Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated January 28, 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.
Meddlesome hobbyist
From Christopher Smith
Cave Junction
Kudos to Scott Jorgensen for a great article on Holger Sommer (Illinois Valley News, Jan. 21). The article seemed fair and unbiased.
I got a chuckle about how Sommer refers to his meddling in other people’s affairs as a “hobby.” This is some hobby. It seems that his “hobby” has cost some residents of Josephine County their jobs and others their dream homes.
And all for what gain? If it is true that people lost their jobs due to Sommer’s meddling, he ought to support those folks and their families until new jobs can be found. I also understand that Sommer has a nice large house in Merlin. Does he have enough room for those who can’t build their new homes thanks to his meddling to move in with him?
It seems that Sommer is an intelligent fellow who likes to share this intelligence with others whether they asked for it or not. He should stick to those who actually invite his intelligence such as Joel Perkins. While I may or may not agree with Perkins’ issue with Barlow Sand & Gravel, it is my understanding that he sought the advice and “expertise” of Sommer.
It seems that all the rest that I hear about Sommer is him poking his nose where it is not asked. I still don’t see where a Merlin resident has any business dictating what goes on in the city of Cave Junction or this end of Josephine County.
Perhaps to solve all of this Sommer ought to come up with a new hobby to devote all his free time to. There is always coin collecting, tying flies, painting, knitting, sewing, bird watching, kite flying, and so on. The list of possible hobbies that do not interfere in other people’s affairs is endless.
The numbers are grim
From Carol Dickson
Cave Junction
Every time I turn on the news or open a newspaper, I am saddened and sickened to see the greed and dishonesty at the highest levels of our way of life: the businesses failing, the businesses laying off employees, and huge corporations asking for bail-outs.
This is not someone else’s problem in some other place. These are our friends and families losing businesses and jobs. In researching on the Internet, I found the following statistics for Josephine County: unemployment rate - 10.9 percent (11/08), average family annual income $31,229, per capita income $17,234 (11/08), 11.30 percent of families and 15 percent of the population below the poverty line, 1,408 foreclosures (foreclosures.com).
Admittedly, the research is crude and in all likelihood the numbers are more grim. In addition, those with investments who tried to insure their retirements have lost in excess of 30 percent value.
In the face of this situation, we have government at all levels asking for more money from its citizenry. I fear that in the not too distant future the only thing left will be the government and Wal-Mart. Who is going to bail us out and how do we stop the runaway train? Sounds a bit like socialism to me.
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FAC findings of fact
From Hazel Reagan
O’Brien
In response to the front page article, “Fraud charged; FAC possibly victimized,” (Illinois Valley News, Jan. 21): Don’t be fooled by Forestry Action Committee’s (FAC) Director/Board President Susan Chapp.
In an Oct. 31, 2008 Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) final order, the commissioner, Brad Avakian, found that:
- Chapp’s unsubstantiated assertions are decidedly disingenuous;
- Chapp’s credibility was further undermined by her admission that she asked Robin Wilson to create a false record;
- Chapp’s testimony conflicted with prior statements she made to the (IRS) during the wage investigations, contradicted other credible testimony, and was internally inconsistent;
- “Respondent’s (Chapp) apparent mismanagement of grant funds is not a valid defense;”
- “Respondent’s ignorance of the law does not exempt it.”
Present board members who are manipulated by Chapp need to know that they are financially responsible for what she does. Former board members and employees who were fooled by Chapp might want to contact Elizabeth Grant at Oregon Dept. of Justice, (971) 673-1880 or email charitable.activities@doj. state.or.us to let her know what they know about illegal or unethical behavior at FAC.
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