Established
in 1937
|
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 and/or Website 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.
* * *Whose study, research ya’ gonna’ believe?
From Lynne Vanderlinden
Cave JunctionHere we go again. Their scientists vs. our scientists.
Greg Walter “I.V. News,” 2/15) is evidently anti-salvage logging; therefore he terms the Donato study “impeccable” (def. 1 faultless, 2. not capable of being wrong.)
Naturally, those who question it are slippery, unprofessional buffoons whose credentials and research are worthless. Walter even stated that “they” had not taken time to read Donato’s findings. After all the hoopala surrounding this article, I doubt that.
Without taking the time here to go into the merits of either side of the argument, I found a good Website of before-and-after photos of Mt. St. Helens, where Weyerhaeuser started salvage logging and replanting its land as soon as the mountain cooled down enough. Even though these pictures are 10 years old, what was accomplished in 20 years is nothing short of amazing.
At present these trees are 70-75 feet tall and are sustainably logged on a regular basis, providing timber, jobs and donated lumber for Habitat for Humanity homes across the nation. Our public land (BLM) was left to regenerate on its own, and looks like the face of the moon. But hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Visit weyerhaeuser.com/citizenship/publicoutreach/sthelens/photogallery. Sometimes pictures are worth more than a thousand words. Better yet, disbelieve any study by anyone until you actually go see it for yourself.
Tree-Planting Day fun set Saturday, March 4
From Suzanne Vautier
Cave JunctionIt is that time of year again; the community is gearing up for the annual Forestry Action Committee (FAC) Volunteer Tree-Planting Day set for Saturday, March 4.
There is a buzz in the air as everyone gets ready for the big day. And it is exciting to see all the folks coming out to pull this event together.
People with donations of food for the tree-planters can leave it in the Butler Bldg. at the U.S. Forest Service’s lower compound in Cave Junction by 11 a.m. We especially need main dishes; but anything that will help feed the hungry tree-planters will be gratefully appreciated.
Volunteer tree-planters are encouraged to bring tools if they have them, and to be at the compound at 9 a.m. for sign-up, where we will have doughnuts, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Then it is off on an adventure in tree-planting along riparian areas at locations within the Illinois River Watershed.
When the trees have been planted it is time for a nice lunch provided by the community. Lunch will be in the Butler Bldg., where everyone can share their stories of the day’s adventure. It is a fun event for everyone; for families, youth groups and adults.
We hope that many will come join the fun and community spirit of the Tree-Planting Day.
Cutting trees at former base seen quite harmful
From Roger Brandt
Cave JunctionI was recently told that the Josephine County Board of Commissioners has ordered tree-cutting at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base within the area nominated for placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tree-cutting needs to stopped for two reasons:
Public Trust: I understand that the tree-cutting is being done to implement the conditions of an FAA grant for expanding the airport. This grant was apparently awarded without following guidelines required by law. Implementing the conditions of this grant under these circumstances violates the trust of the constituency.
Economic Values: The county has taken no apparent steps to understand the economic consequences that may happen if tree-cutting takes place within the historic Siskiyou Smokejumper Base. Without this information, the county commissioners may be setting the county on a course that will result in a serious reduction of our economic stability, economic adaptability, and economic resiliency.
I have included the following to help clarify this concern.
A panel of experts appointed by Oregon’s governor recently acknowledged that the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base is a significant story in U.S. history and approved placing it on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places. This represents a significant economic development opportunity in the heritage tourism market.
No other county on the West Coast has this story, so the marketing opportunities that can make us competitive in the lucrative heritage tourism sector are significant. Without giving this careful consideration, we risk losing this advantage.
I shouldn't have to explain the importance of this while the trees are falling. The cutting needs to stop so a plan can be formulated to assure that we retain our advantages and implement solid economic development strategies for the county’s future.
Heritage tourism is one of the strongest sectors in the travel market. Josephine County’s smokejumper story represents a unique and powerful heritage tourism story. This is one of Oregon’s greatest adventure stories and gives us the opportunity to develop a marketing image that no other community on the West Coast can claim.
It is important that we retain this advantage to make our community competitive in the national and global tourism market.
Travelers on Hwy. 199 carry more than 40 million tourism dollars through Josephine County every year. The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base can play a role in capturing that money for our economy.
