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.

A veteran“s view
From Andrew Patton
O“Brien

Sandi Cassanelli is a pathetically embarrassing county commissioner, but we can take solace in the fact that she is free advertising for whom not to vote for in any coming election (who“s pulling your strings, puppet“)

Living in a community of fellow veterans, I can assure that none of us served our country on an oil tanker.

I would gladly donate a thousand dollars — we could have a parade — and wave good-bye to Cassanelli, Brown, Walter, et al., as they leave the county, with the blessing of whatever God you choose to (or not) believe in.

Gambling big concern
From Jean A Linck
Problem Gambling Treatment, Prevention and Outreach, Options for Southern Oregon
Grants Pass

I am writing in regard to the ballot issue on social gambling in Cave Junction.

As a problem-gambling counselor, I have a real concern that people will be voting on an issue that they really don“t understand. Anyone denying the negative effect that gambling has on any community is severely misinformed.

The more readily available is any addictive substance/behavior, in this case gambling, the higher the rate of problems “ the kind that arise usually are not readily connected to problem-gambling such as not being able to pay the power bill or buy groceries. The drain on community resources increases everywhere access to gambling increases.

In a recent article in the Grants Pass newspaper, Andrea Thomas states that Gold Hill has had no problems from the presence of social gaming. Then tell me why Gold Hill has its own Gamblers Anonymous meeting. When she states that she would like to donate part of the profits to local charities I have two responses.

First, the charities would need the money more than ever in the presence of gambling; second, it sounds like the same ploy used to bring gambling to the state in the first place. Another comment she makes is that people wouldn“t be sweating over thousand-dollar pots; it is all relative, but in the years I have been treating problem gamblers I know that many people can“t afford to lose even a hundred dollars.

Oregonians didn“t understand the long-range effects of gambling on the state when they voted it in, and I am concerned that the same thing will happen in Cave Junction.

Problem-gambling affects 3 to 5 percent of our population, and that number is up to 10 times higher among people who already suffer from another addiction. Also, it is affecting twice as many young men than any other age group.

Did anyone notice who was sitting at the Gold Hill tables in the Daily Courier photo“ Mostly young men. If CJ needs more recreational outlets why not come up with healthy, family oriented ideas and nix social gambling“

For more information on problem gambling the state has a wonderful Website; (1877mylimit.org) check it and make an informed vote.

(Editor“s Note: The preceding letter was received prior to last week“s issue, but due to space was not used until this issue, even though the election was held Tuesday, May 18).

SFI not “eco-terrorists“
From Bob Litak
Cave Junction

When reading Letters to the Editor in Illinois Valley News, I am often reminded of the advice that it is better to keep one“s mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to speak up and remove any doubt.

Unfortunately, a recent letter-writer does not seem to have learned the wisdom of this axiom. In a misguided and desperate attempt to promote his own political candidate, he has attempted to associate the Siskiyou Field Institute (SFI) with “eco-terrorists,“ apparently because Josephine County Commissioner Dave Toler once worked at SFI.

To set the record straight, SFI is an independent non-profit organization that exists to promote education, research, and tourism in Illinois Valley. SFI“s mission is to deepen people“s scientific understanding and intimate connection to the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion by providing educational programs and outdoor experiences to a broad spectrum of the public.

As far as I know, SFI is unique in attracting financial support from organizations as diverse as Rough & Ready Lumber Co., and, yes, the Siskiyou Project.

SFI“s board of directors (the “players“ in the letter-writer“s jargon) consists of President Kathy Burkey, the Executive Dean Emeritus of the Rogue Community College Redwood Campus; Vice President Kathy Krauss, semiretired professor at RCC and a long-time resident of Illinois Valley, (where she and her late husband, Lew, raised seven children); Rick Levine, President Emeritus of RCC; Lee Webb, retired biologist for the U.S. Forest Service; Meadow Martell, former executive director of Siskiyou Community Health Center; Kristi Merganthaler, a botanist who works with BLM; Bruce Gibbs and myself, both local businessmen with geoscience backgrounds.

I would challenge the letter-writer to stop any of us on the street and accuse us of being terrorists.

Since Toler also did volunteer work for I.V. Fire District and Three Rivers School District, I wouldn“t be surprised if those organizations are accused of being terrorists, communists, or who-knows-what. Regardless of their political affiliation, I expect that readers of the I.V. News will have more sense than to listen to those rants.

Who will save you“
From John Bazen
Cave Junction

Most church-goers, even those who only go twice a year, have some knowledge about the “End Time“ woes, given us in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

Sadly, many of those, even the ones who seldom miss a sermon, and even those who teach/speak, must not fully know nor understand Matthew 23.

We need only listen to what passes today as “Biblical knowledge,“ and ask why are so many of your dearly held ideas and beliefs not Biblical in the least“

I ask, “Who will save you““ Your preacher, or your church, or your traditions, or self, or Jesus“

Touching upon man“s traditions, have you not read Matt. 23:9“...call no man your father, upon earth, for there is your Father, which is in Heaven...“ Again, where do you put your faith“ In man, men or God“

You must know by now that the Deceiver, Satan, has many helpers in his attempts to divide humanity from God. Can anyone think of a better place to deceive than from the pulpits“

Never take the words of men, over, or for, the Word of God; learn this for yourselves. There“s no other book given to men, other than the Bible, given to us by our Creator, as His “blue-print“ for pointing out our requirements for our Salvation, by the works of the Holy Spirit. We must choose Him.

All who scoff at this and reject God will themselves be rejected, because our Father knows that for these, life in Heaven would be as our ideas of Hell.

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