Illinois Valley News

(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.

66 & 67: “No“ votes a must
From Mike Hunter
Selma

We are supposed to think “Taxing the Rich” is a way out of a bad economy and that the “Fat Cats” need to pay their fair share. News: They already pay a very fair share, and these measures 66 & 67 are just another way of creating “trickle-down taxation” to us.

Businesses would be required to pay a “fair” share whether they make a profit or not. Is that a fair share“ Without profit where will they have to get this fair share money“ The only place they can: the consumer, of course. Why would we want to discourage struggling businesses enough that they close their doors or move out of state“ This makes no sense.

Our president plainly stated that it would be foolish to increase taxes during a recession, as it would keep slowing the economy. But our state lawmakers don“t seem to hear this and apparently don“t read newspapers or watch TV news, either. Our economy is poor. Hello!

We should be encouraging businesses and help them succeed, provide jobs and feed the economy. The state should lower taxes, not raise them, and get the money back on the streets where it belongs.

A good example of state government thinking was when it received stimulus money and immediately hired new employees. Employees who, after the stimulus money ran out, would require taxation to pay their wages. Sure seems that our lawmakers don“t understand what the economy is really all about. Could you run your household this way“ We all can“t work for the state of Oregon.

Now is the time the government must operate within a tight budget and not expect taxpayers again to bail them out and finance their re-elections. Let“s help small business succeed, provide jobs and keep them in the state. Don“t be coerced by the same old barnyard political claims that services must be cut back.

Watch who is making these claims. They are all from the same old bottomless pits of greed and waste, and are the first to snivel if taxes aren“t increased every year or two. How will a new tax ease the burden on the middle class“ Has the state ever removed any taxation from us“ Let“s help business succeed, provide employment and an honest, healthy economy. Don“t bury Oregon“s future in taxation.

‘Trickle down’ taxation
From Steve & Flo Shepherd
Selma

Some are led to believe that Measures 66 & 67 will not affect the “middle class” and that only the rich or big business will have to pay increased fees and/or taxes. Don“t believe it.

Check the Voters Pamphlet under Measure 67, Section 17, Page 50. In this section, the application fee for a Notary Public Commission will increase to $40. Sounds innocent enough. What it does not mention is the Secretary of State“s office has already notified Oregon Notary Publics that effective January 2010 they may now charge up to $10 for each Notarial act they perform (see Secretary of State Website under Notary Public).

So if Measure 67 passes, anyone who needs their signature notarized by an Oregon Notary Public could pay $10 per signature. The increase doubles the fees currently allowed and applies to all citizens of Oregon — not just the rich. The state charges a Notary more, the Notary charges you more.

While this may not seem like such a big deal to some, it“s an example of the hidden costs to all of us that lie within Measures 66 & 67. It is simply not true that if these measures pass only big business and the rich will be affected. It always trickles down to you and me.

Don“t be fooled
From Marilyn Arnold
O’Brien

I encourage everyone to read Page 7 and Page 47 in the Voters’ Pamphlet regarding the “Estimate of financial impact” for Measures 66 & 67. It clearly states that the new taxes incurred would go directly into “the General Fund.” The money would then be apportioned by the state government.

The new taxes are not allocated ahead of time — it“s just another increase for them. Don“t be fooled by the commercials on television or any other advertising that pulls at your heartstrings for children“s education or public services. It“s just another tax to use for raises, PERS increases and payoffs to employees who should be thoroughly prosecuted but aren“t — payoffs are cheaper than trials.

We know the state has enjoyed increases for many years in a row, and don“t forget that huge Rainy Day Fund. The cuts that state government and the education board need to make are at the top — not the bottom.

Implementing creative ways to trim highly paid, upper-level management; and challenge lower-level personnel to supervise a broader sphere of subordinates and responsibilities could go a long way in making the necessary cuts the state government and education board are threatening in the media.

We can make them tighten their belts by voting “No” on Measures 66 & 67.

