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.
* * *

Family feels harassed; unhappy with deputies
From Nora Hooker
Selma

Approximately two years ago, new neighbors moved in. We were thrilled to welcome them into our community. They stated that they were religious, and we were glad it wasn’t another drug family moving in.

We welcomed them to our home, and knowing that they do not drink coffee, we would fix them hot chocolate. I mentioned that we had some venison from the year before and gave them some. I say this to show that we wanted to be friends. The mother of the family and I had a lot in common, and I was looking forward to a nice relationship.

They needed a place to keep their goats for a week until they could build something to keep them in. The week turned into several weeks, and the goats kept getting out of their temporary pen. They would forget to feed and water them, so we finally had to ask them to come get them, as they were becoming a nuisance. They took them, but the goats have come here repeatedly.

They moved here with various animals. Their dog is let out at all hours to bay at whatever he sees or smells. He has awakened us at 2 and 4 a.m. My husband, Ed, had asked the father of the child owning the goats to come over, to let him know his children should be taught to care for animals if they are going to have them.

The father became outraged, and these people have not spoken to us for more than a year.

A few months ago, my husband was helping their neighbor cut down a dead tree when this man came over and asked who had been cutting the trees on the front of the property. My husband told him it was the tree service PP&L hires to make sure the lines are clear of brush.

The neighbor said he could have used the wood for firewood, as he was out. My husband loaded his little pickup truck with firewood and took it to him as a gesture of good will. I believe he gave Ed some money for the wood.

We thought, “Great! The feud is over.” No such luck.

On June 14 at 10:30 a.m. we received a phone call from Ed’s niece telling us that his mother had just died. Within the hour, it appears that these neighbors brought someone into the cul-de-sac and had them park their motor-home directly across from our driveway. Ed told them that if the garbage truck came they would have to move.

One of the children was with these people and said that was their property and they could have their friends stay there if they wanted.

Ed came home, and started cutting wood. He was quite upset that these people seem to want to harass us. It’s not like this cul-de-sac is the perfect place to park. It is all open and hot out there. These people have three driveways, one of which would have been secluded and shady, but they insisted on parking straight across from our house.

The mother, at one point before this, drove up here and sat in the cul-de-sac for a good 15 minutes just watching the house. We had company at the time and even he thought that this seemed odd.

At approximately 4 p.m., June 14, three uniformed officers came to the house. Ed was asleep in his recliner when they arrived. They said these neighbors told them that Ed shot at her and shot holes in the motor-home parked out in front. He told them he had done no such thing. They asked if they could come in, and Ed asked if they had a search warrant. They told him “No,” so he said, “No! I answered your questions.”

He started to come into the house and finish his nap when the officers burst through the door. He yelled to me, and by the time I got to the living room, the officers had thrown him to the floor. They told him to put his hands behind his back, which he did.

They handcuffed him, and he was trying to tell them the handcuffs were cutting into his wrists, and they told him they were going to tazer him.

He said, “No! I have a bad heart!” I told them, “He has a bad heart and he just lost his mother. Why are you doing this?” Two of the officers took out their tazer guns and shot Ed and repeatedly triggered them, and all the time we were trying to tell them he had been taking nitro for several days.

We both asked them repeatedly why they were doing this. Not one of the three officers would answer. They took him to Grants Pass and told me to phone at 6:30 p.m. to see what happened. At 6 p.m. one phoned to tell me I could pick him up; that they had issued him some citations.

The citations stated he had to go to court on July 6. We went to court, only to find there were no charges against him. The D.A. said there wasn’t any evidence to file charges. Neither the sheriff’s office nor the D.A.’s office had the decency to let us know Ed did not have to go to court that day, and no one would even verify the fact that he had showed up for court.

We feel that these neighbors put us through all of this for nothing. Ed has two scars on his back and went through all that pain and suffering because of what we see as harassment.

These people, we contend, put up a fence without checking the property corners and went across county property and two other property lines. I assume the county contacted them, because one recent night, the father was going round and round the cul-de-sac. When Ed went to see what was going on, he told Ed he had to move his fence 10 feet and that he would get even with Ed.

Ed had nothing to do with it. It was the neighbors he illegally fenced who complained.

One recent weekend, one of the goats was back. I phoned the mother, and she sent her daughter over to get it. Ed told her when she got here that the next time the goat came here we would phone Animal Control. The goat was back Tuesday and was sent off with Animal Control.

These people, we feel, keep harassing us, and I wonder if they really believe that this is the Christian way to act.

Regarding R&R co-generation plant
From Guenter Ambron
Cave Junction

Having read the discourse of the “anonymous concerns” and then having the opportunity of discussing it with some of its contributors, I would like to contribute a few things, along with access to more information.

As a proponent of having all sides of an issue equally presented and in full agreement with the need for “transparency” -- if permissible, I would like to offer the intended release of that “Anonymous Document” at an address presented at the end of this letter.

