Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated January 14, 2009
(Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.)
Typed, double-spaced letters are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double-spaced and legible also can be considered. “Thank you” submissions are not accepted as letters
I.V. Lions recap 2008
From Harry Johnson
Member, I.V. Lions Club Board of Directors
The Illinois Valley Lions Club is proud of its accomplishments of 2008. This year, as during so many other years, we showed the communities in Illinois Valley that we care.
As most know, sight and hearing work are a main part of what we do in our communities. We sponsored more than 30 eye exams and free eye-glasses; and two hearing exams and hearing aids. We’re proud to say that we have one person awaiting cataract surgery.
During ‘08 we loaned more than 200 pieces of medical equipment to families in Illinois Valley. Everything from crutches and wheelchairs to beds is available to all who need them.
In ‘08 we had a wonderful Easter in the Park event with more than 3,000 eggs for the children, 154 eggs with $1 in them, 75 eggs with a coupon for a free toy, and 12 eggs with a coupon for a free Easter basket. The club also had its train giving free rides. Members dressed as the Easter Bunny and Smoky Bear gave candy.
In September, we had our 37th annual Labor Day parade with 45-plus year Lions member Lewie Spencer as grand marshal. It was fantastic with at least 75 units and walking participants. Our three-day Labor Day Festival had one of its largest turn-outs. We had the wild and crazy Tuff Truck racing. Those who never have seen this must come in 2009 and witness the spectacle.
We had train rides for the kids, and delicious hamburgers and fries. All members worked quite hard. On Labor Day we raffled a 2008 Harley Davison motorcycle. We sold 270 of the 300 tickets printed at $100 each. It was a great success for the club.
The 2009 raffle fund-raiser is under way with an ‘09 Harley displayed at Taylor’s Country Store in Downtown Cave Junction. Tickets are available at Taylor’s or through the club.
Last year, as during years past, we showed our support of young scholars in Illinois Valley. We awarded five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Illinois Valley High School. We hope this is the beginning of their road to success. We also sponsored several youth sports teams: Illinois Valley Little League, the Boys & Girls Club football team, and our state champion IVHS wrestling team.
Our club gave money to help support the Cave Junction Cares holiday meals program. In August, members went to Evergreen Elementary School and helped build new playground equipment. It was two days of hard, but enjoyable work.
Past president David Anderson last year received the “Crystal Pin” Award from Lions International for a year of positive growth by our club; and he received an award from District for club membership growth.
Other members received awards during ‘08: Jerry Somers, Don Sills and Steve Lyons received awards for bringing the most new members to the club. Gale Hatch was honored as the club’s “Lion of the Year.” Two members received the prestigious Helen Keller Benefactor Award from Lions International: Vale Hatch and Richard Strohl. We’re also proud of Lion Don Moore, who’s one of our newest members, for his landslide victory and becoming new mayor of Cave Junction. We know he will do a great job for the city and will represent us well.
The club received an award from the I.V. Chamber of Commerce thanking the club for the money and business brought to the city and its local businesses, because of our Labor Day Parade and Festival.
In 2009, we will have a busy year. We will have the usual eye care and hearing aid care support that never stops. We’ll continue filling the medical equipment needs of the valley. The real fun starts with our free Easter in the Park event and the thousands of painted eggs. And the ’09 Labor Day weekend looks as though it’s going to be another success.
FAC insights
From Mara Carnes
Cave Junction
I have the distinct pleasure of holding the position of project coordinator for the Forestry Action Committee (FAC). We are a non-profit organization, and value volunteerism and community spirit.
FAC believes you can accomplish anything if you bring the community together in a positive way. Our motto, “Together, we can do a lot,” reigns true. Our employees embrace the chore of empowering land owners to restore riparian areas on their land. We provide not only the tools needed for land owners to accomplish this task, but also provide support and guidance for the years to come as land owners proudly watch their trees mature.
Our services are provided free of charge to participating land owners. Healthy streams mean healthy fish habitat. Taking care of the environment that surrounds us is a job we all must accept responsibility for -- for ourselves and our future. To date, FAC has planted almost 300,000 trees in Illinois Valley. This is a huge success for us all.
FAC believes in open membership, mutual consensus, courtesy, respect and power from the bottom up. Our goal is to empower the unempowered, and to come up with creative changes and solutions in which the community can find common ground.
With the coming of this new year, I invite the community to attend our board meetings and meet the new staff. The FAC board meets on first Thursdays in the Butler Bldg. (lower US Forest Service compound) at 3 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.
FAC encourages public involvement, and encourages anyone interested in finding out more about us to attend. All financial records are available for review, and we offer open discussion for new ideas, old ideas, praise, questions or criticism.
For those who cannot attend a meeting, our door is always open to the public. People can come and be a part of our organization, see what’s new for 2009 and do something good for our community.
Images of Gaza
From Ali Madjdi
Cave Junction
There is nothing Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni can say or do that can take from the minds of people across the world the images of Christmas in Gaza.
You see, there is something special about pictures; long after words have blown away with the wind, images keep haunting us. That is why a picture is worth a thousand words. Dead babies don't lie!
Water Precious Response
from Tony Paulson
Cave Junction
I thought I would add some clarity to Ms. Spellman’s issue (Letters, Illinois Valley News, Jan. 7).
Water conservation is appreciated by the city.
Relating to the monthly utility billings, the water fee of $28 is for the first 500 cubic feet of water used, and that is what the city must charge in order to fund the operation and maintenance of the water system and to be in compliance with the conditions of a grant award that the city received to upgrade the water treatment plant and distribution system.
The sewer fee, with a base rate of $31 per month, is the amount the City must charge to fund the operation and maintenance of the sewer system and to be in compliance with the conditions of award for the grant that the city received to upgrade the sewer collection and treatment system.
Offering other payment plans, such as “per usage” only with a base meter fee is an option that the council may consider during the annual budget process.
The utility deposit is set by resolution adopted by the council. There are procedures and policies set by the council for refunding deposits. These procedures are explained to new customers when they sign up for water.
In order to qualify for a deposit refund, a customer must maintain a consistent payment history for one year (no late penalties, discontinued service for non-payment). Ms. Spellman did not meet this requirement when the account review for refunds was completed in early December.
The city recorder, Jim Polk, followed the procedures and policies set for refunding a deposit. Anything outside of those procedures must be approved by the mayor, therefore, Mr. Polk was doing exactly what he was supposed to do when he initially denied the refund. When Ms Spellman requested that he reconsider, he forwarded the request to the mayor for a decision.
The management of “This Organization” is ultimately chosen by Ms. Spellman and the other citizens of Cave Junction through the election of the mayor and council members. More solutions, ideas, and positive contributions are welcome. Members of the public are provided the opportunity to offer comment at every council meeting. Then, the council may consider taking action on changing procedures, refining policies or amending the ordinances of the city.
Advertisement:
