Letters
From our weekly issue dated October 22, 2008
Cites ‘unjustified criticism’
From Roy Lindsay
Grants Pass
As the current chairman of the Sheriff’s Advisory Council (SAC), I would like to comment on a letter to the editor from Lloyd Putney (Illinois Valley News, “About facts and figures” on Oct. 8) concerning Diann Rhodes’ (Gilbertson) participation on the council. Diann brought a rich mix of marketing and business skills to SAC, enabling her to make a number of valuable contributions to our work on behalf of the sheriff’s office. These efforts would have been praiseworthy from any citizen.
At no time has SAC had any influence over resources granted the sheriff’s office, his personal compensation or his expenses. At no time has SAC had any expense authority within the sheriff’s office. In fact, SAC members have spent their own money, not tax money, in performing their duties. This is certainly true of Diann. No SAC member has been compensated for their work in any way.
The evaluation of the sheriff’s performance was not a requirement of his office, but rather was performed at his personal request. Had Putney bothered to check the dates, he would have seen that Diann resigned from SAC long before the sheriff’s performance evaluation was prepared.
With knowledge of these facts, any reasonably unbiased observer would conclude there has been no conflict of interest of any kind. Participation in public life may be expected to invite a certain amount of unjust criticism, but to extend this to the families of elected officials is neither just nor honorable.
‘Building empire’ response
From Joel Downing, Senior MSgt USAF (Ret.)
O’Brien
I have only been a property owner in Illinois Valley for 12 years, and I can state that the only reason that the valley has never had a serious problem with fires is because we have a dedicated and brave group of volunteers and paid staff that have made a career of keeping the fire danger under control.
Whether the Biscuit Fire could have been prevented or not, does not diminish or change the importance of having a fire district here. People who write letters to the editor should at least get their facts straight before submitting erroneous information that has no basis in fact. As a matter of fact, the present fire chief, as well as most of the fire board members, were not in charge of the fire district at the time of the Biscuit Fire.
The new fire stations were built not because of the Biscuit Fire, but because the old stations were dilapidated and falling apart and should have been condemned. The fire district and the board held open houses to show valley residents the deplorable conditions of the existing stations. Concerned citizens took the time to view the stations; were appalled at their condition; and eventually voted for the levy to replace them.
The new levy is not a bid to create an “empire,” but a means to improve on the capabilities of the fire district to better protect home owners and the lives of Illinois Valley residents. The fire district receives no federal funding and must rely on the valley citizens and those willing to volunteer as firefighters to provide the services the valley needs to protect homes and lives of valley residents.
Contrary to the opinion of Bud Couron, (Illinois Valley News Oct. 15 letter to the editor, “Building an empire”) the levy is only for five years and would require another vote after that to re-establish another levy. This levy only affects Illinois Valley residents, and the services are exclusively to protect valley homes and lives. As I have stated in the past, the home insurance rates that valley owners pay to protect their property are affected by a rating that the fire district receives on a regular basis -- and those home insurance rates will be lower when we have paid firefighters.
This rating is referred to as an ISO and is rated from 1 to 10. The lower the rating the better the insurance rates for home owners. As of recently the district received an ISO rating of 5 for the Cave Junction area and a 7 for areas outside the city. The ratings are based on several factors such as the total and type of equipment available, availability of water; and most importantly, the availability of firefighters.
Since most of the volunteer firefighters have jobs and can only respond when they are not working, this reduces the manpower needed to lower the ISO rating. The ISO guidelines consider one paid firefighter equivalent to three volunteers because the dedicated job of a paid firefighter is to fight fires and respond to emergencies. These ratings could be lower if additional paid staff were on duty 24/7. This new staffing will significantly lower response time to fires and other emergencies.
Our valley needs and deserves these full-time firefighting positions at a time when volunteerism is down throughout this nation. (Editor’s Note: Joel Downing is a former I.V. Fire District director.)
‘Count on me’ -- Moore
From Don Moore
Cave Junction
I stepped up to the plate to run for mayor of Cave Junction when no one else wanted to do the job, and you can count on me to do it.