This is intended as a service to the public, not as an advocacy or endorsement to the content. I will say that  personally I agree with its purpose, as stated: “to compile relevant facts, information, and points of view to stimulate open and thorough discussion to make
rational, well-informed decisions about the future of our valley.”

And I can most certainly appreciate Jennifer’s sentiments (Jennifer Phillippi, of Rough & Ready Lumber Co.) and statements
that she “holds a high regard for the residents of our valley and the opportunity to hear our concerns,” and that “we (Jennifer’s family I’m assuming) feel great responsibility toward continuing a positive influence environmentally and economically.”

I have learned that the forum planned for Oct. 3 has been postponed.

I can certainly understand Jennifer’s concern for not having a productive session. There seems yet a good deal of information to
prepare, and there is a real need, I feel, to provide an “intelligent forum” without contentiousness or fear.  There has been a good deal of dialogue, I understand, between Jennifer and the parties interested in having a thorough and credentialed review of co-generation plants (there are also several others in Oregon being built).

I hope it will be continuing, as I can only see the thoughtful preparing of such a forum as being a benefit to strengthening our community and to support the integrity of Rough & Ready and its endeavor to be an asset to this community. We are fortunate, I feel, to have such people working for positive change in our valley.

Here is a Web address to view or download the Anonymous Concerns Document “Biomass Plant.pdf” -- http://user.cavenet.com/cmec/cogen; or phone this writer at 592-2408; or visit Community Media & Education Center, 140-C S. Redwood Hwy (across from Caves Pharmacy).

 

Not commonly known Bible items offered
From John Bazen
Cave Junction

The Holy Bible has 66 books, 66 love letters to all His children.

Put to paper, by some 40 different people, most of whom did not know, nor met one another.

It was written during a span of some 3,500 or so years; all written to concentrate on one central figure, Christ Jesus.

Written in three different languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Yet all without any contradiction, even though it is one of the biggest books printed, and those chosen to write it were nomads, herders, farmers, kings, one tax collector, one physician, two women and a few fishermen, a varied, mostly uneducated lot.

Although it is divided into two parts, The Old and New Testaments, with a time span of approximately 300 years, of nothing written, between the two, there’s still a time span of some 3,500 years between the first and last words.

There are many locations cross-referenced, from the Old to the New, and many facts given in the Old are more fully detailed in the New. Plus the New refers back to the Old, proving to even the hardest of hearts, that the two are one.

Was not the longest recorded human life span just 127 years?

Other than those found in Genesis, no human has lived beyond the stated 956 years, right?

Does not all this point to only one author, who was and is able to direct all these writers?

So who, but God, could possibly be the author, with so many prophecies, already fulfilled?

 

Global warming; alternative energy
From Linda Wigger
Cave Junction

The issue of global warming must not be made political. The scientists should be allowed to take care of this matter. Which side should we err on?

In five years, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the agency that now sells cheap federal electricity to local utilities, will start limiting supplies.

The idea is to encourage local utilities to develop their own energy sources. What will they do? Many will opt for the quick and dirty solution: fossil fuels like coal.

Utilities should instead develop clean, long-lasting energy supplies, including wind and solar, renewable energy once installed. But they won’t necessarily do it on their own. They’ll need encouragement. BPA should be told that we want clean energy sources to keep Oregon’s sky clear to conserve the natural beauty of our land. The number is (800) 622-4519.

The amount of CO2 pumped into our atmosphere is a direct link to global warming, which accelerates, the more we pollute. Wind and solar are clean, green energy sources. With enough windmills we could save the Earth.

 

New excitement noted for small business
From Larry Warnicke
Kerby

I recently attended my first Illinois Valley Merchants Association Thursday morning breakfast meeting. I’m excited to see such an output of information, ideas and support for our local businesses.

Best of all, they’re not after our money, just our support, and that’s refreshing in these times.

As owners of two new small businesses in Kerby, Redwood Automotive and Kerby Signs, my wife and I are relieved to see this type of local business support. Although very informal, we have had discussions from security to dealing with the valley’s growing pains.

There have been many small business owners in attendance along with folks out of Grants Pass, who are interested in the growth of Illinois Valley.

Cave Junction Mayor Tony Paulson has been attending meetings, with a lot of excitement, seeing this valley grow on his watch.

Gil Gilbertson, candidate for Josephine County sheriff, attended with his input and I have to say that it’s refreshing to see this kind of support for our valley. Will have to keep our eyes on this guy, he may be the one.

All and all there have been good meetings; lots of business cards passed; new friends made; and most of all, they help the valley grow in a way we all can live with.

Breakfast meetings are held every Tuesday from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Josephine County Bldg., and it’s also a supporter.

You don’t have to be a member to attend, just the need to see this valley grow, and our businesses prosper. Input and support are needed. It’s going to take all of us to make Illinois Valley grow in a way we can be proud of.

And remember, “Shop Illinois Valley.”

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