(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.

‘An honor and privilege’
From Georgette Brown
Grants Pass

I am officially retiring from the office of Josephine County Clerk and Recorder on June 30, 2008. It has been an honor and privilege serving the people of Josephine County for the past 25 years.

During this time, with the assistance of dedicated deputy clerks, I have brought the election process from hand-counting to punch cards and then in 1991 to the first version of optical scan ballots. And are now on the third generation of this system.

We have gone from polling place elections to vote-by-mail for special elections, and now vote-by-mail for all elections. Plus, election results now can be viewed on our Website. We have been publishing a county Voters’ Pamphlet since March 1993.

We’ve handled candidate filings, annexations, special districts, a number of charter amendments through the initiative process, recalls, voter referrals and redistricting.

In recording land records and liens, etc. we have gone from dating documents by hand and typing reception ledgers, then computer indexing on the “mainframe,” to our current state-of-the-art, fully automated Helion Recording system. On it, documents are receipted, scanned and forwarded to title companies via FTP.

The next step, which I have been looking into, will be recording documents via the Internet, but this will occur in Josephine County after my retirement.

One of my most pleasant tasks through the years has been performing marriages and seeing happy couples united in matrimony.

I will be spending time on personal projects and with my new little grandson, but I will always retain fond memories of my years as your Josephine county clerk.

Gambling view
From Jim Lombardo
O’Brien

The front page read Big Brown: Big Brown it was by six lengths. The day before, the front page read, go to Seven Feathers and make some real money.

Past statistics show that less than 3 percent of the people who take money to Las Vegas, Reno or Seven Feathers come back with more than they take to those places. Seven Feathers is good for the economy of the people who own or work there. That is all.

I saw a documentary on Las Vegas starting from 1900. Sand as far as you could see. Not a drop of water or a blade of grass. Then came the mob. They got the land for next to nothing. Sucked the water from hundreds of miles away. Got some palm trees from California and Arizona.

And now you have millions of people in campers. The line starts from 10 miles before you get there, parked on both sides of the road, hauling in money to leave behind.

I would like to hear the results of the guy who was going to take his tax refund to Seven Feathers.

We, the People
From Mayor Tony Paulson
City of Cave Junction

In a letter in the Grants Pass Daily Courier (June 3) and the Illinois Valley News (June 4), was the question, “How safe is Cave Junction?” It was posed by Merlin resident Holger Sommer.

My question in response is, “In comparison to where?” We have many new settlers from places including Los Angeles, Sacramento and Portland. When I ask these folks how they like their new home, many answer with smiles and explain where they have come from, the crime was much more violent.

I am from the Sacramento area, and I can say since we have moved here, I have not seen any rival gangs in car chases shooting at each other. We have very petty problems in comparison to Grants Pass or Medford. I love this valley, even with our problems.

As for what Sommer writes as truth, let’s see. As for urban services and facilities, this in context to the state definition in the Statewide Planning Goals, written for comprehensive plans. The word “mandatory” that Sommer uses, is his word, not the state’s. Here is the exact wording from the state:

“Urban Facilities and Services - refers to key facilities and to appropriate types and levels of, at least, the following: police protection; sanitary facilities; storm drainage facilities; planning; zoning and subdivision control; health services; recreation facilities and services; energy and communication services; and community governmental services.” The true requirement reads quite differently than Sommer’s version.

I am offended by Sommer’s misdirection of truth in Tom Green’s murder. The truth is that Tom was truly a humanitarian. Because he was such, after the first assault on him earlier in the week, Tom decided to not press charges. He believed in the young man so much, that he was able to forgive him.

We all have participated in heated discussions about the city’s lack of local law enforcement. During the past two opportunities, those who would vote to support law enforcement were overruled by those who would not financially support law enforcement. Ultimately, our system of business requires monetary compensation for services rendered. Therefore, it stands to reason that the voice of the majority believe our current services are adequate.

The stable operation of a city police department would require more than $500,000 per year, and that would not provide patrol 24 hours per day. To fund a viable city department, the city needs a population base in excess of 3,000 with the associated property value, to bring the per capita cost to a reasonable level. To reach that population, the city needs development. If development stops, there is no potential of ever going forward.

I may personally agree with Sommer that these latest voting outcomes were not in the best interests of Cave Junction, but his work to misdirect the people and place blame on the city of Cave Junction, as if the council specifically chose not to have law enforcement, is wrong.

After brief discussion with Sommer, it is my belief that “We, the People” is not sufficient in his eyes. He frequently throws around terms to include “professional,” “trained,” or “educated,” insinuating that these terms do not apply to our voting population. Apparently “We, the People” are not built of the right stuff.

Perhaps, if it is so bad here, he should consider citizenship and registering to vote so he has his one vote like the rest of us.

Helping the helpers
From Capt. Dan Gillen
Josephine County Search And Rescue

Our Josephine County Search And Rescue (SAR), which started in 1967, is comprised of volunteers who donate their time and experience to conduct searches for missing and injured children, adults and senior citizens who may be lost or unable to return to their home or care facility.

Our volunteers are on stand-by for call-outs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also participate in many public service events.

All citizen volunteers are required to attend training sessions that meet the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association standards. We conduct two 40-hour academies annually for the basic Ground Searcher. In addition, the six specialty teams are required to attend intensive training in their fields of interest.

We have qualified teams in Swiftwater Rescue, Mountain Rescue, Dive Team, K-9, Communications and Snow Rescue. Each volunteer must also maintain their First Aid and CPR credentials.

