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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (April 23, 2014)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, April 23, 2014 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 The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authen- ticity. 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) Reader responds to GMO Annette McGee Rasch’s recent article on GMOs reads like an opinion piece rather than a responsible job of reporting. In reality, the GMO issue is not as cut and dried as her article would make it seem. For instance, an Au- gust 2013 article by David H. Freedman in respected science journal, the Scientific Ameri- can, pointed out that “the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Medical Association and the National Academy of Sciences have all unreserved- ly backed GM[O] crops. The U.S. Food and Drug Admin- istration, along with its coun- terparts in several other coun- tries, has repeatedly reviewed large bodies of research and concluded that GM crops pose no unique health threats. Doz- ens of review studies carried out by academic researchers have backed that view.” The article also quotes David Zilberman, a U.C. Berkeley agricultural and en- vironmental economist, point- ing out that he is “one of the few researchers considered credible by both agricultural chemical companies and their critics. Zilberman argues that the benefits of crops greatly outweigh the health risks, which so far remain theoretical. The use of GM crops ‘has lowered the price of food. It has increased farmer safety by allowing them to use less pesticide. It has raised the output of corn, cotton and soy by 20 to 30 percent, allowing some people to survive who would not have without it.’” The article does point out that, “Many moderate voices call for continuing the dis- tribution of GM foods while maintaining or even stepping up safety testing on new GM crops.” And it quotes Greg Jaffee of the Center for Sci- ence in the Public Interest, who says that all crops could use more testing. “We should be doing a better job with food oversight altogether.” The GMO question is un- deniably a complex one, and this short letter of mine cannot address all of the issues that merit impartial and thoughtful examination. The full text of the Scientific American article can easily be found online, for those who would like to check it out for themselves. And should McGee Rasch desire, I would be most happy to point her toward some other respect- ed – and balanced -- sources of information. Sincerely, Anita R. Savio Cave Junction Reader asks who will win Most people I know be- lieve in basic fairness. Bully- ing and using brute strength to overcome what is decent and true, makes most folks angry. Our tendency to root for the underdog comes from our history as an upstart nation that won its independence from the rule of the distant but power- ful British. The British had the huge advantages of money, an infrastructure for control, and the most powerful military on earth. Colonists had to cobble together their resistance to an unfair system of outside domi- nation, which included the imposition of monopoly by one of the first multi national corporations over an important part of Americans’ diets, tea. There are many paral- lels with our local contest over Measure17-58. A small group of local volunteers drafted the measure to protect their own food choices and champion lo- cal control. They are defend- ing their farming and garden- ing neighbors from the attempt of greedy corporations to im- pose an effective monopoly, using corporate muscle: armies of lawyers to sue farmers, vast money for campaigns of mis- information, and encroaching techniques to contaminate lo- cal competitors. The wider implications of Monsanto, Syngenta, and other giants gaining control of the world’s food supply are frightening; more herbicides, more super bugs and super weeds, less seed saving and more farmers being sued by these multi-national bullies. Josephine county volun- teers have designed a system that has proven in other coun- ties to have no enforcement costs. They finance their cam- paign for basic justice by pass- ing the hat. Who will win, local vol- unteers and farmers or cor- porate bullies? You’ll decide when you vote. Barry Snitkin Cave Junction Reader gives his two cents Often elections are de- cided by voters that do not follow the news everyday & frequently depend on sources such as Bill Maher, David Let- terman, & other dedicated lib- eral/progressives in the major media. Many folks carry over prejudices from their parents or far left teachers as well as college instructors. (90 percent of which are liberal/progres- sives) It’s ironic that many of the “finer” niversities where a free exchange of ideas, views, & experiences have leftists student groups and instructors that demonstrate if a speaker is a conservative, especially if the speaker is a women or a black or the worse of all worlds for