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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, October 1, 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 The latter need not
be published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The “News”
reserves the right to edit letters. Letters are used at the discretion of
the publisher.
***
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements
made as fact are strictly those of the letter writers.)
Reader not sure about Art
Hi, my name is James Kaiser. I’ve lived in this valley
for over 14 years. I am a farmer and I sell fresh, clean, local
produce, non-GMO, at our local totally awesome community
empowering event; the Cave Junction Farmer’s Market.
I just want to open a discussion concerning Art Robin-
son, who is running for Congress for Oregon’s Fourth District.
That’s from here to Eugene, and he is a Cave Junction resident,
I hear. It seems most everyone must know who Art Robinson is,
since there are so many billboards and signs folks have pro-
claiming they “like” you Art and that you’re their “friend.”
But I believe most of you folks would be alarmed if you
knew where Art stood on the issues. I see the obvious major
issues in Southern Oregon by knowing our last ballot measures
and results and most certainly by the upcoming November elec-
tion. The measures that we the people petitioned for, signed
and voted for according to the democratic process, if ever there
was one, were GMO’s, Marijuana and applying pesticides upon
our public lands and watersheds from which many of us get our
drinking water. Interestingly, those seem to be prevalent issues
across the country.
So, Art, where do you stand on those issues? I could
not possibly vote for you until this is clear. I’ve done some
research, but I’m not finding the answers. Can anyone tell me?
I know one thing, you can find a lot more about Art on
Peter DeFazio’s site than on Art’s. In his own words, mostly.
See, Art, I fear that your true opinion on these matters is actu-
ally against public interest, as well as our safety, well-being and
sovereignty.
I mean, as far as our drinking water is concerned, accord-
ing to your April 2006 newsletter, “Access to Energy”, you
lament that “It is unfortunate that this water under San Onofre
is being wasted. If we could use it to enhance our own drink-
ing water here in Oregon where background levels are too low,
it would hermetically enhance our resistance to degenerative
diseases.”
See, in 2006, the groundwater beneath San Onofre nuclear
power plant, now closed, tested 16 times the allowable levels
for radiation. And so, Art, among many other insane ideas,
wants to dump nuclear, toxic waste into our drinking water.
Is this how you’re going to “put Oregon first, Art?” Sounds
like a terrorist’s fantasy to me. I feel threatened. Is this what
everyone “likes” about you? I don’t know about everyone else,
but I’m not into being your “hermetic guinea pig.” Sounds to
me like you want to Fukushima Oregon next. Somebody call
Homeland Security, please. Is this the “change” we’re after?
Now, Art, one can find tons of information about you and
way more rhetoric by you thanks to the world wide web. Just
Google “Art Robinson.” In fifteen minutes, even I was able
to conclude from the piles of evidence (most in a self-incrimi-
nating form), Art, that you are highly suspect of being rac-
ist, homophobic, and against Women’s Rights. Also, you are
most definitely pro-resource extraction without regulation, or
environmental accountability. You call all commonwealth type
services like public schooling, Medicare, Veteran’s Benefits,
and libraries socialist and therefore should be abolished. Art,
I say, if we’re not paying taxes for public welfare, then what
should we be paying taxes for? War? Corporate subsidies and
prisons?
Now, Art, I have my doubts that you’ll do anything like
answer my questions pertaining to these issues, or any oth-
ers anymore than you’ll be endorsing a GMO-Free Josephine
County. I can’t overcome a sense that you consider yourself
above us, like on the Rachel Maddow Show, claiming greater
intelligence, and that you can create jobs. What jobs? Mari-
juana creates a thousand times more jobs. What’s your opinion
on that, Art?
Here’s one last quote from you, Art Robinson, to consider
before we vote. “People who have been cut off at the knees by
public education are so mentally handicapped that they cannot
be custodians of advanced accomplishments of civilization.
These ignorant people vote, and their votes are destroying our
way of life. Can this problem be corrected? Yes. Can it be
corrected by improving public schools? No, only by abolishing
them.”
James Kaiser
O’Brien, Oregon
Reader says no mine
I would like to voice my opposition to the nickel strip
mines that are threatening the clean water of some beautiful
rivers nearby. Will these multi-national corps stay around and
cleanup after they loot these salmon streams? Is cleanup even
possible? We need an economy focused on sustainable pro-
duction not unsustainable destruction. I value my ecosystems
intact, not in a 1%ers pocket in a far off land.
Joe Ninnemann
Cave Junction
Yet another reader says no to nickle
My name is Eric Guinther and I am writing this letter in
response to the ongoing mining plan on the Rough and Ready
watershed and Kalmiopsis Wilderness area. I believe as do
many concerned neighbors, this is one of the most pristine of
natural areas. I would hate to look back at the later part of my
life and think there could have been more we should have done
to prevent the destruction of this area. Thank you!
