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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not be published, but will be used to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
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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____________________________________________
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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.