Long before the renewal of our O&C funding, I was in Washington, D.C. at DeFazio’s office showing news clippings of negative articles about Cave Junction. I also spoke in person with Gov. Kulongoski about being a stranger in our valley, and I had an audience with Sen. Ron Wyden.
Behind the scenes recently, I was able to obtain an extension from the IVFD fire marshal to get our Jubilee Park pavilion cooking hood system up to code so that organizations can continue using it. Tony Paulson, the current mayor, wanted to tear it down. That is not the way to solve the problem.
Also, I am in the process of requesting OECD to lift the prohibition imposed on the city that bans us from getting any kind of grant. The new Siskiyou Community Medical Center was able to obtain a $450,000 OECD grant for water and sewer. OECD revoked the grant when Paulson did not hire a manager to do a required EIS to start the project.
There was $15,000 in the grant package for the study. But the city’s money has to pay the bill because of incompetence. And we lost another $50,000 to pay for wrongful discharge.
As a city we will not survive if we keep on the disastrous course we’ve followed during the past four years. We need new leadership, and I am ready to be that person with my seasoned experience in business and promotion. I want our city to advance for the betterment of all citizens.
My plan for the city also includes the “green revolution” and beautification programs. I am supporting a community garden.
Why vote for Moore?
From James Walmsley
Cave Junction
Why would I support Don Moore for mayor of Cave Junction? I couldn’t answer the questions, so I did some research, and here are a few good reasons I found.
Don Moore lives in Cave Junction. He takes pride in this community. When Tony Paulson announced that he would not run for re-election to the mayor’s position, Moore had no idea that he would be running for that position, but later stepped up when he realized that there would be a void in city government. He wears many hats and wasn’t looking for another one.
Moore brings years of executive experience acquired during his career with United Airlines. He was a licensed energy auditor for California state buildings. He holds California contractor licenses for General Building “B,” electrical and plumbing C-10, C-36.
He is licensed in Oregon as an All Structure Contractor. He is a commissioner on the county rural planning board, a city councilor, president of the I.V. Chamber, and an active member of I.V. Lions Club and I.V. Rotary Club: To list all the community activities that he supports and participates in would use too much of my ink cartridge.
Moore is proactive, not reactive. He is a businessman and would bring this style of leadership to bear.
One example is that the city is banned from applying for any block grants from OECD. Don will appeal this decision and try to restore the city’s good standing because there is money available that would benefit the city with many community projects.
Another is the order of the fire marshal to shut the cooking pavilion at Jubilee Park until the kitchen could be upgraded to new fire safety standards. Don met with the fire marshal and was granted a six-month stay to install a new code-compliant hood, and agreement to do no deep frying.
Because of his effort, Don was able to keep the “City Treasure” from becoming the “Jewel of Denial.”
When faced with a problem, Don looks for solutions. There is no dirty laundry to air. When someone expressed the need to clean up the city’s slickers, Don decided to open a laundry with a convenience store and deli.
He will bring a common sense and business style of leadership to city government. Do we need more of the same that we’ve had for the past four years? I think not, and will vote for Don Moore.
Media super star
From Mike Hunter
Selma
The media have created a new star and probably the next president of our country. They all say he is the best for the job, but how do you qualify “The Best?”
What has this young attorney done? Where is his record of achievements and what did he do for his home state? Can anyone tell us? He is promising all sorts of miraculous things:
Government-mandated health care for all, want it or not. Peace and make nice, nice with the Arabs and Koreans. Then a richer, sweeter, kinder America with a new national anthem: If I Could Teach the World to Sing. No more silly saluting or respecting the flag will ever be necessary again. There will probably be pretty balloons, tambourines, a warm puppy and Kool-Aid for everyone too.
Let’s try and get a grip here. The media claim that Gov. Palin isn’t vice presidential material, doesn’t have the qualifications; but the facts are that she is far more qualified for the job she pursues than Obama is for his.
