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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2017)
Page A-2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Life in the Valley of Riches By DAN MANCUSO, Publisher It seems that the Josephine County Commissioners with the urging of the Josephine County planning director woke up one day and decided they needed to deal with the horrendous problems caused by weed. But the first problem was they didn’t have a problem caused by weed. Is this a scam? Because with all good scams there must be detailed planning. The commissioners and planning director laid out a very detailed plan and then asked the voters on the ballot if they wanted to ban commercial recreational growing of cannabis on RR lands. Many people, like myself, thought sure, that’s probably not a bad idea. I personally didn’t think a big pole barn wrapped in barbwire belonged in a residential area. I assumed they would grandfather anyone already approved to be there. So when 60 percent of the participating voters said yes, they solved the first problem but then created a real problem. Because, as it turns out, it seems that there was not a problem to begin with, it was just an advisory question. Then the planning director makes the claim she has hundreds of code violation complaints about pot farms. Hundreds then grew to over 700 and then shot up to 1,000. As it turns out, the county could only show there were 240 new code cases in 2017. And most of them were sound complaints, barking dogs, non-permitted structures - none of which are mutually exclusive to pot farms. So, in my opinion, the next part of the plan to deal with the horrendous problems was to start whispering the rumor that there is going to be citizen’s initiative to ban all growing in the county. This must have been in hopes to keep the natives in line. The next target on their radar was to address the unsubstantiated 5,000 illegal grows. It’s a big number that I seriously doubt, but I have no way to prove or disprove its validity. So now they have two windmills to chase, one for code violations and the second for illegal grows. And the commissioners continue to cry about this horrendous problem. After weeks of research and using the facts collected: the commissioners have crafted an ordinance to solve code violations and illegal grows that are having an alleged major negative economic impact on our community. So, as you are reading this the commissioners will have approved an ordinance to ban commercial grows on parcels of 5 acres or less. What I can’t help but wonder is…after all the problem solving, how will this ordinance stop illegal grows on BLM land as cited by the county? How will this ordinance stop illegal grows anywhere? How does this ordinance stop code violations? Heck, they can’t even enforce the codes we have now. It seems to me that the commissioners spent hours and weeks of time to solve a problem that they created by writing an ordinance that doesn’t solve the problems they created. Thank you for picking up this week’s paper, enjoy! ~ djm Letters to the editor Illinois Valley News wel- comes letters to the editor. Please e-mail them to dan@illinois-valley-news. com POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ encourag- es 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 authentic- ity. The “News” reserves the right to edit letters. Letters are used at the discretion of the publisher. *** (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact are strictly those of the letter writers.) County Releases Records For 12 years now I have been witness to the shaky process of overrule on personal and private property rights orches- trated behind county, state and federal govern- ments. Chris Hall is cer- tainly to be commended with his mighty effort to bring clarity to the al- leged many complaints announced by commis- sioners regarding Can- nabis RR5 growers. The $940 with 48 days later to get a very half baked response from county legal summed up with a redaction (refusal) is a case in itself. He’s en- titled to his money back, including time spent. There is also the matter of “Ross Day” who tried to persuade a $30,000 retainer by or- chestrating, as it’s lead appointee, a non-profit to pursue legal measures in behalf of licensed grower’s “land rights” with his background in dodging a 140K sexual harassment ‘out of court settlement’ by filing bankruptcy. A friend who was at the FARM meet- ing with me mentioned, “I have seen better from a used car salesmen.” In my last four years of law studies with Ron Gibson and other “non bar” counselors at law we are seeing a surge of judicial, common law, community rights, civil and land owner rights activism bringing flight and prosecution to more and more officials; Jack- son and Josephine coun- ties are right on that edge. We need amiable solutions and we are pi- oneering some of them through Neighborhood Watch efforts and other avenues. Know your neighbor, know your rights and stand with those that do. Our future depends on it. I com- mend our investigative journalism supported in the IV News, a gem of its time for liberty. Thank you Dan, Laura and all the writers. Guenter Ambron Cave Junction I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors