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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2017)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, November 15, 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 The latter need not be published, but will be used to verify authenticity.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.) Hey, Get A Grip… I’ve read a lot of I.V. News’ “Letters to the Editor” and I have the answer to the cannabis rodeos. It’s simple…here are the three an- swers to our problems. Commis- sioner, Commissioner, Commis- sioner. Re-call, Re-call, Re-call. Together we stand, divided not only do we fall, but we lose! Got It now? Keep re-calling until we elect good honest people that will fight for us and law en- forcement and roads and fire dept., plus schools. And community. It’s just that simple . How about men and women that have raised chil- dren and or been in business that know how to live in a budget. It is up to us, the voters and the commu- nity. Before it’s too late. Growers support the Valley and the county. Big growers take money out to oth- er counties and other states. If the county commissioners and state wants to make big mon- ey, why not tax each plant at, let’s say $500 per plant or $200 or so? Whether the plant makes it or not. Wow, how easy is that? Or that’s something too hard for them to figure out? It’s up to us now. Ken LeGeaux Selma Reader calls out county Yesterday I stopped at Shop Smart in Cave Junction on the way home to grab a few items, and as usual the place was abuzz with cus- tomers everywhere, the parking lot was pretty full, and all but a couple of the checkstands were open with lines. What struck me, however, was that the store was almost en- tirely populated by what appeared to be workers from the cannabis industry, just like me. Other times during the year, the store has what appears to be a large percentage of retirees mixed with local fami- lies, but yesterday that was not the case. But of course there were a few folks who were shopping at the store who most certainly did not fit the cannabis worker pro- file, and the way I could tell was the sneer on their face: they looked like they were disdainful of having their world invaded by aliens, or by immigrants we all know as trimmi- grants. It became immediately clear to me that the anger and resentment the cannabis prohibitionists harbor is not unlike what certain kinds of people feel against immigration, whether from the Middle East or Mexico. The effort to ban cannabis on rural residential lands is the main front in the culture war as it is be- ing fought in Josephine County. I felt really sad all of a sudden shop- ping at the store when this fact oc- curred to me because there are a number of people in our commu- nity who are bigoted towards the workers in the cannabis industry. The workers don’t dress the way the prohibitionists like, the work- ers look like they’re always happy and loving life, and that seems to annoy the prohibitionists because that means the workers like it here in our town, and possibly the great- est frustration the prohibitionists have is that it’s not just their town anymore, it’s everyone’s town, in- cluding the cannabis workers. The irony is that the greatest resentment about cannabis appears to come from the California retir- ees who moved here and thought their culture was fine to impose on the Illinois Valley, but that the can- nabis workers culture is not OK to them. This plays out in the letters I have read and itemized as part of a formal Request for Information I filed seeking all the correspondence the county commissioners have re- ceived on the matter. Of the portion of letters that are anti-cannabis, a significant portion complain that “they were here first” and that the cannabis farmers are ruining their lives. Some of the letters actually detail material concerns that can be mitigated, but a surprising number of them are just flat out bigoted. One after another says “I moved here to retire, and the cannabis is ruining my retirement.” Apparently, these transplants from out of state hypocritically be- lieve they have what’s called “first- in” rights, meaning that they are more equal than those who moved in after them. They also believe they have the right kind of culture that society is supposed to be made up of, and that the cannabis work- ers are from the wrong kind of cul- ture and are poisoning their way of life. From my experience living in the Illinois Valley and from lis- tening to the public comments at commissioner meetings, and from reading their letters, it is unam- biguously clear the anti-cannabis crowd is substantially made up of socially conservative California transplants who want to drive out the one good economic industry that can help everyone else who’s not on a fixed retirement income. And they want to do it mostly due to prejudice against cannabis. But you’ll say “What about the complaints” we’ve all heard about? Well, the first Request for Informa- tion demonstrated the county offi- cials, who share the prohibitionist stance, blatantly and repeatedly lied on the record in public hear- ings and in the media saying there were “1,000 marijuana-related complaints” in the planning depart- ment when they couldn’t produce one single formal complaint: all they could muster was 729 unrelat- ed open code violations going back 10-15 years, and a terribly format- ted mailing list they recently used to inform people of the new ordi- nance that just passed on fencing and lighting. Furthermore, Dan DeYoung claimed on Ch 5 T.V. and elsewhere he had a four inch thick stack of complaints on his desk. My second Request for Information which, in part, included that stack, turned out to be about 3/4” thick when the duplicates were removed, and a portion of those were pro-canna- bis: there were a grand total of 88 anti-cannabis letters he collected sitting on his desk over the past year in a county with a population of 84,000. The number addressed to him was 29. I think it would be a tragedy if a small vocal minority of anti- cannabis California transplants managed to work together with the county commissioners to ban cannabis gardening of 13 or more plants on rural residential lands in Josephine County per the current Ordinance, 2017-002. On an entirely separate and much worse note, you should know that there is currently a ref- erendum push circulating among a tight crowd that has almost gotten the required number of signatures to go onto the May 2018 ballot to ban all cannabis in Josephine County, including the four plants permitted by Measure 91, the 12 plants permitted by the state that do not require OLCC Cannabis Tracking System regulation, and of course, any and all gardens with 13 or more plants. Every single plant cultivated in Josephine County will be unlawful on May 9, 2018 if this referendum