Clueless legislators
From Lyle Woodcock
Grants Pass

Those who vote ’Yes’ on Ballot Measures 66 & 67, better store their treasures in Heaven because our legislators don“t have a clue we are in a monstrous recession.

In my opinion, they have caused the recession with unconstitutional federal and state rules and regulations. All they know is executive orders, printing more money, grants, taxation and controlling our freedoms. Take heed that ye be not deceived.

Wealth comes from ground — mining, timber, food. Oregon“s answer is blowing out our dams when facing global warming, energy shortages and water shortage creation. Without water will we starve to death“ Fish can“t live without water, neither can humans.

We deserve what we tolerate
From James Finley
Grants Pass

If we tolerate our elected politicians and representatives to pee on our leg and tell us it“s raining, then that“s what we deserve.

If we tolerate a government that has six lobbyists for every elected representative that we think we elected, then that“s what we deserve.

If we tolerate being taxed until death and see our taxes being given to greedy and corrupt billionaires on Wall Street, then that“s what we deserve.

If we tolerate ultra-conservative religious hypocrites to enter and influence our legislation with their narrow and bigoted moral convictions, then that“s what we deserve.

If we tolerate every kind of fanatical hate group to pose as a religion and infect us with fear and helplessness, then that“s what we deserve.

If we tolerate a nation divided into red and blue states with political parties representing special interests that pay for their elections, plus communication networks that preach their self-interest propaganda and slanted convictions, then that“s what we deserve.

If we feel that we deserve a Government of the People, by the People and for the People, then that“s what we deserve.

Arctic outbreaks
From Robert Hirning
Cave Junction

The cold snap we had Dec. 6 through 10, 2009, was an “Arctic Outbreak.” Such events are common winter features in the central and eastern parts of the USA, but west of the Cascades single-digit Fahrenheit temperatures are rare.

How rare“ According to historic low temperature data from Grants Pass, (going back to 1883) and extrapolating for Illinois Valley (which only has records since 1962) we can expect single-digit temperatures approximately 15 times in 100 years. But! (And here“s a big “but”) — the years are random. That is to say, anything can happen in any given year.

For example, 1930 and 1932 had serious Arctic Outbreak; so did 1989 and 1990. In 1949 two Arctic blasts came through in January with a relatively warmer stretch in-between. In 1978 it got down in the low teens (not single digit) in mid-November, and in early February 1989 it froze almost to zero here, after a long stretch of almost two decades since the last major outbreak.

A major factor which also determines the severity of the cold is whether snow on the ground insulates out the relative warmth of our soil.

Medford and Grants Pass show record lows of -10 degrees in 1919 and -1 degree in 1972, respectively. In December 1972 the low temperature for Cave Junction bottomed out for an all-time low of -6 on the 10th, although unofficial reports from Selma and O’Brien showed -14. That was really cold.

This writer remembers that a former business, Caves Building Supplies, ran out of most plumbing fittings in the wake of the inevitable destruction. Except for the two outbreaks mentioned above (in November 1978 and February 1989) all such periods occurred in December and January, and only once in 100 years did two occur in one winter.

What causes it all; a strong north-to-south flow of air over land causes “pump cracking” cold from the Canadian Northwest Territories to blow down to here. Arctic Outbreaks over the ocean bring snow, but more moderate lows.

When will it happen again“ Sooner or later conditions will be right again, and we all should be prepared to protect our homes and other property from the relentless expansion of ice. Any structure containing active water lines should never be left unheated in December or January. Thermostats should be set at 60 (not less) to keep the peripheral areas, such as outside walls, from dropping below 32.

The only sure way to clear pipes of water is to blow them out with compressed air — a little tricky for the average Joe Homeowner. If for some reason it is absolutely necessary to chance leaving your home in the winter without adequate heat, at least turn off a main valve. Broken pipes are one thing, a flooded house is another.

After mid-February the danger is passed and we don“t have to worry about Arctic Outbreaks again until next Thanksgiving.

