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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.)
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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
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* * *O&C funds, streamlining, Toler comments
From Jim Raffenburg, Josephine County Commissioner
Grants PassFor two years, I have worked diligently to communicate to all of you the importance of the federal revenue Josephine County receives under Public law 106-393 (the O&C money).
In September 2005, I wrote a report about the ramifications the loss of this money would have on Josephine County. It is available online at: www.co.josephine.or.us
Click on “The County Commissioners,” then “Jim Raffenburg” and finally “Post O&C Report.” The report explains that last year’s reorganization effort was Phase One of the larger job necessary to cope with loss of O&C money, because under state law, the county budget must be balanced.
Phase Two will begin to be implemented on Nov. 1, starting with further reductions in senior management positions. Phase One saw 17 director positions (each with salaries of more than $70,000 per year) reduced to 6. Phase Two will eliminate three more, replacing them with one new senior and one mid-level position, allowing for more streamlined management of county operations, and saving more than $100,000 per year.
The new senior position will be called “Chief Operating Officer” (COO). This position is not a county manager. The COO will have the same duties and authorities as the eliminated positions. Adding the authority required for a county manager would compel a Charter Amendment approval by voters.
Phase Two also includes a phased-in reduction of service levels and/or program closures between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2007. Specific have yet to be determined.
This board of commissioners has already done more in two years to reduce costs than at any other time in recent county history. We have reduced the number of employees from nearly 700 to slightly more than 400, and management positions have been cut in half.
Considering the above-noted efforts to reduce costs by increasing efficiencies, I was surprised to read in a recent Guest Opinion in the Grants Pass “Daily Courier” that commissioner candidate Dave Toler asks, “…what incentive is there for our county government to be an efficient organization…”(?)
He goes on to say, “Perhaps without the federal dole, our county can become more accountable.” In fact, he uses the word “accountable” repeatedly.
Did all the changes I’ve outlined above occur in a vacuum? Where is the lack of incentive manifesting itself?
When Toler calls Josephine County’s federal (O&C) revenue a “dole,” I presume he means “charity” because that is what “dole” means. While some cynics might call taxes a charity payment to government, I do not believe there is any charity involved in the money Josephine County receives under Public Law 106-393.
The federal government owns 60 percent of our county land, the vast majority of which was meant to be on the tax rolls, but was removed by the deliberate actions of Congress. After years of effort, the O&C Act was passed in 1937 to permanently compensate the 18 Oregon counties affected by those earlier Congressional actions by mandating that the lands “… be managed for the economic benefit ...” of those 18 counties.
For the next 50 years the O&C Act worked pretty well until Congress passed new environmental laws that effectively caused timber revenue from those lands to be “locked up” due to those legislative and subsequent judicial decisions.
For the past six years, Public Law 106-393 corrected that injustice. This “safety net” money is paid to Josephine County in lieu of the timber receipts as a de facto PILT -- Payment In Lieu of Taxes (i.e. property taxes on the federal land).
For Toler to call this payment a “dole” and to imply that we should, in effect, be glad to be rid of it, is more than a little confusing to me as elimination of this “dole” would mean that we would now collectively have to pay this money directly out of our own pockets.
Just to make sure you understand what Toler calls a “new opportunity” -- if you own a house with an assessed value of $200,000 and were billed for your share of this “replacement revenue” -- your property taxes would increase $600 next year. Clearly, to spin this new tax burden as being an “opportunity” is a stretch by anyone’s standards.
To address the issue of “accountability,” I am writing a new commentary that questions how any informed person can claim that an appointed county manager position, which is protected by labor and contract law, will be more accountable to the public that an elected commissioner.
A county manager cannot be recalled, and any true county manager candidate would require job security assurances built into their contract. Both are potential barriers to accountability.
If, as Toler suggests, commissioners become part time and are not involved in day-to-day county government, the only information they will have available to them for vital decisions will be given to them by the county manager. That information will be “filtered” through the eyes and opinions of the person who produces it. Is that more or less accountable to the public?
Only elected officials are directly accountable to the people. That is a different, and strong incentive for elected officials to do their jobs well. We are directly accountable to you.
If the real power and authority of your elected commissioners were ever transferred to the bureaucracy in the form of a true county manager, the job of correcting that error in the future will make today’s problems seem insignificant by comparison.
Library district candidate corrects some comments
From Lou Levison
Cave JunctionI am appreciative that in the Oct 18 issue, the “Illinois Valley News” takes an interest in Measure 17-16, the county Library Tax District Initiative, and my candidacy for the district board of directors should 17-16 pass.
I was impressed that the “News” could take my impassioned 10,000 rapid-fire words from an interview and make a nice little article. However, I must say that something was lost in the translation.
Somehow the phrase, “competitive salary,” got used in the published article. This gives the opposite impression than my stated intention, which was that a financially stable library system should allow us to attract top talent for lower salaries, because professionals would have the chance to run a library instead of having to do fund-raising.
