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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, November 1, 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 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not be published, but will be used to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 commen-
tary, including statements made as
fact are strictly those of the letter
writers.)
Is our Democracy in
serious trouble?
Let’s have a serious, civil and
constructive conversation about the
state of our democracy. For example,
here is just one significant issue to
focus on today: Is our election sys-
tem working as it should?
This question encourages us
to think about how can the average
American afford to run for political
office? Why do less than 50 percent
of Americans vote? How is gerry-
mandering rigging the election sys-
tem? Is it fair, reasonable and just for
us not to elect the president by the
national popular vote?
Dear concerned citizens, please
consider attending the nonpartisan,
“Democracy at Risk: Panel discus-
sion at Illinois Valley High School
Commons, Sunday, Nov. 5, 4 p.m.
The table discussions that follow will
give all of us an opportunity to focus
on four crucial topics (in addition to
the one mentioned above) regarding
the state of our democracy. Together,
let’s figure out what we need to do to
fix the problems.
Gary Eby, MSW (retired)
Cave Junction
Dear friends,
Like probably most of you, I
have been frustrated, confused, and
scared by current trends in politics
and government. To cope, I joined Il-
linois Valley Indivisible, where I met
a fine group of citizens who have
bolstered my spirits and helped me
work to promote positive change. I
feel better!
The last election indicated
to me that Americans need to talk
with people within their communi-
ties, but across the political divides.
I think we’d benefit by finding com-
mon ground and broad-based solu-
tions, rather than focusing on our
differences or being bludgeoned into
passivity. So our group developed
a nonpartisan panel discussion and
public dialogue we call “Democracy
at Risk.” It will be held November
5, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Illinois Val-
ley High School in Cave Junction. It
will address these concerns:
A. Is our Election System— our
two-party choices, our right to vote,
majority rule— working as it should?
How well do our representatives ac-
tually represent us?
B. Are there signs we might lose
our democracy, to something closer
to dictatorship? What are the signs
of authoritarianism? Are our Consti-
tutional protections against abuses
of power, like separation of powers,
checks and balances, and our First
Amendment freedoms working as
they should?
C. What is gerrymandering?
How much does it distort election re-
sults and polarize our politics? How
big a problem is our polarization?
D. What are some positive so-
lutions to our problems that citizens
can propose and insist upon?
We have an excellent panel.
I’ll give an introduction. We have a
scary video on tyranny. The second
half of the program will be smaller
discussion groups, each centered on
a different topic.
I hope to see you there, and that
everyone who comes feels uplifted.
Jack Dwyer
Selma
Get active
This is an amazing community.
Everywhere I turn there are active in-
volved people spending their unpaid
(or paid) time working to make our
valley a better place. A few years
ago, the Ford Family Foundation
invested in our valley to support a
learning process for community part-
nering. During and after that process,
dozens of people, from many differ-
ent walks of life, met and worked
on projects together. I worked with
people whose names I had known
but with whom I had never spent any
time. It was exhilarating to feel a
part of the larger community. Then
the IVCDO sponsored a commu-
nity wide strategic planning process.
They reached out extensively to get
input from diverse groups for creat-
ing a better future here. The project
spawned numerous ongoing action
groups as well. Currently there are
several opportunities for us, as com-
munity, to come together to enhance
our ability to communicate with each
other, to solve problems together and
to continue our valley-owned process
of creating a better community.
Here are a couple, but check
out the new Illinois Valley Web for
dozens more opportunities to get to
know your neighbors and do some-
thing good as well!
KXCJ Community Radio – Did
you know we have our very own LO-
CAL radio station? They are always
interested in community volunteers,
new programming and community
events.
Democracy at Risk: A Nonpar-
tisan Panel & Community Dialogue
takes place Nov. 5 at the high school
at 4 p.m. This is a community event
for addressing the challenging issues
of our democracy, right here in river-
city!
