Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2016)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 31, 2016 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 The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity.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 says tax the cities “Did you know that the federal government owns 62% of Josephine County? Will they be paying taxes if the Levy is passed? Doesn’t it bother any of you that you are being asked to pay for something you already pay for? Do you not feel the discrimination placed on the Illinois Valley? Instead of going along with the Levy that will take your money and use it their way, like they do now you should be thinking of demanding what you already pay for. If you would like to read the rules about your county and limitations on tax increases and property reassessment that is in the State constitution you can read this link.... <http://www. co.josephine.or.us/ SIB/files/Finance/1- IntroductorySection- JosephineCountyCAFR2013- 14.pdf> If you must have a tax, put it on the cities with the higher populations like Grant Pass. Take survey of profit from the businesses inside the city and put a tax on that. Walmart should have enough revenue to cover the tax. Add the small (your words) % per $1,000 of profit that leaves Josephine County. Extortion is what we are being asked to swallow. The percentage of crime prevention that covers the larger city far out ways the percentage of crime prevention offered to the very people they want to tax. If the federal government won’t pay a tax why should any other property owner? The feds got a tax break because of the timber industry profit revenue that is no longer solvent so they need to pay their share and in a way that suffer, like the rest of us from the mismanagement of the entire O&C fiasco that if was doomed to make this area dependant on outside source rather than developing our own. We are not an annex of Josephine County, although in California being annexed does guaranty a sheriff’s presence so maybe we should vote for annexation as a solution?” Gary Potter O’Brien Reader has questions A giant bank account (the General Fund?) is once again funding, for the 5th time, a Law Enforcement Levy which will be solely funded by property owners. If all those preparation, writing, filing and ballot printing dollars over the past 5 years were to have gone directly to law enforcement, I think we would have been better served. Where did 5 years worth of costs to get the Levy on the ballots come from?! I feel this Levy is a form of robbery due to continued mismanagement of funds by our County Commissioners. This problem exists at lower levels as well, as evidenced by the recent actions by the Cave Junction City Council. If Cave Junction is so poor, and cannot pay for additional hours of deputy patrol, where did their recent “gift” of $10,000.00 to the local Library come from? And their “gifts” to the Library in previous years? Repeated Library levies have failed, but the CJ City Council continues to “gift” the Library annually, with city tax dollars, against the majority vote. I cannot be the only person who wonders why this happens. County- wide, we have a lavish $1.49 per $1,000 of assessed value levy poised before us - the property owners, whom are mostly aged and have fixed incomes. Will this continued bombardment from our politicians never cease? How can we continue paying hundreds of dollars more each year when on a fixed income? I don’t pay $.59 per $1,000 of assessed value for just one item on my tax bill, and no one else does either. I pay thousands of dollars annually, and 71% goes for public education and the community college! No matter what assurances are given, please know that the way this current Law Enforcement Levy has been written, the money collected will go directly into the General Fund. That path enables our commissioners the ability to manipulate every dollar - and we’re talking about millions of dollars every year. Do not be fooled - they oversee and have the power to redirect every dime, particularly the sheriff’s budget. They revised the sheriff’s budget several years ago to move $500,000 from a particular line item that would have guaranteed our county a matching grant of $500,000 from Salem to bolster law enforcement. After the commissioners moved the money to another part of the budget, and signed off on the revision, our sheriff was unable to submit the grant request. I cannot say why this happened, but I assure you it did happen. All of us suffered then, and we are suffering still, because that’s how bad the commissioners want the current levy to pass. If it passes, the commissioners will receive 10% annually via the General Fund, for their offices, staff and salaries. But, if the Law Enforcement Levy was given it’s own line on the annual tax statements (like the levy for the Illinois Valley Fire District or the tax we pay to the 4H Club), then an iron-clad path is created which bypasses the General Fund. Please think carefully when you vote in November - if there must be a levy, let’s keep each and every dollar out of the clutches of our commissioners. Only in this way, can we assure ourselves that the tax money will be spent totally for Law Enforcement, despite whatever an oversight or supervisory committee appointed by the commissioners may report. Marilyn Arnold O’Brien Reader likes hemp To the Editor: Last week a reader objected to Chief Hoke’s letter in which the Chief accurately described the slide into lawlessness and trashiness in our valley. The objector focused only on the pot growing, stating, “It’s legal, get used to it.” I’ve noticed in discussing with people over the years, that the pro-MJ people refuse to admit that there are any downsides whatsoever to MJ use or legalization, and irrationally attack anyone with opposing views, thus preventing any reasoned discussion by stating that any objections are “prejudiced”, “uninformed” or “hysterical” - a known tactic to shut down opposing views. There are many myths about MJ use, and the “utopia” of legalizing it. Having done much research, it is obvious to any open minded person that the answers are now clear. The more people who use MJ, the more mental problems, crime, other drug use, car crashes, and ER visits as well as continuing illegal growing. This has happened in Colorado. How many growing operations in this valley