SAR is a nonprofit organization, and most of the money used to supply training and purchase the specialized rescue equipment and supplies comes from donations raised right here in Josephine County. Although SAR works under direction of the sheriff, our organization is not funded by the sheriff’s office or Josephine County tax dollars.

Once again we are reaching out to county residents for donations to help support our efforts. Every dollar will make a difference. Gifts of any amount could help save a life, maybe yours or someone you love.

We are here for any emergency. If you, or someone you know, gets stranded in the snow or threatened by flooding, or other disaster, or a child is overdue from a hike -- phone 911 immediately. They will phone us.

At SAR, our commitment is to saving lives through rapid response and we will use every available resource to serve our community. Our address is P.O. Box 814, Grants Pass OR 97528.

‘Hedonist fun,’ she says
From Linda S. Tedder
City of Cave Junction

I couldn't believe it when I picked up the May 21 edition of Illinois Valley News and right on the front page were people sitting on a swamped pickup truck right in the river. In Cave Junction.

How did that 4-by-4 become swamped? Oh yes, their drivers, just out for a good time, put them there. They were advised strongly against  running their environmental  polluters  in the waterways. That’s all?

No citations, no impounding of the vehicles? So now the recreational  vehicle groups are calling the shots? Does anyone have any idea just how much one sitting oily, greasy vehicle can do to a riverbed or stream? Does anyone care?

Do we need signs stating, “No driving gasoline-powered vehicles in rivers or streambeds”? Seems that Oregon always has claimed to be very “environmentally conscious.” I remember  the sayings, “Don’t Californicate Oregon,” and, “Take pictures, leave footprints, now go home.” Guess there is a new breed of Oregonians now. Where is DEQ when we need it?

Expulsion rationale protested
From Dusty Rhodes
City of Cave Junction

Despite the fact that Misty Rhodes, my granddaughter, has been an exemplary student and has brought honor to Lorna Byrne Middle School, her mother and I feel that she has been singled out unfairly by Principal Damian Crowson.

The story goes like this. Misty, minding her own business during lunch, was blocked by two boys who begged her to sell them a practical joke. After being badgered, she finally agreed. Before classes the next morning, she gave the boy the jokes (which are strings that pop when you pull them).

The boy took them into the building and then distributed them to four other boys. They then popped them in the boys restroom. The boy who took them into the building, distributed them, and popped them received a one-day suspension (the last day of school), as did his four friends.

Assistant Principal Sandra Stellflug and Crowson, in their infinite wisdom, determined that Misty was the ringleader and punished her with a five-day suspension. With only four days left, the suspension really amounted to an expulsion.

Crowson, also on his own accord, banned Misty from the school property (which is reserved for expelled students) and that prohibited her from playing in the band for the Moving Up ceremony. Misty’s parents were not consulted prior to her “sentencing,” which violates Misty’s rights, according to the Three Rivers School District Student Handbook: “In all cases of discipline, students have the right to minimal due process when they may be subject to detention, suspension, or expulsion.”

Superintendent Jerry Fritts subsequently said that students do not necessarily have the rights specified in the handbook. His comments were in connection with, “In all cases of discipline, students have the right to minimal due process when they may be subject to detention, suspension, or expulsion.”

Even though Misty did not have minimal due process, her rights were not violated, the superintendent feels. We are going to file a formal protest.

Fence at I.V. Airport
From Roger Brandt
City of Cave Junction

I attended the Josephine County Commissioner meeting in Anne Basker Auditorium on Wednesday, June 11 because one of the items on the agenda was the Illinois Valley Airport fence project. Another item regarded the new airport master plan.

Airports Manager Alex Grossi was there and said that he is planning to hold four public meetings to gather input for the plan, and is planning to form a Master Plan Committee. He also said that the new fence will be going around the perimeter of the existing county-owned airport property.

I heard from another source (Phil Killian, JoCo property manager) that this will be a 6-foot-tall fence with concertina wire on top.

I got up during the public comment period and stated my concerns about the damage this fence might do to the integrity of the Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside. I have already sent email messages to them regarding this issue, as well as concerns about the impact of the fence on the historic smokejumper base.

Once this fence is up, it sounds like the only way to get in to the airport by foot or vehicle will be through gates with coded locks that need either a special card or key pad combination to enter.

I didn't get any information about whether or not the fence will be built in front of the hangars on private property along the east border of the airport. There was also no information provided on how visitors who fly in are supposed to get in and out of the airport.

The Illinois Valley Lions Club that meets in a building at the former smokejumper base is also going to have a problem with access.

One of the things that doesn’t make sense about installing a fence at this time is the fact that work will soon begin on a new airport master plan, and it is uncertain what changes might be considered.

However, the main argument for moving ahead with the fencing project is the assertion that the fence must be installed now because fences like this are now required around every airport by the Dept. of Homeland Security, or the FAA or who knows who. Hard to get a straight answer.

The cost for the fence will be approximately $200,000. It is unclear when it will be installed.

Military, flag, pledge
From Justin Norvell
City of Cave Junction

I’m writing about Catherine Austin’s letter to the editor on March 12. Austin wrote that Illinois Valley High School Vice Principal Patty Dickens-Turk and Librarian Ed Faircloth were out of line for their comments about Austin’s daughter not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Austin said that her daughter has the right to recite the pledge, but she went over the line by saying that the flag stands for nothing. Then she said that the Constitution has everything that we need to understand about the United States.

The Constitution made us a nation, but the Constitution did not fight the Revolutionary War. When the shot that was heard around the world started the war, the flag was right next to the soldiers who spilled their blood for our country. So there should be more respect for the flag from the people of the United States.

I think that Austin should apologize to the Armed Forces, Dickens-Turk, and Faircloth.