(Editor“s Note: The letter writer is the owner of Illinois Valley-based Country Plumbing).

Exceptionalism disappearing
From Gregory D. Anderson
Cave Junction

Finally, the Obama administration is getting serious about foreign bad people (formerly terrorists).

Every international incoming flight that isn“t blown up will be met by cops and a trial lawyer. Our “tough-on-bad-people” president is warning Al Qaeda that if it fails in its mission to destroy the plane and kill all onboard, they will be arrested like any other common criminal, given a taxpayer-paid attorney and all the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen.

But they will lose any frequent flyer miles. This should discourage risking malfunctions by these radical Muslims.

Other efforts to “fundamentally change” our country, as promised by our president, will be based on one word: Uncertainty.

In the past, small businesses would try to base their decisions on factors like taxes (are they going up, down or staying the same“); regulations (will they increase in number“); unions; government health care; and of course the biggest change of all: cap and tax.

The totally unproven, unscientific belief that man can change the planet“s temperature can be the most expensive factor of all, thanks to the Democrat-led Congress giving the ideological EPA the authority to make regulations based on “feelings” about CO2, upon which most life depends.

Until small businesses, the providers of 75 percent or more of new employment, can depend on an administration with a direction encouraging growth, we“ll sit in the rut with old Europe: High unemployment, high taxes, government picking winners and losers, fewer freedoms, mediocre education, and few opportunities for the ambitious and talented.

American exceptionalism, the world“s last great hope, will disappear.

Fair share view
From Greg Horton
Cave Junction

We can make a clear choice when voting on Oregon Measures 66 & 67. Do we want to continue to support the basic structures of our society, or do we abandon them to allow wealthy people to be excused from paying their fair share in tax“

This is all about fairness. I paid $1,717 in Oregon state income taxes last year. My income is less than a third of the $125,000 income earners who will be affected by Measure 67.

They“re making more than $2,000 a week. Why should a poor, working slob like me cover for them“ I think it“s their obligation to pay their fair share of taxes — like the rest of us.

What are they actually promoting“ It“s obvious they are promoting anarchy. Their lame excuse is that because government waste exists, we should cut vital services like police and education.

That“s one of the stupidest arguments I“ve ever heard. I“m surprised that so many people fall for it.

Those who think that there is waste in government should identify it, get off their rumps and begin the process of eliminating it.

They should not promote anarchy. Government has problems, but the alternative could be much worse.

Just look to our neighbor to the south. California was the pearl of America in the “60s and “70s.

Everyone wanted to live there. College was free, the economy was booming. But then some people got greedy and decided they were paying too much tax. So Prop. 13 was passed with the help of a naive electorate, and California has gone downhill since.

We cannot afford to be naive. We cannot let Oregon go down the tubes like they did in California..

I believe that most all of us benefit from an orderly, imperfect society. I am not ready for anarchy, so I“m asking everyone else who is not embracing anarchy, to vote for Measures 66 & 67.

He“s an unhappy reader
From Tristan Stocker
Cave Junction

Once again, Scott Jorgensen has proven that political rhetoric and political bias take front seat to the facts.

He quotes Josephine County Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli (“Commissioners choose to skip Cassanelli for chairman,” Illinois Valley News, Jan. 13, 2010) in stating that since 1962 the vice chairman has always been appointed as chairman the next year except when there was a recall.

Did he bother to check whether this was anywhere close to reality“ Of course not, because informing the public is simply not his goal. The fact is, this is the eighth time in 30 years that the vice chairman has not been appointed chairman the following year. And it is the 10th time since 1962. That“s 20 to 30 percent of the time.

Jorgensen also states in his story that “approximately 60 people were present for the meeting.” This is not true. The public record reveals that the majority of the people in the audience were actually there to attend a land-use hearing that followed the weekly business session. Jorgensen wants us to believe that interest was high for this issue, when in fact there were maybe 10 people who showed up to support Cassanelli.

