Page A-2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 17, 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need not be published, but will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.)
Editor:
Regarding the possible
sale of the JoCo building in
Cave Junction, what is the
fuss? It is not an historic
structure. The Oregon Caves
Chateau is historic; Grange
halls in Selma and CJ and
the I.V. Airport structures are
historic; a lot more than the
county building.
The county
commissioners are trying to
save money, a topic about
which many people feel
strongly. Now that the board
has moved to save funds,
there are complaints.
After dealing with many
folks and organizations during
my 24 years in the Valley,
it seems to me that surely
there are still enough clever
people in the Valley to figure
out where the Senior Meal
Program and other events by
civic and social groups could
be moved. The I.V. Senior
Center? American Legion
Hall? The large meeting
rooms at several churches,
some of which have full
kitchens? The community
resource center? Illinois
Valley High School or other
Valley schools? Former
church buildings left vacant?
Come on, think about it.
The current tenants in
the county building likely
could arrange to rent from
a new owner. Or they could
relocate to other suitable sites
in the Valley. Yes, there aren’t
many, but I bet that the I.V.
real estate agents would be
happy to help.
Bob Rodriguez
Clark, Wyoming
Disclaimer
from reader
This is a disclaimer
regarding the Measure 17-80
content that was inserted
into the article in the May
10th issue titled: “Safety
meeting draws crowd”, by
Judy Hoyle. This was not a
part of the information outlay
or a discussion point for this
Meeting. Dennis Hoke clearly
state that it was not about the
Levy or politics, which he
addressed in the beginning
of the meeting. “It’s about
networking neighborhood
watches, supporting people
who want assistance to start
a watch, and for support to
businesses and churches”. It
is for everyone, concerned,
to send a representative and
to participate with the several
programs developing with
the Public Safety Outreach
Campaign which is held every
Monday at Wild River Pizza,
5pm.
In addition for
clarity sake on a statement
spontaneously expressed
at the May 4th Kick Off
meeting, detailed in the
article: “...more than one
participant expressed
sentiment to the effect that
those who oppose the safety
levy should be more proactive
in volunteering their time for
the watch groups.”
In the last four years
it has been my experience
that most of the people, that
participate, in Neighborhood
Watch have not been for
the Levy. There is much
afoot with our County,
its politics, the Sheriff’s
Department (history), PERS,
Law-enforcement unions,
foreclosures, etc., that needs a
through raking. These matters
would overrun and divide our
people who are supporting
each others safety. Separate
meetings, and forums,
specifically organized, to
cover these topics should
be outside our service effort
to Neighborhood Watch
building. We are a diverse
group of people uniting for
our common cause. We don’t
want to be “hung up” on who
voted for what and why, etc.
We have no, yes, and “I don’t
know?!” people in most of our
groups, working together.
Guenter Ambron
Cave Junction
To the Editor,
I heard that the
Republican-led House of
Representatives “repeal and
replace” plan for ObamaCare
shifts $800B+ from Medicaid.
Remember? It’s the program
that keeps that cerebral palsy
kid safe and sound; provides
life-saving treatment for
your 54 year old unemployed
cancer-stricken neighbor. Ah,
Medicaid, the safety net for a
healthy childhood for every
single kid in America. But
Wait! There’s More…Not
only do we get lethal slashes
to Medicaid, the House
Republicans’ replacement for
ObamaCare (RomneyCare?)
takes this $800B+, calls it
“tax-reform”and further line
the pockets of the ludicrously
least-needy among us in
another Republican giveaway
to the wealthy. The results
still “trickle-down”, i.e. down
our leg while we’re told it’s
raining. (Thanks, Judge Judy).
I have a question
about the ongoing crusade
to stop ObamaCare. Since
the House Rs finally (and
barely) succeeded after 7
years of trying, why have they
waited until now to hastily
craft this terrible piece of
work, the AHCA? Already
doomed in the Senate because
of crazy extremes like the
aforementioned Medicaid
gutting to pay back rich
donors, every conservative –
and liberal - think-tank in DC
worth its salt has a plan, off
the shelf, ready and waiting
to replace, refine or enhance,
the ACA. Why didn’t the
Republican’s just ask one of
their allies in DC?
The House Republican
Caucus, with its center
already to the right; with its
fringe Freedom Caucus so
out of touch with everyone
but their equally out of
touch constituency that
they’re a liability to the Party
establishment, is faced with
a kind of mob mentality
that stymies any substantive
legislation. I don’t envy
the Speaker. He’s herding
cats. Couple Republican
Party dysfunction with this
amateur White Houseand
the 2018 midterms should
be very interesting. Stay
Centered,America!
Letter to the Editor:
Commissioner Simon
Hare’s claim that the CJ
County Building has been
underutilized and a financial
liability can only be attributed
to business mis-management.
As Commissioners, it is your
responsibility to represent
and support access to much
needed services equally to all
regions within our County.
As you know, the Illinois
Valley has in residence over
30% of the total population
of Josephine County. What
percent of services do we
have here? The rash proposal
that private ownership of
our building will solve the
county’s financial issues
is without logic or merit
and would remove access
permanently to this much
needed community center. (
Making money from child
care without a play yard?) I
am a resident and Medical
Provider in the Illinois Valley
since 1971. I am a Family
Medicine Physician Assistant
and currently the only medical
provider in our region of
Prenatal and Pediatric care
as well as Family Medicine.
