Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated December 19, 2007
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Recalling Tom Green
From Jen Berubee
Grants Pass
I knew Tom Green and Tim Waddell and feel sickened and as though I have lost two friends of my family. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy.
My understanding is that Tom Green was attacked prior to Monday, Dec. 10. He was, I have heard, told not to contact the police “unless it was an emergency.” Well, I guess the sheriff’s office got its emergency, didn’t it?
I understand hands are tied and funds are low, but I stand by my conviction that “something can always be done.” What will it take to get a police presence in Cave Junction?
In the years my family has lived in Illinois Valley, my sister’s business has been robbed, my brother’s truck was burned, my mother’s truck was stolen and abandoned, and now a dear citizen of this community is dead. The sheriff’s office was warned that Tom Green was not safe, and did nothing. Is Sheriff Gilbertson paying attention now?
I cannot imagine Cave Junction without Tom Green walking around, asking, “How are you this beautiful day?” I can’t believe that a young man, who was close to my family, was capable of such horror. I can’t believe that two lives are wasted in one moment.
We should all take a moment and let the ones we love know we love them. And then we need to demand action from the sheriff’s office.
‘Tasteless reporting’
From Mary Guerra and Arianna Guerra
Cave Junction
The coverage of the brutal murder of Tom Green in Illinois Valley News was shocking. We didn’t personally know Tom Green, but had been graced by his kindness by a friendly “Hello” in town or a wave as we drove by.
We thought he was the friendliest person in town. We was saddened by the loss of his life when I saw his picture in the Courier, and realized that he was “the friendly man” who had waved at us for years.
Then to actually be taken to the scene of the crime by I.V. News and to see Tom lying on the street and read the graphic details of his death sickened us and our family. Instead we would rather have seen a nice picture of him to honor his life, and we are sure we are not the only ones.
This article in I.V. News was not in good taste. We ask I.V. News to stop this kind of tasteless reporting.
Using community resources
From Guenter Ambron
Cave Junction
In Ken Stern’s Dec. 12 letter to the editor (Big Business as usual), he asked if there is someone who will stand with us? Jill and I will, and we have other friends also who can help.
We were at two meetings Wednesday, Dec. 12; the one at the county building with the commissioners about the I.V. Airport and that evening at the Selma Center regarding BLM’s proposed Western Oregon Plan Revision presented by Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands and members of our community.
I would really like to share some of that information, but I’m sure we’ll have
some wonderful coverage of it in this issue.
I believe Barlow Rock and these issues have much in common. For example: 1. An extensive amount of public disregard, and lack of and misinformation presented by agencies and companies.
2. Extensive catering to big business via political pressure and unsavory methods. Red T-shirts reading “Tax-em Toler coming to your home soon,” were worn by members of a real estate company, and land developers. They looked quite childish, and I kind of felt sorry for them. 3. A consistent effort to keep people divided among themselves on important issues concerning the welfare of the their community and economy. 4. Frequent shortsightedness and exceptional wastefulness of dollars and resources.
What we can do is realize that we have a great community in our valley, with plenty of courage, will power and wisdom. We can invoke it; contact each other; and meet as democratic-spirited people can. My number is 592-2408. I have some educational and community-oriented resources to share.
We are fortunate to have a great paper that serves the community and that isn’t tied up with big media. A special thanks to Bob and everyone working at I.V. News.
‘Truth a good thing’
From Gloria & Bob Ziller
O’Brien
We are grateful to the media, in general, for giving fair exposure to the following issues and to continue to shed appropriate light on the real perpetrators of the problem or problems.
We are writing in response to Robert Haber’s Dec. 11 letter, and in support of Olivia Taylor-Young and Kirk Taylor.
We have had the pleasure of getting to know them all, and find them all of the highest moral standards and intellect. They are using their time, energy and resources to bear light on an unfortunate set of circumstances at CedarBrook Estates in Cave Junction. We feel that this situation affects many who live in their community, and it is our opinion that this collectively puts them all at future risk of potential structural deficiencies as well as personal health problems.
Their situation is only the tip of the iceberg, as it seems problems like this are all too common here in our Illinois Valley. As for us, we always are advocates for the truth. We find it hard to comprehend that some in this community perceive Olivia and Kirk as the problem: Nothing could be further from the truth.
It would make so much more sense to be thankful for their efforts to expose the truth, and for their community and neighbors to jump on the bandwagon with them, demanding that all these problems be brought to light and rectified.
I.V. Airport representation
From Cheryl Johnson
O’Brien
I attended the meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 12 in Cave Junction regarding the upgrading/downgrading of Illinois Valley Airport. Afterward I spoke with Commissioners Jim Raffenburg and Dave Toler.
