Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated February 4, 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
What to do with homeless
From Linda Tedder
Cave Junction
I attended the Cave Junction City Council meeting on Jan. 26 just to hear how the good people of Cave Junction are handling the homeless citizens of Cave Junction. Seems that their only decision would be for them to somehow just make them go away.
I’ve talked to these street people, and they aren’t going anywhere. And why should they? Yes some seem to be dirty, and drunk/high -- but hey, these are human beings too.
Immediate-past Mayor Tony Paulson stated that they are considered alcoholics, and that’s considered an illness in Oregon, and how in the past there really wasn’t anything that could be done. Seemed the solution is to ticket them, jail them, keep people considering moving here from seeing them. Oh Lord, should a child see reality: Oh mommy!
Look, we have a domestic abuse house, and a place for “single mothers” to get help. But for those who have mental issues, and substance abuse, well there aren’t the warm fuzzy feelings going on. The street people don’t want to drink in bars as they get picked on.
They need a place where they can drink, and as odious as this seems to many, they will continue. They feel that they have lived here longer than those looking to move here, and if they don’t like what they see, well so be it.
Personally I’ve had more issues with the non-homeless. Things stolen from my property weren’t taken by the homeless. It has been suggested that they go to a shelter in Grants Pass, but they don’t want to leave their home here in Cave Junction.
And they can’t be forced to do so. They have no money. All the tickets in the world won’t change anything. What would be accomplished?
How about a League of Compassion & Understanding. Anyone moving here isn’t perfect. I bet there are some skeletons in their closets. Somehow we need to take care of our own social issues here in Cave Junction.
I know the churches try and do as much as they can: Bless their hearts. But most of the homeless have a story and a life. One of the street people said that he had so many citations for drinking in public tickets that he can’t count them. So now what?
Airport planning view
From Ed Russell
Cave Junction
In response to Dwight Ellis’ comments (“County board revamps airport advisory committees,” Illinois Valley News, Jan. 21, 2009):
When Dwight Ellis called past citizen airport advisory boards and commissions “contentious and unproductive,” a better description would be that, filtered through Airports Director Alex Grossi, some of the commissioners, and/or their sponsors, haven’t liked the truthful information and advice that two different groups of local, hand-picked aviation and business experts have been offering for many years.
All of which, I believe, has been more correct and insightful, and would already have produced more tangible benefits, than those obtained, or likely to be obtained, by ignoring informed community input.
Blagojovich-style politics (trying to work against natural laws, acting contrary to good advice while promoting greed and ignorance) manifest contentiousness, and are as costly and counter-productive as is possible.
During the past 10 years that I have flown from and been involved with the I.V. Airport, each of us who has served on airport boards and commissions, to my knowledge, has worked for the best interests of the community, the airport and aviation as a whole. We acted explicitly and empathically without regard to “special interests.”
None of which paid to put us in our high-paying and powerful jobs. In fact we have volunteered countless hours and much effort for the good of the whole community. Plus, we were powerless, except to appeal to reason, which seldom did any good. Ask any aviator at either airport.
It’s too bad that so many of us have had to fight this bureaucracy and its airport director so hard, for so long, trying to facilitate appropriate progress on our airport while protecting the real airport assets and everyone’s quality of life here.
For the good citizens now chosen and serving to be blamed for nothing happening is pitiful politics and misplaced blame. Someone in power needs a mirror.
If one keeps stacking the deck all will finally come up all aces. And one can “break the bank,” or do worse with our quality of life.
I am glad for the sense of wholesome community and the service of those neighbors and friends that comprised citizens airport advisory groups. The common ground we found from our broad and varied experiences in flying, business and life in the valley affirms my enjoyment in the aviation community and the spirit of the people.
At this moment, Grossi and the commissioners are preparing a new airport plan that will determine the future of our airport, and to a large extent this whole area. It’s a shame no citizens board representation or input has been possible before the formal planning began.
We should beware the consequences of “Big Plans” in this small valley.
Resist not the cheese
From Dan Beal
Kerby
Sheriff Gil Gilbertson’s pledge to resist the United Nations is lamentable.
If the U.N. trucks ever come down the road it will be because our government has collapsed, and they’re bringing relief, free cheese or something.
Salutes Sheriff Gilbertson
From Steve Wireman
O’Brien
In the Jan. 21 issue of the Illinois Valley News, I was struck by a passage in the article, “Gun issues hot topic.”
When Sheriff Gilbertson was asked about “the possibility of troops from the United Nations being used to disarm local residents,” Gilbertson responded that he “is determined to defend his constituents against any such intrusion,” adding that “they’ll never step foot on this turf, they are not a good group.”
I take my hat off to this man, who would bravely face such an effective world power as the U.N.
We all know that legal handguns and hunting weapons in Southern Oregon are a high priority for the U.N., so it comforts me to know that Sheriff Gilbertson is there to defend us.
In the meantime, if the sheriff can use some of his energy to protect us from more mundane dangers such as bird flu, Lyme disease, or even burglary, we will have even more reasons to be grateful.
Likes Dave’s Outdoor
From Ryan Wargin
Cave Junction
I just have to state my appreciation for Liz & Dave (and Larry) at Dave’s Outdoor Power Equipment in Cave Junction. That is a store that backs this community.
Just recently my “moneymaker” (chainsaw) blew up. I was dead in the water. With their help, I was out the door with a new saw.
There is no better or more honest saw shop in Southern Oregon than Dave’s Outdoor.
I’m grateful that it’s here for the working man, and that it backs the community.
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Economic recovery
From Ann Centonze
Cave Junction
We are all abundantly aware that the “artificial inflation bubble” of the past 15 years has burst, and that globally we are in a state of economic correction.
