Page A-2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 3, 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’ 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need not be published, but will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.)
Dear Editor:
Most of Oregon Caves
National Monument and
Preserve is located twenty
miles outside of the City
of Cave Junction high in
the Siskiyou Mountains.
A small part of the park is
located in Cave Junction
and houses the Illinois
Valley Visitor Center
(Center). This Center is
operated by the National
Park Service (NPS) and
a number of partners and
cooperators including the
Illinois Valley Community
Development Organization,
the Illinois Valley Chamber
of Commerce, the US Forest
Service and the Bureau
of Land Management.
It enables visitors and
community members to find
information about this area
all under one roof. It is an
effective arrangement and
Oregon Caves is honored to
provide this opportunity.
The NPS is
committed to continuing
this relationship in the
long term, but managing
locations separated by
twenty miles is challenging.
We rely on and partner
with the Josephine Country
Sherriff’s Department to
assist with the security at
the Center. 2016 was a
particularly challenging
year in this regard. Both
the NPS and County
had limited personnel to
respond to incidents in
Cave Junction. In 2016,
the Center was broken into
and/or vandalized on seven
separate occasions. The
damage totaled over ten
thousand dollars, which
put a strain on our budget.
That amount of money can
pay for the salary of a cave
guide during the busy part
of the summer season. One
less cave guide results in
a significant decrease in
the amount of tours we can
offer and also increases wait
times for the tours we can
offer.
It is our hope that
the County Sheriff’s
Department will obtain the
support and resources it
needs to be able to assist the
NPS with incidents both in
Cave Junction and at main
Oregon Caves location at
the end of Highway 46. In
turn, we intend to assist
the Department as much
as we can with the Law
Enforcement and Search
and Rescue personnel we
employ.
Vicki J. Snitzler
Superintendent
Oregon Caves National
Monument and Preserve
Dear Editor,
Any war or battle
takes a terrible toll on many
completely innocent people.
Ordinary citizens who just
wish to live and let live.
These innocent civilians end
up paying for these conflicts
in money and stress and
sometimes with their lives.
Strong deterrents to conflict
is worth every penny. I’m
sure nearly every US citizen
is hopeful that our leaders
make careful decisions
that avoid doing battle,
especially with the recent
world situations. But if or
when we do have to fight,
we’ll be very thankful that
we have a full military
force that is powerful,
sophisticated and well
trained. I believe we do
have one and I believe
that our military is a great
deterrent to those that might
think about going to war
with the USA. We pay a
great deal for this deterrent,
sharing the burden of the
very high cost among us.
In our county, we
face many issues with
the criminal side of our
citizenry and with such
limited jail availability
the criminal element is
becoming bolder and more
active. So many crimes
like shoplifting, car thefts,
burglaries and more happen
much too often and cost
good and conscientious
people a great amount of
anguish and money. As
a local business person I
witness these problems
constantly and the increases
in crime are of great
concern to me as I plan for
the future of my business in
Josephine County. It’s hard
to feel confident in pushing
ahead aggressively when
dealing with the increasing
criminal element.
Nobody loves paying
taxes, and many feel that
they can take care of
themselves and defend
their property on their own.
Perhaps they can in some
cases. But the reality of
the situation of catching
a burglar in your home
or car could be a terrible
legal situation and a very
frightening position to be in.
Even more so in a business.
And there are so many other
crimes that happen where a
well-trained officer of the
law and a jail cell for the
perpetrator is critical and
reassuring to have available.
Continued on A-3
Obituaries
Robert Harold
Hamlin, 74, of Kerby, died
April 19, 2017 at his home after
battling renal failure and diabetes.
Robert was born Feb. 10,
1943 in Ohio. He was married
twice and had three children. He
lived in Arizona and Oregon. He
drove truck, built a log cabin to
live in with his sweet dog, Penny.
The two of them traveled on a bus
cross-country; lived on the Illinois
River for eight years mining gold
and fishing.
Robert was a real craftsman
making jewelry.
He is survived by his friend,
Gayla Thoms.
A graveside service with
military honors will be at 1 p.m.,
Friday, May 5, 2017 at Eagle Point
National Cemetery.