What’s wrong with this picture? Can anyone, please, write Obama’s qualifications on a piece of paper so we all can appreciate them? Did he ever hold any other office before the Senate? What did he do for his home state? He spent less than 150 days in his current job as a U.S. senator.
He introduced no new legislation, and during this time voted to raise taxes 400+ times. Obama thinks he can tax us out of a bad economy. He’s anti-military, pro- abortion; he has plenty of questionable friends and acquaintances; and if “political tide changes” he will stand with the Muslims? (a quote from his book). Whoa, what does that mean to us? Anything?
Yes, let’s get a health-care system working that will serve everyone and, yes, let’s get the Congress to fix the economy, but let’s not further socialization of our country. We have gone too far in that direction already. Every country that has socialized medical care has far less the quality care than ours. Maybe more available if you have the time, but certainly of much less quality.
Ask anyone from a country with socialized medicine where they would rather be treated.
We also keep hearing, “We don’t want four more years of Bush.” Well, me too, but isn’t George W. leaving office some time in early January 2009, and ain’t no way McCain or Obama could do the same job. Believe it or not, there are many things happening in this world that G.W. Bush didn’t create.
Those who think Obama is a new Messiah and want him as their president can give him their vote, but they should be ready for the wonderful “changes” he has promised. I would like to think that we will vote for the most-qualified person regardless of party affiliation, but we all know the answer to that, don’t we? When there’s something offered as “free” who’ll be the first in line?
For those who like the idea of socialism in our country then why not try Canada, Europe, China or Mexico and experience socialism before they vote to “change” this country to it? Things are really great in those countries now, aren’t they?
Loves I.V. Fire
From Linda Butler
Cave Junction
I am a member of the Political Action Committee, “We Love I.V. Fire.”
Our committee supports Ballot Measure 17-21, a five-year tax levy proposed to hire and maintain 24-hour firefighters and emergency medical personnel to be housed in two stations in Illinois Valley Fire District.
Ballot Measure 17-21 is for the Illinois Valley Fire Protection District only and is not connected to the sheriff’s office at all. Also, the O&C timber payment funds being released to Josephine County by the federal government are not going to Illinois Valley Fire District, not one dime.
Our fire district does more than extinguish fires. Last year only 14 percent of the 1,148 incidents were fire-related; the rest were medical and other responses. Our volunteers are certified in fire suppression and emergency medical services, and are constantly training to maintain those certifications. They are the best-of-the-best volunteers anywhere.
We should keep them in our valley and give them full-time jobs doing what they are trained to do. They respond to our emergencies wherever they are. Let us support them for a change.
‘Financial mess’ blame
From Gregory D. Anderson
Cave Junction
Why do you suppose the liberal major media allows the Democrats to get by with blaming Bush & Republicans for the financial mess when it is largely the responsibility of the Democrats?
The Clinton administration, with Andrew Cuomo, proposed 50 percent of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac portfolios be loans to the poor and minorities. They demanded that welfare and unemployment be considered income when applying for home loans. Franklin Raines, a Clinton adviser, was appointed president of Fannie and knocked down $90 million in six years.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D) not only got tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, he was able to save many thousands more with sweetheart deals on mortgages on two homes. So we get to see the corruption of the ruling elite up close and personal. Barack Obama was the second-largest recipient of campaign funds.
Bush’s chief economist warned the first year of the Bush administration about the loans going to unqualified buyers. Congressional hearings were held, but Democrats Chris Dodd, Maxine Waters, Chuck Schummer and Barney Frank kept these matters from going to the floor of the House or Senate. The former independent newspaper, but now an extension of the Democratic party, the New York Times, wrote that Fannie and Freddie were “under heavy assault” by Republicans.
Thus the house of cards was set up by the Democrats. I have to think it was from greed and ignorance rather than a purposeful “October Surprise.” So when the Dems and their sycophants are shouting it is due to deregulation by Republicans it is disingenuous at best or an outright lie at worst. The epitome of hypocrisy is when these creators of the mess stand before TV cameras and blame it on Republicans.
