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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 5, 2014)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, November 5, 2014 Life in the Valley of Riches By DAN MANCUSO, Publisher Over the past few weeks, we have lost two IV Lions who were active members of our community. It took some time for me to grow on Lew Lyons. I would see him at Carlos’s and his drink would be in the same spot at the corner and he was either in the restroom or maybe checking his luck on the machines. I would tease him that Sherry said I could move his drink and that Lew wouldn’t mind. He would look at me with that no-nonsense look and tone that only Lew can do and say, “Now, what in the heck would make you think that?” Over the years I think I wore him down and we had plenty of great chats about life. When Bonnie died, part of Lew did as well. Our visits diminished to a rare occasion as he was failing in his own health. I will miss his gruff, yet friendly manner. Now, Jerry Sommers, on the other hand was a creature all to himself. He was Jerry, plain and simple. Jerry knew how to get things done. I love a good auction and in certain circles Jerry was the go-to-guy for auctioneer. The problem was, I had a heck of a time hearing him. I would end up buying things that I thought were other items, except for the wine, I al- ways knew when I was bidding on that. Jerry was everywhere doing everything for this com- munity through the Lions Club and many folks will miss him. The last time I saw Jerry was at the park. He had been working all day the Tuesday following the Labor Day Fes- tival. He was sore and dead tired, and he was still there working. To me, that says a lot about one’s character. So, to the Lyons and Sommers families, while you have suffered a great loss in your family, you are not alone, the community has also lost two good men. On a separate note, the IVHS football team will be heading up to Dayton for its second playoff appearance in as many years. Go Cougs! Thank you for picking up this week’s paper, enjoy! ~ djm 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 The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity.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.) Walker Recall Effort Falls Short – Or Does It? An October 1st article by An- nette Rasch “Walker Recall Ef- fort Falls Short”, quoted numbers from Josephine County Clerk Art Harvey and gave a lot of weight to Cherryl Walker’s point of view. The state required statistical sam- pling system, mentioned in this article, only looks at a fraction of the submitted signatures. Ten percent of the total signatures are sampled and verified. The signa- tures determined to be valid are used in statistical formulas to esti- mate the total number of valid sig- natures. If these formulas indicate that there are not enough valid signatures, another 10% plus one signature are sampled and veri- fied. The valid signatures in this sample are combined with the valid signatures of the first sample and, once again, used in statisti- cal formulas to estimate the total number of valid signatures. If this estimate does not contain the re- quired number of valid signatures, and you cannot submit additional signatures before the filing dead- line, the petition does not qualify for the ballot. What does this mean? It means that estimates based on 20% of the total collected signatures can disqualify the petition without validating the remaining 80% of signatures. Conversely, a petition can qualify for the ballot based on the first 10% sampling, without the validation of the remaining 90%. Like it or not, that’s the way the system works. The bottom line is, Cherryl Walker dodged a recall at this elec- tion based on nothing more than a statistically based estimate. Ac- cording to Art Harvey, the failure was due largely to unregistered voters. It may be unprecedented to have an elected official so un- popular that people unwilling to exercise their right to vote, sign petitions to have her recalled. Some of the statements that Ms. Rasch quoted from Cherryl Walker are indicative of an indi- vidual in a complete state of denial with the all too familiar inability, or refusal, to accept responsibil- ity for one’s own actions. Cherryl Walker supported, promoted and voted in favor of the solid waste ordinances. Commissioner Keith Heck also voted in favor of these ordinances. With an administra- tive action, these two individuals overturned the ordinances pre- viously adopted by the public. They did not refer these new ordi- nances to the public. That had to be achieved through the initiative process. Once guaranteed a spot on the ballot, came the refusal to print a voter’s pamphlet. It appeared that they did not want voters to be able to read about the ordinances. Not until former commissioner Sandi Cassanelli publicly offered $10,000 toward publication of a pamphlet, did the current com- missioners begrudgingly decide to (or were shamed into) having a pamphlet printed. Walker supporters want us to believe that it was all Simon Hare’s fault for bringing these ordinances to the table initially. This appears to be an excuse for, or perhaps a denial of, Walker’s subsequent ac- tions. In other words, “It’s all his fault. He made me do it!” While it is obvious to me that Simon Hare was in favor of the ordinances, it is hard to fault him for the other commissioners’ actions. Cherryl Walker’s behavior at public meetings is, well, public - and recorded - as well it should be. It is a matter of record how people that disagree with her, and speak out at public meetings, are labeled as purveyors of misinformation, liars and disruptive influences. At times, they are even silenced by her at these meetings for their op- posing view(s). Any public official, regardless of their job performance, has