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.
* * *Visitor complimentary about park, services
From Vicki Kaplan
Carlsbad, Calif.I recently visited your beautiful valley (again). I had a great time as always, but want to comment on the huge improvement in the condition at Jubilee Park.
There was almost no litter, just a few bottle caps and cigarette butts here and there. When I visited last year, the trash situation was quite bad. I am pleased that someone/everyone, is doing their part to keep the park clean.
I also would like to say that the interactions I had with Illinois Valley residents were nothing but good. Michael Yanase of Yanase Jewelers is a friendly and fair person to deal with: Excellent quality and service were provided me.
I also had the pleasure of a massage from Rachel Goodman. My hip had been bothering me for three days, but Rachel worked out the kinks in a very short time, and I was back to my exercise routine the next day.
Rebecca from Earth Friendly Kids was very sweet. With her help I found several items with excellent prices.
The staff at Bridgeview and Foris wineries were friendly and fun to chat with -- good wine too! My kids loved feeding the ducks, swans and fish at Bridgeview, and running up and down the rows of oak wine casks and munching snacks at Foris.
Last but not least, I had a brief conversation with the one-and-only Neil White, and he put a smile on the faces of my daughters.
We’re already looking forward to our next visit.
She asks about generator at I.V. Senior Center
From Sharon Reasor
Cave JunctionI am a volunteer for American Red Cross and was at the I.V. Senior Center for the blood drive on Thursday, Dec. 14.
Unfortunately at 11:45 a.m. a power outage occurred and lasted for two hours. Red Cross professionals could not safely proceed in the dark.
Why is there no generator at the center? Is it not a designated emergency facility? We couldn’t find candles, oil lamps or flashlights.
Great praise is due the donors, volunteers and Red Cross staff, who waited out the delay.
I was told that there used to be a generator; however, no one knew how to use it, so it was given away?
Illinois fishing closure ‘reasons not pertinent’
From Ellis Couron
Cave JunctionOn Nov. 17, I sent the following letter to the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Game that has not been answered.
On Dec. 1, I sent a copy of the same letter to our intrepid county commissioners that they did not answer either. One would think that the commissioners would at least be interested in what goes on here in the valley.
Here’s the letter:
Some time ago I asked you folks to review the fishing closure of the Illinois River in Illinois Valley. I see in the 2007 Regulations that you still have the river closed to fishing. I do not believe the reasons you gave me at the time for the closure are really pertinent to the problem.
As I said in the beginning, I have never really heard a satisfactory explanation for the years of closure. One of your people made the statement that the river was being used as a backup for wild fish stock. However, he then admitted that you have no facilities for removing fish from the river.
This river has been closed for fishing for more than 20 years, and I am now reading that some of the local people are conducting walking tours to the little and big falls just to see the fish migrating upriver. I actually saw in the paper where a property owner over by Dick George Road had migrating fish in a seasonal stream in their yard.
My question is, how many fish have to be in this river before you decide we can fish in it? When you told me that you have never planted any fish in the Illinois River and then you open it for “Fin-Clipped” fishing only, I find this insulting to say the least.
I reiterate that in the early ‘80s, when we had a meeting with two representatives of the Fish and Game Dept. regarding the river and its habitat, we were told that nothing was ever going to be done for us until a dam was built on Sucker Creek. Shortly after that the river was federally designated as a “Wild and Scenic River.”
Almost at once the river was closed to fishing, and shortly after that somebody blew the whole top off the big falls down by the McCaleb Ranch Scout Camp. Since the Rogue and Applegate rivers are still open for fishing, and the Illinois is part of that river system, it follows that the closure of the Illinois all these years is probably “punitive” in nature rather than a necessity.
And I would hate to say what I think of the “Whys and Wherefores” regarding the blowing of the big falls after the federal government said, “Hands off.”
Y’all have a nice day.
Spending Christmas with its namesake
From Lynn Boucher
Cave JunctionThis holiday season brings to some of my dearest friends not much holiday cheer. I am submitting this to hopefully help and comfort them during this time.
When I lost my parents a few years ago, it brought me much comfort, as my father was called to Heaven, and shortly after my mother, on Christmas Day.
I hope this brings some closure and comfort to those who have lost a dear one:
We see the countless Christmas trees around the world below with tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, for we are spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
We hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but the sounds of music can’t compare to the Christmas Choir up here. We send you each a special gift from our heavenly house above.
We send you each a Memory of our undying love. After all, “Love” is the gift more precious than gold. It was always more important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love each other, as our Father said to do, for we can’t count our blessings or love he has for you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away the tears: Remember, we are spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
Looking forward to Maurer as rep
From Third District Rep. Gordon Anderson,
(R-Grants Pass)As my term in the Oregon House comes to a close, it’s hard to put words to my sincere feelings for the kindness shown in electing me to serve in state government for four long years.
There was never a day I didn’t reflect on the honor voters gave me as I walked onto the House Floor. The days were long, the work often fatiguing, the pay minimal, but I will never forget the privilege of serving all 57,000 constituents to the best of my ability.
As I served on the Judiciary, Human Services, Land Use and chaired the Environment Committee, I learned the gratification of working with 59 other committed Oregonians who truly
have our state at heart, even though at times it took hard negotiating to come to agreement. I gained many friends on both sides of the political aisle and will treasure each one for life.I will miss the engagement of the House of Representatives, but I know I have made the right decision to move on. Marilynn and I have many plans for the future and I look forward greatly to sharing more time with her and with many of you.
I am excited about our next representative, Ron Maurer. He will do a wonderful job representing us and making wise decisions for our county. I trust that he will be given our full support, and I’ll be standing by to help him off to a successful start.
Subscribe
to the Illinois Valley News
Click Here
© Copyright 2005-2006 Illinois Valley News, All rights reserved.