Tourism traffic on the Hwy. 199 travel corridor is likely to increase with promotional efforts of the Wild River Coast Cooperative. National interest in Southern Oregon is likely to increase, with Crater Lake now being printed on quarters as the icon of Oregon.
Josephine County is in the cross-fire of tourist traffic between two internationally significant national parks. There is no other coast-mountain highway on the West Coast that has the same concentration of natural and cultural resources as Josephine-Del Norte Counties’ Hwy. 199.
The future of tourism along this corridor is strong, and it would be prudent to give serious consideration and planning for how we are going to take advantage of this now and in the future. Tree-cutting on the historic base needs to stop until our options have been thoroughly investigated to assure we do not take actions that will permanently reduce or impair our advantages in the tourism market.
The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base may not look like much when you first see it, but this is exactly the point that makes the story compelling. Smokejumping was an innovative idea that was implemented on a shoestring budget and in an environment of high risk.
Despite these factors, the crews were able to make the program work through grit, inventiveness and adaptability. The result of this was a program that successfully reduced catastrophic fires in Oregon and California for 38 years.
They saved millions of dollars every year in fire suppression expenses, not to mention what was saved in personal property and forest products. There was drama and adventure at every turn, and that story is contained within the historic base.
This represents a proud aspect of Josephine County history, and it is important that we carefully investigate the advantages it can give to our economy. We must also consider our responsibilities to assure that this nationally significant story is retained in the highest state of integrity for the enjoyment of the nation.
BLM decisions affecting community questioned
From Alexxis Lombardo
O’BrienI’ve noticed interest building in more than 28,000 acres of public land included in Illinois Valley land management projects under the Bureau of Land Management’s Medford District.
Most get contracted to out-of-town contractors, feeding different businesses and the economies of different communities. Why don’t more of these get contracted to locals?
What are our options for keeping local public land benefiting our local people? Why aren’t we asking for more options? Permanent jobs in Illinois Valley are needed. Public land in the Illinois Valley should serve the needs of the community they are in before handing it all over to a someone from hundreds of miles away.
What decides whether or not the local people manage their own land? According to the Medford land managers, what portion of this 28,000 acres is fair to the local Illinois Valley community to maintain?
Need seen for Eagles to replace Hawks
From Sue Norman-Jones
Cave JunctionWar is not a movie; people don’t come back. In Iraq, our smart weapons killed approximately 100,000 children with innocent men and women.
Going into Iraq because of weapons of mass destruction is an odd response because we have more weapons of mass destruction than any other empire.
I am a liberal, believing we need to bring the military complex’s money home and spend it wisely. Protecting our precious environment; giving free health care to everyone: increasing the minimum wage so more folks can spend money, thus improving the economy. Poor people are usually of different nationalities and colors, and are very much affected by cuts in food stamps and Medicaid.
These recent cuts by the conservative Right party will cause more homelessness and deaths, which seems a little like when the Nazis removed the Jews.
This country is in trouble. The Hawks in charge need to be replaced by the Eagles.
With Reunionmania,make it four events
From Michael McDermott
MedfordI graduated from Illinois Valley High School in 1959, and enjoy participation in a continual Class of ‘59 Reunion Committee. Our group is dedicated to coordinating preparations for our next reunion, the 50th in 2009.
Consequently, we read with interest your Dec. 28 article, headed, “Big plans afoot marking three special anniversaries,” by Olivia Taylor-Young.
Our committee meets quarterly beginning with each annual July 4 IVHS Reunion in hopes of pulling off a memorable golden anniversary IVHS Reunion in 2009.
With our activity in mind, I submit that there are actually, “Big plans afoot marking four special anniversaries.” The Class of ‘59 Reunion Committee, chaired by Joy (Parkinson) Samuelson, stands ready to help make all the celebrations of ‘09 enjoyable.
Our current activities are focused on locating as many classmates as possible; identifying potential locations for our banquet; and available lodging for our out-of-towners.
I am pleased to read of long-range planning in Illinois Valley for 2009 that should coincide with our 50th reunion. We also invite any suggestions for making our event more successful.
Subscribe
to the Illinois Valley News
Click Here
© Copyright 2005-2006 Illinois Valley News, All rights reserved.
