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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Letters to the
editor
ics, Helicopter and Air Tank-
Illinois Valley News welcomes
letters to the editor.
Please e-mail them to
dan@illinois-valley-news.com
POLICY ON LETTERS:
‘Illinois Valley News’ encour-
ages 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need not be published, but will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 com-
mentary, including statements
made as fact are strictly those
of the letter writers.)
Former forest fire
fighter has some
solutions
Some of you might know
me as the retired Illinois Val-
ley/Oregon Caves Visitor Cen-
ter Manager (1996-2005) or
the Kerbyville Museum Histo-
rian and Curator (unpaid vol-
unteer) full-time since 2006
when I retired after working
for over 35 years.
I am writing this letter
as a private individual who
still pays taxes and deals with
the “Summers of Smoke” that
some say is the “New Nor-
mal”. God I hope not!
I first want to give a
personal “Big Thank You” to
all the women and men Fire
Fighters, Sheriff’s/Law En-
forcement Personnel, Med-
er Pilots and support crews
and contractors who have
come from across the U.S.,
Canada and other countries,
once again, to our rescue and
fought to keep the Klondike
and Taylor’s Creek Fires from
consuming our nearby towns
and communities that we call
home. Your efforts are great
fully appreciated!!!
I fought several forest
fires in the early 1980s and
never did forest fires in the
past burn more than 20-30,000
acres if that, never did one
last 4-5 months and never was
one single house ever lost!
It is tough physical danger-
ous work. Sadly, we have lost
friends or neighbors who have
died fighting forest fires.
Here are a few of my
suggestions that have worked
in the past:
(1) Congress needs to
give the Forest Service fund-
ing to hire Brush Disposal
Crews!
Back in the 1970s and
1980s, each Ranger District
hired its own Brush Disposal
(BD) Crew in the early Spring
and their sole job was to go out
to designated areas and pile up
all the forest brush and then
burn it. This greatly reduced
the fuel load on the forest
floor.
It worked in the 1970s
and 1980s and it could work
now!
(2) Bring back the For-
est Service Smokejumpers -
Now!
When I arrived here on
the old Siskiyou National For-
est in March 1986, the Sis-
kiyou Smoke Jumper Base in
Cave Junction had been closed
for several years.
They were highly trained
women and men charged to do
one thing: Be flown by plane
and parachute into a forest fire
area and put it out! It worked
and was cost effective.
Then for some unknown
reason, Congress decided to
abolish the entire program
(it was too expensive?) and
closed all the Smoke Jumper
Bases! And so, even today, we
as tax payers are still paying
for this misguided decision.
-I don’t know about you
but I’m writing my Congress
people today to let them know
they made a huge mistake and
they need to re-instate the
Smokejumper Program now!!
(3). Establish a Manda-
tory (for All Young Men and
Women ages 18 to 25) on a 3
Year Contract Civilian Con-
servation Corps (CCC)!
The CCCs was started
in the early 1930s. It trained
unemployed young men, aged
18 to 25 years to do physical
work like building trails, fight-
ing forest fires, brush removal,
construct campgrounds, etc.
It gave these young un-
employed men basic job skills
that they could use to obtain
jobs later on. This was one
of most successful work pro-
grams ever and over 2 Mil-
lion young men learned life
long skills that they soon put
to use in fighting World War II
(1941-1945).
It really is sad to see so
many young people today
with no self motivation, no job
skills or self respect. I believe
having a CCC-type program
today could benefit everyone.
I’m 72 years old and re-
ally tired of all the smoke and
living in fear that fire will de-
stroy the place where I live
and enjoy my life. I’m sure
that others also have equally
good ideas to provide on these
topics. Collectively, we can
make a difference here and
elsewhere.
In closing, my late Moth-
er always used to say “An
ounce of Prevention is worth a
Ton of Cure.”
Susie, are especially saddened
by his passing, as it means di-
minished access to what was
until recently, a daily piece
of toast and jam. In addition
to his dogs, Ron is survived
by his wife of 42 years, Lynn
Parker; a son, Geoff Parker
(Meagan Parker) of McMin-
nville, Ore.; a daughter Jacque-
line Parker (John Notis); and a
granddaughter, Brooke Notis,
of Charlottesville, Va. and nu-
merous woodland creatures he
inadvertently befriended via
improper outdoor storage of
the cat food.
Mr. Parker was a mem-
ber of the Granite County
Historical Society (Montana),
the National Association of
Rail Passengers and the Kappa
Sigma Fraternal Organization.
No service is planned but do-
nations may be made to Jose-
phine County Animal Shelter.
Dennis Strayer
Cave Junction
A Call for Solidarity
This a call out to all our
children and grandchildren.
Our forests that provide
us with the water we need to
grow our food and our prime
farmland is being destroyed.
By your parents and grandpar-
ents.
They have the sickness
of more! They consume ev-
erything in site because the TV
and social media told them to.
