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* * *After 20 years in office, DeFazio hasn’t done it
From Richard A. Drawz
RoseburgThe TV commercial that Peter DeFazio is running against Jim Feldkamp ends with a statement: “Send me to Congress and I will fix the problems.” He has been there for 20 years: He is the problem.
Here is something to think about: DeFazio is a co-founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus along with Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an avowed Socialist. The caucus recently crafted its “Progressive Promise,” which advocates socialized medicine; radical environmentalism; redistribution of wealth; the elimination of numerous provisions of the Patriot Act; dramatic reductions in the government’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, debt relief for poor countries; and the quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
These measures, says the Progressive Caucus, would help “rebuild U.S. alliances around the world, restore international American power and influence, and reaffirm our nation’s constructive engagement in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.”
Until 1999 the Progressive Caucus worked in open partnership with Democratic Socialists of America. After the press reported on this link, connections suddenly vanished from both organizations’ Websites.
To check this information, go to a computer, and click on DiscoverTheNetworks.org, a guide to the political left.
And people think DeFazio is working hard for the people of the 4th District? I don't think so. It is time for us to change our congressman. We need someone who is working for Oregonians: Jim Feldkamp.
RCC valley commitment; need for approving bond
From Gray Conway
Cave JunctionRogue Community College supports the Illinois Valley community, and that is why I intend to vote “Yes” on Measure 17.18.
The college has offered basic skills review and GED preparation in Kerby at the Illinois Valley Learning Center for more than 26 years. Community members have been able to take a variety of Community Education and work force training, and college credit telecourse classes.
A few college classes now are offered, and a high-tech computer lab is available to help students save driving time and money.
The college demonstrates a strong commitment to providing Illinois Valley residents educational, economic and enriching educational experiences. This fall there are nearly 250 students from Illinois Valley registered at RCC, and many are using a variety of services in Kerby to save fuel and time.
I am a longtime resident and taxpayer in Illinois Valley. I am voting “Yes” on Measure 17.18 because I want to support the college to improve the building in Kerby. The benefits will be enjoyed by my generation and by our future generations, right here in Illinois Valley.
‘Observer’ allegations should spur action
From Andrea Thomas
Cave JunctionA recent article in the “Observer” asserts misdeeds and an attitude of loathing toward the citizens in Josephine County by the sheriff’s office, specifically by current Undersheriff Brian Anderson.
I have since had the opportunity to read affidavits written by current and former deputies which precipitated the article. These affidavits detail not only perceived malfeasance, but claim various actions committed by an “exclusive boys’ club” within the sheriff’s office led by Anderson and Sheriff Dave Daniel.
My biggest concern right now is the fear that we as citizens have become so apathetic toward the doings of our government that we will not stand with these brave deputies who have, at great risk, had the decency to come out with the truth because as they state, “The public has a right to know.”
It is my contention that we have no right to call ourselves good citizens unless we stand behind those who have the courage to come forward for our benefit. We need to be outraged and demand that these allegations be investigated.
The numbers for those of us who will take the time to do our civic duty:
*Attorney General toll-free (877) 877-9392.
*Police Practices Standard (503) 378-2100.
*Government Standard and Practices Division (503) 378-5105.
Library district rates have him perplexed
From Frederick A. Cliby
Grants PassProperty owners should beware. Through intended deceit, ignorance or reasons only known by them, the impression has been created by the proponents that passage of Measure 17.16 to form a County Library District: Establish Permanent Tax Rate Limitation will mean that a permanent tax rate of 55-cents per $1,000 of assessed value beginning 2007/2008 will be established.
The formation of a library district is covered by Oregon Law under Chapter 357 of the 2005 Oregon Revised Statutes. ORS 357.226 states that the district board members are to be elected by the electors.
ORS 357.256 states that the board shall be the governing body. ORS 357.361 sets forth the District Powers which under (4) To assess, levy and collect taxes to pay the cost of acquiring sites for and constructing, reconstructing, altering, operating and maintaining a library or any lawful claims against the district, and the operating expenses of the district. ORS 357.266
Financing district activities; limitation on assessment each year the district board shall determine and fix the amount of money to be raised by taxation, for the purposes of district. The total amount in dollars and cents shall not exceed one-fourth of 1 percent (0.0025) of the real market value of all taxable property within the district computed in accordance with ORS 308.207.
Nowhere in my research can I find any law which allows any waiver including tax matters of Chapter 354 of the 2005 Oregon Revised Statutes.
Toler and connection cited by resident
From Tom Kitchar
Cave JunctionDuring a recent radio interview, Josephine County Commissioner candidate Dave Toler denied any involvement with the local environmental group, “Siskiyou Region Education Project” (SREP), admitted that he was involved with the “Siskiyou Field Institute” (SFI) … and that the one (SREP) had nothing to do with the other (SFI).
Evidence shows quite the contrary, as follows:
SFI is a spin-off of SREP, over time staffed by many of the same individuals. SREP handles the activism part (protests, letter-writing campaigns, appeals, lawsuits, etc.), while SFI handles public education (brainwashing?). For years, the headquarters of both organizations has been an old house in Takilma.
A look at a local phone book reveals that SREP and SFI shared the same telephone number, until SFI moved to Selma.
In the summer 2004 issue of SREP’s publication, “Voice of the Wild Siskiyou” (VWS), a “Dave Toler” is listed with “Special thanks” for being one of SREP’s “volunteers”. (A “Dave Toler” is similarly listed in the Spring 2006 VWS). There is also a two-page article, “Siskiyou Field Institute,” by Sue Parrish, SFI director and member of the SREP staff. This article mentions splitting SFI from SREP and becoming a separate organization.
