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Seeks Raffenburg apology
From Larry Herman
Cave Junction

Commissioner Jim Raffenburg stated, “Our codes set a very high bar for home occupation in order to ensure residential neighborhoods remain just that.”

He set the bar so low on the mining project, on Rockydale Road, at the old Martin Dairy, (Little Elm Ranch), an agriculturally zoned area that only a gopher could dig under it, and did (Barlow Rock).

Raffenburg owes this neighborhood a swift apology by enforcing the codes that proclaim a residential neighborhood remain a residential neighborhood, and by denying a conditional-use permit to Barlow Rock at Little Elm Ranch.

He has violated the public trust he was elected to uphold; polluted the surrounding area with mining debris and injured the health, physically and mentally, of those living in the immediate area. He is driving people from their homes.

The county isn’t in compliance with statewide planning goals or the acknowledged comprehensive plan. So he should do the right thing. The permit shouldn’t have been issued in the first place. End the pain, refuse the permit on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. at the county commission meeting at the courthouse in Grants Pass.

I.V. Library supporter
From Denise Blazevich
Eugene

Recently, my second-grader came home from school, and told me, “Mom, you are a bibliophile.” After she told me what that means, I felt so pleased to have her recognize me as such.

For those who want to learn a new word from a 7-year-old, here is the definition -- Webster’s Dictionary: Bibliophile. Noun. 1. Someone who loves (and usually collects) books.

My daughter applied this title to me because she sees me reading every day. In our house, everyone knows that the minute I put our 3-year-old down for her nap, the next thing I do is take a short, quiet time with a book. On weekends, it’s a family affair; we each do something quiet for a while. This routine started because of my need to read.

I became the book addict that I am today during the summer I was 13. I remember trips into town with Mom and my brothers, trips which usually included a stop at the library. I’d go straight into the children’s room, and directly to the chapter book section. There I discovered many authors and titles, which I have since forgotten.

But what I’ll never forget are the joys and simple pleasures that I got from that seemingly infinite supply of books. I was inspired to challenge myself to a reading marathon.

I remember the satisfaction and the sense of accomplishment I felt, having read 32 chapter books by the end of that summer.

Even though I spent some years being a wayward teen-ager and young adult, eventually I rediscovered my love for reading. A seed had been planted (by my own bibliophile mother), and every day my life is enriched by the books that I enjoy.

And I feel proud of how much progress our oldest daughter is making in her reading skills. We enjoy visiting our library here in Eugene; not only for the books, movies, magazines and CDs that we borrow, but also for the pleasure of the calm atmosphere. Our girls like to spend time at the coloring table, play with the dollhouse, or just interact with other little kids.

I am writing to appeal to whomever it is who has the power to reopen the Illinois Valley Public Library. I believe that it is of great importance in any community for children and adults to have access to a library; especially to a small town like Cave Junction, where there is less opportunity, and fewer activities for kids.

In this age of MySpace and digital cable and text messaging, do we really want to deprive kids of the essential, simple pleasure of library books? A way must be found to help support the library in Cave Junction. Come to think of it, I’d like to take my own kids there one day soon.

Timber payment options
From Dexter Babcock
Cave Junction

I have written state Sen. Rick Metsger (D-Mt. Hood) about his inquiries through Oregon State Attorney General Hardy Myers regarding our legal options as the state to enforce payments by the federal government for timber based on a number of outstanding agreements.

I have advised Metsger that the amounts the federal government is not paying are quite significant to the stability of local governments and livelihood and personal safety of many people in the affected counties in Oregon. This issue has multiple effects, as the bulk of these agreements are for lands not in production to benefit citizens in Oregon.

With the combination of payments not being received and the large amount of land out of production, the county governments are forced to make severe cutbacks on essential public services. Or they have a continual cycle of requesting additional funds from citizens who do not have the resources to supply these additional funds in lieu of the federal government’s responsibilities.

I advised the senator that I would be very supportive of what legal actions he can follow to have the federal government follow through on its obligations. Should these options be exhausted, I would support the state taking steps to return timber lands that the federal government no longer considers under its responsibility back to private hands for production.

Taxes can be generated from production from these lands once again.

I have phoned Metsger’s office plus the office of the state attorney general, and federal representatives to voice my positive vote of a support as a citizen and voter of Oregon in these matters.

‘Tourist Trail’ cited
From Sue Lily
Cave Junction

Our county commissioners are being paid to manage Josephine County to the best advantage of its lands and people.

Therefore, I cannot understand Commissioner Jim Raffenburg’s decision to disband the Illinois Valley volunteer airport advisory board and disregard its thoughtful and thorough plans for the airport and the financial future of Illinois Valley, especially the Smokejumper Museum and Moon Tree Celebration. 

Instead, he’s choosing to fence the airport, remove historic buildings, parking and trees to provide for big planes to fly into our quiet valley, the deafening sounds of which would destroy the peaceful lifestyle of everyone.

The smokejumpers and their story is archetypal of the best of America: their bravery and skill to leap from planes into fires started by incendiary devices from the Japanese is unbelievable today. These men had no cell phones or GPS devices, but a willingness to risk their lives to protect our forests and communities.

Now they shouldn’t be remembered? Their daring-do, skills and talents with aircraft are of no use?

Redwood Hwy. (Hwy. 199) is an international tourist route linking the Pacific Ocean and beautiful Redwood forests to Interstate 5. And the success of our newest attraction, Great Cats World Park, proves that people are happy to stop in our valley at an interesting location.

This “Tourist Trail” is the best sustainable source of income for Illinois Valley, with no downside, making the proposed Smokejumper Museum a “slam dunk.”

The county commissioners should reinstate the I.V. Airport Advisory Board,  and help us develop the Smokejumper Museum and attract the brightest tourists to our area who understand and appreciate bravery and talent: true Americana.

Then we include buses to town for shopping and meals, tours, motel rooms and all the rest that will allow us to sustain ourselves and pay taxes. Fill the motels, and all will be well.

Eye Care Group, others appreciated for eye-glasses
From Krista S. Henning
Cave Junction

A letter of appreciation for donated eye-glasses has been received from Aziz Cherkaoui, président of the Lions Club Doyen, of Marrakech.

Cherkaoui said that he wants to assure all the good people who donated the eye-glasses that they have been handed over to the member lawyer, Mohamed Mestar, who brought the glasses to the social house “Dar al Birri Oual Ihssane,” a house for poor people.

Cherkaoui noted that he also received the card from the Eye Care Group, Optometric Physicians with instructions. “We are so very grateful for the work they have done,” he wrote. “We are pleased to let you know that we have people here who are able to convert the glasses.