Please visit the obituary
and sign the family guest book at
www.since1928hull.com.
Pat Ann Tweedy
“Aunt Pat,” 82 , of Cave
Junction died April 23, 2017.
Pat was born Oct. 20, 1934 to
Mae and Morris Higby and moved
to Cave Junction in 1990 from
Carson, Calif. She was lovingly
known as Aunt Pat by almost
everyone in the area. Pat was
amazingly, always remembered
ever one’s name and usually their
children (a few hundred people!)
Aunt Pat always tried to
meet everyone’s need. You knew
that she cared! She didn’t care if
you were dirty, drugged or drunk.
You got a hug and she’d say Jesus
loves you, he cares. She was
also known as Happy Pat always
said happy Monday, Tuesday,
etc. She wore a smile although it
was rough toward the end. She
never complained. Pat worked for
Union 76, B.P. and True Value.
She retired in 2000. Her volunteer
work included feeding the hungry,
Food Band, and bread ministry.
Her main hobby was loving and
meeting everyone’s needs if
possible.
She is survived by her
son, Robert Day of Calif.;
grandchildren, Nancy, Robert
and Lisa Day of Calif.; niece and
nephews, Tim and Vikki Duffy
of Cave Junction, Richard and
Robin Day of Cave Junction,
Zane Blankenship of Cave
Junction, Shawn Blankenship of
Medford and Shawn Blankenship
of Turlock, Calif.; two great-
grandchildren; and one great-great
grandchildren. She was preceded
in death by her husband William
Tweedy, one sister and three
brothers.
There will be a Celebration
of Life at Foundation of Life, 451
Junction Ave. May 20 at 11 a.m.
There will be a potluck to follow.
Melvin “Mel” Hugh
Barlow died after a 23 year
battle with cancer with two of his
children by his side.
Mel was born to George and
Lettie Barlow on June 13, 1931 in
Boring, Ore.
In 1949 at the age of 18
Mel arrived to the Illinois Valley
and began his quest. In 1951 he
married Elsie Arnett and had four
children; Gary, Michelle, Gail and
Jonathan.
In 1960 along with many
others Mel helped build the
Collier Tunnel south of Cave
Junction on Hwy 199. Shortly
after this he formed Barlow
Rock and Redimix where he
supplied rock and cement for the
development and infrastructure
of countless city streets and
subdivisions in Cave Junction
some of which were named after
him “Barlow Street” & “Jonathan
Court”.
Then in 1981 he married
Nora Jensen and had two children;
Elana and Ozzie.
Mel was in business for
50 years within this time he
served many in Cave Junction
and surrounding areas. He was
considered one of the “Good Ol’
Boys” of the Illinois Valley. Mel
had a passion for auctions, trains
and old motors. Tinkering on
engines was his forte’ and could
make a piece of metal dance with
his fabrication skills.
Mel Barlow is survived by
his six children, Gary Barlow
of Grants Pass, Gail Kusmit of
Wallingford, Conn., Michelle
Whiting of Evans, Wash.,
Jonathan Barlow of Cave Junction,
Elana Ommert of Cave Junction
and Ozzie Barlow of Trail, Ore.
He had 13 grandchildren and 10
great-grandchildren.
Mel spent most of his life in
Cave Junction and was considered
a true pioneer of Illinois Valley.
He will be sorely missed by
his friends and family.
Melvin Hugh Barlow
I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
May 4
“Kick off Meeting” for the I.V.
Community Watch Program. Thurs-
day, May 4, 6 - 8 p.m. All Neigh-
borhood Watch members in Cave
Junction and the Illinois Valley. In-
cludes businesses and church repre-
sentatives, open to everyone. 2-way
radios, watch building guidelines,
networking, website, Facebook.
Contact Guenter - 541-415-1929 /
ivwatch541@gmail.com.
May 4
IVHS boys’ JV baseball game
at Lakeview High School at 3:30
p.m.
IVHS girls’ JV softball game at
home versus Ashland High School
at 4:30 p.m.
IVHS girls’ JV softball game at
Hosanna Christian School at 2 p.m.
May 6
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
May 12
Free Lunch for all veterans
Sunday, May 7 at noon at the RCC
Belt Building. Non military $5, spe-
cial presentation for Vietnam veter-
ans.
