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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Life in the
Valley
of Riches
By DAN MANCUSO,
Publisher
Last Wednesday I was on my paper route and when I got
back into my car, the radio DJ was talking about yet another
school shooting. I patiently waited to hear where the shooting
was at, because I have a daughter who is a speech pathologist
at a school near Denver and two of our boys are in high schools
in Grants Pass and Batavia, Illinois. I knew Jaxon was OK as I
was in GP and things seemed normal. But I had no idea if Abby
and John were safe.
It seemed to go on forever without mentioning where, I
was beginning to panic and then I got word and was relieved all
of mine were safe. But are they ever safe in this crazy world?
The next time, and there will be a next time, and time after that,
am I going to be lucky again?
This is no way for anyone to go through life. How can
children focus on getting an education while processing the
events of Feb. 14? My seven-year-old nephew who goes to
school on an Army base in Georgia came home from school
and announced that he shouldn’t wear shoes that “light up” as
a shooter could spot the light and shoot him. Seven-year-olds
should not have to worry about these types of things. Seven-
year-olds should not have to have active shooter drills. Seven-
year-olds should be able to wear shoes that light up when they
run because they should spend their days being a child. High
school students should worry about the game Friday night and
if the parental units will let them use the car to take that cute
girl on a date. Teachers should focus on educating our country’s
future leaders.
I don’t have the answer to this disease our country suffers
from, but I don’t think teachers carrying guns is the answer.
While I don’t know how to solve the issue, I do have an idea
of the cause of the issue. If you look at all of modern day ills,
in the end, it all falls down to mental illness and the need for
immediate gratification. None of you need a “back when I was
a kid” sermon, but back when I was a kid we had a funded
mental health system and the state of the nuclear family was
strong. We have little of either today, and that makes me sad.
Our Lady Cougars basketball team is in the playoffs
again. They are heading up to Clatskanie High School for a
playoff game Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Go COUGS!
Thank you for picking up this week’s paper, enjoy! ~ djm
lottery fund has given no
objection to this allotment of
state economic development
funds by Jackson county for
three years straight.
At the Feb. 14, 2018
Weekly Business Session at
Anne Basker Auditorium,
Airports Director Larry
Graves and Community
Development Director
Julie Schmelzer requested
an economic development
“grant” from the above
mentioned lottery fund to
“cover the cost of a round-
trip flight from Grants Pass
to Aurora State Airport on
September 11th, 2017” The
purpose of the trip was to
“facilitate the development
of the Southern Oregon Air
Academy (SOAA) Board
Charter and Articles of
Incorporation”. The agenda
for the weekly business
session goes on to say the
flight “...was conducted for
the purpose of transporting
Commissioner Lily Morgan,
Airports Director Larry
Graves, RCC Dean of
Science and Technology
Steve Shilling, Southern
Oregon Education Services
Division Director Daniella
Bivens and Southern Oregon
Air Academy Board Chair
Caleb LePlant”. The total
cost of the flight was billed
by PacJet Inc. to the tune of
$3,259. The Commissioners
gave the “grant” to Graves
and Schmelzer, with Morgan
and DeYoung voting yes and
Simon Hare abstaining.
fraudulence.
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
commentary, including state-
ments made as fact are strictly
those of the letter writers.)
A TALE OF TWO
COUNTIES
This letter to the editor
was inspired by a recent
literary piece by the Editor
published in the Feb. 14,
2018 edition of the I.V.
News. I want to thank
Laura Mancuso for her
compassionate viewpoint¬
regarding the homeless/
addiction/mental illness
crisis that this rich valley
has been and is currently
experiencing. A grass roots
effort does appear to be the
only likely solution to every
problem that this valley faces,
although it would provide a
bit of solace knowing that
our county government had
a fraction of Laura’s concern
for the greater whole.
Every county in
Oregon receives economic
development money from the
state lottery fund based on
population. Between 2015
and 2017, Josephine County
has received $1.14 million
from the fund. During the
time period, Jackson County
received $2.58 million from
the fund. During this same
time period, Josephine
County spent $58,000 on
“administration” while
Jackson County spent
$53,897. This information
can be verified on the website
for Oregon.gov under the
heading “2017 - 2015 Oregon
County Expenditures of State
Lottery Funds Report”.