Unfortunately, the false impression that I am advocating us paying “competitive salaries,” which usually implies higher pay for the worker, could undermine taxpayer support of both me personally and more importantly 17-16.
I also asked that my home number, 592-2873, be included with an invitation to phone for questions about me or 17-16; this was left out.
Outside of these issues, I want to thank you and say, keep up the good work.
‘Too-far’ DeFazio comments cited
From Suzanne Cox-Hanan
RoseburgI attended a forum where the career-politician, Peter DeFazio, went too far.
With a proverbial, ax-grinding condemnation he accused big corporations of investing our American dollars overseas for their own profit and alluded to certain Republicans favoring the tax cuts to the rich to make it happen.
How did DeFazio get the New Zealand properties (New Zealand is a significant producer and distributor in the timber industry too)? How does that help our timber industry here in Oregon?
Oh yes, the deceptive incumbent said that he is for the people -- why is it just rhetoric from him? Why do we “the people” continue letting him say, “I’m a working man just like you,” to our faces here in Oregon and then let him lead a different life in Washington, D.C.? Why do we continue letting him enjoy the best of both worlds at our expense?
I was shocked and offended at his ridiculing Jim Feldkamp yet again. The words actually formed and came from his mouth that Jim just sits back and receives family money without putting in any work. He then punctuated that absurd, condemning effort by yelling that he himself has earned every penny of his money.
The crowd was silent.
Everyone knows that Jim has worked in the FBI for four years, served in the military for 12, not to mention that he is a teacher at two different community colleges, and is efficiently assisting friends and family all the while.
What is DeFazio covering up with the many personal attacks he launches on his opponent and the Republican Party?
I say strengthen and heal America by making the right changes. Step one: Vote Jim Feldkamp for congressman.
Sales tax needed to pay for services wanted
From Harry E. Abrams
Cave JunctionAll right; I have heard several people complain about the high crime rate, no police protection, and not using the full capacity of the jail we had built.
To me, everyone is staying away from the suggestion that we get a sales tax to fund all this.
The property owners cannot be expected to pick up the bill for all of these services. Let’s get some other folks in the pot to pay their fair share. I am not asking for the property taxes to be lowered, just not raised anymore until a sales tax is in place.
Surely there are enough property owners in this county and state to vote in a sales tax.
I have enjoyed not paying a sales tax just as much as anyone else, but times have changed, so let’s get it done.
Community changes; so do perspectives
From John Tree
Cave JunctionIn response to Ellis Couron’s letter (“Illinois Valley News” Oct. 18) I also moved here in 1970. I was seeking a quiet, back-woods rural way of life.
Our community was much smaller then. A city limit sign at the south end of town stated that 320 was Cave Junction’s population.
The Chevron station was a little building on what’s now Stevereno’s Restaurant parking lot (before that station became Bruce & Van’s Gulf). Across the highway a guy named Lee sold produce out of his truck where the Junction Inn is. He eventually became Lee’s Produce in Rogue River.
Larry Musil, a PP&L lineman, owned the movie theater (no hippies allowed, nor for that matter titty bars or Bible verse or what-not store in his theater.)
At that time there was, if Couron remembers, the Illinois Valley Betterment Association. It made available to business owners a sign then seen in several stores stating, “We do not solicit hippie patronage,” thus proving that some small-town prejudice did indeed thrive here at the turn of the decade, and showing that it was not brought by later arrivals.
I, as many others, had a chance to change those ways as years progressed. Some big-city principles of which Couron speaks were indeed coming into Illinois Valley at that time.
“Live and let live” is a product of an urban-born movement. Similar to Couron’s idea to fit in and to help improve his environment; and which in turn have resulted in his reaping great rewards during the years -- tolerance of others, befriending a neighbor, being part of a community.
His ideas are similar to what I and at least 100 others I could name sought in coming here to live.
Now, some 36 years later, my kids and grandkids call the valley home. The Gulf station I described earlier now gone (although Bruce Hoppert has become quite a horticulturist.)
Our valley is at a crossroads, and we are hearing much from each other about what we want to see here. Or should we not complain and let the real estate agents and developers have their way? Is there an overpriced, gated community in your property’s future?
Yes, there are a lot of complaints that I think are a waste of energy. But others may think differently. And if we don’t encourage it the few really good ideas will never come out.
We are the seniors now. A lot of what the generation under us is in tune with we may not be. Their time is coming, and it will be their valley we leave them. I think with some guidance they may actually enjoy some of what we have found to be worthwhile.
As others complain about injustices they are exposed to, we elders get an education in a perspective that differs from our own.
Provide basic protection or resign, he suggests
From Gary McAlister
Cave JunctionBecause of the lack of law enforcement in our community from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, some of us have come up with the following petition, available at Old Stage Mini-Storage.
