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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, April 5, 2017
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’ encourages letters to the
editor provided they are legible and not libel-
ous or scurrilous. All letters must be signed,
including name, address and telephone num-
ber. The latter need not be published, but will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 commentary, in-
cluding statements made as fact are strictly
those of the letter writers.)
Reader says yes and no
I completely support the
IVFD levy coming up on our May
ballots, but the Law Enforcement/
Safety Levy is just another
simmered down mess of blatant
money-grabbing by our county
commissioners. The articles in
the I.V. News from Raymond
Smith (3/22/17) and Bob Schmidt
(3/29/17) gave a lot of important
information about both of the
proposed levies, so I encourage
readers to go back and read those
again; you don’t need to see all it
repeated here.
The fire department levy
was brilliantly written 5 years
ago, and will be the same if
passed successfully in May, as an
individual line item on property
owners’ tax bills and thereby
legally kept beyond reach of the
commissioners. The new levy is
truly just a 25 cent per thousand
dollar of assessed value increase
over what we have been giving
solely to IVFD for the last 5 years.
It is exciting to read about their
plans for the money. I have been
at every IVFD budget meeting for
years and I completely agree with
Mr. Schmidt because the IVFD
is incredibly frugal, concerned
with every penny we put at their
disposal. They get the funds
directly from the county tax office
as it’s paid by property owners.
However, the Law
Enforcement/Safety levy is far
from perfect, becoming immediate
income for our commissioner’s
offices (they get 10%) because
the tax money goes into the
General Fund. The commissioners
have not allowed the levy to be
written any other way. They
are desirous of a fresh influx of
money for their offices, salary
increases and cash to dole out as
they deem worthy. Each year the
commissioners spend thousands
and thousands of dollars putting
a new version of the levy on the
ballots, but after property owners
really look at costs, etc., they’re
voted down. I think about the
commissioners’ history of gifts,
major expenses and the sheriff’s
budget that never seems to get the
priority it deserves. Donations to
libraries, the fairgrounds and costs
for studies and lawyers - $500,000
changes to an approved budget
for Sheriff Gilbertson a couple
of years ago that took away any
hope of matching funds from
Salem (so blatant). There is a
superb argument for paying taxes
to help infuse Law Enforcement
and Safety, but let’s not put our
hard-earned money into the hands
of commissioners who often act
too benevolent and “change their
minds” about campaign promises.
Marilyn Arnold
O’Brien
Not stepping away
First, thank you to the
I.V. News and Jason McMillen
for the article highlighting the
100 year anniversary of Lions
International, and the declining
membership in charitable and
fraternal organizations, who
have done so much for their
communities. Our club has given
many people glasses, hearing aids,
scholarships ($5,000.00/yr), made
donations to the Devers Clinic
for eye operations and loaned
hospital equipment to those in
need. I am proud to be associated
with such a fine organization,
and members. The main purpose
of my letter is to clarify one
line in paragraph 6 stating I was
“distancing myself” from the club
due to other engagements. While
I have also become a member of
Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge #18,
nothing could be further from the
truth. What I said was that I was
stepping back from the leadership
roles, encouraging some of the
younger members to step up. I
intend to continue to be a Lion and
Mason for the rest of my life. I am
deeply involved in the motorcycle
raffle, scholarships, flag day for
first graders and the Labor Day
Festival. We look forward to the
continued support from this great
community. Thank you,
Steve Lyons
Cave Junction
Obituaries
Morgan Ray Jones died peace-
fully in his sleep during the early hours
of March 30, 2017. Morgan was born on
Sept. 7, 1960 to Rocky and Sara Jones in
Grants Pass, Oregon. He graduated from Il-
linois Valley High School in 1978. In 1981
he married Finny Straley and together they
raised 3 children, Carly, Brad and Erica.
Morgan was a jack of all trades who
enjoyed working in the logging industry,
masonry, landscaping and even sold insur-
ance for a short time. He loved to fish and
was a pillar of the Cave Junction city soft-
ball league. Morgan had a deep love for
the music of Paul McCartney, The Beatles,
and The Grateful Dead. He also had a true
knack for metaphors, and could make any-
one laugh with his stories, whether true or
not.
Morgan is survived by his parents,
Rocky and Sara Jones, Cave Junction; his
sister, Tresa Kelly Apke (Greg), Carlton,
Ore.; his daughters, Carly Jones-Maurer
(Brandon) Wasilla, Ark. and Erica Jones-
Gutierrez (Elijah) Eagle River, Ark.; and
son, Bradly Jones (Lyndsay) of Cashmere,
Wash.; as well as his grandchildren, Kings-
ton and Austin Maurer, London and Roman
Gutierrez, Rayce and Dashyl Jones. Mor-
gan was a man with a huge heart who loved
and raised other’s children as his own in-
cluding Shea Mather, Summer, Alycia, Hay-
lee, Cody and Brandi. He is also survived
by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces,
and many, many close friends.
Morgan leaves a legacy easily observed
in his children through their love of music,
sports and witty humor.
Adam L. Chapman, 38, of Cave Junc-
tion, died March 18, 2017 in Cave Junc-
tion.
Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in
charge of arrangements.
Celebration
of life
The community is invited to
come celebrate the life of Dulcie
Moore with the family Saturday,
April 8 at 1 p.m.
Bridgeview Community
Church, 5181 Holland Loop Rd.
Cave Junction, OR 97523
Come and share stories and
memories with the family.
Food will be served after the
service please bring a dish to
share.