Josephine County
commissioners will tell you
that there are only certain
things that the lottery money
can be spent on and public
safety, drug addiction and
mental health programs are
not on the list. However,
if you look at the details on
the website you will find
that Jackson County has in
fact dedicated ALL of their
Oregon lottery economic
development funds “to
help strengthen economic
development by 1) providing
a safe environment for
businesses to operate in. 2)
Helping inmates overcome
obstacles to employment
with programs that address
addiction problems, mental
health issues and education
(GED).” The state of Oregon
So here we live in a
county that will cough up
$3,259 from the lottery fund
for a private jet transport
for a short escapade by two
county officials and three
other free loaders to create
an opportunity for a few
dozen privileged youngsters
to get them excited to fly
airplanes while hundreds of
children in the county don’t
have regular meals or a safe
place to sleep. The cherry on
top for me is the fact that the
trip was chartered 5 months
prior to the request, and then
to request reimbursement
under the guise of a “grant”?
Anyone who has ever written
for a “grant” knows that you
must wait for grant approval
before you have the privilege
to go forward in spending the
grant money.
Maybe folks don’t
feel like $3,259 is a big
deal in the grand scheme of
things. I see it as the tip of
the iceberg, an indicator that
there is a much larger issue
just under the surface that is
at the root of the troubles of
this county. We don’t lack
adequate funding, we lack
compassionate leadership
making wise use of the
county funds, working for the
greater good of all the people
of Josephine County. Shame
on Larry Graves and Julie
Schmelzer for manufacturing
such a frivolous need for
funding and shame on all
three commissioners for
their participation in the
Sunrise Ocean
Cave Junction
Dear Editor:
How do you reform
a gun? The answer is, of
course, you can’t! A gun is an
inanimate object. A hammer,
an ax, a tire iron, a golf club
or a big rock can all be used
as tools, but as we all know,
when they are misused, they
can kill. So when you hear
gun reform, they really mean
“people reform.”
We have been told many
times “If you see something,
say something.” Recently,
at least two or three times,
people have said something
to the FBI and they did
nothing. What used to be the
premier investigative agency
of the world, were not there
when they were needed.
Could it be that when
the upper echelon of the FBI
got so distracted by their
foray into presidential politics
they not only overlooked the
many laws their candidate
broke while Secretary of
State, their ineptness trickled
down resulting in 17 deaths.
For eight years we had
a president that politicized
and weaponized key areas
of our government including
the IRS, EPA and the ATF to
the entire State Department.
Law and order has suffered
while a president did his
best to “fundamentally
change” our country from
the dynamic Republic our
founders envisioned to
a cumbersome, lethargic
socialized democracy we see
in the declining countries in
Europe.
For reasons I don’t
understand, the left, liberals
and progressives have talked
themselves into believing
making school “gun free
zones” should solve the
problem. However what
they really did was to invite
shooters to ply their wares
with kids! For some reason
Democrats love lots of laws
but only pay attention to
those they like. Like having
your own server when the
U.S. government requires
people like the Secretary
of State to use much more
safe and secure government
servers.
The NRA can tell you
how you can have a healthy
respect for guns rather than
fill you full of paralyzing
fear. A shooter can only
shoot one direction at a time.
If several potential victims
start throwing books, chairs,
shoes, rocks or anything at
him so he is being attacked,
then a couple or three people
can attack from his back and
disarm him. Then others can
pummel him until their hearts
are content, or until the law
arrives to save him.
No two situations are
the same but being proactive
can save yourself and others
and beats waiting to be shot.
Greg Anderson
Cave Junction
Obituaries
Harvey “Dusty” Rhodes, 70 ,
of Cave Junction, died Feb. 8, 2018 at Asante
Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Dusty was born Nov. 24, 1947 in
Baytown, Texas. Dusty was a business man,
owning several businesses throughout the
span of his lifetime, most notable an air-
conditioning business in Houston, Texas.