“As taxpayers we have asked our teachers to do extra and they have stepped up to the plate and afforded our children an excellent education. We thank them for their public service.
“It is time, however, to ask our other public servants to step up and perform their duties, as assigned, in a professional caring manner -- our sheriff’s office and the deputies who serve Josephine County, especially the outlying areas of Illinois Valley.
“We, as taxpayer citizens, believe that our sheriff’s office should have the following qualities:
“*Courteous demeanor.
“*Excellent communication skills.
“*Professionalism.
“*Willingness to put in extra time to accomplish the mission, public safety.
“*Respect of minorities, the elderly and the handicapped.
“*Respect and service for our business community.
*Follow-through with all investigations.
“These basics are the minimum requirements we as taxpayer citizens demand from our sheriff’s office personnel. If the current personnel are unwilling or unable to meet these basic requirements then we suggest that they resign their positions immediately and seek employment elsewhere.”
Ex-candidate ‘not card-carrying Libertarian’
From F. Bellermann
SelmaPaul Grad’s letter (“I.V. News,” Sept. 13) caught my eye. He wants to be a choice distinct from collectivism.
A noble cause, to be sure, but does he really know what the alternative is, what the words mean? He claims he will use a “Libertarian, conservationist, free-market capitalist approach.” Sounds good, but let us examine his proposals:
He says that our most pressing need is increased law enforcement. To be sure, that is one of the few legitimate roles of government, but repeatedly citizens, land owners and business people have failed to vote for the necessary funds to implement round-the-clock professional policing in the valley.
In the meantime, would it not be a more cost-effective use of limited tax dollars to redirect money spent on drug eradication efforts and properly train a citizen’s auxiliary to help patrol the night? If the sheriff would thoroughly vet and train responsible volunteers and issue right-to-carry permits, crime would decrease. Evidence supports it.
In the same breath Grad calls for bus service between Selma and the border. Whose money is he going to confiscate for this service? Those who save and scrimp to buy an Oregon “beater,” those who work many hours to afford gas to stay mobile, those who get their hands dirty and do their own automotive repair?
Let’s face it, we do not owe anyone a free ride. In addition, I would bet that an honest accounting of existing public transportation expense per user will find it more cost-effective to call a private cab for every ride provided by the, yes, most assuredly, collectivist bus service.
What about those north of Selma, those up (pun intended) Deer Creek? Aren’t those too “entitled” to free public transportation? How dare Grad make a choice for them, but oh, hey, perhaps they are not “bright enough to manage their own transportation'“ to paraphrase him.
Naturally he knows what the average biking, walking, hitch-hiking and horseback-riding resident needs: More diesel-belching buses driving around empty.
Next, he wants the county to fix pets for free. Yes, pet owners must be held responsible for the procreative misdeeds of their animals, but when someone owns an animal they, not the rest of us, have to pony up the money to look after them properly.
I have adopted animals from the shelter, but if I find a stray dog on my place, it’s surely faster, cheaper and assuredly more final to solve the problem with a .22 -- This way there is no need to check if the mutt had its shots, wait for Animal Control or let the hapless animal linger in a cage until they are “properly euthanized” anyway (at my exorbitant expense, again.)
So he wants me and the rest of us who budget our money to feed our own families, to feed the homeless as well? Send ‘em all up to my place, will ya’? Every bum willing to split a cord of wood can have a healthy meal, and the women and kids can stack firewood for their next meal.
Once I get my firewood business good and going, I will have excess capital to invest in regular pay for those who’d prefer to work hard for a living on a regular basis. Does Grad actually know how capitalism works?
Unconfined pit-bulls should be a controlled substance? How about unconfined SUVs? Second-hand tobacco smoke? Cite one valid scientific study that gives credence to the hyperbole and hysteria of the health and anti-pleasure Nazis.
To be sure, the county jail kitchen should be used, but Grad doesn’t get it. Prisoners should be made to prepare their own meals, or better yet, run a catering service from that kitchen for profit that helps pay for their confinement.
You get what you pay for. Well-paid public professionals need to live up to their salary expectations. If they do not, fire (unelect) them. Volunteer commissioners working at minimum wage for the (collective) public good will deliver what their wage is worth.
Grad should go ahead and run for commissioner. He might even get elected and it’d be a good thing, because at least he brings up the topic of collectivism, but he should keep the $70,000 salary and buy himself some good books. Bastiat’s “The Law” would be a good start. Grad has a lot of reading to catch up on things such as collectivism, Libertarians and the true nature of capitalism.
If he has money left over, he could buy some of those books for the library (it doesn’t have them either, I checked) and then start a business. He can buy free cab rides, fix all the pets he wants, keep a pot of beans bubbling 24/7 and prohibit everyone at his place-of-wealth creation from smoking anything he doesn’t like.
It’s his money: Earn it, do what he wants with it and let the rest of us do the same.
He is not a card-carrying libertarian or he’d already be on the ballot.
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