With a total disregard of
the evidence before their eyes.
They are killing our planet. All
for a paycheck. An illusionary
tool meant to keep the masses
under control.
Once those forests are
gone, you won’t be able to buy
a glass of water or grow food.
But they don’t care. They are
blinded by greed and inten-
tionally ignorant.
Use your imagination,
look for the adults that are
working hard to protect what’s
left, for guidance. Do not take
“No” for an answer. All life on
this planet depends on your ac-
tions. Do whatever it takes to
stop them. But do not use vio-
lence and oppression as they
have.
Fighting fire with fire,
only burns everything up. It is
time to work together to do the
right thing. You know deep in-
side you, what the right thing
is.
We need you, now is the
time to take action. May you
see and know the power you
are and please use it wisely
and compassionately.
Nina Horsley
Cave Junction
Reporter responds
I am moved to add to
Publisher Dan Mancuso’s de-
fense of the integrity of the
news media. As a reporter for
the Illinois Valley News I con-
sider it virtually my sacred
duty to seek out and transmit to
my readers a range of perspec-
tives on an issue. This is par-
ticularly essential since much
of my reporting is “issue-re-
lated,” as opposed to report-
ing on straight-forward news
items. In fact, one of the percs
of my guiding rule is that often
I will end up having an enjoy-
able conversation with some-
one who’s views are opposed
to mine. I may not or may not
have my mind changed, but
that does permit me to under-
stand, and even sympathize on
some level, with the other’s
point of view. It can be a re-
warding experience.
And then there are the
other times, let’s face it, when
my personal response to an in-
terviewee’s opinion is, “OMG,
that’s nuts!” But that’s when
journalistic professionalism
comes into play. I absolutely
cannot allow my readers to
sense that reaction. It’s worth
mentioning that my backup in
this goal is Dan Mancuso. It
doesn’t happen a lot, but there
have been a few times when
he has changed a line in one
of my stories because he felt I
had inappropriately interjected
my own opinion.
To be clear, having my
own, informed points of view
as I head into an interview
on some hot button issue is a
plus. It helps me generate good
questions, and press the point
if I feel the other person is not
fully or fairly responding. But
the goal is always to bring out
the other person’s point of view
so that my readers can get the
full and unvarnished story.
Anita Savio
Cave Junction
Obituaries
Butter shares fell sharply
on news that Ronald C.
Parker of Cave Junction,
died July 2 in Grants Pass fol-
lowing a brief illness.
Born Jan. 22, 1936 in
Newark, N.J. to Sophia and
George Parker, he was raised
in Glen Ridge, N.J. An only
child, he spent much of his free
time aboard the local regional
rail lines, a childhood pastime
that resulted in a lifelong love
of trains, rail travel and trans-
portation collectibles.
Upon graduating in from
Lafayette College in 1952,
he went on to pursue gradu-
ate studies in geology at the
University of Montana in Mis-
soula, Mont. ultimately culmi-
nating in a decade-spanning
geological career that sent him
all over and under the Pacific
Northwest.
Ron’s dogs, Bailey and
Celebration of Life
Paula Ann Springhart
May 5, 1950 – July 13, 2018,
Come help us celebrate her
life together, Sept. 9, noon – 2
p.m., Potluck – bring your fa-
vorite dish, Forks State Park,
Cave Junction, For informa-
tion contact Teal at 503-866-
4955.
I llINoIs V alley F uNeral D Irectors
www.since1928Hull.com
541-592-4110
Save the date
Aug. 21 – Sept. 30
Native Plant Sale: Online Pre-orders
Aug. 21– Sept. 30, 2018, Wildflowers
– Shrubs – Trees – Bulbs Order Online:
Rogue Native Plants.org. Plant Pickups: Oct
6, 2018, Cave Junction & Medford, Rogue
Native Plant Partnership & Illinois Valley
Conservation District
Sept. 5 – Oct. 24
Grandparenting Free Classes,
Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – noon, Sept. 5
– Oct. 24 Grow your parenting skills, Gain
skills for all ages of children. Register Online
at www.surveymonkey.ocm/r/GSDL5L2,
I.V. Family Resource Cent, River room,
535 E. Rivers St. Contact information-Kitty
Waud, 541-592-4278, kwaud@frontier.com
sponsored by I.V. Wellness Resources, Oregon
Parenting Education Collaborative and The
Family Connection.
Aug. 31 – Sept. 2
Join the American Legion Post # 70
Auxiliary for BINGO at the I.V. Lions Day
Labor Day Festival in Jubilee Sat. Aug. 31
– Monday, Sept. 2 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sept. 6
KXCJ Concert: Freddy and Francine!