IVHS Safe and Sober Gradua-
tion Party Fundraising event: Friday,
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 Center.
May 7
May 6
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 Junction
Farmers’ Market. Enjoy food, mu-
sic, and door prizes while learning
techniques to grow cannabis in tune
with the earth; family, fish, and field
friendly.
IVHS boys’ varsity golf tour-
nament at Bandon Crossings at 9
a.m.
IVHS boys’ varsity baseball
game, senior night at home versus
Lakeview High School at noon and
2 p.m.
IVHS girls’ varsity softball
game, senior night at home versus
Lakeview High School at 2 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, May 12
and 13 at 10 a.m. to there will be a
group of people meeting at Laurel
Cemetery for the purpose of clean-
ing the trash and pea vines off of
the headstones in preparation for
Memorial Day, May 29. On Satur-
day, May 27 the American Legion
May 5
IVHS varsity track meet at
home at 4 p.m.
IVHS boys’ JV baseball game
at home versus Umpqua Valley
Christian at 4:30 p.m.
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
W.H. Alltheway, LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
Post 70 Cave Junction will be put-
ting American Flags on all veteran’s
graves. So we would like as many
people that can come out an assist
the cleanup as possible. Thank you
ahead of time for your help. Bring
gloves, rakes and shovels. The city
has offered to have a dump truck for
available to load up and dump on
the cities burn pile. Flags will be put
up Saturday, May 27.
May 12
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
May 20
IVHS Golf Tournament spon-
sored by I.V. High School golf team,
A scramble format, registration be-
gins at 7:45 a.m., Shotgun start at 9
a.m. Team string (30 ft.) $20, Mul-
ligans $5 each, tournament entry fee
is $60 per person/ $220 for a full
team (4 players) include 18 holes of
play, golf cart, tee prizes, cash prize
for hole-in-one, each member of the
team must have 2 drives. Tourna-
ment is open to the public, player’s
fee proceeds go to the IVHS golf
team. For more details go to the
Club House or call 541-592-3151 or
contact Athletic Director Bruce Re-
ece at 541-592-2116.
May 13
May 21
Mother’s Day Spa, a benefit for
the Spiral Living Center, Saturday,
May 13, 1-4 p.m. $20-35 sliding
scale. Give a relaxing and rejuve-
nating gift to your mother, sweetie,
sister, friend, boss, co-worker, vol-
unteer, etc. Soak in the healing en-
ergy of the straw bale octagon while
you relax with friends! Choose
three 15 minute treatments, (mas-
sage, foot soak, herbal facial, tarot
reading, and more). Tea and treats
will be self-serve, and you may win
a door prize! For more info. or to
RSVP contact spiral@spiralliving.
org, 541-592-3386 or pre-pay via
Paypal://www.spiralliving.org. Pre-
registration is recommended.
IVHS Safe and Sober Gradua-
tion Party Fundraising event: Sun-
day, May 21 at 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cave Junction Car wash.
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.
Continuing
*The I.V. Senior Thrift Store:
Join the crew and make new friends.
You don’t need to be a senior citizen
to volunteer at the store. Call us at
541-592-6630. Open Monday – Sat-
urday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*The C.J. Substation hours are
changed. Open hours are now Mon-
day and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The phone number for the substa-
tion 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.”
May 27
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 threatened places
in the Klamath-Siskiyou. Stronger
together: We will work together
with the BLM, Illinois Valley resi-
dents, the Illinois Valley Soil and
Water Conservation District to clean
this place up - just in time for the fi-
nalizing of its designation as an offi-
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
cial “Area of Critical Environmental
Concern.” RSVP for carpool infor-
mation and other details: call 541-
488-578, or e-mail jeanine@kswild.
org.
*Cave Junction Patrol, LLC is
looking for volunteers. CJ Patrol is a
private citizen volunteer orgnaniza-
tion dedicated to effectively address-
ing heretofore-unchecked property
crime in our city and neighborhoods.
The primary mission of CJ Patrol is
to prevent, interrupt, report and de-
crease 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 Riv-
DEADLINES:
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Display Ads,
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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.