For all practical purposes, SREP and the SFI are (were) one and the same. Toler has denied involvement with SREP, and yet he is thanked at least twice in two years by SREP for his volunteer work. It looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and smells like a duck.
Disagreement with biomass information
From Mary Camp, president, Deer Creek Association
SelmaShould energy or forest health have priority? This is the real issue we’re facing, especially in light of the recent discussions about using forest biomass for fuel to make electricity.
If we’re prioritizing sustaining the human species, the Deer Creek Association believes that it must be through prioritizing forest health over energy. We see no science-based reason to support biomassing of forests to achieve energy wants that can only degrade forest and community health.
The “Illinois Valley News” Sept. 27 articles: “R&R biomass co-generation project high-tech job,” and “Projects aimed at bettering forest ecology,” are not, in my opinion, based on sound science.
Healthy forest ecology, for instance, depends upon retaining the species that created these forests, and environments that will sustain them. Proponents of current biomass projects are proposing to use public forest resources from “stewardship projects that involve small-diameter trees, primarily the result of thinning efforts,” that convert forests into tree
stand plantations. This destroys species and their environments.We disagree with the statement: “Stewardship projects for more healthy forests depend on an infrastructure to efficiently remove and process biomass.” This means converting biologically and ecologically healthy, highly productive
natural forests, into unhealthy, low-producing tree stand plantations.We also disagree with the statement: “Such work makes forests healthier, safer and more attractive.” Forest resources that will be biomassed are part of and should remain part of the natural recycling that sustains countless numbers of species and forest health. Dead trees and plants: a) sustain the living; b) may sustain more life after death than when they lived, and do so for as long a period of time; c) create topsoil which sustains far more species in it than above it; and topsoil species provide the needs of new green plant and tree growth.
The second article reports: “---timber stands, have become overcrowded with small trees.” This may be true for their tree stands, but not natural forests. This wrongly presumes that Nature didn't do it right for millions of years.
“Moreover, as the Biscuit Fire reconfirmed, we cannot harness weather-driven fire behavior (Odion 2003).” We are concerned that biomass proponents are attempting to use people's misunderstanding of fire as a vehicle for resource extraction in areas where protection of biological resources should be a high priority.
“The best approach to protecting biodiversity is generally to prevent human impacts (Odion 2003).” Protecting biodiversity will not endanger people in the area, whereas any false sense of security created by promoting biomass projects as fire hazard reduction could.
It has been well established that treating the home-ignition zone as
described by Cohen (2002) as “few tens of meters around a home, not hundreds of meters or beyond,” can almost eliminate the possibility of homes burning in wildfires. Cohen states, “Home ignitions and thus the Wildland-Urban Interface fire-loss problem principally depend on home ignitability.”When biomassing of the forest occurs, it destroys the web of life, resulting in deforestation, and increases high fire hazard conditions and commits to huge continuing taxpayer subsidies.
Forest health has been compromised for the last century and has resulted in a biological, social, economical and environmental disaster. If the last remaining islands of natural old-growth forests introduce intrusive stewardship biomass removal projects, such as being proposed, we will be supporting the final irrevocable conversion of forests into tree plantations. We will be closing the door forever to the possibility of forest restoration in our valley.
The Deer Creek Association does not support forest biomassing in principle. To do so would be in conflict with our mission: “To promote and protect environments and species that sustain the web of life.”
Biscuit post-fire logging view
From Justin Rohde
Cave JunctionI am writing in response to Biscuit logging media reports, to say that post-fire logging should be more about common sense, not political giveaways to special interests, as in the case of Biscuit logging and Walden’s post-fire logging bill HR 4200.
The government Accountability Office (GAO) has confirmed that logging after the Biscuit fire wasted taxpayer money and failed to deliver promised fire safety and restoration work. Delays in the project, often blamed on conservations, were actually caused in part by a dramatic downsizing of local Forest Service staff, says the report. The Sessions report, paid for by special logging interests, also caused delays. A post-fire logging bill would mandate bad decision making in the same way the Biscuit logging project.
In this place where I live, called the Siskiyou Wild Rivers, there is no place for logging ancient trees, and post-fire logging has destroyed much of the scenic character of the areas where they logged. My only hope is that people will see through the lies and doublespeak to keep post-fire logging out of pristine forests where it clearly does not belong, come visit the Biscuit and see for yourselves.
People can make American Dream
From Sue Lily
Cave JunctionEver since Virginia and Massachusetts hashed out the location for the American capital city 200+ years ago, fairness has been basic to our democracy.
For the last six years, however, this balance has been missing, and we are seeing the bad effects of one-party gover ment. Republicans are the first to shout “Communism” or “Socialism” when Democrats promote social programs like public schools, Social Security, environmental regulations and national health care, and yet they have now established one-party governance.
They have redirected our taxes and natural resources to wealthy corporations like Halliburton through their self-imposed war in Iraq. Tens of thousands of our soldiers and their families have made courageous sacrifices, yet more than 100,000 American civilians die each year due simply to lack of access to basic health care.
Our votes this November can return balance to American politics on every level. We can send Democrats to Washington to restore the Bill of Rights and regain congressional oversight of national programs; and we can send Democrats to Salem to support our state health and education programs; plus we can send Dave Toler to Grants Pass to balance the two Republican commissioners and help transition Josephine governance to fair and efficient management.
A country governed by the People and for the People is the true American Dream.
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