Letters to the Editor
From our weekly issue dated May 06, 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
Time to open CJ Library
From Tom & Kathy Carlise
Selma
It’s been some time since either of us last wrote, maybe because we haven’t had much to complain about lately. Actually, we have nothing to complain about right now, but we do have something to ask of your readers.
It’s about the main library and the branch library in Cave Junction. It’s been closed two years, and it is time to get it open again. As your readers know, our community is amid a fund-raising campaign to keep the main library open another year, and, equally important, to reopen the Illinois Valley branch.
It is our understanding that last year’s fund-raising campaign raised about $300,000 countywide. However, only $8,000 or so came from Illinois Valley. To get our branch opened again, we need to do better. We need to raise about $40,000 in the valley. That is one big chunk of bucks, but we believe that if all of us work together, it can be done.
The $40,000 divided among many of us will lighten the load for any single individual or family: 400 memberships at $100 or a thousand memberships at $40 would do the trick, especially if everybody contributes something, even if it isn’t a lot. Therefore, we hope that all of those who care about a public library and what it represents will join the library or renew their memberships before May 16.
People can send a check, or sign up for automatic monthly payments, or use a credit card to donate on the Josephine County Library Webpage. Or, those who harbor either doubts or questions can phone 592-3289 for more information. And people can think about joining or rejoining Illinois Valley Friends of the Library.
We hope that none of us will fret so much about the details of opening the branch that we neglect to participate in the fund-raising. The important thing is to get our branch up and running and functional again. After all, the library is for everybody — kids and grown-ups, the wealthy and not so wealthy, home-schoolers and public-schoolers, fiction fans and research buffs. We’re all part of it, and in one way or another benefit from it.
We humbly encourage readers of the Illinois Valley News, our friends and neighbors, our acquaintances, and all those who value quality of life in the Illinois Valley to become a part of this down-home, do-it-ourselves movement to open our branch library again.
Shooting not acceptable
From Charley Mickey
Cave Junction
This past weekend I can understand why there is so much talk about the Second Amendment right. I have lived in our valley since 1948.
I am one of 11 in our family. We were brought up to respect others and their property, and to love and care for each other.
My wife and I attended grade school and are graduates of Illinois Valley High School. I was a Junior 4-H leader, served on the Soil & Water Conservation board, was a rancher and blue-collar worker all my life and raised my children here. They are also I.V. graduates.
We were all raised with guns of all kinds and never were disrespectful or destructive with our firearms.
I have lived off Takilma Road for the past 30 years. As the times change, it is nothing to hear gunshots at all hours of the day or late at night. Some are close and some aren’t. Our property borders the river and some of it also crosses to the other side. It’s only 1/2-mile at most to Rockydale Road.
When I left for work Saturday afternoon, it sounded like a small war zone toward the south corner of our property on the river. And this happens quite often.
After seeing our horse running from the river, my granddaughter and wife went to check on all the livestock. When they went to the horse pasture they found the horse had been shot just below the right eye. They were faced with seeing it fight for its life for several minutes and die.
If this was an accident you would think that the party would come forth. But for this kind of thing to happen is not acceptable.
People like this should be put on the front lines of the Iraq war zone, and then we’ll see just how big and brave they are. Also people who do this kind of thing should never have a firearm or any rights. I just hope that every time this person sees a horse that they have a conscience. This is one of many reasons that the Second Amendment is at risk. What stupidity.
To think that we have people like that in our neighborhood is sickening.
‘59 reunion set
From IVHS Class of ‘59
The IVHS Class of '59 is excited about celebrating its 50-year reunion. Our reunion group is searching for the following classmates: Jeanetta Adams, Marilyn Mayfield Harl, Vonda Hale Huber, Ida Mae Stow Osbourne, George Savage, Sharon Tucker Swanson, Marvin Warren and Vernon Wilder.
Those who can help us find these classmates can contact Jackie Wright at P.O. Box 798, Cave Junction, OR 97523; phone 592-3343; or email jackie@nitrosports.com.
Likes Caveman service
From Sharon Reasor
Selma
We had a pleasant surprise one recent morning. Our heat pump had a problem.
We called Caveman. The fix was quick, bill noted a 30 percent discount. Why? Caveman’s “stimulus.” Wow.
Here in Selma we are more used to a surcharge, as we are some distance from Grants Pass.
Building safety guardians
From Robert Rice,
Building Safety Director
Josephine County
America will celebrate Building Safety Week through Saturday, May 9. The theme is, “Building Safety: Where You Live, Work and Play.” The Josephine County Building Safety Dept. is participating this year.
First observed in 1980, Building Safety Week annually raises public awareness of critical safety issues affecting every person, regardless of age or occupation. These involve the structural soundness of the buildings where we live and work, reliability of fire prevention and suppression systems, plumbing and mechanical systems, and energy efficiency and sustainability.
Inspectors, plan reviewers and others in our Building Safety Dept. work to ensure the safety of the structures in which all of us live, work, attend school, worship and play. These professionals provide the first line of defense against building disasters. They are silent but vigilant guardians who work daily to ensure safety in the built environment for the citizens of our community.
Our department strives to provide excellent customer service while striving to accomplish these goals by working with stake-holders in a positive and productive manner. The mission statement of the department is, “To assist the citizens of Josephine County in the application of the state’s specialty codes in a flexible, fair and safety-focused manner with the goal of providing safe buildings in our community.”
Our department is a member of the International Code Council (ICC), the sponsor of Building Safety Week. ICC develops the most widely used building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation. These nationwide model codes are the basis for most of the codes adopted in Oregon and include the Building, Residential, Mechanical and Fire codes.
The Southern Oregon Chapter of the International Code Council, representing Josephine County Building Safety Dept. and 14 other jurisdictions in Southwestern Oregon, will have a display booth at the Josephine County Home Builders Home Show Friday through Sunday, May 15 to 17. Building Safety staff will be at the booth to discuss your project and answer your questions.
Educational materials will be available for different types of projects and information on which projects require permits and inspections and which ones are exempt. The public is encouraged to participate and learn about the essential safety work of the county Building Safety Dept.
Those who have further questions or need additional information can contact me.
Oregon State Marine Board
From Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs specialist,
Salem
When it comes to outdoor recreation, few places compare to the beauty of Oregon. But every year, what starts out as a day of boating fun turns into tragedy because people threw caution to the wind in an effort to be spontaneous and care-free, in the name of “fun.”
Thirteen people lost their lives in water accidents during 2008. In fact, nearly 85 percent of the victims would have survived had they worn a life jacket. A simple, inexpensive device could have spared many family and friends countless hours of emotional agony.
Another contributing factor is alcohol -- It removes inhibitions and impairs a person’s judgment. Alcohol is a major factor in 35 percent of recreational boating accidents statewide, and an even larger factor in other water-related drownings.
The effects of alcohol are intensified on the water when combined with sun glare, wind, wave action and motion of the boat. Did you know that one drink on the water has roughly the same effect as three on land?
Drunken passengers are at higher risk for accident or injury. Many people who fall overboard (leading cause of drowning) are impaired passengers.
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