I am writing to reinforce my verbal comments to both commissioners, and to share my written comment with Commissioner Dwight Ellis.
I’m imploring them to appoint an I.V. Airport Board to be a locus of discussion for all matters pertaining to the airport. It is unbelievable to me that decisions are being made concerning the airport in our valley without oversight or input from a body of knowledgeable/interested people from the valley.
My suggestion is that they appoint a five-member board comprised of a representative of the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base; a pilot who utilizes the airport regularly (better if they could get someone who currently stores their plane at the airport); and an ecological/environmental representative.
Also, an I.V. business owner; and a citizen-at-large without ties of any kind to any of the other four groups. I know that there has been a significant amount of infighting and conflict with Alex Grossi, county airports manager. Whatever the reason, allowing him (and only him) to unilaterally decide (or recommend to the commissioners) the direction of our airport without input is unconscionable.
If last week’s meeting was “polite” then I would hate to see what happens if Alex is allowed to continue in his autocratic manner.
I appreciate the commissioners for having the meeting in CJ. I certainly hope that this is not the only manner in which public will be allowed to have a say in the future development (or not) of our valley resources. If that is the case, then our commissioners will be ignoring the knowledge and good intentions of valley residents who would willingly volunteer their time to be involved in the process.
Gravel and ‘Welcome’ signs
From D. Wallis
Cave Junction
Residents of the entire Illinois Valley would do themselves, the land and future generations a great justice by demanding that a meeting be held in Cave Junction, and attend it, regarding Barlow Sand & Gravel’s request to start aggregate mining off Holland Loop on what is now agricultural land.
Mayor Tony Paulson has agreed to the use of city hall for such a meeting.
The damage to the land, runoff, dust, and noise and air pollutions from equipment and gravel trucks is astounding. I know, as I have lived near such an operation. What was, and is now agricultural land, will not only be raided and laid to rest, but become an eyesore as well.
Roads traveled by these heavy trucks are constantly dusty and require regular resurfacing. This valley does not need gravel trucks ruining and polluting Hwy. 199 in either direction.
Referencing the letters to the editor from Marilyn Arnold (Dec. 12) and the Woodwards (Nov. 28), I am in total agreement regarding the “Welcome to the Illinois Valley” signs at the south and north ends of the valley.
With all the talent, energy, kindness and generosity in this valley, I see no reason why the current signs cannot be replaced by something such as our natural valley river rock and wood. We have plenty of both resources. Rich, rustic and simple would naturally be conveyed to every passerby.
I am willing to voluntarily head a committee to get this effort off the ground and moving forward. I can be reached at 592-6868.
Old runway; new crossroad
From Roger Brandt
Cave Junction
Illinois Valley Airport is at an interesting crossroad of debate, and the decisions made today will shape the role it will play in the future of Illinois Valley residents.
The debate is centered on two camps of thinking. One group recently has pushed to upgrade the designation so that it can be developed to provide freight and passenger services. The other group wants to downgrade the airport back to its original designation and focus on developing it into a tourism and recreation destination.
The airport was originally designated as a general utility airport and held this designation for approximately 60 years. In 2006, the airport designation was upgraded to the next level. This was done without community comment or the involvement of the airport board.
The reason for the upgrade has been sketchy, but the advocates generally feel the upgrade is necessary for freight planes to begin services for the valley, something they feel is necessary to attract development of industries. There also has been some talk about constructing a terminal and offering regular scheduled passenger flights, possibly as an attractive reason for people to move to this area.
Discussions with supporters of the upgrade often stir visions of thundering passenger jets and large commercial cargo planes taking off against a backdrop of industrial smokestacks and big-box warehouses. There are not many in the valley who agree with this goal. But the people who have these ideas are the ones who apparently pushed hardest for the upgrade.
When the airport was upgraded, a new set of rules went into effect, and this has caused a series of issues that remain to be implemented. By Federal Aviation Administration rules, they need to be implemented soon.
Two issues that concern many people are the requirement to widen the clear zone around the runway, and the requirement to change the location of the building restriction line (BRL). It’s an imaginary line that parallels the runway and identifies the closest point that buildings can be to the runway.
The widening of the clear zone under the new upgrade guidelines has caused a peculiar problem. The main parking area for visiting aircraft is now inside the new clear zone and will need to be closed. This means that there will be no legal parking area for visiting aircraft at the airport, and there is no place in the developed part of the airport where parking can be relocated.
Under these circumstances, we may have the only airport in the world with no place for airplanes to park.
