just come join us! Where: IV Library
209 W Palmer St, Cave Junction, OR
97523 (541) 592-4770 contact: Ro-
berta Lee rlee@josephinelibrary.org
Feb. 27
The American Red Cross needs
blood and platelet donors to help re-
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
W.H. Alltheway, LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
stock the blood supply this February.
Severe winter weather throughout
January across much of the country
forced the cancellation of about 770
Red Cross blood drives, resulting in
more than 25,000 uncollected blood
and platelet donations.
On average, the Red Cross must
collect about 15,000 units of blood
every day for patients at approxi-
mately 2,700 hospitals and transfu-
sion centers across the country. With
additional winter weather already
forecast for parts of the country in
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
Raymond Smith
Cave Junction
Buyer beware
If you need well pump service
and are calling the local well driller’s
old phone number you will reach an
entirely different company in Grants
Pass. This is not made clear by the
answering party. New number is 592-
the next week or two, all blood types
are currently needed to ensure a suf-
ficient blood supply is available for
patients.
There is an urgent need for blood
types O positive, O negative, A nega-
tive and B negative. Eligible donors
with these blood types are strongly
encouraged to make an appointment
to give in the coming days.
While weather in this area did
not cause problems for blood drives,
the Red Cross hopes local blood do-
nors will continue to support patients
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.
K. Rich
Cave Junction
NO GMO
A year ago December I began
writing a series of articles regarding
GMOs for this paper. I was given
the OK with two stipulations: Be
sure they were non-biased and fair.
I explained I would do my utmost,
warning however that as the articles
progressed and reached the pinnacle
of known challenges facing farmers
who ventured into this realm, along
with the known science clearly ex-
posing the hazards, the series would
take a definite turn, if you will.
Dan cautioned, and I proceed-
ed.
In a few short months however
GMO-Free JoCo branched out from
Grants Pass into the IV. Holding reg-
ular meetings and bringing awareness
to this issue, they helped fuel a cam-
paign to ban GMOs within Josephine
in need.
Upcoming blood donation op-
portunities in Josephine County:
Thursday, February 27: 12:45
p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Illinois Valley Se-
nior Center, 520 East River Street,
Cave Junction
March 2
Sunday, March 2, 2014 9:15
a.m. John Nilsen, Magic Wing Re-
cording Artist will perform on the
piano during the Worship Service
Immanuel United Methodist
Church, 200 W. Watkins St., Cave
Audrey Moore
Precious Dirt
Selma
Junction, 541-592-3876
Free will offering. Everyone is
invited.
March 4 & 5
Lorna Byrne Middle School
Band Concert: Tuesday, March 4th at
7 p.m. in the Jamie Scott Memorial
Gym
Illinois Valley H.S. Music De-
partment presents the Classics Con-
cert: Wednesday, March 5th at 7p.m.
in the IVHS Commons
Both concerts are free to the
public!
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:
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Display Ads, Announce-
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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.