Thursday, Sept. 6, 6 – 10 p.m. Dinner 6
p.m. Concert 7:30 p.m. Catch the Nashville-
based duo Freddy and Francine as they swing
through town on their way to the Sisters
Folk Festival. Not quite folk, not quite pop
or Americana or vaudeville –and yet a mix
of all these things –the word “authenticity”
Illinois
Valley
News
Published weekly by
I.V. News LLC
Daniel J. Mancuso, Publisher
is probably the best way to describe Freddy
and Francine. But wait, there’s more! It’s
outdoors! Mediterranean dinner will be
served! Adult beverages, desserts, and more!
Did we mention it’s a benefit for KXCJ-LP
105.7, our local community radio station? All
ages welcome. Costumes encouraged (because
... why not?). http://kxcj.org/, info@kxcj.org
541-592-4112 https://www.freddyandfrancine.
com/ Takilma Community Building, 9367
Takilma Road, CJ
Sept. 11 – Nov. 3
Land Steward Short Course, Fall 2018
for Josephine County, Learn how to manage
your property’s natural resources more
effectively with this new course blending
online and field instruction. Brought to
you by Oregon State University (OSU) and
OSU Extension. Questions? Contact: Max
Bennett, Forestry & Natural Resources, OSU
Extension,541-776-7371, max.bennett@
oregonstate.edu. Class details: Classroom:
Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6-9 p.m., OSU Extension,
215, Ringuette Street, Grants Pass; Weekly
online lessons (self-paced) beginning Sept. 17;
First field session: Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m
-4 p.m.; and Second field session: Saturday,
Nov. 3, 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Course Fee -Early
bird registration by Aug. 17: $125; By Sept.
7 registration deadline: $150; Scholarships
and payment plans available by arrangement;
and for online registration visit: https://pace.
oregonstate.edu/catalog/land-steward-short-
course.
p.m., (Ends at 8 p.m.); Place: Community
Bible Church, 113 S. Caves Ave. Cave
Junction, OR 97523, 541-592-3896. Come
and have fun! There will be stories, music,
games and (often) light snacks. Registration
will be the 12th, so come a little bit early!
Children must be registered by their parents or
legal guardians. A.W.A.N.A. will meet every
Wednesday night unless otherwise notified.
Generally, if there’s no school, then there’s
no A.W.A.N.A., i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas
vacation, Spring Break, etc. A.W.A.N.A.
provides a local church sponsored program
for boys and girls, regardless of their religious
affiliation.
Sept. 22
New program developed by cohorts of
the Ford Family Foundation: Food Security
Free Trading Post, 9 a.m. at Jubilee Park in
Cave Junction to trade food such as fruits
and vegetables fresh from the garden. All
gardeners who have extra fruit and vegetables,
please join us and share your crop with your
neighbors in Cave Junction. Any leftovers
will be donated to a local church and the food
bank. Please call Kim at 541-415-1125 for
any questions. All are welcome to receive the
blessings of our harvest. There are also Food
Security Free Trading Post scheduled for Oct.
20 at 10 a.m.
Sept. 22
IVHS football fundraiser changed to
Sept. 22 due to smoke. See ad on page 5.
Sept. 12
AWANA Starts Sept. 12; Who: Children,
Grades PK-sixth; Time: Wednesdays at 6:15
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.
Sept. 28
*You could win $500, $300 or $200
editor -Laura Mancuso
laura@illinois-valley-news.com
copy editor - C.J. Schatza
classified ads - Laura Mancuso
laura@illinois-valley-news.com
circulation - Laura Mancuso
laura@illinois-valley-news.com
for creative recycling of “junk.” Spend your
summer making a piece of furniture out of
junk to enter in the third annual Upcycle
Furniture contest sponsored by the Southern
Oregon Guild. Judging will be Friday, Sept.
28, 3:30 p.m. at the CJ Farmer’ Market at
Jubilee Park. Your work will be judged on
CREATIVITY!!! So have fun making it!
For more information pick up a flyer at the
community booth at the CJ Farmers’ Market
Friday afternoons 4-7 p.m.
Sept. 30
“Making Your Vote Count,” the third
event in IV Indivisible’s Democracy at Risk
series, will take place on Sunday, Sept. 30, 3-5
p.m. at Wild River Pizza. Short presentations
interspersed with video and theater will
illuminate the many reasons voting is more
crucial than ever, despite increased threats to
our election system on several fronts. We’ll
also hear about those threats and possible
ways to remedy them, as well as numerous
other voting-related topics. Community
dialogue will follow. Admission is free. For
more information or to help, call 541-761-
4746, or email dwyer@cavenet.com.
Oct. 19
MEDICARE 101 Learn the basics of
Medicare and what you need to consider
before making your health care choices.
Attend a free, educational Medicare
workshop. Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.;
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.;
and Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 11:00
a.m. Illinois Valley Family Coalition, 535 E.
River Street, Cave Junction, OR 97523
DEADLINES:
News, Classified and
Display Ads,
Announcement and
Letters
4 P.M. FRIDAYS
advertising / composition -
Dan Mancuso
dan@illinois-valley-news.com
mailroom - Millie Watkins
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.