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.

“I must remain neutral“
From Gil Gilbertson
Grants Pass

Given the difficult decision this community faces today, one of the most important elections will be that of county commissioner.

I have been attending the candidate speaking engagements to see what they bring to the table, and hope I have an opportunity to listen to all of them. I encourage everyone to do the same and draw their own conclusions. Their votes will truly shape our future.

As the sheriff, I strongly believe I must remain neutral. Any decisions by your sheriff, or a commissioner, must be based upon “what is best for the community“ rather than give the appearance of a personal favor.

As such, I cannot endorse any particular commissioner candidate.

“Accidental commissioner“
From Ryan Nolan
Cave Junction

Right now Josephine County Commissioner Position #1 is held by Dave Toler.

Toler was elected in 2006. Let“s look at that election again. In the Primary there were six candidates.

Four were Moderate to Conservative candidates who probably reflected many of the Conservative views of the citizens of this county. They were James Rafferty, Jim Riddle, Paul Walter, and Dave Daniel. Combined they received 15,477 votes. These four candidates split the Conservative vote, with Daniel getting the largest block.

On the other hand there were two very Liberal candidates: Craig (Festus) Heiller, and Toler. Combined they received 6,053 votes. The General Election placed Daniel (a Moderate, popular former sheriff) against Toler.

Before the General Election, Daniel had to suspend his campaign. So, Toler was the only one on the ballot.

He received 15,210 votes in the General Election in which 33,285 people voted, which that means less than half voted for him, and he was the only choice. In the 2008 General Election the two losing commissioner candidates received more votes than Toler. (This information is taken directly from the Josephine County official election results, available from the clerk“s office.)

It is clear that Toler does not represent the majority of Josephine County. He is an accidental commissioner.

Josephine County is a Conservative county. The last time a Democratic presidential candidate won here was in 1936. In an election with choice, we should choose wisely. Do we want someone who shares our values“ Can we find someone who is able to operate without discord“

There is a candidate who has those Conservative values, who isn“t a lightning rod that creates friction and impedes progress.

The right choice for Josephine County Commissioner Position #1 is Simon Hare.

Credit where it“s due
From Fred Ball
Selma

I noticed in the March 10 issue of the Illinois Valley News that Commissioner Dave Toler is taking credit for Duck Derby funds coming to Illinois Valley schools. However, having been part of that effort, I“m perturbed that Toler would take credit for other peoples“ work.

Through the Illinois Valley High School Boosters Club, many people were involved in trying to upgrade this area“s athletic facilities. They include me, my wife, the Wendovers, Damian Crowson, JoAnn Bethany, Diane Hill and Bill Thorp.

However, Dave Toler had nothing to do with it.

It“s a shame that an elected official would try and use his position to misrepresent his accomplishments and achievements for the sake of his own re-election. This is very insulting to those of us who were actually there and doing the heavy lifting.

He“ll vote for Toler
From Barry Snitkin
Cave Junction

When it comes to campaigning, words are cheap. I have read and listened to the words of the commissioner candidates opposing Commissioner Toler. Lots of rhetoric, lots of promises, but where“s the beef“

They all lack experience. They all offer the same old tired ideas that got us in the mess we are in. They tell us government is bad, and if they get in office they make it so. Why vote for people who don“t believe in good government“

Josephine County needs a problem solver, not a talker. Toler is it. You like having public safety patrols in the county“ Thank Dave Toler for working well with Sheriff Gilbertson. Together they have made our community safer.

You like libraries“ Again, thank Toler. He and a group of dedicated volunteers came up with the public option jump-started by the county. It is working.

You like fiscal Conservatism“ Again thank Toler for working with Commissioner Ellis to upgrade county bond ratings from A- to A+, which enabled the county to refinance the jail bond which saved taxpayers more than $800,000.

We don“t need another inexperienced commissioner to help destroy Josephine County. We need proven leadership and proven ability to work with all facets of county government. Toler will get my vote.