I agree with Wally from Selma when he wrote on these pages a couple weeks ago: “The Democrats will lie about anything …”
So here are our choices. One presidential candidate has virtually no management experience unless you want to count the years he spent representing ACORN. This organization is a far left group that is being investigated in 14 states for election fraud (indicted in several).
His campaign has given $800,000 to ACORN for its activities. His VP pick has had no management experience and thinks FDR went on TV in 1929 to talk to the people. It was pointed out later to this man, who has a history of plagiarism, that there was no TV at this time and it was before FDR was elected.
The presidential nominee of the other party was a commander in the U.S. Navy. He has never received an earmark (his opponent received about a million dollars a day in earmarks before the campaign.) His VP selection has been part owner of a small business, a mayor of a small town, an appointee by the governor to deal with energy problems in her state, and is a sitting governor. Not bad for a mother of five, and wife of a union member who is a very supportive husband.
Finally, because I think a little levity in the closing days of this election is appropriate, I offer two questions: l. What do Obama and Osama have in common? Answer: They both have friends who bombed the Pentagon. 2. When Speaker polemic Pelosi chose a moment calling for bipartisanship, to blame the financial meltdown entirely on Republicans and Bush, what was it called? Answer: The Cheap Shot Heard ‘Round the World.
A different view
From Flo Shepherd
Selma
I usually read “Letters to the Editor” with a grain of salt, as everyone has a right to their opinion. However, I felt the need to submit my own letter after reading the Oct. 8 letter from “the writer who is a correspondent for I.V. News (Linda Corey-Woodward) but submitted a letter as a private citizen.”
Throughout this presidential election cycle the media (TV, radio and print) have blurred the line between subjectively reporting a story and expressing a personal opinion within the story in regard to an individual candidate. It’s bad enough when I read AP stories that seem to reflect the view of the reporter instead of a straightforward article.
Now, when I read a story in I.V. News by the above-mentioned correspondent, I will always wonder about the views or objectivity of the writer when all I want are the facts.
I, too, have followed the candidates during the 2008 election process, but I have a far different view about their character, ideals and direction they want to take this country. Our country is not in tatters on every level. We are facing tough challenges, but an Obama presidency is not the answer. His plans will only lead us into more trouble. Obama/Biden is the combination that makes me uncomfortable and worried.
While it is fine to have eloquent speeches of hope and change, I am interested in what a candidate has actually accomplished in their public and personal life. What positive hope and change has Obama brought to Illinois as a state or U.S. Senator? Other than the millions of dollars that have flowed into that state since Obama has been a senator, what positive effect has it had on the citizens of that state?
Have the citizens’ lives improved with new job opportunities or better education? Has the school drop-out rate lessened? Has crime decreased? Are citizens in the neighborhoods of Chicago, in which Obama worked as a community organizer, better off? Are they more self-reliant and independent or has reliance on government programs grown? From what I have been able to determine, it does not appear that Obama’s involvement has achieved significant nor long-lasting change.
What is Obama’s track record? We have to find it ourselves and not wait for the media to provide the details. Who are his close friends and backers? Of the ones I know about, if they are a reflection of Obama’s views it raises serious questions about his character and judgment.
Some call Sen. Obama a fluent speaker. To me, it appears that when he is off script or doing interviews he just drones with a long reply, no substance and an answer that goes nowhere. At times I feel I should reach in and pull the answer out of him. When- ever questioned about something he does not wish to address he attacks something or someone else.
I feel he lives in a bubble protected by his media surrogates. He changes his mind with the wind and doesn’t seem to have a solid core of beliefs that stay with him. His plans for this country are not new ones, but carefully cultivated ideas rehashed by the far-left for years -- and it’s called socialism. This is the real threat to our freedoms and democracy.
This is not the type of government I want for myself or my family.
As far as Joe Biden goes, he is definitely a seasoned politician. He is so seasoned that the media no longer highlight his errors on the campaign trail or in interviews. I guess to some it’s old news, but nothing should be considered old news this political year. People have the right to see both sides of the presidential tickets reported fairly.
