Established
in 1937
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Letters to the Editor
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.)
* * *
Typed, double-spaced letters written solely to this newspaper are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered.
Cards of thanks are not accepted as letters.
* * *‘No one living at I.V. Grange Hall’
From Kendell W. Phillips,
president, Illinois Valley Grange 370
Cave JunctionThis is in response to the ad placed by Robert Hodges in the Nov. 16 issue of “Illinois Valley News.”
I want Hodges and others to know that no one is living at the I.V. Grange Hall. I.V. Grange is a community service-oriented, family based, fraternal organization -- and its hall is used only for those purposes.
We do, however, have numerous continuing projects where people are needed at the hall on a regular basis and, as such, can be seen coming and going at all hours of the day.
In the past, in times of community or individual need, we have opened our hall for temporary shelter from disasters such as floods, fires, storms, domestic violence and other such occurrences, but only for short periods and never on a permanent basis.
The hall is not set up as a residence and has no similar facilities available, except in times of emergency.
Those with further questions can contact us at P.O. Box 974 in CJ.
He wonders about USFS arson suspect
From Jim Nolan
Cave JunctionDid this news just pass us by? This is an interesting story about the kind of people who manage major fires.
I also want to point out that the suspect was an incident commander on the Biscuit Fire. Also, that locals at the Los Pritas Fire are wondering if it would have been put out much sooner if Van Bateman had not been in charge.
The article, from Reuters, states that Bateman, “the commander of an elite U.S. Forest Service firefighting team, was indicted on arson charges” earlier this month.
It notes that he was one of the first out-of-state commanders dispatched to New York City after Sept. 11, and that he last week was accused of setting two wildfires in the Coconino National Forest last year. He is charged with setting timber afire, and arson on public land, the story said.
It said further that USFS Chief Dale Bosworth initiated the investigation and is cooperating with the U.S. attorney general.
Bateman has been placed on paid administrative lead, according to the story, and faces an unpaid suspension.
The story states that a conviction for setting timber afire carries a maximum penalty of five years or a $250,000 fine, or both. Also, that a conviction for arson on public land carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, or a $250,000 fine, or both.
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