Dusty was married and divorced in the 1970s
and retired from business in 2008. In 2000 he
moved with his family from Houston to Cave
Junction.
Dusty was a Mason. His hobbies
included repairing pinball machines and
playing video games.
Survivors include a daughter,
Heather Rhodes of Phoenix, Ore. and two
granddaughters, Misty Rhodes of Cave
Junction, Oregon and Bonnie Farley of
Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents,
William Henry Rhodes and Shirley Enderli.
Private interment will be at Laurel
Cemetery in Cave Junction.
Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in
charge of arrangements.
I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
Feb. 21 - 24
March 7, 14, 21 April 4 & 11
Wednesday, Feb. 21, thru Saturday, Feb.
24, 11 a.m. Your public library has NEW
HOURS! Starting Wednesday the 21 the I.V.
Branch will be open 4 days a week at 11 a.m.
Wednesday 11-6, Thursday 11-5, Friday
11-5 & Saturday 11-5 For more information
contact Roberta Lee at 541-592-4770. I.V.
Branch, Josephine Community Libraries, 209
W Palmer St, CJ
Seeds to Supper, Call to register OSU
Extension 541-476-6613. A beginner’s guide
to low-cost vegetable gardening. The Jose-
phine County Master Gardeners are present-
ing a FREE series of six gardening courses on
how to raise your own vegetables. Learn how
to garden on a budget. Participants receive a
free gardening book and more.
Course topics: garden site & planning/
soil development/planting/caring for the gar-
den/harvesting and using garden bounty. Of-
fered in partnership with Oregon Food Bank
and Josephine County Master Gardeners
Feb. 24
On Feb. 24 a Vision clinic is being
held at I.V. High School 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. by
Josephine County Foundation Vision Clinic.
Josephine County Foundation (JCF) is a stu-
dent led nonprofit that inspires, engages and
strengthens the community through innova-
tive leadership and service. JCF has a “clear
vision” to help Josephine County afford care
through their vision clinic. People will receive
a full eye exam.
March 10
Feb. 28
Senior Expo to be held Saturday, March
10 from 10 - 2 at the I.V. Senior Center. 520
E. Rier Street. Come hear presentations, visit
booths, participate in health screenings/demos
and have soup and dessert.
Cave Junction Community Naloxone
Meeting, Free naloxone available, Learn how
to use naloxone and get it from you local
pharmacy. Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at
Healthy U, 535 E. River Street, CJ
Clean in Green, CJ Quarterly Clean up
day, Saturday, March 17, 12:45 – 3 p.m., meet
at I.V. Family Resource Center, 535 E. River
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
I.V. News LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
March 17
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.
St. Organized by Rotary Club of I.V. For
more info call Nicole at 541-660-2419.
Continuing
*Evergreen Elementary school is looking
for SMART (Start Making A Reader Today)
volunteers. The program will run Tuesdays
through Thursdays and volunteers are asked to
come to Evergreen around 11:30 a.m. and will
be out at 12:45 p.m. To learn more about the
SMART program you can call 541-734-5628
or visit the website at www.getSMARToregon.
org.
*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.
*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
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
volunteer organization dedicated to effectively
addressing heretofore-unchecked property
crime in our city and neighborhoods. The pri-
mary mission of CJ Patrol is to prevent, inter-
rupt, 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 Restau-
rant, Grants Pass and 3rd Thursday of each
month at 6 p.m., Wild River Pizza in Cave
Junction.
* Illinois Valley Indivisible, a grassroots
community dedicated to the nonviolent de-
fense of our democratic system and basic hu-
man rights, meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays
of each month from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the IV
Family Coalition, 535 E. River Street in Cave
Junction.
* Mountain Wind Sangha. Every Tues-
day morning from 9-10:30. New Wednesday
time through Feb. 4 -5 p.m. Mindfulness medi-
tation. Our community welcomes people from
all backgrounds and at all stages of their spiri-
tual journey. Meets above Bagel Junction,
DEADLINES:
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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.