Eric Guinther
Gasquet,CA
Obituaries
Gerald “Jerry” Earnest
Sommers was born on February 22, 1939
in Arkansas City, Kansas. While he lived there,
he worked in oil fields and then moved to
California at the age of seventeen. He owned
and operated an auto-mechanic shop and gas
station. He married Janice in 1962 and they had
three daughters, Laurie, Rebecca and Jacque.
They moved to Oregon in 1973 and he opened
an auto-mechanic shop in Cave Junction, Jerry’s
Auto Repair & Towing.
Jerry was a member of the Masons and also
a member of the Lion’s Club since 1975, where
he founded the Cave Junction Tuff Trucks. He
was an avid bowler, loved motorcycle riding,
fishing and hunting. He went to many auctions
with his granddaughter, Mahkayla. He enjoyed
coaching his grandson Jesse and the wrestling
team and was a passionate sports fan. The Bron-
cos were his favorite football team. He liked to
go to breakfast with his buddies. He also loved
ranching, working on his property and was a
fan of Louis L’Amour.
Jerry helped out a lot of people and truly
enjoyed doing so. He dearly loved his grand-
children, Jesse, Mahkayla and Gracie. He was
an outstanding husband, father and grandfather
who worked very hard to take care of his fam-
ily and supported all of their endeavors such as
4-H, FFA and all of the sports that they partici-
pated in.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Janice,
daughters Laurie, Rebecca and Jacque, son in-
law, Ken, grandchildren, Jesse, Mahkayla and
Gracie.
Jerry was genuinely a unique, one-of-a-
kind, spirited soul who was very well known
and will be forever missed by all who knew
him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the
Lions Clubhouse (located at the Illinois Valley
Airport) Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 1 p.m. a
potluck. If you would like to bring a dish, please
call Joy at 541-660-3649. In leiu of flowers
please make donatios to the IV Wrestling Club.
Darlene Ness, age 88, of Grants
Pass, died Friday, September 19, 2014 at Norris
Adult Foster Home.
Private services will be held. Illinois Val-
ley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrange-
ments.
Memorial donations may be made to Par-
kinsons.
Darlene was born December 27, 1925 in
Mitchell, South Dakota to Fred & Celia Maresh.
She graduated from high school as valedicto-
rian and was a Mensa member. During World
War II she packed food for soldiers while living
in San Luis Obispo, California. She met Sonny
Ness through her brother who was Sonny’s best
friend. On September 8, 1943 in Berkeley, Cali-
fornia she married Sonny as he was transferring
from Europe to Japan and she lived with rela-
tives while Sonny served in the United States
Army Air Corps. After the war, they settled in
Illinois first in Wauconda for a year, then Pala-
tine for five years and Batavia on a farm for five
years. 1957 they moved to Casa Grande, Ari-
zona where they owned and operated a motel
for two years. They then lived in Phoenix for
a short time before moving to Chico, California
for two years and Los Molinos, California on
their large farm for nine years. From 1971 to
2001 they lived in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2001
the couple designed and built an extremely en-
ergy efficient concrete and styrofoam home in
O’Brien, Oregon and then in 2012 they moved
to Grants Pass. Darlene taught all her children
to cook, sew and garden before they could date.
They took a photo of every state capitol except
Hawaii.
Survivors include her husband, Sonny
Ness of Grants Pass, Oregon; four daughters,
Linda June Ness of Scottsdale, Arizona; Kath-
leen Y. Lombardo of O’Brien, Oregon; Vicki
Brady of Benbrook, Texas, and Glenna Green
of McMinnville, Oregon; a son, Tom Ness of
Grants Pass, Oregon; a brother, Richard Maresh
of Fullerton, California; 12 grandchildren; sev-
en great-grandchildren; and three great-great-
grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a grandson,
Robert Denlis in 2008.
Mildred ‘Millie’ E. (DeGray)
(Keyes) Chadderton, age 83 , of
Cave Junction, died peacefully on Saturday,
September 20 in her home.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Sat-
urday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. at the Illinois
Valley Senior Center at 520 E River St in Cave
Junction. Friends and family are invited to bring
something for a potluck.
Millie was born May 18, 1931 in Worces-
ter, MA. She attended Commerce HS in Spring-
field, MA before moving to San Diego where
she studied and became an LPN. She moved to
Cave Junction in 1976. She was a talented art-
ist who worked for many local businesses de-
signing their logos and signage. Her calligraphy
was incredibly beautiful. Many will remember
her delightful store window designs she painted
for the holidays, and the billboard welcoming
people to Cave Junction. She worked in the vis-
itor center for many years and retired from the
forest service at the age of 65. An avid gardener
and outdoor enthusiast, her favorite art subjects
were birds, trees and flowers. You could take a
walk with her but be prepared to stop every ten
feet to inspect every rock, flower and twig.