passes. Christopher Hall Cave Junction Another reader questions county The present board will consid- er raising numerous fees on county residents.We have no say in this matter.All 3 county commissioners have supported a series of tax lev- ies raising ones taxes at least 10%. You will have a legacy of being the biggest tax increase proponents in my 22 years here. Regarding your proposed cannabis regulations as the law- yers have warned you be careful because you are leaving the county open to large financial liability. You will be taking away private prop- erty rights from legal responsible cannabis growers based on unveri- fied complaints. I remind commis- sioners DeYoung and Morgan you are not dealing with city residents as you did before as city council- ors. We are a different breed in the county. You serve us and you need to take that seriously. Rep. Wilson has stated his opposition to your unreasonable time, place and man- ner. I trust you will see the light of day and act in a reasonable manner to avoid financial consequences. One would hope you see the value of an improved local economy and not try to disrupt it. Thank you, Mark Seligman Selma Obituaries 83 , Joe Weigman, of Cave Junction died Nov. 5, 2017 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation. Joe was born Aug. 27, 1934 in Bell, Calif. to Joseph & Floris Weig- man. He lived in East Los Angeles and attend- ed Garfield High School. He then attended college in Whittier. Joe enlisted and served in the United States Army. After his discharge, he worked for 32 years for GTE as a telephone installer in Whittier and Santa Ma- ria. In 1984 he retired and in 1985 he moved from Santa Maria to Cave Junction. Thirty-one years ago, he met Michele Colbert and they’ve been together ever since. He was a member of the American Legion Glenn Morrison Post #70 and served as past com- mander for five years. He was also a member of the Cave Junction senior center. His hobbies includ- ed reading, bowling, and woodworking including making a special desk for his home. Survivors include his spouse, Michele Col- bert of Cave Junction; two sons, Richard Weig- man of Durango, Colo. and Stanley Weigman of Bullhead City, Ariz.; and two grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 at Bridgeview Community Church with Pastor Son- ny Moore officiating. Please visit the obit- uary and sign the family guest book at www.sin- ce1928hull.com. 48 , Guy Hudson, of Cave Junction, died Nov. 7, 2017 at his home. Arrangements are pending with Illinois Valley Funeral Direc- tors. I llInoIs V alley F uneral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date Nov. 23 Dec. 1 *Thanksgiving Dinner at Illinois Val- ley Grange 2 – 6 p.m. Join us to celebrate this special day! Everyone welcome, pickup available, 3763 Holland Loop Rd. Cave Junc- tion. Call 541-295-7579 for information and pickup. Historic church plans open house on First Friday Art Night : GRANTS PASS — Newman United Methodist Church will host a Christmas open house on First Friday Art Night in December. Scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, the open house will feature a reading of “The Night Before Christmas, holiday music by several different performers, a display of angels, a reading from “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” and refreshments. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Newman United Methodist Church’s sanctuary is the oldest church structure in Grants Pass. Built in 1889 in the Gothic Re- vival style, the church is on the National Reg- ister of Historic Places. This year, the entire exterior of the sanctuary will be illuminated in white lights, including the 88-foot high steeple. More information about NUMC is avail- able at newmanumc.net. *Nov. 23 marks the third annual Thanks- giving dinner sponsored by CEEN (Cultural and Ecological Enhancement Network) at the Jubilee Park Pavilion Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free-to-all-comers event has been a tradition stretching back to the first “CJ Cares” organized by Lynn Boucher in 1987. Requesting, but not required, food dona- tions of side dishes, desserts or non-alcoholic beverages. Cash donations may be delivered to Tim Leyba, Monday Nov 20, 9:30 to 4:30 at the Doug Hoskins Resource Center Food Bank adjacent to Fountain of Life Assembly of God, 451 S. Junction Ave. Please call Tim 541-291-8860 to volun- teer, donate or if you’re preparing a turkey. Illinois Valley News Published weekly by I.V. News LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher Dec. 10 Rogue Community Band concert on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. This concert bene- 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. fits the Josephine County Food Bank. Concert goers are to bring canned goods or checks for the Josephine County Food Bank. The con- cert takes place at the River Valley Church, Downtown Grants Pass, 405 NE 6th St 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. 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. WALL OF HONOR OF HEROES” *The “FACES Sheriff’s Office Substation in Please Cave is now open those on who Mon- help the Junction Kerbyville Museum in recognizing have served or are serving in our armed forces. Submit a photo days, 10 than a.m. 2 with p.m. Volunteers (no larger 8x10) to along the information below so are we still might honor your loved one. needed to staff additional days. Applica- tions available at the substation or on Name of are service member______________________________ Branch at of Service____________________________________ line http://www.co.josephine.or.us/Files/ Unit (if known)______________________________________ Volunteer%20Application.Mar%202014.pdf. Service dates__________________to____________________ Home town/state_____________________________________ *Cave Junction Patrol, LLC is looking for volunteers. CJ Patrol is a private citizen Phone_______________email__________________________ volunteer organization dedicated to effective- YOUR PHOTO AND TEXT VIA EMAIL TO: ly SEND addressing heretofore-unchecked property kerbymuseum@cavenet.com crime OR MAIL in TO: our city and neighborhoods. The pri- Kerbyville Museum & History Center mary mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent, in- P.O. Box 3003 Kerby, Oregon 97531 terrupt, report and decrease property crime in For more information or to donate, please call us at (541) 541-592-9665 592-5252 the city of Cave Junction. Call Your name_________________________________________ *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- fort with all I.V. Neighborhood Watch Groups – representatives, including businesses and churches, and support for anyone wishing to 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 Address____________________________________________ 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.
