Letters to the Editor
CJ Citizens Patrol
seeking assistance
From Mark Rodgers,
coordinator
Neighborhood Watch In Motion/Cave Junction Citizens Patrol
As we all know, a budget for law enforcement is nearly nonexistent.
Therefore, we need to take it upon ourselves to protect, patrol, watch and deter crime. The Citizens Patrol needs volunteers tto patrol in vehicles and on foot.
The patrol also needs monetary sponsors for some equipment needed to aid our efforts to document, record and communicate.
Patrol meetings are held on third Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Josephine County Bldg. in Downtown Cave Junction. I can be contacted at River Valley Restaurant, 592-4128; or at home, 592-3754.
CJ Skate Park
still rolling along
From Sandy Lilly, president, The Shining Stars; and board of directors
On behalf of our organization, I and directors Nicole Duran, Roy Ewing, Gabriella Salas and Crystal Schroeter want to address the removal of damaged skate park ramps in Jubilee Park by the city of Cave Junction. We realize how upset the youth are to lose these ramps, but there needs to be an understanding that it was done for the safety of the skaters.
The entire skate park was due to be removed, as the city had received more than one complaint from concerned parents and other citizens. The large ramps were far too rotted to be repaired. We are happy to see that the smaller pieces were left for skaters to enjoy, and appreciate the city for this compromise, as well as for its labor and time.
The remaining pieces still need maintenance and TLC. The Shining Stars will hold a Skate Park Spring Cleanup sometime during the next few weeks. Painting, repairing, and general cleaning of the area need to be tackled.
We also hope to hang skate park signs again. The youth made a CJ Skate Park sign. The Shining Stars has a sign about responsibility and rules, and the city requires that it be posted if we wish to have the skate park.
We are awaiting another meeting with Mayor Paulson to discuss future development and rebuilding. We have a vision for our youth of a concrete skate park. Community involvement from the entire valley will be instrumental to make it happen.
All skaters, families, friends and community are encouraged to come share ideas and learn more about our dream for the skate park in Illinois Valley.
We want to mention Cross Quest for its help in keeping up the facility, as well as those youth who have pitched in during the past few years.
Additionally, The Shining Stars will not host its annual event in June. We value all our volunteers and supporters from the previous five events. We want to look forward together toward the future skate park.
For more information phone 592-2236.
Sheriff’s office delays;
message to delinquents
From Angela Davel Herde
Cave Junction
I am writing in response to the lack of effort by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, as I was a victim of juvenile vandalism to my vehicle while working at a Downtown Cave Junction restaurant on Dec. 29.
After witnessing a group of teen-agers getting ready to break windows out of Issac’s discount store I and another person chased them to another restaurant where they were identified. The next afternoon I spoke with the mother of one of the kids, and she got her son to admit who had actually smashed my windshield and told me she would help me get my windshield replaced.
I called the sheriff’s office to inform them of the recent update and was told no previous report had been made. I argued this fact and told them I wanted to pursue this. A week later I was contacted at the restaurant by another deputy, who made it clear that he was there only to investigate the “non-investigation.”
I contacted the sheriff’s office again and inquired about my case, but did not get to talk to a deputy. I was later contacted by Deputy Hubbard, who asked why I had not made a report earlier, and that angered me. I told him there had been, but that for some reason no one was officially documenting my multiple calls.
I was assured by the deputy that my case would be handled by him and not to worry about previous contacts, as he would “take care of this.” That is the last time I was contacted by a deputy.
I have contacted Sheriff Gil Gilbertson directly four times to see where my report stood, and each time I have been asked how I was satisfied with how the case was going. After two months I left a message for Undersheriff Don Fasching (who to his credit has been trying to start my report back up after four months) and Gilbertson saying that I have still not heard from a deputy.
The sheriff assured me he would have Hubbard contact me and instruct him to report to him after doing so. After informing Fasching last week about my letter to the editor, while he was dining with his wife, Hubbard has tried to contact me while at work, but it was 11 p.m. and I was gone.
I was given the message that now my case will be assigned to a day-shift deputy, after four months.
It is very discouraging to read “Illinois Valley News” and see that the boy responsible for breaking my windshield has been in the Police Blotter at least three times, that I have seen, since my report for other criminal acts. We are showing delinquents that there are no consequences for their actions; this is why we have such a high vandalism rate in Josephine County.
And what about the “CJ cam?” Did it not catch them vandalizing on the camera?
In February, due to vandalism to my car a third time in four months, I had to donate it to salvage. It broke down and every window in it was smashed -- what a safe car for my two children to ride in.
I am concerned about the levy they are asking us to pass. I am not a land owner, but would like people to think before voting. Should we not be shown the effort of this sheriff’s office and then give our efforts for funding? I really expected more help in this matter than I received, but I feel like I was blown off, and now it has been four months.
Will these boys ever see consequences for their actions? I believe like one of your last letters stated, if these boys were drug to court and drug to community service maybe their friends couldn’t drag them into vandalizing any more.
Meanwhile, I am still waiting sheriff’s office action on my report. I am hopeful that I will hear from them some time soon.
