Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated September 10, 2008
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Lawless view protested
From Carol Dickson
Cave Junction
After three consecutive days of the Daily Courier reporting on how scary life is in the Illinois Valley, I must protest.I lived in Grants Pass for 25 years, and now reside in Illinois Valley, where I grew up as a child.
I went to dinner in Cave Junction after dark on a recent night and didn’t feel at all threatened.While I realize that the series of articles is togarner votes for the two taxing districts, Illinois Valley residents don’t appreciate being the scapegoat. While we know that life in Illinois Valley is as safe as any other town, those from out-of-town might not move here or vacation here after reading the Grants Pass newspaper.
One article would have been sufficient to stress the point -- three nights in a row was ridiculous.know that the number of articles was because we are the largest rural tax base in the county and that we notoriously vote “No” on tax issues. But we also know that no matter how much money is generated for law enforcement, I.V. will come out on the short end of the stick.
It’s been that way for 20 years and it’s not going to change, no matter the promises, so spare us the sinking Titantic melodrama.
Deputies patrol where the density of calls for service are the highest, and that typically is in the greater Grants Pass area. When I.V. has a major incident, they respond-- just like in Wolf Creek, Sunny Valley or Williams. Yes, homicides, assaults and car accidents will happen, but they will happen with or without patrol deputies, and they will happen all over the city and county.Pass seems to have lots of police cars visible, and they still have homicides, assaults, and car accidents.
If the taxing districts do pass, it would be nice to have lots of patrol cars and detectives to actually investigate crime; and not analysts, crime prevention, or other big city positions. But therein lies the problem -- voters have to trust politicians.
‘Plain, simple truth’
From Mayor Tony Paulson
Cave Junction
“Death toll in the Illinois Valley on the rise.”
Is it the air, is it the water or is it the lack of law enforcement? According to local mortuaries, “Death is a booming business”...
Daily Courier headlines and bylines sell papers, not the plain, simple truth. I have been asked by citizens of the city of Cave Junction and elsewhere in Illinois Valley to officially respond to the recent three front-page articles regarding our fine valley.
I have read the articles many times with an unemotional filter, and what was printed, in my opinion, is mostly true. We do have petty crime, and we have had these types of problems as far back as the ‘60s. But I contend that most small cities in America have these same problems. They are not exclusive to our valley. We rarely have murders, rapes, home invasions, drive-bys, and crimes of the more violent nature.
Shaun Hall’s articles have correct information. However, they are written in a sensationalist way that creates unwarranted fear. Look at the information from Illinois Valley Fire District. A person reading it would conclude that because of “nonexistent” sheriff patrols more “crashes” happened. Nonexistent, is that a truthful statement? According to district records, a number of these “crashes” occurred during winter during extreme snow and ice conditions.
Hall wrote that the merchants and citizens patrol the streets. Yes, they do. Being proactive to the reduced sheriff’s patrols shows wisdom and forethought. Look at the Neighborhood Watch program? It works here. People know who their neighbors are, not just to the right and left, but on the next street over. People helping people, the way it should be.
Regarding the part about me and a weapon, yes that is true. The situation was a real threat. A friend phoned me, and I phoned 911 dispatch. At that time, the deputies on duty were across the county responding to a domestic violence call. Dispatch explained that an officer would be sent as soon as possible. I phoned my friend back, and told him, “I am on my way.”
Hall’s use of Tom Green’s death to sell papers -- that should be a crime. As for Dave Korrell (a Cave Junction DJ), he wrote after his attack that “he is raising his little girl here, and that there are too many genuinely good people in this community.”
People should get off the Green and Korrell soap box. In both cases, I believe, justice will be served. As for polling the opinions of probation officers and drug counselors, I do not believe they would ever provide a true, complete image of any community. Think about it, who do they deal with on a daily basis?
And if Cave Junction is a “Hornet’s Nest” why is the probation officer only here one day a week?
Many of the people interviewed were quite positive regarding our serene valley. Maybe the Courier should try to report without the perceived bias.
As for my own sensationalized headline at the beginning of this letter -- our valley has a large number of senior citizens. Maybe age and sickness, stemming from an older population, account for the increase in deaths. However, simple truth is not sexy enough to sell papers.
Enjoyed I.V. Lions events
From Howard & Sandi
Clarkson
Point Mugu, Calif.
We happened to be coming through your lovely valley on our way home to Ventura County, when we encountered the festival and parade put on by the Illinois Valley Lions Club.
Both my wife and I had a good time, and enjoyed what was going on. It’s great to find such “small-town” activities that provide “big-town” entertainment. You have a great place there.
While at the festival we picked up some tourist information, and are thinking about coming back.
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