Seems like he“s accomplished a lot. It“s a mundane job managing a county, but luckily for us Toler does it well in spite of the outrageous verbal abuse he receives at many public meetings.

I like the clear-headed, fair-minded, proven abilities of Toler and he“ll get my vote.

Vote for fiscal responsibility
From Jack H. Swift
Grants Pass

The tenure of the present Josephine County Board of County Commissioners has taught us one thing. The majority have no concern for issues of fiscal responsibility.

The current candidate for re-election has voted “Yes“ for every single request advanced by county departments to exceed their budgets. While this will surely curry him favor with the employees“ unions, it is nothing less than a dedication to government as an exercise in “tax and spend.“

Worse, when it came to deciding how to allocate the phase out of the federal bail-out dollars, this current commissioner advocated a policy of spend it now, rather than prepare for the inevitable. These commissioners have intentionally dedicated the county to a policy of planned insolvency.

A bankrupt county government will not lead us out of our general economic crisis. We need a local government dedicated to prosperity. The key to the government“s own prosperity begins with a cut in spending. Additional taxes will not manufacture any prosperity for anybody other than public employees“ unions.

Illinois Valley native Simon Hare has the unique advantage of a local perspective and national experience with which to evaluate our problems. I am convinced that he is dedicated to genuine fiscal responsibility.

Most importantly, he can win against “Taxin“ Toler.“ I urge everyone who cares about returning fiscal conservatism to county government to vote for Simon Hare.

“Third-World“ county“
From Bob Ziller
O“Brien

After living with dial-up Internet service, it was great when we were able to finally upgrade to DSL several years ago. Even though Frontier“s DSL service is faster than dial-up, the speed available to us in the Illinois Valley is on par with Third World countries like Haiti and Namibia.

The U.S. nationwide average download speed is approximately 8 megabits per second. Some nearby areas in Oregon have service that exceeds 17 mb/second. We consider ourselves very lucky when our download speed is around 1 mb/second. Upload speed is barely a tenth of that.

Anyone who has spent any quality time on Frontier“s technical support line quickly realizes that the company doesn“t seem to have any intention of rectifying their speed and reliability problems any time soon. Frontier has also been successful in blocking any superior, competitive providers from offering service in Illinois Valley.

Its reputation for providing overpriced, inferior telephone and Internet service in rural areas is legendary. We deserve better than this.

What can we do about it“

Check the speed of your Internet connection by using an on-line service such as http://www.speedtest.net. Phone Frontier“s Customer Service line at 800-921-8101. Let them know what you think of their “service.“ If you don“t get a satisfactory response, ask for a supervisor.

File a telephone and written complaint with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.

Contact your Josephine County commissioners. Demand that they work to remove Frontier“s predatory monopoly and allow competitive, quality, affordable telephone and Internet service in Illinois Valley.

Here“s an old quote from Lee Iacocca, appropriate advice for Frontier Communications: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!“

She“s voting for Hare
From Carol Dickson
Cave Junction

In this crowded field of candidates for commissioner we better do our homework before voting. I did — and I am voting for Simon Hare.

Simon is a young Oregonian, raised and educated in Oregon, who has worked in the halls of our nation“s capitol fighting for rural America.

Unlike some of his opponents, Simon knows what he stands for — traditional Conservative values and limited government. He knows that we are a resource-rich county and that timber is the most renewable resource we have. One of his “conservative“ opponents has been a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, and a Constitutionalist. That may be OK for a car mechanic, but it doesn“t instill confidence for running local government.

Simon has had to work within the system we have with people from both sides of an issue. He will work toward solutions without being disrespectful to those with a differing opinion.

Those who think that our government and our county have been going in the wrong direction can start to make a difference by electing Hare to Commissioner Position #1.

Gold Ray needs rebuilding
From Rocky Jones
Cave Junction

It is so sad that our country is overrun by people who have so much time and money — and think they are so wise — to save the trees, flowers, fish and endangered birds and bugs, that they can convince the powerful government that controls our laws to take away so many good things God has given us to make a better life.