www.since1928Hull.com 541-592-4110 Save the date Dec. 6 4th annual Local Author Event Wed, Dec. 6, 6 p.m. I.V. Local Authors get together every year at your library for reading and refreshments. Pur- chase an autographed book for a unique holiday gift! For more information contact Roberta Lee at 541-592-4770. I.V. Branch, Josephine Commu- nity Libraries, 209 W Palmer St, CJ Dec. 7 IVHS Winter Concert, Featuring the IVHS Choir and Band Program Dec. 7, 7 p.m.in the IVHS Cafeteria Dec. 7 Mason’s Spaghetti Dinner at the Kerby Belt Building, 24353 Redwood Hwy, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Veterans and first responders for free, and $5 for others. Dec. 8 IVHS boys’ JV basketball game at Oakland High School at 4:30 p.m. IVHS girls’ varsity basketball game at Oak- land High School at 6 p.m. IVHS boys’ varsity basketball game at Oak- land High School at 7:30 p.m Dec. 8 Dell’Arte’s “The Snow Queen”. The Dell’Arte Company’s annual holiday show tour, now in its 37th year, ushers in the festive season with an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen”. The timeless tale of a child’s spirit triumphing over impending darkness, “The Snow Queen” will play on Dec. 8 at the Lorna Byrne Middle School Gym at 7 p.m. Admission for this performance is free. The audience is asked Illinois Valley News Published weekly by I.V. News LLC Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher to contribute non-perishable food items, which the cast collects and donates to local food banks in collaboration with non-profit, Food for People. Dec. 9 The Rotary Club’s quarterly Clean Up Cave Junction Day will be Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1-3 p.m. Show up at 12:45 p.m. at the I.V. Family Co- alition, 535 E. River St. Dec. 9 and 10 The 7th annual Artisans’ Holiday Faire will take place at Lorna Byrne Middle School, Sat. Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sun. Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event features holiday caroling, family activities, a variety of performers and 3 dozen artists and crafters of pottery, wall art, handbags, toys, jewelry, clothing, pillows, ornaments, food gifts and stocking stuffers. Sponsored by Illinois River Valley Arts Council, which will be selling beverages, sweets and savories to benefit Learning Through Arts, an enrichment program offered at all 3 local public schools. Dec. 9 IVHS boys’ wrestling varsity tournament at North Bend High School, time to be announced IVHS Speech/Debate varsity invitational at Crater High School at 8 a.m. IVHS girls’ varsity basketball game at Milo Academy at 5:30 p.m. IVHS boys’ varsity game at Milo Academy at 7 p.m. . 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. Dec. 9 SuperReal: RiverStars Performing Arts, a program of the Illinois Valley Community De- velopment Organization, presents our 4th holiday show, SuperReal, Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in the Lorna Byrne Caf- eteria. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can and there will be a talkback with the artists after the show. Don’t miss your chance to see our town, onstage in this hilarious holiday romp about Scroogia, the Texas carpetbagger who has come to pull our lo- cal economy asunder. Fortunately, Scroogia meets her match in Tom and Jerry, the local cartoon and comics shop owners. Now if they can just get her to laugh, they will free Cavetown from a villain- ous takeover. Dec. 10 Rogue Community Band concert on Sun- day, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. This concert benefits the Josephine County Food Bank. Concert goers are to bring canned goods or checks for the Josephine County Food Bank. The concert takes place at the River Valley Church, Downtown Grants Pass, 405 NE 6th St Continuing Your public library has activities happening every week! New Storytime reader, Melanie, has crafts and stories for kids of all ages Saturdays at 12 noon. Families at Play baby-parent group is for babies the first Wednesday of the month from 1-2pm. Early literacy skills are taught within a thirty-minute storytime 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. IV Branch, Josephine Commu- nity Libraries, 209 W Palmer St, CJ 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 *Illinois Valley Community Watch Meet- ing every Monday from 5 - 6 p.m. at Wild River Pizza, 249 Redwood Hwy. – Cave Junction. A Public Safety Outreach Campaign effort with all I.V. Neighborhood Watch Groups – representa- tives, including businesses and churches, and sup- port 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 – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. *The Sheriff’s Office Substation in Cave Junction is now open on Mondays, Tues- days, and Thursdays, 10 to 2. Volunteers are still needed to staff additional days. Appli- cations 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 effectively addressing heretofore-unchecked property crime in our city and neighborhoods. The primary mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent, interrupt, 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 Restaurant, Grants Pass and 3rd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., Wild River Pizza in Cave Junction. 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.