There simply are no problems
too large for a group of dedicated
individuals working together. Our
local issues are not really separate
from national issues. I for one would
like to work harder right here, in
our town, to learn to communicate
with my neighbors, share ideas and
nurture our diversity – politically,
culturally and other ways – because
I know that that diversity makes us
stronger and more resilient. Together
we stand. : )
Patty Downing
O’Brien
Obituaries
Eileen Ethel McLean Feb. 4, 1939
– Oct. 22,2017
Eileen Ethel McLean died, Oct. 22, 2017, at her
home in Cave Junction, surrounded by her loving
family. She is survived by her husband of 60 years,
Walter (Mick) McLean; brother, Clayton Maxam;
son, Reverend Mark (Theresa) McLean; daughters,
Pamala (Edward) Yaple and Janice (Dennis) Marti-
nez; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Eileen graduated from Grants Pass High and
married the love of her life June 5, 1957. Her
achievements were monumental. Her passions were
boundless. She was the first female licensed real es-
tate broker in the Illinois Valley and sold real estate
with her husband for many years. Later she became
an investment officer at U.S. Bank in Grants Pass
retiring in 1994.
Eileen was gracious and generous, a loyal
friend, mother and wife. She had a talent for making
people smile. She loved camping, travel, her church,
crafting and spending time with her family. She will
be missed for the joy she shared with all who knew
her.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later
time.
I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
Nov. 1.
Boys soccer playoff game Wednesday
Nov. 1, against Western Mennonite will be
played at Salem Academy, 942 Lancaster Dr
NE in Salem. The game will start at 3 p.m.
Ticket Prices: $6 adults $4 students
Nov. 3 & 4
IVHS Speech/Debate Varsity Invitation-
al at Ashland High School, Time to be deter-
mined.
Nov. 4
Rummage Sale at Good Shepherd Lu-
theran Church (across from high school), Sat-
urday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Nov. 5
Democracy at Risk: A Nonpartisan Panel
and Community Dialogue Sunday, November
5, 4 - 6 p.m. in the Illinois Valley High School
Commons
Is America’s Election System working
as it should? Are our First Amendment free-
doms at risk from abuses of power? Is politi-
cal polarization tearing our democracy apart?
What are some positive solutions that we, as
citizens, can propose to maintain our core
democratic values?
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
I.V. News LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
The event is free and open to all con-
cerned citizens, and will include music and
light refreshments. Participants are encour-
aged to bring finger foods to share. We hope
you will join in the discussion of these impor-
tant issues and work with us to find common
ground.
For more information call 541-727-8312
or email qlcoach2@yahoo.com.
Continuing
Your public library has activities hap-
pening every week! New Storytime reader,
Melanie, has crafts and stories for kids of
all ages Saturdays at noon. Families at Play
baby-parent group is for pre-walking babies
Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. Early literacy
skills are taught within a thirty-minute story-
time of songs, bounces, and reading, followed
by a half-hour of play and chat time. For more
information contact Roberta Lee at 541-592-
4770. I.V. Branch, Josephine Community Li-
braries, 209 W Palmer St, CJ.
*Illinois Valley Community Watch Meet-
ing every Monday from 5 - 6 p.m. at Wild
River Pizza, 249 Redwood Hwy. – Cave Junc-
tion. A Public Safety Outreach Campaign ef-
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.
fort with all I.V. Neighborhood Watch Groups
– representatives, including businesses and
churches, and support for anyone wishing to
start a neighborhood watch. Includes a 2-way
hand held radio program 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 Sheriff’s Office Substation
in Cave Junction is now open on Mon-
days, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are still
needed to staff additional days. Applica-
tions are available 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 organization dedicated to effective-
ly addressing heretofore-unchecked property
crime in our city and neighborhoods. The pri-
mary mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent, in-
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
terrupt, report and decrease property crime in
the city of Cave Junction. Call 541-592-9665
or visit cjpatrol.org.
*Committee Meeting STATE OF JEF-
FERSON Josephine County 1st Thursday of
each month at 5:30 p.m. Black Forest Restau-
rant, Grants Pass and 3rd Thursday of each
month at 6 p.m., Wild River Pizza in Cave
Junction.
*Come join the Cave Junction Lions
Club at River Valley Restaurrant, at 6 p.m. on
the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. We
are a co-ed club and are always looking for
community minded people that are dedicated,
hard working, whether physically limited or
not and most of all, like to have fun. Come by
and see what we do or give us a call, 541-592-
9243 Nina Horsley, president.
*Second and fourth Mondays of the
month, 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of
City Hall, 222 W. Lister Street, Cave Junc-
tion, Oregon, the Common Council of the
City of Cave Junction will meet in a regular
session.
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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.