Joe’s “gaffs,” as they have been referred to in his past, are still quite present. If you don’t see them when they happen you will never see the media report them more than once, if at all. And if you don’t think he’s been the VP attack dog then you must be missing his performances on the campaign trail. I have observed Biden for years, and while he may be a good family man, having him as vice president is a scary prospect.
In committee hearings, his questions have been insulting (if he ever gets to the question). His ideas on foreign policy are flawed to the point of recklessness, and his negotiating skills are non-existent. This is not a balanced ticket. Obama chose another senator as a running mate, and they, with Sen. Dodd and Rep. Frank, are an intricate part of the problems caused by Washington that we face today.
Do I want Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama running the country? I do not. For years I was a Democrat, but I have left the party. After the past four years of watching the Democrat leaders trash this country, slander the troops, block drilling of oil and natural gas that would make this country more self-sufficient, ignore the rise in gas and food prices that have hurt us all, I said, “Enough.”
Regarding alternative fuels, yes we need to develop them, but those who think we can get along without oil are sadly mistaken. We should not be dependent on any other country for oil and natural gas if we can produce more here and provide more jobs while doing it. While Sen. McCain also wants to develop alternative fuels he knows we need oil too. His policies on energy, taxes, the economy, health care, government reform, foreign relations, etc. are online.
McCain has not said he deserves to be president simply because of his past life experiences, he only asks for our support in electing him. His persona is not to woo crowds, but to provide straight answers to questions and lay out the differences between himself and Obama. He is not glib or smooth and may appear tight-lipped; that is just the way he is. Get over it.
And he is not another term of George Bush as the Democrats like to portray. Do I agree with all McCain’s policies? Probably not, but the alternative is not the way to go.
Lastly, in regard to Gov. Palin – I am extremely offended by the nasty, disrespectful tone set by the majority of the media when reporting anything relating to her and her family. How often does it happen that an individual becomes a governor without assistance from political insiders? (Check how Obama got to the Senate.)
When Palin was first announced as McCain’s running mate, I immediately researched her on the Internet. What I found was a competent, intelligent, fair-minded individual who cares about the people who elected her both as a governor and as a mayor. She actually made a difference in her state and community. She has good judgment that comes from her life experiences and core values. She loves this country and respects our military.
She has positions, opinions and a mind-set that do not come from being a U.S. senator, thank heavens. She has a can-do and will-do attitude. Palin won’t be taken advantage of by anyone.
Advertisement:
14 bucks a month
From Judy Flores
Selma
This is in response to a letter written to the Illinois Valley News editor by Bud Couron on Oct. 15.
I am deeply saddened about how ill informed he might be. Thursday night, Oct. 16, I had the opportunity to attend a town hall meeting in Selma about the fire levy, as after reading Couron’s letter I had several concerns about how our fire district was run and about the money that it is trying to raise.
After listening to Chief Harry Rich and Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik I was surprised to discover a few interesting facts about our district that I did not already know.
Mostly volunteers run our fire district; we only have four paid personnel, who take turns being a duty officer every four nights. We only have 13 actual firefighter volunteers; no one has time anymore to dedicate to their community in this service. How about Bud Couron, does he have time? Most of the volunteers are older and/or retired, younger stronger men have to have a job to support their families.
The volunteers not retired are only able to respond between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. Our fire district goes on approximately 3.1 fire calls a day, of which 14 percent are actual structure fire calls, and 68 percent are medical, e.g. heart attacks, strokes, etc. We only have one AMR ambulance in the valley, and the fire district is the only agency on scene when that ambulance goes to Grants Pass.
The other 18 percent are things like traffic accidents, of which I was the victim of one: a rear-ender caused by an 18-wheeler semitruck and trailer. Another surprising fact is that our district covers 144 square miles. If there were a catastrophic event that cut off Hay’s Hill, who are we going to call? Ghostbusters?
I don’t want us to become another Katrina disaster. I’m not in favor of raising taxes either, but for $14 a month I think it might be worth it.
‘Building an Empire’?