I wish there was some way folks like me could let their voices be heard. We are not fancy letter writers or have time for big rallies to stop the costly and sometimes stupid protection laws that the environmentalists control.

Lesley Adams, the Rogue Riverkeeper (whatever that is) at the Ashland-based Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, brags that “She printed hundreds of post cards and provided the automated e-mail response as a way for people to weigh in quickly and easily on the draft study before the 30-day comment period expires March 26.“

That should be against the law — no different than voting hundreds of times in an election.

Gold Ray Dam is 106 years old. It should be rebuilt for its full potential. Cost is only secondary if you figure the advantages. Hydropower, I believe, is God“s greatest gift for power and we know how to use it now.

Our engineers are smart enough to handle the fish; if we can put a man on the moon without harm we can put a fish around a dam without harm.

All who believe as I do, and can scribble on a piece of paper, “Rebuild Gold Ray Dam,“ should spend 44-cents and mail it to Gold Ray Dam, Attn.: Pat Foley, P.O. Box 3275, Central Point OR 97502.

Time for young blood
From Dale & Sharon Hopper
O“Brien

While attending the Simon Hare campaign kickoff in Cave Junction, we found his idea of managing our county government quite sound.

Simon is a native of Illinois Valley and knows the problems in our county. He is a very intelligent young man with a wealth of qualifications. It“s time to get some new young blood in the commissioner ranks.

We think people should vote Hare for Josephine County commissioner. They won“t be disappointed.

On seed oil & Dave Toler
From Daniel Dalegowski
Cave Junction

During the Wednesday, March 3 Josephine County Commission weekly business session, a remarkable presentation was made by Josephine Soil and Water Conservation District and a representative of a start-up seed-oil production company.

Seed oil is a promising industry for all parts of the county with farm land. Bio-fuels companies need sources of raw product on the West Coast to avoid outrageous transportation costs. One company has suggested employing 100 to 150 people here to process the seed if we grow 3,000 acres.

The entrepreneurs responsible would never have thought this was viable without government interest and a grant to back it up. While they received no grant money, the grant showed that an A+ bond-rated county was behind seed-oil production. Obviously, it was a good idea for a new business.

Seed oil is valuable for food, bio-fuels, cosmetics, and medicines. Its byproduct is a superior, high-protein animal feed. There are a lot of seed crops to try, and the entrepreneurs must overcome a steep development curve to make this project profitable.

That“s why these entrepreneurs need the support of the county. They need our support as citizens who will benefit from the jobs they will bring. And we need to support our leaders who have moved this process out of the realm of speculation and into our farm land. Commissioner Toler has worked hard to bring seed-oil production to the county in a safe, intelligent, and profitable way.

Amazingly, some participants at the meeting complained that the original grant was for “canola, not sunflowers“ and that the company in question didn“t receive the grant money at all. They forgot that the company in question wouldn“t be here if the grant had not been advertised.

It seems that some people can“t stand to see a strong, smart leader making positive changes for Josephine County. Their rhetoric is loud and nasty. One commissioner took cues directly from one of these voices. The puppeteering was embarrassing.

While these naysayers yelled, Toler calmly addressed misrepresentations and moved on with the important business of the county. That“s what I want from my commissioners: clear thinking, real economic development, minimal political rhetoric, and common sense governance. Toler is the best leader we have and we need to support him 100 percent.

I want people to stand with me for the good of our county and vote to re-elect Commissioner Toler.

Appreciates airport input
From Ed Russell
Cave Junction

I appreciate commissioners Sandy Cassanelli and Dave Toler, and the 40 to 50 neighbors and users who showed up at the last Airport Citizens Advisory Board meeting and participated in creating a vision for its future.

We have a lot to do now, and it will be interesting to see who actually does what to allow the airport to best serve our community.

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