Illinois Valley News

(Editor“s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter-writers.)

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Management, not politics
From John Gardiner
Cave Junction

Most of the people I know are frustrated by the political nonsense that bedevils our country, all too often driven by moneyed interests.

Groaning inwardly at the thought that we were shortly to be inflicted locally with yet another round of political polemics, I thought about what I wanted from a county commissioner. What came to mind are job creation, security, education and public access to recreational space.

However, I don“t want decisions based on political ideology. Josephine County residents cannot afford county business decisions to be made on anything other than “What is good for the county.“ That may mean a leaner administration, though it may have already been “leaned“ as far or further than the optimum.

What is more important, in my view, is that small business in this county is encouraged to expand and offer more opportunities for family wage employment. Small business also needs greater security “ witness the rash of break-ins in Cave Junction.

At the same time, our community needs its libraries and safe recreational space; my wife and I are grateful to be able to donate books to our CJ library (bless you, all who manage to keep the doors open). The recent good work on our parks “ again involving many volunteers - is a vital initiative to maintain.

Since we came to live in CJ, we saw first a worsening in all these areas, and then a resurgence of investment and interest of which CJ residents can feel proud. So far as we can see, no political agenda has driven these initiatives “ just sound county management promoted by commissioners Ellis and Toler.

In my view, we need commissioners who are good managers, who know from experience how the land lies locally. They need to know how to initiate and make solid progress in these areas; I shall be looking at the candidates“ track records of accomplishment before casting my vote. Never mind the politics “ can they manage a tight budget“

Facts vs. ideology
From Waves Forest
Cave Junction

Watching the candidates forum in Cave Junction reminded us of the joke: “There are three kinds of people: those who understand math and those who don“t.“

A recurring theme was the notion that we can scale up logging to cover the county“s operating costs. That ship already sailed, taking most of our giant trees with it, back when extraction costs were a much smaller fraction of timber revenues. And now we know the ecosystem service values of a mature forest are worth several times the profit from any lumber we can take out of it.

John Lesh cited Alaska as a model we can follow, but Alaska“s surplus comes from oil, which makes up more than 80 percent of its economy. The only oil boom possible in this county would be from hempseed oil, an option not mentioned at the forum.

Jack Brown“s Website reads, “We need to struggle against the forces of nature.“ That“s the very attitude that caused our country“s ecological and economic crises in the first place. His site also states, “I will make sure you are heard when I am elected to the Oregon Legislature.“ So either he doesn“t notice important details or he doesn“t really want to be a commissioner, except as a stepping stone.

Simon Hare, whose Website lists values, but no plans, suggested we find out how Douglas and Jackson counties meet their operating costs. Dave Toler pointed out they do so by having property tax rates two and four times, respectively, that of Josephine County.

Toler consistently gets his facts straight while others struggle. He“s avoided the expensive mistakes of the past and helped repair much of the damage. And he“s put up with a lot of abuse without getting sidetracked from the essential task: fiscal management in all its complicated non-glory.

We do like some of the candidates, as people, but that doesn“t mean we think they“d make better commissioners. Even Ellis says he“d rather work with Toler than with any of the others. We don“t always agree with Toler, or with anyone, come to think of it, but we observe he“s basing his decisions on the facts and figures as he understands them, not on some ideology.

Ideologies, whether political, scientific or religious, induce people to ignore phenomena which conflict with them, and interfere with clear unbiased perception.

One thing several candidates got right: our county“s most valuable resource is people, and the ideas, imagination and energy we can bring to meet the challenges ahead. If we don“t let fear or resentment hold us back, an entirely new form of prosperity is coming. Stay tuned.

Toler accomplishments
From Aaron Howard
Takilma

I went to the forum in Cave Junction to find out about the candidates. Simon Hare, recently back from Washington, D.C., criticized Commissioner Dave Toler for the county not having as much reserve funds as Jackson County.

He said that he would like Josephine County to copy Jackson County for the answers to a better county government. What he didn“t say out loud is that Jackson County has a property tax rate nearly four times that of Josephine County. It was a shock finding out that Simon simply wants to increase our taxes by four times.

Meanwhile, Toler talked about his accomplishments in helping the library, bringing more than 100 jobs to Josephine County and saving us more than $800,000. Words are cheap, but actions speak louder than words.

As a young farmer, I work hard, and that“s what I expect from my commissioner. For my money, I vote Toler.

Toler and Ellis a good team
From Doug Kendall
Takilma

My hat is off to Commissioner Dwight Ellis for supporting Commissioner Dave Toler. Ellis and Toler are two people with different political views who have worked together to bring positive change for our county.

In this time of great political polarity we need this good example of diverse representation coming together for all the people, not just one side. Toler“s sound management and good fiscal responsibility have helped to create more jobs and improve our libraries and parks.

The county bond rating has been upgraded from A- to A+ during Toler“s tenure allowing the refinance of the jail bond, saving taxpayers more than $800,000.

A vote for Toler is a vote for fresh thinking, new approaches and balanced political cooperation in our beautiful county.

Cutting to issues
From Shelley Heon
Cave Junction

I think it is an important moment to look realistically at what Dave Toler, as our county commissioner, and those who work with him, have done for Josephine County.

They have managed the county in a wise and conservative manner, eliminating debt, and creating new jobs without a lot of hubris. Dave, in his unassuming way, cuts to the issue and makes decisions that will keep our county healthy and a place where people will want to live. It seems like it would be a good idea for us to re-elect him to see how much more he can do for us.

Tolerable comments
From Amy Schell-Lapora
Cave Junction

Having listened to the commissioner candidates, I was most interested in what the candidates had actually done for the community. Most of them had not even volunteered for a single county or city committee.

Actually, the only one who really had any volunteer time in was Commissioner Dave Toler.

He was an elected Three Rivers School District board member for 10 years. While on the district board, he earned the respect of many of the more conservative members as he proved he was able to work with all of them and get things done. Then he volunteered for the I.V. Senior Center and got them a $150,000 expansion grant. He also coordinated the I.V. Fire District“s funding initiative, which was successful.

I applaud Toler for the selfless service he has given the Illinois Valley and Josephine County. As for the rest, they should volunteer for something and try to make the world a better place. Toler has and will get my vote.

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