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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 2016)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, October 26, 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 The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity.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.) Missing Facts Regarding Sheriff’s Budget – Part I As we approach Election Day we are seeing the annual barrage of articles designed to coerce or scare the public into consenting to raising their property tax rate by 245% with the approval of this year’s levy. Newspaper articles that paint a hopeless future for Josephine County should we once again turn down another enormous property tax increase. The information given by the County for the consumption of the public lacks honesty. Our elected and appointed officials mismanage funds and neglect to operate in the best interest of the public with regards to the budget and their reluctance to improve public safety funding when given the opportunity. Following, is information that has not shown up in news reports or newspaper articles. The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination act (SRS) provides critical funding to more than 775 rural counties and 4,400 schools impacting 9 million students in 41 states. This is equal to roughly 25% of all of the counties in the U.S. Our local “leaders” would like for you to believe that SRS is something designed to assist only a handful of western U.S. forest counties. We have had Commissioners complain directly to Federal Representatives that the timing of the renewals or extensions of SRS have made it difficult to pass a property tax levy. Bipartisan requested legislation has been introduced this year, both in the House and the Senate, the latest in September 2016 stating, “Accordingly, it is critical that a retroactive extension of this important program be included in an appropriate legislative vehicle likely to be signed into law before the end of the year”. This program has broad bipartisan support across many states because it affects many states. This makes it more likely than not to be extended. The Josephine County Budget Committee consists of 6 people, our 3 County Commissioners and 3 Lay Members. Budgeting for Outcomes has been Josephine Counties’ official budget policy for the past ten years. This type of budget gives the ability to shift funds departmentally to ensure the people’s priorities are funded first. This year our Budget Policy was changed, silently, without public notification or the opportunity for public input. The new policy states that a “Status Quo Budget is required unless change is supported by a change in revenue.” A Status Quo Budget basically renews the funding to each department while not allowing management (Commissioners) to reallocate any of these funds to other departments based on need, requirements or the priorities of the employer (Citizens). During the budget hearings this year, Margaret Goodwin was the only Committee member that advocated for a Budgeting for Outcomes budget. Why, during the proclaimed state of “fiscal emergency” and the ever impending “fiscal cliff” did our Commissioners and Finance Director, Arthur O’Hare, remove the one tool in the budget toolbox designed to deal with limited resources? This is not in the best interest of the public and opposite of what should be done in order to make the most efficient use of a limited budget. Ray Snith Cave Junction No on 17-74 As owners of three properties here in the Illinois Valley, my wife and I are concerned about the large tax increase proposal 17-74. We own our home and two rental houses of good quality and charge affordable rent for two young families. These properties represent our life savings and our retirement income. If measure 17-74 passes, we will be forced to either raise the rent amounts or sell the rental properties as I would expect most other landlords would also. We just received our current tax bills this week to find that we already have an increase in our assessments and a raise in tax charge of $257 due to the cannabis land rush. This new “public safety” measure will increase our total tax amount by $811 for a total of over $6,500 per year. I have seen in print more than once, claims that our tax rate is 0.56 cents per thousand assessed. With simple calculation I find that my rate and everyone else’s in this county is really 0.96 cents. With this additional $1.42 our property tax will soar to $2.38 per thousand. Now we could abide these increases if we knew everyone was paying their share of tax and permit fees on the 96 percent of the cannabis grown here and hauled out to the black market and a sales tax implemented to involve non-property owners, renters, tourists, travelers, etc. It seems very unfair for the property owners to pay everyone’s way when they are the least likely to be the cause of the need for the services. There is also the other side of this issue of baiting the questionable characters of our society into our community and the legal enforcement system of revolving doors and reluctance to respond when there is a financial agenda involved. No amount of funding will solve this societal problem. I am happy to say that in my eight years here in this valley I have had no problem with threat, theft, vandalism or loitering and if I did, dependable help is only seconds away, day or night. We will make by far the greatest improvement by looking after ourselves and our neighbors. Ray Brown, Cave Junction Less is more This letter is written with regard to the mildly entertaining literary altercation between Cave Junction Mayoral Candidate Don Moore and Cave Junction Resident Michael Sitton that was printed in the Oct. 19, 2016 edition of the I.V. News. Having previously inquired with I.V. News management regarding the cost of purchasing half a page of print in their publication to share my own personal rant, I know that Mr Moore paid a hefty sum for his chance to speak his truth. I was quoted a price of $472 for a half page of print and you get color for free! Granted, in speculation, this fee could have perhaps been waived in part or full if the political views shared by Mr. Moore and the management of the I.V. News happened to be in alliance. In light of the content of Mr Moore’s literary piece, however, I have no reason to believe that Mr. Moore would be in need of a financial favor from our local media source. Political, perhaps, but not financial. All things considered, I tend to hold our public officials (or candidates for office) to higher standards of integrity than do I hold the common constituent to whom the public officials are sworn to serve. In my opinion, it goes a long way during election time for a candidate to let the mud lie at their feet rather than to pick it up and throw it back while “intelligent constituents” are looking on. The final paragraph of Mr. Moore’s rebuttal regarding the comparison between his and Mr. Sitton’s net worth was completely unnecessary and illuminates the type of arrogance that our floundering city could move forward without. It is a noble