the left, a black woman. Per- haps the left are afraid of open minded students being drawn from their sphere of influ- ence toward the conservative principles of free speech and debate. Haven’t we been told over and over that Democrats/ liberals/progressives are the “Party of tolerance”? These low information voters & shallow thinkers are further handicapped in their decision making in the vot- ing booth by the major media, which the past couple of de- cades or so act as a megaphone to carry far left messages from their liberal/progressive friends. Of course if the news is unfavorable to Obama or other leftists, they simply don’t cover it in their news because they don’t want people voting against their favored ones. Examples: l. When Mitt Romney debated Obama and said in answer to a mod- erators question that a major geopolitical problem in the future would be with Russia. Obama scoffed at that answer saying the Cold War was over years ago. Of course today our major geopolitical prob- lem IS RUSSIA, demonstrat- ing a good executive is way ahead of most of us in their analysis rather than “leading from behind”. 2. Fast & Fu- rious is the name of a failed program under cry baby Gen- eral Holder AG which allowed a couple thousand weapons to be smuggled to the cartels in Mexico which resulted in the killing of a U.S. agent, Brian Terry. Several hundred Mexi- cans have been killed by these weapons as well. Obama de- clared “executive privilege” to prevent investigation into this terrible idea, and our major media says nothing because it reflects bad presidential deci- sions. 3. Benghazi is the name of a city in Libya where we lost Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans in an attack on our consulate even though for months Stevens had requested more security. Our Secretary of State failed to respond, resulting in the deaths. Again the major media is largely absent. Greg Anderson, Cave Junction, OR Reader discusses GMO’s There has been much discussion by the opposition to measure 17-58, stating that it will cost the county large amounts of money should it pass. First, there is zero evi- dence that this is true; in fact, since GMO crops can only be grown with a contract, the odds of someone growing them ille- gally are nil. Other West Coast counties with similar ordi- nances have incurred minimal costs. But of perhaps greater importance, the economic benefits of having a O free zone for our farmers is huge. GMOs are not saleable in many markets, both in the US and abroad, and farms that can provide proven non-GMO crops, feed and seeds will have an advantage. For example, Marin County in California has a similar ordinance and their agricultural revenues have gone up by 700% in the past decade. In the words of an administrative aide there, “If you’re thinking about eco- nomic development, it (GMO ban) has been a lifesaver. It’s been critical in sustaining our agricultural industry.” Our farmers will be able to grow high value crops in our county and to continue developing our valley nation- wide as a premier vegetable seed growing region, provid- ing local jobs and contribut- ing to our local economy. New farmers will be drawn to this area, knowing their crops will not be tainted by GMOs. The long-term economic benefits of keeping our farm- land GMO-free will be im- mense. We owe it to our farms, our children and our commu- nity to stand up and vote YES on measure 17-58. Vince Alionis Grants Pass, Reader says yes to levy Two years ago I moved from western Nebraska to Grants Pass with my husband and three boys. On a personal level, adjusting to this new community has not been as easy as I planned, but I per- severe in looking at the good things that Grants Pass and Southern Oregon has to offer, like its pleasant weather and inviting outdoors. But the one thing that continues to concern me is the lack of funding for county emergency and safety services. It is promising to see the Josephine County Jail and Ju- venile Justice levy back on the ballot, this time by citizens de- termined to make our commu- nity safe while keeping public concerns about responsible spending in mind. The levy will cost $1.19 per $1,000 of property assessed value, which is half of a market value. It is a five year levy that can be extended only with a vote of the people, and funds raised by the levy are restricted un- der Oregon law to be used for jail/juvenile justice services only. Under these safeguards, we will benefit from the levy increasing the number of jail beds and re-opening the juve- nile justice center to treat/de- tain/shelter juveniles. And, it will increase patrols on our roads: If the levy passes, county funding currently used for reduced jail services will be re-directed to increase the Sheriff’s patrol. Please join me in bring- ing security back to Josephine County and vote yes on propo- sition 17-59. Kerry Michele-Buller Grants Pass Obituaries Bob Armstrong, 76 , of Cave Junction, died Sunday, April 13, 2014 at his home. No services are