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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2016)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 11, 2016 What we think: an editorial from the Illinois Valley News County Commissioner Position 2 aspirant, Dale Matthews, appears to exemplify Winston Churchill’s famous quote about Russia being “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” In his Candidate Statement, and unlike his competitors, Matthews’ occupational background sounds suspiciously vague. With one exception, he does not identify a single employer by name. As a man who questions government, he seems to have a strong aversion to being questioned himself. All appeals by the Illinois Valley News to Matthews for specifics about his background have been met by stonewalling. But for what should be of greater concern to voters is Matthews’ financial history. Matthews advertises himself as a fiscal conservative who will save our county from financial mismanagement. Yet the Illinois Valley News has uncovered a history of unpaid judgments and liens against him totaling $94,992. (No, that’s not a misplaced comma.) According to Montgomery County Maryland, and Josephine County Circuit Court documents, Dale Matthews owes almost $100,000 in unpaid credit cards, student debt and income taxes. Of that debt, he incurred $78,138 while residing in Maryland in the 1990s. That total represents unpaid Maryland income tax, unpaid federal income tax to the tune of more than $57,000 and an amount owed to American University. Since Matthew claims he has never had a student loan, this may represent unpaid tuition. In 2005, American University was able to track Matthews down to Oregon and filed a garnishment against his wages at his employment at the time, with the Albertsons grocery chain. Matthews has yet to satisfy even a portion of the American University judgment, which suggests he left his Albertsons’ job shortly after the garnishment was put in place. Once in Oregon, Matthews’ personal money mismanagement did not end. In 2009 Capital One won a $9,092 judgment against him, and in 2009 a collection agency won a $7,763 judgment against him for credit card debt owed to U.S.Bank. Matthews is known locally for his videotaping of county commissioner meetings, and his nightly YouTube broadcasts, in which he excoriates the county “establishment.” But it is not known how he supports himself financially. Since 2005, Matthews has not been a salaried employee anywhere, to the best of our knowledge. Matthews’ father, now deceased, patented a new mining method, and we surmise that the son is living off the invention royalties. However that remains a question mark. Matthews has stated publicly that, should he win election as a commissioner, he will only take $30,000 of his commissioner’s salary of more than $70,000 and donate the rest to charity. More likely, once he starts receiving a wage, his debtors will swiftly move to garnish it. Matthews will be lucky if he is left with the $30,000. And the “charities” to which he donates will be credit card companies, Uncle Sam, the state of Maryland and, perhaps finally, American University. To sum it up, the Illinois Valley News has serious concerns with a man that runs on a no new taxes, fiscal conservative and transparency platform when in his personal life he is neither fiscally conservative or transparent. But to give him credit, when he says no to taxes, he means it. Illinois Valley News 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’ encour- ages 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 com- mentary, including statements made as fact are strictly those of the letter writers.) Reader questions Trump We are writing about the alarming popularity of Donald Trump. Those impressed with his riches should be aware that he has been bailed out financially by his father more than once. Those impressed with his arrogant self- assurance should consider that it only benefits those who happen to be on his side at the time. He feels entitled to do anything he wants, including offering to pay the legal costs of thugs beating up protesters at his rallies. Ask a history teacher if this rings a bell. Hitler used this tactic with the paramilitary wing of the Nazi party, the Sturmabteilung, to eliminate open discussion and freedom of speech. Research “tactics used by Hitler in his rise to power.” With Trump’s “we” versus “they” policy, remember Hitler started with Gypsies and homosexuals (to use the terminology of his day) before going after the Jews. (Think “immigrants,” “transsexuals,” “Muslims” - and anyone else currently perceived as a threat.) The list of threats and priorities is a moving target, as Trump’s alliances and priorities change with the weather, as do his fiscal priorities. We may be blind to the fascist parallel, but we do not have the long collective memory of countries plagued by war. There were few if any families in Europe who were not impacted by World War II. Stories told by parents and grandparents who lived through extremely difficult times, and lived to tell what happened on their doorsteps, would be burned into the collective memory. For us, it was half a world away. It is easier to think that it couldn’t happen to us. Before deciding who to vote for, let’s ask ourselves- does Trump demonstrate a great intellect? knowledge of political structure or constitutional powers or division of powers? economic characteristics of a good economy? tax structure? natural resources and their limitations? international law? international medical issues? effects of climate change? Does he have the humility necessary to employ intelligent advisors? Trump’s willfulness and lack of self-control borders on childishness, and I don’t want to think about WWIII starting because Trump insults Vladimir Putin’s manhood, or vice versa. It’s not just liberals who don’t support Trump; consider the arguments of conservatives and Libertarians who oppose him: http://www.nationalreview. com/article/430126/donald- trump-conservatives-oppose- nomination. Does he have charisma? Undoubtedly. But his loyalty is not constant. Let’s not hand ourselves into the power of an unpredictable megalomaniac. Susan Gustafson and Melissa Gustafson Cave Junction Reader says Vote yes on 17-69 We have an unusual opportunity to help create real living wage jobs right here at home. Rouge Community College has placed on the ballot a funding measure to build, remodel, update and equip areas of the career and technical training programs at all four RCC locations (Grants Pass, Medford, Table Rock and Kerby). Not one dime of this money will go to faculty or