Millie was always the life of the party
(especially for Halloween) and could be found
regularly playing pool at the senior center with
her many friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents,
Ina and Earl DeGray, her brother Robert, her
son Tommy, and longtime partner Harold.
She is survived by her 3 sisters, Doty, Ter-
ry and Mickey, her brother Frank, her daugh-
ters Diana and Eileen, her son Larry, her twin
grandsons Isaiah and Jeremiah, and her many
nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews,
and cousins, all of whom will miss her greatly.
I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors
www.sinCe1928Hull.Com
Save
The
Date
Oct. 1
Oct. 3
IVHS Boys JV Soc-
cer game, Away vs. Ash-
land High School at 4 p.m.,
IVHS Girls Varsity Soccer
game Away vs. Rogue River
High School at 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 2
IVHS Boys JV Soc-
cer game at Home vs. Milo
Academy at 4:30 p.m.,
IVHS Girls JV Volleyball
game at Home vs. Prospect
at 5 p.m.
Evergreen Elementa-
ry Open House from 5 – 7
p.m.
Oct. 3
IVHS Boys JV Foot-
ball game at Home vs. Fall
River at 4 p.m., IVHS Boys
Varsity Football game at
Home vs. Fall River at 7
p.m.
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
W.H. Alltheway, LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
Young Master Garden-
ers will meet Friday, Oct 3
at the Illinois Valley branch
of the library at 2:30 p.m.
We will be investigating
how plants use water and
how we can conserve water
in our gardens. This pro-
gram is free and designed
for 5-12 year olds, although
younger siblings are wel-
come. There will be several
hands on learning centers
for the young gardeners to
explore and learn. This is
the first session of the pro-
gram for this school year,
we will meet the first Friday
of each month through June
so mark your calendars!
Oct. 4
IVHS Cross Country
Varsity Away vs. Ashland
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
541-592-4110
For more listings go to www.ivcalendar.org
at Lithia Park, IVHS Girls
Soccer game at Home vs.
St. Mary’s at 10 a.m., IVHS
Boys JV Soccer game Away
vs. Crater at Anhorn Field at
4 p.m.
Oct. 9
Taco Night, 5-7 p.m. St.
Matthias Episcopal Church,
25904 Redwood Hwy., CJ,
Donations go to benefit the
Harvest Kitchen.
Oct. 9
“The Human Experi-
ment,” a documentary pro-
duced and narrated by Sean
Penn, will be presented
free of charge at the Grants
Pass H.S. Performing Arts
Center. Doors open at 6:30
p.m. The film will screen at
7 p.m. and an expert panel
will offer a Q & A session
at 8:30 p.m. Guest Evan G.
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.
Vallianatos, author of Poi-
son Spring – The Secret
History of Pollution and
the EPA will discuss the
“...thousands of untested
chemicals in our everyday
products, our homes and
inside of us.” Vallianatos
states, “The EPA, an agen-
cy Americans have naively
trusted, has betrayed its
mission.” The evening will
also feature music by Carol
Valentine and is sponsored
by the Freedom from Pes-
ticide Alliance and the Sis-
kiyou FilmFest. Donations
welcomed. Call 541-592-
2693 for carpooling or fur-
ther information.
Oct. 11
Harvest Moon Hoedown,
Barn Dance & Variety Show
presented by IRVAC at the
Selma Community & Edu-
cation Center, 18255 Red-
wood Hwy., Selma, 5-10
p.m. Admission $10, $5 for
ages 8-18, 3-5 p.m. Outdoor
Jam session, 5 p.m. Doors
open, 5:30 p.m. I.V. String
Band, 6:30 p.m. The Anto-
nucci Collective, 7:30 p.m.
Square dancing with John
Luna (will teach dances),
Quilt Show, 50/50 raffle &
Pie Auction.
Oct. 13 & 14
Youth Wrestling sign
ups: October 13 & 14 from
5 - 7 p.m. at I.V. High
School for ages 5 years and
up. Fee: 1 kid-$100, more
than 1 kid - $75 each. Par-
ent involvement in fundrais-
ing is required. We are not
a school funded sport. Par-
ents are responsible for get-
ting wrestling shoes. Please
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
laura@illinois-valley-news.com
DEADLINES:
News, Classified and
Display Ads, Announce-
ments and Letters
4 P.M. FRIDAYS
bring back any warm-ups,
singlets, and donated shoes
from last season.
Oct. 28
Rogue Community College,
in partnership with Col-
lege Dreams, are excited
to announce the 7th annual
“College Night in Oregon”
(CNO) events on Tuesday,
October 28, 2014. CNO
presents a unique opportu-
nity for us as educators to
promote post-high school
attendance at any college, to
Rogue Valley High School
seniors and juniors. Attend-
ees will learn much needed
information about admis-
sions, financial aid, and
scholarships to assist them
(and their parents) in mak-
ing that all-important transi-
tion to higher education.
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.