From Helen Clark
Cave Junction
Some longtime valley residents might not remember major incidents that may or may not have happened around Illinois Valley, but the first one that comes to mind is the 2002 Biscuit Fire that threatened the community of Cave Junction.
It was not the intent of the prior fire chief or any other fire organization to just let it burn. The large short-term tax levy is really a 25-year bond that was sought prior to the Biscuit Fire and cost the local taxpayers 50-cents per thousand that averages out to most taxpayers at about $56 per year. That bond built three new fire stations in three communities: Cave Junction, O’Brien and Selma.
The station in Cave Junction was 57 years old and was red-tagged as dangerous to inhabit. Station 2 “Selma” was a two-bay station or garage with no bathrooms or running water and was located under an existing water table. O’Brien Station 3 was at one time the O’Brien schoolhouse. The roof leaked; the concrete floor where the fire engines were parked was sinking; and the bathroom didn’t work due to faulty sewer plumbing.
This fire chief was not the fire chief when the fire station bond was passed, and I know he has no agenda. This chief after being appointed in December 2003 had our new fire station on the ground within his first 18 months. This chief has been and continues to be a dedicated public servant for us for more than four years.
This last budget year, the fire chief gave back some $10,000 from his annual salary to help support the short-fall in the budget from drastically increasing fuel and utilities and other associated increased costs.
If folks would read the levy literature as written, they would see that it is a five-year levy with an expiration date and would not be extended without voter approval. So the conclusion to this letter is to refute prior writings to newspapers concerning the misinformation about this fire chief and the desperately needed replacement of three, “not a couple” of the old, dilapidated fire stations.
I hope every voter makes a pledge to pass Ballot Measure 17-21.
‘Someone is misinformed’
From Dennis Knight
Cave Junction
For someone who has lived in Illinois Valley for nearly 40 years, that individual should consider himself out of touch and should research his information prior to writing a letter to the newspaper. I would like to answer his letter in an abbreviated form.
He believes that we have never had a serious problem with fire in the valley. In 2002 the Biscuit Fire threatened Cave Junction more than once and came within a mile or so to Cave Junction.
In 2004 the city of Cave Junction was threatened by a 200-acre fire that leaped around Cave Junction. That fire was called the Redwood Fire, and sadly two families lost their homes that day. In 2004 a wildland fire occurred in Kerby that threatened the entire town of Kerby, burned some 25 acres, and destroyed one home and numerous outbuildings. That fire was called the Redwood Fire #2.
In 2005, Selma was struck by a rapid-moving fire that claimed five homes, numerous outbuildings, a museum and numerous vehicles. That fire moved faster than firefighters could handle. That 1,643-acre fire was called the Deer Creek Fire.
In 2008 a forest, wildland fire just 17 miles west of Selma burned some 1,185 acres. If that fire had gained a little more speed it would have threatened Selma and Kerby. That fire was called the Horse Mountain Fire.
If my recall is correct, the bond to build new fire stations in the valley was proposed some time before the Biscuit Fire. I know that I attended barbecues in support of that bond, and they were before the Biscuit. The approved bond is for 25 years, not a large short-term levy.
The writer goes on to say that the fire chief “just wanted to build himself a couple of fire houses that we didn’t need.” To clarify a point, the current fire chief was not appointed until early 2004, so he was not here in 2002 or when the building bond was approved. The three fire stations replaced were decaying and more than 50 years old, their service life was at an end.
As for a “Castle in the Sky Empire” this is another incorrect remark. The fire chief’s intent is to address the needs of the valley, and the volunteer ranks continue to decline not only here, but across the nation.
Bud Couron needs to read the ballot information and not just blurt wrong numbers or insinuations like a “two- or three-year levy and a permanent fixture.” He would know this is a five-year levy that expires in 2013, and the voters have to approve any new measures. This tax is not in concrete like Couron would like us to believe.
People should vote their consciences and good sense. Do we need a strong Illinois Valley fire service whose firefighters live in our communities -- or not support the fire district and suffer the probable consequences of a raging fire that our existing fire staff can’t handle?
