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 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.
* * *‘Power of the pen mighty’ for citizenry
From Ann Reser
Cave JunctionThe people of Sunny Valley fought the presence of a strip club in their area, but their target was misplaced.
Since there seems to be a law in Oregon that forbids communities from denying business licenses on the basis of immorality, the target of our wrath must be directed at the law. If every decent person in the Illinois Valley would write to their representatives, senators and the governor, perhaps something could be done to prevent morally offensive businesses from invading communities.
We, the people, hire our governmental representatives with our vote; we pay their salaries with our taxes; we are their employers.
If we make our requests known, our employers must comply. We should request that the law be amended to read that if the majority of the residents object to the business and make the objection known to the city council the license can be revoked.
If the citizens choose to do nothing then the “business” can operate. We live in a democracy and have the right to keep our communities free of sexually orientated operations. We can exercise that right by writing.
Downtown strip club good for tourism?
From Donna Whitfield
O’BrienDitto to Billie Coakley’s May 10 letter to the editor: “Downtown strip club seemingly unnecessary.”
Will a strip club increase tourism? Will a strip club decrease the now high number of DUIIs issued to residents? Will law enforcement beef up support to our area to handle the additional problems that this club will surely create?
It is so sad that in the same issue of the “I.V. News” we read about a strip club that has been approved (without any say from the tax-paying residents) -- and that the pool will be closed this summer due to lack of funds. Wait a minute.
There was already almost nothing for our young folks to do in this town. Now we’ve wiped out the “almost,” and they are left with nothing. Unless of course they play in Jubilee Park.
No. I for one do not enjoy watching public urination, drug usage or listening to profane language. If law enforcement can’t control and patrol the park, how are officers going to handle the additional problems that another drinking establishment will create?
It saddens me to see our lovely little Cave Junction -- that boasts of arts, crafts and delightful eateries -- turning into an XXX-rated town.
FAC accomplishments due to participants
From Suzanne Vautier
Cave JunctionIt has been an awesome experience coordinating the Forestry Action Committee (FAC) Tree Planting Project this year.
I have been involved in the project in one way or another for many years, but to see the whole scope of the program from start to finish, and see all the folks who come together to make it all happen is truly awe-inspiring.
It was all good to see so many people from the community coming together to make this great project a reality. Here are some statistics for the Tree Planting Project that our community can be proud of:
This year we planted 11,012 seedlings in 62 riparian areas, utilizing 14 species of native trees and shrubs provided free to landowners in order to control erosion, stabilize banks and provide fish habitat.
Volunteers planted 11 properties, with another 51 properties planted by land owners. Some 295 volunteers participated throughout the project; with 165 people coming out to plant trees on Volunteer Day.
Since the Tree Planting Project began in 1993 more than 278,359 seedlings have been planted along Illinois Valley waterways thanks to everyone who participated.
Animal registry project called not a good thing
From James A. Baker
Rogue RiverWhat effect will the National Animal Identification System for agricultural animals have on every American?
Fact: December 2006, TV announced a volunteer system would begin Jan. 1, 2006 and be mandatory by Jan. 1, 2008 with a hoped 25 percent compliance by July 1, 2006.
Unfortunately the people were not informed that they only had until July 1, 2006 to reject this $43 million federal program. The silent push leaves 45 days to be heard.
Fact: Every animal (except dogs and cats) poultry and fish and small farms would be registered. Except any rented or leased pastures. Why? To fight terrorists, mad cow, and bird flu. Really? Horses, mules, jackasses and hogs are just some of the animals that don’t have any of these diseases.
Fact: Only one known cost: farm registration was free (but a stack of paperwork), 25 head of sheep was $500, thinking they were all set. Wrong. The bumper lamp crop produced 25-50 more sheep needing another $500-$1,000 for more microchips. Another $1,000-$2,000 financial burden on the working family.
But the airplane or helicopter can instantly determine by flying over registered residence if the money is lying within. Not to mention that both man and beasts whereabouts can be determined 24/7.
Large feedlots only have to register as business, list number of head of livestock and they don’t buy one chip.
Did you notice that the Oregon voters pamphlet stressed no ceiling on taxes for education, public safety, but not a word on NAIS?
Question: Is it true there will be three phases of this system? Garden produce seed can be purchased until 2008-09. Then each seed becomes a copyrighted specify specimen. At the time of purchase a written agreement must be signed to buy the commercial fertilizer and insecticide or they won’t sell the seed?
Question: Will it be a fact that phase three takes control of all waters: wells, ponds, lakes, streams and rivers?
Selling all animals can avoid this hassle and that is exactly what is hoping will be done. However, with wooded or rough terrain, pastures have to be grazed, as wildfire $100,000 liability laws will be enforced this year creating another problem.
Being one of 10 generations of small farmers, my progenitors would turn over in their graves should I sit silently by and let this happen. But what will it take to wake up the American people -- a four-lane freeway march? Letting the world know enough is enough.
My American freedom is like my health insurance: It was really great as long as I could financially afford it.
Global warming claim linked to disasters
From Nicole Rensenbrink
Cave JunctionScientists and mainstream media the world over are warning of imminent natural disasters due to the unnatural effects of global warming.
Polar ice caps are melting; the ocean temperatures are getting warming; coastlines are disappearing; and Glacier National Park’s glaciers are evaporating. The increased incidence of storms like “Katrina” are said to be just a taste of the dangers to come.
I am spending more than $3 a gallon for gas now. That could at least be logical if the increased costs partially an attempt to get Americans to conserve their fuel usage, and thereby lower the effects of automobile-related pollutants on global warming. I would advocate other strategies first, like tax breaks for purchases of low environmental-impact automobiles instead of for SUVs, but that’s another story.
Meanwhile, the “Daily Courier” has reported record profits for Exxon Corp. For the third quarter in a row, these profits are in the billions of dollars, last recorded at $8.2 billion.
President Bush announced his solution: lower environmental restrictions on gasoline. He isn’t sure whether or not this will lower that more than $3 a gallon at the pump or not, but he looked nice when he said it. So we should feel good, right?
A bunch of us may drown; our children will grow up in a Third World country inheriting things like debt and gas masks, and we can forget about having grandchildren altogether.
But that’s OK. Exxon will be so happy that it might kick us back a couple of gas station attendant jobs.
It’s well past time for America to wake up. Not only is our emperor wearing no clothes: he’s poisoning our home and stealing our piggy banks for his friends.
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