Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated October 01
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‘Protecting children; community input sought
From Patty Schalk/Jessica Welcome
Co-instigators of Crosswalk Safety Committee, Cave Junction
How many years have the school children of Cave Junction needed a safe crosswalk at the intersection of Redwood Hwy. and River Street? Forever: Everyone’s answer has been -- forever.
Robbie & Joan Robinson, who formerly operated Robbie’s Automotive at the corner of River Street, voluntarily risked their lives, literally, to aid in crossing the kids safely. Thank God that there haven’t been any serious accidents there. (Editor’s Note: The late CJ Mayor Tom Green suffered severe injuries when crossing there one night many years ago.)
Children walking from Evergreen Elementary School, who need to cross Redwood Hwy., are encouraged to use the Lister Street intersection at the county building, but not all do. Not only does this create a dangerous setting for children, the passing drivers now have an added object on the road.
Redwood Hwy. is a statewide freight route, and when combined with the many reported rear-end collisions, makes me believe that there are a lot of big, fast-moving vehicles, and that not all the drivers are paying attention. The old saying, “Go play on the freeway,” suddenly sounds different.
I’m sure it’s not always pleasant walking to and from school for these kids. They have no choice when it comes to going to school.
Students see the busy intersection with the speeding cars and trucks. When the Robinsons were active, students also saw the crossing guards, one who escorted our precious children across the street and another guard standing in the middle of the street with a sign to stop traffic.
Today that story doesn’t have the same ending. There is a painted crosswalk on the street and a flashing yellow light overhead to meet the children. It’s time for a change. It doesn’t take a big city or a lot of money to secure safety for children or to bring awareness to the drivers in our community.
My daughter-in-law recently gained employment at a business at the corner of River and Redwood Hwy. One day we were discussing a plan in case I couldn’t meet my grandson at the bus after school. We talked about him, maybe, walking to the shop after school. “No, there’s no way I’m letting him cross that street!” was her remark.
Right there many wheels started turning. The ideas have turned into some exciting plans. A committee is working to recruit volunteers and train them to be crossing guards. ODOT will provide four vests, four street flags, and a video at no charge.
I.V. Senior Center is allowing our group to meet at the center and has offered support. Many individuals and civic groups have offered their support; the response has been overwhelming. I’m sure all those people will be there when it’s time to ask the community to volunteer as a crossing guard.
We have contacted the Oregon Transportation Safety coordinator for crossing guard safety. She has a safety program to present to schools when the time is right.
ODOT has an open file with our name on it. It is pursuing a push-button red light to be activated at designated hours to assist at the intersection. An on-site inspection has been conducted, and ODOT saw a lot of fast traffic and the need for yellow flashing lights prior to the crosswalk. ODOT has been behind this project 100 percent and offered any services within its reach. And its representatives are reaching out for us as they are talking to their superiors with more ideas.
ODOT is going to install a traffic counter at the intersection. I know people avoid it and drive another route for convenience, but by doing so the state won’t get an accurate reading to help assess the need correctly. Drivers should consider driving the River Street route when driving to school instead of an alternative route.
At this time we need as much positive input from everyone who has a concern about the safety of this intersection. We’re not screaming for a signal light, we just would like to see a safer crossing place for the kids by adding trained crossing guards. At the high school in Ashland they have a crossing guard to help them cross the street for high school kids.
Redwood Hwy. is busy enough in Cave Junction that even now at Lister Street I believe there should be a crossing guard.
People can contribute to this project by sharing stories, ideas and suggestions to ensure maximum results. Now is the time to give the input. The goal is to help secure safety for the children, seniors and everyone in-between.
Information can be sent to P.O. Box 624 in Cave Junction, or phone 592-2491.
Global warming scam
From Marvin D. Sprinkle
Cave Junction
In reference to your article -- Secretary of State espouses views on climate changes, ‘global warming’ -- (Illinois Valley News, Sept. 24), I must disagree with all the hyperbole of our illustrious secretary of state and his global warming hype.