With a third of the U.S. workforce unemployed, foreclosures on homes and properties at historic highs, financial institutions increasingly unstable, and the cost of basic goods and services at their highest costs ever, it is time to fast-track an economic recovery.
It is simple physics (for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction) and basic economics (when the cost is too high, nobody buys; reduce the price, and voilà, you create an overwhelming consumer base). Since August 2008, the price for fuel has dropped more than half from its summertime highest prices, and yet a 4.5-percent increase that was undoubtedly voted into effect during that summertime high, has now been passed on to Oregon electricity consumers as of December 2008.
I have visibly decreased the amount of energy consumed in my home, as evidenced by my bill, and yet I was charged more than this same time last year. I’m doing my part to consume less, what about Pacific Power? Why hasn’t the overall economic decline been recognized by Pacific Power, and that rate increase rescinded?
And just today, in the market news, energy and electricity posted above-average profits, at a time when the stock market has been in a tail-spin for weeks.
The same can be said for perishable goods at grocery stores. I have recently seen a higher rate of thrown-away and/or donated perishable items such as fruit, vegetables, bread and dairy products than during the past four years. I am certain this is due to higher prices, and fewer folks able to pay those prices. That is so wasteful. Especially since the bottom has fallen out of the commodities market, and those costs are now cheaper to the producers, and those cheaper prices should be passed on to the retailers and the consumers.
On June 19 Congress enacted the complete Food, Conservation & Energy Act of 2008. The Farm Bill was passed to provide subsidy for agricultural development that meets standards for clean air, clean water and land conservation. This bill is meant to promote cleaner agricultural standards while paying 70 to 90 percent of provable loss to farmers, farming corporations and co-ops during the overhaul process.
However, it could amount to a government-funded national famine while the industry upgrades its practices during the next four years. And it could eliminate green waste, needed to produce biofuels, as well as limit affordable farm-fresh food here and abroad.
It also implies that the consumer/taxpayer is paying twice for meat, produce, staple goods and energy development: first as subsidies and again at the marketplace.
We should not have to depend on our government to regulate and control our everyday economic drive. We do not suffer from a lack of food, clothing, goods, homes, fuel, medical care or automobiles, but from an unwillingness by those in retail to recognize and readjust to the economic downtown. Merchants and retailers who do not readjust their pricing strategies are going out of business across the nation. And make no mistake, even medical care is a retail service.
Each of us is feeling the pinch, everywhere we turn, from grocery stores to medical offices. But recovery would be more successful, and move more quickly if those who sell us our goods and services were reducing their prices as quickly as they raised them during the “artificial inflation” era. It would be good for their bottom lines, and good for the country.
Globally, America has led the way. This is another opportunity for Americans to do their part, to put away the past and start anew. We are all in this together. Fast-tracking economic recovery by reducing prices is beneficial on every level, for all concerned.
Statutory rape laws
From (name withheld)
Cave Junction
Statutory rape is not a violent crime: It is a crime based on the premise that until a person reaches a certain age, she/he is legally incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse with an adult.
These crimes make it illegal for anyone to engage in sexual intercourse with a child younger than 16 in Oregon unless they are married. Oregon law does provide a defense for those who are less than three years older than their victims.
Recent findings show an increase in occurrence of statutory rape, and the devastating emotional and psychological effect on teen-agers despite the inability of the latter to see themselves as victims in this abuse of power.
The age of consent varies by state. Some states make specific references to gender in their statutory rape if you are male or female. Oregon statutory rape laws are quite serious. If one violates these laws, they face felony criminal charges with punishments of financial penalties and time in prison.
In Oregon, the penalties depend on the age of the victim. State law reads that “a person who has sexual intercourse with another person commits the crime of rape in the first degree if … The victim is under 12 years of age.” The mandatory minimum sentence is 100 months (more than eight years), and ranges up to 20 years in prison.
Oregon law defines rape in the second degree as having sex with a person younger than 14, and specifies a mandatory minimum 75-month (six years, three months) sentence, up to 10 years in prison. Rape in the third degree is having sex with a person under 16. As a Class C felony, the prescribed maximum jail term is 60 months (five years) in prison.
‘Hail to the ex-chief’
From Treeherder & Apple Eating Lady
Takilma
We’re over the initial shock now. Dick & George have officially exited their respective mansions on the hill and have been greeted back into their home communities, presumably as heroes.
In much of the rest of the nation, however, their reputations are, let’s just say, tarnished. Though they and their “handlers” are hard at work attempting to rewrite history and shine a positive light on their legacies, we here on the T & A Show think they are going about it in the wrong way. They are totally missing the point.
We’ve come to the realization that the Bushies accomplished something in those magical eight years in office that could not have occurred in any other way. We mustn’t try to whitewash their mismanagements or sweep away the cobwebs from their secret psychoses. No, we must embrace them, as one would embrace victory over testicular cancer.
The evil they perpetrated on this country was so deeply devious, diabolical and despicable that it has driven us to an awakening; and through that awakening to elect (and by “elect” we mean actually “elect”) an African American Democrat as Potus.
Oh sure, most of us are still groggy and hung over from the deep coma we have been in for 200 years, but hey, the eyelids moved. We saw them flutter.
We will not redact our past constructive criticisms nor will we apologize for our continuing ridicule. However, we must pay tribute where such is due. Give a salute, if you will, to the ex-chief and his henchmen who unwittingly ushered in a new era.
Let it heretofore be known that George Bush & Dick Cheney, did, by their own hands, herald “The Great Awakening.”
(The preceding is an excerpt from the Thursday afternoon edition of the Treeherder & Apple Eating Lady program at TakilmaFM.com.)
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