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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 2016)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, November 2, 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 The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity.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 II The Administrative Internal Services Fund (ISF) is a fund that includes the budgets for the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), Finance, Information Technology (IT), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Human Resources, County Legal Counsel and Property Management. The money for the ISF Fund comes from an assessment on the operating budgets of the departments. The BCC has set the assessment at 10%. In short 10% of the operational funds of the assessed departments are skimmed off of the top to pay salaries, benefits and perks for the aforementioned Administrative Personnel. The Sheriff’s Department having the largest budget, naturally contributes the largest amount to the ISF, over 100% more than the next largest contributing department. Any funding coming into these departments with the exception of pass through grant expenses will have 10% skimmed off of it for the ISF. What this means is, regardless of where a tax levy originates or who says all of the funds will be used for the claimed purpose, it simply is not true. For instance, a public safety levy, if passed, is added to that department’s budget, 10% is assessed to the budget which will go directly into the ISF. According to budget policy it will be removed. If two departments were involved in a levy, such as, public safety and adult corrections there would be 10% removed from each department’s share of the levy after it has been added to their respective budgets. Under that scenario 20% of a levy would be skimmed and added to the ISF for our Commissioners to play with. This is not an efficient use of department funding.The passage of a public safety levy is, however, the only way that the Commissioners can obtain a substantial funding increase to the ISF. The bad news is this does nothing to improve public safety. This year there was an unanticipated windfall of money from timber receipts. One million dollars of unexpected timber revenue came into the County coffers. Even though our County Commissioners have repeatedly spelled out the horror that is coming without additional funding for the Sheriff’s Department, they staunchly refused to put any of this money towards public safety. Ironically, the only people that spoke up at public meetings and advocated for this money to go into the sheriff’s budget were all outspoken opponents of the constant yearly attempts of massive property tax increases for “public safety.” The County Commissioners actions, regarding this issue were exactly the opposite of what County Administrators experiencing a “public safety funding emergency” should do. These are not isolated events. The past few years have brought enough falsities and negligence from our County Leadership to write a book on. Our Commissioners could have allied with the 17 other O&C Counties (1/2 of the Counties in the State are O&C Counties) to create a united voice for State support against the Federal Government for the violation of the O&C Act. Instead, they watched, silently, as our State Legislature crafted and introduced various forms of legislation designed to circumvent the ability of County residents to reject local tax levies that have been proposed yearly since the violation of the O&C Act. In fact this year the attempt was made by our local leaders to enact Chapter Law 753, A.K.A House Bill (HB) 3453. Had they been successful, Josephine County residents would have been compelled to pay a new tax, without their consent, for funding services that has had 8 repeated tax levy failures. There has been the scandal of removing funds from the public safety budget to make things look more desperate with the assurance that those funds would be returned with the passage of the levy. However, the levy failed. Or, when there were multiple public announcements made, each of progressive enormous crime increases which turned out to be entirely false. This is not an all- inclusive list, but a few examples of how our local government has been operating. When Josephine County “Officials” tell the press and the public that they have done all that they can do and have cut everything to the bone, it just does not ring true, given some of the record and just a few of the facts. Lastly, in my opinion, cutting to the bone in a “public safety fiscal emergency” does not include the recent pay increases for Administrative Personnel that the Commissioners approved for themselves. To name five, our Commissioners, Finance Director, and Sheriff with benefits are compensated in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. During these desperate times and regardless of the length of time from the last increase, they should have been able to squeak by on what they were getting. Ray Smith Cave Junction Quiet no more This once was a quiet harmonious neighborhood. As of January 2016 Rock N’ Soil moved into the neighborhood without prior notification to the local residents. This is a residential neighborhood NOT an industrial neighborhood. They established a business with no permits or licenses. There were no EPA or DOT studies done and no consideration of the impact it would have on the neighborhood or the local city park which is located on the west side of the business. The noise of the equipment – the back- up beepers – is engulfing, disrupting and interfering with the mood of the neighborhood. The dust from the vermiculite and pumice are a health hazard – they are carcinogenic. The kids playing sports and on lookers are subject to inhaling these hazards. If the particulates penetrate one’s lungs then cancer results. There are many ball games being played in the spring and summer while the business is in operation. Many people have complained to City Hall and still nothing is being done. It is a county problem with an influence to the city. The neighborhood feels it has been blindsided without any consideration or warning that Rock N’ Soil was moving in. If we were, then maybe, we might not be in this situation. The values of our properties are being depleted – who would want to buy