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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:
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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.