I quote John Coleman, Weather Channel founder: It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended. Global warming: It is a scam. Some dastardly scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long-term scientific data. And I am telling you global warming is a nonevent, a manufactured crisis and a total scam.
“I say this knowing you probably won’t believe me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning former vice president of the United States. So be it.”
V.A. care; McCain criticism
From Wally Aiken, Kerby
In the early 1970s, I was called on to serve my country during a war. I enlisted because I felt it was the right thing to do. I served honorably for four years and was discharged in 1975 with this promise: My government would provide medical care for me through the Veterans Administration for the rest of my life.
I had no starry-eyed illusions that this would be top-notch, grade-A medical care, but it was good to know that in a crisis I had medical care available. In the early 1990s that crisis hit. A major heart problem was detected after I exhibited signs of a heart attack.
This should have been covered by the V.A. even though I went to a civilian hospital. But because it was a heart infection, rather than a heart attack, the V.A. denied my claim because a heart infection is not an emergency and therefore I should not have gone to a civilian hospital, but rather should have driven four hours to get to a V.A. facility.
I should have done this even though I was experiencing chest pain, profuse sweating, shortness of breath -- all the signs of a heart attack.
I contacted the offices of my elected representatives to ask that they look into this situation. One of my senators responded by saying, “Too bad. The V.A. made the decision, and I won’t interfere.” That response came from Sen. Jon Kyle (R-Arizona). My congressman, Rep. J. D. Hayworth (R-Arizona), never responded. Nor did my other senator, John McCain (R-Arizona).
This man McCain, the supposed friend of war veterans, didn’t even have the decency to tell me , as Kyle had, that he doesn’t care about veterans unless they serve a selfish purpose for the McCain agenda. But his silence speaks volumes.
Four years ago, I was in a band that played for a Bush rally in Medford. Also speaking at the rally was my old senator, John McCain. He spoke in glowing terms about all things Bush. He made it very clear that he was firmly in the Bush/Cheney camp and that any comments to the contrary were false. He insisted, in no uncertain terms, that although they disagreed on minor points of policy, Bush was a noble and honorable man.
Now McCain wants my vote. This is a man who strenuously supported a man named Charles Keating, who was a central figure in the savings-and-loan debacle of the 1980s, a situation brought about by Republican policies of deregulation, much like the mortgage debacle of today. This is a man who has made it clear, when politically expedient, that he believes in the Bush/Cheney agenda. Most importantly, this is a man who has turned his back on his fellow veterans who served in the same war that launched his political career.
He should be ashamed, but I honestly believe that the man has no shame or decency.
Bouquet to I.V. Lions
From Lyn Berry, Cave Junction
I want to publicly acknowledge the Illinois Valley Lions Club for the needed help throughout many years.
There are too many cases to mention that I remember in which there has been a need for a bed, a wheelchair, a bedside commode or some other necessary supplies or equipment. The fellows of I.V. Lions Club have been there to help. The phone number is 592-4135.
Most recently, a rental wheelchair broke, and a woman would have been stuck in bed for days waiting for repair or replacement. She received an even better chair from I.V. Lions Club.
I encourage anyone who has unneeded equipment or supplies to donate them. I.V. Lions Club is a good central location for those in need, and the club deserves thanks from the community.
I.V. Lions ‘great’
From Dan & Georgia McLeod
Cave Junction
I am writing to let everyone in Illinois Valley know what a great organization the I.V. Lions Club is. Its members are great.
We had a wedding at our house Sept. 14, a Sunday. It was a rescheduled one. The original place was unavailable. We needed tables and chairs, and the Lions Club via Jerry Sommers came to our rescue. They are there for the people and it is a great organization.
My grandson, U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Mackey, and Cassie Boise, got married that day in a beautiful ceremony. As the proud grandparents of Robert we were thrilled to have the wedding in our back yard. Also Bishop John “Jack” Brown of the LDS Church Cave Junction Ward did the honor of marrying them.
I know you don’t want “thank you’s” in the paper, but this is more than that. It is just to let everyone know what a great organization the I.V. Lions Club is. I hope that it keeps up the good work.
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