the properties around the business with this noise? I don’t even want to be living nearby and I do. The supporters of Rock N’ Soil don’t live next to them – if they did they might have a different opinion. Rock N’ Soil only employ part-time seasonal workers, is there any real positive impact on the neighborhood? I think not! We were blindsided and had no say about this business being forced upon us. There are many safety issues, narrow roads with no sidewalks for the kids to walk back and forth to school; the elder who use walkers to be able to get out of the way of the large trucks that use the road, plus the trucks are going over speed limits, the road is not suited for large truck traffic. The only reason Rock N’ Soil have permits now is because it was brought to the attention of the planning committee and the county commissioners. Rock N’ Soil should have started with the proper channels. The county commissioners understand this situation is wrong and this is not the proper location for this business. I cannot enjoy my backyard due to the noise level. During the heat of the summer I have to close all the windows in my house – I’m trying to block the noise – unfortunately it doesn’t work. The back-up beepers are ear piercing. In conclusion, we would like to see the business relocate to a nonresidential area. Please right this wrong. Valerie Johnson Cave Junction Obituaries Olga A. “Poggie” Woods, 75, of Grants Pass, died Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at Brookdale Grants Pass Village. Poggie was born May 22, 1941 in Grants Pass to Daniel and Leona Rigel. She attended Kerby Elementary and Illinois Valley High School. Poggie lived in Grants Pass and worked in Rogue River at the Rogue River Beauty Shop. She attended New Covenant Teaching Ministry in Grants Pass and was special friends with Betty Steward. Poggie immensely enjoyed crossstitch. Survivors include three brothers, Ray Rigel of Citrus Heights, Calif., Howard Rigel of Brookings and Ken Rigel of Grants Pass; 11 nieces and nephews including her special niece, Shelley Mower of Grants Pass. Preceding her in death was a sister, Audrey Rigel; a brother, Dan L. Rigel and her parents, Daniel and Leona Rigel. A viewing will be at 9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors. A funeral service will follow at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at Hull & Hull Chapel. A graveside service will follow at Laurel Cemetery in Cave Junction. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements. Please visit Poggie’s obituary and sign the guestbook at www. since1928hull.com. Albert Brandt May 18, 1945 to Oct. 21, 2016 Al lived in the Illinois Valley for almost 50 years, first at the James Boys’ Home on Holland Loop Rd. for over 35 years and, then, at Hopeful Rancho adult foster home. He faithfully attended Bridgeview Community Church and Takilma Bible Church. Al had some “disabilities” but many local residents know him as the one who waved at them as they drove past James Boys’ Home. Al enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and watching and greeting people. Al couldn’t speak many words but he showed and communicated clearly in other ways. He loved people and he loved to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, especially in music with other believers. Al had bladder cancer for the last few years but he continued his joy in life to the end. Even the day before he passed away he had an outing to town and went out to eat. He is survived by one sister, Carolyn Haney of Nyssa, Ore., and a nephew, Kenny. He had a pleasant visit with his sister just a week before he left this earthly life. He experienced the effects of the prayers of friends and of God’s amazing grace and the nurses at the hospital expressed what a dear, sweet man he was and, thankfully, that his passing was unusually “peaceful.” Al now has no “disabilities.” By the promises of the living and faithful Lord that Al loves and who loves him, Al now can walk, leap, dance, speak and sing praises in the presence of Jesus and the other saints who have gone on before. His friends rejoice for him and look forward to seeing him again, in glory! He is greatly missed. I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date Nov. 7 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. – 3 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, E. River St. and Lewis Ct. (across from High School) Monday, Nov. 7, 5 p.m., at Wild Rivers Pizza, CJ, there will be a Neighborhood Watch Meeting for all groups interested in participat- ing. Will Cover 2 Way Radios, Patrols, net- working. Dec. 5, Dennis Hoke, with Idlewild and Ken Rose Watch groups will be hosting an Illinois Valley wide networking meeting. Contact: Guenter - 541-415-1929 or Dennis. Nov. 10 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. Illinois Valley News Published weekly by W.H. Alltheway, LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher Green Cleaning.......recipes for a healthy home. By following three basic guidelines you can improve your indoor environment, save money and help conserve natural re- sources. Includes 1 take home sample. Lo- cal Master Food Preservers will present a two hour class at RCC Belt bldg. 24353 Redwood Hwy, Kerby, Thursday, Nov. 10. Register at 541-476-6613, Josephine.Extension@oregon- state.edu or kimberlielehman@yahoo.com, $5 class fee. 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. 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 slice also. You can socialize with family and friends while eating your slice of pie, and en- joy music from local musicians and singers. Nov. 11 & 12 Nov. 11 and 12: The annual I.V. Senior Center Christmas Bazaar will be held at the I.V. Senior Center located at 520 E. River Street, Cave Junction. Over 35 local vendors with many homemade treasures. Christmas is just around the corner, the weather is cold so 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 this is a great way to get your shopping done. Besides the unique gifts, the kitchen will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grab your friends, family, Christmas list and come join the fun. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days! 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. *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. 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.