staff salaries or additional positions. All of it will go towards creating new facilities which will be in our community for decades to come to train generation after generation in fields where they can earn family wage jobs, sometimes in as little as 9 months. RCC has been carefully monitoring the success graduates from these career and technical training programs are having in the work force, and the results are very impressive to say the least. In 2014, for example, most graduates in nursing, welding, automotive, diesel and manufacturing technology programs quickly found jobs that pay an average of $25.86 per hour with nursing students reporting average wages of $35.79 per hour. Some earn much more. Many, if not most of those jobs are right here at home. And, to achieve this high return on investment the cost is only a nickel per $1,000 assessed valuation. That means a home with an assessed valuation of $200,000 will pay just $10 a year to achieve this return in our community! So, your investment in these new and improved facilities will show a direct return right back to you continuing for year after year. For the sake of you, your family members, your kids and their kids to come, I urge you to vote “YES” on RCC bond measure 17-69. Jerry Work Kerby Reader applauds article Great reporting by Annette Rasch regarding the explosion of fences around the Valley in your May 4 edition. I did go to the marijuana.oregon.gov website mentioned in her story and sent them my comments. I also want to invite her, and any others that are curious, to see an unusual version of fencing utilized in O’Brien. Although probably not tall enough, and it’s very limited ability to withstand rain and wind, the front fencing does block much of the view of one, particular residents’ property. However, the property in on a bend of road where Lone Mountain Road splits with Naue Way, so it’s easy to see as you drive or walk by everything behind the covered, front fence. The bright blue tarps that are further back on the property, that are up and down periodically, seem to work a bit better against nature and do a nice job hiding whatever is being grown. I truly don’t care about what they grow, how much, or who it’s for, etc. I hope the OLCC develops some very specific fencing rules requiring permanent building materials to block everything from the public’s view. The bed sheets draped on the wire fencing here in O’Brien, over time, will probably affect property values, which is a lose-lose situation for everyone. Marilyn Arnold O’Brien Obituaries Laura Ellena Wandel, 90, of Cave Junction, passed away April 30, 2016. Laura was born Aug. 31, 1925 in Atoka, Okla. She lived in San Pedro, Calif. where both she and her husband, Walter retired from Harbor UCLA Medical Center in 1977. At that time they moved to Cave Junction where they built their home. Laura belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and for many years volunteered with Dorcas Food Bank. She loved painting, sewing, and crocheting. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Walter Wandel; and her son, Larry Gayelon Sears. Laura Ellena is survived by a daughter, Laura Duhn of Cave Junction; a son, Johnny Rambo of Garden Grove, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. “We will miss this sweet gentle lady.” No services are planned. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Michael Scott Giles, 52, of Cave Junction, died Friday, April 22, 2016 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center Arrangements are pending with Illinois Valley Funeral Directors. I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date May 11 Peanut Fair and Registration Picnic: May 11, 2016. 5-7 p.m. Free. Fun. Water games so bring towels. Madrone Elementary, grades Pre-K to 8. Come check us out! No RSVP necessary. All community members welcome. May 12 IVHS track varsity district regional’s: away at St. Mary’s School IVHS girls’ varsity softball senior night: home vs. Rogue River High School at noon and 2 p.m. IVHS boys’ varsity baseball senior night: home vs. Rogue River High School at noon and 2 p.m. IVHS equestrian varsity state: away at Jack- son County Fairgrounds May 13 IVHS equestrian varsity state: away at Jack- son County Fairgrounds May 14 IVHS equestrian varsity state: away at Jack- son County Fairgrounds Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher May 14 Free Clean Clothes Give-away, Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Takilma Bible Church, 10343 Takilma Rd. May 15 IVHS equestrian varsity state: away at Jack- son County Fairgrounds May 13 & 14 Continuing We are looking for performers, directors, writers, stagehands, and kitchen help for our next Whirlwind Play Festival on May 13-14. 24 hours to create 6 original shows on the theme “THIS IS OUR MOMENT.” Doors & dinner at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14. To participate or for more info visit whirlwindfestival.word- press.com/ or call (415) 637-9044. Fire & Emergency Services Career Explor- ing is open to young men and women from our lo- cal schools with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of fire or emergency services. Fire & EMS Exploring is a hand-on program that exposes young people to fire and emergency ser- vices. The most popular career exploring includes firefighter, EMT, paramedic and nursing. Career exploring combines some classroom training with 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 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. News - Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Editor -Laura Mancuso laura@illinois-valley-news.com Classified Ads -Laura Mancuso laura@illinois-valley-news.com Circulation - Kimberly Potter office@illinois-valley-news.com Advertising / Composition - Dan Mancuso dan@illinois-valley-news.com Mailroom - Millie Watkins hands-on lessons and you will learn first aid, fire safety, emergency medicine, leadership methods, teamwork and much more. You will develop emer- gency management skills and physical fitness and have the opportunity to participate in local and national competitions, community events and real firefighting scenarios in a training setting. Call 541-592-2225 to benefit from this college and career readiness program. *The C.J. Substation is now open as fol- lows: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The phone number at the Sub is 541-592-5151. We are looking for more volun- teers to expand the hours; applications to be- come a volunteer can be picked up at the Sub Station. DEADLINES: News, Classified and Display Ads, Announce- ments and Letters 4 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.