H&R Block
210 W. Lister St.
Cave Junction
592-3667
Ted Crocker, LTC
Bob Litak, LTC
Licensed Tax Consultants B14914
I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
April 8
April 14 & 15
Ready-Set-Go! O’Brien. Be
prepared for an emergency by at-
tending one of these free public
meetings. O’Brien Fire Station,
Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m., 1 p.m.,
and 3 p.m. Learn what to have in
your “go-bag”; shelter in-place or
leave - necessary home supplies;
evacuation assembly locations;
and more. Meetings conducted by
IVFD Community Emergency Re-
sponse Team (CERT) members.
RiverStars Performing Arts
presents: CAVETOWN UNDER-
GROUND-a modern retelling of
the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice
set in the Illinois Valley.
April 14 and 15, 7 p.m. Lorna
Byrne Middle School 101 S. Junc-
tion Ave., Cave Junction
Pay what you can. Doors open
at 6:30 p.m.
Join us for Post Show activi-
ties:
April 14th: for a gratitude re-
ception and cake to thank our part-
ners, donors, and parents.
April 15th: for a conversation
with the performers.
Questions? Call 541- 649-
2333 or email IV.RiverStars@
gmail.com.
April 12, 13 & 17
Public Safety Levy Forums
Sheriff Dave Daniel and Fire
Chief Dennis Hoke will explain the
proposed levy budgets, the state of
the Sheriff’s Department and the
Fire District, and answer residents’
questions.
April 15
Wednesday, April 12, 6 p.m.
Takilma Community Building If
you can, please bring $1 per person
for room rental.
Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m Sel-
ma Community Center
Monday, April 17, 6 p.m Brid-
geview Community Church
Hosted by the Illinois Valley
Public Safety Task Force under the
20/20 Strategic Plan. Call Kate at
541-787-5283 for directions and
more information.
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
W.H. Alltheway, LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
I.V. Emergency Prepare Fair,
Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
at I.V. High School. Let the experts
teach you how to prepare for a di-
saster. Free admission and emergen-
cy supplies, booths, presentations,
planning tools, kids’ activities, and
concession stand open. Sponsored
by I.V. Fire District, IVCDO &
CERT. Call 541-294-1598, email
IVPrepareFair@yahoo.com or visit
Facebook page at IVPrepareFair.
April 29 & 30
The 2017 Spring Fling Art and
Garden Show will be held on April
29 & 30 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at
the Josephine County Fairgrounds.
Featured are a variety of vendors
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
with plants, art, crafts and food
in addition to educational exhib-
its. Enjoy a fun community event
that benefits our Josephine County
Fairgrounds. For vendor informa-
tion, call Event Coordinator Sherry
Young 541-778-5186. Admission
is free!
May 12
IVHS Safe and Sober Gradu-
ation Party Fundraising event: Fri-
day, May 12, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
“Show your Spirit; paint the night
Red and White” Dinner and Silent
and Live Auction at the Selma Cen-
ter.
April 29
May 21
IVHS Safe and Sober Gradu-
ation Party Fundraising event: Sat-
urday, April 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fun
Run/Walk/Bike To a New Adven-
ture at Lake Selmac.
IVHS Safe and Sober Gradua-
tion Party Fundraising event: Sun-
day, May 21 at 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cave Junction Car wash.
May 6
Saturday, May 27, - Public
lands clean up at Waldo-Takilma,
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join KS Wild as a
public lands steward on some of
the most beautiful and also threat-
ened places in the Klamath-Sis-
kiyou. Stronger together: We will
work together with the BLM, Il-
linois Valley residents, the Illinois
Valley Soil and Water Conserva-
tion District to clean this place up
- just in time for the finalizing of its
designation as an official “Area of
Critical Environmental Concern.”
RSVP for carpool information and
other details: call 541-488-578, or
e-mail jeanine@kswild.org.
Illinois Valley Children’s Fair
& Pet Parade Saturday, May 6, 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Jubilee Park Free ac-
tivities, resources, hot dogs, snacks,
drinks and prizes.
Pet Parade registration starts
at 10 a.m. Parade starts at 11:30
a.m.
May 7
Sunday, May 7, - Sustainable
Cannabis Fair, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in
Jubilee Park. Co-hosted by the Il-
linois Valley Soil and Water Con-
servation District and Cave Junc-
tion Farmers’ Market. Enjoy food,
music, and door prizes while learn-
ing techniques to grow cannabis in
tune with the earth; family, fish,
and field friendly.
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.
May 27
Continuing
*The I.V. Senior Thrift Store:
Join the crew and make new friends.
You don’t need to be a senior citi-
zen to volunteer at the store. Call
us at 541-592-6630. Open Monday
– Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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 - Laura Mancuso
laura@illinois-valley-news.com
Advertising / Composition -
Dan Mancuso
dan@illinois-valley-news.com
Mailroom - Millie Watkins
*The C.J. Substation hours
are changed. Open hours are now
Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. The phone number for the
substation is 541-592-5151.
Volunteers are needed to ex-
pand support service hours to the
public. Applications are avail-
able at the substation or on-line
at http://www.co.josephine.or.us/
Files/Volunteer%20Application.
Mar%202014.pdf.”
*Cave Junction Patrol, LLC
is looking for volunteers. CJ Pa-
trol is a private citizen volunteer
orgnanization dedicated to effec-
tively addressing heretofore-un-
checked property crime in our city
and neighborhoods. The primary
mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent,
interrupt, report and decrease prop-
erty crime in the city of Cave Junc-
tion. Call 541-592-9665, cjpatrol.
org. Monthly meetings are first
Thursday at 6 p.m. at Wild River
Pizza, 249 Redwood Hwy.
* Committee Meeting STATE
OF JEFFERSON Josephine Coun-
ty 1st Thursday of each month at
5:30 p.m. Black Forest Restaurant,
Grants Pass and 3rd Thursday of
each month at 6 p.m., Wild River
Pizza 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.