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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2017)
Page A-12 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Weather Watch Cave Junction Thursday, Nov. 9 Rain High -- 50 Low -- 43 Friday, Nov. 10 Showers High -- 50 Low -- 38 Saturday, Nov. 11 Partly Cloudy High -- 55 Low -- 41 Sunday, Nov 12 Rain High -- 50 Low -- 42 Monday, Nov 13 Rain High -- 46 Low -- 37 Tuesday, Nov 14 Energize Rogue looks to heat up JoCo Jason McMillen IVN Contributing Writer Energize Rogue, a nonprofit organization, is coordinating a program which will enable all residents of Josephine County to install ductless HVAC systems at a discounted price. According to Energize Rogue’s project outreach coordinator Paige Prewett, the systems are between 25 percent and 50 percent more efficient as compared to traditional electric ones,will last for well over 20 years and are very easy to install, oftentimes only requiring a single day’s work. After a successful first round in Jackson County, which resulted in 73 systems being installed—more than double their goal, Energize Rogue received additional funding from the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant which can be used, in part, to advance Josephine County’s clean energy economy. However, Prewett said that those who want to join the program must make a commitment by Dec. 31 so that they can take advantage of expiring state tax credits which, should the customer have tax liability, will result in a 50 percent discount, up to $1,300 off the cost of the equipment. “We’ll be working fast and furiously to get around to as many interested homes and businesses as possible to do an assessment and get their commitment,” Prewett said, “It doesn’t have to be installed before Dec. 31 but there has to be a commitment to purchase.” The two upcoming free informational workshops are scheduled for Nov. 16 and Dec. 5 at the AllCare Health Community Room in Grants Pass and will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Those who attend a workshop meeting and commit to the program will enjoy an additional 10 percent discount off their total purchase, excluding any costs for electrical work. In addition, Pacific Power customers who are upgrading from an existing electrical HVAC system are eligible for an $800 rebate, or $1,000 if they are of low income, from the Energy Trust of Oregon. Those who wish to attend the workshops are required to register beforehand at energizerogue.org. Financing options are available. Showers High -- 47 Low -- 41 Wednesday, Nov 15 Showers High -- 48 Low -- 41 Following are the high & low temperatures, and rainfall recorded at The End of the Road in O’Brien by Cheryl Johnson: Date 10/27 10/28 10/29 10/30 10/31 11/1 11/2 High 69.0 68.6 66.7 64.7 65.0 62.5 50.5 Low 41.6 42.2 45.4 47.3 38.2 33.7 44.7 Rain 0.01 0.01 0.17 Oct Rain: 3.88” YTD Rain: 4.05” BAN ... Continued from A-1 However, Hare concluded by saying that the perceived conflicts of interest are “probably not accurate,” a “spin on reality” and that his family has no intention of ever selling their property or growing cannabis on it. At the Oct. 24 Administrative Workshop meeting, Simon alluded to his near future abandonment of the ordinance after suggesting that it might be a “perfectly good strategy” to automatically refer it to the voters, forgoing the 90 day window for a petition to be circulated around the county.“I am so tired of this issue I’m almost to a point where I don’t care and I’m not going to do anything on it,” Hare said, “There are a hundred other things that I think I should be doing and this is not my sole job description.” Should the ordinance be referred to the voters either automatically or through the traditional What are you thankful for? Thanksgiving is Nov. 23. method, it would appear on the May ballot. Since cannabis farmers may have planted their year’s crop by that time the commissioners held that it could potentially put them at risk because, if the ordinance is approved, it will come into effect immediately, therefore forcing them to shut down mid-season. They did not discuss if a grace period could be written into the measure. Commissioner Lily Morgan, when questioned, said that automatically referring the ordinance to the voters has not been discussed any further. Commissioner DeYoung holds that the most recent installment of state level cannabis tax dollars isn’t enough to hire two deputies to get the “bad apples” out. However, the state recently changed its formula regarding the distribution of tax dollars and it now appears to favor growing counties because it’s based on total available grow canopy and the amount of OLCC licenses issued rather than simply on population. Much of the first installment, more specifically all taxes collected prior to July 1, 2017, were based on the old formula and so the first installment does not represent exactly how much Josephine County will receive every quarter in the future. Furthermore, it’s outlined in the new formula that counties which neither allow the growth or sale of cannabis will receive nothing, potentially making the pot larger for green friendly counties since 16 out of 36 Oregon counties abstain from both. DeYoung did not respond to questioning on the subject. Hare, commenting on future figures regarding how much larger the next installment could potentially be, said that for now it remains unclear. “I wish I knew something but this program is evolving with no one having a very good read on it.” (Photo by Dan Mancuso, Illinois Valley News) Josephine County Planning Director Julie Schmel- zer speaks to commissioners Wednesday, Nov. 1.