planned. Illi- nois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Bob was born January 24, 1938 in Beaumont, California. For 53 years he worked as an aircraft me- chanic for Alaskan Airlines. In 2002 he moved from Anchorage, Alaska to Cave Junction. Bob especially enjoyed design- ing and building small-scale replica models of ships from simply observ- ing ships during his travels. Survivors include his wife, Pa- tricia Armstrong of Cave Junction, Oregon; two daughters, Deborah Al- len of Fontana, California and Sheri Hitchcock of Cave Junction, Oregon; six grandchildren; and 13 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Reva Hayes in 2012. I LLINOIS V ALLEY F UNERAL D IRECTORS WWW.SINCE1928HULL.COM Save The Date April 24 Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce Meeting will be held April 24, at 12 noon. Come join our guest speaker IV Fire Chief Den- nis Hoke. ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS and guests are invited Wild River Brewery and Pizza Company. April 25 Upcoming blood donation opportu- nity in Cave Junction: Thursday, April 24: 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 East River St., Cave Junction April 25 and 26 The 2014 Gem & Mineral Show will be held at the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass: 9 – 5 p.m. April 25 and 26 and 9 – 4 p.m. April 27; with free admission for chil- dren 11 and under. Free admission for adults Friday and $1 Sat. and Sun.. The event also features a silent auction, demonstrations, kids games, door prizes and a snack bar. April 26 The Pregnancy Center Tea Event that was Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2014, has been cancelled. April 26 Lorna Byrne Middle School Yard & Bake Sale Fund-raiser Saturday, April 26 @ Lorna Byrne Middle School 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Rain or Shine. We are accepting donations for the yard sale Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at A+ Storage in Cave Junc- tion. To arrange Saturday pick up or drop off please contact Heather McLanahan 541-450- 0946. All funds raised will go toward the 8th grade moving up ceremony and field trip. *Items accepted- gently worn clothing, books, toys & games, furniture (please call ahead if donating big/heavy furniture) home décor & art work, small household appliances & electronics, dvds & cds, collectibles. *Please no large appliances, mattresses or box springs, bedding or broken items. April 26 Rusk Ranch Nature Center (RRNC) will sponsor a free workshop 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Josephine County Building, corner of Lister and 199. Learn about Monarch But- terflies and how to make milkweed seed balls from Tom Landis, US Forest Service (retired). 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 - $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. 541-592-4110 Landis is dedicated to using his nursery train- ing to propagate milkweeds and nectar plants to bring monarchs back to the Rogue Valley. RR C also has flats of local milkweed starts for non-spray properties, $10 suggested donation to support the utterfly Flyway Pro ect. Call 41 287-2164. RRNC will be open 10 to 5 Tuesday – Sunday, May 24 through November. May 3 Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce An- nual Awards Meeting and Auction will be held Saturday, May 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Wild River Brewing and Pizza. Its Derby Day so wear your big hats and come celebrate our Business and Citizen of the year. May 5 The Josephine County Board of Commis- sioners will be hosting a Town Hall Community meeting on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in the Illinois Valley. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. Cave Junction County Building, 102 South Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, Oregon. All County residents are invited to attend. May 10 Bridgeview Winery presents “The Bistro at Bridgeview” 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The fundraiser for the 2014 IVHS Safe and So- ber Grad Night will include live entertainment, a silent auction and gourmet dinner of pork roast (donated by Taylors), au gratin potatoes (donated by McGrews), green salad and des- sert. Vegetarian entrée also available. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 for two, available at IVHS, Taylor’s Country Store and First Com- munity Credit Union. Sponsored in part by the Jo. Co. Local Alcohol and Drug Planning Com- mittee. May 10 Cave Junction Lions Club Saturday, May 10th will host its annual Mommy’s Day Bingo event. Doors open at 5 p.m. First game at 6 p.m. 50/50 Drawing, Door Prize for Mommys, Special game: Last person standing; Dobbers for sale, or bring your dobbers. Snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase. For more information: call Cori at 541- 592-4301. IV Senior Center, 520 E. River St. Cave Junction. 50¢ Cards, Half Cash Payout, 15 Game Program. 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.