But why bother with the facts“ Jorgensens“s mission to advocate against Toler is glaringly obvious. My suggestion is that if the I.V. News is at all interested in following minimum journalistic standards, Jorgensen“s musings should be placed where they ethically belong: in the opinion section. Then again, what real news organization would allow their journalists to donate to a commissioner“s campaign that they then cover. Not many I“m sure.

I frankly can“t understand why Toler continues to be marginalized by this newspaper when his track record so clearly demonstrates a loyalty towards the citizens of this valley and Josephine County. Toler“s work to support schools and other essential services, reopen our libraries, and create jobs are just a few examples of why Toler continues to have my vote of support.

Whenever I have out-of-town company, who by the way cover the entire spectrum of political persuasion, they comment on the one-sided nature of our local newspaper. It“s embarrassing. I think it“s time for this newspaper to grow up.

Another unhappy reader
From Annette McGee Rasch
Cave Junction

Since the I.V. News clearly isn“t interested in providing facts regarding the decision made by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to pass over Sandi Cassanelli as chairman, I feel compelled to share an example of why Cassanelli is so woefully incompetent to perform chairmanship duties “ and this example was provided by Cassanelli herself, just moments after the decision was made.

When a constituent suggested that Cassanelli sue the county, she responded: “Yes, that sounds like a good idea.” You can hear it for yourself on the county Website. How many CEOs has anyone seen announce that they“d consider suing their own company“ Does anyone think the stockholders (in this case, citizens) would want them to stay in the CEO position“

Let’s see if Jack Swift files a lawsuit on this one. I predict he never does, but if so, I guarantee, it“ll go nowhere. Those who want a county commissioner who thinks it“s a great idea to sue herself want Cassanelli to remain in office. But those who prefer our county government to be run like a normal business, already know the right decision was made.

Cassanelli has provided ample examples of inexperience and erratic behavior “ remember her recent efforts to gain authority to carry a gun into government meetings“ It has been suggested that the decision to pass over Cassanelli for chairman was an example of sexism. Ridiculous.

When elected officials lack professionalism and competence, it gets noticed, regardless of their gender.

In recent months, several readers have called the I.V. News on its consistently one-sided news stories. The fact that the I.V. News either ignores Dave Toler“s great work for our valley or attempts to paint Toler in a poor light only underscores this complaint.

The irony is that Toler, an independent, before taking office and during his time as an elected official, has done much for all the citizens of Josephine County.

When he came to office, the county was spending several hundred thousand dollars a year defending legal suits. Since his election, the county has not entered into any new significant lawsuits “ a testament to his mediation capabilities.

He is great for the Josephine County budget. He led efforts to secure nearly $1 million in federal stimulus and energy dollars for Josephine County. He also helped bring in more than $400,000 in federal funding for the forestry program.

Under Toler“s watch, sheriff patrols now approach 24-hour-a-day coverage “ the highest level in 10 years. And, at 140 beds, Josephine County Jail space can be utilized at its highest level in nearly 10 years.

These are just a few things Toler has helped accomplish, which I feel are important to share with readers, because the I.V. News won“t.

‘Apology in order’
From Jill Talise
Kerby

I“m writing to express my disappointment with the I.V. News and Scott Jorgensen’s decision to publish the photo and write about Dale Matthews mean-spirited antic at the Josephine County Board of Commissioners meeting.

This antic was beyond rude, crude, offensive and disgusting. It was downright sick. Matthews continually harasses people he has an issue with, but this time he went too far. This absurdity should not have been acknowledged.

Lorna Byrne Middle School has a program, Day of Respect, during which our youth are taught tolerance and respect regardless of whether you like, dislike, agree or disagree with a person.

There are many requests from citizens, innovative ideas, concerns and comments voiced at commissioner meetings that should be reported in our local paper. Why report on this crude stunt“ What is your message to our community“ Our youth“ I feel that an apology is in order.

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