Access to services is a
continuing struggle for our
remote rural area considering
the few resources, lack of
transportation to Grants
Pass, and the fact that
most of our children live
in families well below the
poverty level. The Federal
program for Women,Infants
and Children (WIC) is a
resource for nutrition, growth
monitoring, health education
and support, is accessible
daily in GP and most other
regions in our country. For
many years it has been well
attended at the CJ County
Building two days a month,
managed by the Josephine
Kent Fisher
Grants Pass
County Health Department.
The JCHD just recently
announced the opening of
additional Immunization
Clinic and Women’s Health in
the CJ Building after paying
to upgrade and remodel an
exam room there. It was both
surprising and shocking to
watch a TV announcement of
this proposed sale, apparently
without any public meeting
or input. I called the Health
Department Director today
who was also surprised
as NO ONE from the
Commissioner’s office has
contacted her regarding this
possible loss of public use
of County Building. KOBI
TV had an interview with a
representative of the Senior
Lunch program, there was
absolutely no mention of
any other community use,
Health Department historical
use of established and new
programs, or building as
designated Emergency
Disaster Services location.
Clearly this decision was
made with no factual
information or notification
of the current or future users
of this Building. The needs
of the Illinois Valley have
not been represented or
considered. Please table this
proposal until a complete
Needs Assessment is obtained,
Community Input Public
meetings held, and all current
users have been notified and
included prior to any decision.
As a community we all need
to speak up for the needs
of our residents and more
specifically, our children who
continue to need our support.
Thank you for consideration.
Sue Terran
Cave Junction
Obituaries
Harry Johnson Jr.
February 9, 1951 - May 8, 2017
See story on A-1
Lee Allen Martinho, 54 ,
of Cave Junction went missing Dec.
10, 2015 in Gasquet, Calif.
Martinho’s remains were found
March 12, 2017, near Gasquet, Calif.
in the area he was last seen 15 months
prior.
Martinho was born Sept. 21,
1962 Tulare, Calif. to Manuel Perry
Martinho and Carole Jean Robinson,
the third child of nine.
Martinho was a very good football
player and went to the state wrestling
tournament three times in four years.
Martinho and his brother Lee garnered
state notoriety as the taco brothers.
After graduating from I.V. High
School in 1976, he went to work
alongside his father in their family’s
construction business.
Eventually he met and married
Jamie Lynne Camp and had four
beautiful children; Marie Jean, Michel
Allen, Melisa Marie Cozad and Jamie
Lee Avalos.
After working for over 20 years in
construction, he had a severe accident
leaving him disabled and unable to
return to work.
After healing for over a year,
he found a passion in matsutake
mushroom picking. He loved being
in the wilderness, it was his second
home.
Martinho was preceded in death
by his parents, Perry Martinho and
Carole Jean Robinson; sister, Maria
Annett; brother, Sgt. First Class Eric
Neil Martinho, 39, while on duty with
the Army; daughter, Marie Jean 7; and
one nephew, Joshua 25.
Lee is survived by three children,
Michel Allen, Melisa Marie Cozad
and Jamie Lee Avalos and 17
grandchildren.
He will be missed by many.
Family and friends are going to say
their goodbyes at Laurel Cemetery,
May 20, 11 a.m. His ashes will be
spread at a later time.
I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
Rd., Selma 541-597-8530
May 19
May 20
The IV Garden Club’s meeting
on May 19th will have a presenta-
tion by herbalist Debbie Lukas on
beneficial herbs in the garden. The
IV Garden Club meets the 3rd Fri-
day of the month at United Method-
ist Church, 200 W. Watkins (across
for Shop Smart) in Cave Junction.
Social time and finger foods at
12:30PM. Meeting at 1PM. Visitors
welcome.
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 20
IV Garden Club Spring Plant
Sale. Mark you calendar for Satur-
day, May 20th, 9am at Western Pla-
za, next to True Value Hardware, in
Cave Junction. There will be lots of
plants, baked goods, and gift items
to purchase. This is a fund raiser for
IV High School Scholarships. Come
out and support your community.
May 21
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 20
Happy Birthday
Gabrielle Vincenza Mancuso
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
W.H. Alltheway, LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
May 23
Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.
“An Overview of Bumble
Bees” with Dr. Robbin Thorp: Deer
Creek Center, 1241 Illinois River
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 26
Friday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.
EVENING BIRDWALK led
by Dennis Vroman, in Fish Hatch-
ery Park, Grants Pass Please call
541-597-8530 to RSVP.
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-
cial “Area of Critical Environmental
Concern.” RSVP for carpool infor-
mation and other details: call 541-
488-578, or e-mail jeanine@kswild.
org.
June 18
Sunday, June 18, 6:30 p.m.
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.
“Adventures with Butterflies in the
Bioregion,” with Dana Ross: Deer
Creek Center, 1241 Illinois River
Rd., Selma 541-597-8530
Continuing
*Illinois Valley Community
Watch Meeting every Monday from
5 - 6 p.m.S, at Wild River Pizza, 249
Redwood Hwy. – Cave Junction. A
Public Safety Outreach Campaign
effort with all I.V. Neighborhood
Watch Groups – representatives,
including businesses and churches,
and support for anyone wishing to
start a neighborhood watch. In-
cludes a 2-way hand held radio pro-
gram briefing from 4:20 - 4:50 p.m.
Contact Guenter - 541-415-1929 /
ivwatch541@gmail.com.
*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-
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
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.”
*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
or visit cjpatrol.org.
*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:
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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.