some loyal supporters. Whether it is a political party or a local official, loyal supporters tend to overlook wrongdoing by their candidate, regardless of how egregious. Yet, they will condemn another for the same actions. I am certainly not singling out Cherryl Walker. Each of our three commissioners, through their own individual actions, deserves a spot on a recall ballot. Unfortunately, the public will not have that op- tion, at least at this election. Ray Smith Cave Junction Obituaries Lewis M. Lyons of Cave Junction, passed away at home on October 21, 2014 at the age of 87. Lew and and his wife Bonnie moved to Cave Junction in 1991 after attending nu- merous “Sub Station North” Reunions with other retired Long Beach Police retirees. At age 16, he started working in the Long Beach Naval Shipyards, then McDonnell Douglas before being hired by the Long Beach Police Department. Lew retired as a Sergeant from the Department after 28 years of service. He served in the Army and Air Force, WW2, and the Korean War. He was also a proud member of the Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge and the IV Lions Club. His hobbies included camping and dirt bike riding with his son Steve in his earlier years and restoring and building Volkswagens after retirement. He loved to travel and made many trips to Mazatlan Mexico with his daughters and retired LBPD friends. He enjoyed playing poker at the Senior Center and being in the company of his friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie of 60 years, who passed in 2012. He is survived by his son Steve (wife Terri), and daughters Laurie and Sally. He also leaves behind three grandsons and five great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 9, 2014 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the IV Lions Clubhouse, Airport Drive in Cave Junction. In lieu of flowers, donations to any Animal Rescue Organization is desired. Lew and Bonnie Lyons I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com Save The Date Nov. 5 & 6 Lorna Byrne Middle School will hold Parent/ Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 4:15 to 8 p.m. and Thurs- day, Nov. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please attend to obtain your student’s progress report and discuss your child’s academic prog- ress. Any questions, phone LBMS at 541-592-2163. Nov. 5 & 6 IVHS Evening Confer- ences, Nov. 5, 4 – 8 p.m. IVHS Conferences Nov. 6, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. No Classes for stu- dents. Young Master Gar- deners will meet at the C.J. Library this Friday, Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. to investi- gate trees and all their uses. Children 5-12 years old are invited to attend this free event, younger siblings are welcome with parental su- pervision. Nov. 7 & 8 Illinois Valley Senior Center, Christmas Bazaar 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 520 E. River St., 30 booths, kichen open, lunch can be purchased and a bake sale available. Nov. 8 IVHS Mathletes, 7:30 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. at N. Med- ford High School Nov. 7 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 258-820 541-592-4110 For more listings go to www.ivcalendar.org Nov. 8 Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. is the “Clothes Giveaway” at Takilma Bible Church, 10343 Takilma Rd. 11:30 a.m. – Deer Creek Cemetery, Lakeshore St., Selma and 1 p.m. -Senior Center, 520 E. River St. Nov. 14 Nov. 9 A Celebration of Life for Lew Lyons will be held on November 9, 2014 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the IV Lions Clubhouse, Airport Drive in Cave Junction. In lieu of flowers, donations to any Animal Rescue Organi- zation is desired. “The Cave Junction Li- ons Club will be holding their 12th annual, “Turkey Bingo” on Friday, Novem- ber 14. They will be at the Senior Center on River St. in Cave Junction. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 6 p.m.” Nov. 15 Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day Post 70, American Le- gion, Cave Junction 10 a.m. – City Hall, 222 W. Lister St.; 10:30 a.m. – WWI Flag Pole, 435 Junc- tion Ave.; 11 a.m. –Laurel Cemetery, 1090 Laurel Rd.; 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. The Spiral Living Cen- ter will present a delicious Local Foods Dinner, a silent auction, music and theatri- cal entertainment, Saturday, November 15, at the Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 East River Street. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Pro- ceeds from this event will allow Spiral Living Center to continue to offer free and low-cost programs and proj- ects such as the IV Farm and Garden Festival, skill-share events, bicycle repair, and gleaned food donations to people in the Illinois Valley. The dinner feast consists of many courses of locally grown, harvested or gath- ered food. Advance Tickets are available for $15 each or 2 for $25, or you may pur- chase unsold tickets at the door if available. Contact SLC Director Debbie Lukas (541) 592-3386. Nov. 20 Taste of the IV/Novem- berfest, Hosted by Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co., 249 N. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, $35 per per- 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 son, Includes a fun Novem- berfest dinner and drink, this is a fundraiser that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs. For tickets please contact Cyndi Spencer at 541-337-7949. Dec. 5 IV Chamber Mix- er/Auction at Wild River Brewery Friday, Dec. 5 from 5-9 p.m.. This will be a no host pizza with beer and wine tasting donated by Wild River and Bridgeview Winery. Ongoing Cub Scouting, Pack 880, Grades 1-5, Call Larry Hammersmith, 541-592- 3919 or George Nadow, 541-592-6771. 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.
