Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated March 04, 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
Love, not hate
From Rebecca Manary
Cave Junction
What if we loved instead of hated; what if we reached out instead of recoiled; what if we held the hand of someone hurting instead of judging?
What if our words were soothing instead of words of disdain; what if we encouraged instead of discouraged; what if we blessed our enemies instead of cursed?
What if we tried to see the real person instead of the addiction; what if we loved like Jesus: What would the world be like?
Powerful increase
From Ann Centonze
Cave Junction
In researching this most-recent 4.7-percent increase from PacifiCorp/Pacific Power, I found that the last three increases were a part of the overall increase voted upon by Gov. Kulongoski and his Commission on Energy. And the most recent was in August 2008, when fuel prices were at their all-time high.
While our state government officials are in session, this is the perfect time to have them revisit this issue and rescind this most-recent price increase. Especially since fuel prices have fallen more than half since August 2008, with the bottoming of the stock and commodities market; and power and energy enjoyed above-normal profits (as was posted on Jan. 23, 2009), and Oregonians top the national list of the unemployed.
The “Artificial Inflation Era” is over. Downward price corrections should be leading the way to reflect the downturn in the economy. And when President Obama’s Economic Recovery Act passes, energy and power will top the list for stimulus subsidies, for development of new, cleaner fuels and infrastructure renewal.
The fast way to have this issue addressed is to write to our governor, our district representatives, PacificCorp/Pacific Power, and the Oregon Dept. of Energy, and request that they add this most-important issue to their agenda to rescind this most-recent increase. This increase affects every electricity payer, in our homes, and places of business.
Together can we make a difference. Here are the addresses: Pacific Power/PacifiCorp, 625 Marion St. NE, Portland OR 97232; Gov. Kulongoski, 160 State Capitol, 900 Court St., Salem OR 97301; Oregon Dept. of Energy, 825 NE Multnomah St., Salem OR 97301; Rep. Ron Maurer, District 003, 900 Court St. NE, Suite H-391, Salem OR 97301; Oregon Public Utility Commission, Consumer Services Section, 550 Capitol St. NE, Suite 215, P.O. Box 2148, Salem OR 97308-2148.
Don’t get ‘caught’
Linda Schluter Tedder
Cave Junction
I watched a grown woman and a child dodge traffic to cross Hwy. 199 around 4 p.m. This occurred about 15 feet from a marked crosswalk.
It was a busy time of day. and I watched with a sick feeling in my stomach. When they made it across I mentioned to the adult that there is a legal crosswalk just a few feet away, and that jaywalking is against the law.
She said to me, “Look, we never get caught, and we do this all the time.” The child echoed the same.
I answered that there were many cars, and, hey, some people still talk on their phones while driving. There by the grace of God, they were just lucky. The adult said, “We’re never going to use that crosswalk. And we won’t get caught.”
I hope they don’t get “caught” by a car.
Children are what they see. When they see a flagrant disregard for the law and safety, who are their role models?
What is the cure?
From Ryan Wargin
Cave Junction
They say that alcoholism is a disease. So are they saying that our town is diseased?
I’m not trying to knock any of our local drifters, but come on. It’s out of control.
We might as well build a hut for all of those who sit next to Shop Smart. Heck, it’s an open lot. Why not?
Then we could build a new sign: “Welcome to Diseased Cave Junction.” If it’s a disease, what’s the cure?
A burglary warning
From Dale DeVorss
Kerby
This is a warning to all in Kerby and Illinois Valley who may feel secure in their home, their property and possessions.
Just recently we arrived home from a two-week vacation to discover that our home had been pillaged by local thieves. The house-sitter had to leave for a couple of days before we arrived home, and that was the opportunity they were waiting for.
They are done with us now, but I assure you that they are preparing for their next victim: you.
These parasites need your things to sustain their miserable, pathetic lives. This community must come together, and with our sheriff’s office, rid us of the plague.
Modelers ripped off
From Neal Appleton
field marshal,
Rogue Valley Flyers
Our Josephine County-based radio control model airplane club has a flight field on the former Kerby Landfill site, where we store many needed supplies in a trailer.
Earlier this month, that unit was broken into and a variety of items taken. While most of them have relatively low monetary value, they are valuable to us. A report of the break-in has been made to Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
While many items are of little value or are difficult to identify, help would be appreciated if any of these items is found. Of particular interest are the two “field boxes,” which are specific to airplane modelers, but little use to the general public. The public-address system is quite old, and we don’t have identifying numbers. But if this group of items appeared at the same time it might lead to the culprit. Any help would be appreciated.
This is a list of items taken:
Two folding tables, two picnic table umbrellas, a 10-by-10-foot gazebo, a 13x10-foot screen house, one set of tent frame poles, a dual armchair combo seat; P.A. system including amplifier, microphone, two speakers and associated cables and wires; box of bungee cords, a roll of raffle tickets, barbed wire, two 5-gallon buckets (black), NIB Tower field box, Tower field box with tank and hand fuel pump, roll of duct tape, deck chairs, a rake; and a 4-to-6-foot wood propeller.
My contact number is (541) 226-8302 and the sheriff’s office business number is 474-5123. The case number reference is 09-1615.
Lucky Bucks?
From Cheryl Johnson
O’Brien
Times are tough for all of us. Some have it tougher than others. And our local nonprofits are not immune to the belt-tightening and budget-cutting that we are all faced with. I challenge all residents of the valley to donate a “Lucky Buck” to their favorite valley nonprofit organization(s).
Depending on the source, there are 25,000 to 30,000 men, women, and children residing in Illinois Valley. Imagine if your $1 Lucky Buck was pooled with many others from all over this valley. Together, we would be able to channel $25,000 (or more) to local valley nonprofits. That could make all the difference for one to offer services, or in some cases open or remain open.
I am a member of the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance Board of Directors. Last year, we served more than 500 children, women and men from our valley who were victims of intimate partner violence and sought our help. The alliance offers support, services and resources to anyone with the courage to seek help to break the cycle of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Grants, governmental funding and donations are harder to come by. How do we continue to take care of the survivors of intimate partner violence? With dollars. They can be mailed to P.O. Box 2490, CJ, 97523.
I attended the recent Josephine County Libraries Inc. meeting. With a projected shoe-string budget of $42,000, we can once again have a library open in Cave Junction for the citizens of the valley. How to raise $42,000? It can all begin with a dollar. (Mail to P.O. Box 1684, GP, 97528).
Our Illinois Valley Boys & Girls Club has been extremely fortunate to have the support of Evergreen Elementary School for its location. Leaders have been working hard to secure funding to find a permanent home. For all the positive things the Boys & Girls Club offers our valley youth, could your dollar help them further their fund-raising goal? You bet. (Mail to P.O. Box 2636, CJ, 97523).
I know that there are many more, no less-deserving nonprofits in Illinois Valley that serve our residents. The three I’ve mentioned are those that I feel do a tremendous service for our valley. I also know that there tends to be a core of supporters who repeatedly attend fund-raising functions. I challenge the valley to help make a difference.
And for those who might have many Lucky Bucks, they are not limited to just one. Let’s pull together as a community and support the nonprofits that support us.
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