are permitted? I’ve heard that most are not. That means they are sucking water illegally from streams and rivers, or using well water for an illegal ag operation, and what is this doing to the aquifer? How many are recklessly or illegally using pesticides or other chemicals that will get into streams, or wash into ditches where animals drink, or onto other peoples’ properties? A myth that other drug use goes down with legalizing MJ is just that - a lie. Heroin and meth use are way up here and in Colorado. Myth: people who smoke pot are mellow and would never hurt a fly and drive safely, and that those who use MJ don’t use other drugs. The majority of violent crimes are committed by people on drugs and/or alcohol, and many people use MJ along with other drugs or alcohol and are not peaceful or “mellow”. Drug users and those who use alcohol to excess want to escape reality. MJ use impairs judgment, sensory perception including time/space, and often causes temporary or in some cases, permanent, psychological impairment, and IQ levels go down as much as 10 points in long term users. The younger a person starts to use MJ, the worse and more permanent the damage is likely to be. MJ use can indeed cause addiction - more psychological than physical, but physical addiction is a factor as well. And in order to make huge bucks with growing - more users are needed. So naturally the number of stoned out people will increase. Thus the increase of trash, crime, car accidents, and ER visits. Too bad all the people growing MJ aren’t growing industrial hemp, a crop that can be grown with little water and few to no chemicals, and is an extremely useful and profitable crop. P. Kisiela Cave Junction What readers think: Which part of the Lions Labor Day Festival is your favorite? Susan Hatch Debi Buchanan “I like the parade. I enjoy “The parade…I’ve watching the children watched it every year with the animals, they since 1978.” seem to have a good time.” “Tuff Trucks - Good entertainment.” Mary Valenzuela Jenna Larkin Cheryl Johnson “I like to watch the kids climb up the pole to try to win top prize.” “The parade. There is nothing like a small town parade.” Bob McAnally “I like watching the parade at Carlos Restaurant.” I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date Sept. 1 Sept. 3 - 5 *CJ Patrol Meeting: first Thurs- day, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Wild River Piz- za Deli, 249 Redwood Hwy. *IVHS girls’ volleyball JV game at home vs. Del Norte at 5 p.m. and varsity at 6:15 p.m. I.V. Lions 44th annual Labor Day Festival at Jubilee Park. Sept. 3 * Country Breakfast at the Se- nior Center! What a way to start your holiday weekend! For just $6.00 you can enjoy eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, chicken fried steak, biscuits, biscuits and gravy, coffee and juice. Oh, did I mention it’s all you can eat! The Public is WELCOME!!!! Come on in to the air-conditioned Senior Center at 520 East River Street in Cave Junction. (Across the street from the Coalition) SEE YA THERE!! *IVHS girls’ varsity soccer game at home vs. Douglas at noon. Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher Sept. 6 Lorna Byrne First Day of School (5th Graders only) 6-8 grade new to LBMS come for orientation and tour. IVHS Open House from 5-7 p.m. IVHS freshman first day of school 7:55 a.m. Pressure canner testing at the Illinois Valley Grange, Holland Loop Rd, CJ, 8-11 a.m., Sept. 7 All IVHS students first day of school 7:55 a.m. Lorna Byrne First Day of class- es for 6-8 grade. Gatekeeper training at the I.V. Family Coalition Sept. 7 at 10 a.m., 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 River Room. The Gatekeeper pro- gram is a new program of the Aging and Disabilities Resource Connec- tion (ADRC) that teaches employees at your business how to recognize warning signs and red flags that in- dicate an older adult or adult with disabilities may need some help. Contact Connie at 541-423-1383 to schedule a training or presentation. Sept. 12 Workshop Scheduled for Cave Junction~Living Well with Chronic Conditions, Sept. 12 – Oct. 17. Meets once a week on Mondays from 2:30 – 5 p.m.. Call for more information and registration required. Learn new ways to manage stress and improve the ability to relax; fight fatigue and frustration; eat better and exercise safely; control pain and improve activity; learn better ways to talk to your doctor and family about your SUBSCRIPTION RATES One year in Josephine County - $35 One year in Jackson and Douglas counties - $36 One year in all other Oregon counties and out-of-state - $43.00 Illinois Valley News does not refund subscriptions. Remainder of subscription will be donated to the charity of your choice. health; solve problems and get the support you need. Sign up Now: Call Living Well Southern Oregon 541- 864-9611 or Pre-Register online at www.sohealthyoregon.org. Sept. 24 Agnes Pilgrim Birthday Party Benefit, book signing, and gathering, Saturday, Sept. 24, Takilma Commu- nity Center, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Every- one invited, get her book “GrandMa Says: Wake Up World!” Pledge your support, help organizing needed, call/email for info., or if you wish to participate or perform, Guenter 541- 415-1929 or cmec@cavenet.com. Continuing Cave Junction Patrol, LLC is looking for volunteers. CJ Patrol is a private citizen volunteer organiza- tion dedicated to effectively address- ing heretofore-unchecked property 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 crime in our city and neighborhoods. The primary mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent, interrupt, report, and decrease property crime in the city of Cave Junc- tion. Contact: Phone: 541- 592-9665 / Facebook: Cave Junction Patrol Pub- lic / Website: cjpatrol.org / Monthly CJP Meetings: first Thursday, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Wild River Pizza Deli, 249 Redwood Hwy. Have some spare time? The Illi- nois Valley Senior Thrift Store is look- ing for volunteers. If sorting, cleaning, staging is what you do, we could use your skills. Earn a free breakfast and a store gift card while you volunteer. Join the crew, make new friends, need not to be a member or a senior citizen to volunteer. Call the store at 541-592- 6630 or visit us during store hours. DEADLINES: News, Classified and Display Ads, Announcement 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.