campaign that presents the truth in contrast to unfounded speculations, but a campaign that returns the mud slinging in an attempt to “Trump” them that would besmirch acts as a beacon of light shining on the electoral choices before us. Sunrise Ocean Cave Junction Publisher’s note: All political ads must be paid in advance at the open rate. All candidates are treated equally . Obituaries Greg Putney , 65, of Selma (resident since age 18), died Saturday morning, Oct. 15, 2016, of natural causes. Greg was educated in forestry, an Internationally Certified Arborist, and a fearless tree climber. He worked for Eric’s Tree Service in Grants Pass until retirement, and over the years volunteered countless hours to keep homes safe from tree fall and fire. A well spoken, loving, and generous individual with an exuberant laugh, Greg is already missed by friends and family. He is survived by his sister, Cindy; stepmother, Alicia Putney; niece, Waukanita A-Nita Carillo; friends, Jack Torrence, Windy Smith, Kimbo Fujita, Kimberly Fujita, Chris Fujita, Leslie Dockwiller, Josh Kniffen; and his many “hand-picked” grandchildren, Monica Rivera, Nikko Fujita, Kimiko Fujita, Kaichi Fujita, Alexis Skidmore, Emily Mikels, Alyssa Norris, Gregory Gunnar Fujita, Josh Kniffen, Jessica Kniffen, Robert Kniffen, and Jay Kniffen. There will be a memorial location and time to be announced. Duane Lee Quall Jr , 51, of Kerby, died Saturday, October 15, 2016 at his home. Duane was born June 19, 1965 in Los Angeles, California to Duane Quall & Annetta Wilson. He attended school in Hemet, Calif. At age 17 he moved with his family to Cave Junction and worked with his parents on their mining claim. Duane married Linda and they later divorced. Over the years, Duane owned and operated Quall Automotive in Cave Junction; worked at Roe Motors in Grants Pass and after a move to Fla. worked for Skip Barber Racing School in Sebring, Fla. as a mechanic. After moving from Fla. back to the Illinois Valley, he married Joy Doney in 2010. Duane was a member of the Illinois Valley Lion’s Club. He volunteered to put on the Go-Cart Racing as part of the community events following the Labor Day parade in Cave Junction. He had a passion for motor sports. He was a great father and loving husband. Survivors include his wife, Joy Doney-Quall of Kerby; a son, Christopher Quall of Fort Smith, Arkansas; four daughters, Laura Ware of Kerby, Shelaine Quall and Rhiannon Headley both of Central Point, and Piper Quall of Kerby; former wife, Linda Quall of Cave Junction; sister, Jeannette Beam of Canyonville; brother Erm Parks of Spokane, Wash.; and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Zada Parks. A celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Illinois Valley Funeral Directors. Please visit the obituary and sign Duane’s tribute wall at www.since1928hull.com. Darrell Calkins, 84 , of Grants Pass died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 after a short illness at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford. He spent his boyhood in Wisconsin and graduated from high school in Spokane, Wash. He served his country overseas as a Marine during the Korean Conflict and later was a prominent restauranteur in the Bay Area. After leaving the restaurant business in 1978, he moved to Southern Oregon where he and his wife enjoyed raising sheep, selling their produce at the Growers’ Market, fishing, camping, and spending time with family. He is survived by six children: Eve, Cynthia, Darrell Jr., Kelly, Tracy, and Aspen, as well as nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Many thanks for the love and support from his family and friends. I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date Oct. 26 Come and enjoy an evening of fun! Oct. 26 at Evergreen Elementary School. Chili feed from 5-5:45 p.m. in the cafete- ria, then into the gym for Zing, Zoom, Zaniac Show~ Seattle’s Funniest Prop Comic, Alex Zerbe, also known as “The Zaniac” has per- formed over 1,500 school assembly programs in 44 states. He’s appeared on both America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing as well as national television in China and France. A natural born motivator and two-time Guinness World Record Holder, Alex knows how to in- spire and connect with students of all ages. Nov. 3 CJ Patrol monthly meeting, Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at Wild River Pizza, 249 Red- wood Hwy. Nov. 5 Indoor Sale - Nov. 5, Saturday, 9 a.m. Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher – 3 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, E. River St. and Lewis Ct. (across from High School) Nov. 5 Saturday, Nov. 5, the Cave Junction Li- ons will hold its 14th annual Turkey Bingo at the I.V. Senior Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 6 p.m. Game cards are only 0.50 cents each. Come win a free turkey or win a free turkey dinner. There will be great raffle items to bid on and great food. slice also. You can socialize with family and friends while eating your slice of pie, and en- joy music from local musicians and singers. Continuing *The I.V. Senior Thrift Store is under NEW MANAGEMENT and is looking for new volunteers. Join the crew and make new friends. You don’t need to be a senior citizen to join the store. Call us at 541-592-6630. Open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. *Cave Junction Patrol, LLC is looking for volunteers. CJ Patrol is a private citizen volunteer ornaization dedicated to effectively addressing heretofore-unchecked property crime in our city and neighborhoods. The pri- mary mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent, in- terrupt, report and decrease property crime in the city of Cave Junction. Call 541-592- 9665, cjpatrol.org. Monthly meetings are first Thursday at 6 p.m. at Wild River Pizza, 249 Redwood Hwy. Nov. 12 Pie Auction Fundraiser Nov. 12, 1-4 p.m. Bridgeview Community Church, 5181 Hol- land Loop. You are invited to join us for our 4th an- nual Pie & Praise Fundraiser Event at Brid- geview Community Church. Our pies are made by local residents and are auctioned to help support the Pregnancy Center of the Il- linois Valley. There are pies available by the 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 - $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. *The C.J. Substation hours are changed. We are now open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (closed Wednesdays) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The phone number at the Sub is 541-592-5151. We are looking for more volunteers to expand the hours; applica- tions to become a volunteer can be picked up at the Substation. 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 *The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program will be offering free assistance with Medicare Open Enroll- ment at the Illinois Valley Family Coalition every Monday from Nov. 7 to Dec. 5. You can add, drop or change how you receive your Medicare benefits. Call 541-956-4472. Be sure to specify that you are calling for an ap- pointment in Cave Junction. 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.