Additionally, the clear zone also needs to be extended at the end of the runway into the Rough and Ready Botanical Area. By FAA requirements, the trees inside the imaginary line must be cut down.
The new location of the BRL creates a threat for the historic Siskiyou Smokejumper Base, which is now within the zone that needs to be cleared of obstructions. This is the last of the original smokejumper bases in American history and includes the oldest smokejumper parachute loft in the nation. The relocation of the BLR technically requires removal of these building along with the trees that make up the park-like setting of the base.
Even if the buildings can be saved, the road going into the base, Smokejumper Way, will be closed as part of meeting compliance standards. A gate will be put up where the road meets Hwy. 199, preventing vehicles from entering the only place at the airport open to the visiting public. We are about to become the only public airport in the world with no public access.
Most of the pilots and recreational aviators who use the airport have not been in favor of the upgrade, and several attempts have been made by some of these people to tell the county commissioners about problems the upgrade has created. This group generally agrees that the best future for the airport is to return it to the original, general aviation category and focus on using it as a catalyst for attracting tourism and recreation users to the valley.
They give support to this by pointing out the recent emergence of a new class of sport aircraft that are relatively inexpensive, fly at speeds in excess of 135 mph, are very fuel-efficient and require only 20 hours of training and a driver license to fly. If properly promoted and preserved, the airport may take on a new significance as a destination for weekend vacationers from Portland or San Francisco who can fly to Illinois Valley in two to three hours.
Most people in favor of returning the airport to its original designation point out that there are many features in the valley that could be attractive to weekend flyers. They include the historic smokejumper base, Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas, wineries, tree house resorts, Oregon Caves, and other attractions.
More important is the rare category given to the airspace over the runway. It represents a level of freedom that has been lost from almost every other airport in the United States, and some advocates for Illinois Valley airport think that retaining this designation will be a key marketing tool for the future.
Many of the people who support returning the airport to its original designation are confused as to why the upgrade is necessary for freight flights. For example, Corvallis has regular flights of FedEx and UPS planes, each a small, twin-engine plane able to land at that general aviation airport and provide services to a community with a population several times larger than Illinois Valley.
Passenger flights could also come and go from a general aviation airport, but they would need to be unscheduled and would generally be restricted to smaller, twin-engine aircraft. It is notable that small corporate jets have always used the airport, and there is no advantage to them to have the airport upgraded.
The future of the airport is still undetermined, and public meetings will be scheduled to ask for public input about what will be the best use of this airport. Those with an opinion about the airport and the role they think it should play for the community can attend meetings and get their thoughts on the table.
About wolves
From Jim Lombardo
O’Brien
I have been handling wolves for 45 years, first as a wild animal dealer in Los Angeles. During the 33 years I’ve been in Oregon, two gray wolves have lived with me for the past 10 years.
The American name is Gray Wolf. They have nicknames. The timber wolf is from the northern U.S. to mid-Alaska. Farther north is the tundra wolf. Even farther north is the Arctic wolf, but all are called the gray wolf, or canis lupus.
Wolves have been given a bad rep since Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs. For the record: Not one wolf has ever bitten a person.
A June Audubon article says that poodles are more dangerous than wolves because thousands of poodles have bitten people, and wolves haven’t. It adds that people afraid of wolves should find a concrete bunker to hide from meteors.
Do wolves mate for life? They are the same as people: opportunists. They stay with the same mate until something better comes along. Blitzer, my timber wolf mate who’s named after a TV newscaster, got mated to twins. He helped them deliver, and they did well together. I have never heard of a male dog helping deliver.
Most animals represented as “wolves” are Huskies with a little wolf in their background. Wolves never have their tails up over their backs. Huskies do. I have never seen a wolf with white eyes; all have amber eyes.
One Cave Junction man often brings his kids to play with our wolves.
Four states have tried to reintroduce wolves. The Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition and the Idaho Values Alliance say that tourists stay away because they think that “wuffs will take down your kids.” But a study by University of Montana reveals what wolf-watching in the Yellowstone area provides the area with $70 million annually.
More people will come to see wolves than stay away because of them.
On three occasions my male wolf has been attacked by my German Shepherds. He grabbed one by the throat, put him to the ground, then gurgled, “Stay out of my face,” and let the dog up. No, I don’t think that wolves could be introduced to Southwestern Oregon because we have too many little pigs without brick houses.
USDA advised me to call them hybrids. I will do that.
I just read an article by Jeff Barnard of The Associated Press that said wolves are finding their way into northeastern Oregon from Idaho. I wish them the best of luck.
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